Sticks are just small pieces of tree, but they hold a very special place in dog-human history, as many believe they were the first objects thrown to canines by man. However they aren't designed to travel very far. Mostly, they are good for playing fetch (see the chapter entitled "The Formal Rules of Fetch"). Just be cautious. There are some stick-like objects that move and might even bite you. Remember this rule: If it tries to bite you, it is not a stick. It is a snake. Do not grab a snake.

- Rex and Sparky in The Dangerous Book for Dogs

A few months back, the husband of one of the mother-in-law's co-workers contacted us to ask if it would be okay if he wrote a poem about Annabelle. Of course we said "Yes".

We got to visit with Berni and his wife on our trip to the Northwest last week and he presented the wife and I as well as her parents with copies of his original poem that had been super-imposed over a blown-up photo of the wife and wee one. The whole deal was matted and framed and now hangs in Annabelle's nursery.

It is absolutely stunning - made even more so by the fact that Berni made a photocopy of all 15 drafts of the poem and glued it to the back of the frame - not to mention that he and his wife are wonderful people and we had a great time visiting with them!

Here is the photo he used and his poem:

Mama Loves You!
by Bernard G. Botz

In Mama's protective arms so dear
Held and cuddled by delicate hands,
Soft whispers of love in infant's ear
Spoken for the small newborn to hear,
"Mama loves you!" - With no demands.

Baby's eyes and mouth are opened wide
When Mama shares a truth in each word,
An unconditional love from inside
Joins both hearts which are unified
Through the loving voice the infant heard.

Three words by mother spoken with care
In loving tone, "Mama loves you!"
Giving soft kiss, scent of baby fresh air;
Babe feels caressed, knows Mama is there.
This strengthens the motherly love so true.

God's blessings and gifts are evermore,
They remind us of His true grace.
This picture of love shows us once more,
The child parents are thankful for,
Seen here in little Annabelle's face.

Neatorama points to the top 5 Viral Videos of 2008.

I still love that Matt Harding video . . .

Wondering what sort of Champagne to serve New Year's Eve?

Here is a guide to 8 inexpensive bottle of bubbly.

HT: Neatorama

The golden rule of chasing is to never take your eye off the chase thingee. Doing so will make you aware of all the other things around you that you could also be chasing, and you know what you end up catching when you try to chase two things at once? Nothing. And not catching something you are chasing is no fun, especially if what you are chasing is capable of laughing at you.

- Rex and Sparky in The Dangerous Book for Dogs

One year in 40 seconds from Eirik Solheim on Vimeo.

HT: Neatorama

2.82 mi / 42:35 min / 15:04 mpm

Is it weird that I check my own blog for the weather report each morning? It sort of feels weird - like commenting in your own comment section - or writing yourself a letter - or talking to yourself out loud in a crowded public place . . . if only the voices would leave me alone!

I wasn't going to run today. The wee one was so sick Saturday night that she slept in her car seat all night. Every time we laid her down the congestion was so bad she would wake up crying. She did pretty well on the trip home and last night she slept on her back all night for the first time ever.

This being the season of giving, the wife is feeling "iffy" and I have had a scratchy throat for two days. I shut off the alarm clock at 5am and assessed the situation . . . . first time home in 10 days, scratchy throat, I had ponied up and run in the snow while on vacation, I had earned a sleep-in. It would be the first scheduled day of running I had missed but you gotta start quitting somewhere . . .

I pulled the covers around me and settled in . . .

KKKKKRRRRRSSSSSCCCCCCHHHHHHHHHHHH

The baby monitor was on the fritz - the static was redlining the volume meter and the screen was all snow . . .

I got up and fiddled with it . . . . I staggered to the nursery and fiddled with the camera . . . back to the bedroom and fiddled some more . . . turns out the receiver was not plugged in and had finally ran out of charge . . . I plugged it in and everything went back to normal . . . but now I was up . . .

Might as well . . . so I brewed some coffee, got dressed, grabbed my gear, a handful of cough drops and the dawg and it was off to the park.

Rule of Thumb #1: If your illness is confined to above the shoulders, most runners believe that there is no reason not to run. If you illness is below your shoulders (ie; chest) proceed with caution . . .

We arrived at the park around 6am - it was too dark to run the trails (even with my headlamp) so I thought we would run the main paths of the park off leash as the park seemed all but deserted.

We had a great time.

On the return leg, the dawg zeroed in on something down an adjoining path and made a break for it. I quickly saw that he was charging towards a man and his leashed dawg to wish them a "good morning".

"Buckley! Leave it!" I hollered. He broke off the greeting, returned to my side and we carried on down the path.

As I followed the path meandering through the darkened trees, my headlamp offering some but not much illumination, I was thinking about how bad my throat hurt, I was listening to "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me" on the Ipod and wondering how it was that Paula Poundstone still has a gig, I was thinking about whether or not I should leash the dawg and I was checking the time when it happened:

Rule of Thumb #2: Most people trip and fall from time to time. If you run regularly, you are at increased risk for tripping and falling. Therefore, just about every runner will trip and fall sooner or later (for the record - I have never tripped and fallen while running . . .)

