Gourmet Goodness from Guatemala Come on and join me I'm grinding some right now. Thanks Dan

When I woke up this morning it was foggy wet and rainy. That put me in the mood to hear rain related songs today. Here is my play list so far. Please feel free to add your favorite rain songs too.

"I Wish it Would Rain" - Perfect Heart
"Have You Ever Seen the Rain?" - CCR
"Who'll Stop the Rain" - CCR
"When the Levee Breaks" - Led Zep
"Rain Song" - Led Zep
"Let it Rain" - Clapton
"Fool in the Rain" - Led Zep
"Showdown" - ELO
"Rainy Night in Georgia" - Brook Benton
"About to Rain" -Neil Young,
"All Night Rain" -ARS,
"Another Rainy Night" -Queensryche
"Why Does it Always Rain on Me?" -Travis
"Ashes, the Rain, and I" - The James Gang,
"Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain" - Willie Nelson
"Purple Rain" - Prince
"Crying in the Rain" -Whitesnake
"Fire & Rain" -The Isley Brothers
"Flood" -Jars of Clay
"The Sky is Crying" - Stevie Ray Vaughn
"Kentucky Rain" -Elvis
"Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head" - B.J. Thomas
"Rainin' in Paradise" - Neil Young
"Raining in My Heart" - Buddy Holly
"Let It Rain” – Mark Chesnutt
"Rainmaker" -Kansas,
"Rainy Days and Mondays" - The Carpenters
"Acid Rain" - Liquid Tension Experement
"Red Rain" - Peter Gabriel
"Smoky Mountain Rain" - Ronnie Milsap
"I’m only happy when it rains" - Garbage
"Tears in Rain" -Joe Satriani
"Walkin' in the Rain" -Jay and the Americans,
"I Love the Rainy Nights!”" - Eddie Rabbitt
"It's Raining" - Rick Derringer
"Here comes the rain again" - Eurythmics
"I Can't Stand the Rain" - Ann Peebles

The first half of my week was not very productive. There have been too many of those lately. You see after a great relaxing weekend I thought I was ready for any challenge. I was wrong. Early in the week I was ‘spinning my wheels’. Facing the same problems and issues yet achieving little in the way of results. It had gotten so bad I've been seriously wondering if stuck has become the new normal in my world. I felt like I'd become a character in the movie “Groundhogs Day”. Facing the same situations, reacting to them by doing the same things, then acting surprised when I got and getting the same results. I had fallen into the trap. I was confined to the same old system producing the same old results week after week.

That doesn't just happen to people. It occurs in organizations too. Business, charities, clubs, groups and churches, YES especially churches can all fall victim to the trap of doing it the same way over and over, while achieving little progress.

Tony Morgan has a unique outlook and great style of communicating. In his coming book "Hanging Up the Leisure Suit: How to Get Unstuck” the 2nd in the Leisure suit series, Tony outlines steps for getting 'unstuck'. He shows ways of breaking free of the past and moving ahead. And he does it in a very readable manor that should work for anyone. From regular people to business leaders to senior staff and pastors.

We all get stuck. Sometimes we don't even know it. In his previous book Tony showed why this happens. He related how the same old thinking is rather like continuing to wear that Leisure Suit you had worn so proudly "back in the day". That look is outmoded in today’s world just as many ideas, styles and practices are outmoded by current standards. He teaches how foundations, systems and strategies need to be updated in order to meet the challenges of today. As I said, some people don't even know they are stuck. Because of this, Tony thoughtfully offers an assessment type quiz for you and your organization to take.

I totally needed this book this week in my personal life. Several of the thoughts and ideas I learned can put into practice right NOW. Then I’ll take those thoughts and apply them to my small group leadership. I’m looking forward to the results.

This book came at a perfect time for me. If you are a leader of a church, business or any group you should read this book and take the quiz. Maybe you are like me an individual condemned to simply taking the same old steps but moving nowhere. Feeling like you are knee deep in quicksand of non-progress. If so then by all means read this book, take the quiz and apply the ideas within it. It’s an easy fun read, yet could be one of the most effective tools you’ll find.

We need to "Mind the Gap" between vision and execution The gap between goals and action. Mind the gap lest you slip into it and fall under the train.

