Mike Lanting Reflections

Mexico

2011-02-10T20:19:00.002-06:00

So many stories of bad news come from Mexico.
Drug smuggling,illegal entry to the US,be headings and other crimes of all sorts.

I was there once as a kid and I don't remember much,just a lot of scary looking people on the border.
My friends and family have visited as lately as this past week.They come home with nothing but praise.
My work causes to me visit many homes in Chicago where Mexicans have come to this country.I have found nothing but the best of people,the best customers.
Friendly to a fault,we always have a nice visit with these people.
I just have a hard time understanding how awful some people are when there is so much good in the world.
Many of my friends on facebook are from Mexico,and you guys are all the best.

Small Things Going Wrong

2011-02-10T19:41:00.002-06:00

Sometimes bad things come on threes.
Sometimes you might have a week that has more than 3 bad things.
I have had such a week.
Furnace went out,I was able to fix it.
Car idled at 70 mph.I fixed it.
Water tank went out..fixed it.
So far so good.
Next,furnace went out again.Fixed.
Car again-fixed it.
Morning at 5 AM,we both woke up freezing.I had forgot to shut the furnace door.
I shut the door properly,the heat came on.She went back to bed.I was wide awake.Ugh!
Started car to get it warm,Idle at 1000 mph.
Gave up on the car,called "the guy".He fixed it for $300.00.New sensors needed.
Made a few stops when we got the car back,came home,had ham sandwiches and tomato soup.
This is good comfort food.
Compared to most people in the world I know these troubles are not much but it's not fun to go through them.
So,reflecting tonight on the past week I am grateful to have a wonderful wife and a great family. Life is good.

He Hid Most of the Time

2011-02-05T22:56:00.002-06:00

In high school and well grammar school too.
I noticed John when I was very young.I noticed he kept away,he kept to himself.

His mom would come to school to feed him lunch.
We were all afraid of John,He was subject to strange fits.Violent fits.

After he would with withdraw,he stopped speaking.He would not look at me.Or anyone.

He is in a few class photos,looking tall,standing always in the back row.
Looking away and looking scary.

I don't think I ever said much if anything to him and of course now looking back I regret this a great deal.

I know he was with us in high school until one day his mom came for him.She told us John was going to a special school where he would receive special treatment.

I don't know what brings John to my mind after so many years.I just know now that I take the time to talk to those who may not even understand me.

Life lesson learned.

All My Life I Have Picked Up Pebbles

2011-02-05T22:38:00.002-06:00

Small stones,small pebbles.
If there is a lake nearby or a river,that is where the pebble will go.

It may be silly,but I will look at it and wonder how old it is.How long has it lain there waiting to be picked up by me?

Sometimes these small pebbles just bog to be skipped across the water,I was at one time quite good at it.Now sore shoulders and sore hands make me not as good.Ah,well life goes on.

I guess I spend my life throwing small stones.I love disturbing the water a bit and watching the ripples until they fade as if nothing happened.

This is best when you are alone and you then sit by the waters edge.

Sometimes your mind needs to rest and do nothing important.

Be a kid again,throw that stone.

The Burden

2011-02-05T21:57:00.002-06:00

He often travelled the world,the burden was always on his shoulder.No matter where he went it was there.
It was heavy and becoming heavier.When he was old he could barley lift it.He had to lift it,he had no choice.
The sky looked good,the water even better but the burden never left him.Days and nights it was with him.
Nights were supposed to be the relief,sleep might hide it for a while.
Sleep interrupted suddenly made the days worse.A sudden awakening at 3 AM made it so.
It was there at 3 AM it was there when he was in mid day.

The thought of doing something drastic slowly entered his mind.
He tried to put the thoughts away but his burden would not let him.It never left him.

He saw friends go.He knew it was true,when you got money you got friends.Now he had no more money,he had just a few friends left.No one wanted to be around him with that burden he had on his shoulder.
If he believed in God,it no longer mattered,he still carried it.He could never let it go how could he?
A night in confused and mixed up prayer brought him to what was the only answer he ever could find.He found it in the book of Psalms.

Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you;He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.
He didn't feel righteous but he knew God was truth.
He did not feel religious but he also knew he could not be alone with this burden one second more.
When he threw it,he threw it far.It could no longer be found.
He knew he would be going Home to say thank you,thank you,thank you.

Joe.

2011-02-04T22:53:00.004-06:00

I saw Joe M.play minor league baseball a few years ago.
He was of course a superstar in high school. Everybody had the highest hopes.

He signed with a new minor league team a few years later.

The team manager like him,his team mates like him too.
Baseball came natural to Joe,he played everyday when he was a kid.
He was well grounded in the fundamentals of the game.Second base was where he lived his life playing defence.He was good,very good.
He was offered a contact with a major league team out west.The kid showed great stuff his first year.The second year was not as good but still not bad.
Year 3 things fell apart.He seemed lost as second base and his hitting plummeted to a pitiful .198.
A wife came along this year,a baby boy soon followed.
Year 4 things started to look up.His coaches instructed him.He worked harder then ever.His average at mid-season climbed,people once again adored him for his abilities.
He once again became the heart of his team,everybody loved Joe.
Joe played many years in baseball.He had an excellent record,he had many friends.His family loved him and was very proud.
When it came time to retire Joe had it all planned.He would buy several car dealer ships.He had enough money to buy several.
When Joe was killed by a drunk driver it was a cool and quiet morning.
When Joe got to heaven everyone asked"what was the greatest thrill in your life,there must be many to choose from.
Joe said quietly and humbly,it was the day I gave my life to Jesus.I found out He was real,he was involved in my life.He died for me.
All heaven applauded Joe.

My question to God was,why? Why Joe of all people?
He was loved here,he had a family.He had everything.
My Lord put His finger on my lips and said it was not his will that we die like Joe.
The He said,I took your place in death so you will live eternally with me.
I don't think I understand it all,but Joe does and Jesus does.That is a good thing.

The Irish Girl

2011-02-04T21:29:00.002-06:00

She came to America 6 years ago when she was 17.
She came with her mom and 3 sisters.
The accent held on although she always tried to hide it.She wanted to fit in.
A mistake 3 years ago brought her a son.A fierce devotion to him is what kept her alive. The father never came through with all his promises. Proving for her son was her responsibility.
There was no time now for an education,only her sisters could go on to school.
The family back home did not scorn her,her uncle John even sent money when he could.
Her mom was her help,her baby sitter.She knew she was loved.
Thoughts of the next few years frightened her.She didn't date now,she stayed home when she didn't work as her crummy waitress job.Thoughts of the future consumed her.
Where would she be when she was 30? What future was there for a poor girl who had a hard time fitting in anywhere?
Reading was not easy,writing almost impossible.
Her weight problem was a constant battle,another reason to stay hidden inside.
Hope was fading fast for Kieran. Her life did not count but to see her son grow and get the education she wanted for him.
Day dreams of her son Ryan making it big consumes her.Her hopes were that he become a doctor.
When her own doctor told her she had breast cancer she started the fading.Her mind went away.She neglected herself,her son,her life.
When she died she died alone.Her mom and 2 of her 3 sisters went to her funeral.
Only heaven could have loved this Irish girl with the accent.
A Sunday School teacher had told her once about God's love for her.She believed that old lady for a day or two.
That's all she needed.Heaven did welcome her.
Good bye Kieran,I will see you soon.
Mike

To The Boy and The Old Man Who Was Lost

2011-01-28T22:09:00.004-06:00

I saw you from here,it was easy for me.I am one who loves you as you are.
You knew,down deep inside that I had been watching and waiting for you a very long time.
You had been close to me and sometimes you were quite far from me.I knew you would come back of course,it was just a matter of time.
You did not need to worry like you did about passing a test.There was never a test I gave you.There were trials you needed to understand your life and to point your life more towards me.

You did not need to worry about your family.
While your time is getting close,you do not have to worry about your wife.You know that I will watch over her too like I have for so many of your years.
You did not have to hide the bad things from her,she loved you deeply.Just like I do.
She understood you better then you thought.She and I both knew your needs.Your fears were understood and you needed to let all that go before you came home.
The deep love you have for all your family always made me smile.The friends that came your way were special.They were people that you needed at the time.
I have been waiting for you.I have helped and protected you when you did not know.
Your blessings arrived in your life when you needed them most.
Angels have been with you.They will be with you again when you get here,that is something to look forward to isn't it?
I laughed along with you at the absurd,the strange things people do.I always love your sense of humour.Your God laughs easy and often.Did you forget that?

The children brought us great joy.They are wonderful people.
I know the times when you thought you failed with the children and I know you still have doubts.Have no fear,all children are in my hands.Always.

Remember my forgiveness,I know you don't always.Put the past away now and live.
No, I am not telling you the day or the hour.Be ready.
Think of me as I think of you.
A friend of ours recently wrote about how I said I was very fond of him.
You know I am awfully fond of you too
I will see you soon.
With Love Everlasting,
Jesus

My Friends Down Under

2011-01-13T23:57:00.002-06:00

For many years I have secretly been in love with another country,Australia!
I have read many books,scanned the local papers I find online published in the smallest towns with most odd names ever. The stories usually make me asking more questions.

I read about the animals which to us Americans seem so bizarre! We have snakes and bugs here obviously but they have bugs and snakes that can kill you right quick!

I read about the history,early settlements,how they became our allies in all foreign wars and most of all I read about the people.
We seem to have many natural disasters here in the USA and so do they.
Wildfires where it seems half the country is fire,dust storms that reduce visibility to zero and now of course the floods.
My friend Will Lanting sent me a link where I can watch the coverage.I saw the damage,the heartbreak,and now I see the water is coming down a bit.

The damage remains and now the people of Australia are coming together to help clean up and rebuild.
Nothing has impressed me more then to see the courage and tremendous spirit of the people.
Complete strangers showing up a house to clean it,not for money,not for thanks,just because this is the right thing to do.
It reminds me of 9.1.11 when we had that same spirit of coming together to fight terrorism and to mourn for the lost.

The times will be hard,the loss is great yet I see the spirit of my friends down under and I love that country even more.
God bless you.

When are you going home?

2011-01-13T23:21:00.002-06:00

I do wonder now that I am a year older again.

How much time is there left?

So many people I have met who are now in their 90's.

They are living out the end of all this the best they can.
Some have smiles a mile wide,isn't that the coolest thing ever?

Some have gone demented,some cruel joke played by some chemical imbalance or maybe it's just because they got tired of trying.I don't know.

Some of said,cover my face with a pillow.Well we can't do that.
We remain hopeful that there will be a cure.Or we pray for release and a home going.

What is our lot in life now? Shall we live in memories? Shall we live for the smiles our grand kids bring us?
Shall we weep and mourn for the things we wanted but just never came?

Some older folks have got it.They got it right.The Bible says the whole duty of man is to fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

As much as I am able,this is my life's commitment.

A Day For Remembering Our Sailors

2011-01-10T21:27:00.002-06:00

Not long ago I sold a book to a sailor on the USS Juneau.
I sell a lot of books on the Internet and don't give much thought to who gets them.
This time I had to stop and think about where this book was going.
The sailor said there was no rush to get it because he would not see land for another 4 months.
Four months.
So tonight I am grateful for your service son,and I thank you.

This one one of thousands of sailors patrolling seas that are danger filled.How may sons,daughters,moms and dads are serving on the watch tonight?
They are serving for me and they are serving for you.
24 hours a day,they are serving us,we must always remember the dedication these people have.They remain watchful for us.They are diligent for us.They are following the orders they receive.
Think now of sailors in the Atlantic,the Pacific,the Barents Sea,the Indian Ocean,the seas of all the world.Think of them as family,think of them as loved ones who are away for a very long time.
Today I honor you,and I thank you.
Mike

Facebook is Cool

2011-01-02T19:28:00.002-06:00

A few years ago I join Facebook and really did not have many expectations about it.

Well,it really surprised me how many people I have connected with,not only from my past but people I did not know existed have become very good friends.
I don't know how many countries are represented but it is amazing to me.
If I don't know the language there is Google Translator which is an awesome program.Google continually is updating this and adding more languages.

Facebook has bugs and flaws but I can deal with that,it's a small part of it.

I found many people who lived on 104th place when I did as a kid.
The girl next door(Janis),the girl across the street(Mary Ann) and Kenny who lived across the street and a few houses down.
Using my last name in the search function I found hundreds of Lantings spread around the world. How cool is that?
I enjoy Facebook a lot,five hundred million of us do.

Simple Easy Times

2011-01-02T19:15:00.002-06:00

It's now the second day of the new year 2011.
Looking back over the year 2010,I find the simple things are the things I liked best.
The times with family of course mean the most to me.Christmas,Easter,Thanksgiving we all get together,all 23 of us.

The next best thing is I joined a local church which I am very happy to attend.
Great people there and I enjoy them very much.The church is very old and well established.
The are many old people there and our pastor is 27.Pastor Matt Waterstone has his hands full and does and excellent job leading us.

Business was up a little but still nowhere near what it should be.I am grateful for the work I do have as I really love what I do for a living.We will try to match our record income which happened a long time ago.

I guess I am an optimist,I have to be.

New Year 1-1-2011

2011-01-01T01:37:00.002-06:00

Tonight Linda and I spent a nice evening with some excellent friends.
There were just 6 of us there so it was a small intimate celebration of the new year.

These are friends who know my faults,flaws and even the slightly crazy parts of me.
I would rather be with them on a night like this then anyone in the world.
Except my brother Bud,he is the best brother imaginable.

It is a good thing to have friends,they are reminders of good things,and good things to come.
Thank you Phyliss,Larry,Lindsay,Donna and Linda.
You make my life better.

Old Customers

2010-12-31T18:24:00.002-06:00

Today Linda and I made a service call on a clock that I have worked on many times.
The first call on this clock was in 1982 when I was 32 years old.
It was brand new then,and it was an easy job.
My customers were the Elliot's,a super nice and friendly couple.
Over the years they would call for service on the clock and as time went by I got to know them.
They save every receipt I had given them down in the bottom of the clock.

I often thought they were a favorite customer.
Today their son has the clock,mom and dad Elliot passed away a few months ago,both were well in their eighties.
I honor them with this post.
I will miss you a great deal.Thank you for being a special part of my life.

Pain or lack of it.Neuropathy Post

2010-06-15T22:49:00.001-05:00

Today June 15 201o.
It is one week since I had a pain pill.
I was taking 11 or more a day and now I am down to zero.
I am slightly nervous about it but I want my life back.
To hell with neuropathy.I don't need it I don't want it.
Enough zombieland.
Good bye Neuropathy. You suck.

So now we are 120

2010-06-15T21:44:00.002-05:00

Thats 120 years between us,that seems like a lot to me.
Has it gone fast? Yes

Are you happy? Yes,very.

Has God let you down? No.I have wondered where He is though at times.

