The song was popular and recorded by numerous artists after it first was composed in 1965 by Bob Shane of the Kingston Trio. It was a melancholy song, highlighting life events at age 17, 21, 35 and in the twilight of life.
For many people, remembering the events of the past year, or further back brings back a flood of emotions, triumphs and tragedies, what-ifs and coulda-wouldas, joys and tears. But for most of us 2020 was not a year we think of as a very good one, but personally it was a very good one. Karen and I bought a house we can envision being our first real "home"; we spent a seventh season at a ministry we have embraced and we "survived" injuries, sickness and a pandemic which altered life as we have always known it.
Right now, although I am facing shoulder surgery, I am recovering from a leg injury caused by trying to save my first pickup truck from being injured, and I feel extremely fortunate to not have been injured more seriously or even killed. My whole outlook on life, what is really important, and what my purpose in this life is, has been altered by the events of 2020 and the 75 years God has allowed me so far. It's interesting that Bob Shane didn't experience 2020 as so many of us did. He died on January 26, 2020, five days short of his 86th birthday. He was the last surviving member of the Kingston Trio whose other members, Dave Guard and Nick Reynolds passed away in 1991 and 2008 (aged 56 and 75 respectively).
Remembering those times in our culture and being of the generation which listened to the pop, folk, and rock music and was impacted by it, I remember it fondly. I look at our current situation with caution and concern, but pray that we are truly going to see God orchestrating a future of hope, promise, contentment and joy, if we abide in Him, are led by the Holy Spirit to noble pursuits and expectantly awaiting the return of our Messiah in triumph and glory. Happy and Blessed New Year and Thank You Lord for what was, what is and what is yet to come.
Sent from my iPad
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Wednesday, December 30, 2020
Sunday, December 27, 2020
December 27, 2020. Holiday Island, AR. Fifteen Minutes of Fame
It used to be that to a "celebrity" you had to do something noteworthy and stay in the public eye for a significant period of time. When Andy Warhol supposedly coined the phrase about fleeting fame in 1968, we all seemed to try our best to have our own 15 minutes before we faded into total oblivion.
It's amazing what people have done to achieve notoriety and get that 15 minutes and more. Fame and wealth were always reserved for those with long careers or epic accomplishment. We think of people like Cornelius Vanderbilt, George Washington, John D. Rockefeller, Abraham Lincoln, Elvis, JFK,MLK, FDR, Jesus, William Shakespeare, Joseph Stalin, Plato, Babe Ruth...... and so many more whose names and accomplishments survive to this day and will on into the future.
And then we think of the umpteen millions of one-hit wonders, those who came and went in an instant, with names we don't remember because we never knew it in the first place. They are the pet rocks, hula hoops, chia pets, "agony of defeat" on Wide World of Sport", extras in the movies, athletes who made it to "the show" for one game, and even the mask makers of the current Covid crisis who will take their fifteen minutes and a lot of money to the bank. Some will retire on their 15 minutes while others will keep at it until we get tired of hearing the "where's the beef" slogans they initiated.
Whatever we do, we hope to have an impact on the people around us, but sometimes we are doomed to just being a face in the crowd. I guess the moral of the story: some are born to greatness, some to anonymity and some to 15 minutes of fame. Whatever you and I are called to do, do it to the best of out ability, and if we don't make the evening news, we can at least take a selfie and post it on social media, and maybe, just maybe, it will go viral and we will be able to handle the onslaught which follows. Best wishes to all as we say goodbye to MMXX in a few days.
Sent from my iPad
It's amazing what people have done to achieve notoriety and get that 15 minutes and more. Fame and wealth were always reserved for those with long careers or epic accomplishment. We think of people like Cornelius Vanderbilt, George Washington, John D. Rockefeller, Abraham Lincoln, Elvis, JFK,MLK, FDR, Jesus, William Shakespeare, Joseph Stalin, Plato, Babe Ruth...... and so many more whose names and accomplishments survive to this day and will on into the future.
