In the twinkling of an eye we are about to enter a new season. We are expecting our first sub-freezing temperature overnight and three more similar nights to follow. The "boys of summer" will wrap up the baseball season with the seventh game of the World Series tonight. On Saturday we turn back the clocks to change from daylight time to standard time and our bug visitors of the past few days may get the hint and inflict themselves on others further to the south where the weather is warmer.
We have been closing down various parts of the Passion Play operation to minimize the need for heat in certain buildings and shutting off water where it isn't needed, and thereby save fuel costs and the freezing and later-bursting of pipes. We also want to get some of our equipment stored in places where the possibility of damage is minimized or eliminated entirely. It is a familiar routine, but a necessary one.
Our 2020 schedule is available and we will be putting it out to the public, doing the preliminary work in getting the people and resources needed to "hit the floor running" when we open on April 10, 2020. As quickly as this season went by, it won't be long til the leaves which haven't yet fallen are raked up, burned, mulched, composted and grown back again in their new Spring shades of green.
Only 163 days to go 'til opening day. Thank You, Lord for being with us every step of the way. It is for Your glory that we serve as we do.
Sent from my iPad
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Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Sunday, October 27, 2019
October 27, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. Guess What?
After a cold and rainy spell for the last days of TGPP season, today the sun came out, the temperature rose into the 70's and the ladybugs/Asian beetles returned to haunt and harass us for who knows how long. It must be something like the swallows returning to Capistrano because these little pests, in horrendously large numbers, descend from someplace and besiege us until at least the first hard freezes or high winds or up to 9 months, whichever comes first.
These pests do serve some worthwhile purpose like eating aphids, mites, and other plant-attracting insects. Karen and I don't grow plants, have no garden, but for some reason the pesky critters take a liking to our motor home and have decided they want to take up residence with us. I don't know why they bother me so much and cause me to become unusually "frazzled", but they do every year about this time.
Just like the chiggers, the current little demons, seem to impact almost everyone, but the natives don't seem to complain openly about them, while us "fureners" squall and moan and complain without ceasing. I guess there are some things you just take in stride and consider as the price you have to pay for living in Arkansas; the list is pretty long and includes: snakes, weather warnings, ice storms, black mold, heat and humidity, cold and humidity, University of Arkansas football, ticks, armadillos........
We are looking for a house-not-on-wheels so we can become permanent Arkansas residents temporarily. I guess that means we have to put our heads down, do the work assigned to us and let be what will be and learn to love those insidious spotted varmints. Help us, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
These pests do serve some worthwhile purpose like eating aphids, mites, and other plant-attracting insects. Karen and I don't grow plants, have no garden, but for some reason the pesky critters take a liking to our motor home and have decided they want to take up residence with us. I don't know why they bother me so much and cause me to become unusually "frazzled", but they do every year about this time.
Just like the chiggers, the current little demons, seem to impact almost everyone, but the natives don't seem to complain openly about them, while us "fureners" squall and moan and complain without ceasing. I guess there are some things you just take in stride and consider as the price you have to pay for living in Arkansas; the list is pretty long and includes: snakes, weather warnings, ice storms, black mold, heat and humidity, cold and humidity, University of Arkansas football, ticks, armadillos........
We are looking for a house-not-on-wheels so we can become permanent Arkansas residents temporarily. I guess that means we have to put our heads down, do the work assigned to us and let be what will be and learn to love those insidious spotted varmints. Help us, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Friday, October 25, 2019
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
October 22, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. Payback is - - - -
Remember as a kid how we used to make prank calls to random phone numbers and ask stupid questions like "is your refrigerator running?" or " do you know who's buried in Grant's Tomb?" or "what color is George Washington's white horse?" I think the robo callers are getting back at us for our invading people's privacy and just being dumb or bored or obnoxious.
But, the calls these days are dangerous as well as invasive. With so much tied to our Social Security number, our birthday or our computer passwords, we are susceptible to identity theft, loss of credit status and outright theft of our resources by these people who are slamming us with unwanted calls and ever-changing scams. I wish there were a way to not only stop the calls, but also make our recourse against them hurt them as much as they hurt so many of us. If people would spend as much time pursuing legitimate ways to earn money as they spend trying to steal ours, we would have a lot more peace and calm and freedom from the fear of wondering whether the people we trust are really trustworthy.
The world has changed since we first thought the phone was a toy to be played with. Life is more complicated and the paybacks have much more serious consequences than we ever imagined. Lord, guide us on the straight path. Help us all to do the right thing.