Do you still love her? More than ever.

Do you have the fortitude to go on till death? Yes.

Do you worry about things? Yes.Business mostly.

Whats makes you happy? God,her,kids,grandkids.Friends are scarce but good.

Do you like the new church? I like sitting in the back. Yes I like it.

What are your faults? I have to many to mention at this time.

When did you want to go Home? Not yet please.

Will the Cubs call you to play left field? Yes,soon.

Are you sleeping? It's better.

What about pain pills? From 11 a day to zero.And holding.

Are you enjoying your hobbies? Fot the most part yes.But I miss painting a lot.

Ever angry? Seldom.

Goals? I want to travel a lot.

Is this the end of this post? Yes.

Easter 2010

2010-04-04T22:56:00.002-05:00

Today we had our family over to celebrate Easter.
I think this day will stand out as a highlight in my life.

It is amazing to me how very much they all love each other.
Not a cross word,not a sarcastic comment,just peace.
Thank You God.

Happy Birthday Whitney!

2010-04-03T23:23:00.005-05:00

My Dear Whitney,
Today you are 10 years old.
Happy Birthday !
I am so happy to have you in my life,you always make this ol' papa smile.
I write to you today having so much hope and love in my heart for you.
I wanted to say some things about your future.
Your first 10 years have been good.I see you have made many friends and that is so important!
Keep these childhood friends Whit,you won't ever forget them.They are a gift.
Your next ten years will be life changing.
Growing into womanhood will be a truly amazing experience.
Schools,learning,trusting God daily,these are things to remember as you go.
There may come times when you don't understand God.There may come times when you don't understand your dad or mom.There may come times when life is to confusing.
These times will come and go quickly.
The experiences God puts us through shapes us,teaches us and matures us into the kind of person God wants us to be.
Always be on guard because there are many things in life that want us to fail.There will be temptation's to face and many choices to make.

I wonder about your life,will you be a teacher? Will you be a mom? Will you be a doctor or nurse? A lawyer? Somehow no matter what it is I know I will be so proud of you.
I see in you a spirit of kindness.
I see in you a sense of humor.(probably from your dad) and this is a good thing.
Most of all I see in you a spirit of loving others and I love you for that.
So,life will be a mystery for the next ten years.When you are twenty you will be an amazing person Whit.
Happy Birthday Whitney,
Your Papa loves you Verrrrry Much.

They Scourged Him

2010-04-03T22:47:00.002-05:00

The men who did it.
The men who scourged him.Beat him.Whipped him with more then just whips.
They spat on him.
They laughed at him.
I think about these men.
I wonder about these men.
Heartless,cruel.
Men in a crowd of like minded men.I am sure that gave them courage.
A crown of thorns was placed upon his head.
They put him up on a wooden cross.
They nailed him to it.
They put a sign over his head for all to see.
For hours they mocked him.
They cast lots for his garment.
Then he forgave them all.
Even me and you.

How Long Will Blogs Last?

2010-03-07T22:26:00.002-06:00

I write for my kids and my grand kids.

I wonder if the things I write will be here in 30 or 40 years.
Will there be some new technology that makes blogs unreadable?
I hope the technology that we have now in 201o won't become like a VHS tape.
I write because I think my past is important to me.
There are not many great words of wisdom here,it is just me trying to share a life.
Sharing this past of mine is a way for the future generations to know who I am,or was.
My own grandfathers have been gone many years and although I have memories of both of them,I don't know the details of the lives they led.I have a few faded photographs and that's it.
I never had any grandmothers,they both died before I was born.I am told I missed out on a lot of things. What I don't know about them both makes me wonder who they were.How and why did they do the things they did.
So,my children if you read this many years from now,know this;there was a father and grandfather who loved you with all his heart.I think about all of you everyday.
More important I have prayed everyday for you all.
It would be so interesting for me to see how you all turned out.
What do you do? Have you married? How many kids do you have?
Did you go to college? Are you in love? Are you serving God?
One more thing to say for now-I am so happy to know you and to have you in my life.When I was a younger and had Kevin,Mark,Michelle and Joel as children,I never thought about grand kids.It never occurred to me that I would have so many!
You bless me,all 13 of you.
Your papa loves you verrrrry much.

Family Weekend

2010-03-07T20:36:00.002-06:00

Friday night we went to dinner at Joel and Lisa's house in Dyer,Indiana.
Caleb and Alistair were so happy to see me they did a little dance.
These are such happy times for this old papa.

Saturday we went out to Michigan City,Indiana to have lunch with Michelle,Maddie,Whit and Belle.
I got many hugs from my girls during the lunch.We laughed a lot and took silly pictures.God gave me some amazing grand daughters.

Sunday Mark,Abbey,Alistair and Jared came over for dinner.
We waited for the ball game to start,it never did because of rain.
Alistair wanted to watch Andre again,so we did.It is a great DVD and I think I have seen it a hundred times.Alistair loves it so I did not mind at all.
Alistair always helps me feed my fish,and the dogs.
We went back to get the food and Alistair asks me "Where is Robin Papa?"
I didn't know exactly what to say.I said Robin has gone away.
He asked me again ''Where is Robin?" I said shes gone to heaven.
I know he didn't understand but he let it go.
I think if God loves us enough to let us have pets,he will make sure we see them again.
There is no Bible verse to back me up,I just have a feeling.

OSCARS!!

2010-03-07T20:34:00.000-06:00

I don't care!
That is all.

Good Heavens

2010-03-04T23:06:00.000-06:00

People say strange things.

I hear these a lot

Good Heavens !

Goodness Gracious!

Good God!

Jesus Christ!

omg!

Good Lord Almighty!

For Christs sake!

For Gods sake!

For the Love of God!

For Craps Sake!

Mother of God!

Mary,Mother of God!

Holy Shit! (sorry)

We all have heard these phrases.

I have used some of them in moments of anger.Maybe you have too.

Now we know God is in Heaven,we know God is Holy.
It is time to stop and think,please.

There May Come a Day For This

2010-03-04T22:01:00.002-06:00

Perhaps the day is coming when God calls us home

Maybe it will be soon

Maybe it will be years from now

The day will be a good day

There shall be no great sorrow

A tear or two would be fine

This time here has gone very fast

How did it all happen?

I know you were there,Lord

I knew all the time

I seemed to ignore you

Sometimes

But I did know

So when the time comes

Please don't remember the bad stuff

The alone times

The prideful times

The anger

The questions,the million questions

Just bring me home.

Random Stuff

2010-03-03T22:39:00.002-06:00

I am not a surfer.
I have the most amazing,loving,sweetest,daughter in the world.I love you Michelle.
Times may be hard financially for some of us but how did my parents and grandparents make it through the Great Depression?
There has to be a cure for Alzheimer's in my lifetime.
Friends online can be pretty good friends.
Friends online can be weird.
I could never run fast.I always lost races.Maybe because I broke my leg at a young age.I don't know.
I lost 84 pounds and gained 25 back.That's ok with me.
I hate checking my blood sugar level.Waiting for that stupid meter to to me how I am bugs me.
I was married at 19,had 4 kids by the time I was 24.Now I have 13 grandchildren and am amazed.
I once broke 27 bones.
TV bores the life out of me. I like Who's Line is it Anyway? I will sit through it.
My customers are awesome people.
I like my job a lot.
I enjoy listening more than talking on my ham radios.
I can't make small talk very well.I find it excruciating.
Ron Santo is a hero of mine.
People who swear annoy me.
I really like the doxology hymn at the end of a church service.
I love getting lost in a book.
Nueropathy is hard to live with most days.
I have been ok money wise.
I have not been ok money wise.
I have friends who would go to court with me.
When I go to church,I sit in the back.Far back.
I passed a test recently for ham radio.I got 2 wrong out of 35.I found it was easy to pass .I studied pretty hard for it.
Why does Google look at every blog I make? Huh? Yes Google in Mountain View, California.
A picture I posted a long time ago about Jesus playing football gets a lot of hits.I may have missed a major point about blogging here,but I don't care.
Sometimes I write stuff that's pretty good.Sometimes I don't.But I left it all here.
I want my grand kids to know about me long after I am gone.
I miss Three Musketeer Candy Bars a lot.
Sugar free is not always really sugar free.
I can be very stubborn.
I can not sing.I am terrible at it.But I love all kinds of music.
Bye for now.

Looking Back

2010-03-03T20:24:00.004-06:00

I have reconnected with some old friends from Facebook in the last few weeks.
They posted pictures of my family I have never seen,it has been really wonderful to see them.
My mind goes back to those early days of my life and now I see how we are connected.For this I thank my long lost friends.
My neighborhood in Roseland was really the best,I can see all the houses,the cars parked in the street,the people who I knew so well.
We had little crime,none that I remember.
I felt like there were many moms looking out for us.
We played baseball in the street until the streetlights came on.That meant it was time to stretch out any game we were playing as long as possible.
Every spring and summer night it was baseball,fall and winter were times for football and hockey.I loved these games.

There certainly were some ecccentrics who lived on my street.
The crossing guard Bertha who told me to get my friends together and do something about all the blacks moving in.
The 2 old men who I think were brothers who lived next to the pumping station who we never saw.
The ex Chicago bear who lived in an upstairs flat with his family.
The beagles across the street who never stopped howling for 5 years.
The TV repair guy next door who charged my dad $3.oo for travel time.He probably walked 30 feet.
The good and kind people,Mr Riley who taught me how to ride a bike.
Mr.Ooms from next door who was always kind.
The guy who drove his big truck at 5 every afternoon that always waved as he went by.
Mrs. Stein who was kinder than anyone I ever met.
The Walkers whos son became a police chief in the suburbs.
Mr. Slager who told me not to whip my arms around or they would fall off.
The guy with the 1955 Thunderbird who lived at the end of the street.It just rusted away.
My dad hand feeding the squirrels Oreos.
All the big front porches that we hung out on with no complaints,the people never minded.
The yards we would walk through as long as we shut the gates.

These were good times.It was a place to grow up that we all remember so well.

Welcome Lillian Grace

2010-01-25T22:12:00.002-06:00

Today you came into the world at 2:35 PM January 25,2010.

I have not met you yet but someday if you read this I wanted you to know that I prayed for you every day since I learned your mom was going to have you.
Already new prayers have begun for you my dear Lillian. You now face a world that is far from perfect.
You face a world in need,a world that is sad and lonely for many.May you never be in need or lonely.
You have already made my life richer.You are just a few hours old and my thoughts have been with you since your dad called me to tell me that you were born.
Your big sister Brooke is a wonderful girl Lillian,she is going to love you your whole life!
You know you have girl cousins too who can't wait to meet you.There is Maddie,Whitney,Belle and Sarah.They can't wait to meet you too.
Your big brothers are Joel and Caleb.Watch them during your life.they will protect you and love you forever.
Did you know Lillian that God knew of you before you were born? He has a wonderful life planned for you.Stay close and rely on Him when there is no other.
Your boy cousins are very special kids,Andrew,Aaron,Joshua,Alistair and Jared are all just amazing to me.They are going to be very fun cousins!
If I can claim God's love and protection for you I do so now Lillian.
I write this to you my dear one 60 years after the day I was born.I wanted you to know how much I love you.
Your Papa Loves You Verrry Much!

What is Life?

2010-01-24T22:23:00.002-06:00

Living the straight life in the Chicago suburbs when the only friend around is your best friend.
Our tv has been out for a few days and we don't mind.It is late and she has Pandora on.We are listening to Emmy Lou and Alison Krause.

Thinking and praying about your next grand child being born tomorrow.

Thinking and praying about family far away.Computers make them seem not so far away but still...

Spent most of today with a son.That's a good thing to do.

Wondering.

Reading.

Studying for a test I want to take for advancement in ham radio.My brain is getting sore.

Dreaming about vacations I want to take.Many places to go yet isn't there?

Taking a blood sugar test and seeing the results are still to high.But not horrible.

Finishing the day with a prayer that does not make a lot of sense,then starting the prayer all over.I guess God speaks when we don't know the right questions to ask.I like that.

So today that has been my life.I liked it.

I got older.

2010-01-23T22:32:00.002-06:00

Januray 13,2010.
Yes one more year.So now I am 60.
I wonder what is like to be 60.
I don't think like I am 60.
I feel 60.
I take a lot of drugs to stay alive.
I don't like taking any drugs.
I have one of those containers labeled with every day of the week.My wife fills it for me.
I still like rock and roll and Andre Rieu. I may be a bit odd in my taste in music.
I am rediscovering Hoyt Axton. And many others.
I don't hardly sleep at night.I found out my daughter and my daughter in laws don't sleep much either.
I can sleep for 2 hours in the afternoon.
I have found a new church.It's very quiet.I think we may join it.But there are sure a lot of old people there.(I mean older than 60).The pastor is 26.This is very cool.
I miss those who have gone home a great deal.Mom,dad and so many friends.
I seem to think a lot about them.
I am happy for the most part.
I need to be working more.
I have pick up truck with 210,000 miles on it.
I am in love with my wife,my kids and my grand kids.
I have over a thousand friends on facebook.I like a great deal of these people.Many are like minded.
I deleted some.I have some on ignore.

I have not updated this blog for a long time.So I did.

Random

2009-11-02T08:40:00.003-06:00

Slow down your life a little,it goes to fast.

On the other hand slowing down your life might make you miss something you enjoy.

On the other hand you can enjoy fewer things more.

On the other hand when you get more stuff to enjoy that stuff soon becomes old stuff.

Stuff we but sure collects dust.

So I bought dust covers and now I can't see my stuff.

I have some really old things.I can't throw it away.

The few things I have thrown away I think about.

When I get a new car I look at it through my window a lot.

A few days later I might look at it once in a while.

A few weeks later it's just a car that I might like but it's just a car.

When the amount of money you have defines your level off spirituality,you better redefine your life. (I am always learning this.I am a slow learner.)

Weary

2009-11-01T21:12:00.002-06:00

How often I look back now,as he did.
He looked back like there was some awful terror about to swallow him.
Many times he would sit,in his small room wondering what happened to his life.
She had left him years before of course and she was no longer heard from.Not even a card.Not a call or a letter.She was just gone.
His family had no wish to speak to him and he didn't much care.
Lost in his books now,he did not relate to this day.
Speaking just a few words,just the basic communication he needed to live,he only ordered food.
He would drink whiskey when he could sneak out of the home but they watched him close now.
Some bracelet they said was for his own security.He broke it a few times but they got pretty mad.
He had fought for his country.
He had been wounded.
It still hurt like hell but he paid it no mind anymore.He thought he got what he deserved.
Times were gone.His time was gone and he lived in a world now long forgotten.
Veterans home are no place for people to spend your final days he thought.
He wanted to go to some lake somewhere where he had vague memories of a life he thought he had once.
Dying slowly.He did not care.
Day after day,the same.
No smiles,no joy,fading memories.
I met him before he died.
His family wanted his body cremated.It's cheaper.
I hope somehow,someway he had found his Peace.
It makes me weary.

