Exercise

I went for an early morning walk today to get some exercise. I saw my friend the prairie dog again digging holes and tearing up the landscape. Now here is an animal that gets lots of exercise. Every time I walk by, he runs like crazy for his hole.

I walk everywhere for my health, but I never seem to find it. I suppose it has more to do with Dairy Queen than anything else. I don't jog or play tennis, but I am a very brisk eater!

Don't worry

Many of my friends worry about Iran and what could happen in the event they actually acquire atomic weapons. One of them could just strap it on his back and walk right into Wall-Mart. I'm not at all concerned and don't mind the radiation either. I won't have to buy batteries. My pocket calculator can run on me! And you never have to worry about waking up and finding out that nuclear war has broken out. If you wake up, it hasn't. I think there is much more to worry about in America.

I heard about two Iranians who met in California. One started to greet the other in the language of their mother country. The other Iranian motioned for him to stop and said, "We're in American now. Speak Spanish!"

What is love

Here's my daughter and son-in-law Seth smiling and laughing at home only 5 short hours after Daisy was born! Clearly, "Little Andy" was oblivious to what happened that day. But Mom and Dad took it in stride and little really changed. What impresses me is how they relax in the joy of life, live with prayer and a spiritual focus on God, and love their children, as well as each other to excess. Each day brings new treasures in their household. It reminds me of a verse in the Bible. "Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous, love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly, it does not seek its own way, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in revenge, but rejoices in the truth, bears all thing, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. But faith, hope, love, abide these three. But the greatest of these is love." I am sad that I had to leave.

Taxes

A week or so ago Americans gathered around the country to re-create another "Boston tea party" opposing new taxes and government excess. A friend of mine attended the one in Greeley, CO. Most people I know agree the government is out of control, and given this fact new taxation is unconscionable. Holding the tea party on tax day was certainly timely. However, in my mind it reconfirms the need to find a just and fair tax code.

It was Will Rogers who used to say that the American tax code produced more liars than anything but golf. You see, America is a land of untold wealth. Most of it is untold on the tax forms! Personally, I hate taxes. Every time my ship comes in, the government unloads it! The other day, I told my daughter that birth control pills are deductible, but only if they don't work. It's a win-win situation.

Weather

I got up this morning, looked out back, and it was snowing! The weather is driving me crazy. I want to know why a snowbank is never overdrawn? Yesterday, I knew this snow would happen when I looked out back and saw a squirrel burying Sterno! I don't think the sun will be coming out today. Would you come out on a day like this?

Ruby Horse Thief

Well, we're working on another trip down Ruby Canyon/Horse thief on the Colorado River. The last time we were there we had three rattlesnakes in camp one evening! But it was a great time except etiquette took a back seat to fun. Soup should be seen and not heard!

Bagels

We used to buy day-old bagels. They were so hard we had to hammer the butter on. Then my neighbor Stan came up with a brilliant idea. He went to Israel and made a fortune selling Cheerios as bagel seeds. If you believe either of the previous, there's some border property along the Golan Heights I'd like to sell you! I do know one guy who made a fortune in South America selling bagels as halos for shrunken heads.

Happiness

There is a radio show I enjoy listening to from time to time, when I'm in the car. On this particular show they talk about happiness on Fridays, what it is and what it isn't. Of course, many times people who call in manage to confuse "pleasure" with happiness and make other shallow mistakes. The host of the talk show is quite pleased to point out these simple errors. I like what Dostoyevsky said about it. "Man is fond of counting his troubles, but he does not count his joys. If he counted them up as he ought to, he would see that every lot has enough happiness provided for it."

Of course in today's economy, the best way for a person to have happy thoughts is to count his blessings and not his cash!

An exciting week

It's been an eventful week for me, one I will not soon if ever forget. My father nearly met his maker on Saturday, so I quickly made a trip to Prescott, Arizona to see him. A few days later I got a call from my wife who said that my daughter (now living only four hours South in Tucson) had gone into labor 10 days early. Dad was doing much better, so I drove to Tucson for quality time with my daughter, son-in-law, grandson and now a new granddaughter. I also noticed that change in a person's life impacts you in many different ways. My grandson decided that hiding behind the rocking chair was better than facing reality... a new little sister.


