The Down Town Auto Show

We went to Bellefontaine's downtown Auto show Saturday evening.While there were allot of great cars,since I only took my cell phone camera,I concentrated on the trucks.Went to the old Holland Theater to watch some decimer music.That's Robyn's Grease backdrops in the background.We are seeing the play today(Sunday)

Friday's Feast

Feast One Hundred & Six
Appetizer-Tell about a toy you remember from your childhood.Two come to mind.The first was a Dick Van Dyke pull string doll from Chitty Chitty bang Bang & The second was a great game called 'Radar Search-sort of like battle Ship.

Soup-If you could make one thing in the world absolutely free for everyone, what would it be?Hmmmm,I'm not sure,but I would take two.

Salad-Approximately how many times per day do you think about your significant other?Half as much as I want/twice as much as I should

Main Course-What is something you believe in 100%?That you can give 110%

Dessert-Name one thing you have done this week that you would consider a "good deed."Prayed for our President

Our 21st Wedding Anniversary

Happy 21st Wedding anniversary to Robyn and me.We did nothing big this year.No cruise or art museums.We just sent the boys out for pizza,made some homemade mojitos,ordered Chinese take out(Mmmm orange beef and Mu-Shu pork)and just like in the good old days,watched the X-Files.The boys came back earlier then expected,and almost caught us smooching:-)

We watched our wedding tape(have to transfer that somehow to cd/dvd).WoW!I actually had hair.

Bush Admits Defeat???

I am no expert.I am biased.Maybe I am just seeing what I want to see.But I think Bush thinks we are losing 'The War On Terror'.How so,you ask?Easy,as our leader,he is leading us in the direction of accepting this defeat.In my opinion,he is telling us that we have no hope of winning this war.How so?

Take WW II. FDR told us that we had nothing to fear,but fear itself.Of course,World War Two was the most desperate of times.We were attacked at Pearl Harbor.Most of our fleet was destroyed.Hitler and his Nazi horde were marching through Europe.Yet,our president told us through his words not to fear.Now,this was leadership.Not being afraid of losing made rationing easier.Not fearing made the lost of loved ones worth the cost.Victory,oh victory,how brave the greatest generation stood to achieve you.

Yet,if we look closely at George W.Bush,we can see he projects the exact opposite effect.

Members of our President's own party and ideology are preaching-with glee in their voices-either the beginning of WW III or the world ending final Apocalypse.My God!This is fear mongoring at it's worst!Does this sound like we are winning?This doesn't even sound like we have a chance of winning!

And how does our President George W.Bush handle this?I know how I would if I were him.I would say that this was UnAmerican and unpatriotic talk.I would make sure that I mentioned this as nay saying in the same breath that victory was possible.How can our president condemn the Democrats for wanting to'cut and run'when his own constituents wail and whoa worst defeats.I mean'WW III? The Apocalypse?Cutting and running seems like nothing compared to those two critters.

It is as if Bush is admitting defeat.That all is lost.Oh,how I wish that the only thing we had to fear,was fear itself.

The Friday Feast

At the urgings of my very good friend,Osquer,I am trying out The Friday Feast

Appetizer-Name an actor or actress you think is totally underappreciated. Jodie Foster
Soup-Impress us by using a big word in a sentence. The Risorgimento movement almost unified Italy
Salad-What is something inanimate that you've given a name to (such as a pet rock)? I used to call our old station wagon,The Bat-Mobile,so I could say,"To The Bat Mobile,Robyn".
Main Course-What color would best represent your personality and why?Green-Because I am the environmental President
Dessert Fill in the blanks: ____________ is so ____________.Osquer is so freakin' good at haikus.

Exellent Bumpersticker

Sometimes you see something that takes your eye and you have to admit it is the best of the best.This is,by far,the best bumpersticker I have seen in a long time.

What In Blue Blazes?

What In Blue Blazes?
First,the bad news:we lost all of the first day's pictures and all of the second morning photos due to a camera snafu.Gone forever are the wonderful sunset photos of us packing up the car.Gone is the photo of us setting up our tents up in the dark(Millie's eyes shining);gone is the picture of the morning sun coming through the trees as we started out the next morning;climbing the 100 ft.high Lockington Dam;the rays of sunlight photos gleaming on us as we walked through the almost tunnel-like woods;the beautiful scenery of the corn and soybean fields during our road walks;Tyler's pop can stoves,pruney looking toes,Nik playing the harmonica;pictures of the BLUE BLAZES we followed,setting up camp and taking it down;Adam goofing around;following the Miami-Erie canal;and all so many more postcard perfect shots.But,what we do have is a nice sampling of the rest of our hike.....
...... We Started our our two day adventure Monday night planning on doing the whole 'St.Mary's' section of the Buckeye trail(BT).This section is 44 miles long,and we figured it would take us four days.It was only an hour drive to Lake Loramie State Park in Fort Loroamie,so we dropped the van off there and then we went south to Pique/Lockington to camp for the night.The BT is marked by BLUE BLAZES,so with our BT map in hand and the trail blazed before us,it was,for the most,very easy to find our way.Almost as we started,we had to climb the 100 ft.Lockington Dam.We soon came to a park that led us onto a wooded path.The path seemingly ended right at the spot that the forest ranger had told us to avoid-right into a supposedly grouchy man's property.We had to back track-find the illy marked path(complete with fallen trees)which led us onto another private property...well a corn field.This took us to the next few miles of open road walking.For the next five or so miles we followed the roads,mostly without shade... in 90 degree heat and with 30-40 lb packpacks.Tyler cooked us some Ramen noodles with his popcan stoves during a water break.We quit early at a map noted campsight[really,just a guy's front yard].Everyone had sore piggies,but Robyn's were the worst.She had six major blisters.We fixed up her feet as good as we could with antibodic cream,moleskin and corn pads.The place had shade,a place to pitch our tents and all the water we could ask for.Tyler and I cooked supper on my new Wal-Mart stove,and we played frizbee,cards,and relaxed until bed time.
The next morning we broke camp and after a half mile trek,we were back to the BT.It immediately joined the Miami-Erie canal and we had a couple of the best miles of wood hiking the whole trip.Following some easy road walking we were basically back to woods walking until we got to a campground in Newport-which we thought would have taken us alot longer to get to.Robyn's feet were mighty sore and she was getting a headache.She asked if we could hike up to the car-seven or so miles away-and then come get her.Nikolas decided to stay with her and our dog,Millie,because,I think,he didn't want to leave his Mom behind by herself.Nikolas,you are a champion.Tyler and Adam took off their packs and I emptied out mine of all but water and a few basic supplies and off we hiked.It was a fun seven or so miles.We hiked through the woods and on lonely corn walled roads and even back yards before we hit Ft.Loramie.A Mile and a half out of town and we were back to the Van.{This is where I discovered that most of our photos were somehow wiped clean}.As we drove back to where Robyn,Nikola and Millie were,the clouds began to darken.We had two broken backpack snaps(one on Nik's Jansport!),Robyn had sore feet,and it looked like we would be pitched in our single man tents all the night during the thunderstorms.We decided to call it quites-since everything was almost already in the van anyway.