How I Broke Some Bones

2009-05-22T19:57:00.003-05:00

Middle of June,1996.
Linda and I were fishing up in Canada near the town of Kenora,in Ontario.
We had gone to Perch Bay Resort for many years,so I knew the lakes and rivers fairly well.
The backwaters is where I always liked to fish,it is remote and you don't see much civilization.
The old rocks,the trees,the wildlife and being with your best friend is truly one of God's gifts.
This particular week we took Mark my son and his friend Paul Nelson with us.
We had good weather,good fishing and good eating too.
Wednesday,June 18 was a warm day,just a little overcast.
Linda and I took off in our boat to fish in the farthest part of the lakes we could get to.After a few hours it started to rain a little.It didn't bother us as we often fished in the rain.We were prepared with rain suits.
We decided to drift back towards are camp and let the current take us where it would.
I would move the boat close to the shore,then father away looking for the big fish.
A few more hours we just fished,talked and enjoyed the day.
In the early afternoon it started raining harder.We still were not to concerned.
Then it rained very hard.The wind picked up.I was hoping it would blow over as I wanted to stay out on the boat.
I pulled the boat closer to shore to take some shelter from the wind.The wind continued.
Closer to the shore it was a bit more peaceful so,we fished some more.
The wind got bad then,really bad.
I was 10 feet from the shore when there was a micro burst of wind.This is when the wind can be 100 miles per hour in a localized area.I thought I should land the boat on the shore.I was always a great thinker!
The trees were swaying.The pine trees were almost bent to the ground.
I felt branches on my arms.
My memory at this point is vague but I will do my best to reconstruct what happened next.
I saw a tree coming at us,it was falling right on us,I turned pushed Linda out of the way,I think I said watch out!
In that next moment my life was changed.The tree hit me.On my back.I remember the sound it made as it hit me.
It hit just below the middle of my back.The tree bent the aluminum boat badly.
I was down,laying on my back in the bottom of the boat.
The pain was horrible,I was gasping for breath.I was in agony.
The air would not come into my lungs.I yelled to Linda "I am dying now,I am dying".
Now the memory is not good but I remember Linda praying,asking God to calm me and asking for breath.
Prayer works,as you know.
I lay there,my head cradled by Lin.
I thought I would try to move my knees and my feet.If I could do that I was thinking I would not be paralyzed.
I moved my knees and then passed out.
We must have floated around for 30 minutes. In a boat that looked pretty beat up.
Somehow Mark and Paul found us.They were in the same area as we were and racing back to the camp to get out of the rain too.
I remember Paul was in the water,taking the tree the still was on my and lifting it off.
The next thing I remember was Mark starting the boat motor and trying to get us back to the camp. I know he could not see over the bow of the boat very well because of the way the boat was bent like the letter V.
It was raining hard again,We were 30 minutes from the camp.
We made it to shore.I was still laying in the bottom of the boat,passing in and out of consciousness.
Paul had gone ahead in Marks boat to get help.
There were about 20 fisherman on shore waiting to help.
Paramedics arrived.
One was a lady named Linda and I won't ever forget her.
The 2 paramedics somehow got a board under me and lifted me out with the help of several fisherman.
I awoke in the hospital briefly.I heard my wife talking to the nurses about what to do,send me to a larger hospital in Winnipeg or charter a plane to get me home.
She charted a plane with 2 paramedics and they flew me all the way to Lansing,Illinois.
I had broken about 27 bones,cracked ribs and damaged a kidney.
Recovery time was long.Years.

My back still gets sore now,but it could be that I am older.
I will always be grateful to God,Linda,Mark and Paul for the needed help and needed prayers.
Many stories come to mind now about how friends helped with prayers,visits,so many cards(which I still have and treasure) and even money which was sorely needed then.
I went back to visit that same spot where the tree hit me the next year.I was still in a body brace and could not bend very well but I had the determination to face it.
Half the tree was still there up on shore.
I got out of the boat.Hobbled to the tree and just looked at it for a long time.
I started painting with oils that year and I think I painted that tree a hundred times.
your life can change in one second.If I had died I was ready to go Home.
I still am ready.
And I still go fishing.

Remembering Sullivan Ballou

2009-05-17T12:51:00.000-05:00

July 14, 1861Camp Clark, WashingtonMy very dear Sarah:
The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days—perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to write again, I feel impelled to write a few lines that may fall under your eye when I shall be no more . . .I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how strongly American Civilization now leans on the triumph of the Government and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and sufferings of the Revolution.
And I am willing—perfectly willing—to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this Government, and to pay that debt . . .
Sarah my love for you is deathless, it seems to bind me with mighty cables that nothing but Omnipotence could break; and yet my love of Country comes over me like a strong wind and bears me unresistibly on with all these chains to the battle field.The memories of the blissful moments I have spent with you come creeping over me, and I feel most gratified to God and to you that I have enjoyed them for so long. And hard it is for me to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes of future years, when, God willing, we might still have lived and loved together, and seen our sons grown up to honorable manhood, around us. I have, I know, but few and small claims upon Divine Providence, but something whispers to me—perhaps it is the wafted prayer of my little Edgar, that I shall return to my loved ones unharmed. If I do not my dear Sarah, never forget how much I love you, and when my last breath escapes me on the battle field, it will whisper your name.

Forgive my many faults and the many pains I have caused you. How thoughtless and foolish I have often times been! How gladly would I wash out with my tears every little spot upon your happiness . . .But, O Sarah! If the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they loved, I shall always be near you; in the gladdest days and in the darkest nights . . . always, always, and if there be a soft breeze upon your cheek, it shall be my breath, as the cool air fans your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by. Sarah do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for thee, for we shall meet again . .

Sullivan Ballou was killed a week later at the first Battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861.Born March 28, 1829 in Smithfield, R.I., Ballou was educated at Phillips Academy in Andover, Mass.; Brown University in Providence, R.I. and the National Law School in Ballston, N.Y. He was admitted to the Rhode Island Bar in 1853.Ballou devoted his brief life to public service. He was elected in 1854 as clerk of the Rhode Island House of Representatives, later serving as its speaker.He married Sarah Hart Shumway on October 15, 1855, and the following year saw the birth of their first child, Edgar. A second son, William, was born in 1859.Ballou immediately entered the military in 1861 after the war broke out. He became judge advocate of the Rhode Island militia and was 32 at the time of his death at the first Battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1861.When he died, his wife was 24. She later moved to New Jersey to live out her life with her son, William, and never re-married. She died at age 80 in 1917.Sullivan and Sarah Ballou are buried next to each other at Swan Point Cemetery in Providence, RI. There are no known living descendants.Ironically, Sullivan Ballou’s letter was never mailed. Although Sarah would receive other, decidedly more upbeat letters, dated after the now-famous letter from the battlefield, the letter in question would be found among Sullivan Ballou’s effects when Gov. William Sprague of Rhode Island traveled to Virginia to retrieve the remains of his state’s sons who had fallen in battle.

Stuff That Makes My Brain Hurt Sometimes

2009-05-13T21:23:00.005-05:00

Some serious questions,some not so serious.

Asking friends about grace,I get some pretty good answers.
Asking myself about grace I get some pretty crummy answers.

I am a little afraid of people that know every answer to every question.
I am old enough to know there are some answers and some questions do not really need to be asked.

Where there is money,happiness does not come easy.
Where there is not money,happiness does not come easy.

If you manage to make a living doing what you like,that is a good thing.

The faith of some younger people amazes me.

When things go well in my businesses I am pretty spiritual.

When things are not going well I am less spiritual. I am working on this.For most of my life it seems.

When my daughter says she is going to India for a month it was not an easy thing for me to deal with. I came up with about a hundred reasons why she should not go.
Perhaps it was a lack of faith on my part.No matter.
I have every confidence in Rob,my son-in law.
When I look at his life,I see his love not only for my daughter and his family,I see his love of people.And God.

Did you ever read your Bible and come up blank?
Did you ever read your Bible and be astounded?

People who fast should not post daily about their fast.

Conspiracy nuts annoy me to no end.

more to come

Happy Birthday Michelle

2009-05-08T18:32:00.003-05:00

May 10, 1973. On that day my life was changed forever.
You were born with dark hair and lots of it! Many of us thought you looked liked a little Indian girl.
How things changed in my life.
I could not wait to get home from work to hold you,to comfort and feed you.
You were easy.You were my real gift from God and how I loved you.
You didn't fuss,you seldom cried.
Of course a dad's memory might have built in prejudice but that is fine with me.
Through the years I watched you.You made your first friends,You made people happy.
You made people smile.I remember so well the compliments I got on your looks,your behaviour,and your smile.
How well I remember singing to you and having you look into this daddy's eyes and then I felt my heart melting.
All through these years I have loved you very,very much.
And Michelle,you still make my heart melt.
Happy Birthday my darling daughter.
You still make my heart melt.
Love,Dad

Bobby Scales Pro Baseball Player

2009-05-06T22:42:00.002-05:00

Bobby Scales was called up to the major leagues this week.
He spent 11 years in the minors,riding buses,eating at fast food joints and staying in sub standard hotels and motels.For 11 years!
He is 31 now,and throughout the off season Bobby was a substitute teacher,trying to make ends meet.
His first time up with the Cubs he struck out,the next time up he got a base hit.
He also did very well fielding some tricky plays.
Bobby may get sent back to the minors,maybe even this week.
Hopefully there will be a spot for him in the lineup.
The thing that impresses me about this is the persistence he has shown.How many minor league players would have given up?
Has anything inspired you to keep trying for 11 years?
I think I would have given up.

Mothers Day 2009

2009-05-04T19:17:00.002-05:00

Mothers Day is celebrated here usually at out home.
I tell her,you don't need to cook you know.There is normally a fairly large crowd here.
I mention that we can just get some chicken,or some other carry out.
She says she does not mind the cooking,the girls always bring something to share.
I tell her it is easier if you don't cook.
She puts me off and says it's not a problem.
I think to myself,it is easier not to cook.
I mention a restaurant would be nice.
She puts me off and says it's pretty hard with over 20 people to get a restaurant for Mothers Day.
She is at her best when serving others.She can talk to 25 people and each conversation she has makes you feel like you are very special.
The granddaughters seem to flock around her asking endless questions.
The grandsons stay busy,running around inside and outside.About a hundred miles an hour.

I watch her.She smiles.She never ever raises her voice.She laughs.
She is happy serving.
I will mention again before Mothers Day is here that she does not have to cook.
I know what the answer will be.
I am still in love,after 39 years. Love does not get old.

Cinco De Mayo

2009-05-01T17:35:00.001-05:00

Most people don't know that back in 1912, Hellmann's mayonnaise was manufactured in England. In fact, the Titanic was carrying 12,000 jars of the condiment scheduled for delivery in Vera Cruz, Mexico, which was to be the next port of call for the great ship after its stop in New York.This would have been the largest single shipment of mayonnaise ever delivered to Mexico. But as we know, the great ship did not make it to New York. The ship hit an iceberg and sank, and the cargo was forever lost.The people of Mexico, who were crazy about mayonnaise, and were eagerly awaiting its delivery, were disconsolate at the loss. Their anguish was so great, that they declared a National Day of Mourning, which they still observe to this day.The National Day of Mourning occurs each year on May 5th and is known, of course, as Sinko de Mayo.

Westminster Chimes

2009-04-30T20:41:00.003-05:00

My business is repairing or setting up grandfather clocks.
I tune the chimes,listen carefully for bad notes and making the corrections as needed.
All grandfather clocks play Westminster chimes,some play 3 chimes.

The are reasons for all the chimes,some are religious,some are from church bells and some are taken from children's nursery rimes.
Westminster chimes are the most popular,made famous by Big Ben in London.
However the chimes were first set into the tower at University Church, St. Mary's the Great, in Cambridge, England.
The actual words are:
"Lord, through this hour,
Be Thou our guide
So,by thy power
No foot shall slide"

The music was Handels symphony,"I Know That My Redeemer Liveth'.The words and music were arranged by William Crotch in 1793.
Even for the non religious people who have clocks in their homes,they are hearing a prayer every quarter hour.
I like that and find it fun to explain it to people.

Fathers-Honor Your Daughters

2009-04-29T19:31:00.003-05:00

When my daughter Michelle was born,it was one of the happiest days of my life.
I had 2 boys when she was born,and one more was to follow.

Michelle was brightness in my life.
She was pure joy for me and I loved her fully.She filled my life with a great joy.
Just to be able to carry her,and care for her was an amazing thing to me.
What father could love a daughter more then me?
Fathers,take time to take walks with your daughters,spend time alone with them.The time goes fast.Way to fast.
How proud of was,she was mine and I was hers.
Dads,take pictures.They are a great reminders of a special love that you have.

Little girls grow up,they have lives to live and other loves to find.
They will go to school.They will meet new friends.They will fall in love.
You watch them,help them,guide them through life.Your wife serves as an example.
I saw my little girl go through changes,I saw Michelle find God,early in life.
You see her through high school,you see the compassion she has for others.
Real,burning compassion.She has you picking up people for church that you worry about.Shady people.But she knows they have a need so you do it.

You drive her to Moody every Sunday night for college.These were special times,to have her to myself for an hour or so.
You see a young man hanging around the house a lot. I approve of him.More importantly he knows God.He knows God well.
He asks for your daughter hand in marriage.You ask some dumb questions about their future,knowing inside your heart he is the right one.
You give her away on a snowy day in March.
Your heart breaks.But you're happy,very happy.
You always think of her as 'my Michelle.'
Now you still worry,now she has crazy plans to go to India.But she has compassion and you know she has to go.And it is ok.
There so many things I could write about this dad's love about his daughter but it would fill many books.
Now she has 3 girls of her own,I see Michelle in each.I see compassion in their lives and I am proud of that.
So you fathers,stay close to your daughters,they are one of God's best gifts.
I love you Michelle Dawn.

I Confess to a Major Crime

2009-04-28T23:13:00.001-05:00

The year was 1960,I was 10.
10 years old.
Pretty darn young if you ask me.
My older brother Bud went away to college.(To get an education.That's what he said.)
To me, he abandoned me.He had been my hero.
My role model.
A year or so before Bud left us,my dad and and Bud had bought a tv for Bud's bedroom.
This was a big deal then,a tv in the bedroom was for the rich people.
Not us!
I remember the tv was about 13 inches,and weighed about 400 pounds.
Rabbit ears were the standard then.Bud was quite technical and knew how to get all 5 channels.
Channel 2 excluded,mostly.

