Monday, June 29, 2015

A Week in Fort Worth One Morning...

It is 2:30 a.m. when my alarm goes off.  I've slept for about 4 hours, and I'm dog tired, but I pull myself out of my very comfortable bed and fall into the shower, hoping that the water will wake me up.  It doesn't work.  I skip shaving, but brush my teeth thoroughly.  Despite how early it is, I decide to go ahead and take my meds for the day, washing them down with stale, warm Diet Dr. Pepper, and quickly get dressed.  I packed last night, so there isn't much else I need to do.  I leave the sanctity of a nice hotel room and head to the elevator.  It's very quiet.  I'm guessing not too many people are awake at this hour.


I reach the lobby, and the young man at the front desk is surprised to see me.  He is casually dressed.  I saw him yesterday and he was impeccably attired in a nice suit and tie.  Now he is tie-less, and I can't be sure he's wearing pants behind the desk.  He is sorting through papers.  I tell him I'm checking out.  He tells me they aren't ready to give out receipts, but he will be happy to email mine to me in a few hours.  I decide that will be fine.  I'll need the receipt to collect my on my travel voucher.

I sit on the lobby couch and text a message to my colleague, Greg.  Greg is in charge of the rental car, and we are on the same flight.  I hope he's awake.  He replies immediately and says he's on the way.

I'm not sure how we ended up on such an early flight.  It is scheduled to leave at 6 a.m.  Since I have a full day of travel, my OA (office administrator) put us on the earliest flight out of Dallas, Texas.  Since we're in Fort Worth, we have a 40 minute drive to Dallas Love Airport.  Greg and I are both the types who need to be at the airport early in anticipation of any potential issues.  We don't take chances.

Our car is first in the valet line.  We begin looking for the attendant, and he's nowhere to be seen.  We are nervous about getting to the airport on time, and not having our car keys is not helping.  We check the car, but the key isn't in it, and it's locked, so we can't even place our luggage in the car.  Greg is getting angry.  I'm still very tired, and all I want is to sit down in the car and snooze to the airport.  Greg's concern is contagious, though, and it becomes clear I'm not going to get any sleep.

We hear the roar of the car lift behind us, as the heavy steel doors open and a Toyota drives out.  At the wheel is the attendant.  He sees us, and immediately jumps out of the car and hands us our keys.  He insists on helping us place our luggage in the trunk.  Greg gives him his tip, and we jump in and take off.  Greg drives us through the dark, empty streets of Fort Worth, headed towards the highway.

I set the directions to the airport into my iPhone and we're on our way.  Greg remembers we need to fill up the gas tank before we drop off the rental, so our first order of business is to find a gas station.  We figure we should stop close to the airport, but not too close, even if we're not paying for it.  We take our first wrong turn when Siri tells us to take the next exit and there is no exit.  We're headed north instead of east.  We get off at the following exit and there's a gas station there, so we fill it up.

Back on the road in the correct direction, we make small talk.  It has been a stressful week of decision making, and our organization has a lot to do in the coming days.  We strategize a bit since we both lead groups that will need to work together.  We have a plan.  At least I think we do.  I'm still pretty tired and and decisions I make must be tempered with exhaustion.  I think I just agreed to give Greg all of my contractors.

We arrive at the exit for the airport, and we're headed to the car rental facility, which is off-site.  After three wrong turns, we find it.  There is a line of about 25 cars waiting to enter the facility.  It's 4:15 a.m.  Our flight leaves at 6 a.m.  A security guard waddles over to our car and informs us that the rental office doesn't open until 5, though sometimes they open the gate at 4:45.  As Greg and I begin to panic, the guard adds that the airport doesn't even open until 5.  We'll have very little time to drop off the car, take the shuttle to the terminal, get our boarding passes, drop off our checked luggage, step through security, and race to our gate, hopefully with some breakfast which we both need desperately.  Greg suggests that we abandon the car and hoof it to the terminal.  It's a quarter mile, so it wouldn't take us that long.  Our fear is that the line once we get to the terminal will be really long.  I consider it.  Then it occurs to me that I'm not the one who has to worry about the rental car, and I suggest that Greg drive ME to the terminal and I'll wait there for him.  He doesn't trust me.  We decide to wait.

