F7 Major

All great things in life take work, nothing is truly effortless. Just look at Moses, he comes across a burning bush, God speaks tells him what to do and his response... "Who me?"  Moses had spent the last 40 years in Madian, as a shepherd, what better preparation for leading people.  Yet, Moses falls back on one of my biggest restrains, "I do not have the talent / gifts / skills / speaking ability."  you can use any of the many words to describe the attributes that people think we need in order to follow God's call in life.  Yet, throughout the Bible, God has call many who though of themselves as ill-equipped.  As is the case with Moses, when we are called to do something the Lord will provide, for Moses he sent his brother-in-lawAaron to be the spokesman.

A second fallback that I have for resisting the call. is an attempt to be humble in all things.  This defense mechanism works like this:  You are sitting in Sunday School, a small group, or around a campfire and have something to say.  You hold back because you do not want to sounds like a "know it all / boastful / better than others / supreme".  Feel free to insert any adjective that might fit.  

However, God has called us to be bold, to take up the ministry with both hands, and to move forward following him.  Last week I went to Middle School Church Camp called Disciple Camp  While I am not in Middle School anymore, I had a great time and connected to the story.  We studied Moses' life, as a sojourner in foreign lands.There are times in my life, when I feel like I am wandering through the desert or the never ending forrest in search of something, the task that God has for me.  

This time I am responding my me feeling that I should learn to play the guitar with the mentally of Isaiah, who answered God with, "Send Me!  I will go."   Last night and tonight I have been asking, who came up the the chord F7 Major?  When I think of F7 I generally want to know, "what function will that do on my PC?"

I am making a effort to learn and play the guitar, so I may glorify the Lord with words and music of praise.  

 

Off in the Distance - 2016

II stand on the rock of the past looking off in the distance.  On the horizon are hopes and dreams for this new year, experiences unknown to me, and challenges not though possible.  The rock is made solid by my past, experiences, successes, and failures.  On my feet are the shoes of progress, which will propel me off in the future, with the support of family and friends.

Simon?

Yesterday, Cap and Ella were introduced to Simon, a black plastic circle with four colored lights.  They were intrigued by Simon, but a bit reserved.  How much fun could Simon be?  (Especially, for kids that have access to the World Wide Web, which is full of fun, free games.). After warming up to Simon they enjoyed playing the game.  This game is a throw back to when I was a child, so I had to give it a try, which took me back in time.

You see it all around these days, the nolgistic movement.  Fashion (welcome back bow ties), open air shopping areas (a re-creation of Main Street), cooking (home artisan bread movement) and film (Star Wars).  In part I believe this movement toward nolgistic items is an attempt to capture the feelings of a time we perceived as less complicated.

Many attribute the complexity of today on email, text messaging, social media, and television ruled our lives.  Yet, the complexities of life are the same now, as they we when I was younger.  Today the difference is I have chosen to enter more complex areanas of life: marriage, children, volunteering at church.  In the same way busyness derived from the electronics we carry in our pocket, is our choice.

As I look forward and wonder how my children will navigate the cross roads between humananity and the electronic communication, I hope that they do not miss out on one of the the most important parts of life - human contact.

If you are looking for that nolgistic feeling of the past, a bow tie will only get you so far.  Reach out and make contact with people, over the phone, in person, or even through a letter.  Put down the World Wide Web, which is more like a spider web or Hotel California.  

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Christmas Traditions

Traditions, the time hornored act of repeating the same actions year after year is comforting.  These traditions may be established over a centuries, or they could be relatively new.  The time between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day is full of traditions,  This time of year where some are preparing for the great Christmas Morning Gift Exchange, while others are preparing for the "Norman Roxkwell" thanksgiving feast, Hannakka, Boxing Day, or Festivus.  For me, Christmas is a time to celebrate family and the birth of Jesus Christ.

My parents, and their parents, worked hard to make sure that Christmas was a special time for all of us.  Through all of that work, we have picked up a number of traditions which are executed every year. My generation, my wife, and my parents have worked to incorporate these traditions into my children, nieces, and nephews.  