Sent from my iPad
But, the calls these days are dangerous as well as invasive. With so much tied to our Social Security number, our birthday or our computer passwords, we are susceptible to identity theft, loss of credit status and outright theft of our resources by these people who are slamming us with unwanted calls and ever-changing scams. I wish there were a way to not only stop the calls, but also make our recourse against them hurt them as much as they hurt so many of us. If people would spend as much time pursuing legitimate ways to earn money as they spend trying to steal ours, we would have a lot more peace and calm and freedom from the fear of wondering whether the people we trust are really trustworthy.
The world has changed since we first thought the phone was a toy to be played with. Life is more complicated and the paybacks have much more serious consequences than we ever imagined. Lord, guide us on the straight path. Help us all to do the right thing.
Sent from my iPad
Saturday, October 19, 2019
October 19, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. T Minus 4
Tonight......Tuesday.....Friday....Saturday..fade to black, the 51st season of The Great Passion Play will be history. After that it is a big question mark. While Karen spent four months this summer in Colorado with family and house issues, I was here at TGPP for every one of the 80 In-depth Tabernacle teachings, every Holy Land Tour and every PP performance. It has been a hectic time for us both.
We have tentative plans to remain in Eureka Springs for the winter, keep looking for a house to live in other than our motor home, to visit local churches to promote TGPP and find volunteers to help with winter and season 52 roles. We want to unwind a little before we commit to getting wound up again. So, our current plans are...tentative.....waiting on God to make the final decision to move the cloud or leave it where it is. Without God and His input......we are not willing to "go it alone", it just isn't going to work. Thank You, Lord for where You have put us, what You have called us to do, and the sense to know that You are still on Your Throne.........and In Control. We Are Blessed.
Sent from my iPad
We have tentative plans to remain in Eureka Springs for the winter, keep looking for a house to live in other than our motor home, to visit local churches to promote TGPP and find volunteers to help with winter and season 52 roles. We want to unwind a little before we commit to getting wound up again. So, our current plans are...tentative.....waiting on God to make the final decision to move the cloud or leave it where it is. Without God and His input......we are not willing to "go it alone", it just isn't going to work. Thank You, Lord for where You have put us, what You have called us to do, and the sense to know that You are still on Your Throne.........and In Control. We Are Blessed.
Sent from my iPad
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
October 16, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. Oy vey Iz Mir.......(Woe Is Me....)
I grew up in a Jewish home, and Yiddish was the language our parents used to speak to each other when they didn't want my brother and me to know what they were discussing. I don't think Phil and I were ever fluent in Yiddish, but we could catch the drift of what they were discussing and whether we were in trouble or not. Yiddish has some beautiful expressions and the inflections, tone and rhythm convey the gist of the conversation.
I know there are certain characteristics we acquire from our parents. We are, after all affected by the genes which they have passed on to us. I have come to believe, that I have become my mother. I can tell a lot of "tales", but I am afraid I have inherited, and now display, her need for doctors, constant medical attention and what might be commonly called...hypochondria. My three visits to the VA in the past month, my ever growing repertoire of pills, medications and the wide range of aches and pains I seem to exhibit, the tests and procedures I have requested and received, and the fact that many of the staff and even patients at the VA seem to know us by name, know our connection with the Passion Play and go out of their way to befriend us, makes we wonder if we have taken too much of a liking to the wonderful care we receive there. We even find that we are getting referrals for further care to other departments by the people we have just met with. Will it never end?
I may be on the road to psychological or psychiatric help.............OY VEY.
Sent from my iPad
I know there are certain characteristics we acquire from our parents. We are, after all affected by the genes which they have passed on to us. I have come to believe, that I have become my mother. I can tell a lot of "tales", but I am afraid I have inherited, and now display, her need for doctors, constant medical attention and what might be commonly called...hypochondria. My three visits to the VA in the past month, my ever growing repertoire of pills, medications and the wide range of aches and pains I seem to exhibit, the tests and procedures I have requested and received, and the fact that many of the staff and even patients at the VA seem to know us by name, know our connection with the Passion Play and go out of their way to befriend us, makes we wonder if we have taken too much of a liking to the wonderful care we receive there. We even find that we are getting referrals for further care to other departments by the people we have just met with. Will it never end?
I may be on the road to psychological or psychiatric help.............OY VEY.
Sent from my iPad
Sunday, October 13, 2019
October 13, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. A Touch of Winter
A cold front came through Northwest Arkansas this week and we went from the '80's to the 30's in a flash. Some places even fell into the high '20's. Since a lot of my activities are outside, the quick change meant quick changes in clothing to not get too cold or, then, too hot. I didn't do very well, because I am fighting a cold/stuffy nose/scratchy throat/cough. Today it is a matter of balancing heat and air conditioning in the motor home to get comfortable and taking a host of "drugs" and natural remedies to combat the symptoms and get healthy for the four-performance-week ahead of us.
