Seven years ago today, Karen and I enjoyed a wonderful seafood dinner and a show in Branson, Missouri, returned to our hotel and were awakened by sirens, car alarms, a whoosh of wind, loss of electricity, to be told that we had just "survived" Branson's first ever tornado, an EF-2. We found our car damaged, in need of two new windows. We spent an extra few days in Missouri before we could return to Colorado to have our seven month old car fully repaired and repainted.
In February, 1974, on this very date, I received my first, last and only speeding ticket. I was driving the old speed limit of 70 on Interstate 25, in Adams, County, Colorado. Unfortunately the new speed limit of 55 had been put into effect less than a month earlier, and I chose to ignore it, paying the price ($75 and 3 points).
Earlier that evening, Karen and I found ourselves in separate cells of the Loveland, Colorado jail as the result of a prank by our brother-in-law (now ex b-i-l), Larry. Our first, last and only stay in the slammer, thank God.
A few unique February 28 events to remember.
Oh, by the way, at about this time on a Thursday, 45 years ago, Karen and I were getting ready to go before the Justice of the Peace in the Loveland, CO courthouse to start what has been 45 years of quite an adventure. We've been through a lot.......but look forward to all God has in front of us................HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, HON.
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Thursday, February 28, 2019
Monday, February 25, 2019
February 25, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. The Truth
When I started law school, I really thought I wanted to be a lawyer, although I wasn't sure what type of law I wanted to practice. I realized pretty quickly that part of practicing law, representing clients or advocating for one party in a dispute, is the ability to get at the "truth", to determine what the real facts are and being able to convincing a judge, a jury, an arbitrator or a referee that your truth is The Truth and the opposing party is laboring under a false truth. Of course the other lawyer is trying to convince the judge, jury, arbitrator or referee that his truth is The Truth and that his opponent (me) is laboring under a false truth.
Needless to say, I came to the conclusion after completing law school and passing the Virginia Bar Exam that I didn't really want to be an attorney and seek after the truth when the truth was such an elusive commodity to capture. Unfortunately, there is no profession where there is a truth that everyone can glommer onto and we spend most of our lives listening to so many conflicting truths that we never really know what the real story is. A few examples will prove my point: politics...religion...advertising... movie critics...Trip Advisor reviews,
One thing I do know for sure.......and this is The Truth.........this post in done.
Sent from my iPad
Needless to say, I came to the conclusion after completing law school and passing the Virginia Bar Exam that I didn't really want to be an attorney and seek after the truth when the truth was such an elusive commodity to capture. Unfortunately, there is no profession where there is a truth that everyone can glommer onto and we spend most of our lives listening to so many conflicting truths that we never really know what the real story is. A few examples will prove my point: politics...religion...advertising... movie critics...Trip Advisor reviews,
One thing I do know for sure.......and this is The Truth.........this post in done.
Sent from my iPad
Friday, February 22, 2019
February 22, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. The Plan
When Karen and I decided to go "on the road" we had a basic plan. Before we actually bought the motor home in September, 2013, we would load up our Hyundai Santa Fe and head out for what amounted to month-long road trips which took us all over the country, border to border and coast to coast, but always brought us back to Fort Collins, Colorado. It was fun, took us to many new places and whetted our appetite for longer trips, more time in places we enjoyed but always with the intent to return to Fort Collins to plan the next adventure.
But plans change, and sometimes quickly, and that's what happened when we took the motor home out for the first time in December, 2013. We have been back to Fort Collins, with the motor home twice in the past five years; Karen has been back in our car at least one each year for medical appointments and family/friend birthday events, but there has never been an extended motor home return to Colorado. In reality, we have enjoyed being " on the road" while not really putting miles on the motor home. It was February 22, 2018, one year ago today, that we parked in our spot 12 at the Passion Play for our fifth season and we are still here awaiting the start of our sixth season. In that one year we have only moved the motor home forward about ten feet, reset the blocks of wood under our front wheels, and backed up the ten feet to the exact same place and re-leveled the coach to eliminate the self-opening and self-closing of refrigerator and bathroom doors.