Similar to that old blanket, we wrap ourselves up in the comforting nature of tradition.  Recreating that "magic" every year. I really  enjoy these Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day traditions,  Yesterday I was reminded that the next generation is getting older, and more mature/independent.  At the Christmas Eve Service most of the cousins sat behind the adults with Aunt Natty.  They sang the hymns, stood without additional prompting, and listened to the message.  It was a beautiful transition to see.  As we pass along, not only the traditions of Christmas, but also our strong belief in Jesus Christ.

... and this is Art?

Today during lunch I hiked over to the Museum of Fine Art, to look at a few works of art.  This was done, in an attempt to settle my nerves, which have been on edge for a while at work.  Upon checkin at the front desk, I was reminded that the Museum had an Andy Worhal exhibit on display.  I was pumped to see some Worhal works first hand.  The exhibit was had some big prints, very typical Worhal, along with some screen tests, and a wall of photos.  The photos were a let down for me.  I was expecting greatness, and on the wall I found, among other things, a Bidet.  Yes, one of those funny toilets that you might find in a fancy hotel, or France.  

I looked on the internet but could not locate a digital image of the Bidet, it was one of the most unimpressive works of art that I have seen.  Worhal was very talented and produced may wonderful works of art, but the Bidet, was not among them. 

Rocky Mountain National Park

A few years ago Ken Burns produced a documentary on the National Park System, which aired on PBS.  The series was made up of four episodes, which were two hours in length.  After watching them, I was inspired to start visiting the National Parks, and had made great plans (in my head).  Not long after that we transferred to Houston, then moved to Oklahoma City.  After a few years of waiting, having the kids get older, and purchasing the camping gear needed, I finally made it.  We stayed for five nights in the Rocky Mountain National Park, and it was great.

Of course getting up there I had the truck loaded up with supplies, tent, stoves, fuel, food, clothes, and other equipment.

We camped at the Moraine Park Campground, with ~ 200 other families and campers.  I will say that the behavior of the folks in camp was great, it was nothing like the behavior I have seen on display at some state parks.  It was a relief to find the campsite and get the tent set up.  I had assumed that the truck would be parked next to the tent, however, upon arrival I found that the tent pad was 100 yard from where the truck was parked.  Since it is also bear country, I left all of the food, and stoves in the truck, so when it was breakfast or dinner time, I made may a trip back and forth.  We were fortunate that I was able to borrow the Kodiak tent from my dad for the trip, it was in its element, not really a 2 day tent, or a hot weather tent, it fit right in at the campground.

Ella claimed this deer as her friend, and he was in camp almost everyday.  

Aside from the deer, the kids also saw lots of chipmunks, and we did several hikes.  I even made two loops around bear lake on the same day, once with Cap in the morning, and once with Ella in the afternoon.   The views in the park were spectacular, and inspiring.  While I live in the flat lands, I yearn from the hills, peaks, rivers, and forrest in the mountains. 

Here is Cap on his hike around Bear Lake.

Here is Ella, in the afternoon, during her hike around bear lake.

Of course we went over to the Alluvial Falls and the kids got to play in the water, Amy got her feet wet as well.  I stayed busy hopping from boulder to boulder taking pictures.

Ella and I made a hike up past Nymph lake, when it was time to turn around, Ella wanted a little break, and got comfortable on the side of the trail.

 One afternoon we drove up to the Alpine Visitor Center.  Cap did not like the altitude, and Ella wanted to climb the trail to the top, which did not look long from the parking lot.  The hike was longer than anticipated, however, the reward was the view at that height.

The best picture I snapped of the Dynamic Duo.

Last but not least, the family picture as we were departing the park, heading back to the flatlands of eastern Colorado, Kansas, and Oklahoma.  If you want to plan a trip, plan early and reserve a campsite.