Finally, cars start moving into the rental facility.  We hop back into the car and realize that there is no order in the universe at this moment.  Everyone waiting to drop off their cars is now funneling towards the gate.  Civility is out the window.  It's every man for himself.  Greg has this look in his eyes, and I realize I'm now in the car with Mad Max.  He cuts off three cars, hits a small ramp, and we're on two wheels as we skirt between a minivan and a Fiat, right into the drop off area.  We're cleared by the attendant, and run towards the shuttle to the airport.  We arrive too late for the lead shuttle, and the driver shuts the door in our faces.  We reluctantly head to the second shuttle.  The driver is nowhere to be seen.  Since the engine is running, I'm tempted to take the wheel and get us out of Dodge, but soon the bus is loaded and we're moving.

We finally arrive at the terminal.  It's now 4:55.  The airport is PACKED.  There are only two airlines that service Dallas Love, Southwest and Delta, and it becomes clear that everyone is flying Southwest.  We get into a line, not sure if it's the right one or not.  A guy in front of us tells us we need to get in the other line in order to print out our luggage claim, then we have to get into the line we're in now to drop off our luggage and get our boarding passes.  It's a free-for-all.  We actually move very quickly, and it becomes clear that working together is going to help us.  Greg has maneuvered himself in front of me, though, and I don't trust him.

We are finally headed to security, and I'm hopeful that my luggage is on its way to the same destination as us.  The security line moves fast, and we're quickly headed to the gate.  When we arrived at the airport at the beginning of the week, I had spotted a Chick-Fil-A, and I'm anxious to get some breakfast, so we walk briskly towards a chicken breakfast burrito.  However, it appears everyone in the airport had the same idea.  The line is just too long.  I grab a little snack at a convenience cart, and we're at our gate.  I have a low boarding number, so I get in line just as they begin boarding.  Soon I'm on the plane, and I begin to relax.  It's a full flight, but at least I have my aisle seat, even if I didn't get an exit row seat.  A very nice couple from Pittsburgh notices my Pirates jersey, and they ask if they can sit next to me.  Hot dog!  I get to fly home next to a couple of Yinzers!  I just hope they're not talkers, because I'm going to be out cold as soon as this flight takes off.  And within moments, we're in the air.  And I don't remember anything else.  Which means I was, indeed, out cold...

Have a great evening, everyone!

Sunday, June 28, 2015

Where In The World Is Eric?!?

The Blog has been very quiet for the last week, and you may be wondering why.  But, no, I'm not dead, or kidnapped, or lost in the woods with hungry bears.  I was not at home, however, so being home now feels great.  So, where in the world was Eric?

In a bit of an unusual circumstance, my office planned two business trips within a week of each other.  Several weeks ago, I spent some time with our management team in Oklahoma City, one of my favorite places in this great country of ours (that's sarcasm; if you haven't been a reader of this blog for very long, you may not know how much I LOVE OKC...).  We followed that up with a second trip with my colleagues, this time to Fort Worth, Texas, over this past week.  No sooner did I arrive at home on Friday than I took off again for a road trip to Pittsburgh, PA, for my cousin JJ's wedding to his high school sweetheart, Amanda.  We arrived home about two hours ago.  I'm wore out.

While this past week was truly neat, in that Fort Worth is a really incredible city, and our senior management team made some impactful decisions, the real highlight was in the sharing of JJ & Amanda's wonderful day.  JJ is my youngest first cousin on the Freed side, and I have a unique bond with him.  He's a great young man, and someone I'm very proud to know.  And Amanda is just the sweetest, beautiful young lady, and a great match for JJ.  Their wedding was truly something special and meaningful.  I'm so glad to have been a part of the celebration.  I was asked to present the invocation at the reception, which was such an honor, and I'm so humbled.  My prayer is that the Lord will bless their union and bring them great happiness, success, and love.  I think they're well on their way.

