July 29, 2021. Holiday Island, AR. Crank Calls

When we were kids, the telephone was a "toy" we used to harass people by making crank calls. We'd ask a question like "Is your refrigerator running? " and if the person said yes, we'd say "then you better catch it" and hang up. Or, we'd say we had a prize for them if they could answer "who is buried in Grant's Tomb" and hang up. With no Caller-ID we were pretty safe, and rarely, if ever, got into trouble. We thought it was harmless fun.
These days, the cell phone is a constant vehicle for robo calls, spam, people telling you they are the IRS or that your Social Security Number has been compromised; car warranty scams, requests for charitable and disaster donations, people wanting us to take a survey or get a debit card if we will just answer a question; you are being sued, or your Apple account has just been charged for a $1299 purchase, and on and on. And then there is the guy who is constantly wanting to speak to Eugenia.
It's tiring to receive such calls, and unfortunately some people fall prey to the "hook" and have their identity compromised or get taken for a bunch of money. It's scary to think how easily we can be duped and potentially be wiped out financially. Too much of our personal information is "out there" for someone to get hold of and with more and more people doing their shopping, banking, bill paying and communicating on the phone we are targets of those who are far more tech savvy then we are.
Strange how same of our pranks from long ago, are becoming so much more sophisticated and serious as we navigate through a life more complicated and dangerous than it ever has been. It used to be "buyer beware", but it has become so much more than that now. The world has changed................

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July 26, 2021. Holiday Island, AR. Olympics

I have always had the dream to be an Olympic athlete. I have participated in a wide variety of sports; some with moderate success, others with no success and still others where the sport I was most competitive was not an Olympic event. I have known, or met a few Olympic athletes and many of my "heroes" have been Olympians.
The 2020 Tokyo games, being held in 2021, is a magnet, which, with the help of the Hopper (DVR) , will probably continue into 2022 since I am recording many of the lesser known events for viewing at a later time. I don't follow sports as much as I once did, and rarely watch hockey, basketball, football or baseball, but I do watch track and field, cycling, gymnastics, and many of the "lesser known" sports which take a great deal of discipline and dedication in order to be proficient and competitive. The list is pretty long and I have tried many of them myself and admire those who can do them, and do them well. Needless to say, with 33 sports and 46 disciplines the.DVR will be getting a workout and I will have a lot of commercial-free viewing in my future. It will probably be until Beijing 2022 when I catch up........or possibly even Paris 2024.......... Happy viewing.

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July 23, 2021. Eureka Springs, AR. Psalm 91

Every day since April 20, 2021, I have made Psalm 91 part of my morning reading and quiet time regimen. Covid was in its early stages and I felt that Psalm 91 would be an appropriate weapon to "arm" myself with in addressing the corona virus. One of our friends from the Passion Play said they were praying Psalm 91, and since we had National Day of Prayer Task Force literature for Veterans and Military Personnel about Psalm 91's impact, I felt it would be wise to read the book again and start praying Psalm 91 every day.
As the virus started to wind down, I thought of not praying the Psalm, but have continued with it as the surge has intensified and particularly in Arkansas and neighboring Missouri. We need more than vaccinations, masks and social distancing to fight this plague. We need a strong faith in an all-powerful God, a return to Biblical principles and moral integrity and humble hearts surrendered to HIM and HIS plan and purpose for each of us. Then, He may heal us and our land. Thank You, Lord.

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July 20, 2021. Eureka Springs, AR. Flexibility

We are sometimes a creature of habit, doing things in the same way, at the same time and any deviation is going to create havoc. Other times we are "on call" with no guarantee that we will ever be called, or we may be called continually so that we run around in a state of confusion and panic. And then, there are the times when there is nothing pending, no schedule, no idea of what is coming, if it is coming or if it does, when that might be. Time can either drag, stand still or go by in a flash.
What it means in real life is that we have to be flexible. We have to be able to adapt and adjust depending on what we have signed up to do, how many other people are involved and innumerable other factors, conditions and possibilities. Life is not always predictable, programmed or"chiseled in stone". Decisions have to be made, sometimes quickly and with limited information and sometimes it means we step on toes, react without thinking and cause hurt feelings, or we get it right and there are good feelings and happy endings.
Hang in there everyone. Take a deep breath, do the best you can and know there is a bigger plan for us and one day it will be made known to us. And above all.......Thank You, Lord for everything.


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July 17, 2021. Eureka Springs, AR. Rollercoasters

Growing up, I was never a fan of rollercoaster rides. After Vietnam and many hours flying in helicopters, I became even less of a fan of rollercoasters. When our great nieces and nephews wanted someone to accompany them on the amusement park rides in Denver, I "pleaded the fifth". No way was I going to do it.
Life is sometimes a rollercoaster ride, and this week has been a doozy. Tuesday and Wednesday we were at the VA in Fayetteville for my colonoscopy. The prep of 192 ounces of liquid was nasty, the Covid test was a pain in the nose and then all went well, with a good outcome and nothing further needed for 8-10 years. Praise God.
Yesterday and today had rollercoaster weather; the teaching at the Tabernacle and Holy Land was emotionally draining, but very enjoyable with nice people and "deep" questions requiring a lot of thought and listening more than my talking and "opining". Right now, I am sitting under a tree, by myself and just putting my words on paper, so to speak, and getting in the mood for tonight's Play performance.
Thank You, Lord for guiding us through the events of the past week, for giving me perspective on what we do, why we do it and what You have for our future. I needed this "break", this time away from "the crowd", knowing that my words are a comfort to me, but may also speak to someone reading them, and be a comfort to them as well. Thank You, Lord.