And then we think of the umpteen millions of one-hit wonders, those who came and went in an instant, with names we don't remember because we never knew it in the first place. They are the pet rocks, hula hoops, chia pets, "agony of defeat" on Wide World of Sport", extras in the movies, athletes who made it to "the show" for one game, and even the mask makers of the current Covid crisis who will take their fifteen minutes and a lot of money to the bank. Some will retire on their 15 minutes while others will keep at it until we get tired of hearing the "where's the beef" slogans they initiated.
Whatever we do, we hope to have an impact on the people around us, but sometimes we are doomed to just being a face in the crowd. I guess the moral of the story: some are born to greatness, some to anonymity and some to 15 minutes of fame. Whatever you and I are called to do, do it to the best of out ability, and if we don't make the evening news, we can at least take a selfie and post it on social media, and maybe, just maybe, it will go viral and we will be able to handle the onslaught which follows. Best wishes to all as we say goodbye to MMXX in a few days.
Sent from my iPad
Thursday, December 24, 2020
December 24, 2020. Holiday Island, AR. The Big And The Small Of It
The year is almost over. 2020, a year which had so many big plans and held so much promise, turned into a year dominated by a small virus which made a big difference in the life of almost everyone on the planet. Whatever we may think about its origin, its handling by our medical, political and economic pundits, it changed the course of our lives and life as we now live it. The panic, the paranoia, the way we interact with others and the way we process the "facts" are unprecedented.
We have faced big calamities many times; violent weather, wildfires, assassinations, business failures, earthquakes, Y2K, terrorist attacks......and personal health issues, injuries, loss of loved ones, and we have always come through them with a resolve to be stronger and more united. But this year has been different: There were more agendas than usual, more radical theories and conspiracies, more people marching, picketing and protesting, more stress on our medical resources, more finger-pointing, longer food lines, product shortages, and a shrinking back from unity to division.
I don't have a crystal ball, but I am resigned to letting God be my "Leader". I may take the vaccine, or not; I may have my rotator cuff operated on, or not; I have a lot of decisions to make, and big or small, I am trusting God to lead Karen and me where He wants us to be and what He wants us to do. All the so-called-experts should do the same. They seem more concerned with appeasing the various "interests" in our population and pursuing personal fame rather than pleasing the "audience of ONE" who put us here for our good (the small) and His Glory (The Big). We've lost sight of the Big picture and our future in deference to achieving immediate small rewards and fleeting happiness.
Sent from my iPad
We have faced big calamities many times; violent weather, wildfires, assassinations, business failures, earthquakes, Y2K, terrorist attacks......and personal health issues, injuries, loss of loved ones, and we have always come through them with a resolve to be stronger and more united. But this year has been different: There were more agendas than usual, more radical theories and conspiracies, more people marching, picketing and protesting, more stress on our medical resources, more finger-pointing, longer food lines, product shortages, and a shrinking back from unity to division.
I don't have a crystal ball, but I am resigned to letting God be my "Leader". I may take the vaccine, or not; I may have my rotator cuff operated on, or not; I have a lot of decisions to make, and big or small, I am trusting God to lead Karen and me where He wants us to be and what He wants us to do. All the so-called-experts should do the same. They seem more concerned with appeasing the various "interests" in our population and pursuing personal fame rather than pleasing the "audience of ONE" who put us here for our good (the small) and His Glory (The Big). We've lost sight of the Big picture and our future in deference to achieving immediate small rewards and fleeting happiness.
Sent from my iPad
Monday, December 21, 2020
December 21, 2020. Holiday Island, AR. sNOw More
It was quite a storm for our area. Just like when it rains, the amounts vary because of the varied altitude in the "mountains" and a lot of other factors which the meteorologists have fancy lingo to describe. While we had four to six inches at the cabin, areas close to us had more or less, and for a few days it was tricky to be on the roads. For me and my accident, which was non-weather-related, it was a time to sweep a path to the cars and the shed (we don't have a snow shovel) and begin the process of RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) and after three days stop the ice and move on to the heating pad.
