New Year, New Stuff

In a couple of days another new year will begin. Who knows what it will hold. Hopefully whatever it is, it will be good, if not, well, I'll just have to take big breathe and hang on and let God. You know, let God do what He does when I can't. So Happy New Year, and Let God.

Having just finished up my first picture book, I can say I learned alot about what to do, and what not to do. For instance, Becky proofed it. Abby proofed it. I proofed it, and still we found errors after I had it already printed. I guess I need to get another set of eyes on it next time. Also, it was kind of all over the place, no real theme. I am hoping as this year unfolds I will develop some kind of theme for my next book. that was number one. I also want to make it a bigger size, maybe more like 8 X 10. I am already taking pictures and working on number two.

Any suggestions for a theme?

Speaking of which, Becky has decided this is something she likes doing, and it is something we can do together. She bought herself a camera for Christmas, so we can go out and take pictures together. Here is a picture of her snapping off a few shots, plus a goose at the city park. I snuck up on it. ( Is snuck a word?) Just so I can stay in practice.

Merry Christmas

It's been fast and furious with multiple music events during the Christmas season. My favorite event was our dinner theater. This is the second year we have done this and what fun and good. We served over 300 rib eye steaks. I also got to meet the Fosters from Glorieta, who work with Tom and Sharon. I am happy to report that they saw me action and that I wasd actually working.

I did get my Christmas lights up and my nativity scene in front of the house. My neighbor, across the street, got his Santa on his surfboard up too. My neighbor, Mr Mietzen, is 80 years old, and is a retired biology teacher. He gets up everyday, whether rain or shine, and goes windsurfing. He wasn't going to put Santa up this year, but he got inspired when he saw me get my decro art nativity scene out.

As I write this it is Christmas eve here in south Texas, It's 70 degrees and rainy and foogy. That's south Texas in the winter. We went to Becky' s moms yesterday and had Christmas with her and our son Josh. Naturally we went out to eat, and you quessed it, mexican food. But I did have some Bluebell vanilla ice cream with my bourbon pecan pie. You can't get that stuff in Mexico, that's an American deal.

God has truly blessed us this year with health, a wonderful family, and many friends. Merry Christmas to all and may God bless each of you. Take the time to hug or call your loved ones on Christmas Day. Life is short, take the time while there is time.

Lazy Day in Halletsville

Last Thursday, Becky and I made a road trip to Halletsville. Why, I don't know? It got a courthouse I wanted pictures of. So we took off, and spent most the day there poking around. We took pictures of the square and of the businesses. By accident we found the city museum. I didn't know this but back in the 20's, 30's, and 40's, Halletsville and many of the surrounding towns had pro baseball teams that were part of the Texas Baseball League. The musuem has a room dedicated to the history of the league and various teams.

While at the museum we found out where the locals go ot eat- The Bellaire. The lunch special that day was roast beef or grilled pork chops, german potatoes, green beans, sauerkraut pickled beets, and chocolate cake for dessert. All for $5.65 We also found out where the city cemetary was and discovered something else. The cemetary was divided into 3 sections. One sections for us commoners, one for the Catholics, and one for the Jews. Now the Jewish section was fenced off form the rest of the cemetary. I know there has to be some kind of reason and story behind this. I may have to do some more research. You never know what you will find when you visit small towns.

We came home by way of Yoakum, and I picked up a new leather billfold for $3 at the tandy outlet store there. All in all a lazy day fill of surprises. Here are pictures of the courthouse, the cemetary, and the statue of a lady we found at the cemetary.