Since he went away I claimed all his assets.
Dad,being broken hearted about Buds departure put his tv in the basement.
I asked a few times if I could turn it on,but dad said 'no son,it belonged to Buddy,whom I loved.'
There were few times I snuck into the basement to turn it on but I could never get anything on it except fuzz.
Resentment over took me.
Bud was gone.
The tv was just sitting there.
Bad things entered my mind.I blame Bud.

With the help of a friend,I loaded the tv into my wagon and took it to a tv shop on 103rd street.
Never having done any business in my life I remember being nervous.
I told the tv shop guy,"how much will you give me for this tv?"
He looked at it,took the back off and said..."This tv is no good,it has a booster on it."
I had no idea what a booster was.
We stared at each other for a good 5 minutes.
He finally said"I will give you a finn."
I had no idea what a finn was.It sounded lik a lot to me.
It could mean 50 bucks I thought!
As it turns out a finn is $5.00.
I took the finn.I took my wagon home.
Dad says"where have you been?" I say 'out messin around.'
Dad never asked about the tv.
When Bud came home I don't think he missed it.
Years later I told my dad this story.He didn't remember it at all.
Then I found out Bud never missed it.He forgot about it too.
I spent the $5.00.
I probably gave most of it to charity because that's the way I am.

The moral of the story is if you sell your brothers tv,the brother you loved even though he abandoned you,it is ok.

How I Shot My Neighbor

2009-04-28T19:30:00.002-05:00

How I Shot My Neighbor and Got Away With It.

I was about 14 or 15,and always loved messing around with bows and arrows.
It was a big kick for me and my friends to go to an open field and just shoot arrows as far as we could.
Our targets were trees or birds and even frogs.I don't remember any of us ever killing anything but we thought we were very cool.The Mighty Hunters.
The arrows we used were target arrows,they had sharp metal points.
One summer day I was shooting arrows in my back yard,shooting at an old wooden chair.
It was a large chair and was not to hard to hit,being just 30 feet away.
This chair was painted white,and had spaces in between the boards.
I shot my arrow,watched as it went through the spaces in the chair,watched as it went through the back yard fence,across the alley,through my neighbors fence and right into my neighbor's back.
It stuck in poor old Charlie for a second,then the arrow fell out.
I heard a yell "AHHHHHH".Then... Mi......!Then all was quiet,very quiet.
I could not believe my shot.My aim had been good.The chair with it's stupid wide slats would be the end of me I was sure.
Charlie had been in his garden,he was bending down pulling weeds.
Somethings you never forget.
I saw poor Charlie standing there,weeds in one hand,my arrow in the other.I didn't see any blood,but I knew it had to really hurt!
One thing I should mention here is that poor Charlie was born without a tongue.
He was very hard to understand.He always called me Mi...It sounded like MY...
This all happened in about 2 seconds and I remember it like it was yesterday.
When I realized what I had done,I ducked.I fled the scene of the crime.
A few hours later I crept back home,thinking my parents were going to kill me.
My dad wasn't home from work yet and mom didn't say anything so I figured I might be off the hook.
When dad did come home,I saw him coming to the back door.My bedroom was right above.
Here came Charlie,arrow in hand,he was watching for old Pete to come home.
Charlie was yelling,PEE PEEE!
Dad had no patience for Charlie,he was just to hard to understand.
Listening from above,I could here my dad giving Charlie the brush off.
Dad was actually thanking Charlie for returning the arrow.

I never did get into trouble for the arrow that went astray.I dd remember it my whole life.
Sadly I had to avoid Charlie whenever I saw him from then on.

The moral of this story if you ever shoot someone in the back,make sure the guy has no tongue.

Touching a Life

2009-04-28T00:45:00.002-05:00

One of the last things my mom did in her life was to tell another lady about Jesus.
Mom was in the same hospital room with this lady called Jane.
Mom felt she was a prisoner in the hospital and I laughed and told her her cell-mate Jane probably felt the same way.
Jane listened but as far as I know made no real commitment.
I can only hope that in Janes last moments she did believe.
Mom had her ways about sharing the love of Christ and some ways were just quiet ways that she only knew.
Reflecting back on her life,I wonder how many Janes she had touched.

Mom was a social butterfly,she would have loved Facebook.
There were always people at the house,people always stopped by and she happiest then.
Relatives,friends and neighbor's were constantly at the door.
Some days it seemed the phone never stopped ringing,there was always something she had to share with somebody.
She worked until she was in here late 70's,she took care of old people in a nursing home.
Mom loved us and her Pete.
She would have loved her funeral! Hundreds of people came and I think I realized then how many lives she had touched.

How grateful I am to have had such a mom.

Have You Attacked The Church Today?

2009-04-27T20:56:00.002-05:00

I sat and explained my views.
We discussed how I felt about your shallow views on Christianity.
You were most gracious and I appreciated that.
You didn't condemn me for speaking my mind.
And yet you don't understand how important my views are!
I think the way you teach and preach people are going to miss the point and go straight to hell.
Secretly I think you are evil and I will tell on you.
My friends will know that I speak the truth!
My friends will know that I am pretty smart.

I think God will judge you for preaching and teaching the way you do!
Your church is so disorganised I could barely find a seat when I visited.
As I sat there I knew God was telling me not to listen to such drivel.
You know I will not be back and I will tell my friends not to visit either.
I am of the view that I am right and you are absolutely wrong
I think you are deluding people with what spews out of your mouth!
My friends will nod in agreement when I tell them about how awful your church is!
I will feel pretty good about posting how I feel on my blog.
I think your ministry is not going to last much longer!
I heard there was a scandal in your church!
How few have come to know Jesus because of your ministry.

I know God will not bless you in anyway.

Fans of Jesus

2009-04-25T22:55:00.002-05:00

Facebook now has a place where you can become a fan of Jesus.
It also has a place where you can become a fan of God.

I wonder what is the point?
Having a relationship with Jesus Christ is not a shallow thing.
It should be a all consuming relationship.
Jesus Christ is not definable in a fan club.

He is all knowing.
He is the one with such love and compassion that he died for all us in order that we might spend eternity with Him.
He is the one to who we turn in good times and in bad times.
He is God.
He is The Great I Am.

I am not really offended by the idea of fan clubs for Jesus.
I am a fan of more than a few people and ideas on Facebook.
I just think Jesus deserves more.

Poor Ann

2009-04-25T22:00:00.003-05:00

I knew Ann from a few short service calls to her home.
Do I tell Ann's story for the readers?Probably just for myself.
A few quick conversations with Ann and I knew her life.
I would visit every few years when she needed a service call.
A few quick conversations about God.A few quick sentences about eternal life is all we ever had.

She was born a large child.
At birth the nurse recorded her weight at just over 10 pounds.
Her mother thought she was not very lovable,Ann was not an attractive baby.
She ate.
And ate.
Childhood was painful,always made fun of,always friendless Ann retreated into herself.
There was nothing for her in friendship.
She looked at the television,her sole companion in childhood.
She ate more.
When Ann was 14 she weighed over 200 pounds.She stood about 5 feet 4 inches.
Short and dumpy.That's what she thought of herself.
Ann dreamed of Kings and Queens and Princes and Princesses.Her fantasy world.
Her life was dreams and food.
At 20 her mother died and she was alone.
The government took care of her expenses. Her house now was empty except for her cats and her television.
Ann lived and breathed only in her dreams now.
Her weight increased and she could no longer walk without her walker.
Bathroom trips were something she had to plan far in advance.
Groceries she could order by phone.
She hated the forced interaction on the telephone but she needed to eat.
Her life became one long feast.
At 35 Ann was now well over 400 pounds.Breathing became difficult.Walking was nearly impossible.
She thought that all this eating was a slow form of suicide.And that was fine with Ann.
She had no reason to live.When she did face reality it was to painful.

She was a Princess in her castle with her cats as subjects.
Dreams were of a slender girl,dreams were full of graceful dancing and handsome suitors.

Being 40 was something she did not think would happen to her.
35 years she felt was enough.Everlasting loneliness was her life.
Fantasy worlds do not last.
Food lost it's flavor.All food now tastes the same.
Breathing was labor.Walking now almost impossible.
The scale no longer went to whatever number she went.It stopped at 300 anyway.
She saw the hungry kids on tv late at night and thought if she was gone they might have a little more to eat.
Poor Ann.
No knocks on the door.
No calls to see how she is doing.
No friends,just her cats in her little kingdom.
Despair overtook fantasy.Poor Ann.

The heart of Ann stopped on a Wednesday in June of 1987.
Nobody remembers Ann now.
Just me.

Peripheral Neuropathy Thoughts

2009-04-23T18:29:00.003-05:00

Sometimes it hits you like a brick.
Sometimes it is just there and you can ignore it.
For me,staying busy works well but it is hard to stay busy 24 hours a day.
When I am working it seems that I can ignore it.
I continue to look online for cures and suggestions.I find there are quacks out there with miracle cures,miracle this and that and blah blah blah.
Now the nerve endings are firing one by one and I believe I have a limited number.
The pills I have to take to alleviate some of the discomfort is getting very expensive,and that is scary.
So,as I write this I feel crummy.Maybe it is because my blood sugar levels are high again,way to high.
As I try to think about what is happening to me I do wonder what the future holds.These thoughts are normal I think.
I am reminded constantly (by myself) of others who have health problems much worse than me. So, I am grateful for what I do have.
I am also reminded daily by myself that God gave me a sense of humor and I can laugh at life,a lot.
So life goes on.

Hurt Freind

2009-04-22T18:10:00.003-05:00

She was fairly popular,she had looks,a nice personality and seemed to love people.
She didn't have many friends but the friends she had she was loyal to.Her friends thought a great deal of her,so she thought.

A year ago or maybe it was two years ago she can't remember now,she was almost killed in a car accident.
Her arms were broke,she had multiple stitches in the top of her head.Her head was shaved of course.
Her face was battered,her nose broke and she lost several teeth.
Needless to say she was a mess.
She had multiple surgeries,much convalescing and a lot of therapy.

Friends came by her home a lot,they did her a world of good.Her spirits are down but not out.

She suffers still.The wounds are healing but she won't be the same.She doesn't think her personality has changed,but somehow her friends have changed.They no longer call like they did before,they no longer just stop by.
Life isn't the same now she thinks and she has gone into a depression that holds on and holds on.
Family relationships help but they are far away and busy people.
She has asked God for help and He has,but shes so lonely for real friendships.
Friends that don't mention the accident every twenty minutes is what she longs for.
Friends that just stop by or call because they like her for what is she is,these people are gone now from her life.
She thinks if her faith can be measured by percentage points it is down by 50.

Ask her about her life now,don't stare at the scars.The scars hurt worse than the pain.Don't try to impress her with your Christianity,she can see through that.Be real about it.
She wants to come back to life.
Just stop by.Just call and say you would like to go out for dinner.
Tell her you need her in your life,it is what she wants most.

For Christ's Sake

2009-04-16T20:52:00.002-05:00

I have seen and heard this phrase a lot lately-For Christ's Sake or for God's sake.
I hear if from customers,from the public,on tv and lately on Facebook.
A popular radio host uses it on his updates for his Facebook status.
It is used easily in common speech,it is used when people have a point to make.
It is used lightly,and without thought a to what is being said.

I am mad.
I am enraged because of the use of our Lords name in vain.
I am offended.

Will it stop,no.
Will I suggest strongly that people not say For Christs Sake anymore?
Yes.
I will no longer tolerate it because of ignorance,I will gently correct,once.
If I see it again or hear it again I will not be gentle.I will use very strong words.
For those of you who think the issues raised here is because I am a Christian or am sensitive to the phrase,well,yes I am.
It is for Christ's sake I am who I am.

Another Easter Sunday

2009-04-12T10:08:00.002-05:00

So here I sit on a Sunday morning.
Finished cleaning up the house for the most part,well Linda did anyway.
Drinking my coffee,listening to Moody Radio,Pastor Lutzer is about to speak.
Now we are kicking back a bit waiting for the family to arrive,all 4 kids,their mates and all 11 and 1/3 grandkids.
These times in my life are the best,we get together,eat,smile,laugh and just enjoy each other.
There are no fights,no arguing,nothing bad is ever said.
It has been like this now for a very long time.
Linda,this is our 39th Easter together,how happy these times are.Who could ask for a better family?

It is the day we set aside to celebrate the Kings Resurrection,it is the day he got up.
How blessed I am!
How blessed we all are on this Easter!
Today is day for smiles for we know all that we have heard about Jesus is true.

Happy Birthday Whitney

2009-04-02T23:39:00.002-05:00

Happy Birthday Whitney,
Look at you! Another year has gone by and now you are 9.
I hope this is one of the best birthdays you have ever had!
Grammy and me are so very proud of you,you ar very special to us and I can't tell you how much we love you.
I found what I wrote 1 year ago and I thought you might like to see it again.
God Bless You Whit

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Happy Birthday Whitney
Hello Whitney,Today is the day you turn 8!I remember well the day you were born,I could not wait to see you and say hello for the first time.You were so adorable,I know you smiled at your old papa,and that sure made me feel good!Now we have been to 7 of your birthday parties and I am waiting for an invitation to number 8.My sweet little one,God have given you so much,a great mom and dad who loves you so much,a great family of sisters,and Grandma and Grandpa's who love you very much.Much Love and Affection,Papa

Roseland and the Hoods I Have Lived In continued again

2009-04-02T21:45:00.002-05:00

We moved from South Park in South Holland to a house in Dolton with four bedrooms and a large basement.
The payment for this house was $160.00,the price was about $21,000.
Linda was pregnant again of course and was due to deliver right after we moved in.
She was gardening in our new garden when the baby decided to come.
I was working in Roseland at Midland Chemical when she called me.I rushed home and we drove to the hospital.
Michelle Dawn Lanting was born on May 10,1973.
My brothers each had 3 boys,I had 2 already and then Michelle came into our life.
One memory I have was calling my mom from the hospital and telling her she finally had a grand daughter.She thought I was making it up!
Since the day Michelle was born she has brought me great Joy,she has made me proud,and made me a better dad.
How much can a man love his kids? God only knows.
My boys Kevin and Mark had a new sister,what fun we has introducing them to a sister.
In 1975 we had our last boy,Joel.
We always thought the last child was the easiest.
Our lives were busy,but full of great happiness.
Linda and I laughed a lot with the kids.These were good times.
Not much money but God always supplied enough for us.

We had four kids now and a mess of dogs as usual.
Moving to another home in Dolton on Meadow Lane we paid $40,000 and the payments were about $300.00.This is the home we still live in and it seems right for us today.
The house is full as we still have dogs and thousand of books and hobby stuff.

This in not the end of the story of course,there are so many details in any families lives it is impossible to write the all in a post like this.
I owe my life to Linda my wife,in many many ways.
I can say that I have know Jesus Christ,Linda Lanting,Kevin,Lynn,Mark Abby,Michelle,Rob,Joel and Lisa. My happiness comes from them all.