It's been a different year; no Florida, no Georgia, no Deep East Texas, no Colorado (for me).
We've seen the Arkansas Fall Colors for the first time, endured some pretty cold Arkansas weather and looking forward to what this season of the Passion Play has in store. Over the next three months some of our friends will be coming back for short-term volunteer stints; in a month there will be sign-ups for seasonal staff positions, cast and crew openings; and then it will be time for opening weekend on April 19-20 and a six month, 84-day performance schedule ending on October 26.
Anyway...........for now..........that's The Plan.
Sent from my iPad
But plans change, and sometimes quickly, and that's what happened when we took the motor home out for the first time in December, 2013. We have been back to Fort Collins, with the motor home twice in the past five years; Karen has been back in our car at least one each year for medical appointments and family/friend birthday events, but there has never been an extended motor home return to Colorado. In reality, we have enjoyed being " on the road" while not really putting miles on the motor home. It was February 22, 2018, one year ago today, that we parked in our spot 12 at the Passion Play for our fifth season and we are still here awaiting the start of our sixth season. In that one year we have only moved the motor home forward about ten feet, reset the blocks of wood under our front wheels, and backed up the ten feet to the exact same place and re-leveled the coach to eliminate the self-opening and self-closing of refrigerator and bathroom doors.
It's been a different year; no Florida, no Georgia, no Deep East Texas, no Colorado (for me).
We've seen the Arkansas Fall Colors for the first time, endured some pretty cold Arkansas weather and looking forward to what this season of the Passion Play has in store. Over the next three months some of our friends will be coming back for short-term volunteer stints; in a month there will be sign-ups for seasonal staff positions, cast and crew openings; and then it will be time for opening weekend on April 19-20 and a six month, 84-day performance schedule ending on October 26.
Anyway...........for now..........that's The Plan.
Sent from my iPad
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
February 19, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. I Don't Know....But I'll Find Out
As a student at GW Law School, I was asked a question by one of my professors. It had to do with a case involving horses, and not being a horse expert, I prefaced my answer, with the words, "I'm not an expert on horses" and that was as far as I got, when the professor said, "don't ever admit that you're not an expert". So I started my answer again. "Being an expert on horses" and while the class laughed, the professor didn't. Of course, he told me never to claim to be something I'm not, but always tell people that you may not know the precise answer to their question, but you will find out and get back to them with the answer.
That has been a lesson I took to heart along with the advice to always be on time for any appointment, and on time means at least ten minutes early. Both these lessons have been a key part of my nature. Part of my responsibilities here at TGPP has been as a presenter in our Holy Land. I lead tours, teach an Old Testament session each performance day in the full-sized replica of Moses' Tabernacle in the Wilderness and am asked a lot of questions about my upbringing in a Jewish home. I read and study the Scriptures, do an in-depth study each year of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy (doing that right now) and do extensive internet searches on these books of the Bible and try to anticipate what questions I might be asked and when I don't know......I try to find an answer.
In many cases there is not always an answer, there may be multiple possible answers or there may be an answer right in the text we are reading, in a footnote or reference to another verse. I'm far from being an expert, but it's exciting to learn something which is part of our past and may lead us to learn more about our future. Thank You, Lord........for Your Story.
Sent from my iPad
That has been a lesson I took to heart along with the advice to always be on time for any appointment, and on time means at least ten minutes early. Both these lessons have been a key part of my nature. Part of my responsibilities here at TGPP has been as a presenter in our Holy Land. I lead tours, teach an Old Testament session each performance day in the full-sized replica of Moses' Tabernacle in the Wilderness and am asked a lot of questions about my upbringing in a Jewish home. I read and study the Scriptures, do an in-depth study each year of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy (doing that right now) and do extensive internet searches on these books of the Bible and try to anticipate what questions I might be asked and when I don't know......I try to find an answer.
In many cases there is not always an answer, there may be multiple possible answers or there may be an answer right in the text we are reading, in a footnote or reference to another verse. I'm far from being an expert, but it's exciting to learn something which is part of our past and may lead us to learn more about our future. Thank You, Lord........for Your Story.