It was a good decision.It rained and thunderstormed not only just all night-but all of the next day as well.Fun was had by all.And we have something to look forwards to next time.

Robyn's Big Day:Celebrating Her 49th birthday Pt. I

Happy 49th Birthday,Cute Girl.We started off Robyn's Big Day[July 23rd] by giving her breakfast in bed{notice her 'bed hair'}.Cantaloupe,peach cereal,rye toast with raspberry jam,watermelon juice,and Yuban coffee.
For lunch we took her to Tumbleweed Steakhouse.The boys shared an all you can eat 'steak' meal(sssh,don't tell that they shared),eating 5 big juicy steaks.The waiters went to surprise her,but when they arrived at our table,clapping and cheering,Robyn wasn't there.She went to the girl's room.They came by,and did it again.Later,in the parking lot,Tyler,Adam and Nikolas surprised her again by giving her her own backpack and pink water bottle.

Next,we went over to Robyn's parent's house to celebrate.What a nice carrot cake!Thank you Mi-Mi & Pa.Thanks also for that very nice purse.

Make a wish,Robyn.

Robyn's Big Day:Celebrating Her 49th birthday Pt. II

Happy 49th Birthday Robyn-With The Dixie Chicks
I took Robyn on her 49th Birhtday(July 23),to 'The Shot' to see The Dixie Chicks.What a great concert!

They Played all of there big hits,and really rocked the house.They played:'Lubbock Or Leave It','Long Time Gone','Wide Open Places','Landslide','Goodbye Earl','Ready To Run','Not Ready To Make Nice','The Long Way Around','Lullaby,I Believe In love','Godspeed','Cowboy Take Me Away',Easy Slience','Travelin'Soldier',and many more I can't recall.


Opening for The Chicks was Anna Nalick.Her big song was ,"Breathe(2am).We had beer and hot Italian subs...just one good time.




The crowd sang along with almost every song,and cheered loudly after every song.Let me put it this way,two weeks ago we I wnt to the sprint car races my ears didn't ring as loud as they did after some of these song.We had such a jolly time we didn't even mind just waiting in the parking lot listening to everyone else play The Dixie Chicks as they passed by.
I think that we gave Robyn a
pretty rockin'(Rockin' Robyn) 49th birthday.
Happy 49th,Robyn!!!!!!!!

Rick & Jennifer's Wedding(July 22,2006)

RickCunningham marries Jennifer Armstrong

Jennifer Armstrong,who teaches with my wife Robyn,married her longtime beau Rick Cunningham, Saturday July 22,2006.It was a beautiful wedding and a fun reception.In this first photo are some of Robyn's school gang,Barb,and her husband,Gene;Robyn;Nancy with her husband,Virgil;and police gal and bridesmaid,Lisa.

In the second picture,the new bride and groom exit with bubbles....
...and then enter the reception to much applause.

Robyn & me all duded up.....

.....Line dancing to 'Big & Rich'

Fun was had by all Good luck and God's blessing to you..enjoy a great marriage and a lifetime of happiness,Rick & Jennifer!

Fun In Columbus

We went to Columbus today to run errands.We ate at the Mongolian BBQ.Here is a picture of the grill chefs frying up my lamb,sirloin & all the oil and fixin's{Their tee-shirts say things like:'We do it on the grill' & 'Our chef's are hot'}.It was 'all you can eat',and I went back three times.Below is a pic of the gang..Tyler,Nikolas,Adam and Robyn. That's my beer.

Logan County Fair

What is the child's song<"Let's All Go To The Fair!">?We went to The Logan County Fair today...of course,since it is fair week it is hot[95 degrees].We went to see the pie judging(to see Robyn's Mom compete).She only won one blue ribbon(for her banana cream pie),but won four other forth places(she totally got robbed on her back raspberry pie).The boys went with their friends and cruised the fairgrounds.Why is it that the young boys and girls always look so handsome and pretty walking around the fair?Got a gyro,and the wife got a walleye fish sandwich.Saw all the artwork and critters,but didn't ride any of the rides.It was just too darn hot.I am whooped.

Actual UFO Sighting!!!

Wowzers!This is my second UFO sighting,ever!I was walking by the city's baseball field talking on my cell phone,when I saw this light suddenly appear-coming very quickly towards me!As quickly as I could get the phone into camera mode I took this picture.I can't believe how crisp and clear this photo came out!The UFO was gone as quickly as it came.This is my only evidence.No one else was around!I can't believe it!!!

Nah...just joking with you.This is just a fireworks photo from the Fourth...but I do have a real UFO story.It happened around 16 years ago,but I remember like it was yesterday.....



...The UFO that I actually saw,I saw with my wife,Robyn.We were staying at the Quaker Square Hilton in Akron.We were relaxing on a balcony-star gazing when we saw this very high up sunlight reflecting sideways 'V' { '>'} crossing the sky south to north.There were these three dots of light following it-one in front,two behind.Suddenly,it flip-flopped so that it appeared to be traveling {'V'} like.I was so freaked out that I called the local police[They said they had sightings reported every clear night]and the FAA.The man at the FAA said that they no longer kept records of sightings,but asked,"What did it look like?"anyway.I only mention Robyn being in this story because she verifies and seconds my story.I have found when you tell people that you have actually seen a UFO,that they think you are nutz.Soon after this,a big giant glowing-lit up 'V' was captured on film in Phoenix,so this is all very weird.