So I'm wiped out after traveling over 5000 miles over the past few weeks.  Enjoy some pics from the past week, and I'll try to get you all updated on stuff over the next few days.

Have a great evening, everyone!

Chisolm Trail mural in Sundance Square, Fort Worth, TX

Sundance Square, with courthouse in the distance, Fort Worth, TX

My hotel, Forth Worth, TX

The View from my room at dusk, Fort Worth

Great neon signs in Fort Worth

Great neon and Cajun food in Fort Worth

The 'Burgh -- Downtown Pittsburgh, PA, from the West End

Primanti Bros., a Pittsburgh institution

A representative sampling of Freeds at the Wedding of the Year

My darling daughter, my magnificent mother, and me

Daddy-Daughter dance, at the Heinz History Museum, site of the wedding reception

The Happy Couple, newly married

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Father's Day!

Wishing a wonderful Father's Day to my dad.  Dad has done so much for me over my life, and particularly in the decade since my daughter was born.  As a single dad, raising a daughter on my own, I've appreciated all of the help my family has provided, but it's Dad who has done the most, as my trusted advisor and friend.  Thanks, Dad!








Saturday, June 20, 2015

Risk Tater

My daughter and I were tooling around Columbia today and we happened to be passed by this car with an interesting vanity plate.  I'm calling it interesting, and I promise I'm not making fun here, because I'm guessing the message he wants is not what he ended up with, unless he has a good sense of humor.  The plate reads:  RSK T8R.  I think the intent is to say, "Risk Taker," but what I'm seeing is, "Risk Tater."  Maybe he's describing how much he loves French Fries, or tater tots.  Maybe he's thumbing his knows at his cholesterol.  I don't know.  I just know I got a kick out of it.

"Risk Tater?"
***

I'm in need of a new suit.  My cousin is getting married next weekend, and it's the first wedding I've attending in about eight years.  I have plenty of sport coats, but not a suit.  I've put on a few pounds in the last eight years, so I went out hunting for a new one.  I want something nice, but I don't want to spend a lot on something I really won't use very much.  So we went out to the Mall.

The Mall was crowded today!  It's the start of Summer Break, yet everyone is inside shopping.  What's the deal?  Parking was next to impossible to find, though I finally found a bunch of spots near the Little Patuxent Parkway entrance, near the Whole Foods, and within shouting distance of the JC Penney's.  Then I started hunting.

I'm a tall guy, but not exceedingly tall, nor am I extra wide.  I'd like to think that my sizes aren't too unusual, but, to my surprise, I could not find my sizes anywhere.  I found lots of sizes very close to mine, but not quite there.  When it comes to a suit, you really can't compromise without it being noticeable.  So I had to have my sizes, or I wouldn't be getting a suit.  We went to Penney's (nothing in my size), Macy's (crowds and $$$), Lord & Taylor ($$$ and limited selection), and even Sears (nothing in my size).  I grew very frustrated, and finally just gave up.

We drove up to the Ellicott City Kohl's.  Wow, what a terrible parking lot!  I think there is a stop sign for every ten feet, and just about every parking space was being use.  Again, why is everyone inside shopping on the first day of Summer Break?  Kohl's limited selection of suits, plus their limited sizes, left me without a suit.

I'm going to try a few more places tomorrow, but I'm fast losing my patience and my opportunities to shop.  I may be out of luck if I strike out tomorrow.

***

I don't really like to trash talk, but I told my boss, an avid Nationals fan, that my Pirates were bringing the brooms and would be "sweeping" the Nats.  Little did I expect that the Bucs would completely collapse this weekend.  It was painful to watch AJ Burnett ("Batman") give up the most hits in a game for his entire career (14), while losing 4-1, with the Bucs offense somewhere lost at sea, on Friday, but then the Bucs were no-hit by the Max Scherzer-led Nats today!  The Bucs had just come off an 8-games winning streak leading into this series.  I rarely get to see the Bucs play in person unless I go to Pittsburgh, so with them in town to play the Nats, I was proudly wearing my Pirates jerseys.  That was a mistake.  The Nats fans, while not down and out mean like their Baltimore compatriots, made it difficult, anyway.  I'm glad the teams are not in the same division.  I'm going to be eating crow fed to me by my boss on Monday...