My left toe caught a seam in the pavement and came to a dead stop while the rest of my body kept right on moving. For whatever reason, I had the presence of mind to roll my right shoulder into the fall so instead of just going *ker-splat* and skidding to a face-plant-stop, I sort of did one of those rolls that stuntmen do when they are diving and rolling from gunfire.

I stumbled, rolled over my right shoulder and was back up on one knee all in one move.

"Man, if that dawg owner I just passed saw me do that, they would have seen my headlamp gyrating all over the place as I fell and rolled. That would have looked pretty funny . . ." I thought to myself.

I immediately thought of this scene from "While You Were Sleeping" . . .



I got up, shook it off and kept on keepin' on - not a scratch on me. I stopped by the store on the way home for chicken soup and chili and made plans to spend the rest of the day trying to shake my cold.

I just spent my vacation running in 21 degree weather over snow and ice - I felt fine the whole time and never once slipped.

I had to come back to balmy San Diego before I caught a cold and went sneakers over kiester on a run . . .

Go figure . . .

It turns out, only one of us has to do the running . . . .

HT: Neatorama

Forgiveness in no way requires that you trust the one you forgive. But should they finally confess and repent, you will discover a miracle in your own heart that allows you to reach out and begin to build between you a bridge of reconciliation. And sometimes - and this may seem incomprehensible to you right now - that road may even take you to the miracle of fully restored trust.

- William P. Young in The Shack

From today's reading: Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 23-24, John 18-21

Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."

- Luke 23:32-34a

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

- Matthew 28:19-20

3.10 mi / 48:39 min / 15:41 mpm

22 degrees / Icy Snow pack / Clear skies / Dark

Another good run this morning - the only remarkable thing was how unremarkable it was. Before this trip, the idea of running 3 miles in the dark, in the snow, in 22 degree weather would have been pretty unthinkable unless it was a dare. Now it just doesn't seem like that big a deal.

I realize that there are people out there for whom running in the snow is pretty much a given during the winter months but for a So. Cal. boy such as myself, it has been quite an adventure.

Today we will be driving from great-grandmother's house in Eastern Washington to grandmother's house in Western Washington. If all goes as planned, we will be flying home tomorrow and I will be running in beautiful San Diego Monday morning with my favorite four-legged running partner.

Forgiveness is not about forgetting, Mack. It is about letting go of another person's throat. . . .

- William P. Young in The Shack

From today's reading: Matthew 26-27, Mark 14-15, Luke 22, John 13-17

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

- John 14:6

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

- John 16:33b

POINTS OF INTEREST:

- Among other places in the Gospels, Mark 14:35-38 gives us the phrase "Take this cup from me".

- Matthew 26:14-16 is where we get the term "30 pieces of silver"

- John, Chapter 17 is the longest recorded prayer spoken by Jesus

From today's reading: Matthew 23-25, Mark 13, Luke 20-21

"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

- Matthew 25:31-40

by John Donne

Death be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not soe,
For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill mee.
From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee,
Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee doe goe,
Rest of their bones, and soules deliverie.
Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poyson, warre, and sicknesse dwell,
And poppie, or charmes can make us sleepe as well,
And better then thy stroake; why swell'st thou then?
One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.

Washington wins first major U.S. victory at Trenton

At approximately 8 a.m. on the morning of December 26, 1776, General George Washington's Continental Army reaches the outskirts of Trenton, New Jersey, and descends upon the unsuspecting Hessian force guarding the city. Trenton's 1,400 Hessian defenders were still groggy from the previous evening's Christmas festivities and had underestimated the Patriot threat after months of decisive British victories throughout New York. The troops of the Continental Army quickly overwhelmed the German defenses, and by 9:30 a.m.Trenton was completely surrounded.

"In the 30 years I've been a runner I've run more than 150,000 miles. Still, some of the hardest steps I take are those first few getting out the door for daily runs."

- BILL RODGERS' Lifetime Running Plan

by William P. Young in The Shack

Breathe in me . . . deep
That I might breathe . . . and live
And hold me close that I might sleep
Soft held by all you give

Come kiss me wind and take my breath
Till you and I are one
And we will dance among the tombs
Until all death is gone

And no one knows that we exist
Wrapped in each other's arms
Except the One who blew the breath
That hides me safe from harm

Come kiss me wind and take my breath
Till you and I are one
And we will dance among the tombs
Until all death is gone

2.65 mi / 39:14 min / 14:47 mpm

15 minute mile shattered! In the snow! Uphill!

I used to spend every summer on an honest to goodness desert island. Seriously. The day after my High School let out for the summer, I would be on my way to Catalina Island to work as a lifeguard at a YMCA youth camp. I would live in the staff quarters for 10 weeks and return to the mainland the day before school started.

My typical day would start with breakfast in the staff dining hall. Then me and the other lifeguards would head down to the beach for a day of surf, sand and sun. We would rake the beach, sweep the pier, gas up the water ski boats, set up the walkie talkies and prepare for the day.

By the end of the day, most of us had been in and out of the pacific so many times that we had a white ring of salt around the top of our red lifeguard shorts. There would be salt coating our skin and so much salt in our hair that you couldn't run your hand through it.

I don't think I will ever forget the feeling of that hot shower at the end of the day. Frequently, after washing the brine off and slathering lotion on our dried and sunburned skin, we would pull on Bermuda shorts and shirts, brew a pot of coffee and head out to the lawn for a leisurely game of Bocce Ball.