Aloha

Hi there webbies My name is Lulu from Honolulu... I just flew in to help wish a friend of a friend a happy B*day. I really hope he likes me. I fixed myself up real nice for this my first main land gig.

Lets see I gots my

• grass skirt
• flower in lovely hair ( denoting my dating status )
• several flower Leis
• my "special" flower covered flip flops
• and my snazzy shades ( that tropical sun is brutal )
• red lipstick for that special look

Seems like I am ready. I am looking forward to this. They tell me he is a manly sorta man, just like Lulu likes, sugar.

Well it's show time I will try to post more photos later when I get back and get my film developed sweetie.

Next time you are in the islands just ask for sweet Lulu. I'd just love showing you all the real sights.

hang loose!!

Last few books I read. A bakers dozen plus one ( in no particular order )

1. The Bible =basic instructions for everything - read a little every day
2. Clear the Decks - Daniel Gallery - Humorous novel about Navy Pilots - I laugh out loud every time I read it.
3. War in the Falklands - London Times Team = Very in depth history of the Falklands war.
4. Flying High - James Wynbrandt = Biography and history of David Neeleman and JetBlue
5. Blessed Life - Robert Morris = down to earth biblical principals that have challenged my heart.
6. the Source of My Strength - Charles Stanley = comfort for times of grief.
   
7. Anytime, Anywhere - Martin Caidin = Novel of A ragtag group of pilots
8. Thriving on Less - Leo Babauta = How to downsize your life
9. Sunshine Skies - David Henderson = A history of regional Airlines in the southeastern U.S.
10. the Case Files of Sherlock Holmes - Dr John Watson = a reproduction of Doctor Watson's actual notes of several great cases.
11. Sun Stand Still - Steven Furtick = What if we truly had audacious faith?
    
12. Amazing Encounters with God - Clayton King = stories that open your mind to God's power.
    
13. So You're Dead - Kevin Garrison = A tongue -in-cheek look at life and death by a fellow pilot
14. Plan B - Pete Wilson = What Do You Do When God Doesn't Show Up the Way You Thought He Would?
    

I came across this article on the web today about how the drug runners are becoming more creative and more high tech in their smuggling. It has become an ever changing battle just to keep up in the Drug Wars

It seem they have a new tool. A drug running submarine. Here it is after capture.

Colombian Marines seized a makeshift submarine capable of smuggling up to 12 tonnes of whatever. It was large enough to have space for four crew members.

I don't need it for smuggling anything, let alone drug running but wouldn't it be cool to own a sub?

At least one U.S. company are marketing one. The Phoenix 1000. And it's a big one. At over 2oo feet long ( 213 ) with more than 5000 sq feet of space on four levels. The web site doesn't list a price but you can imagine I am sure.

A little more realistic is the Triton 1000. Made by the same company the Triton is 3 meters long and seats two people.

Still no mention of the price but again I suspect it is well beyond my budget.

Maybe I should just build my own. Lets see here. I have a a couple 55 gallon drums and lot of garden hose and a hack saw. I'm thinking bike pedals for power and an old broken oar as a rudder.

Let me get back to you on this one after I draw up some plans.

About a year ago Kristie and I enjoyed a relaxing night of live music. Last night I traveled to Greenville to hear Randall Bramblett again. Unlike the 2010 show this was a full band show. Actually it was a hybrid show featuring the Australian Guitar guru Geoff Achison, his band featuring Randall.

I'd never heard Geoff Achison before other than a couple short clips on his web page. But I'll make every effort to be there any time his is back in this area. This guy was amazing on guitar. He wasn't using any effects, not even a volume pedal, but the sounds he produced defy logic. It is obvious that not only does he have coming from Australia in common with Tommy Emmanuel, but he shares many very similar techniques. His extremely fiery playing was perfect for Randall Branblett's soulful southern blues styles.

Like always I had to treat myself to a DVD and cd which are currently set on continuous repeat on my stereo.