Have a great evening, everyone!

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Love Quotes


LOVE QUOTES...

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NIV) Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

“Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind,
And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.” 
― William ShakespeareA Midsummer Night's Dream

Patricia: My father says that almost the whole world is asleep. Everybody you know. Everybody you see. Everybody you talk to. He says that only a few people are awake and they live in a state of constant total amazement. Joe Versus The Volcano

1 Peter 4:8 (NIV) Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

“You don't love someone because they're perfect, you love them in spite of the fact that they're not.” 
― Jodi PicoultMy Sister's Keeper

“If I had a flower for every time I thought of you...I could walk through my garden forever.” 
― Alfred Lord Tennyson


Joe:  [to DeDe] "I bribed them to sing a song that would drive us insane and make our hearts swell and burst." Joe Versus The Volcano

“Once upon a time there was a boy who loved a girl, and her laughter was a question he wanted to spend his whole life answering.” 
― Nicole KraussThe History of Love

“Never love anyone who treats you like you're ordinary.” 

“One word
Frees us of all the weight and pain of life:
That word is love.” 
― Sophocles

John 15:13 (NIV) 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach” 
― Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Surely I could tell
When I sleep tonight
A dream will call
And raise it's head in majesty
Dividing all my energy
To the meeting of your love
Where from whence it came
Like a singer searching for a song
I try to reach where you belong
As I will be the song for you
I will be your servant child
No, oh no
I cannot be deceived
No, oh no
There's something
That I feel
There's something that I feel inside
Surely I could tell
If you ask me Lord
To board the train
My life my love would be the same
As I could be the one for you
In the meeting of your love
In the meeting of your love
--The Meeting (Anderson, Howe, Wakeman, Bruford)
“Nothing takes the taste out of peanut butter quite like unrequited love.” 
― Charles M. Schulz

Patricia: I love you!
Joe: I love you, too! I've never been in love with anybody before, either. It's great. I'm glad. But the timing stinks. [kisses her on the cheek] I've gotta go. Joe Versus The Volcano

“I have decided to stick to love...Hate is too great a burden to bear.” 
― Martin Luther King Jr.

“Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves.” 
― Albert Einstein

“I am not sure exactly what heaven will be like, but I know that when we die and it comes time for God to judge us, he will not ask, 'How many good things have you done in your life?' rather he will ask, 'How much love did you put into what you did?” 
― Mother Teresa

1 John 4:7 (NIV) Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

“Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired.” 
― Robert Frost


“With him, life was routine; without him, life was unbearable.” 
― Harper LeeTo Kill a Mockingbird

“Love is not affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person's ultimate good as far as it can be obtained.” 
― C.S. Lewis


Patricia: I wonder where we'll end up?
Joe: Away from the things of man, my love. Away from the things of man. Joe Versus The Volcano


Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV) 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

Monday, June 15, 2015

25 Random Things Revisited

I was going through some old stuff on my Facebook account and I came across this note called "25 Random Things..."  So I'm sharing it here.  I'll provide updates, as well, in RED.

***

Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged.