But not just any old pot of coffee . . .

Keep in mind that we spent 10 weeks living communally on a 21 acre piece of desert island. In those conditions small things can become big things and that first pot of coffee brewed after a hot shower at the end of a hot day at the beach took on an almost sacramental significance.

We would buy whole bean coffee from little store in Avalon, the island's only town (This was back in the 80's before most of us had ever heard of Starbucks). My personal favorite was South Seas Cinnamon. We would grind the coffee fresh in the evening and use only purified water. Only two or three of us were allowed to brew this holy carafe as you had to use just the right amount of beans, grind them just so, use the right amount of purified water etc. We were like the high priests of caffeine dispensing communion to the faithful few.

A long, hot, briny day at the beach, followed by a long hot shower, soothing lotion, clean lose-fitting shorts and shirt, and a relaxing evening strolling around the lawn joking and jibing your friends in a good natured game of Bocce - with the best cuppa joe you have ever tasted in your life.

These were the thoughts running through my head as I braved 21 degrees and snow on my run this morning.

The map said there was a trail that ran along the river not far from the place we are staying. What the map didn't tell me was that between here and there was a hill about 1/2 mile long. "It is what it is" I told myself as I descended the hill on my outbound leg of the run.

When I reached the highway at the bottom of the hill, there was a snowy slope of brush and barbed wire between me and the actual trail below. I decided to just hoof it along the highway. 21 degrees, 7am Christmas morning and I had the whole place to myself.

I did eventually reach a trail head and I followed the path in to the trees. I reached the frozen river just as my Ipod was telling me that it was time to turn around.

I lugged my 200+ pound carcass back up the hill, sweating under my windbreaker at the same time that the frozen morning air was chilling my lungs - visions of cups of desert island coffee dancing in my head.

It was early morning instead of early evening, instead of warm sand, there was ice and snow, instead of the mystical South Seas Cinnamon, the coffee was some sort of generic brand, but after a 40 minute run on a snowy Christmas morning, it tasted pretty dawggone good.

VFTW offers an insider's view of the shipping business this season . . .

The word of the season is "patience".

2014 Years Ago Today?

Christ is born

Although most Christians celebrate December 25 as the birthday of Jesus Christ, few in the first two Christian centuries claimed any knowledge of the exact day or year in which he was born. The oldest existing record of a Christmas celebration is found in a Roman almanac that tells of a Christ's Nativity festival led by the church of Rome in 336 A.D. The precise reason why Christmas came to be celebrated on December 25 remains obscure, but most researchers believe that Christmas originated as a Christian substitute for pagan celebrations of the winter solstice.

232 Years Ago Today

Washington crosses the Delaware

During the American Revolution, Patriot General George Washington crosses the Delaware River with 5,400 troops, hoping to surprise a Hessian force celebrating Christmas at their winter quarters in Trenton, New Jersey. The unconventional attack came after several months of substantial defeats for Washington's army that had resulted in the loss of New York City and other strategic points in the region.

94 Years Ago Today

The real life version of Joyeux Noel (reviewed here on the blog a few weeks ago)

The Christmas Truce

Just after midnight on Christmas morning, the majority of German troops engaged in World War I cease firing their guns and artillery and commence to sing Christmas carols. At certain points along the eastern and western fronts, the soldiers of Russia, France, and Britain even heard brass bands joining the Germans in their joyous singing.

HT: Neatorama

Okay, I may have found a bacon recipe that gives even me pause . . .

Behold: The Bacon Cheese Roll

HT: Neatorama

There are times when you choose to believe something that would normally be considered absolutely irrational. It doesn't mean that it is actually irrational, but it surely is not rational. Perhaps there is a suprarationality: reason beyond the normal definitions of fact or data-based logic; something that only makes sense if you can see a bigger picture of reality. Maybe that is where faith fits in.

- William P. Young in The Shack

From Today's Reading: Matthew 20-22, Mark 11, Luke 18:15-19:48, John 12

Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question:

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

- Matthew 22:34-40

POINTS OF INTEREST:

Matthew 22:15-22 is the source of the saying, "Render unto Ceasar what is Ceasar's and unto God what is God's"

Mark 12: 41-44 is where we get the term "Widow's mite".

Luke 19:1-10 recounts the story of Zacchaeus, one of the most beloved stories in the New testament.

2.85 mi / 44:55 min / 15:45 mpm

32 degrees - clear sky - dark.

Just as I was lacing up my sneakers, the father-in-law (FIL) asked if I would like to go with him to his men's Saturday morning Bible study breakfast.

Normally, I would love too but I hadn't planned on it and the wife already had more on my "honey-do-before-we-drive-to-Eastern-Washington-this-morning" list than I could manage.

"You would rather freeze in the snow than have a warm breakfast?" he asked.

*gulp* "yes", I said quietly . . .

I decided I would head for the same nature trail I had stumbled upon in the wind storm on my last run and I headed out that direction.

About 10 minutes into my run, the FIL pulled up alongside in the 4x4, "You sure you don't want to go to breakfast??"

"Of course I would rather go to breakfast!" I huffed back. "But I need to run this morning".