It was a great night of music to cap an musical week.

the ABC's of this week

A - Air conditioner - Wife's car, "the 'lil Dragster " needs a/c service...again
B - Baseball Game - Attending the game on Anderson Night
C - coffee - enjoying a fresh bag of Kenyan AAA via my great friend Sue who just returned from a mission trip.
D - Dad is doing much better this week
E - Excited by H.G guys night. in the planning stage
F - Friends - I am blessed to know the best
G - picking up the Genset ( it's for sale btw )
H - the Handlebar - looking forward to seeing Randall Bramblett in concert there this week
I - the Invitation at church yesterday. A miracle occurred in many lives.
J - John 17:23
K - Katelyn graduates this week. Is that really possible than my "Sugar Cub " is 18 ?
L - LZU - thinking I'm gonna fly there to visit the "Flying Machine" for dinner this weekend.
M - Music - This week is truly filled with great LIVE music. 4 nights
N - NewSpring - love my church
O - Obvious answers to some of the little problems we face. Others not so clear, yet thankful for all.
P - Pastor Perry Noble - thank you Lord for placing such a man of God in my life.
Q - Quiet time - God has been teaching me to be silent and listen
R - Rush - Worlds greatest Band. In G'ville this week.
S - the "Shock" - girls softball playoffs - the Monk is starting game two on the mound
T - Temperature - saw 99 degrees at my house yesterday
U - U.K. & Ukraine - Our Partner Churches in Europe, as well as Kenya - praying daily
V - Visiting - the New Foundations Children's home
W - Wife - More than I ever dreamed - I love her so much
X - "X" marks the spot for every thing else I forgot to list
Y - Yard - be careful what you wish for. I don't like to mow, and now my lawn is turning brown in this heat.
Z - Zaxby's I got a free meal coupon.

I am a rock hard manly man (stop snickering). And I have my very own bathroom. Not one of those trendy 40 foot long bathrooms with two sink basins that are so popular now, but a for real mans bathroom all to myself. I am lucky I know. It’s a little smallish but fully functional. It’s a mans place.. Well except for the shower curtain.

My amazing wife was in charge there. And she hooked me up with not one but two shower curtains and two shower rods. A real one inside where the water hits and a cloth frilly one with tiebacks over the outside. That ones true purpose is to vex me daily when entering and exiting. But I accepted it as the price of privacy. And I never have to contend with panty hose... Ok?

I like a HARD, FULL spray from my shower. And I have that. But that itself added one other slight problem. The towel rod at the far end still gets very wet, making it useless for my drying towel during the showers.

So I solve that problem by placing my folded towel on top of the rods next to the far end wall. That works well more than 99% of the time. But every once in a while,, not often, maybe three times a year, usually due to my carelessness, the towel falls to the floor. Like it did today. So in the all the years we have lived here how many times do you think the towel falls outside the shower? NONE never!! And it only falls after the water is on, my back is turned and I have shampoo and soap everywhere.

What are those odds? And why is that?

What is on my Ipod this week?

I generally don't do tracks or mix cd's each of these are complete cd's

In no particular order

1. Jars of Clay: If I left the Zoo
2. Switchfoot: Hello Hurricane
3. Mercy Me: Almost There
4. Stryper: Murder By Pride
5. Jethro Tull.: J-Tull dot Com
6. Robert Simon: Latin Passion
7. Randall Bramblett: Meantime
8. Marillion: Los Trios
9. The Mulberry Purple: The Mulberry Purple
10. Creed: Full Circle
11. Rodney Crowell: Fates Right Hand
12. Saga : Human Condition
13. Todd Fields: Todd Fields
14. Scott Mosher: Deep Horizon
15. Joe Satraini: Surfing with the Alien ( unofficial artist of A-control)

What is on yours?

Last night my wife and I had a great 'date night ', attending a concert by Randall Bramblett. They are trying something new at the Electric City Playhouse. here in town. It was a small solo unplugged show. Just a singer-songwriter, his guitar and his piano. Randall has one of the most soulful voices I ever heard and is an outstanding musician as his hundreds of recording credits testify. But above all he is a poet, writing and singing songs with such expressive and emotional lyrics.

A lot of the almost two hours he played was songs from the new cd "Meantime" his 7th solo work. It is such a laid back easy recording. In the vein of a male Norah Jones. These songs featured just a singer and his piano. Very nice. The cd is a slight departure from his norm but after only one listen I am hooked.

The "room" as Randall refered to it was great with comfortable theater seating in a semi-round high rising layout that designed for the community playhouse productions they normaly hold. The sound was near perfect. It is a very nice place for relaxing music.