Opening Day

This last Saturday was opening day for deer hunting using a rifle here in south Texas. If it can happen, it happened to me this opening day. First, I get to the stand I am hunting in before daylight, and come face to face with a wild boar hog, a big one. Here it is dark, I am holding a flashlight, and my gun isn't even loaded, and I am 5 yards from a wild pig. I didn't have much choice, so I stomped my feet and grunted at him and he took off. That got the blood flowing. I get in the stand, set there awhile, and as the sun is coming up, I here a noise behind me. I turn and look and here is a raccoon crawling up a tree limb towards me. He's about 5 feet away. Now, I do not want to tangle with a raccoon up in a tree stand or on the ground. I turn my flashlight on him and hiss, and he takes off at a dead run. Ok, I am thinking any deer around here are going to be long gone with all the noise and movement I have made. I was wrong. Not five minutes go by, when a doe and yearling step out. They won't come on into the clearing however. They stamp around and blow, and then finally leave. Then I hear them, those stupid hogs are back, not just one but a whole herd of them. That's what scared the deer off. Besides they are eating all the corn out of the feeder. Enough is enough, I am now irritated and in hog hunting mode. I shot the smallest one first and planned on shooting everyone that stuck his nose out into the clearing. Well, the hogs all ran off and didn't come back. I had one dead, laying right by my feeder. I decided to get down out the stand, and move the hog over into the brush, with the idea that the deer just might come back. Wouldn't you know it, I am halfway down the ladder when out walks a doe at about twenty yards. Alright, you get the picture. i am climbing down a ladder stand with no gun, making all kinds of noise. I got still for about two minutes and decided, I might as well climb back up in the stand, I've got nothing to lose. Low and behold, the doe pays no attention to me, she is more interested in the dead hog. Now the hunting gods must have had pity on me, it wasn't 5 or 6 minutes when a nice 8 point buck walks out. He too, is more interested in dead hog than me, and the rest is history. All of these events all took place in the span of about two hours. It was one of the most interesting hunting adventures I have ever been on. The facts:
8 point buck with 18 inch inside spread, weights about 135 pounds.
one wild pig, weights about 60 pounds.
two pigs got way, but I am laying for them
two raccoons who will soon see my 22 rifle

Fresh backstrap in the freezer!

Because you asked, here it is!

Not that I need it in South Texas, but here is my recipe for snow ice cream. If you make some enjoy.

Snow Ice Cream

Large mixing bowl of fresh snow
1-2 c. Milk (any type is fine, but whole milk is best)
1-2 tsp. Vanilla Extract or other flavoring
1/2 - 1 c. Sugar

Take your large bowl of snow and stir the snow around a bit to fluff it up. Now quickly stir in just enough milk to make the right consistency of ice cream. Start with about 1/2 cup and keep going until you have enough to make the snow creamy. If you add too much milk and it becomes runny, just add some more snow. Then stir in a little vanilla and sugar, and Viola, you've got yourself some homemade snow ice cream! You can also add some other flavoring such as chocolate or strawberry syrup if desired, but I recommend having it plain at least the first time, it just tastes more snowy that way. The snow ice cream can be put in the freezer and saved for later, but it's best served immediately.

The Great BBQ Flap

I have a friend who has started a bbq business. He bought a log cabin covered trailer with a custom grill in the back. He sells bbq plates, chopped beef sandwiches, ribs with all the trimmings like beans and potato salad and cole slaw and homemade bread. He sets up just off the highway between two businesses.

Anyway, he was complaining about how his business is real inconsistent. Good some days, and bad others. I made the suggestion that he needed to come up with a signature or unique dish that was all his own. Several of us regulars tossed around different kinds of ideas. Well, I hit upon this idea. We're here in south Texas, tacos are popular. But who wants a bbq taco. That's not really unique. Here is what I called it- The Texas Pride Wrap. My original recipe consisted of a flour tortilla, chili, a slice of brisket, a slice of chicken, a slice of sausage, cheese whiz, onions, jalepenos, topped with fritos. Everyone thought I crazy, but guess what, it tasted good.

The original recipe has changed to shredded cheese, and no fritos. You can buy a samll one for $2 or 3 for $5 or get the giant for $5. Everything is homemade, even the tortillas. They are now one of his biggest sellers. How come it is I can help everybody else get rich, but I can't. That's ok though, I get my wraps at half price.