"Suit yourself", and off he went.

As it turns out, I ended up making a wrong turn and connected with the trail further down than I had the other day.

The photo above is my headlamp reflecting off the snow (the black square at the bottom is the shadow of my cell phone).

I headed down the new portion of the trail which quickly narrowed into a foot path and crossed a frozen stream.


That's a photo of the foot bridge.

As the path continued, it became flanked by blackberry bushes. If you are not familiar with blackberry bushes, they are nature's barbed wire - branches about the width of a pencil lined with thorns of all sizes. More than once when we lived in the Northwest I came away from a tangle with a blackberry bush covered in gashes and scrapes.

"Running in the dark, in the snow, in shorts may be crazy", I told myself, "but running in the dark, in the snow, in shorts, through blackberry bushes is just stoopid."

Just as I was considering turning around, mother Nature made the decision for me. A tree had fallen across the path and was covered in blackberry vines.



So I headed back. I still got in my full run though.

Coolidge lights first national Christmas tree

On this day in 1923, President Calvin Coolidge touches a button and lights up the first national Christmas tree to grace the White House grounds.

Not only was this the first White House "community" Christmas tree, but it was the first to be decorated with electric lights--a strand of 2,500 red, white and green bulbs. The balsam fir came from Coolidge’s home state of Vermont and stood 48 feet tall. Several musical groups performed at the tree-lighting ceremony, including the Epiphany Church choir and the U.S. Marine Band. Later that evening, President Coolidge and first lady Grace were treated to carols sung by members of Washington D.C.’s First Congregational Church.

Earth's crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God,
But only he who sees takes off his shoes;
The rest sit around and pluck blackberries.

- Elizabeth Barrett Browning

by James Taylor

Some children see Him lily white,
The baby Jesus born this night.
Some children see Him lily white,
With tresses soft and fair.

Some children see Him bronzed and brown,
The Lord of heav'n to earth come down.
Some children see Him bronzed and brown,
With dark and heavy hair.

Some children see Him almond-eyed,
This Savior whom we kneel beside.
Some children see Him almond-eyed,
With skin of yellow hue.

Some children see Him dark as they,
Sweet Mary's Son to whom we pray.
Some children see him dark as they,
And, ah! they love Him, too!

The children in each different place
Will see the baby Jesus' face
Like theirs, but bright with heavenly grace,
And filled with holy light.

O lay aside each earthly thing
And with thy heart as offering,
Come worship now the infant King.
'Tis love that's born tonight!

There is something joyful about storms that interrupt routine. Snow or freezing rain suddenly releases you from expectations, performance demands, and the tyranny of appointments and schedules. And unlike illness, it is largely a corporate rather than individual experience. One can almost hear a unified sigh rise from the nearby city and surrounding countryside where Nature has intervened to give respite to the weary humans slogging it out within her purview. All those affected this way are united by a mutual excuse, and the heart is suddenly and unexpectedly a little giddy. There will be no apologies needed for not showing up to some commitment or other. Everyone understands and shares in this singular justification, and the sudden alleviation of the pressure to produce makes the heart merry. . . .

Even if it's hardly more than a day or two, somehow each person feels like the master of his or her own world, simply because those little droplets of water freeze as they hit the ground.

- William P. Young from The Shack

By John Vance Cheney

Who drives the horses of the sun
Shall lord it but a day;
Better the lowly deed were done,
And kept the humble way.

The rust will find the sword of fame,
The dust will hide the crown;
Ay, none shall nail so high his name
Time will not tear it down.

The happiest heart that ever beat
Was in some quiet breast
That found the common daylight sweet,
And left to Heaven the rest.

Van Gogh chops off ear

On this day in 1888, Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh, suffering from severe depression, cuts off the lower part of his left ear with a razor while staying in Arles, France. He later documented the event in a painting titled Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear. Today, Van Gogh is regarded as an artistic genius and his masterpieces sell for record-breaking prices; however, during his lifetime, he was a poster boy for tortured starving artists and sold only one painting.

To live in the presence of great truths, to be dealing with eternal laws, to be led by permanent ideals - that is what keeps a man patient when the world ignores him, and calm and unspoiled when the world praises him.

- Francis G. Peabody

Neatorama points to this amazing article . . .

Teaser:

Every year, Australia hosts 543.7-mile (875-kilometer) endurance racing from Sydney to Melbourne. It is considered among the world's most grueling ultra-marathons. The race takes five days to complete and is normally only attempted by world-class athletes who train specially for the event. These athletes are typically less than 30 years old and backed by large companies such as Nike.

In 1983, a man named Cliff Young showed up at the start of this race. Cliff was 61 years old and wore overalls and work boots. To everyone's shock, Cliff wasn't a spectator. He picked up his race number and joined the other runners.

The press and other athletes became curious and questioned Cliff. They told him, "You're crazy, there's no way you can finish this race." To which he replied, "Yes I can. See, I grew up on a farm where we couldn't afford horses or tractors, and the whole time I was growing up, whenever the storms would roll in, I'd have to go out and round up the sheep. We had 2,000 sheep on 2,000 acres. Sometimes I would have to run those sheep for two or three days. It took a long time, but I'd always catch them. I believe I can run this race."