Even after a few decades in the business Randall is still a down-to-earth guy. Very open and great to talk with. He even autographed a cd for me.

Walking in the door we were greated by our friends Dan and Mary. I had not thought to inform nor invite them. It never crossed my mind, but as soon as I heard Dan's voice (he spotted me first ) I thought of all the people I know he WOULD be the one most likely to attend. I was glad he didn't miss it. We had a wonderful time. I hope they hold more events like this. I even

Here is a short ( incomplete ) list of people Randall Bramblett has recorded with :

Sea Level
Chuck Leavell
Greg Allman
Levon Helm
Allman Brothers Band
Widespread Panic
Steve Winwood
Traffic
Gov't Mule
Bonnie Raitt
Delbert McClinton
Bonnie Bramlett
Roger Glover
Atlanta Rhythm Section
Cowboy
Elvin Bishop
Goose Creek Symphony
John Hammond
Warren Haynes
Robbie Robertson
Johnny Jenkins
Jerry Joseph
Jan Krist
Francine Reed
Vigilantes of Love
String Cheese Incident
Phoebe Snow
Grateful Dead

Daylight savings time is a pain in the clock.

Lets see now, last week I reset the clocks. The one on the stove in my kitchen, the microwave, the coffee maker and of course the one on the wall. In my living room I have one on top of the entertainment center. Five on electronic devices ( tv dvd, vcr and so on ) along with two lamp timers. Two additional stereo timers, a programing timer, and a clock near my easy chair. Two in my home office not counting the three on the computers. Then there is the one connected to the alarm system and the one in the answering machine. Two in the hall, one on the thermostat, and one on the indoor/ outdoor temperature receiver. One on the clock radio in the guest room, one in the other bedroom. Four in the master bedroom ( two alarms each, yes we are odd ) One in each automobile and one in the garage. Several watches. Two in the plane. Ok I admit the GPS units in the plane and cars set themselves. So do the cell phones and pda's. Still by my count there is a heap of resetting going on in my small world.

It appears that a time warp going on inside my house. Is it a time warp, a distortion of the space and time continuum? Could Einstein be wrong? The clock on my thermostat and the one on the indoor / outdoor thermometer both have been off one hour twice in the past week. I corrected the error last Wednesday morning and just tonight I noticed the discrepancy again.

Should I be worried, I mean isn't a rip in the fabric of time serious?

Stay tuned to this blog page. Updates may well follow and they could unmask a vast shift in time as we know it. ...

Or maybe I just set them wrong ...twice.

Be right back

I am busy contemplating one of world slipperiest mysteries.

Why does Teflon stick to the pan?



Seriously it has been a busy week but I shall return asap.

It's play season at Anderson University. Time to enjoy yet another year of fantastic live theater by the Drama dept.

Over the weekend we attended the seasons first offering. A little known play " Fiddler on the Roof" Obviously I am kidding. Fiddler is one of the most successful Stage presentations in Broadway history. In fact it was the first Broadway show to exceed 3000 productions. It was also made into an academy award winning motion picture. The film won three Oscars.

The A.U. production was large enough to be held in the biggest auditorium on campus. On the night we went it was about packed out.

Fiddler is a story centered on a simple man, Tevye the father of five daughters, and his attempts to maintain his family and religious traditions. He must learn to cope the strong-willed actions of his three older daughters as they choose husbands while dealing with the harsh life he faces as a Jewish milkman in a small Russian town. Dealing with the events of the Revolution and persecution of all Jewish people by the Tsar's government.

This production was directed by Deborah McEniry who also did an outstanding job last year.

The Drama department chairman David Larson, his students, and staff do an outstanding job. You really should check this one out.

I was always told never start off a story with an apology. I guess that applies to blogging too. However since I know nothing about proper writing I shall ignore that advice, and offer my apologies to those who set their lives by my postings. OK I am being silly. But I am a little late posting. I experienced some blog access issues last night. Something about maintenance and I fell asleep while waiting it out.

First up I planned on flying to the Atlanta area this morning on business, but it is seriously foggy here, way to bad to try to takeoff. And the airport at Cobb County is reporting the same if not worse. Maybe later.