He's my little buddy. He decided to check her out after a few hours. She doesn't bite, she doesn't smell funny, but she does cry and make a lot of noise. Nevertheless, I guess she's okay. I think I'll give her a pretzel. Anyway, the family grows and we're especially happy. Thought I would share it with you.

Forgiveness

Someone at work said about a co-worker, "I can forgive, but I can't forget." This is really just another way of saying, "I will not forgive." Forgiveness should be a clean slate. Wiped clean, never seen again, and forgotten, so that it can never be brought up again.

I like what SK says about it. "A man rests in the forgiveness of sins when the thought of God does not remind him of the sin but that it is forgiven, when the past is not a memory of how much he trespassed but of how much he has been forgiven."

Reno luck

I'm supposed to go to Reno for some meetings at some point this year. I won't be doing any gambling though. I used to consider myself very lucky. I've been to Europe almost as often as my luggage! You see in my opinion, gambling is a great way of getting nothing for something. And, the terrible thing about hitting a jackpot on a slot machine is that it takes a long time to put the money back. So, I don't gamble because I'm the kind of guy who gets paper cuts from get-well cards!

7lbs, 7 oz.

Meet my new granddaughter, Daisy Caitlin Holler, 7 pounds, 7 ounces and 20 inches long, born at 7:11a (no not the convenience store), April 21, in Tucson, AZ. Mom is fine and used no drugs! I sure would've! More on this as the camera warms up.

Marshall Pass

Last summer Tyler and David hiked the Colorado Trail and related many stories to me about nice areas to visit. One of the areas I would like see and hike is Marshall Pass, which is on the continental divide. Tyler said it was a beautiful place and one of his favorites on the trail.

Will Obama tell the truth?

The photo below was taken in Belgium and thought to be a small airline. But you couldn't get on the plane unless you had the exact change. In Peru, scientists have found ancient, strange, lost airfields. They've also found ancient, strange, lost luggage!

My question is, "How long will Obama hold out?" Is he going to tell the truth to the American public? There are flying saucers everywhere. Their occupants want to talk to our responsible leaders, but they're having trouble finding one! I know for a fact, a flying saucer has been circling over New York for two weeks. And it can't find a place to park!

Snow

Well, we're starting to get some snow here in Denver. This is my neighbors house and you can see all the little white flakes coming down. But unless it gets a little colder, I don't think much will come of it. The prediction is 18 inches. It's not looking like it now.

Here is the same shot 10 minutes later, with thunder and lightning! Maybe I'm wrong.

The Nuggets and art

The Denver Nuggets are in the playoffs again, only this year they have home court advantage. And they're playing better than ever. I'm very excited about this year and have high hopes of them getting deep into the playoffs. The question I have is about art. Now that painting is a wow. It's the wowsiest painting I ever saw. A good artist draws the line somewhere, but evidently not on this canvas. What's up with this anyway?

Who was Jesus?

What about the life of Jesus? Who was he really? Were the gospel writers into PR and embellishments? Did they portray Jesus with a sweet, unending smile on his face, patting little children on the head? Did he stroll the earth with "unflappable, unshakable equanimity" as Scott Peck asks? No, he didn't, and no one could have made this up. The real Jesus dealt with everything we do and more. And, what is our image of what God should be like? Is it like this? Why would anyone make up something like this?

The other gods were strong; but Thou wast weak;
They rode, but Thou didst stumble to a throne;
But to our wounds only God's wounds can speak,
And not a god has wounds but Thou alone.

Edward Shillito

Spring Snow

Nancy and I drove back from Pagosa Springs today. Lots of snow this weekend as you can see from the photo below taken near East Fork. We still enjoyed our time there and the drive back was lovely.

To Oak Harbor

A few weeks ago I was in Washington and drove across Whidbey Island. There are only two ways there. You can take the ferry and cross from Mukelteo or you can take this bridge. I did both and stopped to visit a franchise owner in Oak Harbor. The water between the island and mainland was flowing rapidly because of the tide.