With only seven performances to go in the season, it will soon be time to get ready for a slower pace and a decision on how to spend the winter. I may be facing rotator cuff surgery, (we meet with the surgeon on Wednesday), so that may be the major factor in how and where we spend the winter months. We've heard good things about the surgeon, so we will lean heavily on his recommendation. Karen has been scouring the internet for possible houses for us to buy and that too will have an impact on our winter plans.
In all these matters, we trust God to guide us where He will and how we are to serve Him and His Kingdom. He has certainly blessed us in so many ways and given us a peace and security beyond our imagination. Stay the course.......wait on The Lord and know that He will provide. Sounds like A Plan.
Sent from my iPad
With only seven performances to go in the season, it will soon be time to get ready for a slower pace and a decision on how to spend the winter. I may be facing rotator cuff surgery, (we meet with the surgeon on Wednesday), so that may be the major factor in how and where we spend the winter months. We've heard good things about the surgeon, so we will lean heavily on his recommendation. Karen has been scouring the internet for possible houses for us to buy and that too will have an impact on our winter plans.
In all these matters, we trust God to guide us where He will and how we are to serve Him and His Kingdom. He has certainly blessed us in so many ways and given us a peace and security beyond our imagination. Stay the course.......wait on The Lord and know that He will provide. Sounds like A Plan.
Sent from my iPad
Thursday, October 10, 2019
October 10, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. I Hope This Works
Yesterday I spent about two hours in the Verizon store trying to find ways to lower our monthly bill. It seems that every time I think I am getting a discount, my bill goes up. We have been Verizon customers since before Verizon was Verizon and we like the coverage we have when we travel and the convenience of the online services we use, but the bill seems to keep increasing. We do want to keep our Verizon service.
At one time we had our bill down to about $130 per month, but we are now over $200 and rising. The current bill is $237. Thus the visit to the store yesterday. I had three clerks helping, plus the Verizon customer service people on two different phone lines and I really am not sure what they were saying or what I agreed to, but when I left the store, I was $400 poorer, had a new iPad Mini and the assurance that my monthly bill would be $167 per month for our three phones, one iPad Mini, unlimited data, military discount, a tablet and old iPad Mini which would work with wi-fi only, a jet pack which I no longer need, and a few other free services which I don't know how to access.
I am writing my first blog post on the new iPad and will soon find out whether it gets to you or disappears into the zephyr window of outer space. Here goes.....Isure hope this works.
Sent from my iPad
At one time we had our bill down to about $130 per month, but we are now over $200 and rising. The current bill is $237. Thus the visit to the store yesterday. I had three clerks helping, plus the Verizon customer service people on two different phone lines and I really am not sure what they were saying or what I agreed to, but when I left the store, I was $400 poorer, had a new iPad Mini and the assurance that my monthly bill would be $167 per month for our three phones, one iPad Mini, unlimited data, military discount, a tablet and old iPad Mini which would work with wi-fi only, a jet pack which I no longer need, and a few other free services which I don't know how to access.
I am writing my first blog post on the new iPad and will soon find out whether it gets to you or disappears into the zephyr window of outer space. Here goes.....Isure hope this works.
Sent from my iPad
Monday, October 7, 2019
October 7, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. ???
When I woke up this morning it was 55 degrees outside, our coldest overnight temperature since Spring. The motor home was cold, so I put on the electric heat pump setting the temperature at 66 and then 67, but 67 made it too hot, so I set it back to 66.
After working outside all morning in shorts and a t-shirt, I came back to the motor home and it was too warm inside so I put on the electric air conditioning (the same heat pump unit) setting the temperature at 77 where it has stayed for the rest of the day.
Right now the outside temperature is 60. The inside temperature is 75. Karen and I are both in short sleeve shirts and there is no air (hot or cold) running, and we are both comfortable. Wait a minute. Did we use a higher temperature to cool us and a lower temperature to warm us? Does that make any sense at all? How can that be, and will this weather settle down from yesterday's non-stop rain to today's dry and no humidity with no indication that we had over 5 inches of rain in this area yesterday?
Will the weather ever be understandable? Help me understand that higher cooling temperature and lower warming temperature thing. I guess some things just make no sense and no amount of "splainin' " will explain it. We just have to put our head down, take it as it comes, and move on to the next task and the situations we encounter as we move ahead. Thank you, Lord that we can trust you in all things and thank you for all things.