1. My favorite movie of all time is IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE. If you haven’t seen it, I can’t recommend it enough. This year, I made a point of going to see it a few days before Christmas on the big screen at the AFI's Silver Theater in downtown Silver Spring. It really put the Christmas Spirit in me.  This is now an annual tradition.  I go every year.
2. I love my little girl!  I will always love my little girl!
3. Different combinations of friends and family have met us almost every Thursday for the past 2 and a half years at our local Red Robin restaurant. We also go to Chick-Fil-A at least once a week.  We stopped going to Red Robin several years ago, and now we seldom get everyone together.  Life gets so busy, and it's so hard to coordinate.  We miss this.
4. My dream car is a 1970 Olds 442 W-30 convertible. I have that dream often...maybe some day...  I still hope to someday have one of these.  It is the ultimate muscle car, in my opinion.
5. My almost-five years of marriage were among the happiest years of my life. I fell in love with and married my best friend, Teresa Shirlen Freed, who passed away in April, 2004. I’ve now been widowed longer than married, but I’m praying that, if it’s God’s will that I marry again, it will be as wonderful as the first time. Tell your loved ones everyday how much you love them. You can't say it enough.
6. I am very passionate about my Pittsburgh Steelers. They better win on Sunday! (My father shares season tickets with my uncle.) The city of Pittsburgh is a wonderful place, and I would move there in a heartbeat if I had a job waiting for me there.  I still love Pittsburgh and my Steelers.  Dad & my uncle sold the season tickets, though (bummer!!).  I still plan to retire to Pittsburgh.
7. I’ve driven the entire length of (what's left of) old Route 66 (Chicago to LA). Highlights include the Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, TX, home of the free 72 oz. steak (if you can eat it in one hour….no, I didn‘t try); Albuquerque & Santa Fe, NM; “Sweet Home” Chicago, IL; Flagstaff, AZ; the nearby Grand Canyon; the Mojave Desert (where, at times, I know I was miles from any living person, alone with my thoughts and God. Driving through God’s beauty in the American West is both therapeutic and humbling.); and Hollywood, CA, which is just too cool for words.  I have since taken my daughter to portions of Rt. 66, namely western Arizona and Southern California, as well as Chicago to St. Louis.  We love our road trips!
8. I’ve driven through 39 U.S. states and 5 Canadian provinces, but I’ve been to only one other country. I'm now up to 41 states, and daughter Melody is up to 34!
9. My daughter regularly beats me at Wii bowling.  Minecraft has replaced Wii bowling for my daughter.  I prefer the real thing.
10. My favorite movie of all time is JOE VERSUS THE VOLCANO. You'll only like it if you GET it. Most people don't GET it. It is amusing and inspiring, with lots of symbolism, and is very romantic.  Very underrated film!!!
11. One of my role models is Richie Cunningham. Most guys wanted to be like the Fonz. I wanted to be like Richie.  I still want to be Richie.  I think I grew up in the wrong era.
12. My car in high school was possibly the ugliest car in the parking lot: an ’81 Olds Omega – 2-tone white on gray with orange and red stripes down both sides, and “SportOmega” in large white letters on both doors.  I don't think it was so ugly.  It was sure unique, though.
13. I am a frustrated actor and director, though I’m fortunate to have had an outlet through church drama for most of my life.  I miss having this activity in my life.  I much prefer being "behind the camera" to being on stage as I get older, however.
14. I’ve been so blessed to have many wonderful pastors as friends and mentors, including George, Tom, Dick, Lisa, Moussa, Sandy, and my current pastor at Grace Community Church, Mark, as well as my grandfather, Chester “Pap” Freed, and my father-in-law, Jim Shirlen.  I can add Pastors Mitchel and Rich to my list of wonderful pastors.
15. I love Fall much more than Spring, and Winter much more than Summer. Bring on the snow!  This hot weather is for the birds.
16. I have three Tivos.  And I'm now down to one.  It's much less complicated.
17. My daughter inherited my love of roller coasters, and that’s one reason why we’ve been to seven different amusement parks in the past year.  Combined, we've now ridden almost 120 different roller coasters!
18. I played in the Orange Bowl during my freshman year at Maryland….in the Marching Band.  My old band director just retired, too.
19. I don’t care for coffee or beer. Never acquired a taste for either.  I tried wine, but I just don't care for it.  Coffee was an acquired taste, however, and now I drink at least one cup every morning.  I still don't love it, but the caffeine is nice.
20. My favorite movie of all time is REAR WINDOW….and NORTH BY NORTHWEST….and YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN….and DAY OF THE JACKAL....  While DAY OF THE JACKAL is a good movie, it's hardly in my top ten favorites.  Not sure what I was thinking...
21. I spent over 10 years as a youth counselor at several different churches, and I was truly blessed by my friends and co-workers in that ministry, particularly Lisa, Scott, and Diana, and so many great kids!  I'm tempted to return to youth ministry now that my daughter is entering middle school.  I haven't seen my friends Lisa (in Cincinnati, OH), Scott (somewhere in Maryland), and Diana (down in Georgia) in much too long.
22. I’ve worked for the Federal Government for over 17 years, half with NOAA and half with the FAA, but all with the same organization, Aeronautical Charting.  I'm about to start my 25th year, still with Aeronautical Charting.
23. I have the most wonderful parents. My father is my best friend. My mother is like a mother to my daughter. I love them both so much. My in-laws are a true blessing, too.
24. There are several people who inspire me and have become role models to me because of how they have handled adversity in their lives: Brian, Sheryl, Brooke, Erin, and Mom, thank you! You are each in my prayers regularly.
25. God has blessed me with a wonderful life. Several months following Teresa’s death, as I was going through some papers, I discovered a slip of paper on which she had written the following verse. I don't know why she felt the need to write it down, but it was as if I was meant to find it. I am comforted every time I read it: “And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.” - I Peter 5:10. With Him, life gets better each and every day.