Things I learned Today

Some days are full of nifty facts that toy learn throughout the day.  I started my mornig by waking up at 4:30 am, after feeble attempts to go to sleep I watched a BBC 4 show abot avalanches.  Durning this show I learned about the different types of events, as well as, how we try to control them.  In a moment of self confession, I must say that I have always desired to be a ski patrol.  Like other desires it has never been pursued because... ...well it just did not seen like a logical career choice.  (Not that my degrees really line up with what I have been doing for the past 10 years, but that is okay.). Back on point - when I saw the ski patrol firing shells out of a howitzer cannon, and tossing lite sticks of dynamite, wow I missed by calling.

Another triva fact is the Neighbor Walmart has a coffee grinder in the coffee section, however, there were only 5 out of 35 packages that were whole beans.  Also, the grinder is not easy to find, I had to focus to find it.

Last but not least, Ella likes the Muesuem of Fine Art.  We went today and did "Drop In Art" which is for kids from 1-4 PM. Each week is a differ theme, this week is was wire sculpture.

Ella in Action

Ella and the sculpture.

Resident Camp 2014

Last week Cap and I went to "Resident Camp" at Camp George Thomas.  It is a multi day camp designed for Cub Scouts.  The weather was great, even though a strong rain storm came through around 2:30 AM the first night we were there.  For June it was mild, and we did not feel like we were melting the entire time.  Cap got to shoot a bow and arrow for the first time, and we took an after dark hike to the "Old Flag Pole" so we could watch the fire flies in the field below.  We camped at, what one of the program directors said was, "the prettiest campground in camp."  This also made it the farthest from everything, seems that beauty hides itself on the outskirts of camp.  The kids did a skit, learned about trees, animals, how to rescue people from the pool, and how to cook s'mores in tin foil on the coals of a fire.  Here are some pictures...

Cap Shooting Bow

Camp Site

Cap Traversing Camp

A view from the bridge near our campsite

 Bird Feeder Complete

Sunrise across Wooten Field

Cap hoisting the Camp George Thomas Flag

Red Rock State Park

Last night marked a list of first for me and my merry band of campers.  I rendezvoused with Amy in Hinton (returning from The Landbof Enchantment) picked up the kids and went down to Red Rock Canyon State Park.  It was the first time:

1. We had gone to a state park in Oklahoma.

2.  I had taken my immediate family camping outside of scout family camp.

3.  I had spent at least one night camping for 3 consecutive weekends.

4.  I used my new, and somewhat expensive, sleeping pad and determined it may be a bit small.

5. I had on of the off-spring get ill on a camping trip.  He laid in the truck so as not to disturb the campers with his audible complaints.  Additionally, he slept like a champ after regurgitation of recently eaten food.

6.  I have not slept at a public campground in many years, while not a first, I was concerned after seeing how people acted at a public campground we fished at last weekend.

7. I also had a random chat with a fellow camper who is traveling across country and stumbled across this state park.  He grew up in the north east , needless to say he fired words out like a machine gun, while was a bit slower.

The campground we picked was great, lots of space between use ad others, partially due to open campsites.  My conclusion on the park, I great place to go and get away from the hustle and bussle of the big city.

Spring Has Arrived

With the arrival of spring comes the switch to daylight savings time, warmer days, windy weather, and less of my pontificating posts.  It has been exciting times around here, the kids and I went fishing, move shelves and extra food into the house, and we got a storm shelter.  I have also been dreaming and thinking about camping, hjking, fishing, and otherwise beig out of the office/house and in nature.

In my latest attempt to start eating health I have tried a few smoothies.  During the first one I decided that with a mustache like mine, a straw is required.  

Turn off the tv, put the smartphone down, get out and enjoy nature.

The Hershey House

Of all the exciting things that have transpired this week, I have decided to write about chocolate.  That tantalizing treat made from milk, coco, and sugar that really hits the spot.  It comes in ice cream, cakes, cookies, and even beer.  You can also get it in coffee (my favorite type of designer coffee, which I discovered in New Orleans almost 10 years ago.). When chocolate goes camping it get mashed between two graham crackers and a marshmallow creating the s'more.  Chocolate reigns king over holidays, valentines day (what says love more than roses and chocolates, Easter (the Cadbury egg, and chocolate bunny), Halloween (no explaination needed), Christmas (Martha washingtons, chocolate cake, and my favorite - chocolate covered cherries).