2.73 mi / 42.09 min / 15.24 mpm

It as if I am locked in a game of "I dare you" with mother nature . . .

My last three runs have been:
1) Light rain
2) Raining cats and dawgs
3) 28 Degrees and snow pack

This morning it was 28 degrees, 2-4 inches of freshly fallen snow and 80 mph wind gusts . . .

"Well," I thought as I pulled on my shoes, "the next time you are laying in bed wondering if you should go out and run on the snow in 28 degree darkness, you can remind yourself that you have run in worse; freshly fallen snow and 80 mph wind gusts . . ."

The mother-in-law was already up and she helped find me a windbreaker I could wear. The wife was feeding the wee-one and the father-in-law had already gone to the church to shovel the drifts away from the doors.

I figured I would run the opposite direction that I did the other day and maybe run by the church and help out with the shoveling.

I cued up my new Kareem Salama album . . . this was no namby-pamby Christmas music run, this was going to be a tough country music, I'm a soldier, boot-in-terrorist-hind-parts-sort-of-run (he doesn't say that in any of the songs on this album but he did use a similar phrase in the NPR interview . . .)

The photo above is my first tracks from the front door heading out this morning . . .

As I headed down the street I thought, "This isn't so bad . . . It feels colder . . . and there is definitely more wind . . . and more ice on the ground to avoid . . . but nothing I can't handle . . ."

Then I turned the corner and headed East . . .

YEEEEOOOOWWWWAAAIIIIIEEEEEE!

The wind gust almost knocked me down . . . my jacket was flapping and snapping in the wind which felt like a storm of little needles hitting my face . . . . my sneakers were buried in the drifts with each step, snow hitting my exposed calves . . . .Ummmm . . .



As we near the end of what turned out to be a pretty tumultuous 2008, I have been trying to reflect and what it all means and what I have learned. One thing I think I have learned is that sometimes the things that look impossible are merely hard. But the only way you realize that they aren't impossible is by taking that first step and doggedly putting one foot in front of the other no matter what the odds.



All throughout this past year, my wife has asked me, "How are we going to handle this?". My response has always been, "I don't know . . . one hour at a time I guess . . ."



The other day, we were looking at some photos from the year and my wife in amazement asked, "How did we handle all that?" and my response was the same . . ."I don't know . . . one hour at a time I guess . . ."



So I decided to carry on this morning, one step at a time and see how far I would get before having to turn back . . .

A couple more turns and I was at the church. My father-in-law had already headed for home in the 4x4 after cancelling church this morning. So I had a decision to make . . . which way now?

I decided to keep heading into the wind . . . just to prove some idiotic point to myself . . .

I crossed the highway and saw a sign for a nature trail . . . I turned into it and the wind immediately died down - blocked by the trees . . .

I thought of a scene in the Band of Brothers . . . if you haven't watched the series, it might not mean much but if you have seen it, the quote is a good one . . .

Richard Winters: Harry, fire's not a good idea.
Harry Welsh: Just a couple of minutes. We're in a dell.
Richard Winters: A dell? Like where fairies and gnomes live?
Cpt. Nixon: I swear I thought I could smell a fire... I DID smell a fire. Are you out of your mind?
Richard Winters: Well, we're in a dell.
Cpt. Nixon: Huh?

I was in a dell . . . and I was making first tracks . . . Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful . . .


If you think this photo is beautiful, keep in mind it was taken with my lousy cell phone and has not been touched up at all . . . that's how beautiful it was!

My runs are feeling more legitimate now that I am running 1 minute, walking four, running 1 etc.

As I listened to the roar of the wind in the trees overhead and took in the winter beauty all around me and posed the questions to myself again; "Would you rather be out here or inside in PJ's, warm cuppa joe in hand?"

"Out here - most definitely . . ."

I reached the half-way point and turned back. When I exited the nature trail, the wind hit me full force once again but this time it was at my back pushing me home.

I took off my shoes on the front porch, banged them together to knock off the snow and stepped back into the warmth permeated with the smell of fresh-brewed coffee.

"You're crazy, boy" the father in law said shaking his head.

I smiled and thought, "It only looks that way from in here . . . out there, it all makes perfect sense . . "

No man or woman can be really strong, gentle, pure, and good without the world being better for it.

- Phillips Brooks

So the wife and I basically took turns staying up all night packing . . . I had hoped to be out the door at 6:45am but we were doing pretty good by getting on the road by 10 after 7.

First stop was the Club Foot clinic. We pulled up and the doctors were walking in from the parking structure. We got the old casts off and the new ones on - wiped the plaster off Annie's face and we were back in the car.

Next stop was to pick up our friend in Point Loma who had agreed to drive us to the airport and hang onto our car while we were gone. On the way to the airport, i asked him, "You have flown with your three kids, right?"

He nodded. "It's quite a production . . . but then again, we usually give them 'medicine' . . ."

"Benadryl?"

"Yep . . ."

"My parents used to do the same to me!" my wife laughed.

He dropped us at the curb and it was "go time".

As I mentioned before, the wife and I were sort of nervous about this trip . . .