So what do you think, does it sound good or not?
I'm still waiting for him to introduce fried twinkies and fried snickers bars. He tells me not on his bbq wagon!

Intersection of Life

Ideas sometimes start in strange ways. Like the title of this blog. It all started when Becky and I went to Nara Visa to visit Tom and Sharon Cole. Tom was relating as story to me about his new GPS. It has a one of those ladies voices which instructs you on which way to turn. Tom told me about being in Santa Fe and being right in the middle of an intersection turning left when the GPS said turn right, right now. He told me about how he lost disoriented and got lost in the intersection. It struck a chord with me- I got lost in the intersection, the intersection of life.

Later, I called a friend of mine, who plays guitar in our praise band, and told him I thought that phrase would make a good song. I forgot about it until two weeks ago he came to me and told me he had finished the song and wanted to play it for me. I listened and I liked what I heard, a song with a message that has a rock and roll beat.

This last Sunday evening, our pastor preached sermon based on that song. His sermon title- The Intersection of Life. Based on Hebrews 11:8-10, the faith chapter.
Heres a quote: Abraham doesn't know where he's going, or when he will there, but he knows who he is following.

You just never know how or when an idea will take off and go. So here are a few pictures I have taken this year with the song The Intersection of Life playing in the background. Enjoy!

1st Hunt of the Season

I had an opportunity to sneak away for an afternoon to archery hunting. I had a great time. I saw three raccoons and two small doe. The deer were about the size of german shepherds. They weren't shooters, at least not for me. Here is a picture for you. They never know I was even there. One day they will grow up and realize that they must pay attention to their surroundings. Sounds like good advice for all of us.

This evening I watered my fall garden. Since we really have 2 seasons here, wet and dry, growing garden can be done year round. I picked some blackeyed peas. I have them cooking as I speak. One japeleno, bacon, salt and pepper, nice and spicy.

Basketball update: My little team actually did some things in the game we practiced. I was really surprised. I can see improvement everytime we get together for practice. I think it is the red kool aid. It helps them focus.

Fall?

It's hard to know for sure, but I think fall is here. Here are some of the signs of it in South Texas:
1. It's a little cooler, like 80 degrees, verses 90 something.
2. The mosquitoes seem to be smaller in size, not the ones the size of golf balls, that suck a pint of blood at a time.
3. High school football games have started. You set in the stands and sweat till the sun goes down.
4. I went archery deer hunting this week end. Ok, when you bow hunt scent control is really important. So I am setting in the stand trying to keep the bugs off, without using bug spray because of the smell factor, sweating in my camo outfit, trying to stay still. Sounds like a great way to relax doesn't it. I did a an eight point buck at about twenty yards, but of course he never stepped out of the brush so I could get a clear shot.

Basketball Update:
I now have an assistant coach. It takes two grown men to handle 7 kinders and 1st graders.
We had our first game Saturday. It was wild. The kids actually scored 8 points. I was pleased. The concept of passing the ball and double dribble still has not sunk in. Injuries were as expected-one bloody nose and one scraped knee.
More passing drills and red kool aid at the next practice. The red kool aid is to get the kids all jacked up before I release them from practice to go back to their parents.
Maybe I should introduce moon pies to them?

Only in America.

Catchin'Up

I am spending the day just catching up on things around the house. I finally got the truck box the Nara Visa cowboy gave me sanded and repainted. I put some Ospho in the rusty spots to kill the rust then primed and repainted it. Found the Ospho at the hardware store. That stuff works pretty good, but don't get any on you. Here is a picture of the box installed.

Since getting back from the trip, I got with my friend Bill Elliot and we got the words to Pancho and Jesus copyrighted. Here's a video it performed by a couple of cowboys we met at the Nara Visa Cowboy gathering. I call them Dos Whoppos--Ha! Ha!