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July 14, 2021. Holiday Island, AR. Thank You For Your Service

When Karen and I see a person wearing a military cap, we make a point of thanking them for their service to our country. Many people extend their appreciation to me when I wear my Vietnam Veteran cap. For a long time, that was not always the case, since our involvement in Southeast Asia polarized our country and made us "enemies", "baby killers" or other derogatory characters when we came back from serving.
The VA Medical System has been a blessing to me as my main source of medical care. Because of Agent Orange exposure, I have been in the VA system since 2009 after my heart attack the previous year. While some people have had problems with the VA, we have been treated like Medal of Honor recipients and always tell people about the wonderful way we were treated in Colorado, Wyoming and for the past eight years in Arkansas. Because of my disability rating, we have been well provided for and are financially able to volunteer our time for the past 12 years to serve Christian ministries and other charities we have a heart for. For all this, we say Thank You, Department of Veterans Affairs for your service, and Thank You, Lord.

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July 11, 2021. Holiday Island, AR. Conflict of Information

In legal parlance, it's called hearsay. It can also be called second-hand knowledge, "they" said, gossip, rumor, "I heard it by the grapevine", half-truth, spin, opinion, idle chatter, scuttlebutt.......you get the point. What it usually means is.......don't believe everything you hear.
More and more, it is hard to really get to The Truth of anything. Everyone has an opinion, an axe to grind or a pet peeve. There are no absolutes anymore, it seems, and people speak their mind under the protection of "freedom of speech" and they show little concern for who they hurt, slander, libel or defame. The Courts are all over the
place on what's "legal", "constitutional" or "protected" and between right and wrong there is sometimes no distinction.
If it feels good, do it. Live for the moment. My way or the highway. Like it or lump it. Do you know who you're talking to? Whatever! If you don't like it, you know what you can do with it. You get the point.
The times they are a changin' and not for the better. It's getting harder every day to say or do anything without offending someone and what was part of our history is being erased so as not to condone what someone once held as sacred.
I don't know how we will ever get back on the same page, come to agreement on important issues or just plain.....get along. Before we implode as a nation, we need to do SOMETHING. Too many of our leaders are being manipulated or are not leadership quality. I wish I knew the answer, but even if I did........would it be thought of as just hearsay by the "powers that be" ? GOD..........You know the answer. HELP US.


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July 8, 2021. Holiday Island, AR. Abraham, Sarah and Isaac

       Abraham and Sarah had a child.  His name is Isaac.  No, I'm not relating the Biblical events of Genesis 21, but the recent events of Passion Play:2021.  The attached pictures tells the story.  Sarah facing us, Isaac backside forward.  Abraham in the pasture.  Quite a family.

July 5, 2021. Holiday Island, AR. Fireworks and Fireflies

Yesterday, we spent the morning at church, the afternoon with our friend Joan and after Karen spent the early evening with her sister, Jinny, she came home in time to see the light show for the Fourth of July.
Off in the distance, about 10 miles as the crow flies, we were able to see the Berryville fireworks from our back deck, but not hear them. We could hear the Eureka Springs fireworks, about 6 miles away, but not see them. What we had all around us were the fireflies, and of course, they don't make any sound, but give a beautiful light show. We have always enjoyed them and marvel at every "performance" we witness.
It was a pleasant Fourth and we are so grateful for all we have been given and the freedom we have to serve God, live in a comfortable home in a beautiful part of the country, in the country. Thank You, Lord for allowing us to be part of Your family, to tell Your story and give us this season of our life and prepare us for what is yet to come. We are abundantly blessed and thankful for it.

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July 2, 2021. Eureka Springs, AR. Home Is Where The Hissy Is

Miss Hissy didn't spend a long time at the veterinary clinic. She was not a happy camper or a very cooperative patient. They sedated her for the surgery, gave her some pills, shots and that was about the extent of it. She resisted every attempt at human contact and when we received the call to come and get her, we knew she was ready to be anywhere but there and they were anxious to have her leave.
She is a healthy cat, was in the early stages of being a mother AGAIN, but our purpose was to keep her, and us, from the emotions of possibly losing more kittens. She wasn't their worst patient, but I think she was probably near the top of the list. She wanted nothing to do with them, and while she rode home in the front seat of the pick-up in a carrier, she wanted out as soon as I opened the carrier door and headed over the wall and into the woods. No dinner last evening, and a no-show for breakfast this morning. She was more than a Hissy, she was one p...o'ed cat.
We will consider a companion for her on the advice of the Green Forest cat shelter, so she is not outside by herself. We will decide and continue the saga. Hopefully she will not stay angry for long and let us be her "parents" again. The story continues.......


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