1) Did we have too much luggage? (two full-size suitcases, one carry-on suitcase, my briefcase and a diaper bag)
2) Was security going to confiscate the bottles of formula that I had premixed and stored in our carry-ons?
3) If they confiscated the pre-mixed formula, would they allow us to carry on the bag of powdered formula that was in a plastic zip-lock looking like a big bag of cocaine that you see in the movies . . .?
4) Were we going to be able to get through the security check without creating a total commotion and bothering everyone in line behind us?
5) Once on the plane, were little Annie's ears going to bother her on take off and/or landing?

We headed to the ticket counter, check our two suitcases, confirmed that we did not have too many carry-ons and that was that. Wow, that was easy . . . Off to security . . .

We qued up in line - the wife with Annabelle and the diaper bag, me following with the carry-on and my briefcase . . .

When we got to the conveyor belt, the wife handed me the wee-one, put the diaper bag on the machine, took off her coat and boots and sent them through. I handed Annie back to her and the two of them made it through the metal detector on the first try . . . So far so good . . .

I let the next three people in line go ahead of me as I got my stuff together . . .

- laptop out of the briefcase - both on the conveyor . .
- Carry-on suitcase on the conveyor
- Shoes off, belt off, cell phone, keys etc into a bin and onto the conveyor

I breezed through the metal detector and then BEEP! Back through . . . (I had touched the sides I guess and set it off . . .) I got through the second time and joined the girls at the end of the conveyor.

The wife handed me the wee one and got her boots and coat back on.

"Miss, I am going to have to search your bag . . ." The security guard was holding the diaper bag . . .

"You take Annie and go with him", I said to the wife . . . I will stay here with the rest . . .

"Sir, we are going to have to rescan your laptop and briefcase . . ."

"No problem . . .", I said as I was putting on my shoes . . .

"Sir, I am going to have to search your bag . . .", Guard #2 was holding the carry-on . . . crunch time . . .

"No problem", I replied as I was re-threading my belt through my pants . . .

The guard paid no heed to the suspicious bag of white powder and didn't give a hoot about the pre-mixed formula I had in a small cooler . . .

"Thank you sir . . ."

I was fully dressed, had the briefcase, laptop and carry on . . .the wife rejoined me with the wee-one and diaper bag and were were done! Total time? about 2 min 30 seconds . . .

The wife and I looked at each other in amazement.

"Wow. Good job Linden family!" I exclaimed.

"Not bad at all", my wife replied . . . .

We slung our bags over our shoulders and I reached for the carry-on suitcase that was still on the examining table . . . with a triumphant yank, I pulled the bag off the table . . . flinging all the contents across the floor of the security area in the process . . . I had forgotten to zip up the bag .
. .

People around us burst out laughing and I had to laugh too as I chased down my socks and skivvies . . .

"I guess we spoke too soon", my wife laughed . . .

Our flight was delayed for about 45 minutes due to the snow in Seattle. Annie-Lu did just fine the whole way - no fussing what-so-ever. She even slept through the landing.

Good job Linden family!

“This piquant, creamy chicken is a surprising combination of ranch dressing, bacon bits, teriyaki sauce, and cheddar cheese.”

RECIPE HERE

As I mentioned last week, the Doc agreed to come in early to change out Annabelle's casts this week so that we could make our plane flight.

The wife was up until 1 am packing on Wednesday. I went to bed at 9pm and was up at 3am to finish up.

Everyone was in the car at 7am and it was off to Children's hospital.

Here are the latest round of photos:

So we attended a Sunday School Christmas party this past Sunday and there was the requisite White Elephant gift-exchange.



People had wrapped up rolls of duck tape etc. as gifts. I went with a tired old standard;



1) Cut the plug off an old electrical cord
2) Tape the electrical cord to the handle of a generic disposable razor



Voila! Electric razor gag-gift!



I was pretty proud of myself and the group was dually impressed until someone opened . . .

It's a Hillbilly Flashlight made out of a paint stick with a clothes pin and box of matches glued to it.

Now THAT's funny . . .

Naturally, when it came my turn, I exclaimed, "I know a good thing when I see it . . ." and stole it from the person who had opened it.

I think she was relieved until she opened her next gift - a roll of caution tape from Home Depot . . .

Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as you ever can.

- John Wesley

by Robert Frost

The great Overdog
That heavenly beast
With a star in one eye
Gives a leap in the east.
He dances upright
All the way to the west
And never once drops
On his forefeet to rest.
I'm a poor underdog,
But to-night I will bark
With the great Overdog
That romps through the dark.

? mi / 40 min (approx) / ?mpm

It was raining. Hard. I could hear it coming down in sheets outside the bedroom window.

Should I run this morning? Maybe I should put it off until this afternoon to see if it clears . . . But then I would be risking not running at all today if it doesn't let up because I will have sole possession of the wee one . . . I could go running in the rain this morning and get it out of the way - that way I would not miss a day . . . I haven't missed a day since I started all of 3 weeks ago . . .
My mind turned to that surfer guy in Step into Liquid. You know, the one who has surfed everyday for something like 30 years or so? His wife left him and he seems to be living in a trailer near the beach, but his teenage daughter (who has never missed a day of school in her whole life) thinks he's "cool".

Or the guy I read about in one of the running magazines, he works in insurance and lost a good friend on 911. He has been running everyday for something like 6 years. He has kept every pair of running shoes he ever owned and for reasons even he cannot explain, owns about 1000 white t-shirts. There is a photo of his wife in the article and she seems to be thinking, "You know, that one surfer guy's wife moved on . . ."

