What's RIGHT with America

There is so much negative press right now. All the news reports tell us what is wrong with America. I have stayed away from politics in this blog and I intend to stay away. But let me say this, things aren't as bad as everyone seems to think. America is a great country. It is too big to be destroyed by one Presidential Administration. I just believe everything is going to be alright.

I went to an event this last Sunday that confirmed that for me. It was the confirmation of Sally's aide's son, Cody Kunckle. It was such a lovely event. A small country Luthern church, a beautiful day and three really good kids taking part in a tradition that has held since Martin Luther split with the Catholics. I like tradition. I like knowing that the good from the past will continue into the future. Church, family, parties with home made wine and sausage-the celebrations of life. In the end, this is what matters and what we leave behind; connections and traditions. These kids are the real hope for America. They will be the doctors and farmers and mechanics and horticulturists of the next generation. They will make the same mistakes that we have all made but they will also have successes that will be bigger than we can now imagine. And they will pass on traditions. We live in a great country and it is full of outstanding young people. Because of this, there is a bright future ahead for America. I am glad to live in a country that can elect a black president and provide dreams to countless millions. May God continue to richly bless our Union!

MS150

It has been over a week and I am just now getting a chance to blog about my MS150 experience. Let's get right to it. I DID NOT FINISH!!!! OH SHAME!!!!! I made the first day. 100 miles in 8.5 hours. It hurt! I had a flat, threw my chain and got knocked down by some hot shot. It was very hilly and my poor old body was just not ready. I was very happy to see Sally and Jessie when I crossed that line in La Grange! The St. Arnold's tent was nice. The food and the beer were very good. I had a hard time sleeping in the barn. I was tired, but I had a hard time falling to sleep. then, to top things off, my air mattress went flat! So, Sunday morning I was tired and sore. JP, KP and I snuck out at 5:00 am. I rode the 26 mile to the park and decided to throw in the towel. I was spent. Sally and Jessie came and got me and we had an enjoyable rest of the day. All in all, if you take out all of the pain, I enjoyed myself. I am a little sad I did not finish but I am going to try it again. I learned a few tricks and I will just have to train more.

A perfect moment ... or Why I Love Brneham

Have you ever had on of those moments that you know will be frozen in your memory forever? Well, I had one this weekend. Saturday was the first annual community cleanup hosted by the area churches. I volunteered. While I was heading into town, I passed a bunch of folks setting up a soap box derby race. How small town is that? I don't know why, but this really put in a very nostalgic mood. After I got my work detail I headed out through the most beautiful part of Washington county. As I was driving my pick up, pulling a trailer and listening to the Polka hopur on the AM radio, I came upon field after field of beautiful wild flowers. At that moment, all was right with the world.

After that most auspicious start, the rest of the weekend had to be great as well. And it was! The clean up was fun. I met a lot of really nice people. I even met a very interesting convict. The clean up was set up to coincide with the free day at the dump. Since the dump folks knew it was going to be super busy, they brought out additional labor from the county lock up. Had very lovely discussion with D' Wayne about all of his prison tats. Pretty cool. After the clean up I went to the house and finished stripping the last of the paint form the house! YEE HAW!!!!! I also primed where we removed the kitchen window.

Sunday, the LOML and I taught our last CCE class for the year. After that we went to Chili's and met a guy from Galveston who brought me a Pottery Barn medicine chest. He had it on Craig's list and since he was coming our way to take baby in the bluebonnet picks he brought it. It is awesome! This is why I love Craig's List. I got a $200 medicine cabinet for $60 plus I got it delivered and I made a new friend. Can't beat that with a stick. After lunch Sally and I took a romantic ride in the country. We then headed home and painted until dark. Sally was AWESOME and we really made progress. We now have at least one coat of paint on about 80% of the house. All in all it was another great weekend in Washington county!

P.S. Our roses are INCREDIBLE this year!!!!