Sent from my iPad
Saturday, February 16, 2019
February 16, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. Staying Healthy
The weather has caused a lot of people to be under it. Because of the fluctuations in temperature, windy conditions, frequent moisture and high humidity, it has been tough to dress
approximately, keep the indoor temperature consistent, eat healthy and avoid those who are fighting colds, the flu, sinus infections, coughs and are generally infectious. Right now it's tough to stay healthy when so many around us are unhealthy.
Karen is currently on medication to fight sinus issues, a cough and slight temperature. She has a number of co-workers with similar problems, so she is trying to keep her distance from them and I am keeping my distance from her, as much as can be done in our motor home. My work partner, James has been fighting a sinus infection and trying to keep his distance from his wife Isy who is fighting a persistent cough and feeling puny. We're all trying to do our work, but finding it difficult to be around people who are sick and tired of being sick and tired.
For the moment, I'm healthy and hoping to stay so. I've taken on some "work alone" projects which allow me to be outdoors, keep active enough to not get chilled and add and subtract "layers" of clothing and then get inside to keep from letting the perspiration freeze on my body. Some days it's just too cold to be outside, and I stay inside, read, study, sew my Crosses and watch the traffic go by out our front window. So far, so good........waiting for Spring........if we are fortunate enough to have one this year.
Praying for the health and well-being of our friends and family, our co-workers and the work to be done over the coming months to be ready for the upcoming GPP season. Be well, everyone.
Sent from my iPad
approximately, keep the indoor temperature consistent, eat healthy and avoid those who are fighting colds, the flu, sinus infections, coughs and are generally infectious. Right now it's tough to stay healthy when so many around us are unhealthy.
Karen is currently on medication to fight sinus issues, a cough and slight temperature. She has a number of co-workers with similar problems, so she is trying to keep her distance from them and I am keeping my distance from her, as much as can be done in our motor home. My work partner, James has been fighting a sinus infection and trying to keep his distance from his wife Isy who is fighting a persistent cough and feeling puny. We're all trying to do our work, but finding it difficult to be around people who are sick and tired of being sick and tired.
For the moment, I'm healthy and hoping to stay so. I've taken on some "work alone" projects which allow me to be outdoors, keep active enough to not get chilled and add and subtract "layers" of clothing and then get inside to keep from letting the perspiration freeze on my body. Some days it's just too cold to be outside, and I stay inside, read, study, sew my Crosses and watch the traffic go by out our front window. So far, so good........waiting for Spring........if we are fortunate enough to have one this year.
Praying for the health and well-being of our friends and family, our co-workers and the work to be done over the coming months to be ready for the upcoming GPP season. Be well, everyone.
Sent from my iPad
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
February 13, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. Grass
This is not a blog post about Colorado medical marijuana, Colorado recreational marijuana, Arkansas' impending medical marijuana roll-out or any of the recent news reports on the politicians talking about their past experiences with marijuana, inhaling or not inhaling, and the legislative attempts in many states and nationally to decriminalize marijuana use.
This is about my continuing effort to have a green Garden of Gethsemane on our Passion Play set. Last year I wrote about trying to propagate moss and plant grass to keep our Garden green for the entire play season. I had moderate success last year, but it will take a new effort this year. Hopefully, I will be able to procure the proper grass seed, lime, fertilizer, set up a regular watering schedule and have grass on the 500 square foot area beginning with the first performance on April 19 and continuing "greenly" on for the entire 84 performances of the 2019 season. Friday I hope to begin the effort, and prep the ground for a Mach 1st sowing of seed.
As with many things in our spiritual life, we plant the seeds and hope they "take", but ultimately it is not in our control how and when the seeds become what they become. Stay tuned for periodic updates and pictures of the Garden as it grows.
Sent from my iPad
This is about my continuing effort to have a green Garden of Gethsemane on our Passion Play set. Last year I wrote about trying to propagate moss and plant grass to keep our Garden green for the entire play season. I had moderate success last year, but it will take a new effort this year. Hopefully, I will be able to procure the proper grass seed, lime, fertilizer, set up a regular watering schedule and have grass on the 500 square foot area beginning with the first performance on April 19 and continuing "greenly" on for the entire 84 performances of the 2019 season. Friday I hope to begin the effort, and prep the ground for a Mach 1st sowing of seed.