Have a wonderful evening, everyone!

Sunday, June 14, 2015

She's Growing Up

My daughter is growing up.  I've been seeing it for a while now, as Melody has matured a lot over the past several years, but this past week has lifted her into a new level of maturity.  It started last week with her introduction to Light Company, the Middle High youth program at our church, Grace Community.  It continued this week with her "graduation" from 5th grade, her first service in The Warehouse at church, and then the big school "dance" last night.  I've known that this was coming, but I guess I wasn't exactly prepared for it.  I can't help but be excited for her.

After a week in Oklahoma City, I was anxious to get home.  Friday was the school's celebration for the fifth graders, starting at 2 p.m., and my flight was due to get into BWI at 10:30 a.m.  I would have plenty of time to get there, but there was one little wrinkle:  a potential storm was reportedly headed towards OKC that morning.  As it turned out, it was just a bit of exaggeration by the weather guy.  In reality, there was a storm headed that way, but it wouldn't arrive until after we landed at BWI.  As long as we didn't have any mechanical problems, I would get home in plenty of time.  And we did.

The school limited the attendees to two family/friends per 5th grader.  There was limited seating, and they let parents know that younger children should be left at home.  The school even sent home two tickets with each child, so no one could sneak in.  The 2-person limitation was problematic for our family.  I'm a single dad, and while I needed to be there, only one other person could go, and all of Melody's grandparents put up good arguments for claiming the last ticket.  Since my father is the family camera-man, it made the most sense to have him be there, to record the program and make copies for everyone.  While I know my mother-in-law really wanted to be there, everyone seemed to be okay with this decision.

The program was a lot of fun, and Melody sang her heart out with her classmates.  They had a slide show which featured all of the kids throughout the past school year (and they even had several slides of me from their Career Day program back in January).  It was a touching ceremony.  Afterwards, we went home to regroup, then the whole family met at one of Melody's favorite restaurants, La Palapa Too, for a celebratory dinner.

On Saturday, Melody and I went out to find a dress for the fifth grade dance at the school.  We lucked out at Marshal's and found one fairly quickly, a very nice royal blue dress that was very modest and similar in style to the dresses her mom used to wear.  She got herself all dressed up, and then we went to church.  This would be Melody's first chance to attend church as a member of the youth group, and she enjoyed it a great deal.  She is in a small group of young ladies her age, and I believe she will find it to be a blessing.  After church, we ran over to Chick-Fil-A for a dinner-to-go, then immediately drove to the school for the big dance.  They had a red carpet at the entrance, and I took a few pictures and let her go into the party.