....Sorry about the Tom Foolery with the fireworks shot,but it was what got me to thinking about the UFO I did see.I was gonna 'punk' ya all with it,but decided against it...ya gotta admit it,though,that photograph sure does look like it could have been a real life UFO.Remember,fight fans,the truth is out there:-)) Peace.

Going To The Races

My Dad took my 16 year triplet boys and me to Fremont Fairgrounds to watch the racing on the 3/8 mile dirt track oval.

It was loud,dirty,smelly & fast.We loved ever minute of it.

Rainbow Throw; #1 From The Sucky Poetry Council

Charlie Brown was so mad at the sun/
That he picked up a rock to break it/
Therefore he tossed up the stone/
just as hard as he could/
And,alas my dear Lucy,he made it/

Black-raspberries

Yum,black-raspberry pie,bread,muffins,cobbler,shortcake,on cereal,ice cream,jam,condensed milk,etc...

Flowers

I don't have a very green thumb(unlike some people I know),but here are some flowers from around the house any who.

The Apocalypse, or Revelation

The Apocalypse,or The Book of Revelation,was originally meant to be a book of hope.It was originally written,probably by St.John(or one of his disciples),in a time of strong prosecution of Christians by the Roman empire(circa. 100 A.D.).The followers of Christ were being burnt alive at the stake,crucified,put inside cast iron images of bulls and roasted,feed to the lions,etc...well,you get the idea.


Suffice it to say,it was allot harder being a Christian back then.And hope was waning.Many followers were questioning what good did it do following the Lord.

The book gave many hopeful answers.It foretold of those persecuted as attaining heaven and becoming warriors of Jesus.It told that in the future all the suffering would be rewarded by the ultimate victory of Christ over the evil of the world.

Imagine how comforting that had to be to people who were suffering death of loved ones for Christ.Could a greater hope been asked for?Hardly.

But recent interpretations of the book have mostly been centered on the symbolic language of the book.People are now using it as prophetic 'End Of The world' literature.

And it well may be.But the trouble with prophecy is that it can only be proven true after the fact.I hear good solid Christians calling the Catholic Church,'The Great Mother Whore Of Rome'.This is probably,not so much because they are convinced that the Catholic Church is evil,but more probably because they can not think what else this prophecy could mean?

Then they twist the rest of the book to fit into this too simple theory.

This really gets my goat.I tell these people that while they very well maybe right,that there is a danger in interpreting The Book of Revelations this way.I tell them that I could give them an interpretation of the book that fits all of their criteria and at the end they will go to me,"No Way."

So,the game begins.

I ask,'What is the number one thing that most people associate with the anti-Christ?'Some say that he will be the head of Rome.I say,very good,but the Vatican is a city-state unto itself.If you are going to call The Vatican Rome,can we then agree that the book deals in relatively symbolic terms?'They usually say yes,that there is really no other way to decipher the book.So,I then reply,'So Rome can be seen as the world power of it's day?'They say,'Yes.' 'So when we are talking of Rome,Rome could mean that the anti-Christ will come from the world power of the day?'They say,'Of Course.'I ask ,'Who is the world power of today?Whose culture does the whole world follow?'They usually shake their heads,not wanting to understand.'Let me put in another way.In how many countries are there McDonald's?In how many countries do people watch M-Tv?Dress in blue jeans and watch Hollywood movies?Well,the whole world.'


But still not getting my point,it usually comes down to the numbers 666.I then ask what the numbers stands for.They say a name.I ask,'Whose name?'They usually don't know.I go[holding up one finger at a time],'Ronald Wilson Reagan.'

This is when they first go,'No way.' But I push on,'Not only does his name add up to 666,but so did his California address.That was until he chanced the last number to an eight .Before then he lived at 666 St. Cloud Road.'

'No way,'they gasp.Then I say how the anti-Christ was supposed to die and come back to life.That happened to president Reagan.On national Tv,Dan Rather pronounced Reagan as dead,only to recant it moments later.

I then go on to say that one head will die off only for another to appear....George Bush[losing re-election],and George Walker Bush.

The people are really going ,'No,no,no,' now.They say that I got all the facts wrong,and refuse to believe me.For a caper,I claim,'And who could the symbol of the dragon be,but China?'

By this time,I have made my point.They don't believe.They say it is just too preposterous to believe.


I go,'Why?Because it is our country?'And they go,'Yes.'Then I say that Christ even said that the true followers would be deceived if it were possible.Why couldn't it be America?


By this time,they are almost ready to fight me.Then I say,'See,I told you that you would say it wasn't possible eventough all the signs are right there.That is the danger in putting too much credit in the 'prophecies' in The Book Of Revelations. Our lives should be based on the love and mercy and teachings of our Lord Jesus,not on a book that was originally meant as a book of hope,but is now being used perhaps wrongly to spread fear.

I truly believe that I don't do much more then rough a few feathers,but perhaps I have also planted a few seeds of love,forgiveness and compassion along the way.

Now,if only I could erase that nagging doubt that I have planted along the way in my own brain about my own country....

The Drew-The Lousy Terrorist {A Tongue In Cheek Essay}

I have to admit it,I would make a lousy terrorist.It seems quite silly to me to strap a bunch of TNT around my fat belly,walk onto a bus and blow myself and a bunch of other innocent people up.I can see,however,that within a certain group of people,how with the proper motivation,say...47 virgins...this could have it's certain appeal.

I find it absolutely hilarious that the bombers are blowing us up because of our so called heathen ways when they are killing themselves to get what they probably could get,at least in part,by moving to the good ol' U.S.of A.I mean,they say we are evil because of our loose sexual morals,but then they blow themselves up for 47 virgins!?!What else could they want 47 virgins for?Tea and crumpets?

I am not up with turning Heaven into a brothel to begin with.That smacks me as wrong.There must be something to this that I am just not seeing.Maybe it's a wealth or power thing.I don't know.But 47 virgins?I mean,it would make a swell 'Welcome to Heaven party',but...?

I am also insulted on another level.Some of my best friends and relatives aren't virgins.What about my Mother and Grandmother,aren't they good enough for Heaven?What about my wife?Most of my wonderful women friends?Virgins are only virgins until they are deflowered.Then what?Throw them away?This is 'Heaven'???Virgins for the most part aren't even that good in bed.Wouldn't an experienced woman be worth more?