Paul Simon said it best:
Now the years are rolling by me,They are rocking evenly-And I am older than I once was-And younger than I'll be, but that's not unusual.No, it isn't strangeAfter changes upon changes We are more or less the same After changes we are more or less the same

Neurophathy Cures

2009-04-02T19:12:00.002-05:00

Neurophathy Cures.
Having an invisible heath problem will not bring celebrities to your door.

The lesson I have learned about having neurophathy is that I can relate to those of you that have it.
I am on your side.
Doctors deal out drugs which are getting to be more expensive every month.
When we are old how will be able to afford it?
Where is the research?
If our neurophathy problems were visible there would be a great foundation with millions of dollars available to researchers.
But there isn't.
I want to hear from you and hear your story.
To email me directly clockmaker1974@yahoo.com
Thanks,Mike

Roseland and the Hoods I Have Lived In continued

2009-03-31T19:28:00.003-05:00

Times were hard and we did not know it.
I was making about $5.00 an hour and I worked a lot of overtime to pay the bills.
I worked in at Midland Chemical Company on 107th street. I worked there from 1967 to 1974.
Our rent was $85.00 a month,we lived in a very old farmhouse located in Roseland on Chicago's south side.
We lived on the second floor with one bedroom at 114th street an Harvard Ave.
The house we lived it was probably from the early 1900's it was quite a museum.
The bathroom had all the pipes exposed and if you wanted you could open the shade and look out over the neighborhood.
We decided that we needed a dog so we bought a Siberian Husky and named her Natasha.She was a good dog but ran away when ever she got the chance.
These were good times,we laughed a lot at life then.
We brought our first baby home to this apartment and were clueless.Thank God for moms.
Although I still had many friends hanging out with us,it wasn't the same anymore.We had jobs,a kid and responsibilities.
Linda quit her job at Riverdale Bank to stay home with Kevin,our first born.
We had cool cars then,a 1968 Impala,a 1967 Thunderbird and the a 1970 Nova.
You could buy a car for nothing then,car payments were about $65.00.We didn't care about paying off a car loan then.
Electric and gas bills were about $12.00,groceries cost little.
We were not rich by any means but we got by ok.
We bought a tv which was used black and white,I think there were 5 channels.
My tv now has over 200 channels and there is still not much worth watching.
When we were 20 we bought our first house in South Holland for $17,500.Payments were $127.00 a month.
The house we bought was very old,located on South Park Ave,it had been part of a chicken coop at one time and the house had been moved once.There had been many additions to the old house but we were quite happy there.
We had another baby and we named him Mark.
This was a 2 bedroom house so again we found ourselves a bit pressed for space.
more to come....

So I Got Older

2009-03-31T18:02:00.004-05:00

Somedays I feel like I am old.
I am just 59 now so I guess that's not old,at least that's what people tell me.
We bought a fancy treadmill but it makes my hip hurt.
Sitting here tonight I am thinking about taking an extra pain pill.So maybe that is why I am feeling old tonight.
Working brings out the best in me,it is my work that seems to make me forget about neuropathy for a bit.
I meet a lot of older people in my business,I seem to relate better now then when I did when I was young. I started my business when I was 24 and now suddenly I am 59.
35 years doing what I do.That's a long time.

Now,back a week in time:
Last week I was with some of my family for a weeks vacation in the Smoky Mountains.
Linda and I enjoyed every minute of our trip and enjoyed the walks and even some light hiking.
Spending time with younger folks makes me feel pretty darn good.
They stretched me.
My legs hurt after hiking,my hip was going crazy but I was happy.

Moral of the story: Stay busy.It makes me happier.

My Old Home In Roseland-Chicago

2009-03-13T21:05:00.003-05:00

This past week I had some business in my old neighborhood.
Linda and I were just a few short blocks away from the home I grew up in.
I didn't really want to spend much time in that neighborhood because it is really not safe at all.
We decided it was ok because it was morning,about 10 AM.
We drove down 103rd street where my grandfather worked at the Great Southern Laundry.This is now some kind of chuch and I was glad to see that.
I saw the park where I spent so much time playing baseball.
There is a 300 foot tower there now,in the middle of left field.

She drove us down 104th street where my old school once stood.It is gone now,it looks like a newer public school is being built.
It was strange seeing the place where I spent so much time there,now there is no more Roseland Christian School.

We took the bend around the old pumping station and came up to 104th place.
I was stunned to see so many house boarded up,it was just surreal.
We drove to my house at 304,and it too is boarded up.Abandoned.
Grass is overgrown,boards on all the windows and doors,gates falling down.
I felt kind of sad seeing this,looking up at my old bedroom window,my parents bedroom window,kitchen windows,every window now shows no more sunshine.
I always wanted to see the inside one more time.I don't think it will ever happen.

About half of the houses on my street have no windows now.Most have ugly plywood blocking entry and preventing more broken glass.
Glass was everywhere,on the sidewalks,on the streets and in the yards.
Some homes were just gone,leaving a plot of land filled with weeds.
The little green store on the corner looks like it has been abandoned for years.No more candy from there.No newspapers,no pop.
Do I miss those old days? Yes.Would I go back if I could? No.
Those days are gone and I remember them very well.
I was just thinking there would be no more memories from some other boy who could have lived there.
My bedroom now is an empty shell.The kitchen has no more moms to come home to.
The living room has no family now,just darkness.
The dining room where uncles and aunts once came is dark too.
The basement that was a place of wonder for me is dark.
The grass I hated cutting won't be cut anymore.
How small that yard looks now.
Looking down the sidewalk where Mr. Reilly taught me how to ride a bike when I was 5.The sidewalk is there.How well I remember that day.
Who said you can't go home again?
He was right.

To My Grandsons

2009-03-10T21:02:00.003-05:00

Today I found out my next grandkid will be a boy.
That will make 7 of you.I am very happy about this.
My prayers are with you all,all the time.
Joel,Andrew,Aaron,Joshua,Alistair,Caleb and one to come.Maybe more?
How I wonder what your future holds.
How I pray even now for Christian wives,like your moms and like gramma Lanting.
Walk the narrow path my sons,walk with Jesus.
Don't believe in any watered down gospel.It has always been the same gospel and it does not change,ever.
Pray always.
Study his word,study hard in school.
Be compassionate.
Be patient in life.
Whatever you do for a living,do it well and do it with everything you have.
Work is not just work.It should be your passion too.
Honor your mom and dad always as my kids have done for me.
Do small favors for your mom.Then do big favors.
Laugh a lot,enjoy your friends.
Have heroes in life,if they let you down,and some will,so be it.
Climb trees,climb high.
Fish,hunt,play ball,be outdoors as much as you can.
Read books,get lost in books.Keep a library of your own,you can always return to friends in books.
Date a lot when you are old enough.
Girls are an everloving mystery.They will break your heart,but then you will know you have lived.
State your opinions strongly and with conviction.Sometimes you will be wrong but it's ok to be wrong.This is how we learn.
Don't smoke.Don't drink.Drinking brings stupidity.
Be friends with your brothers and sisters throughout your whole life.Never neglect them.
Your gramps was 59 years old when he wrote this.I know that sounds so old you now.
But life goes very fast.Enjoy being alive and if you reach old age,thank God.
One more thing,remember how much I have loved each of you.
Your papa loves you all very,very much.

Thank You Lin

2009-03-08T07:46:00.002-05:00

This past weekend I was down with a really bad cold.
I was pretty miserable and didn't even have to stretch the truth to get sympathy!
We had plans we had to cancel,and I am sure it was a pretty boring weekend for her.

Thinking back of all the times Linda was there for me when I was down,I am grateful for such an understanding wife.
She has been as loyal to me when I was at my worst when I broke my back.
She keeps our businesses going.
She makes all the calls.
She works hard on educating customers and getting customers to keep coming back.
She does all the driving because of all the medications I am on.
She knows how much money I have to spend on meds and does not complain.
She makes it easy for me.
Now it is almost 40 years we have been together and we are closer then ever.
A million acts of kindnesses later.
A million laughs.
Not to many tears.
We have seen a lot,raised 4 kids and now have 11 grandkids and 1 on the way.
I am amazed at our lives Linda,and you are my life.
I love you.More.

Trials With No Answers-Yet

2009-02-23T21:37:00.003-06:00

Trails are not much fun,at least for me.
I tend to say,nuts.
Have you heard people tell you to thank God for your trials?
Daily I am dealing with a problem which to me is is of great magnitude.
Are you slowed down because of you current situation? I am.
I have always loved my work,I love making service calls.I love fixing clocks for people.
God gave me the talent and I use it to the best of my ability,mostly.
Spirituality -Are you closer to God when things are going very well? I am.
I have yet to learn that God's presence is their when things are going well and when they are not.
I am struggling now with neuropathy.
It wears on me.I can not do the things I used to.
Planning things in advance helps but I don't like that much.
I know God knows how I feel,he knows everything. Right?
I am not depressed,just wanted to write down my thoughts,just for myself.

God,you know my frailties,you know my innermost thoughts.
Do I tell you thanks for all this?
You know how grateful I am for my wife an my wonderful family.I can never thank you enough for them.
I did not know the plans you had for them.
Years ago it was a big mystery for me,wondering,praying and guiding.
Now my body aches and Lord I don't like it one bit.
I know many people have health issues much more serious than mine Lord,you showed them to me all my life.
Doctors tell me there is no cure.Just deal with it the best you can.
I know you can heal and I believe that with all my heart.
My weariness is troubling to me spiritually Lord.
Sometimes I just want to go home.

This was what you might call a rant.
I wrote this for me,I think it is good to put thoughts in words I can read over.

25 Things

2009-02-22T10:42:00.002-06:00

1.I became a Christian in 1971.

2.I had 4 kids when I was 24.Actually Linda had them.

3.I have been working full time since I was 17.

4.I brood about too many friends who have gone on before me.

5.I almost died 3 times.

6.Linda saved my life.

7. Karla Verhagen saved my life.

8.The last time was just over a year ago when I was diagnosed with a a few illnesses.

9.I have 11 grandkids and one on the way.

10.I can get lost in thought while reading the Bible.

11.I believe our country is very sick.

12.I think about kids I went to school with and where they are.

13.I used Rogaine for a week.

14.I love my first job 95% of the time.(clockmaker)

15.I love my second job 95% of the time.(bookseller)

16.I procrastinate a lot and I don't like it.

17.My dogs are my friends too.

18.I always wanted a better prayer life and am always working on it.

19. I have been to most of the United States,a lot of Canada.

20.I spent 2o minutes in Mexico.

21.I would die for my family.

22.I love radio,AM-FM-Shortwave and scanners.I am also a ham radio operator.

23.Fishing is one of the loves of my life.

24.I wish my family all lived on my street.

25.My desk often has mountains of stuff on it but I can tell if someone moves something.

Things I Think About.

2009-02-15T22:38:00.004-06:00

Email forwards.
I have one friend who emails me continually about political stuff.
Its really not a big deal because I agree with him on most things,but I don't read any of it.

I like genuine Christian people.
They surprise and amaze me.

I like WWII vets.I have met some many through my businesses.
Many say there is no need to thanks them but I do anyway.
Most are in their 80's and 90's.

It brings a lot of inward joy when my kids and grandkids are so happy to see me.
We sure have good times together.

Since I closed my clock shop I think I want to open up again.
Then I think again.
I miss it,but not the hours and the stress.

You can accuse anyone of anything at anytime.

My wife is still my best friend.

I have 13 nephews and 4 nieces,it is nice to have such a prolific family.
I love you all,very much.

My brother Bud makes me laugh out loud and he always has been able to do that.

I am very proud of my 3 sons for the Spirit of God which is so evident in their lives.
I have one daughter and Michelle you amaze me.
You are such an good wife to Rob,a wonderful mom to 3 girls and an example of a Godly woman to so many. Your dad loves you very,very much.

We are a family that hugs.
That is a good thing.
more to come

February Goals

2009-02-15T10:49:00.002-06:00

My goals for the next few months.
1.Find a church that we can relate to.

2.Pray more.

3.Read the Psalms.I find I can get lost in there.

4. Go fishing early this year.

5.Be more charitable.

6.Upgrade my ham radio class.

7. Travel more.

8.Get motivated about Ebay again.

9.Be neater.

10.Get a new puppy.

11.Find time and motivation to paint again.

12.Restore old friendships.

13.Find something,some product that will cure neuropathy.

14.Be more grateful.

15.Write on my blog a lot more.

Neuropathy Cure Search

2008-11-27T21:51:00.004-06:00

About once a week I search for cures for Neuropathy cures.

This search has been extensive.

The latest pain reliever I have found is an ointment called Neuragen PN.
I have tried it twice and the results for me are not in,yet.
Do a search on You Tube for this product.One guy showed the product being applied.
He said his pain was gone in 3 minutes after suffering for 3 years.
It is not cheap of course.I paid $30.00 for 0.17 fluid ounces.(5ml).It does have a strong oder which I don't like.But the smell does seem to go away with time.
Take a look,this may be helpful for you.
Frankly there is nothing new to report on cures.Its not high on the list of celebrities causes.

Neuropathy can't be seen.Those who have it look like normal people.
But those of us who have it may be on the verge of being desperate.(I am not desperate,just anxious.)
Let us keep looking and please let me know if you find anything new.

email -clockmaker1974@yahoo.com Thanks,Mike

I Voted

2008-11-04T21:15:00.002-06:00

In Australia,voting is mandatory.I don't know what the penalty is for not voting,but mandatory voting?
I think this is a good idea but would not work in America.

I have customers who left Cuba in 1959.Their votes could only be counted one way.There are no parties to choose from.
Leaving Cuba is and was no easy task.When my customers were leaving,they had to account for everything in the house.
Everything.
Including their kids toys,toilet paper,light bulbs.
You see everything in Cuba belongs to the state.Every single thing.You have no property.

China says women were allowed to vote in 1949.
If you are communist this is fine.
If you are not communist,you will suffer.

Kuwait gave women the right to vote in 2005,United Arab Emirates in 2006.

South Africa gave blacks the right to vote in 1994.

Voting is a duty as as American,is is however not mandatory.
I see people who have stated (online) "My vote won't count anyway"This is incorrect thinking.
Think about the vets who gave their life for our freedom.
You have the right not to vote,but you are an idiot.

Tips and Things Parents Need to Think About

2008-11-02T09:33:00.002-06:00

Let your kids be kids,don't be overly strict.
If you see them forming incorrect ideas,take them aside and talk.Do not fret so much.
Hugs are meaningful.
Communication is 2 ways,listen to your kids.
Let them have their own music,I know I was far from my parents music.
Find a church where the youth pastor is real.
The youth pastor may be more important in shaping kids ideas then yours.Be careful and watchful of course.
Let them have friends,some will annoy you to no end.Friends need to be welcomed,watched for their lifestyle decisions and let them be.
Trust your kids.
Talk about the Bible.