As I said in my last post, Saturday was my anniversary. I had a great low key celebration with my beautiful bride. The day started slow because Kris had to forgo sleeping-in to attend a function at the University. Work related Saturdays are rare for her, but that doesn't make it any easier to arise early, especially when I am still sleeping. About the time her event wrapped up and she had returned home both the Clemson and Georgia football games were starting on tv. She had eaten so I grabbed a leftover chicken leg and we settled in to watch those games. Both teams have struggled inexplicably this season but Saturday they cruised to sorely needed victories.

After the game we had dinner reservations at the Galley. It's a somewhat upscale restaurant located on the shore of Lake Hartwell, at the marina. Dining in a quiet romantic setting while watching the sunset over the water was just the anniversary treat we had hopped for. It didn't hurt that the food was wonderful too. Those who know us well will be surprised to learn she, not me ordered the Prime Rib. That she passed up the Chicken Parmesan is still a mystery. I had grilled Salmon and it was amazing. But I did not miss out on the steak as she ate a little less than half and I get the leftovers later this week.

Sunday was special too. Once again we were able to get the whole family together and take my dad to his church. Only his third visit since his accident. Though Liberty Church is the old family church, it is growing so fast I hardly know 25% of the people there these days. That is a great thing. For years they hovered around 100 - 125 regular attending members, but in the past couple years they have more than doubled that. The building is bursting. Fortunately the new facility is nearing completion. During the service it was easy to see why the growth. First the people were on fire, and preacher Todd seriously brought it. Five salvation's. Rejoicing in Heaven was loud Sunday.

After church we were able to take dad out to lunch at a local meat and three place. We had a good time.

One of the things I love about my church is that we have four identical services every Sunday.
So attending in the evening I still did not miss anything. Our teaching pastor and Evangelist Clayton King chopped wood. God is using Clayton and we had witnessed another 126 souls added to the roll. THAT NEVER GETS OLD. Thanks Lord for men of God bring your message and praying people in churches like Liberty and NewSpring. I am so glad to be a part of this movement.

It's my wedding anniversary. After my accepting Christ, marrying her is the best decision I ever made. It proves I can do some things right from time to time.

Kristie was made just for me. She is a beautiful, smart, gifted lady. An amazing woman. Truly sold out to Jesus. Every part of her world is guided by that faith.
I am blessed to be loved by someone who has more talent and ability in one finger than I have in my whole being. She is the most important person in my life and my best friend.

I am thankful for her and her influence on my world. She is an answer to prayer everyday in my life. I love you sweetheart, you are my dream come true. Every year gets better than the previous one. I can hardly wait for the times yet to come.

Thank you for putting up with me all these years

You are my sweetie

I love you very much

My wife and I don't watch a lot of commercial TV.
Plain and simple we seldom find things that fit us. We don't have Dish or anything similar. Don't subscribe to cable. We don't even have an outside antenna. Some people would say that is why we don't find anything to watch, but after years of cable I argue it's because the quality of most of shows is lacking. Why on earth would I want to pay for shows I am not going to watch anyway?

A salesman knocked on my door a few days ago offering to install this thing called Direct TV. I said to him, " I already have direct TV, it comes straight from the stations tower direct to my rabbit-ears and I get 22 channels." He left me alone after that.

People often ask what Kris and I do if not television. Ever hear of conversation? It's like texting except you utter words in the actual presence of one another. And it doesn't have to be 140 characters or less.

Don't get me wrong I watch stuff. I love reruns of "Law & Order" for instance. And I have accumulated a collection of great tapes ( remember those ) and DVD's.

But some nights we just listen to music and read. Books not l.c.d. screens kiddo's

Tonight we enjoyed something different. Classical Jazz music for piano and drums. You see Kris is a great piano player and I am obsessed with drums. So tonight I broke out my Bill Bruford / Patrick Moraz cd " Music for Piano and Drums. If you don't know who they are then you never heard of the groups Yes, King Crimson, The Moody Blues, U.K., Genesis and many more.

Do yourself a favor. Google them and expand your musical education.

It’s here!!!

I know you have all been waiting, having trouble sleeping from the excited anticipation. Well you can rest easy now. It has returned. What you ask? Why my return to blogging of course.

I had planned for it to be a short break. A few weeks at the most. But since I can’t always predict the events and trends that shape my world, the break grew into months. As much as I missed blogging, the distractions and events of my world made my plans unpredictable.