While I was waiting for the video to upload I had my afternoon snack- a chocolate mini-moon pie and a root beer. I am eating a mini-moon pie because I am trying to cut down. I actually had a lady at church who had never had a moon pie. It's hard to believe, but we have so many folks from south of the border, that I think I will take up the job of spreading the news about the American tradition of moon pies. On the wrapper it gives a website for moon pies-
www.moonpie.com. Chocolate is good, but banana is better in my opinion. Additionally, m.p.'s should be eaten with root beer, Dr Pepper( with real Imperial Sugar), or an RC Cola, Grapett on really hot days only.

Tikes and Basketball

Sunday, my family and youth minister came by my office Sunday afternoon. He had that hang dog look on his face when things aren't going well and he needs something. He was short one basketball coach for the Upwards Basketball league. He needed a coach for 7 kindergarten and first grade kiddos.
Anyway, I broke down and said I would do it.

Well, yesterday I contact all the parents to set up practice for today. Practice with these guys consists of learning to dribble and shoot baskets. Just learning the fundamentals.

All is well, not so. On my team are a set of twins who are big time ADHD. These guys already have a reputation for trouble. I don't really know what expect, but I plan on keeping everything moving at a pretty fast pace. Lot's of running and chasing balls. I am even thinking of recruiting an assistant, even though it is only seven kids.

I am looking for suggestions for ideas for practice and how to handle them during the games.
Why do I always get myself in these situations? I gotta learn to say no.

Out with the old and in with the new

I was finally forced to trade in my old purple Nissan truck for a new one. The transmission was going, the front end had various squeaks and grinding noises, and it was hard to shift the gears. Becky and Abby complained all the time. But I loved my little truck. That took me deer hunting and fishing. That truck carried the two deer that Abby shot when I took her hunting. It also carried me to safety one evening I was out fishing and stayed out too long. A tornado touched down and golf ball size hail was falling. My little truck kept me ahead of that storm as I raced it all the way home to make for cover. The tornado just missed us, but my little truck had some dents in it. It brought us safely from Oklahoma back to Texas. I drove it all over the place. It had personality. It never quit on me.

Now I have a new Chevrolet Colorado to make memories in. It will have to prove itself to me. I haven't named it yet, but I am open to suggestions. Anyone got any?
Well, it got off to a good start. It carried us out to New Mexico to see our friends the Coles.

Guys and trucks, it must be a Texas thing, kind of like a cowboy and his horse.

Ramblings

It has been awhile since I posted something new. I also hear that some of you have been wondering what's been going on? Nothing really, just life- life in the fast lane. Take this week for example: Monday- drove back from New Mexico
Tuesday- work all day, then at 6:30 pm- church outreach, followed by praise team practice at 7:30, got home about 9:30
Wednesday- 6:30 am at high school for See You At the Pole Rally, work all day, 6:00 pm All community youth rally, home about 10:00 pm
Thursday- 6:00 am men's group, work all day, 6:30 pm Staff and deacons and wives dinner, home around 9:30 pm
Friday- Work, high school football game in evening
Saturday- Men's ministry hunting trip. leave 5:30 am return around 10:00 pm
Sunday- church and more church.

I am not really complaining, but being with Tom and Sharon was really relaxing. I come back to full bore get on your horse and run and gun. It's life. Why do I do it? Because life is an adventure, and I want to be right in the middle of it. So who's choice is it? Mine

My favorite quote of late is:
Life is like being in a room filled with dynamite, with a monkey holding a blowtorch. You know it's gonna happen, and there's not one thing you can do about it. You can see it coming. So you can worry, or you can just sit back and let God handle it. What a way to get your adrenalin pumping!

I will be posting more pictures from our trip later, but here is one to whet your appettite

Sun Flower

Just a couple of things:
Here is a picture of Abby with the Texas Baptist Allstate band and choir. They got back this week from Germany, after a great trip there.