I'm so glad You are in control of it all.
Sent from my iPad
Sent from my iPad
After working outside all morning in shorts and a t-shirt, I came back to the motor home and it was too warm inside so I put on the electric air conditioning (the same heat pump unit) setting the temperature at 77 where it has stayed for the rest of the day.
Right now the outside temperature is 60. The inside temperature is 75. Karen and I are both in short sleeve shirts and there is no air (hot or cold) running, and we are both comfortable. Wait a minute. Did we use a higher temperature to cool us and a lower temperature to warm us? Does that make any sense at all? How can that be, and will this weather settle down from yesterday's non-stop rain to today's dry and no humidity with no indication that we had over 5 inches of rain in this area yesterday?
Will the weather ever be understandable? Help me understand that higher cooling temperature and lower warming temperature thing. I guess some things just make no sense and no amount of "splainin' " will explain it. We just have to put our head down, take it as it comes, and move on to the next task and the situations we encounter as we move ahead. Thank you, Lord that we can trust you in all things and thank you for all things.
I'm so glad You are in control of it all.
Sent from my iPad
Sent from my iPad
Friday, October 4, 2019
October 4, 2019. Eureka Spings, AR. Our Day At The VA
Wow. What a day we had yesterday with a non-stop parade from dentist to orthopedist to throat and esophagus specialists, to cystourethroscopyists and back to the dentist. After seven hours, we headed home with one less tooth, three good reports and one follow-up appointment in two weeks to discuss a possible rotator cuff surgery. All in all it was a very successful day, with very effective care and a five-star review for all involved.
I slept well, woke early (as usual) to the coolest temperature (55) since early spring and the prospect of fall rather than summer weather for the weekend and beyond. Karen and I are feeling good about our houselessness and while we don't have firm plans for the "off season" we feel little or no pressure to make any firm decisions until we know more about my shoulder situation. For the moment, I won't be aspiring to set any national or world weight lifting records.
Thank you to all who pray for us and encourage us in our ministry activities. We can feel God at work in our life and pray that our prayers for you are having a similar impact. Together we support each other and praise The One who orchestrates it all. Thank you all..... thank you VA.......Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
I slept well, woke early (as usual) to the coolest temperature (55) since early spring and the prospect of fall rather than summer weather for the weekend and beyond. Karen and I are feeling good about our houselessness and while we don't have firm plans for the "off season" we feel little or no pressure to make any firm decisions until we know more about my shoulder situation. For the moment, I won't be aspiring to set any national or world weight lifting records.
Thank you to all who pray for us and encourage us in our ministry activities. We can feel God at work in our life and pray that our prayers for you are having a similar impact. Together we support each other and praise The One who orchestrates it all. Thank you all..... thank you VA.......Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Tuesday, October 1, 2019
October 1, 2019. Eureka Springs, AR. Ouch
Scripture tells us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, but every so often one of our parts goes on the fritz and we utter an ouch or words to that effect. It becomes necessary to seek medical attention to remedy the situation. My last visit to the VA uncovered some areas of concern; so on Thursday, Karen and I will return to Fayetteville for further poking, prodding and other intrusions. I also have a very sore tooth which I hope to have looked at.
I have been extremely pleased, and blessed, by the care I have received both at the Cheyenne VA Medical Center and now at the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks, and give them very high marks for the medical attention they have shown to me. It saddens me when I hear stories about inadequate care, long waits or problems not properly addressed. Like most things, not all people have their expectations met and give less than a five-star review. It's hard to please all the people all of the time.
Getting older has it's benefits, but there are some glitches when the equipment starts to wear out. Press on. Keep a positive outlook. Trust God and be thankful for His love and care for us, and know that for every ouch there is a healing touch, for every ache there is a salve and for every hurt there is a remedy......and He is the power behind it all. Above all we must continue to fearfully and wonderfully say.........Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
I have been extremely pleased, and blessed, by the care I have received both at the Cheyenne VA Medical Center and now at the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks, and give them very high marks for the medical attention they have shown to me. It saddens me when I hear stories about inadequate care, long waits or problems not properly addressed. Like most things, not all people have their expectations met and give less than a five-star review. It's hard to please all the people all of the time.
Getting older has it's benefits, but there are some glitches when the equipment starts to wear out. Press on. Keep a positive outlook. Trust God and be thankful for His love and care for us, and know that for every ouch there is a healing touch, for every ache there is a salve and for every hurt there is a remedy......and He is the power behind it all. Above all we must continue to fearfully and wonderfully say.........Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
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