And just in time for the heating pad, the weather turned warmer and by yesterday, a week after the storm, the snow was completely gone and on the Winter Solstice today, we were enjoying spring-like weather and more of the same to come. It should be a non-white Christmas, which is the norm for this area. A quick check of the snow history here is "skiffy" at best. And the snow we had already, may be all we get for the whole winter. It was beautiful while it lasted. We can always use the moisture in whatever form. Also, enjoy the Christmas Star. I think we only got to see part of it tonight. We'll try again tomorrow. For all the beauty and all Your Creation.........Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
And just in time for the heating pad, the weather turned warmer and by yesterday, a week after the storm, the snow was completely gone and on the Winter Solstice today, we were enjoying spring-like weather and more of the same to come. It should be a non-white Christmas, which is the norm for this area. A quick check of the snow history here is "skiffy" at best. And the snow we had already, may be all we get for the whole winter. It was beautiful while it lasted. We can always use the moisture in whatever form. Also, enjoy the Christmas Star. I think we only got to see part of it tonight. We'll try again tomorrow. For all the beauty and all Your Creation.........Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Friday, December 18, 2020
December 18, 2020. Holiday Island, AR. Time Out
I felt pretty good about my December 12th blog post, the snow storm and ministry anniversary on the 15th, but on the 16th things came "crashing" down. I won't write the specifics other than to say "stupid struck again". I am nursing a bruised leg, a scrape on the top of my head and very fortunate to not be more seriously hurt. My pick up is nursing a bruised front end, which renders it undriveable at the moment, but I think it will be repairable and back on the road.
We have a lot of irons in the fire, and for the moment, I am resisting the urge to be the "squeaky wheel" and get these projects completed while I am without wheels. I think it might be more advantageous to let things happen in the proper time and order with God directing them. The truck repair, rotator cuff surgery, the newly-required echocardiogram, cabin standby generator installation, electrical work, plumbing remodel, repair of our damaged La-Z Boy loveseat will have to wait their place. I have talked to the people doing the work, and it's time for me to be pleasant, patient and kind (according to the December 17Th Streams in the Desert devotional) and let God handle ALL the details. Time out......for now.......and......Yes, Lord............Yes.
Sent from my iPad
We have a lot of irons in the fire, and for the moment, I am resisting the urge to be the "squeaky wheel" and get these projects completed while I am without wheels. I think it might be more advantageous to let things happen in the proper time and order with God directing them. The truck repair, rotator cuff surgery, the newly-required echocardiogram, cabin standby generator installation, electrical work, plumbing remodel, repair of our damaged La-Z Boy loveseat will have to wait their place. I have talked to the people doing the work, and it's time for me to be pleasant, patient and kind (according to the December 17Th Streams in the Desert devotional) and let God handle ALL the details. Time out......for now.......and......Yes, Lord............Yes.
Sent from my iPad
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
December 15, 2020. Holiday Island, AR. Seven Years and Counting
It was seven years ago today that Karen and I set out from Colorado on our Ministry of Miles "adventure": and the adventure continues. We left Fort Collins in sub-freezing weather on icy and snow-packed roads and during those first three weeks we endured a lot of weather which tested us as rookie RV'ers : and that testing also continues.
This week we encountered our first more-than-skiff of snow in our whole time in Arkansas, Georgia and Deep east Texas. when we had between four and six inches at the cabin (see yesterday's picture blog). Our blogs over the past seven years recount some of the unusual things we have encountered, but in everything, these years have been an absolute blessing with a capital B. Would we do it again? Without a doubt. God has been our constant companion, protector and provider. We have been surrounded by good friends, supportive family, and more "angels"than we can count.