I have never grown giant sunflowers before so I planted some seeds and here is a picture of one of the ones that came up. It doesn't take much to amaze me, but I was really surprised when this one grew over six feet tall. More later

Glitter Fish in the Modern Age

Just to let you know,
I have an updated version of the world famous glitter fish. I guess after 20 years it is time for some refinement. You can see that we still have the glitter fish, but with crystals instead of glitter, plus a sea horse.

Additionally, we now have a plaster fish made in a sand casting.(picture on the right) using a styrofoam mold wrapped in clear plastic. The kids place shiny rocks and sea shells in the sand and pour plaster of paris over it. Cool huh? The sand fish is on top left.

I guess it's time to bring the glitter fish into the modern world. Oh for the good old days of kids eating glue off their fingers and getting red, blue and green glitter everywhere.

Pescadores de hombres!

More Summertime News and Views

I pulled up my tomato plants and replanted for the fall. The nursery said I should plant BH444's. They told me they do real well around here in the fall.

Laurie- Cowboy Cole's daughter, wanted to know about my lime tree. It's got limes, but never had a lime tree before I do not know exactly when they should ripen. Just one more thing in a long lists of things I need learn. I will philosophie now( if that is a word) It seems the older I get the more stuff I need to know. Is that a sign of maturity or senility? I think they they are real close.

Ok, we started our annual George Adam Park Outreach and Backyard Bible Club today. It's in the bad part of town. You know it's bad when you have to have the police run the dope peddlers off so you can set up. My kind of deal. I have enclosed some video of the garden and of the outreach.
Sorry no glitter fish, but really tasty hotdogs and grape snow cones. I know it's summertime now, I just had my first VBS hotdog and store bought cookies. Tomorrow we will have coconut snowcones, my favorite.

Just summertime around here!

It's been awhile since I posted last. I don't really have an excuse. I've just been lazy and caught up in activities.
Anyway, while Ty,(Abby's friend from Tenn. More about that later) was here, we went to the zoo in Victoria. it's not a bad little zoo. It's two black jaguars that will scare the pants off of you when they come up to the window and stare at you. I got a pretty good picture the tiger, and a fox.

Ok, I am using you guys as an experiment. Becky and I bought a el cheapo video camera at wally world. So here is a short video for you to look at.
Email me and let me know about how it looks. You guys know me, I can get into a gadget every now and then. More later.

Summer is Here!

I know, I know it's been awhile. Well, I've been busy, and I guess lazy too, so here is an update.

First, Abby went to the Prom this year. The kids really put together a neat deal. 6 couples met at our place for pictures, then to another house, where we and two of the other set of parents served them a full course meal with all the trimmings. Next, it was off to the prom, then at about 1:00 am they all came back to our place for video games and food. Four of them spent the night, and went to church with us the next day. It's kind of nice knowing teenagers feel like they can drop by anytime. Ours is the place they seem to congregate. I guess we need to enjoy it while we can, since Abby will be a sr this next year.

Second, the garden. Lot's of good luck. I have been able to pick cucumbers, squash, beans, peppers, and lots of tomatoes. I bought some bird netting to keep the birds out of the tomatoes. My mom gave me some old red glass Christmas balls. I hung them up along with some old cds. It' s funny to watch those mocking birds and crackles peck at those red balls. The theory is after awhile they get tired of pecking at them and will leave your tomatoes along. We'll see. My pellet gun is sighted in, and I have sent several on to bird heaven.

Lastly, I had some blood work done at the doc's. He said everything is perfect. His advice, lose weight, eat right, and exercise. I think he means I need to cut back on the moon pies.

Catchin' Up with this and that

Well, I have been busy with this and that. You know, not much of great importance, but stuff that either needed to be done, or just something I wanted to do.

Let's see, I found a few dewberries, and picked a few of them. Not many, just enough for a cobbler.