Easter Weekend 2010

Well, I don't even know where to start. First thanks to everyone that came. It was a great weekend and we really enjoyed spending time with all of the friends and family that came by. Now for a special thank you to Moose. Thanks for all of your hard work. I now have at least on thing finished at the house ( the Potager) and I have you mostly to thank for it! You are always there for me and I truly appreciate all you do for me. Cameron and Danny, your help was invaluable. Also, I know we could not have done it with out the support staff. Thanks to Sally, Katie and Jessie. The food was AWESOME and ya'll were always there with a cold beer or water or snack. We all came together and made memories and a really incredible garden.

After we finished the Potager we were REALLY TIRED. We were drinking a beer and taking a break and trying to decide if we really wanted to try and paint anything. Chris showed up and sealed the deal. We decided it would be rude to not put up our tools and drink with him. So, that's what we did. We drank and smoked and talked and ate and drank some more. Sally's dips were awesome!

Sunday was a lovely day as well. After church, Chris cooked steaks and the the girls prepared our Easter meal. After dinner we had a lovely dessert and then the obligatory pictures. We took bluebonnet pictures and potager pictures until our faces and the cameras hurt. Then everyone packed up and left Sally alone again. We were so glad when the kids left. Sally had been wanting to get me alone all weekend and now was her chance. We had a VERY romantic test grading session until way late in the night! All in all it was an absolutely wonderful weekend.

Progress!!!!

That's about the best way to describe what I am feeling after this past weekend. Just when I think the house is never going to get finished, something like this weekend comes along and brightens my spirits. Saturday I worked on the Potager and Sunday I painted the outside. Both efforts paid off with results that can be described as promising. Still a long way to go but I am very happy and hopeful at this moment.

Above is the front of the house. Below will be a pic of the deck side:

And now, the Potager:

Spring Break 2010

What better way to start Spring Break than with a physically draining 40 mile UP and DOWN bike ride through the hills of Washington County. Johnny Pickle and I punished ourselves for three hours Saturday morning. At least the scenery was interesting.

After that ride I was too tired to do much. Sally and I went to the dump and waited for my mother to arrive. Once she got there we went to the store to get the stuff for salmon croquettes. We also went to Chappel Hill and picked up the cedar post that I bought to build our party shed. Finished the evening visiting with mother while she made us curtains to cover the front of the cabinets I built during Hurricane Ike.

Sunday started with Latin Mass. After that we went back home and waited for Jared and Heather. Gran and Sally made the salmon and macoroni and cheese while I worked on cleaning up around the house. After a fabulous lunch, Jared and I unloaded the post from the truck. Then we set the posts for the garden arbor and the martin house.

Monday, Sally and I painted. She worked on sanding the doors and getting them ready to paint. I painted the front porch and stairs then primed the front door. After that we finished building the garden arbor. Tuesday, I worked from home while Sally cleaned house and graded papers. At 4:00, we decided to paint the living room. We used a khaki color called wool skein. Can't decide if we like it or not but we think we do. Here is a pic so you can help us decide.

Burning the candle at both ends

My candle burns at both ends; it will not last the night; but ah, my foes, and oh, my friends - it gives a lovely light! --Edna St. Vincent Millay

I am exhausted. Between work, school, remodeling and the MS150, I am completely and utterly exhausted. The above quote by Edna gives me hope. I may be driving myself into an early nursing home, but oh the stories I will have!

The really sad thing about all of this constant activity is the fact there is precious little time to sit back and smell the roses. This saddens me greatly as it is now my most favorite time of the year; SPRING!!! God I love it when you wake up the earth! The bulbs cheer us with their jaunty erectness and intoxicating smells. The red bud is bursting and the magnolia has awoken! Fruit trees are awash in color. Bees are rejoicing as the long fast is over and the fullness of spring provides them a limitless smorgusbord of nectar and pollen!

WHOAAAA!!!!! I just went a little nuts. Oh well, I am entitled. I just really love spring and I long for the time to enjoy it. I wish I had a whole week to spend alone with the Love of My Life (LOML). Just she and I in lovely place observing the change of the season. Nature provides us so many metaphors. Spring is a time of hopefulness and rebirth. I am willing to bet our church fathers picked this time of year to celebrate Easter for a reason. Spring and a resurrected Christ: hope for the earth and hope for mankind.