Microfiction, the Carolina Panthers, and other random topics

Susan, over at Stony River, has a weekly writing challenge called Microfiction Monday.  She provides a picture and you provide a story to go with it in 140 characters or less.  It's a lot of fun, and a little bit challenging.  I had mine all typed up and ready to go for this week, but i have no idea where it got off to... so, here it is for this week... a day late, and a dollar short...

Yes, we are doing cheese now... no sir, it does not contain any petro... yes sir, it has been tested by the. F.. I'm sure if you just... *sigh*, ok, thank you for your time.

I "met" Susan through her blog, or she "found" me through mine... i can't remember.  What we have in common, other than enjoying to write (although she is MUCH more serious, and better, than i am), we both have Autistic children.  I enjoy reading her material, and she also has a lot of great links to help aspiring writers.  Both with tips, but also submission leads.  If you enjoy writing, i highly encourage you to check out her blog at Stony River: A Writing Life.

Hoozah!  The 2010 regular NFL season is finally over for the Carolina Panthers.  Normally, i would be disappointed that it was over before a single game of the playoffs have been played, but this was a particularly hard season to muscle through as a fan.  At 2-14 there were very few highlights to enjoy.  I thought it was good for the Panthers organization to finally make it official that Coach Fox would not be returning.  It's something that has been speculated for over a year now.  Still, i think it is a shame.  Coach Fox has literally been the best coach the Panthers have ever had, and the only one with greater than .500 record.  He will be missed, at least by me.  I have no idea what the future holds for the NFL right now, but with everything in limbo... i do not have very high hopes for the 2011 football season either.  I just hope John Kasay is still kicking the ball through the uprights for them.  At least for another season or two, but definitely for as long as God continues to give him strength.  (A nice article with the same sentiments over at the Charlotte Observer: What Does Kasay's future hold?)The Panthers do have the #1 draft pick in April, and everyone seems to think that Andrew Luck is the real deal... but how many times have i heard that before.  Only God knows for sure.  But, i admit... the writers have me excited about the possibility.

Speaking of the Panthers... i have been wanting to make a football fan pilgrimage to Charlotte since they started playing in 1995, but i've always allowed other life priorities to bump my dream to the back burner.  This year, with my beloved's blessing,i hope to make a game (assuming there is a season in 2011... if not 2011, then 2012) next year.  At first i made an arbitrary decision to go to whichever game they wear their alternate blue jerseys... but now i see they will be playing the Washington Redskins in Charlotte... my father has been literally a lifelong Washington Redskins fan... so... i think i will try and take him with me.  At least that is the plan as of 3-January-2011.  We shall see.

2011 kind of limped on in for me this year.  I was broadsided with some kind of serious cold/bronchitis/flu deal.  Lots of fatigue, lots of congestion, and now some serious head congestion.  First time i ever had chest congestion move up into the head.  it is usually in reverse.  Mucinex and Alka-Seltzer Cold are my best buddies right now.  Plop, plop, fizz, fizz, Oh what a relief it is, fast, FAST, FAST!  

My oldest, LONG-SHANKS, recently experienced a loss of a schoolmate.  It was not someone he was close with, but he did know of him and he knew of my son.  DS1 is closer with the other student who was in the care with this young man.  As a parent, i struggle a lot with how to best lead each of my children.  DS1 is not very similar to DS2, not is he very similar to my DD3 (being a male versus female aside).  Each child is unique and requires unique approaches, but even so... i was (and still am) not really sure what to say. I did go with him to a small get together with their teammates.  I have related with him that while i do not know everything he is thinking, or going through, i did experience something similar when a cousin with whom i was somewhat close to, was murdered (i was a little older than my son is now).  Teens today are different than when i was one... and they will be different if/when my son has a teenager... but... by God's grace, i can only hope i am help shape him into a man of God, who is a true Christian.  Life is hard, life is not fair, but God is always there... and i just pray that he sees this... and that the family of this young man, who tragically has to deal with this loss, my feel some of God's grace and peace... i know i would never be able to survive such a loss without it.

I know this is sort of a down point to wrap up with... but if life has taught me one thing... it is to really do the best you can to balance all things as best you can (Ecclesiastes 3)... be open to the Holy Spirit and God's grace (both for others AND yourself)... and really do NOT take a single day of your life for granted.  We are not guaranteed a tomorrow, and you never know when either someone else's (or even your own) tomorrow is going to be canceled.  Never miss an opportunity to stop and smell the roses or tell someone you love them (and this begins with God).

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Happy Birthday!

As of tomorrow my Toyota Echo will be10 years old!  It has a little over 126k miles on and all but one of them has been under my ownership.  It has been a great little car and i am hoping it goes for at least another ten years.  When i bought it i had considered the Prius, but went with the Echo because it has a timing chain instead of a belt, it gets over 40mpg at times, and the battery technology was still too new for me to feel comfortable over the long haul at the time.  If i were making the choice today i would probably side with the Prius though ~ even with all of the troubles in the media of late.

