BOOM! ! Sizzle Sizzle !


I was spending the night at my mothers house and we could hear distant thunder. Most things were unplugged and we were getting ready for bed, winding down from a long day visiting my dad.

Suddenly just as I walked by the dining room table there was a LOUD bang, the lights went out and something hit me on the leg. I could smell smoke, just a whiff, of that acrid smoke like when electrical things are burning. I heard stuff falling and what sounded like glass breaking. It all happened in half a heartbeat. We had been struck by lightning.


After checking on mom ( she was fine ) and finding a flashlight I surveyed the damage as best I could. Wall hangings had fallen and all the recessed lighting had the covers knocked loose. The phones were out too. But the most serious was when I saw the wall switches were smoked and the plate covering them was gone. Well most of it was anyway. It had blown it apart and pieces had flown 10 feet across the room. Part of that is what hit me. Further survey yielded several more with similar damage. I cut the breakers to the effected areas and since it was after 10 we went to bed.

The power came back on after several hours and the next morning I did a closer inspection. The hit destroyed at least six switches. The phone was still out, and the answering machine was totally fried. Most interestingly the electrical plug for the deep freeze down stairs was blown out of it's socket completely. Yet it was otherwise undamaged. Outside a gutter down spout was knocked down, but I suspect the heavy downpour did that. I begin the repairs today.

Thankfully neither of us was hurt and the damage was minor. We dodged a bullet. But when it happened I assure you, our heart rates soared.

I am NOT a good morning person. It is not good to ask me for decisions or even to engage me in a conversation before my coffee and maybe then only after 30 to 45 minutes. I have been around people who drove me crazy talking too much. We all have. But even I never went this far over a chatty Cathy or a talky Tom.

But then I never met this woman’s friend.

After her now former friend I presume came for a visit and talked 30 hours straight, A woman in Germany called the police to “help rescue” her.

WOW having you arrested for talking. Now that’s what friends are for.

DAD UPDATE:

Today he took seven steps. That is the first time he'd been on his feet in 23 days. And today he ate a small cookie with the help of his speech therapist. That was his first solid food too. Next we have to teach him to swallow liquid unassisted.

Dad still has a long way to go, but I see amazing progress being made.

Thanks to every one for your continuing prayers.

What is that strange sound?

It's it's ...raining

Thank you Lord for sending "Fay" this way in this form.

Last night we were singing with the Angels.

At church we heard an awesome, and inspiring message about how God is always in control. How he is there "When Life Hurts Most".

In John 16:33 Jesus promised that in him we will have peace. When we are immersed in Christ.

1) God love us ... no matter what
2)God maintains control
3) God can use everything, even the worst, for eternal good.
God paints on a canvas bigger than we can see or understand sometimes.

The message was especially applicable to my world right now.

It seems like our normal world has fallen apart and sometimes I wonder if it'll ever return to status quo. Broken cars, lawn mowers, growing aches and pains ( aging I guess), Kristie's mothers surgery, my dads injury and his SLOW recovery. The aging of our parents, several deaths amongst our families and friends recently.

The things every one faces from time to time. And if you are not.. you will soon.

You will have trouble, but remember "Our God Reigns". ( John 16:33 )

Last night at NewSpring we had an alter call, for people to come and pray. People were touched, lives were changed forever. And we sang praises. Along with the angels in heaven who rejoice each time a soul is saved.

Thank you Lord for reminding me daily that you are in control. Thank you for the peace only you can supply. And thank you for leading me to a church of true Christ followers, and for letting me be a part of the amazing things you are doing.

Delta Flight "ABC", Melbourne tower, advise go-around. Runway is closed due to catfish obstruction.

Huh ??

A Delta Airlines flight had to delay it's landing and circle the field Last Wednesday because catfish, yes catfish were strolling across the runway. You read that right I said catfish, walking across a runway. The walking catfish (Clarias batrachus) which can use their pectoral fins to propel themselves in an upright position, were a result of floodwaters caused by Tropical Storm Fay and ended up on the runway.

Airport crews also found to two tortoises, a snake and ...surprise an alligator lurking on the pavement as well.

After they were removed the plane landed without further incident.

In all my flying I have encountered cars, and work crews, rabbits, deer , turkeys and once a child on a bicycle. But never in my wildest dreams would I expect to see a fish strolling across the runway.

Random Thoughts:

I was at the mall this morning and I saw not one but two stores that had already put out Halloween stuff. Am I mistaken or is that more than two months away yet?

Remember when Trick or Treat was fun? And Safe? I remember one time I went to so many houses my bag broke open from the weight. I substituted a grocery bag and kept going. One year I even went out twice. Once as good ole' Uncle Fester from the Addams Family, and then later as a giant glow in the dark blue "Thunder Bird". I remember in Maine there was about two feet of snow one year. Those were the days.


One the way home I tuned in the radio, which for me is rare. There was a car commercial that stated wouldn't a new 2009
[ whatever] look good in your garage?

Who cares? No one sees it in my garage. I want a car that looks good at the red light !

Updates :

Dad is very slowly recovering. He still can't eat or drink, but he is becoming more daily alert and is able to sit up in a chair.

Kristie's mom is recovering from her surgery well ahead of schedule.

And Kristie got a good report from her tests last week.

The Fiero parts have arrived and are being installed today.. Yipee !!


Thanks for your prayers

As I see it there are two problems.

1. We are turning into a nation of couch potatoes
2. Since we are all live where it is not safe to go outside and walk we need Gyms.

Even our pets need exercise. I saw this in the paper last week.


Tah dah !!

A Dog Treadmill.

What a country.

DEEP THOUGHTS # 10

Does it prove that life is hard by the fact that no-body gets out of it alive?

Do they have reserved car parking spaces for non-disabled people at the special olympics?

Why do they call it a television set when you only get one?

Why do you always get a shock when you see somebody you know on
the television?

Why do we call ourselves the human race? Is somebody going to win?