As with many things in our spiritual life, we plant the seeds and hope they "take", but ultimately it is not in our control how and when the seeds become what they become. Stay tuned for periodic updates and pictures of the Garden as it grows.
Sent from my iPad
Sunday, February 10, 2019
February 10, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. Topics of Interest
We build relationships and friendships on commonalities. Whether it be our educational background, work history, religious or political beliefs, weather, sports we participate in or teams we root for, or a host of other life experiences, we tend to make friends with those whom we have something in common. Years ago I remember people older than me talking about their medical problems, operations, medicines and other issues related to failing health or aging in general.
And now, it seems that I have become one of those "older" folks and the topics of discussion and mutual interest have become aches and pains, fatigue, pills, holistic remedies, parts of our bodies which don't function as they used to, have been surgically removed or need to be fixed in some way or another. The prayer lists at the churches we attend, the friends and family who are suffering with medical problems, undergoing serious operations, or having to make unscheduled emergency room visits is non-stop and growing more frequent every day. The eleven pills I take in the morning and the seven I take in the evening is small compared with some of my acquaintances, and have you ever looked at the number of prescriptions waiting to be picked up at the Walmart pharmacy?
Part of getting older is that life throws us a lot more curves, the fast balls get by us before we can get the bat around, and life becomes a lot of "I know exactly how you feel" and "been there....done that". In many ways, in the problems other face, we can empathize because we've been through it already and can give some comfort where we have been comforted and, likewise, receive comfort from another who has been comforted. The topics of interest may have changed, but it's good to know that we are not alone, we're not the first to have faced what we are facing, and if we can't share with another person, we have Someone who intimately knows our situation and is always available when we call on Him. Who could ask for a better Friend than that...........Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
And now, it seems that I have become one of those "older" folks and the topics of discussion and mutual interest have become aches and pains, fatigue, pills, holistic remedies, parts of our bodies which don't function as they used to, have been surgically removed or need to be fixed in some way or another. The prayer lists at the churches we attend, the friends and family who are suffering with medical problems, undergoing serious operations, or having to make unscheduled emergency room visits is non-stop and growing more frequent every day. The eleven pills I take in the morning and the seven I take in the evening is small compared with some of my acquaintances, and have you ever looked at the number of prescriptions waiting to be picked up at the Walmart pharmacy?
Part of getting older is that life throws us a lot more curves, the fast balls get by us before we can get the bat around, and life becomes a lot of "I know exactly how you feel" and "been there....done that". In many ways, in the problems other face, we can empathize because we've been through it already and can give some comfort where we have been comforted and, likewise, receive comfort from another who has been comforted. The topics of interest may have changed, but it's good to know that we are not alone, we're not the first to have faced what we are facing, and if we can't share with another person, we have Someone who intimately knows our situation and is always available when we call on Him. Who could ask for a better Friend than that...........Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Thursday, February 7, 2019
February 7, 2019. Eureka Springs , AR. Snoop
I've written about Snoopy, our dog, on several occasions. When I needed foot surgery while we lived in Tulsa from 1974 to 1977, Karen brought him to me in the hospital, and he has been with us for the past 43 years. He's been everywhere we have traveled, all over the United States, has a bird's eye seat on the dashboard and is a perfect companion, even taking a mid-day break with me a few days ago. He's been joined on the motor home dashboard by some other "animals", but he's our eldest and a great older brother to them all. We need to post a family portrait........
Monday, February 4, 2019
February 4, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. Super Bowl
Each year, it seems to interest me less and less. Since we have been away from Colorado, it's hard to follow the Broncos and we seem to be in places where the Cowboys, Saints, Chiefs, Falcons and Titans are the "local" favorites and we can't imagine rooting for any of them. Arkansas has only the Razorbacks and they haven't done very well of late, the coaches change on a regular basis and non-football sports seem to have better success. So yesterday's Super Bowl was just something to watch, but not get too excited about.