Be patient when they are little,don't be annoyed at little things.In the 18 years you have them little things do not matter.
Smile at your kids,sometimes smiles are better than comments.
Support your spouse in all things first.Do not be divided in opinions.Talk about your kids often.
I never read a book about How To Raise Your Children.
Christianity and instinct are your best guides.
Let your kids know your friends.This is important.Let them know you have chosen your friends with care.
The most important is having Jesus in your life at all times.Do not abandon faith when times are hard.Your kids will see this.They may not comment about it,but believe me they see it.

These are some things that I learned.All my kids are married and have kids of their own.11 so far!

Things to Do When You Run Out of Words to Say

2008-10-22T18:45:00.004-05:00

You know of course 'I love you' is fine,it is easy to say.It has real meaning if you look her in the eyes.
Sometimes there is more you want to say that expresses the I Love You's in a different way.

Telling her 'This is the Best Grilled Sandwich Ever In The History The World' is nice but is that what you really wanted her to hear?
Try this,take a minute,ask her to sit down.
Say this: You have prepared 10,000 meals for me.You have expressed your love and care for me in every single one. You are the best.
To say I love you in different ways,try this: Pick up the vacuum cleaner, the rug,move the furniture an vacuum under.Take the extension hose thing and go round the corners of the ceiling.
That will take 30 minutes or less out of your life.She will appreciate it and gaze at you with wonder.
Learn to turn on the dishwasher when it is full. Learn how to empty it when it is done.
I have recently learned this life lesson.
Straighten out the room were she works so hard.The laundry room should not be a dreary place.
I am starting to remodel our laundry room completely,new floor,new walls,painting the ceiling and making the room nice.
That's another life lesson I am learning.
Now here is a simple thing: Take out the trash.This going through the house, emptying all the little trash cans you can find.Pick plastic bags in the cans.
That will also take less than 30 minutes. Maybe 15.
If you work out of your car like I do, pick up the trash.This makes her happy to ride in a clean car. This will actually make both of you happier.By now you are seeing insights into my life.

Take her out to a real nice restaurant once in a while.Try a Tuesday night.Places are not to crowded and it sure helps break up the week.

These are things I have learned after being married for a long time.Yes,I am a slow learner but I think I am getting better.She thinks so to.
Read the same book that she has liked.This will help you relate in a new way.

If you can do this well,pay all the bills.This will ot take long and you can tell her all the bills are paid.This can be a relief to her.If you don't do the job well, ask her for her help.

Encourage her in her hobbies.Encourage her to have a life outside of the home life.

Voting

2008-10-20T23:12:00.002-05:00

Yes I will vote in the upcoming election.
I have my opinions and you probably have yours.
So, saying that, what will change with a new leader? Who knows?
I think that we little people will have more taxes no matter who gets elected.
I am sure we will be more regulated.
I am sure Homeland Security will become more powerful.
The Supreme Court will make asinine decisions.
Our government will make moves toward socialism.
Some people will become so politically correct some of us will puke.
We will be disgusted by war efforts or lack o war efforts.

Our country suffers from so many ill's,so many bad things.
I think that whoever will become president will be high on our nations approval,then begin to decline and then we will all dislike him immensely.

Ok, enough negative writing.
I can only say that we still have the best country in the world,and we are really blessed by God.
Let us keep it that way.

At This Very Moment

2008-10-20T22:35:00.002-05:00

At this moment in time,even as I am writing this,(it's 10 36 PM) are we are of Heaven?
I think that at this very moment,(a whole minute has gone by) millions of souls are there.
What did those millions of souls do in that minute? Were they just hanging around, watching TV?
Were they playing with their hobbies? Painting the ceiling? Making plans for tomorrow?
We will be surprised when we get there,I don't believe anyone has the idea of Heaven entirely correct.
They were aware of God and His presence I am sure.
Many generations of my family are there.Many are not I suppose.
My prayer today that all my family and all my extented family members will gather on that golden shore some fine day.
We can have a family reunion!
Can you imagine how happy we will be?
I was so happy to see so many of my family at a picnic last June,it was to me a taste of what was to come. I didn't want it to end,I did want to just stay and hang out with my loved ones.
That minute I mentioned a bit ago is now long gone.The people in Heaven have not wasted a second,although I can't imagine what it is like,it is amazing to think of.
How much I miss you Dad and Mom,how I look forward to seeing you again.
The Bible says this about it, from Isaiah 35.

1 The land that was desolate and impassable shall be glad, and the wilderness shall rejoice, and shall flourish like the lily.2 It shall bud forth and blossom, and shall rejoice with joy and praise: the glory of Libanus is given to it: the beauty of Carmel, and Saron, they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the beauty of our God.3 Strengthen ye the feeble hands, and confirm the weak knees.4 Say to the fainthearted: Take courage, and fear not: behold your God will bring the revenge of recompense: God himself will come and will save you.5 Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.6 Then shall the lame man leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall be free: for waters are broken out in the desert, and streams in the wilderness.7 And that which was dry land, shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water. In the dens where dragons dwelt before, shall rise up the verdure of the reed and the bulrush.8 And a path and a way shall be there, and it shall be called the holy way: the unclean shall not pass over it, and this shall be unto you a straight way, so that fools shall not err therein.9 No lion shall be there, nor shall any mischievous beast go up by it, nor be found there: but they shall walk there that shall be delivered.10 And the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and shall come into Sion with praise, and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.

39 Years and We Still Hold Hands

2008-10-19T02:32:00.002-05:00

October 18,1969 was the day Linda and I got married.

It was a day exactly like today,cool,sunny and very pleasant.

I could write about all the years,all the ups and downs but I thought would just tell you about today.

Today we woke up late,there was no real reason to rush off.

We had our late breakfast,went to the post office,I took coffee with me.She forgot hers so we stopped at an oasis to get her some.

We then made 3 very nice profitable service calls.All 3 were old customers who were glad to see us and we were glad to see them.

When we finished with our work we went to our favorite Italian place for a late lunch,The Island Cafe in Blue Island,Illinois.

Since Linda was driving we took a nice way home,past the ghetto territory and then through the woods.

On 135th street is a forest preserve where we spent a lot of time with our friends before we were married.She proceeded to pull into the woods where she parked the car.

We talked for a bit,then she kissed me and we held hands.

The days end found us talking to the our kids on the phone and on the computer.

We finished the night by watching a movie which we liked a lot.

So we now start another year.

I am blessed beyond all measure.

Tom

2008-10-17T01:42:00.002-05:00

Tom came into my life when I had four little ones.
I was young,maybe 32,he was much younger,maybe 24.
Somehow we met, we probably became friends because we had some of the same interests.
I think was radios.
I never knew his last name.
He was tough, acted that way and dressed the part.Long stringy hair,black boots,blue jeans and a black motorcycle jacket.
Here I was with 4 kids,trying my best to keep them from bad influence but I knew this Tom was different
He liked me,admired my wife and thought highly of my kids.
Many times he stopped by my house and I was glad he did.I didn't know where he lived or how he supported himself.
He once said he had just found a job,somewhere.
When he stopped by we talked sometimes about my relationship with God and how much it had changed me.I told him I was once like him but had found something good.
I invited Tom to church and to our surprise he showed up,dressed as usual.
I introduced Tom to some people who were for the most part happy to see him.One lady was so nice,she looked him in the eyes and not at his clothes.She said,'Tom,it is such a pleasure to have you here."
I was so impressed with the people of my church who welcomed him.Tom came back to church many times.We had many more discussions about life in my little house.
Tom found God.
God had him in his plans since before time.
I explained this to Tom and he became more attached to God as time went on.
Sadly we lost contact with him,I never knew what became of Tom.
I can only hope he is doing well.Somewhere.
I think my relationship with Tom was a good one,I know now I should have pursued it further.
But I am human,and humans are not perfect.
And now I wonder where he is and hope he will stop by again.
I miss you Tom.

Last Words

2008-10-11T20:51:00.002-05:00

Had a brief talk with my daughter Michelle about last words.
It got me thinking,what will be my last words?
I hope I am not in some drug induced stupor that makes me say crazy things.
Something like,Michelle paint your car blue and take out your furniture.
My mom talked to a lady about Jesus,this was one of the last times mom was in the hospital.
The lady was in the bed next to mom.She was held captive by my mom,I think this was a good thing and I believe this lady needed to hear the story of Jesus's love.
She did not let up or mention it in a casual way.I remember mom being almost forceful with this lady. One of her last words.

Robert E.Lee said 'Strike the Tent".His past came back to him at his deathbed.

I hope I am lucid.I hope I say something profound! Something that will go down in history as so wise,so amazing,Pastors will preach about it.Books will be written about the Wisdom of Mike.
Presidents will quote me, my brother Bud will become famous because he is related to me.
My kids will memorize me, a large tombstone with my quote written on it will be erected in Washington!
Well.Reality being what it is,I just hope to go peacefully.
I think I would like to say as my last words,Jesus here I come.

Working and Updates and Thoughts

2008-10-10T19:33:00.003-05:00

I am working half days now,but it seems like I can stay busy all day.
Nap time comes around 3 PM and we do look forward to an hours rest.
I am still taking 10 pills a day for pain,but I am doing better than I was a year ago.Much better.
My cane is only needed for long walks now,and I am glad about that.

I am enjoying ham radio a lot,after being away from it for a while it is good to be with friends again with the same interests.Soon the sun spots will be back to begin a 11 year cycles and that will make a big difference in communications.I look forward to filling my log book with many foreign contacts.It truly is a fun,but expensive hobby.

This is a time in my life where I seem to do a lot of looking back.
Do I have regrets,well yes.
Do I dwell on them,well no.
I think dwelling on past mistakes will bring you far away from God.
God has forgotten our sins,we should too.How great is that?

Now a few of my grandkids are getting to be almost teens,I do think about their future.
It is tough times for them,the temptations are greater then when I was a teen.
How important it is to pray for them daily,to remind God how important these kids are.
To keep them strong,and to keep the legacy of true Christianity going on,and on.
To pray that all will find Christian mates,this is sincere hope and my continuing prayer.
To you grandkds, I will pray daily for you,all of you,by name.
I am so grateful to the Lord for your parents, how good it is to see you all being raised in such a fine way.
Laughing with you,amazed at how different you all are,stunned by the stands you have taken already in your young lives,I count this as one of my life's most precious blessings.
God,is good.

No Ugly Words

2008-10-07T16:51:00.002-05:00

We went to a granddaughters birthday party on Sunday,my Maddie turned 10 years old.
It was a typical birthday party. Loud,laughing,babies falling over stuff,opening presents,kids showing off,me enjoying every minute.
Carrying the babies,walking around the house,being part of every conversation,watching the older kids playing games.
Sitting with the old people,listening to 10 conversations,participating in some.Lost in their talk,I go back to the kids.
I noticed something going on here.
There were no ugly words spoken,no cuss words,no -I hate yous',no-That's Mine!.
I go into the kitchen,I hear Joel talking about his school,the kids always are saying OH MY GOD!.
He refuses to use those words.
It's now common,it is used everywhere,even Christian people.
When people say it,they don't realize what they are saying,OH MY GOD is not to be used lightly.
I hear it used by kids,adults,my customers,even on line I see the abbreviation...OMG.
Looking back at the party,there was no ugly words,none.
I am proud of my kids and how they are raising theirs.

In Times Like These

2008-09-30T21:16:00.002-05:00

So many people have lost so much money in the last few days.
The economy is tanking.
So many killings in the city that I live next to.
So many are happy or sad about the baseball season,this is all fun but not life changing.
How many are behind in paying bills,mortgages and all.
How many will lose their homes this year?
These times are very hard for so many,imagine the depression taking place in their lives.
I have even seen my own neighbor abandon his home,take off for parts unknown with his car packed full.Kids in the back seat among groceries,chairs,bedding and all the stuff you need to live.
Many are unhappy in their jobs,their marriages,just life in general seems to be one unhappy life.

My own life has been happy,but I have to watch myself carefully.
If my work is slow,I am down.
If my wife and I have a disagreement it bothers me a lot.(This happens much less the longer we are married.)
Sometimes an old hymn comes to mind,sometimes a verse from the Bible.
Tonight it is this:
In times like these you need a Savior
In times like these you need an anchor;
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

In times like these I have a Savior,
In times like these I have an anchor;
I'm very sure, I'm very sure
My anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

Words and Music by Ruth Caye Jones

For My Maddie

2008-09-30T20:26:00.004-05:00

Dearest Maddie,
I heard that you were baptized recently.
My health has been a bit on the down side so I could not see it.
A few things I wanted to say to you,and writing them last lasts longer than me telling you in person.
Baptism is truly a wonderful thing,it is one of the things Jesus said to do.
I was baptized when I was a baby and obviously have no memory of it.My parents meant well and for them it was a form of dedicating my life to God.
When I was about 35 or so I was baptized again.How well I remember it.
You have made a wise decision,this is something you will remember for the rest of your life.
When tempted by life's bad things you can bring your baptism to mind and say to your self,I am baptized,I followed the Lord Jesus by doing what He asked.I am His and nothing can change that.I have the Lord Jesus living in my heart and I have no use for evil.
My dear granddaughter,this shows a great maturity in your life,it shows how your life in Jesus has grown.You have touched me in a great way and reminded me of my own commitment to Jesus.
How often I have prayed for you,how often you are in my thoughts.
You are continuing the legacy of our ancestors who also loved and lived for the Lord Jesus.
May you grow always in Jesus,and I know He will always be with you,like He is with me.
You have made me very happy and very proud.
Your papa loves you very much.

Sadness

2008-09-02T20:40:00.002-05:00

I have written about losing a pet before.
Now once again we are losing another Golden Retriever, Norma Jean.
A most loyal and loving companion.
She can longer eat.We thought maybe it was just a passing virus,but this time it is serious.
It is time for me to make a decision.I don't think I am brave enough.
I hope she goes peacefully in her sleep,very soon.

Chicago Killings

2008-09-02T18:52:00.002-05:00

More kids killed this weekend in Chicago.
One was killed in a park, one killed in his home.Stray bullets.
Chicago you sicken me.
I pray for you Chicago,hoping and praying that there still is hope.
I do not believe there is any thing man can do.Al Sharpton Jesse Jackson,continue with your rhetoric.Continue talking about the problem.Nothing will happen.
The murder rate is now 18% higher than a year ago.

Now only a miracle can change this horrible city.
May God intervene.

History

2008-08-24T21:23:00.002-05:00

History makes us who we are.
If my great grandparents/ancestors were Roman Catholic would I be Catholic today?
They were not,so here I am with protestant beliefs.There are my children and grandchildren with their protestant beliefs.
This is history that could not have been changed.

Everything in our lives would have been different.