Chocolate is more than just a holiday treat, tonight it was desert, but before it was desert my chocolate was a little house.

Chicken Fried Steak Festival

In the event you did not know this, I grew up in the great state of Texas.  As such I like to keep tabs on what is happening down south, it is like a whole other country.  That is what their tourism board or association advertise anyway.  One event that I recently found sounds very tasty, and I would have loved it in my college days.  Amy will back me up on this, anytime we went to eat I ordered chicken fried steak, unless it was the Olive Garden, because they just did not have it on the menu.  Chicken Fried Streak became my favorite dinner out meal when I was a kid, and it remained that until a few years ago.  It was not a change of taste that changed my thoughts of the chicken fried steak.   It was in fact my increasing knowledge of how healthy a chunk of meat that has been battered up, then deep fried in hot oil or grease to a crispy golden brown.  It becomes even more healthy as you add the cream gravy, mashed potatoes (covered in gravy) and corn on the cob (dipped in butter).  

The town of Lamesa has an annual Chicken-Fried Steak Festival, this year it is being held on April 25-27 at Forrest Park.  Below is a list of the 2014 Events.  I have heard of Greek Festivals, Beer Festivals, Albuquerque has a ballon festival, and Roswell, New Mexico has a UFO Festival.  There are a variety of water mellon festivals,  Jazz Festivals, and the like, but this is the first Chicken-Fried Steak Festival I have ever see.  So if you enjoy a good helping of aartery re-enforcing food, travel on down to Lamesa, home of Barry Corbin for the festival.    

2014 Events

• Chicken-fried steak dinner
• Chicken fry cook-off
• Hot air balloons
• Classic car show
• Vendors
• Pet Contest   
• 5K Military Run   
• Arts and crafts
• Live music
• Much more

Pi Day

In case you missed it, today is Pi day.  A day for all of my math and science loving friends.  Pi is a mathematical constant which represents the ration between the circumference of a circle and it's width, or diameter.  Pi is equal to 3.141596... While computers have defined the constant out to a trillion places, I stop at just 6.  That gives me the precision that I need for my calculations.  Upon hearing that it was Pi day, I inmedentatly thought of Marian (my grandmother) who was a mathematics and geometry teacher.  This was back in the day of overhead projectors.  Not only did she use an overhead projector, but she used sharpies to write on the glass and acetone to clean the glass off.  Then again, the teachers were allowed to smoke in the teachers lounge, and we drove vehicles with leaded gasoline.

This should not surprise anyone, even though u was a bit shocked when I found it on the World Wide Web, there is an orginization that promotes Pi day.  The hyperlink is below if you want to learn more about the celebration of the ration between the circumference and the diameter of a circle.

http://www.piday.org

Here are a couple of circles that I have with me most of the time.  This was taken during the heat of battle as I charged up a hill for my cause, inside of a conference room...

A Morning at the Museum

The Museum is a great place for kids, especially the fine arts museum.  They have lots of things that the kids can touch and climb all over.  Oh, wait, I was taking about the Museum of Art is not like that.  You have to be quite, not touch anything, and there is nothing to climb on.  Even with those obstacles the kids and I went down to the Museum of Art and saw some neat things, and some beautiful art work.  While Mr. C and Ms E may not appreciate the artistic value in all of the recycled material that was hung on the wall as part of Come On Down, by Lisa Hoke, they did enjoy watching the time-lapse video of its installation.  (You to can watch the time-lapse video of this exhibit, from the comfort of your home by clicking on this link.)  It was a very unique work of art, and on Saturday Mornings, there is a group of individuals doing Yoga in the exhibit room, we were not among them.

My favorite exhibit was by far the Dale Chihuly Glass, it is not that I do not like paintings I really do, the exhibit just captured my imagination more than the rest.  The simple elegance of glass, blow and colored into may different shapes and sizes.  The lighting that was used help to accent and compliment the glass work.  Giving the glass work a feel of being alive and full of energy.

They had backpacks that kids could have taken which had paper and crafts to do.  Also, the Museum offers all manner of kid and family art classes on Saturdays.  My kids favorite part was taking pictures of the glass sculptor in the entrance.  I have included a few of their photo's below, not the highest quality, we were using the iPhone.  Enjoy...

I will be going back to the Museum soon, since they have an Ansel Adam's exhibit opening on Friday, I informed the family that I would be going back to look at it, with or without them.  I will probably do both, since the Museum is within walking distance of my office.

America's Test Kitchen

I have always had a bit of a fascination with cooking shows, even back when I was in high school.  Back in the day before entire networks were committed to illustrating the culinary arts.  In those days, enlightening Culinary arts shows were limited to Public Broadcasting (PBS).  As Americans grew into watching more and more specialized channels like ESPN, The Weather Channel, and Music Television, the Food Network and Cooking TV arose.  Brining with them personalities like Paula Deene, Emeriald, Bobby Flay, and Iron Chef.  (In all honesty I would hear people talking about iron chef, and assumed that is was a show about cooking with cast iron.  Little did I know that it was a competition between chefs with wild ingredients.  The original series, shot in Japan used ingredients like eel, peaches, octopus, really interesting dishes.  Just think of the challenge in including eel in your desert).  The channels had good programming that was entertaining, yet informative.  While they did not cook anything like Honey (my mother) or Marian (my grandmother, yes there is a story why we called her by her first name, no time here to discuss it) they showed the possibilities of cooking.  Food combinations, food pairing, what you could do with truffles (and for me and explanation of what truffles are).  

Then like all other networks, they fell prey to the realitaty TV.  Now you can watch a chef with a British accident berate restaurant owners for a variety of issues and problems at thier establishment, without giving much in the way of useful information to the home chef.    There is nothing about the wait staff, or ambiance of my dinning room/kitchen that will change the clientele eating at my house.  No matter how many ways I try to cook zucchini, one of my regulars will have nothing to do with it.  They all like grilled steak, pork chops, and grilled chicken.  This change to "reality" cooking has left foks like me who want to learn while watching moving back to the tried and true PBS.  

A few weeks ago I had written about America's Test Kitchen, and was given a nice new apron with America's Test Kirhen on it.  I made an attempt dressing like the host, however I think the beard throws the look out.  Or perhaps it is only the glasses. So many thanks for the new apron, not only is it from a great show, it is in one of my favorite colors!

I consider myself to have very conservative views when it comes to government spending, size and intrusion in my life.  I fully support government funding, which makes up only part of the current funding, of public broadcasting.  Mr C and Ms E have learned all sorts of things about the world around us by watching Nature, NOVA, NOVA Science Now, and even Seasme Street.  When you move to adult programming, there are very informative and thought provoking shows.  Programming that showcases real Americans and their challenges.  If you want to learn about America and it people, take a peek at American Experience, or POV.  If you are concerned that a little NPR or PBS will transform you, it will not.  Some of the shows will be entertaining Dowington Abbey, others will provoke you to ask questions that may change the way you look at things.  You will leave filling more fulfilled than even watching an episode of Seinfield.

The Hobbit

It is done, finally.  I have read a litatary classic written by J.R.R. Tolkien (or at least the first book of the trilogy).  Normally the books I read are not of the caliber of The Hobbit.  Recent readings have typically been fast paced spy novels, which have normal characters with complex relationships.  The Hobbit was a book that had complex characters, and even more complicated relationships.  

I was challenged, in that, this book was not one I could pick-up for 15 minutes every other evening.  Nor, was I able to pick it up and the pick the book back up a couple of weeks later.  This is not a microwave book, it is much more like a slow cooker book, or even a "I am going to spend all day smoking ribs" book.  

It is really a great read, I found it a little on the dry side unless I have a 1 hour block to read and become total engrossed in the book.  The other change I made was swapping from a paper book to an ebook.  Having the ebook allow me much more flexibility for getting a few pages in here or there, while not optimal, it did get me to the finish line.  There is certainly no shortages of options about ebooks.  I am of the opinion that format is less important when compared to content, imagination, and the expansion of thoughts as ideas while reading.

The 1 Inch Gaurd

I got to do something tonight that I have never done before.  I used the 1 inch Gaurd attachment on my clippers to trim my beard... I was quite surprised that my beard had gotten that long, but when you think about it, I have not done any maintenance since thanksgiving.  

The whole operation made me think of the pictures of the Civil War Generals.  Men like Ambrose Burnside, Nathaniel Bedford Forrest, James Longstreet, Alpheus Williams, J.E.B. Stuart,  or John Dunlap Stevenson.  For the life of my I have yet to figure out Burnside's beard, all he shaved was his chin, the part of my face which I hate and find to be the most challenging.  

The one dissatisfying fact about my beard is the chin is almost entirely white.  

Ash Wednesday

Yesterday I celebrated Ash Wednesday and the beginning of lent with the kids.  We had a kids worship service at the church which was nice.  Of course, we also had the kids practicing to sing in church this coming Sunday, adding to the challenge of herding kids.  

As I prepare for the celebration of Easter I have committed to giving up chips and hot sauce during lent.  This will be much greater than my first few Lents on college.  During those times I gave up chocolate, and watermelon, neither were much of a challenge.  Chips and Hot Sauce I part of my routine diet, and sometimes account for my supper.  (Hey, I am getting vegetables in the hot suave and grain from the chips, what's the big deal?).   So if you see me eating chips an hot sauce between now and Easter, call me on it...

Texas Independence Day

March 2, 1836, Texas declared independance from Mexico.  Written by a committee, while the Alamo was under siege, by Santa Anna and his forces.  Drafted and written by, George C. Childress, Edward Conrad, James Gaines, Bailey Hardeman, and Collin McKinney, it was voted on by the delegates to the general confrence, being held at Washington on the Brazos.  Santa Anna went on to be defeated by the Texas Rebles at San Jacinto, and Texas became a nation.  While not the onky state that was a nation prior to statehood, Texans proclaim this loudly.  

There are fifty states in the union, all with their highlights, colorful history, and pride.  Texas is a land all it's own.  From the Indians and wild buffalo that roamed the panhandle, to the pirate island of Galveston, it's history is rich.  While part of the new fronter when compared to the East Coast and New England, it was explored by Cabeza de Vaca, who was shipwrecked on Galveston Island, 1528; and the big hitters of exploration: Alvar Nuñez Cabeza de Vaca, Francisco Vasquez de Coronado and Hernando de Soto.  Becoming a state in 1845.  

Kaisers - American Bistro

The kids and I had an in town adventure today, which included a trip to Kaiser's resturant down (or up depending on where you live) in midtown.  The place has been here since 1918, originally started as Kaiser's Ice Creme Parlor on NW 7th and Robinson.  Opened by Swiss born Anthony "Tony" Kiaser who had the concept: feed people and make them happy.

Mr. C ordered a modified BLT, no mayo, so it was a BL sandwhich.  Served on a bagget and looking much more like a hot dog than a sandwhich it recieved "two thumbs up and a smile."  I managed to get part of the bacon and it was very good.  Ella went with the safe bet, Mac and cheese.  This was actually a side dish, as they do not have a "Kids Menu." Ella gave the Mac and cheese "one thumb down, and a smile."  The smile throws off the critique of the meal, and could have been brought on by the chocolate ice cream she was eating.  They both have he ice cream a "taste good," Ella did not like it because t was cold (go figure).  

I had the Reuben Sandwhich which was very good, perhaps not quite a taste explosion in my mouth, but tasty none the less.  

The dinning area was a bit on the small side, I found the music to be a good selection.  It was somewhat entertaining watching the wheels come off the resturant  while eating, the food server was not happy because 1/4 of the dishes he brought out had to go back.  A couple of times he tried to give the guy at the register the "what for" only to be dismissed by a "...man I don't have time for this..."  Also entertaining was watching the cook hit the bell for the server with exasperation, and a metal plate that was back in the kitchen.  Lunch today came to an end when the dishwasher broke and they ran out of dishes during the Saturday afternoon lunch rush.