The game was a close defensive struggle most of the way, but you knew the Patriots with all their experience would find a way to prevail, and that's what happened. The commercials weren't too exciting and were plugging a lot of products I had no interest in or didn't even know what they were. Too many robots, weird characters and attempts to not insult anyone. The halftime show was loud, colorful and I couldn't understand the lyrics, so everything sounded the same to me. I did recognize the guy from The Voice, but I don't like him a whole lot as a performer and he apparently antagonized a lot of people by going against the National Anthem protesters.
The season is over, but not really if you look at all the things which happen starting today and continue on almost a daily basis until the training camps open in July. Coaches will now be fired, hired by another team and there will be rule changes, more scrutiny of officials............and probably someone will find a way to taint the Patriots' victory as they have done on numerous occasions in the past. For the true football "fan", the season is over........... but never ends. Go Broncos.
Sent from my iPad
The game was a close defensive struggle most of the way, but you knew the Patriots with all their experience would find a way to prevail, and that's what happened. The commercials weren't too exciting and were plugging a lot of products I had no interest in or didn't even know what they were. Too many robots, weird characters and attempts to not insult anyone. The halftime show was loud, colorful and I couldn't understand the lyrics, so everything sounded the same to me. I did recognize the guy from The Voice, but I don't like him a whole lot as a performer and he apparently antagonized a lot of people by going against the National Anthem protesters.
The season is over, but not really if you look at all the things which happen starting today and continue on almost a daily basis until the training camps open in July. Coaches will now be fired, hired by another team and there will be rule changes, more scrutiny of officials............and probably someone will find a way to taint the Patriots' victory as they have done on numerous occasions in the past. For the true football "fan", the season is over........... but never ends. Go Broncos.
Sent from my iPad
Friday, February 1, 2019
February 1, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. Heat Wave
After a cold spell, or as it was called, the Polar Vortex, we have finally gotten above freezing, and it looks like the next week will have daytime highs in the '60's and lows at night in the 40's and 50's. What a change, and a welcome one at that. Much of the upper Midwest and East Coast is still in the deep freeze, but we are grateful for the heat wave in the offing for us.
Today it was two less layers of clothing to work outside and I even have a little color in my face which I initially thought was wind burn, but is actually from the late afternoon sunshine. We've lived in a number of places where the weather can change dramatically in a short period of time, and Northwest Arkansas is not much different. There's not a whole lot we can do with the weather systems which come at us from all directions and the impact they can have on us. So far this winter has been the toughest we have experienced since we "went on the road" in late 2013, but we have done okay with the styrofoam skirting for the RV, insulation of our frost-free water spigot and heat-taping the water hose, trouble-lighting the water pump, and making more efficient use of electric and propane heat, space heaters and extra insulation inside the coach itself. Still happy with our accommodations and the things we need to do to keep comfortable and protected. It's a learning experience, but one we have adapted to.
Enjoy what is to come, trust that God has it all figured out, and be pretty certain that we haven't seen the last of the winter of '18 - '19 yet. Heat wave or polar vortex..........Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Today it was two less layers of clothing to work outside and I even have a little color in my face which I initially thought was wind burn, but is actually from the late afternoon sunshine. We've lived in a number of places where the weather can change dramatically in a short period of time, and Northwest Arkansas is not much different. There's not a whole lot we can do with the weather systems which come at us from all directions and the impact they can have on us. So far this winter has been the toughest we have experienced since we "went on the road" in late 2013, but we have done okay with the styrofoam skirting for the RV, insulation of our frost-free water spigot and heat-taping the water hose, trouble-lighting the water pump, and making more efficient use of electric and propane heat, space heaters and extra insulation inside the coach itself. Still happy with our accommodations and the things we need to do to keep comfortable and protected. It's a learning experience, but one we have adapted to.
Enjoy what is to come, trust that God has it all figured out, and be pretty certain that we haven't seen the last of the winter of '18 - '19 yet. Heat wave or polar vortex..........Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
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