The cabin God blessed us with has opened new challenges for us and elicited new talents and abilities we never realized we had within us. The blessings keep coming and we are so grateful for this new chapter in our life and looking forward to what God has in His plan and will for us. Trusting Him and resting in Him for EVERYTHING.
Sent from my iPad
This week we encountered our first more-than-skiff of snow in our whole time in Arkansas, Georgia and Deep east Texas. when we had between four and six inches at the cabin (see yesterday's picture blog). Our blogs over the past seven years recount some of the unusual things we have encountered, but in everything, these years have been an absolute blessing with a capital B. Would we do it again? Without a doubt. God has been our constant companion, protector and provider. We have been surrounded by good friends, supportive family, and more "angels"than we can count.
The cabin God blessed us with has opened new challenges for us and elicited new talents and abilities we never realized we had within us. The blessings keep coming and we are so grateful for this new chapter in our life and looking forward to what God has in His plan and will for us. Trusting Him and resting in Him for EVERYTHING.
Sent from my iPad
Monday, December 14, 2020
Saturday, December 12, 2020
December 12, 2020. Holiday Island, AR. Worn Out in The Master’s Service
Since I came to The Lord June27, 1999, I have spent time with Him every morning before I get into my daily routine. Part of the quiet time is reading Streams in the Desert. The December 12 devotional is one of my favorites and the italicized portions of it became a key component of my attitude toward serving Him and the focus I wanted to have in whatever job I undertook or ministry I became part of.
Please, take a few moments to read the SITD devotional for today. If you don't have a copy, look it up on the internet, read it: and I pray that it will impact you as much as it has impacted me for the many years I have read it. There was a time when I carried a copy of it taped to the inside of my legal pad binder and when a I opened the binder, I read the devotional on almost a daily basis. Although I don't read it daily, as I once did, I pray that I "live" it daily in how I serve Him. How beautifully the devotional is written, how powerful it has been for me. Please read it......I can't say it any better than it is written there.
Sent from my iPad
Please, take a few moments to read the SITD devotional for today. If you don't have a copy, look it up on the internet, read it: and I pray that it will impact you as much as it has impacted me for the many years I have read it. There was a time when I carried a copy of it taped to the inside of my legal pad binder and when a I opened the binder, I read the devotional on almost a daily basis. Although I don't read it daily, as I once did, I pray that I "live" it daily in how I serve Him. How beautifully the devotional is written, how powerful it has been for me. Please read it......I can't say it any better than it is written there.
Sent from my iPad
Wednesday, December 9, 2020
December 9, 2020. Holiday Island, AR. It’s Just Not The Same
Our country has gone through some trying times in its 244 year history, facing wars, economic recessions, inflation, product shortages, terrorism, high crime rates, racial unrest, political corruption, scams, segregation, and so many other threats to our health and welfare, our freedom to enjoy what our Constitution guaranteed to us, our basic way of life.
But the current situation(s) we face are without precedent. Our whole schedule has been thrown into mass confusion, with too many people in charge of deciding what is "right" or "best" for us, and each one of them showing little compassion or care for those who disagree with them. It's more than politics, or religion or any one factor. It is every aspect of our life which has been impacted. To see people hiding behind masks, trying to stay 6 feet from each other, not being able to pay cash for purchases at WalMart (where the self check-out machines are two feet apart), to see the priorities so skewed for who gets to be the first to get a vaccine which may turn out to be worse than the disease itself. It's just not the same world anymore, and it's sad how much has changed in such a short time.
People are back to hoarding toilet paper and our health care workers are being stretched to the breaking point again as the virus is more rampant than ever because we all still want to do our own thing, and everyone else be "damned". I'm afraid we may have gone too far in trying the patience of The One Who has the solution in His control. It's just not the same........and that makes me sad. I pray that we each look in the mirror at ourself........put our own priorities in order......and humbly ask God to give us His peace, to give "it" all to Him and trust Him for THE solution. LET GO.....AND LET GOD.