O-Kay,o-kay,let's just say that everything is hunky-dory with getting your 47 virgins in Heaven.I still would not make a very good terrorist.I am just too lazy.Who needs 47 women anyway?Couldn't I just rob a gas station at gunpoint and get,maybe,17?17?Man,that still is too much work.Couldn't I just steal a Milky Way Midnight candy bar from a Wal-Mart and get a nice girl that could cook?Yeah..yeah..now,that's the ticket.That's what I am talking about.That's all I would need.

Hey,you've been real good audience...Peace.Love.Out

Happy 4th Of July-2006

Happy Birthday,America!These photographs were taken at BellCenter,Ohio July 4,2006
Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming? And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there. O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
On the shore dimly seen thro' the mists of the deep, Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep, As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses? Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam, In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream: 'T is the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion A home and a country should leave us no more? Their blood has wash'd out their foul footsteps' pollution. No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave: And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand, Between their lov'd homes and the war's desolation; Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us as a nation! Then conquer we must, when our cause is just, And this be our motto: "In God is our trust" And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

The Boss' Sandy

In honor of The 4th of July here is one of my favorite Bruce Springsteen songs:

Sandy the fireworks are hailin' over Little Eden tonightForcin' a light into all those stoned-out faces left stranded on this Fourth of JulyDown in town the circuit's full with switchblade lovers so fast so shiny so sharpAnd the wizards play down on Pinball Way on the boardwalk way past darkAnd the boys from the casino dance with their shirts open like Latin lovers along the shoreChasin' all them silly New York girlsSandy the aurora is risin' behind usThe pier lights our carnival life foreverLove me tonight for I may never see you againHey Sandy girlNow the greasers they tramp the streets or get busted for trying to sleep on the beach all nightThem boys in their spiked high heels ah Sandy their skins are so whiteAnd me I just got tired of hangin' in them dusty arcades bangin' them pleasure machinesChasin' the factory girls underneath the boardwalk where they promise to unsnap their jeansAnd you know that tilt-a-whirl down on the south beach dragI got on it last night and my shirt got caughtAnd that Joey kept me spinnin' I didn't think I'd ever get offOh Sandy the aurora is risin' behind usThe pier lights our carnival life on the waterRunnin' down the beach at night with my boss's daughterWell he ain't my boss no more SandySandy, the angels have lost our desire for usI spoke to 'em just last night and they said they won't set themselves on fire for us anymoreEvery summer when the weather gets hot they ride that road down from heaven on their Harleys they come and they goAnd you can see 'em dressed like stars in all the cheap little seashore bars parked making love with their babies out on the KokomoWell the cops finally busted Madame Marie for tellin' fortunes better than they doThis boardwalk life for me is throughYou know you ought to quit this scene tooSandy the aurora's rising behind us, the pier lights our carnival life foreverOh love me tonight and I promise I'll love you forever

Hike Photo

My family went for a small hike this past Sunday.Here is a neat photo.

Star Trek & The Sideways Question

While I am on Star Trek....Why does The Enterprise fly sideways around planets?Is it safer that way?Does it use less energy?Wouldn't it be more efficient to fly belly down in orbit?Or belly up?I am just wondering..cuz I don't know.

Alternate TNG

Alright,I admit it.This blog can get pretty damn boring.I am long winded and I tend to over think things...but here is the rub.I love Star Trek.I would not call myself a Trekker or anything,but I sure do like all of the Star Trek Universe.I thought of an alternate universe version of Star Trek The Next Generation where all the main characters are black....or reversed...wouldn't that be cool.Of course I am thinking that Michael Jordan would make the perfect Jean-Luc.Number One would be Sinbad.Terrence Howard would be Data.Hulk Hogan would be Worf.Deanna Troi would be Parminder K.Nagra(from E.R.). Commander Dr. Beverly Crusher would be Halley Berry.And of course Jordi would be still played by LeVar Burton.

So what do you think,close,or no cigar?Spike lee would be Q.

Ella Font and Don Key Talk

Ella:"Why can't they,at least,speak English-This is America,you know."
Don:"You mean this administration?."
Ella:"What?"
Don:"Well,how can we ask immigrants to speak English if our president doesn't speak it properly?"
Ella:"Ha ha.Very funny.At least he means what he says."
Don:"Not if he doesn't say what he means.He demands higher education standards,but can't put two sentences together.Shouldn't someone promoting education at least try to speak proper English?"
Ella:"I am talking about 'illegal immigrants demanding the right to speak Spanish.'This is America,damn it.They should speak the language of the land.
Don,:"Why?Since when has America demanded everyone speak English...y'all?"
Ella:"You're an idiot.I can't believe you are putting down half of our country.The southern dialect is English:American English.Any American anywhere can understand the southern drawl."
Don:"See,you are making my point for me.We should be free to speak any way we want to in this country.'
Ella:"You 'liberals' make me sick.You twist every little thing to suit your own purposes.But the point is,in The United States of America we speak English.We always have,and we always will.There should be a law that English should be the only official American language.You want to live here,you should speak English in public."
Don:"For someone against burning the flag,and for protecting our gun rights,you sure are spouting some very anti-American rhetoric.I would laugh at you for making a mountain out of a molehill,for taking the peoples minds off the more serious issues of the day,except that you are talking about banning freedom of speech."
Ella:"Whaaaat?Are you crazy?Almost every other country in the world has official languages.Why shouldn't America?How can you be making this a freedom of speech issue?You just don't love America.You want to see it fall."
Don:"Don't give me that crap.Everytime you see you are starting to loose an argument you throw out that I am not American enough.What ever happened to,"I disagree with what you say,but I will defined -to the death-your right to say it.'Huh?In America we demand free speech."
Ella:"Please-who are the Dixie Chicks or Bruce Springsteen to tell me what to think?They are just using their position to manipulate the public.Who are they to tell me,huh?They are just singers.What the hell do they know?"
Don;"I think I am seeing a pattern,here.You want to shut up as many people as possible.You are so power hungry and self righteous that you think no one has a right of free speech but you."
Ella:"That is not true.It is just that you should expect to pay the price for using your free speech."
Don:So how then is it free speech if people with the opposing view will do what ever it takes to shut you up instead of letting you talk?"
Ella:"SMACK!!!" "Shut up,you commie!"
Don:"Point taken."