My travels

My travels in Eastern Oregon have been really nice. Below is a photo of Mt. Thielsen or Big Cowhorn. It is commonly struck by lightning and as a result is largely compoosed of the rare mineral fulgurite. It's 9184 ft. and was first climbed by E. Hayden in 1883. It is just North of Crater Lake and is quite spectacular.

Here is a photo of Upper Klamath Lake near Klamath Falls, Oregon. The mountain in the background is Mt. McLaughlin. I drive right by it on the way to Medford, OR.

Restaurants

Nancy used to make the best things for dinner. Reservations! Actually, she is in fact, a very good cook. However, sometimes when I travel, eating out can be bad. I went to a salad bar in Detroit recently, but they change the oil every six months! There was a place in Seattle where I had dinner the other day, and... well... I won't say it's a bad restaurant, but the catch of the day was fish sticks. Below is a photo of the waiter at Cantina Laredo in Dallas. We like him. And the food is great! They recently opened one up in Boulder and Nancy I really enjoyed the food.

Money

Nancy and I met with Jack, our investment adviser last week. We wanted to make sure he hadn't shot himself or something. You see many of his customers who bought "securities" are wondering whether they understand English! They're a little unhappy. I try to save money. Who knows, maybe one day it'll become valuable again! I know it's not Jack's fault. And it's not like I'm crazy about money, but it quiets my nerves!

But it's really okay even though we're down a little this year. Okay, we're down a lot. Money won't buy you happiness. Money won't buy you love. Money won't buy you health. But the way I see it is - give me the money and I'll rent them!

Bronco football

There is a story about a Bronco fan, maybe it's legend, I don't know but it goes something like this: A Bronco fan lived and died by his team, watching each game in his orange room, wearing his Bronco uniform. He had no time for his family or children. He could be found only on the couch, a six-pack or part of one at his side, and his eyes glued to the 56 inch TV screen.

One day his wife marched up in front of the screen, opened her house dress, and said, with finality, "Okay, buster, play me or trade me!"

Cutler and run?

Many of you have been asking me about Jay Cutler. So, I thought I would give you a little synopsis from the viewpoint of one Bronco fan. Without a doubt, Cutler is very talented and fun to watch. What puzzles me is why 32 year old McDaniels (our new coach) blew up a perfectly good offense and literally discarded an excellent quarterback in Cutler. My humble opinion is, he needs to work on the defense and special teams, not offense. But, McDaniels thinks he is some kind of Yoda with quarterbacks or something (i.e. Matt Cassell in New England) and doesn't need talent, just some training. In addition, he evidently lied to Cutler which soured him on working for McDaniels.

Then, everything went downhill, including Cutler's attitude. Cutler had a lot on the ball, unfortunately, it's wasn't in his hands! While I can't blame him for not wanting to work for this bonehead when he can work most anywhere in the league, he was a little immature in his attitude. Now that he's been traded to Chicago, I can only wish him the best. As for the "Donkeys" and McDaniels, you've got a lot to prove to me now. What did Denver get from Chicago? Their quarterback, Kyle Orton and three draft picks including two number ones.

Politics as usual

Gov. Rod Blagojevich has not survived his federal indictment charges of scheming to auction off Barack Obama's Senate seat, pressuring a congressman for campaign money, and lying to FBI agents. This latest information in the saga of our political landscape reminded me of the words of Will Rogers. "The more you read and observe about this politics thing, you've got to admit that each party is worse than the other." But perhaps Truman had the best definition. "A statesman is a politician who's been dead for ten or fifteen years."

You see in Blagojevich's case, a bribe is a gift with which the giver says, "Thanks," and the receiver says, "Don't mention it."

God

The "Power" God of the Bible, created the earth, then flooded it but saved Noah and his family, parted the Red Sea, destroyed the Egyptians and the Philistines, gave little David power over Goliath, and much more. Dostoyevsky asked about Jesus' death; "Why did Providence hide it's face "at the most critical moment"... as though voluntarily submitting to the blind, dumb, pitiless laws of nature?" History was changed because God gave up his power for the sake of love and this all was done at the cross.

Power, no matter how well-intentioned, tends to cause suffering. Love, being vulnerable, absorbs it. In a point of convergence on a hill called Calvary, God renounced the one for the sake of the other.