I went home to eat, and I reflected on how far we've come.  Teresa, my wife, and I wanted Melody to have the best life possible, and while one might say that's impossible after Teresa's death when Melody was five months old, I have been so fortunate to be surrounded by such a wonderful family.  I could not have done this without them, and they get just as much credit as me for how Melody has turned out.  She is such a wonderful, caring, beautiful little girl.  I owe it all to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who is ever present in our lives.

James 1:2-4 - "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

I went to pick up Melody at 9 p.m., and upon entering the school's cafeteria, the party was still going strong.  There were a number of teachers and faculty present, and everyone was having a great time.  It was fun to see. I imagine for many of the kids, this was their first opportunity to attend something like this.  Melody saw me and came over, out of breath but smiling big.  She said, "Daddy, this was one of the most exciting nights EVER!"  She was beaming.  I was so happy for her.

Thank you, Lord, for my Melody Grace.  I love her so much, Lord, and I continue to pray for her well-being and happiness.  I also pray that she will know You, Lord.  Thank you for being so present in our lives.

Amen.

Have a great week, everyone!



Friday, June 12, 2015

Home from OKC!

I returned home today from a business trip to Oklahoma City.  If you're a regular reader of this blog, you know how much I love my trips to OKC.  You also know that I love smashing bricks on my left foot over and over again.  Meaning I don't really enjoy my trips to OKC.  This has nothing to do with the wonderfully nice people who live there and everything to do with geography.  Oklahoma is one of the flattest and least interesting states, in my opinion, located in the almost exact center of our great country, where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain, and twisters, and HOT weather that makes you feel miserable in the Summer, and is as far from everything as it is close.  It's just not the type of place that appeals to me in any way.  Plus, these trips totally disrupt my personal and family life.  I don't like leaving my beautiful daughter behind.  And I actually have to work when I'm out there.

So I came home today.  Leave it to my management staff to make this trip at least a little worthwhile.  While it was depressingly hot in OKC, we had a great and unique opportunity to gather together all 60 members of the management team of our newly reorganized organization, which actually was pretty cool, but it was my own management team who made our time after hours so much fun.  So a big shoutout to Nate, Langston, and Jim for making it at least somewhat tolerable to be away from home.  And that's an understatement.

Among some of our fun social activities was a trip to see the minor league baseball Oklahoma City Dodgers play and win at their beautiful ballpark in Bricktown.  Staying in Bricktown, a cool, trendy, touristy area of restaurants and sites in OKC, was a lot more fun than the usual suburban hotels I normally stay in.  Our boss also organized an 80s Night at the local rollerskating rink.  While I didn't skate, I did show up in my best Magnum PI Hawaiian shirt, and I even shaved off my goatee to add to the illusion.  I'm not delusional, however...I know I look nothing like Tom Selleck, but I attempted to look the part.  It was a fun evening.


I'll have a lot more to talk about, but right now I'm a little jet lagged and I'm going to bed.  Have a great evening, everyone!

Sunday, June 7, 2015

The Dragon Outside My Window

After four hours of work my eyes had to rest,
So I glanced out the window and looked for some zest.
*
My office has an incredible view,
A window that looks out at a wildlife zoo.
*
There are trees here and there, and a bench to sit on,
And a cool little pond that reflects the new dawn.
*
At times it's so easy to forget where I'm at,
Downtown in the city, where paved ground is flat.


I adjusted my gaze to a spot just above;
A slight movement of something...a black mourning dove?
**
No, it was much darker, a shadowy form;
This wasn't even close to what fits my norm...
**
I rose from my desk for a closer look.
Were my eyes playing tricks?  Was this out of a book?
**
The object was something that could easily fly;
It had wings and six legs and two very big eyes.


It's form was so dark, as black as the night.
I rubbed my own eyes, surprised by the sight.
***
No fear did I have, though one might think that's some feat,
Especially when I thought of what it might like to eat.
***
I thought to myself, "How unusual, that...
"It looks a whole lot like a vampire bat!"
***
I held my breath, not sure if he'd go;
Its wings moved a bit, so I stepped back for the show.