As I lay there, I decided. I don't want to break my 17-day running streak. This morning, I would run . . . provided I could figure out how to run in the rain . . .

So it was settled . . . sort of . . .

I DON'T OWN A SINGLE PIECE OF WATERPROOF CLOTHING

I thought about how I made a trip to the sporting goods store yesterday . . . The wife's parents are flying us up to Seattle for Christmas and I was considering buying an inexpensive jacket and pair of pants that would keep the wind and rain off me . . . something a half-step above a garbage bag with holes cut in it.

Near the front counter was a display with little stuff sacks hanging on pegs.

According to the advertisement, each stuff sack contained either waterproof pants or a jacket. They had a few different colors and I unpack a "Large" red jacket to try on. Too small.

I tried on an "Extra Large" - too small. I tried on a double-XL - too small . . . Wait a minute here . . . I looked at the stuff sack, I had been trying on the women's jackets . . . . And the sales lady had been watching me do it all this time . . . .

It occurred to me that she may be seasonal help and I explained that I had figured out why none of the jackets fit . . . "Oh", she said, "that's funny, I had no idea . . ."

I did eventually find a men's size that fit but when it came time to lay down the $$, I just couldn't do it. "You are going to get up there and it is going to be bright and sunny the whole time and you will be stuck with this jacket that you will never wear . . ."

So I didn't buy one . . . "Huh, that's funny . . . " I thought as I lay in bed hearing the thunder outside.

I came up with a plan and rolled out of bed . . .

I took the gizmo off my shoe that tells me how far I run just in case it wasn't totally waterproof. I pulled on shorts, a t-shirt, socks, shoes, hat, gloves and the piece-de-resistance . . . a faded denim jacket that had been hanging untouched in the closet for the past 15 years. I figured it would get soaked but at least it would block the wind . . .

As I shrugged into it, I thought, "Wow, that's heavy . ." Before it had always felt heavy in a reassuring "I will protect you from the elements" sort of way. Now it felt heavy in a "You think I am heavy now, wait until I have soaked up a gallon of water" sort of way. Well, you do what you can . . .

I had the presence of mind to grab a dry change of clothes and as I loomed over my sleeping wife to kiss her goodbye, she open one eye and exclaimed "Whoa . . .".

"Bye, I am going for a run - be back soon", I said as I kissed her. And then I made my escape.

I was not trilled about running in the rain and I didn't want to get caught in a 10 minute discussion with the wife about why I should be skipping it today . . . How was I supposed to explain my kinship with the divorcee who lives in a trailer at the beach?? or the guy with 1000 t-shirts?

As I rounded the doorway at the end of the hall, I heard my wife call out, "It's raining".

"I know", I replied as I reach for the front door.

The dawg had roused himself and was looking up at me like,"I will go if you want me to . . . but only if you really want me too . . ."

"Go back to bed, Beezer . . ." I replied, and he gratefully headed back to the bedroom.

As I sat in my car in the driveway the rain was pouring down in buckets . . . "Maybe it's not raining so hard downtown", I tried to reassure myself . . .

As I pulled onto the freeway, my cell phone rang - it was the wife . . ."I am considering a trip to the emergency room . . . " she started . . .

"Oh no", I thought. "Somthing is wrong with Annabelle . . ."

"You are going to slip and fall and hurt yourself and we are going to have to run to the hospital on the day before our big trip . . ." she continued . . . .

"I'll be FINE", I replied (hoping I would not have to eat my words later . . . .)

I headed for Seaport Village as I thought the park would be too muddy. The closer I got, the less it rained until finally, as I made my final preparations in the car (putting the ipod, car keys and cel phone in zip-lock baggies) there was nothing but a light rain falling outside.

I took a deep breath, pushed play on the ipod, zipped up the baggie it was in and stepped out of the car.

The ipod picked up the last song it had been playing mid-stream. It was Kareem Salama's "Hold On" and I kid you not, these were the first words I heard . . .

So hold on in this moment
Cause it might be just what you need
And you know that you’re growing
When you find yourself down on your knees
It’s the trials of life
It’s the rain and the light
That make you more than just your dreams

You say that you want to fly in the sky but
You won’t build the wings it won’t be then
You say that you want the love of your life
But you give up too easily
It’s the eyes wide as you fall
That make you see

So hold on in this moment
Cause it might be just what you need
And you know that you’re growing
When you find yourself down on your knees
It’s the trials of life it’s the rain and the light
That make you more than just your dreams

"Yeah, okay . . . maybe a run in the rain is exactly what I need" . . . . And of course it was . . .

So you hear that Seattle?? I am coming to town armed with my denim jacket and zip-lock baggies. You won't break my streak - bring on your worst!

(*ahem* - so long as your worst is 52 degrees with a light rain or drizzle . . . .) Otherwise, I may have to re-evaluate . . . .

I am not a big country music fan . . . although a cute redhead in college who spoke with a Southern twang had me wearing cowboy boots, watching CMTV and chewing tobacco . . . for all of two weeks until we broke up . . .

That being said, I like this country guy . . . He is not what you think . . . .

Here are the lyrics to one of his songs:

Get Busy Living

Every single day
Someone is born
And someone dies.
It wasn't long ago
My uncle passed and
My little niece came to life.

I get to thinking
About my time to go and
It won't be long from now . . .
I shiver inside at the chance
That I might lead a life
Untouched by a vow . . .

And I beleive tonight
Is the night that I decide
That I get busy living and
I get ready to die.

So that when the fateful day does come
When I'm six feet in the ground,
The poor and the week and
The orphan and meek
Will miss having me around.

When I pass I don't want to
Leave a life of regret
So I give rise to change today
By trying not to forget

That pleasures do pass
And sunrises end
and stars do
fade away

But its love and
Its virtue and
Honor and truth
That remain for all days.

And I beleive tonight
Is the night that I decide
That I get busy living and
I get ready to die.

So that when the fateful day does come
When I'm six feet in the ground,
The poor and the week
The orphan and meek
Will miss having me around.

I want that final breath
To be the sweetest of all
And it will be with certainty
If I answer the call.

To help all those in need
And decipher the meaning of life
'Cause the seekers of truth
They fear not death
Anymore than they fear life

And I beleive tonight
Is the night that I decide
That I get busy living and
I get ready to die.

So that when the fateful day does come
When I'm six feet in the ground,
The poor and the week
The orphan and meek
Will miss having me around.

What makes him different is that he is a country music singer - who happens to be Muslim . . . . Here is a YouTube video set to the song above:



I heard his interview on Weekend America on one of my runs . . .

I have a lot of problems with the Muslim faith . . . but Kareem Salama does an excellent job of pointing out the things we have in common. And I think that is a good thing right now . . .

In fact, if all you did was listen to the entire new album (without watching the videos or hearing the radio interview), you would probably come to the conclusion that he was an especially spiritual Christian Country Music singer.

I have felt for some time that the Muslim faith is in need of a reformation along the lines of the Christian Reformation in the 16th century. It might be a good idea for those who feel the same to support the Muslims who are trying to bring their faith into the 21st century.

Now check out this video set to one of his songs . . .



And another:

388 Years Ago Today

Mayflower passengers come ashore at Plymouth Harbor

On December 18, 1620, passengers on the British ship Mayflower come ashore at modern-day Plymouth, Massachusetts, to begin their new settlement, Plymouth Colony.

231 Years Ago Today

States give thanks

The new United States celebrates its first national day of thanksgiving on Thursday, December 18, 1777, commemorating the American victory at the Battle of Saratoga after the surrender of General John Burgoyne and 5,000 British troops in October 1777.

143 Years Ago Today

Slavery abolished in America

Following its ratification by the requisite three-quarters of the states earlier in the month, the 13th Amendment is formally adopted into the U.S. Constitution, ensuring that "neither slavery nor involuntary servitude... shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction."

"Remember, the feeling you get from a good run is far better than the feeling you get from sitting around wishing you were running."

- SARAH CONDOR

Keep us, O God, from all pettiness.
Let us be large in thought, in word, in deed.
let us be done with fault-finding
and leave off all self-seeking.
May we put away all pretense
and meet each other face to face,
without self pity and without prejudice.
may we never be hasty in judgment,
and always be generous.
let us always take time for all things,
and make us to grow calm, serene and gentle.
Teach us to put into action our better impulses,
to be straightforward and unafraid.
Grant that we may realize
that it is the little things of life that create differences,
that in the big things of life,
we are as one.
And, O Lord God,
let us not forget to be kind!
Amen.

- Mary Stuart

I thought this was great . . . .



HT: Neatorama

Last year, The View From Two Wheels had a post containing his new favorite Christmas song.

I liked it so much, I thought I would post it again. . . .



A while back a very dear friend of ours said he would link to my wife's blog only on the condition that she take off a link to her cousin's blog who understands gender in a nontraditional fashion.

My wife's unequivocal response was "pound sand, she's family".

Of course, it didn't exactly go down that way in word so much as in deed. And of course, proving once again that we have some of the best friends on earth, he shortly thereafter put up the link.

The point is not silly links to inconsequential blogs. The point is people that we love. Not because we agree, not because we see eye to eye on every matter, but because we see in the other person something we wish we ourselves possessed; a measure of passion about a worthy cause, a measure of love, a measure of compassion for those who are hurting.

Oh, how I admire so much in so many of my friends whose theology and politics are different than mine. Sure, I wish they thought and believed as I do but given the choice between a Christmas dinner with some of the conservative "frozen chosen" that I know or one surrounded by people who are passionate about laughing and loving and lifting - without a theological or political litmus test . . . well, I'll chose the latter.

The wine is usually better anyway . . . .

HT: TMST - thanks Sean!

RECIPE HERE

Proving once again that EVERYTHING is better with BACON!

HT: Neatorama

From today's reading: Matthew 19, Mark 10, Luke 16:1-18:14, John 11

They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. "We are going up to Jerusalem," he said, "and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise."

- Mark 10:32-14

POINTS OF INTEREST:

Luke 18:13 contains one of the most commonly used prayers in the Bible (aside from the Lord's prayer). The Wikipedia entry is here.

John 11:35 is the shortest verse in the Bible and one of the most profound.