Ashes Of The Repubican Dream

What has happened to the Repubican party?

Nice opening,huh?

First off,right out of the bag,I am a die hard Democrat-always have been-always will be.

But,what has happened to the Repubicans?I mean,they have become caricatures of themselves.It is if the are now Repubicans in name only.

You see,I believe in the two party system.Hell,even throw in a third or forth party once in a while.But,I like the two party system.

I am a Democrat because I am for the small guy,the oppressed,the overworked,the underpaid.Basically,I am Democrat because I am blue collar,and the Repubicans always seemed to benefit the rich.Hell,I have nothing against the rich,I am just not one of them.So,while we may butt heads,we can both agree that we both are both truly American.

And I have learned under the two party system that the other party does have it's admired strengths.The Repubicans biggest strength in my eyes is that they are strong Constitution guys.I began to believe in the strength and power of The Constitution mainly because of them.While my own party was trying to make an amendment or two to the Constitution,the values of The Repubican always shouted out against such actions.

Us Democrats wanted to ban certain types of guns.The Repubicans,pushed,perhaps,even lead,by The NRA,were always soundly against such anti-Constitution measures.They yelled that if we started watering down our rights,soon we would have no Constitution left to fight for.I hate to say it,but I agreed with them whole heartedly.If thousands of handgun deaths was the price for our freedom-then,WoW,Our Constitution and the rights that went with it,was worth the sacrifice...even if someday it was my own sacrifice.

This stance by The Repubicans made me more proud of America and our beautiful meaningful Constitution.I may have hated the Repubicans position on allot of things,but I had to admit,they were right on about The Constitution and what would happen if we ever started trying to water it down.

Now,I am amazed how this so called new breed of Repubicans are trying to wring The Constitution dry.Gay marriage amendments!Anti-flag burning amendments.Amendments to let non-native born Americans run for president.Anti-immigration amendments!What the HELL is wrong with these people?Are they trying to destroy us from within?These are the very people that should be pissed off about all these frivolous amendments.My God,they should be fighting mad about these kind of shenanigans!

So I ask,What has happened to The Repubican party?

Against the War >Against Our Troops???

The Republicans are again questioning the loyalty of anyone who is against the war.They are saying that those that are against this mission of freedom are,therefore,against our brave troops.I ask,how can the Republican's claim that they are for our troops?Let's see,putting them in harm's way for false and/or bullshit reasons/using national guard units for well over a year when most thought that they would only be doing a weekend a month and two weeks a year/inadequate protection,uniforms and training/lying and covering up how some have been killed/extending their service/not always adequately taking care of the injured or the soldiers familes.It looks more to me like the Republicans don't give a shit about the troops at all .I do believe that our troops do love our country.Being the brave soldiers that they are they follow orders without thought of consequence.The chain works up from private to general to general to president.The president is elected by the voters of America.Ultimately,then,it is our responsibility as good citizens to vote for the leaders that will lead our faithful troops with honor,and never put them in harms way unnecessarily-for both their good and the welfare of America's best interests.How,then,do you best support our troops:Vote the bastards out of office.

Well,I'm working again.And,yep,taking a job I could have taken two months ago.Working for a buzz outfit.Bucket baby.Asplundh equipment.Shit.The guys a good guy.Knows his stuff.I am just not used to using the three separate hand controls,instead of the Davey/old school Highranger single control.And,in a bucket,I have to trim out to in instead of inside to out.Well,I have done that plenty times before...it's just giving him what he wants.

It just seems like a big step backwards.I won't be making much more then unemployment,but people will be off Robyn's back..and,I will be working again.

I guess,once I get the mindset that this is what is best for the family and this is what I will probably be doing the rest of my life,I'll be able to live with it.What a choice-between doing something I love or doing something for the people I love.Andrew the martyr.

I'm just tired.It's been along week.I hate bucket work-always have.And hate polesaws instead of pruners,and those tiny little hand saws instead of my speed saw.This old dog is just going to have to learn a few new tricks.God,he doesn't even pick up(let alone stack)my brush.Wow,I 'am' already a bucket baby.

...On The Seventh Day

A major point of contention between Bible literalist and scientists is the age of the Earth.Most scientist place the Earth's age at around Four and a half billion years old.Most Bible scholars place the age at around six thousands years.

Scientists base their time line on the radiometric dating of rocks.

Bibliophiles base their own time line on the six days that the book of Genesis says it took God to create Earth,and then adding the lifetime years from Adam until the present.

Hmmm...4.6 billion vs 6,000 years.That is quite a DIFFERENCE.How can we reconcile these two numbers.You can't.If you are a hard core scientist or hard core Bible literalists-neither the twain shall meet.

But,just for fun,lets take a liberal tweak at these numbers.Lets see just how close we can get them...

First,the scientist's number can be can be legitimately reduced to 3.6 billion years because,to this point,this is the date of the oldest rock ever found that has so far been tested.Just for the shits and giggles,lets subtract the date down to a more reasonable 3 billion years....say for,ah,testing error.

O-K,that seems like a number we can work with.

Now,comes the real fudging.The"Biblical~fudging." The reason I am going to fudge with the Bible numbers the most,is because I suspect the Bible numbers of having been used the most incorrectly.I am going to attempt to show that MY interpretation of these numbers is the more accurate reflection of the true age of our planet.

First off,nowhere in the book of Genesis,does either of the two creation theories say that God created on consecutive days.But,The idea of God resting on the Sabbath,strongly makes us assume that He did.This is probably the best argument for the consecutive days theory.But it could be wrong.It could also be argued that these moments were six big moments of creation and God has yet to create a seventh momentous event.Maybe,because this is where He meant to stop.

If this is the case,my job is already done.Science and religion are,or could be in perfect agreement.And this theory does hold some water.Could Night and day be created one day and all of the oceans and dry land the next?Yes,but could all life be formed the following day?With God all things are possible,but stages of life,and different lifeforms develop at different rates-have different gestation periods.Sure God could have made all of this life appear in one day...But I ask,why?What would have been his hurry?Why couldn't life have progressed at it's normal rate-like it does today...what was to be gained?