The creature was facing away from my view;
It would be fine with me if it flew into the blue.
****
All of a sudden, with nary a care,
The creature took flight and rose into the air.
****
I watched as it flew off into a dark cloud.
I heard passersby point and their screams were so loud.
****
As God promised Noah, with a sky full of rainbow,
My sky held the dragon outside my window...



Saturday, June 6, 2015

Me At 46

"46.  Am I really that old?  Is 46 old?  It's my birthday.  Should I be happy or sad?  Why am I up?  It's 4:15 a.m. on a Saturday.  It's still dark!  Why do I have a cold?  It's June!  It's practically Summer!  Who gets a cold in the Summer?  Is it really 4:15 a.m.?  I feel awful.  Who gets sick on their birthday?  Am I really 46?  Should I get up?  Can I get back to sleep?  Why is my brain working so much this early?  Go back to bed, you dummy!"

And then I got up.  These are the thoughts that were going through my head this morning as I started off the day.


After a bowl of cereal, a glass of OJ, and a cup of coffee, along with a few sit-coms on ME TV, I started paying my bills for the month.  I started some laundry, too, and then the first of 60+ messages began trickling in from so many family and friends wishing me a happy birthday.  How cool is that?

Soon, Melody woke up, and I decided to shower and get dressed.  We made plans to have lunch with Mom & Dad at Houlihan's, since I have a free meal coupon from them.


We were soon on our way, and we had a really nice afternoon with my parents.  They treated for lunch, and gave me a bag full of gifts.  Then we went to my favorite bookstore, Daedalus Books, and I found three books that looked very interesting.  We said goodbye to Mom & Dad, then we went home to take care of Faithful Pup Scout.  Then we were back out again to church, at Grace Community.


Pastor Rich gave us a fine message about suffering for our faith.  It was timely, and relevant for me.  Then Melody had her intro to Middle High with a welcome to 6th grade party.  I read a prepared letter I wrote for her, as did all of the parents for their kids.  We had pizza, too!  It was a nice time.


Afterwards, it was still light outside even at 8 p.m.  We decided to look for some ice cream.  I was craving a milkshake.  Since it was still my birthday, I decided that a milkshake was what I wanted, but it would have to be made with sugar free ice cream.  That became an issue.  We stopped at four different places without any luck.  No one seems to have sugar free ice cream!  We went to two Baskin Robbins, a Maggie Moos, and Tutti Frutti.  Nobody has sugar free ice cream.  Melody got some ice cream from Maggie Moos, and then we went home.  It was now well after 9 p.m.


We watched a bit of TV and I enjoyed the last few hours of my birthday.  God has taken such good care of me.  I had a wonderful day, I have a fantastic daughter, a great family, and I'm happy, even if I don't always act like it.  What a great day.

Lord, thank you for another year of life.  Thank you for my wonderful life.  And now, after being up for 19 out of the 24 hours in today, I'm going to bed.  46 is too old to be up this late.


Special thanks to all of my friends and family who wished me a happy birthday on Facebook: Karen, Darren, Mandy, Erica, Bob, Steven, Nancy, Mitzi, Mary Lou, Nancy, Dale, Sharon, Sheryl, Christy, Lois, Sandy, Jeff, Rose, Brian, Rich, Donna, Pam, Charlie, David, Lynda, Connie, Ruth, Alan, Loren, Colleen, Terri, Elizabeth, Dawn, Joanne, Rick, Sebastian, Gwynn, Nancy, Linda, Eliot, Jennifer, Joe, Elizabeth, JJ, Scott, Sandi, Jon, Richard, Vicki, Bonnie, Lea, Allison, Ian, Kimberly, Marc, Jennifer, Scott, Bob, Debby, John, Anna, Eva, Mark, Kristen, Becky, Becky, Lisa, George, Gisela, Diana, and Tom.