Somewhere,somehow some long lost relative,probably in France took a stand.
He or she could no longer believe in Catholics and their tradition.

The family fled France and went to Holland.
So for many years we called ourselves Reformed, Christian Reformed or Dutch Reformed.
The family has few ties now with the traditional Reformed churches.
Changes are now happening,the families churches are now varied.
We are all what the world would call just Christians.
In my eyes this is not a bad thing though it may be sad for my ancestors who believed their way was the only way.I am sorry my old grandparents,but this is a better way.
Your faith had sustained you for so many years,but now we seek a freedom in Christ that you never knew.I certainly mean no disrespect for without you and your faith we would be lost.
Time will come when you greet me, and we will rejoice and be very glad for that one lone ancestor in the south of France who was seeking freedom.

Soon and Very Soon

2008-08-24T09:01:00.002-05:00

Many of you know I make service calls for a living.
When I was younger I would go anywhere to make a service call,I had 4 little mouths to feed and money was tight.
A call came in, I was wanted in the ghetto,somewhere about 35th street in Chicago.
The neighborhood was bad,getting there was bad and I was worried.This was in the 1970's.I was about 25.
How the people got money to pay for the call I never knew,but I went.
I parked in the lot of the high rise,I was a nervous.
A black guy in a phone service truck pulled in,I decided I would follow him.
We got on the same elevator.He got off on the third floor.
The people lived somewhere about the 25th floor.
The ride continued to the floor I wanted,the elevator stopping every few floors to let more people on.
It seemed like it was the most crowded elevator in the history of the world.

I got off on my floor,looked for the apartment I needed to go to.There were no numbers on the doors.The place smelled bad.Music was blaring.
Young guys followed me,watched and made me more nervous.
I was carrying my large tool box,it weighed about 20 pounds and seemed to get heavier with every step.
After much searching I found the apartment.I talked to the lady who lived there as she casually smashed a cockroach with her thumb.Right on the wall.
The service call was over,I left knowing I had a long ride down.
At least 5 guys were following me now,into the elevator,they pressed the numbers on the wall for every floor.
I was sweating,thinking this is not worth it.
Comments were made,"What was he doing here? What's in the box you are carrying?"
I ignored them,I just tried to be cool.
At the fifteenth floor the ride down became really bad,I was more nervous,sweating,and hated this place.
A young girl got on,the guys got quiet,She was exceptionally pretty.
The doors closed. we continued down.
She started softly singing..Soon and Very Soon We Are Going to See The King.She sang quietly but all were listening,She looked me right in the eyes,smiled at me and then I knew.I was God's and He was with me.
Many years later I think of this.Some told me maybe she was singing about my demise,Soon and Very Soon..
So, who was this girl? An angel? I think so.
I got out of the building,got on with my life.
But I still remember.

Things That Happened

2008-08-19T18:45:00.002-05:00

As a kid,I had a train set in the basement.
I think it was Lionel,with other cars and engines I inherited from my brothers.
My dad bought this set for me and one of my special engines was a orange one.Dad called it a worker.
I remember it was a powerful engine and I had a lot of fun with it.
Hours were spent in that basement,playing with the trains.

I once dicovered a walkie talkie set in the base ment that my dad had planned to surprise me with.
It was mentioned by me that I had found this,my brother Bud covered for dad by saying it was a gift for my dad's partner's kid.
I never got the walkie talkie set.

There was a milk man's door on our back porch.As a small kid I could wiggle through.
I did this to the amazement of my mom.Maybe I could get my head through now.

My grandfather John lived with us.He would always burn garbage even though we had regular garbage pick up.
Once when burning garbage he put in an aerosol can.Of course it exploded in the heat and hit him just above the eye. Mom was very mad.

Once I cut school for the day, I think I was 15.Mom came home.I panicked and hid in the attic.
I heard her coming up the steps,more panic...
As I was hiding,I heard the attic door open,I hid in the corner.
She never saw me.I guess that's what you call hiding in plain sight.

more to come

You Husbands and Your Wives

2008-08-18T21:37:00.002-05:00

How many meals has she prepared for you and the family.

How many times,when you knew she was tired you didn't offer to get fast food?

When did you last thank her for doing your laundry.I promise you,laundry is not a lot of fun.

Do you remember when you wanted her for your wife? What were you thinking then? What are you thinking now?

Is the little flirting with the girl from the office ok with your wife?
How about the girl online who you don't know and have never seen? Does your wife think this is innocent fun?

She is the mother of your children.
The guardian of those you love most.
Do not take it lightly.
I know some men who will get up with a sick kid in the middle of the night.
Do you?

When she is sick,do you step in? Do your part? Anything? Anyone?

Have you put up with her career as secondary?
Do you support her hobbies,or just think they are silly and humor her?

Will she be your life-mate? Will she be with you in 25 years?
Do you understand God's thinking in your relationship with your wife?

Men,I have been married 38 years now, so I know a bit about marriage.
Please don't read this post as judgemental.
I sometimes need to remember what a jewel I have.
Let's thank God he gave our wives great patience.

I have not quoted scripture here and maybe I should have,but there are biblical principles here.

Women, go ahead print this out.Leave it on his pillow,put it in his briefcase or make a paper air-plane of it and aim it at his head.

Update On The Garden of Lanting

2008-08-18T21:16:00.003-05:00

The last couple of days have been dry here.
I really did not water as I should have,everything looked good yesterday.
Today many of the plants looked a bit wilted,so I watered the unhappy plants.
Guilty me,I thought.Neglecting my efforts that I worked so hard on.

As I was watering,I thought about the care I put into this small garden
It is now my third year of gardening so I am still new at it.

Some plants have come back for 3 years ans seem to thrive,some never came back and some are dismal failures.
There are plants that are ground cover,they are ok but don't do much.
Large plants that are suppose to flower but never do,they have no redeeming value.
Some have such beautiful flowers I am amazed.Something I put in the ground,and it looks so good.

God has tended me for all my years.Every year He is there watering,weeding and He uses the utmost care in my life.
He has built a fence around me.If I step out on my own I am vulnerable to the bad things in life.
He has always been there,never forgetting me.
Our God does not know neglect.

For My Belle

2008-08-17T23:44:00.005-05:00

My Dearest Isabelle,

Right now you are very young,and then someday you will be old like papa.
Can you believe that?

I am writing this to you in hopes that you will remember how much I love you.

It may seem funny to you now,but someday you will leave home,you will get married and have little kids,just like you are now.
Here are some things I would like you to think about as you grow up.

Love Jesus first,always. He loves you because you have been made by Him.
Don't you love the things you make? You want to keep them forever.
Belle, he wants to keep you forever.

Make a lot of friends,never let silly fights make you think you don't like a person.
Fights that last for five short minutes can make you change the way you think about them forever.
Be the first to forgive.

Love your mom and dad always.Remember how they care for every little thing in your life.
Parents really do know whats best for you.Always obey.

Belle, raise your children like your mom and dad are raising you.

Laugh a lot.Don't be ashamed to cry when you get older.

Ask Jesus about things,ask Him if you're life is pleasing to him.

Love your sisters like best friends,Jesus made them too.You will always have your sisters.

If this post lasts for 30 years,read it again.

With Much Love,
Papa

I Am The Person Who Goes Back

2008-08-17T23:44:00.002-05:00

I am the person who goes back.
I have driven back to the house I grew up in.
Parked nearby and wondered about a lifetime spent there.
So many memories, so fast the time went.

I went back to a factory where I once worked as a younger guy.
Seven years of my life I worked there.
I saw it empty, just a shell of a large building now.
There was nothing left.Just walls that held so many sights of my life.
I walked through. I stood a while. Life goes on.

My parents summer home in Michigan on the lake.
I walked through that old house,little remains now.It's all new and remodeled.
I saw the bedroom where I slept,the knotty pine walls.
Mom and dad lived here.
I walked on the shore where I grew up.
The old dock my dad had built still stands.
This is the place where I fished where I made friends with stray dogs.
This is the placed that I loved as a boy.
No, you can not go home again.Life goes on.

Campsites where Lin and I camped with the 4 little ones.
Walking through the park,seeing young moms and dads with thier little ones.
Preserve your memories.
Take pictures,shoot movies of your family.
Life goes on.

We have lived in this house for so many years,it is like an old friend to us now.
I would stand in your doorways my children and watch you sleep.
I wondered about your futures,I wondered who you would marry.
If we had moved away so many years ago,well,we did not.God knew.I did not.We stayed.
Look at you now with all those babies of your own.
Life goes on.

I have walked through darkened churches.I sat there a while and prayed.
Feeling lost,then found.
I walked the halls and thought about the decisions made there.People came to God here.There really is nothing else.
Life changing decisions.
Committees that I was on,now replaced with new committees.
People getting things done.
Arguments in Christ's name, now seem so petty.So silly.
Life goes on.

So you see I am the person who goes back
At my age I still go back,I see the things of my life.I walked forever in these places. I hope I always will.
Life goes on and it is good.

Memories

2008-08-13T19:56:00.002-05:00

Thoughts and memories.

I was maybe 4 or 5,I remember dad coming home from work.
He smelled like paint,how many times do I think of him when I smell fresh paint?

I worked with him once.Just once.I did not know what I was doing and he was not a good teacher of future employees.I never worked for him again,nor did he ask me to.

We didn't get along well until I was married.Then I grew up and we became pretty close.

Watching tv: I was about ten,looking at tv,I think we had 5 channels to choose from.
I would sit in front of the tv,changing channels as fast as I could.
My brothers yelled at me telling me i was going to ruin the channel switch.
I told them I would get pliers to change channels.
They told me that would wear down the switcher.I had nothing to say about that.
Isn't it odd and just weird the things we remember?

Going to church on Sunday mornings,Dad and my oldest brother Jack lighting smokes,me gagging in the back seat,getting yelled at for opening the window.

Me,not doing homework,parents yelling,but I was always somewhere else in my head.

Showing my dad a traffic ticket,on the day of my court date.That was not fun at all.

more later

Banana Peppers Part 2 and Other Things

2008-08-11T20:48:00.002-05:00

I still have 2 banana peppers on my plant.
This will never work,I wanted my family to love me with my gifts of baskets of peppers. Disappointment is a hard cross to bare.I am sorry.

Watching some of the Olympics this week.One can not help but wonder about China and where the country is going.I think they can be evil,oppressive and anti-Christ.
There is always hope,I pray for the few Christians there.
Pray for an awakening,a coming of real knowledge of God and the plan of salvation.

My doctor has doubled my pain meds.There is not much difference yet.I am disappointed.
Remember me in your prayers friends,I find this disease wearisome.
It is taking energy which I can't afford to lose.
I am trying to remain active,going to ball games,going to my sons house,fishing,babysitting,and many other activities to keep me busy.
I think sometimes I am running on E.
Please pray.

Changing The World

2008-08-11T20:42:00.002-05:00

What a small number of viewers I get to my blog.
It is ok though,I can see where the visitors are located.Not specifically but the state,country and general area.
I do get visits from many countries,which is great to see.
Remaining true to the cause, will continue to post small stories that interest me, and hopefully advance the kingdom in my own small way.
I see visitors have seen the post I made about 'There is No Cure".
My hope is that visitors will take a moment to think.
Thanks For Reading,
Mike

Peripheral Neuropathy There Is No Cure

2008-08-05T16:30:00.002-05:00

Peripheral Neuropathy There Is No Cure.

My visit to the doctor yesterday taught me nothing new.
My drugs were doubled.I now take 9 pain killers a day.
Then I also take a mess of pills for insulin.
Linda fortifies me with a whole bunch of vitamins.
I am learning not to complain.

The doctor looked me square in the eyes and told me,'There is no cure for Neuropathy.
There is nothing that can be done.
It is a progressive disease and it will get worse.All we can do is manage the pain.'

As I was listening to the doc I was thinking,'you are wrong Dr. N'.Very wrong.
If my God heals me he would be wrong.
I asked God for healing.
Now I learn to live with a new faith.

Banana Peppers

2008-08-04T19:06:00.003-05:00

I planted a banana pepper plant about 8 weeks ago.
The plant has done well.That means it did not die.
I have waited to see how many peppers I will have.I thought I could have such a surplus I would give many to my family.They would then think highly of me.I would be praised by them.They would love me as no father has ever been loved before.
When I am long gone,say about 40 years from now they will remember my kindness.
They would remember me with a great fondness.
I planned on bringing a basket to my dear brother Bud's house.His family would then love him too.
Well, so far I have 2 healthy looking peppers.
My plans are not going to work.
There probably is a moral in this story.
Heck if I know what it is.

Death and Other Pleasing Thoughts For Your Enjoyment

2008-08-03T12:34:00.002-05:00

You know,I am tired of death.I am tired of friends going before me.
I understand Lord why old people die,I don't always understand those deaths that seem so wrong.
I know my ways are not yours,but Lord forgive me and help me to become a more mature Christ-like person.

We don't suffer much here in America,I suppose because this was a blessing bestowed on us long ago.Can we give credit to the founding fathers of our land?
I think so.

Abe Lincoln was not gay.
I have read 99 per cent of his writings.His biographers never mention such a silly thing.
Have you who say so read as much as I? Have you researched his life from boyhood to his death as much as I? No,I did not think so.
You are deluded and need to get real.

If time does not exist in heaven,what is a clockmaker suppose to do.
God,I can fix clocks pretty well,I can raise a family pretty well,I am happily married after many years.I read a lot of books.
So Lord,what's the plan.
Ok,I will wait to find out.Just curious about it all.Thank You.

Looking at kids I taught in Sunday School,I see a lot of those kids have married and are raising families of their own.
I see some great success stories,I see some are divorced.
Lord, did I do any good there at all?
Not asking because I want credit or more points with You.
I guess I can wait to talk to you about it all.But part of me wants credit,maybe this is a sin,I don't know.
Well,life goes on and You have been with me every second of every day.
Thank You

Ellen,She Never Knew. Written For Maddie

2008-07-31T17:25:00.004-05:00

Ellen never knew why she was not liked.
She had no friends in school.She always walked alone.
It began has a stupid kid's prank.In grammar school.
Spread a rumor.Tell all she has very bad body odor.
Laugh,look at her tears.
Ellen was not very pretty,she wore ugly glasses.
Her mother once had a birthday party for her.
About 10 or 12 attended,It was another disaster for Ellen.
She was the joke,she was the ugly one who had bad body odor and wore those ugly glasses.
She could not fit in with the others.
Steal her money from her desk,tell others how she cried again.Laugh.
High school was worse for Ellen.How alone can one person be?
I never saw her walking with anyone.
I heard they stole her yearbook.
How alone she must have felt.
I never saw Ellen again.She has been on my mind all these years.
How could we make it up to her now,so many years later?