Sent from my iPad
But the current situation(s) we face are without precedent. Our whole schedule has been thrown into mass confusion, with too many people in charge of deciding what is "right" or "best" for us, and each one of them showing little compassion or care for those who disagree with them. It's more than politics, or religion or any one factor. It is every aspect of our life which has been impacted. To see people hiding behind masks, trying to stay 6 feet from each other, not being able to pay cash for purchases at WalMart (where the self check-out machines are two feet apart), to see the priorities so skewed for who gets to be the first to get a vaccine which may turn out to be worse than the disease itself. It's just not the same world anymore, and it's sad how much has changed in such a short time.
People are back to hoarding toilet paper and our health care workers are being stretched to the breaking point again as the virus is more rampant than ever because we all still want to do our own thing, and everyone else be "damned". I'm afraid we may have gone too far in trying the patience of The One Who has the solution in His control. It's just not the same........and that makes me sad. I pray that we each look in the mirror at ourself........put our own priorities in order......and humbly ask God to give us His peace, to give "it" all to Him and trust Him for THE solution. LET GO.....AND LET GOD.
Sent from my iPad
Sunday, December 6, 2020
December 6, 2020. Holiday Island, AR. Bye, Bye, Saturn
For six plus years, Karen and a I had a red 2008 Saturn Vue drafting behind us as we travelled from place to place in our motor home. When not behind us, it provided reliable transportation and a means for Karen to travel back to Colorado for her medical appointments. As we settled into Arkansas and added miles to the original 88,000 when we bought the Vue, we began to experience repair issues, which seemed harder and harder to resolve.
Most recently it was the steering pump which was baffling multiple mechanics. After about two weeks without the car, it was time to take action. And that being said, what we did Friday, trading the Saturn for a 2003 Infiniti QX4, with less than 100,000 miles, all the bells and whistles we could ever want, and a car which was christened with a trip to the VA and back yesterday, is now the newest member of the family. As always, it was a quick decision, the only car Karen drove, and in short order, it was a done deal. Hopefully, the Saturn can be repaired and find a good home. It served us well. Thank You, Lord for putting all the details in place, providing the resources to close the deal and moving on to the next adventure. All Praise to YOU.
Sent from my iPad
Most recently it was the steering pump which was baffling multiple mechanics. After about two weeks without the car, it was time to take action. And that being said, what we did Friday, trading the Saturn for a 2003 Infiniti QX4, with less than 100,000 miles, all the bells and whistles we could ever want, and a car which was christened with a trip to the VA and back yesterday, is now the newest member of the family. As always, it was a quick decision, the only car Karen drove, and in short order, it was a done deal. Hopefully, the Saturn can be repaired and find a good home. It served us well. Thank You, Lord for putting all the details in place, providing the resources to close the deal and moving on to the next adventure. All Praise to YOU.
Sent from my iPad
Thursday, December 3, 2020
December 3, 2020. Holiday Island, AR. 75
This was a milestone as far as birthdays go: #75. You see, I have a unique birthdate: December 3, 1945 or, as I sometimes tell people who ask, 12345. Pretty cool, and easy to remember unless you confuse it with the other 12345, January 23, 1945. I had a school friend years ago who gave me a card every January 23d saying he was either a month and a half late, or 10 months early, but he did remember the 12345.
I never expected to reach 75, but years ago, I think it was when I had just turned 60, I asked for the Senior Discount at a Chinese restaurant in Loveland, Colorado and when they asked me how old I was, they said I would have to wait until I was 75 to get the discount. Well, today I qualified, but unfortunately the restaurant is no longer in business. I have finally qualified to play softball for the Kids and Cubs in St. Petersburg, Florida. All players in the league are 75 or above. I'll see how a I feel after the rotator cuff repair.........but I'm not so sure I want to live in Florida. We've kind of gotten comfortable in our cabin in the woods. As the sign says..............
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