In fact,according to Genesis,Adam was created before most of all of the rest of world.If this all happened in six days-good for Adam.The question I have to ask,however,is what was time to Adam?Adam(and Eve) did not realize their mortality until they were booted out of Eden.How would an immortal being measure time?I think that the 930 age years of Adam did not-could not-have started until his exile(and though 930 years seems like a terribly long time to you and me,it would seem a terribly short period to one whom only knew of forever before hand).

How long were Adam and Eve in The Garden of Eden,anyway?The good book doesn't really say.One million years?Two million years?A week?A month?Twice now we could get the figures to jive-if we wanted to.But let's be more exact.

Since we are having fun,let us assume that we are talking six consecutive days.But are we talking about God time or people time?Let's use God time.What is God time?The Bible gives us a few clues.There are various God time to people time ratios in the Bible.For our purposes,let's keep the math simple.I will guage our lifetimes at a medium age of,say,60 years.Let's also say that our lifetimes are not the traditional blink of the eye,but the easier to use hour.Remenber this is just for fun.

If our life is as an hour to God,a God hour would be 60 of our years.Multiply that by 24,the hours of a day,and you get 1440 mankind years for a God day.Now,let's multipy by 365.We get 525,600 of our years.Finally,if we use the traditional Biblical 6,000 years for the age of Earth,we end up with 3,153,600,000.That is just over three billion years!

WoW!

Amazingly,through either the Biblical or scientific methods we have come up with almost the exact same numbers!What are the odds?See what fun fudging numbers can be?But what does this mean?On one hand,absolutely nothing.But on the other hand,this could mean that maybe,just maybe,science and religion can find some common ground,and in this common ground stop arguing over pointless and meaningless facts and start making our world a better place to live together.That should be all of our goals.

As always,Thanks for listening.

The Evolution Of Creative Design

Way back when I was in high-school there came out a scientific report that stated that there was absolutely no proof that grandma's chicken soup ever helped get rid of the common cold.Around ten years after that,another scientific report came out claiming that chicken soup had qualities(heat, hydration, salt and the biologic activities in the soup itself)that actually helped reduce the effects of the common cold virus.

I mention this to bring up two points.First,that science,as it continues to research,will often find out that what it believes to be true at one point,will later discover,at another point,that it is totally wrong(and vise-versa).Secondly,that science is not afraid to admit that it is wrong.What is true today,may not be true tomorrow.

So,can science then be wrong about evolution?Yes,it can be.But do I think it is?No.There is just too much hard evidence to the fact that it probably is not.

Now,the dubious claims that man and ape have a common ancestor may be proven either true or false in the future.I personally believe that man and ape never touched,but if there was a split,it happened much earlier in our designs and make up.Man was never ape-ape was never going to be man.I point to the human fetus as a possible argument for my case.In it's development,the human fetus is said to mimic other less complex life forms,from fish on up.But the fact of the matter is,that the human fetus will only ever grow up to be a human being.

But,this is just my theory.For my purposes,I am going to just come out and say that ape and man are commonly related.I,as a Christian,have no problem with this.Why?Because The Bible tells me so.

What most people don't know is that there are two creation stories in The Bible:Both in Genesis.Most Christians throw bits and pieces of them together to form a theory in which they are most comfortable.But,it is not so easy.

In one version(I am not looking them up for you-go look yourself),after it says that God creates the Earth in pretty much the order that the evolutionists say it was created(pretty damn close-too close- for a people who thought the world was flat when they recorded the Genesis story),God says,"Let us make man(kind) in 'our' image..and God creates them 'male and female'.

Oops.I bet you didn't know that one.God as plural?Create in OUR image?Whoa.Well,it's in there,go look.

The second version has God,when the Earth was still barren,creating Adam out of the dust and breathing life into him.Next God creates 'The Garden' and Adam names all of the animals and finally,out of Adam's rib,God makes Eve.

Well,we all know what happens next.They bite into the apple and are booted out of Eden;they have Cain and Abel,Cain and Abel take wives,and so begins the human race.

Huh?But where did Cain and Able get wives?Have you not been listening?Have you not been reading your Bible?

I think that there are two creation stories in The Bible because there are two creations.The humans created in'our' image,were created last:They were the evolutionary man.It is totally possible,totally within the realm of The Bible,that it is with these human beings that the just kicked out of Eden,Adam,Eve and offspring,mate.In fact:HOW CAN IT NOT BE SO?HOW CAN IT BE OTHERWISE?With who else can Cain and Abel have mated?Give me another good answer.

If you are willing to accept this premise,then much more of Genesis and The Bible make sense.And mankind is now the product of both Adam,Eve and Evolution.Isn't this wonderful?This means that God 'DID' intercede on our behalf.We are of divine origin.

Next:Solving The Seven day Time Line.

The Answer To philosophy 101

Many moon ago,way back in college,I sat in on one of my friend's classes.The instructor took the class outside and sat us on a grassy knoll.The class...Philosophy 101.Towards the end of the class,he asked the atypical beginner class question,"If God is so powerful,can He make a rock so big,that He can not lift it?"Now,even then,I knew this question was supposed to be redundant.It was a question made to make you question,start the mental juices flowing.It was Philosophy 101 afterall.

But right when the class was breaking up.I received the answer.First,the question was bullshit.Wouldn't have God have to had created gravity first for the question to have any meaning?

Good point,I thought,but that could still be considered avoiding the question.Luckily,I was still given the answer.

To make the answer truly work 100%,I felt the terms to the question had to be totally agreed upon.So,I had to dissect the question to make sure we could agreed upon the terms(we being my second voice-my doubt-my editor-my prove it to me drive).Let's do that here.

If(is it possible)God(the creator;the supreme being or beings)is so powerful(able to do anything)can He make (make,build,create )a rock(an inanimate object)So big(large,massive,hugh,etc)That He(the creator;the supreme being or beings)can't(is unable to,or can not accomplish the said task)Lift(raise,move)it(the said inanimate object)?

Now,that we are agreed upon the terms,first off,it does not matter how big the said object is.It could be as tiny as a molecule or as large as a thousand universes.All God has to do is say the he will refuse to lift it.In this case,saying He/She won't lift it is the same as not being able to lift it.It adheres to the possibilities of the question:Object can not be lifted.