My dear Maddie,watch the kids in your class,in your neighborhood.
A kind word,a small word of encouragement might make all the difference in the world to a kid.
Maddie I see in a kindness an awareness of how others feel..I know you are a person of great worth to all of us.
You are really a special kid to me,imagine how special you are to our Jesus.
Written with much love for you.
Love Papa

Robert, Slowly

2008-07-31T17:25:00.002-05:00

Robert always took his time.
His bowling partners wanted to shoot him as he took a full minute take take his turn.
When he was pitching for the church softball team he took almost 2 minutes to throw the ball.
His tennis partners would be psyched out because he took so long to serve.
When he read a book he could not go further until he had understood everything on the page perfectly.
He had few friends,few had enough patience to deal with such a slow person.
His employer was always on the verge of firing him but Robert was doing his job and doing it correctly like few of his fellow employers have done.
Robert developed the habit of slowness over the years.His wife found his slowness interminable,he would take an hour to eat,he would take an hour in the shower.Breakfast, he would rise at 5 every morning because he knew it would take him two full hours to get ready. She had no love for this man,his kids avoided him altogether.If he started a conversation with them they knew they were trapped for an hour.
Robert knew he had this problem of slowness but after long thoughts he decided he could not change.
He tried praying about it but he felt God was getting bored.Who prays for 2 hours about their life's problems?
When Robert found out he was dying he knew had had much longer than the doctors gave him to live.What do doctors know? He could stretch out six months to two years,maybe three.He lived another six.
When Robert did die,his wife had him buried the next day.
After 40 years of his slowness she was happy he was gone and could get on with her life.
Arriving in heaven,St.Peter asked Robert why he was so late? Robert replied he wanted to be sure of eternal life before he walked through the pearly gates.
After being in heaven for almost 2,000 years he thought..I have so much time now,I can worship God until the eternal clock ran down.
When Robert's wife arrived a few years after Robert,he took about 200 years to greet her.
God didn't mind any of Roberts slowness.He was pleased and smiled.

Michael Peters,Cubs Fan

2008-07-30T19:12:00.005-05:00

I have been a baseball fan all my life.
The Cubs Won the Series in 1969,the Santo years.I am coming out,I am taking all the credit. I did it.It was me who helped the Cubs win.
The early years we could only catch a game on the radio.It was a challenge then because only a few had radio's in the depression years.
We suffered then,always hoping for the Series championship.1945 did not count I thought.All the good guys were still fighting WW II.
The 1940's were awful.But we always had some hope some miracle would happen.
In 1948 I saw the first television broadcast on a small 6 inch screen of a Cubs-White Sox exhibition game.
The Sox won,4 to 1.

I watched every game I could.It was my passion.My wife, my family liked the Cubs,but they did not understand my passion.I loved the Cubs.
It was in 1969 I thought the Cubs had a chance to go all the way.
At the end of the season I could see the hated Mets were taking away our chance.
The 6 inch tv I had seen the Cubs on first had been in my attic for many years.When I was up in the attic I would turn it on to see if it still came on.It did.
The Mets were running away with my season,my heart was breaking once again.
While in the last part of the season I would go into my attic,turn on that old box and watch the Cubs on channel 9.
I slept often during innings,by this time I was getting into my 60's and a nap always did me good.
While napping I would dream about the inning being played.In my mind I changed what Jack Brickhouse was broadcasting.
I woke,seeing what I dreamed has really come true.
Changing what was broadcast was becoming a thing I never thought possible.
It became easy,dreaming of home runs, dreaming of long runs of victories,
Dreaming of Ron Santo,hitting 6 grand slam home runs in the final games of that season.
Of course the Cubs won in 1969,everyone knows that.
I have never turned that tv on again,I wanted to see if they can win now on their own.
It is now 2008.and the Cubs have a lead in the national league.I am filled again with hope.
I may go up into the attic later in the season.Or,maybe not.

James,Janitor

2008-07-30T19:12:00.002-05:00

James,the senior janitor at one of the largest high rise buildings on Lake Shore Drive was amused,again.
His great pleasure in life was seeing the garbage people threw down their chutes.
It had become his life's passion.All the wonderful items people tossed,electronics of every sort,phones,computers that survived the fall,radios, alarm clocks and so much more.
He thought he could make a living selling this stuff.
His first day back after a weeks vacation was looked forward to with great anticipation. Monday, the best day to do some serious sorting.The weekend was when people seemed to throw out the best trash,he just loved it.
He tried to learn how not to smell the rotten food and avoid touching all the nasty object in the trash.
This Monday James found a round metal can,it looked to him to be the kind of can cookies came in.He was going to toss it when he heard the rattle of something inside.It sounded like metal he thought.He tried to pry it open but it seemed to be stuck.he got a screwdriver and tried again to lift the lid.
Frustrated he put it aside and decided to back to his regular sorting.This batch had 2 cell phones,one worked.He then found 2 lap tops,not working but he thought there might be hope.
He worked his shift and forgot about the cookie can until he woke late at night in his little apartment next to the boiler room.
He went back to the trash room,found his can and decided to try to drill some holes in the top.
After a few holes he heard something that sound like a voice.Scared as he was he could not resist drilling more holes.
The voice spoke again,James I am going to kill you.
Panicked now James put the can down.
He stepped back and tried to smash the can with his foot.
The top popped off.Out of the can came James's worst nightmare.
Peeling off it's metal shroud,the little man inside walked over to James.
James last thoughts were of little men who lived in cans should be left alone.These cans should never be opened.
The little man went back to his can.He waited.

Three Old Black Men

2008-07-25T20:52:00.003-05:00

Three old black men, sitting by their fire on the shores of the Mississippi.
The year is 1865,a few months after the end of what some called the Civil War.
They don't need the fire to keep warm its still hot at early evening in the far south.They are glad for the fire to keep the mosquito's away and to cook the last of the nutria they had caught the day before.
John,32 being born near the spot where they were now eating did not feel at ease.Knowing they could be be looking for him made him aware of every sound from the woods.John had talked to a white woman in the city,she thought it was inappropriate and it might have been so.He did not have the sense of knowing his place,so they often told him on the farm.
He could out run just about anybody,but the dogs they used are to fast,and show no mercy.
Isa was older he thought he was maybe 45,but he didn't really know or care much.Surviving was the only thing,and he did it quite well.He also was aware of sounds from the woods,unconsciously perhaps,but very aware.His crimes were escaping,aiding and guiding others north.His health was now poor and he could no longer run so well.Infections did not heal with no medicines.
Martin was so old now he was amazed he was still alive.His friends thought he might be 70,a very old age for a black man in 1865.
His quick wits were what kept him around so long.Martin knew things,he knew enough about life to keep him from capture for many years.He had been caught twice,whipped,beaten and left in the cotton fields for dead.
He had been married in the slave tradition,had about 15 children with several women,10 of them sons.All would be raised on the plantation,7 survived into their 30's.3 had died in infancy,4 had been sold off.
He loved all his kids and missed them greatly.The times when they were young was the best.They needed to start picking the cotton at age 5,he taught them how to survive,how to become invisible to the masters.It was important never to be seen,never to be noticed,never cause trouble.
The three had come together in New Orleans,it was possible to find work on the docks for 10 cents a day,more money then any had ever had.The nights had to be spent away from the city,they were hunted then.Days they were mostly left alone,they were needed at the docks and the slavers learned a bribe from the dock owners was sometime more profitable then a reward for a run-away.
Plans were never made for any future,what plans could they make?There was only survival for the day.
Isa always liked to sing,they could if they were quiet.The others joined in old hymns they had learned by some older grandmother who had some understanding that music brought some peace,a small escape in the daily life.
Isa would sing to himself if no one joined but tonight was peaceful,not to hot and the others felt somewhat safe tonight.
Martin had an understanding of the Gospel,but never figured out what it did for others who had that peace.
John understood and had a deep reverence for God and was afraid of some of the old spirit witches,left over and kept secret from African days.Masters seldom knew of these witches and were congratulating themselves for teaching the ignorant about Christ's love.
All three had heard about the proclamation of freedom.They thought the masters had not heard,or didn't care about any ol Linkun.
Lincoln was dead now anyway,how could laws be enforced when he was gone.They knew little of President Johnson,but he had not talked to them anyway.
Of the three Isa had leaned his letters and could add a little,he had some kinder masters wives who had insisted the slaves be taught something.They could improve their lot in life by learning something.They could perhaps become foreman in the fields.They could learn to count bales,count people working in the close by areas and help keep track of who was working and who was slacking.
Isa had heard about the cities in the north where a man was treated as a man.Where freedom was understood to be for all.He understood little about the realities of the cities but wanted nothing more to leave the south.
He told his two companions of his plans to go up north,he told them a man could make a dollar a day for his labor.He told them women were waiting for them,it was like picking cotton,east pickens.He told them of the snow,the cold winters he had heard about.This was unimaginable to them and they did not really believe much of what he said.
He must have been convincing because the 2 looked up with fascination,this man knew something about a life far away from here.As he spoke they asked about life there,could they really live there? Could anyone go in the cities?
more to come

Part 2
Gradually over the next few days the danger from the slave catchers became more scary to the 3.
The bribes the slavers were to the point of not being worth the trouble to the dock foreman.
It was time to move,to leave the south quickly.
Another danger they became aware of was the Confederate soldiers returning home.Some took trains, a few stole horses and many just walked back.
These soldiers were in a desperate position,they had no compassion if they came across blacks or it was worse if they were runaways.
The soldiers released from Camp Douglass in Chicago were angry,frustrated,hungry and in no mood for any compassion.Over 6,000 of their brothers were buried there,in a mass grave.Later these soldiers were dug up and re-buried further south in another mass grave.Chicago was developing its lake front and needed the room,so they simply moved the bodies.
The mound can be seen at Oakwood Cemetery on the south side of the city.The Confederate grave site was basically unmarked for about 25 years until the 1890's when a group of former Confederates who lived in the Chicago area raised money to build a monument.
Isa had known a few abolitionists in his short time as a runaway.On his masters farm he had overheard conversations.The visits of the abolitionists to his masters plantations were rare but he knew who they were and what they wanted.
Most were there doing business with Master Thompson and need his cotton.They would also mention they wanted him to get away from the slave trade soon.
When Isa told his friends they need to make plans to go north they were ready to go as soon as they could.They had no life in the deep south.
Where to go,how to get there,or anywhere was the questions now.Little sleep for the next days as they packed what they could.Pooling their meager change they had about 3 dollars.
They could buy food along the way,steal what they could and hope they would not be caught.
Isa thought of cousins he had helped send to Springfield,Illinois.That might be the place to go.They could not just move,they knew little of the north.Little of the reality of the trip could be taken into consideration.Nothing could prepare them for traveling so far.Perhaps it was a thousand miles,perhaps ten thousand.They were no maps,no compasses for them to help them find the way.
Isa would be the leader,even with his crippled body,he was the only hope.Martin and John would have to trust him.
Only Isa had a vague idea where north was.He had been as far as Alexandria in Louisiana picking up other slaves with his master.
He had seen cities with thousands of people and he thought they could move through the cities with animinoty,The countryside was what worried him more.
The three began their journey on a very hot day in the middle of August.They had no idea what date it was,nor even the month.No education was a curse on the blacks in this time.
They only knew it was hot,and time to move on.
more to come

The Historian

2008-07-23T21:22:00.003-05:00

Currently reading The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova.
I am stretched.It is very interesting and I find this is a very good,if deep book.
I am looking for a redeeming value of the book as I am reading it.I find the exposure to different cultures fascinating.
It truly is a good feeling to get lost in a book.To go places in my mind that I know I will never visit saddens me,but I am so glad to read about them.
Right now I am in Budapest,who knows anything about that city?
It is amazing the politics of the past,the wars and the times of peace.
Off to work on some clocks,then back to my latest book.

She Married

2008-07-22T17:05:00.003-05:00

These are 2 kids I used to know.

She married a boy from an Asian country.
The parents frown but try to love.
The situation is bad,she married for someone she thought was exotic I suppose.
He wants go take her and the child back to his home land.His parents insist.
If she goes back,she knows somehow she will never come back.Not ever.
She tries figuring out Gods will now,a bit late I thought.

She comes to me asking what to do.
I ask is the marrige real,is it a maraige before God?
She says no.Not now,not anymore.
I ask about his homeland.She would be almost in bondage to her husband,his brothers and his father.
The mother in law's opinion is not valid.Women can not be expexted to make decisions of importance,they can only buy groceries.
I ask her about this life style,is this what God would want you to do?
She stays here,he goes to his homeland "for a while".
She fears for her life and remains hiding,under a diffrent name.

I posted this in the hope that some oter innocent girl will see through these things with eyes wide open.

Where There Is Peace

2008-07-20T20:38:00.003-05:00

Me-reading on the patio,the dogs playing around,chewing sticks they always find.
Drinking coffee,the radio on softly in the background.
Lost in the book,I see her at the door coming out to join me.
She has her book and reads,we are both quiet and a bit tired.
She has put up with my hobby,today she drove me 50 miles to see some friends at a ham radio get together,a gathering of nerds.But we both enjoyed it a lot with the company of Mark,who recently became a ham radio operator.
She suggests ravioli for dinner,it is excellent.
We are back inside now both lost in our books,content.
A short visit from my Michelle, Rob and the 3 girls.
Today has been a simple day with lots of walking,my blood sugar level is actually normal today.
It has been a common day,no suprises,no emergencies,not much of anything happened.
Lesson learned again and again.Find pleasure in simple things.Un-complicate life as much as you can.
Live life in peace,there you can find God.

Thinking Out Loud

2008-07-09T21:55:00.002-05:00

Well not out loud but always thinking.

Keys to Happiness book really are awful.

I do not care what movie stars think,or what they do or what causes they support.

Baptists sure can take themselves seriously.This is not a bad thing,just an observation.

One of the stores I go to almost every day here in town has the parking lot flooded with Jehovah's Witnesses.They need a new territory.
They now know me by sight and seldom approach.Maybe because I tell Linda "RUN!" when the get near us.It is a kick.

You never see Catholics in parking lots preaching.Sometimes Baptists are out and about.

I am hunting for a cure for the Neuropathy I have.Some web sites and doctors say its hopeless.One doc says its a bear to treat.
I do know a Great Physician,and am asking Him for a cure.Ask with me,please.

Reading Craigslist rants and raves is awful.These people are sick in the head.

If you are a Cubs fan,this is a good year.If they win or lose at the end of the year,I am happy for the ride so far.

My customers ask me sometimes what will they do if I should die.Who will service their clocks?
I tell them I do not know what they will do.Why would I care? Sheeesh.

In 35 years in being in business,I have had less then 10 bad checks,probably about 5.I think (know)this is a blessing from God.

I am still happily married,isn't that one of God's best gifts?
I am great full for an understanding and forgiving wife.I seem to make a lot of mistake's.

I have a deep affection for my brother Bud.

more to come