Catching up:

Any one who reads this blog very likely knows me, and likely knows who I am. I am still the same guy, living in the same place. More than ever I am still madly in love with the most beautiful woman in the world, my bride. I’m thankful for her every day. You can still find me sneaking over to the airport every free moment, flying my plane, talking to the other “Airport Bums” and begging a ride. Hanging out there, while drinking way too much coffee is a habit I am not likely to break.

But most importantly, I am a radical Christ follower, who belongs to an on-fire church that believes in making Jesus famous so that lives can be changed.

The changes and events of past few months can be summed up simply by saying,

"Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose." French novelist Alphonse Karr (1808-90)
("The more things change, the more they stay the same")

What to Expect:

I started this blog as a daily or at least a semi-regular diary of the thoughts and events around me.
I am NOT a writer (as any one who reads this will attest.) But I do have a good time.

I can NOT promise you any profound revelations, or world changing ideas. I won’t promise to always spell correctly, use proper grammar or even compose complete sentences. I assure you typos abound in my work.

But maybe once in a while I’ll post something amusing, causing a small smile and maybe sooner or later something I write will make you say hmmm.

Thanks for reading and please feel free to post comments any time.

Until the next entry …

Where did I put my coffee cup?

Easy Key Lime Pie 3 oz. pack of Lime Jello

12 oz of Key Lime Yogurt ( low fat is fine )

8 oz Cool Whip ( low fat is fine )

Graham Cracker crust combine jello mix & yogurt

pour into crust

stir in Cool Whip on top

Place in fridge at least 1 hr

top with small thin slice a small lime, twisted for garnish

also can be topped with Maraschino cherries ( optional )

We discovered we like it with white chocolate chips lightly sprinkled on top

Fathers Day 2009 was the
BEST Fathers day I ever had.

Last year on August 2nd mid afternoon I talked to my dad on the phone. He lives about 45 minutes away in Georgia. Dad is a retired electronics engineer with broadcast experience. We were discussing the then pending switch to digital television. We chatted a bit then wrapped up our conversation. It was the last phone call I made to him.

A couple hours later Kristie and I were at a church Homegroup cookout when we got a hurried call from mom saying dad had fallen and was being taken to the hospital. No one really knows what happened. Dad went outside to check on the weather, he wanted to see if it was going to rain. Sometime passed and mom went to check on him, finding him face down on the pavement of his driveway, bleeding seriously.

Dad had fallen face first and had fractured his skull around his cheek and eye socket. It was very serious. He had bleeding on his brain and the surrounding areas. Dad also fractured his collarbone and shoulder. It was serious enough that after only a few minutes dad was transferred from the local hospital to the Neurological hospital at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta a couple hours away.

Dad stayed there a few weeks and was then sent to the first of several care centers to complete his recovery. He had suffered serious brain injury which compounded his until then very mild Parkinson's. There have been a lot of up's and downs, mentally, physically and emotionally. And on twice between Thanksgiving and Christmas we were told he was in his final hours.

But dad wasn't ready to give up. And he has fought back. After the first of the year we were able to get him transferred closer to home and that seems to have triggered a miracle like change. Dad still can't swallow, every thing he receives is via a feeding tube, and he still can't walk, but dad has gotten stronger both in mind and in body.

Last week the doctors released dad to venture on short trips about once a week. When we ask him where he wanted to go his only wish was to go to church. So he did. After 292 days inside all dad wanted was to go to church. Dad was there right down front wearing his brown pants and sport coat and tie. The first time he had worn "Street" clothes. I know the angels were rejoicing as we sang.Pastor Todd and wife Amy

Liberty Church , dad's home church is in a massive building program the old scantuary seats around 90 to 100 people. The new one will seat 450. I am amazed 450 seats. This is in a little rural town of 850 people. At the new construction they had dad sign his name to his favorite scripture, on the stud which support the main entry door frame. It was an honor I'll always remember.

Dad was tired afterward but happy as I've seen him. We still have a long way to go in his recovery, but days like this are better than medicine. For the whole family. I am so proud.


So after almost a year of trials, I got to be with my dad at church on Fathers day. And that makes this the

BEST FATHERS DAY EVER