Last night i had to do some work at the "widget factory".  it was the 4th time in the past two weeks i've had to come in at midnight, and it is wearing on the mind and body.  But that is not really what i want to talk about.  The season is moving on towards summer and last night was a beautiful demonstration of this.  I have grown up, and really lived most of my four plus decades, in the Washington D.C. area (this region is pretty big stretching from almost the Baltimore beltway down South to Fredericksburg, and from Annapolis all the way out to the foothills of the Blueridge Mountains).  I have many memories of Washington summers, hot, sticky, and powerful thunderstorms growing up.  Last night the air was still, but heavy with humidity.  The air had not cooled off all that much as of midnight so it felt really thick.  As i got ready to come in i could see the flashes of "heat lightning", even though the sky looked clear with the almost full moon in radiant display.  As i got into my car i could see the line of clouds that the lightning was flashing throughout.  While it didn't rain while i was on my way to and from work it was a magnificent display of the incredible power of summertime Thunderstorms.  I love thunderstorms.  I found myself missing being out in the wood line at night, sitting in a field chair, with my rain gear on of course, and just watching a storm come through.  Especially at night when the lightning flashes subtlety.

For whatever reason, it made me think of how man has learned to capture and use that power to some degree.  Some might claim we have mastered it, but i will not.  However, we can light up cities like Los Angeles or we can make pulses so fast and yet subtle (the power level equivilant of a barely noticable static shock) that we can use computers to display little characters and pictures on a screen from anywhere to anywhere ~ that has an internet connection ~ in the world.  And then we can turn these "virtual" images, into "hard copies" in print.  Amazing.

My Beloved and COWGIRL were coming through a thunderstorm from Johns Hopkins yesterday.  High winds, hail, all that.  She said that when they broke through the other side of the storm is was beautiful.  While i did not get the sense that this was a sign from God or anything, it is a beautiful real world representation of how our walk through this world is - even for those of us who do not face sever trials like cancer.  Our time here on Earth is but a poor reflection of what those who have their names in the Lamb's Book of Life will experience.  For whatever reason Tunnel by Third Day has been playing over and over in my mind today, so i thought i would share.

I hope everyone who comes by to visit the "dojo" has a restful, thoughtful, and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend.  God Bless.

I will Praise You in this Storm - Music Monday edition - 20100524

Have you ever been in a storm and not known it?  I doubt it.  God has given each of us an ability to have a visual perspective.  We can feel the rain and the wind on our face and bodies.  We can see the dark clouds and lightning.  We can hear the crack of thunder and the impact of rain upon the ground.  But what happens when you are following what God is leading you to do?  There is a peace that truly surpasses all understanding.  The storm still rages, but when you are looking into the Saviors face, Paradise, Psalm 23 playing out.

A really good illustration came to mind as i was typing this out:

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.  And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,  but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them.  And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.  But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear.  But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”  He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.  But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.”  Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”  And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.  And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:22-33, ESV)

This awesome experience of Peter does not fit my situation exactly.  For me God had mercy on me and He was beside and leading me before the storm kicked up.  Peter had to go on ahead of His Lord and before Christ rejoined them the storm blew in.  But the illustration is still vital for me as i continue to go forward.  As long as Peter looks at the Savior he is perfectly safe out on the water.  He is walking on the water while waves and lightning (the later an assumption on my part) crash and the wind howls.  He is at peace in the midst of it all until... he looks no longer to his Lord and Savior, but at the storm.  It is then he begins to sink.  And yet, he is still not lost.  Jesus reaches out and takes hold of Peter and leads him back to the boat.

Praise You In This Storm
Written by Mark Hall / Music by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms

I was sure by now
God, You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with You"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

CHORUS
I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with You"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

CHORUS

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth
(repeat)

CHORUS

Though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

2005 Club Zoo Music (BMI) / SWECS Music (BMI) (adm. by EMI CMG Publishing) / Word Music, LLC (ASCAP) / Banahama Tunes (ASCAP) (adm. by Word Music, LLC)

I have no idea how long, or even how severe this storm is going to be, but i am grateful to Jesus for being with me, and even when i have taken my eyes off of Him, He will draw me back in. 

But ultimately my storm is tame compared to what COWGIRL is going through.  My "storm" is mostly a result of my own comfort and preferences.  Hers is one of family, cancer.  What is going to happen with the illness?  What about her children?  What issues may arise from the children's father?  None of these things are in her control, and yet she is handling herself with grace.  She is the image of peace.

May the Lord continue to shower us with His grace and mercy, may His perfect peace and strength carry us through to the other shore.  Perhaps, even all together.