Ah,but here is the fun part,then how does God get it to move?This answer also adheres to the question:Can He make-can He Create(This is important)?Yes He can!Given that as a given,God can still make it move by giving it the possiblity of life!Then,it can move itself!

Wow!Isn't that cool!.I no longer worry if I don't have the answer to a troubling question about God.I,sometimes even think it is folly to try to stump myself and/or let myself be worried any longer.Just because I don't have the answer does not mean someone else won't someday figure it out.I guess that is faith in a nutshell.

4 Good cd's To Buy

1,Neil Young-Living With War
2The Dixie Chick-Taking The Long Way
3Mark Knopfler &Emmylou Harris-All The Road Running
4Bruce Springsteen-We Shall Overcome-The Pete Seeger Sessions

The Burning Bush

If I was a reporter,I would ask George W. Bush this question:Mr President In Mark 10:42-45,it says,"42 Jesus summoned them and said to them, You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt.
43 But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; 44 whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. 45 For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Mr.President,Since you claim to be put in your position by our Lord and Saviour,do you feel that you have projected more of the being the slave and servant for all,or more of the gentile lord who makes his authority felt?And why?"

The Dixie Chicks vs President Bush

I find it,perhaps,predictable that The Dixie Chicks were so heavily condemned by both the right wing conservatives and the so called liberal media for saying in London[on foreign soil],"Just so you know,we're ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas."What I find ironic is that the same two groups said virtually nothing about President Bush making an even more outlandish quote to a foreign newspaper.When asked in May by the German weekly Bid am Sonntag what his best moment in his over five years of office was,the President replied,"I would have to say the best moment of all was when I caught a 7.5 pound perch in my lake,"!Not that he was bringing freedom to Iraq.Not that he was proud to be the leader our brave troops.Not that he was bringing democracy to the world...but that he caught a 7.5 pound fish!!! Where is the right wing and liberal media outrage over this?Why wasn't this reported?Why,with our brave soldiers putting their lives on the line for him and our country,this is not being heavily and universally comdemned?In my opinion,this is an outrage.

Still Not Working

Don't tell that their ain't no Limbo.Don't try and convince me that their isn't any purgatory.I'm in it.There is no tomorrow.I have no past.All there is is today after fuckin' today.

I know I should have another job by now.But I just can't see me working another back breaking,mind numbing dead end job for dollars less then what I was making before.

Maybe I don't give a shit.Maybe I am patiently waiting for the right job to be coming along.Maybe I am dreading willingly giving up the last vestiges of my dream.Maybe,I am numb with it and I feel like the bow of a ship sticking up just before it sinks.

I can't tell if I am calm or just without hope.I always wanted to be a writer,and now,I thought this would be my last great chance at being one...and I just don't see it happening.

But,honestly,it doesn't feel quite like that.It feels like I should be waiting.Every ounce of my being seems to be whispering ..."Wait.Just wait."How do I explain to my ever increasing to panic wife-to wait-just wait.

I feel God's hand in this,more stronger then I have ever felt him before.It's like a calm before the storm.Like the energy levels are raising to usable levels.That the bathtub is filling up.

In the back of my mind,I see the tub over flowing,water splashing on the floor.And in there,I feel panic.

I get the nagging feeling this is going to go on until I can't take it anymore.Then I am going to explode-take a job I should have taken two months ago.

I had dreams for this time off.Finish my story.Clean the basement.Clean the garage.Paint the garage.Re-do the bathroom.None of this is happening.

I keep hearing this voice in my head singing them crazy Kiss lyrics,"I'm stupid and I'm lazy....if they only knew."

So what are my options?Take a low paying job,work my ass off and probably never see the family much,and never get the kids to college anyway?Or,wait[notice:I didn't put ACTION in there anywhere].

Lord.I have always followed you-so may your will be done-I am going to go with you.

Giving Praise

I wasted allot of free time on this,so ...can you be so kind just to listen-our better put-put up with my ravings.

Our minister assistant spoke yesterday,and what he said made allot of sense to me.He had an oxen yoke,and put it on himself and another man.He later talked about how God wants us to carry our yokes and follow him.God doesn't want us to wait until we are holy or cured of our flaws.He wants us with our flaws.God wants us to carry them with us and follow him.What Gene said next really hit me personally.He said that it may seem too steep of a price to love,until you think of the price of an empty loveless life.He asked if prayer was worth the effort,and then said that it was priceless compared to the life without hope.Gene spoke of the value of giving praise.He said it was worth the effort when you think how life must be for those who lead thankless lives.

I tell you,that really hit me.There was allot of truth in what he said..at least to me.

The second thing I want to blabber on to you about is something that has been troubling my mind,and the answer I got from puzzling it.When life is rough(when isn't it?),why give thanks and praise?I mean,why don't we?Why should we?

I think everyone wants to be happy.I think it is a major dream for most people.I know there is more to life then happiness,but don't we all want to feel satisfied and joyous at least once in a while?For instance,I see that I have soo many things to be happy for,yet,I sometimes fret the day away...(even though Robyn says I don't ever worry about anything).

What stops me from praising?Allot of times I just don't feel like it.The spirit is willing,but the body is weak.This is where I thought of the saying in the Bible that states we must die to our bodies,as Christ has died in his.This has always been a hard passage for me to understand,but the other day,I got the message.

My body screws with me.I sometimes suffer from depression,sometimes,I think, it is anxiety attacks.Hell,sometimes,it is just too much coffee.But my body screws with me.Some people have it worse then me,they are bi-polar,or sick in other ways.How can I give praise when my body chemistry is doing everything in it's power to stop me?Even if I have every reason to sing praises,if I am ravished by depression,how can I?

Worse yet,when I am unemployed,and feeling worthless..I just don't get it.

This is where I think,maybe,just maybe,there is a plan.Maybe this is all happening for a reason,and maybe,even if there isn't a reason for this happening,there is still a reason for giving praise and thanks.

Here is my long drawn out point:The spirit is willing,the body is weak.Carry your yoke and follow me.Am I just the sum of my body parts?Do I have no option other then to react to what my body tells me to do?Or,am I more then that?

I am more then that.I am!