Next, I built a walkway out to the deck. Becky says it looks like a boat dock. I am thinking about hanging some Christmas lights in the trees around it, to give it that redneck homey look.

Speaking of redneck, I've declared war on the black crackles eating my dog's food and getting into my garden plots. You see the picture of my rocking chair, well I have put place roller stand right in front of it as a shooting platform. The pump pellet gun has come out. Becky say's I look like a real hillbilly setting in my rocking chair, holding my pellet gun, waiting for the birds to show up. I realize I could get some bird netting, but that would be to easy.

A scooter report: I was riding my scooter yesterday, when it started sprinkling a little. I was on my way to the doctor's office. I wheeled into the the parking lot, and the nurse was standing outside. She told me I was crazy. I informed her, I see my role as extremely important. How would she know who was sane, if I didn't exhibit a behavior different from everyone else. I went on, "besides, whats normal, me riding a scooter in the rain, or you standing outside in the rain smoking?"

Lazy Evening

It was really a pretty evening, and i was supposed to go to another one those meetings that at least in my estimation was a waste of time. So, I opted out. Becky and I went to Sonic, bought coke and diet cherry limeade, and went down to the water to take a few pictures. The house pictured here here is a bargain. The lot has a view of the bay and you can pick it up for a measly $350,000. The house is just another $750,00 for a total of one million buckeroos! What a deal!
I watered my garden and found I had two bell peppers and couple of little tomatoes. The lettuce is about ready to start eating. Life is good, or it will be until the mosquitos start to come out.

Rockin' Along

I have never made a rocking chair before, that was until this week. I didn't have any plans to go by, but I did have this old rocking chair that is going in the trash.(It's a wally world special that didn't last even one year!) My chair needed to be weather proof, because I wanted to leave it outside on my deck. So I built this one using water proof glue and treated decking planks. I wanted something that could pretty much be indestructible. What do you think? I like it, but I think the next one I build I will make a few adjustments here and there.

My two small garden plots are coming along. Everything is coming up. I already have some small tomatoes and bell peppers. The lime tree I almost dug up, got the message. It's got some limes on it. I hung up some old cds to keep the birds away. I've got them fooled for now. But just in case I have already brought out the pellet gun. Just so you know the temp is the 60's this morning. A perfect day in south Texas.(at least as perfect as it gets here. Still can't beat that sunset in New Mexico)

Having fun, being different, saving gas

With gas prices going up and up, I have been toying with idea of getting from one place to another in a different way. My solution - a scooter. I used to have one a long time ago and I really liked it. I purchased one this last weekend. I am already having fun.
Here's the deal- it's a mile to work, a mile to wallyworld, a mile to heb, a mile to the hardware store, all on backroads with the speed limit of 30 mph or less. So I'm going why not. It gets 115 miles per gallon. Full coverage insurance is $95 for whole year! I know, I'll the lose argument if I hot a truck, and maybe be vegetable the rest of life, but at least I'll be smiling. I've got a helmet and I thinking about getting me a big flag, and hang it off the back, just like the the guy down the street that drives his riding mower everyday for coffee to Dairy Queen!

Saturday in Cuero

Saturday we went to Cuero and spent part of the day there. While we were there I went through the Wagner Hardware Store. It's been there since 1949. It's one of those old timey hardware where you can find the things you really need, and there are people there who know what they are talking about. We also stopped by the Cuero Wildflower Museum and picked up a map of where the wildflowers were growing. I got some really great pictures. We also went through part of the older part of town checking out some of the old buildings in town. Posted is a picture of the courthouse in the process of being restored.
We found a place where the locals eat called Rosa's. It's a good Mexican food place, located in a building that use to sell wagons way back in the late 1880's.

We also went through a place called Gram's Attic located above the hardware store, owned by the Wagners. It's got all kinds of antiques and such.

Okay, the triva question of the day is what is picture of thing that looks like an oval shaped barrel?