It has been a a long time

...since I felt 100%. :( For almost 4 weeks now i have been fighting a cold... but some have asked if it's allergies. To be honest, that would make more sense because colds just don't last so long! An unfortunate side affect has been me getting an upper respiratory infection, that and I've not been able to get to the gym in over a week. I was all set to go this morning until my "electric leash" went off at 0120. Then I couldn't get back to sleep until around 0230. I just reset the alarm and will try again tomorrow. I've also noticed that my blogging has slacked off lately. Oh well... it is, what it is. Last week i was getting more and more excited about the up coming Panthers vs. Buccaneers game. I really felt like, IF the Panthers could clear this hurdle, i could allow myself to get excited and perhaps get my hopes up for a post season, maybe even a NFC South title. But alas it was not to be. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers totally dominated the Panthers. Since i predominately "watch" the games through my cell phone it is hard to really see how these things play out, but even reading the play-by-play i could tell that the Bucs owned this game. The next test for the Panthers will be as they host the New Orleans Saints. Now, i have a slight confession to make - the Saints have always been a team a root for, when it does not conflict with my other team (Panthers now, Redskins in the past). There is just something in me that really pulls for the underdog - and the Saints have been bad for a long time, and the last few years they seemed to have pulled themselves up. So, even if the Panthers lose (again) this weekend, i will not be too all disappointed. Still - i really want the Panthers to win. Susan, i would like to make it a point of saying thatnk you for not rubbing it in! :) I have continued to follow the happenings of Fallout 3 as it gets closer to its release date. They finally released the recommended system specs for the PC version so i am keeping my eyes open for good deals on a laptop. I want to use the laptop for personal data keeping, story writing, the occasional vacation trip so the kids can play games and watch movies on the road, and for me to play Fallout 3. :) However, after looking around and asking a few people who are more savvy than i am, this purchase will wait until around Thanksgiving time. Nothing like trying to get in on the bargin shopping of Black Friday. Last week i decided to hire a handy man to help me get past a hurdle on my beloved's birthday present - a deck for the house. Some may remember that a couple of months back i was all excited about getting the post holes dug, but since then i have been "paralyzed" with trying to figure out how to do the posts - how high to pour the cement, etc. This guys was great and we were able to get all eight post holes (it is a free standing deal) prepped. My next step is to get the cement mixed and poured, and to dig four 12" trenches. Once that has been accomplished i will give my "handy man" a call back so he can square me away on the next phase. I will have to box out an access to a sump pump, but other than that it will be pretty straight forward. I really hope to get this finished by Christmas. :) I need to run for today... but it feels good to blog again. Verse for today: Proverbs 15 : 3-11, ESV The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. A gentle [1] tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. A fool despises his father's instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent. In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked. The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools. [2] The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him. The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but he loves him who pursues righteousness. There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof will die. Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord; how much more the hearts of the children of man!

Long time no blog

Wow, it has been a week since my last blog entry. Last weekend my beloved and I took the family up to Lancaster, PA to meet our sister-in-law and there two daughters. It was halfway between our places, and we stayed at the Howard Johnson's there. It was a blast because there was of the indoor water park they have on site. The park was great, and you could order from Quizno's or Domino's right there.

Unfortunately I came down with something. I don't think it was the flu because I don't think I've had a fever, but I have been very 'run down' and sluggish all week and have missed a couple of days from work. It's hard to keep motivated when all of your energy is being used just to keep the feet moving.

Well, I off again (already). I pray you all have a great weekend.
Verse for today:
Psalm 107:1-3, ESV
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever!
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
whom he has redeemed from trouble [1]
and gathered in from the lands,
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.

System reset

Every once in a while the human body just needs to 'reset'. That happened to me last Thursday. My digestive tract decided that it was not happy with me and wanted to basically start from scratch - so it purged the 'system' from one end to the other. I was OK, no fever (that I could tell) - and the family and I had a similar diet Wednesday so I am not sure if what something I ate or not. Anyway, that's enough about that! :) Inspired by a blog I read frequently (2nd Cup of Coffee) I decided to track some fitness stuff. Right now I don't have any goals in mind (other than I'd like to lose about 20 pounds). She sort of tracks how many miles she's walked (or is it run?). This is what I will be tracking: How many miles: (1.68 today) How many calories: 280 (today) How much I weigh: *** (you think I'd post that for the world to see! :lol:) How many push-ups: 15 (today) How many sit-ups: 16 (today) Nothins stellar there to report. I'm pretty sure there's not a fitness magazine that will be breaking down my door to write an article or anything... but like it is said... the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. I think I will try and come up with objectives and then track my progress against it. But I don't want to shoot myself in the foot. The first objective is consistancy. Well, I have a ton of work to catch up on. God bless.... Verse for today: Psalm 21:1-2, ESV O Lord, in your strength the king rejoices,and in your salvation how greatly he exults! You have given him his heart's desireand have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah