Rainbow

I have posted this before, but I just love this photo of a rainbow over Hidden Valley Lake.

I'm a smoker

I have a confession to make. I'm a smoker. A smoker of meats, that is.

I decided to fire up the ol' smoker today. I smoked chicken thighs with a dry spice rub. It was the first time I have ever smoked chicken. It was a tremendous success. The side dishes were sweet potato fries and steamed broccoli. Everything was delicious!

Fishing Video

Just a short video of Asher catching a "Boo-Gill" all by himself. He is so proud! Note how helpful his big brother is. For the record, the fish is not hooked in the belly. The line got wrapped around it as Asher was reeling him in. This sort of joy and excitement is what taking kids fishing is all about!

A better photo

Here's a better photo...

A Great Day!

Michael and I took Elliott and Asher fishing today. It was an absolute BLAST!

I'm EMBARRASSED

Recently I made a post on this blog related to the topic of Reds players kneeling for the National Anthem. With my permission, Tami posted it to FaceBook. As a result, the blog post received over 500 page views. Much to my utter embarrassment, my brother-in-law pointed out that the title of my post contained a typographical error. Instead of "Say it ain't so", the title read, "Say IN ain't so". As someone who prides himself on proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation, I am embarrassed that a blog post that received more than 500 views had that kind of error. I really do apologize. I know I'm not perfect, and mistakes happen to all of us, but this was a biggie.

Goppa Heaven!

Can't get enough of these kids!

Whippersnapper

I am totally enjoying my visit with this little whippersnapper and the rest of the Mortons. I am in Goppa Heaven!

Trail Mix and Salad Bar

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Notice it doesn't say SOME Scripture is God-breathed. The first two words of the passage are ALL SCRIPTURE! We don't get to pick and choose what we like and disregard what we don't like, or what we feel doesn't apply to us. God's Word is sufficient. It's all we need.

Back in the day people who cherry-picked scripture were called Salad Bar Christians. The Bible was one big salad bar where people chose what they wanted and bypassed what they didn't want. A better analogy for today is trail mix. Pick out the M&M's and peanuts, leave the raisins behind. As Christians, we can't do that. We must take in all scripture and seal it in our hearts and minds. And yes, sometimes we will be rebuked and suffer reproof. We must accept the whole package or nothing at all. There is no in-between.

Spare the rod

Spare the rod, spoil the child. Proverbs 13:24

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

As a society we have gotten away from this, and we are suffering the consequences. Believe me, I know. I teach these kids every day, and the rod has definitely been spared with them.

Say it ain't so!

Please say it ain't so. Not my beloved Cincinnati Reds! Four members of the Reds ball club knelt during the National Anthem yesterday. This saddens me beyond belief. When some of the Bengals did it, I had no problem saying goodbye to the NFL and the Bengals. But the Reds are going to be tougher to swear off. I have loved the Reds since before I can remember. I love baseball and it will break my heart to give it up. However, with the greedy labor strife the last few months, and now the blatant disrespect to our flag and country, I may have to say goodbye to baseball, too.

Listen folks, I'm not saying these guys don't have the right to protest. They absolutely, 100% have the right to protest. It's their right as Americans. I'm saying there are a hundred other ways to protest perceived racial inequality rather than kneeling during the anthem. You guys are making millions upon millions of dollars because you live in the free nation the flag and anthem represent. Try making that kind of dough in Iran or North Korea (or any number of other countries). You can't, because the opportunity does not exist. The opportunity exists here... in the United States of America. Stand up and give the flag, the anthem, and our nation the respect they deserve. Wanna protest? Picket outside the ballpark on your own time. I guarantee, as a baseball star (I'm looking at you, Joey Votto!) you'll get media coverage out the wazoo! Wanna protest? Go on a hunger strike. Go on TV and make a speech. Take out an ad in the paper. Participate in a sit-in. Take part in a peaceful march. Throw a charity benefit for those folks you feel are mistreated and oppressed. Nobody is stopping you! But when you are on the field, wearing the Reds uniform, you are on the clock. It's your job. You're at work. You don't participate in protests at work... especially protests that disrespect our flag, national anthem, and nation. Wake up and get a clue guys! You have the attention of the world. Use it appropriately or get off the field. Remember, when baseball players took off their caps and placed them over their hearts during the anthem? I sure do remember. You think those guys weren't aware of racism and a million other social and cultural problems? They were acutely aware, but they had enough class and respect to keep it off the field. I suggest you do the same. Stand up or go away!

I'm on the program

I'm not one to toot my own horn. In fact, I'm quite the opposite. I like to stay in the background, or even better, completely out of the spotlight. However, I do want to give you a status report on my diet and exercise program. On June 4th, Tami and I started eating healthier foods and working out daily. Since that time we have not eaten anything bad for us, and we have worked out for 47 straight days. I have lost an even 20 pounds. I still have a long way to go, but I am on the path to my goal of losing 45-50 pounds.

One of my biggest indicators that my fat belly has gotten out of control is when I trim my toenails. When I bend over and can't breathe... it's time to take action. When I have to come up gasping for air after trimming each nail, it's time to take action. After losing 20 pounds I can now comfortably trim my nails. It will get even better when I lose all the weight and reach my goal.

29 years

29 years ago today, my life changed forever. 29 years ago today I married the love of my life. Happy 29th anniversary to my amazing, wonderful, intelligent, beautiful wife. I can't wait for 29 more. I love you!

A full day

Another full day swimming with the grandkids. They head to Greensburg to stay with their other grandkids during the week, and will return to our house next weekend. It has been a wonderful, yet tiring weekend. It has been so nice to have them here.

Grandkids in town

SorryI haven't posted in a few days. The grandchildren are in town. They rightfully have my full attention. Photos and more info later.

I'm confused!

I am sooooooooo confused!

It Never Ends Part 2

What was it I said yesterday? The task list never ends. Well, little did I know I would wake up this morning to a water heater that decided it had lived its life and was ready to go to that big scrap heap in the sky. Yep! That's right. Tami had to take an ice cold shower before heading to work. She was a real trooper though. She didn't complain one bit!

After researching several area plumbers, I decided to explore the idea of replacing the water heater myself. A quick inspection revealed what appeared to be an easy project. After a few moments thought, I decided to go for it and replace it myself. With the help of Michael (and I mean he was a BIG help), we removed the old one and installed the new one in about an hour. Of course this was after we used Michael's truck to pick up the new one at Lowe's.

The way I figure it, I saved myself between $300 and $500 by not hiring a plumber. I couldn't have done it without Michael though. THANKS A MILLION, SON!

And for the record we have wonderfully hot water now. It's a good thing too. We have houseguests the next three weekends. It just wasn't possible to have house guests with tepid water, or no hot water at all.

It never ends

It seems like the task list NEVER gets shorter. Yesterday was helping my father-in-law work on his car. Today was running around looking for lumber, and replacing some rotting deck boards. Today was finishing my online graduate course. Tomorrow is mowing, trimming, and finishing the deck project. Thursday will be pool maintenance and cleaning up around the deck and yard preparing for company. You know what they say... there's no rest for the wicked!

Back Soon!

This will be me in a few weeks when I go back to school...

Sugar Lump

Happy 23rd birthday to my sweet little Sugar Lump! I remember the night you were born, and just look at you now!

An unwelcome visitor

Every morning when Tami leaves for work, I tell her to leave the garage door open. I usually start my yard work shortly after she leaves, so closing the door is a waste of time and effort. Anyway, shortly after Tami left for work this morning I went down to my garage. To my surprise and dismay, this strange dog was in my garage. I don't have a dog. I've never had a dog, and I never will. He was pretty docile and didn't protest when I shooed him out. He left the garage but he didn't go far. He plopped himself in my front yard and stayed there for half an hour. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against dogs. However, I do wish people who have dogs would keep them secured. Dogs should not be roaming the neighborhood.

The Far Side

The Far Side cartoons were some of the best ever! My wonderful wife sent this to me earlier. I've seen it many times. It's still an oldie, but a goodie!

I have been away

I have been away from my keyboard, but only temporarily. The last three days have been spent in my garage with my father-in-law. We are replacing all four shocks and struts on his car. Actually he is doing most of it. I spend a lot of time repositioning the work light and handing him tools. I have done some of the work, but he's the brains behind the operation. Hopefully we will finish up the job tomorrow. In the meantime, I will leave you with my latest dad joke.

Did you hear Captain Hook didn't buy his hook brand new? He bought it at a second hand store. I know, I know... it's a groaner!

Life is good where we live

Check out the photos below. They were taken by some of my neighbors, so I can't take credit for them. The first two were taken at the fireworks display in Hidden Valley. The third one shows a rainbow over Hidden Valley Lake. Life is good (and beautiful) where we live.

Along came a spider

Call us nerds if you want to, but Tami and I find joy in the strangest places. A few nights ago we marveled at a spider slowly, and painstakingly spinning a web on our deck rail. As we observed the handiwork, we discussed the many miracles of God's creation. Intelligent design is the ONLY explanation for a creature spinning such an intricate web. Please don't tell me spiders evolved to spin webs to catch their prey. If you'll pardon my bluntness... the idea of spiders evolving to spin webs is ridiculous. Check out the photo below. This can only be of God.

Heavenly

Check out this heavenly (literally) view from our deck last night. The moon visible through the trees at right. Jupiter is bright in the center, and Saturn to the left. Gorgeous! The heavens declare the glory of God!

Our View

Just some pretty photos from our summer evenings on our deck. WE ARE BLESSED!