The spirit is willing,the body is weak.I don't care.I will not let my body control all of my actions and thoughts.Though my depressed body screams to me,"No,no no,no no!"It is wrong(and some what ill/sick),if what I believe the answer to be is ,"Yes,yes,yes,yes!"

I (o-k,most of the time)no longer care.I will give praise for the beautiful sunrise.I will give thanks for those that I love,and for those that love me.Do I have to feel it 100%?No,I don't even have to believe it 100%.I will say it anyway...because the spirit is willing!

Please,forgive my nagging.This has really been way more for me,then about you.But I thank you for being my sounding board,and for letting me express my thoughts.You have helped 'ME'.You let me express myself,and dwell into my thoughts.You are very generous and kind.Thank you

May 4th,1970

Tin soldiers and Nixon coming,We're finally on our own.This summer I hear the drumming,Four dead in ohio.Gotta get down to itSoldiers are gunning us downShould have been done long ago.What if you knew herAnd found her dead on the groundHow can you run when you know? Gotta get down to itSoldiers are gunning us downShould have been done long ago.What if you knew herAnd found her dead on the groundHow can you run when you know? Tin soldiers and nixon coming,We're finally on our own.This summer I hear the drumming,Four dead in ohio.

These are the words of Neil Young about the tragedy at Kent State university. Two days before the shooting I was in Kent,Ohio at my cousin's wedding.I was only in fifth grade,but I knew what was happening.The graffiti shouting 'Clapton Is God',was slowly being replaced by a newer variety.This time,people were painting,'U.S. out Laos' or U.S. out of Cambodia'.

Each week the newspapers were printing a two soldier graph:One big soldier-one small one.The big soldier represented the wounded.The smaller one,the dead.

It was a no win-no win police action.The South Vietnamese seemed to want us there even less then the North.There was no victory strategy.Rich kids got deferments or went to college.Poor kids got drafted.

The adults,raised in the mist of WWII,were pro military.Young kids-like me-raised in the days of the justified civil right marches,saw the power of protest against injustice.

It was a powder keg ready to go off.Both sides were American proud.They just didn't see eye to eye.

And so,Kent State happened.

It pains me to see that it is my generation,now,justifying the corruption of the Iraqi war.Our leaders,who must have been thinking they didn't want to die fighting for what they must have thought to be an unjust war(or police action),are now denouncing anyone whom protested against their actions.

They had to think the Vietnam war unjust,or they most certainly would have joined up to fight in it.Though later against the war,this is what Kerry did.

I never had to register for the draft.I never thought of joining the military.I was not a believer in the American military machine fighting for no reason.I did not want to die for no reason.The U.S.S.R. and China would never let us go further-and our leaders were not willing to risk WWIII trying to.You never heard a military ad on the radio or on Tv.Not joining was a form of civil protest...Something that doesn't seem to be tolerated today.

I love my country.I think it is the best country ever to be on the face of the Earth.I have always thought so.I still do.

But 'My country:right or wrong' is not the answer.Never has been.Never will be.If it was,then we would still be in Vietnam,only the rich white landowners would have the right to vote,and we would still have slaves.

The strength of America has always been it's ability to change.To force itself to go in the correct direction.Stand strong America...and God bless.

If All Our Wishes Came True

Sally wished for a pony
Mr.Wison wished it away.
Mary wished Ken would move to Alaska
Ken wished himself back to stay.
Vicky,to tan,wished for the sunshine
farmer Brown,for his crops,wished it would rain.
Eddie wished Veronica would love him,
Veronica wished to continue to be with Nate.
Nate wished for peace around the world
Kato wished we wouldn't over populate
Marie wished for a Christian world
Kareem for an Arab State
Benny wished to save the rain forrest
Angie wished for a big fat steak.
I have no idea what to wish for,
So I'll just wish you to have a nice day.

Umpteeth Day Of Unemployment + 1

O-K,I am on my umpteeth day of unemployment plus one.I have been doing all of the required stuff-reapplying each week,looking for work,sending in resumes,working somewhat around the house.
Still,there doesn't seem to be enough time during the day.Computering it,Bible,journal,laundry,dishes,Regis and Kelly,hike with the dog,read,sometimes write,go to the store,sometimes fix supper,or mow the lawn,or fix something-like the plumbing for the kitchen sink,watch some tube,waste some time,go to the boy's baseball game...At the end of the day I am wore out and I haven't even accomplished anything.
The saddest part about the whole damn thing is that I really am enjoying it.I am a waste on the family;I can see how the boys are losing respect for me[ I've known for a long time my wife already has],but I just don't care.
I just can't see me working another physical mindless job only to be laid off again in a couple of years.My body can't take it any more-my brain is yelling,"Stop it,you fool!"
I am a very slow learner-a very slow learner.It takes me forever to catch on to new things.It sucks.I mean,once I figure things out I am adequate..I can get the job done.But until then,I suck at new work.
Maybe I am scared I just don't want to see the last bit of my dreams dissolve away.Maybe I just don't see that better job out there and I am just satisfied to collect unemployment until I can find a job that pays better then it does.
I have always been stupid and lazy.A day late and a nickel short.
I have been haunted by my past,where I have never been good enough.I have always failed.
Only God has made it possible for me to have gotten this far.Only his miracles have pulled my ass out of the wringer,and has giving me all the good stuff that I do have:my wife and kids,our meager possession's.None of these I have ever really worked for-they have just seemed to fall in my lap.Yes,I have been wise enough to accept these blessing.And I do-believe me I do-thank God for them.It's just everything I have tried to save,tried to fix,tried to make better,have ultimately failed.I feel guilty always leaving everything to God.
Don't get me wrong,I love what God has done for me.I am thankful for Robyn.I couldn't ask for a better,more loving wife.I love my boys.They are great kids.God,I honestly thank you.
I just want to give back.But,I don't know how.I am not good at anything.I want to use the talents you have given me instead of my backbone.I want to shine in your glory.I don't want to live in your shadow.I want to be your shining light.
Forgive me Lord for my vanity.Because,I see now,that is what this is.Instead of accepting being one of your vessels,I want more.I want to be a pagan rich man adored by my constant flock.Forgive me.Give me the strength to accept your grace and mercy.To accept the gift I know in my heart is coming-in fact,has probably already come.Don't let me turn it down because it may not be exactly the way I want it.Please let me be more thankful then that.Amem