Andy's Fragments

Ouzel Falls

2012-02-19T06:43:00.001-07:00

I hiked up to Ouzel Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park yesterday with our little hiking group. Due to the snow levels, we had to park a mile from this sign which is at the Ranger station. So the hike ended up about 3.7 miles one way. We gained about 1,000 ft. in elevation.

Many of us brought our snowshoes for the hike but quickly realized that the trail was pretty hard packed and we could just walk up it in our hiking boots, which is what we did. You didn't want to step off the side of the trail however, because you'd post hole up to your knees!

When we started the hike it was pretty windy and very cold, but as we got higher and into the timber, it warmed up, the sun came out, and I took off my hood and unbuttoned my coat. Nothing like a winter hike in the high Colorado Rockies!

Along the way we crossed a series of beautiful bridges. We stopped to eat at this one right below the falls. If you go a few miles farther along the trail, you'll come to Ouzel Lake. I think I'll come back here in the summer this year if time permits. It's a two hour drive from Denver but really nice.

Just a few hundred yards past the falls we decided to pose for a group photo. That's Longs Peak behind us.

New Toy

2012-02-18T08:02:00.002-07:00

I got a new toy. This is my new iPad 2 with iOS 5 and iCloud. And since I went to NAU and I'm officially a lumberjack, I chose a log as my background screen. Each day I'm adding a new app for this and a new app for that. It's amazing what's out there. It's actually like a politician and is perfect in every way. If it makes a mistake, it blames another computer! Anyway, I'm really glad I have this one. My other computer has been down so often it had canvas burns!

SK on Mohammedanism

2012-02-17T12:27:00.000-07:00

SK writes the following about Mohammedanism in his journals: "In the words, I am who I am, the personal eternal consciousness has already taken precedence and therefore does not develop a fatalism as does the cold "unity." Furthermore, these words, "I am who I am," are an excellent answer to out-of-place questions."

Creation

2012-02-16T07:10:00.001-07:00

"For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.

For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of god.

For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.

And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves,waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.

For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?

But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it."

Romans 8:19-25

The Southwest

2012-02-15T20:53:00.004-07:00

The Southwest is a wonderful place, filled with natural beauty and stunning vistas. Who is responsible? Who created it?

The heavens are telling of the glory of God;

And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.

Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed;

He will answer him from His holy heaven

With the saving strength of His right hand.

Some boast in chariots and some in horses,

But we will boast in the name of the Lord, our God.

Southwest art

2012-02-13T06:32:00.004-07:00

I took this from SK's Journals. He writes, "All art is essentially involved in a dialectical self-contradiction. The truly eternal cannot be painted or drawn or carved in stone, for it is spirit. But neither can the temporal essentially be painted or drawn or carved in stone, for when it is presented in these ways, it is presented eternally; every picture expresses a fixation of that particular moment. If I paint a man who is lifting a spoon to his mouth or blowing his nose, it is immediately eternalized - the man continues to blow his nose this one time as long as the painting endures."

These ancient artists carved in stone what was on their mind and in their hearts at that time.

Dialectical self-contradictions aside, the dancers shown below presented a drama from the old age. In their ancestor's past, dramas and dancing were presented only once per year such as at harvest or the sowing of seed, etc. Now of course you pay for a special performance which is repeated over and over, sometimes daily when there's enough tourists.

In our time the presentation of a dance or drama very frequently illustrates (in contrast to the old days) that basically interest has passed from the poetry to other objects of attention: the staging, the dancers, the haunting music, and finally to the scene painter, the scenery, the seamstress, and so on.

These Zuni girls were happy to have their photo taken after their wonderful performance. I have a much higher regard for artists who go forward by going backward. It's sort of a reproduced retreat and a look at historical themes, already given, so to speak.

Art on the rock

2012-02-12T09:19:00.004-07:00

I'm reminded of Bluff, UT these days since we're planning a return trip. These panels were about a 2 mile hike above the "booming metropolis" of Bluff. You can't see the art on the rock walls, but it's like wandering through an art gallery.

SK said, "The Christian must not lack the eye, in a human sense the illuminating light, which for me makes it easier to comprehend a painted landscape than nature; there and in history he meets God's eye."

Art in the forest

2012-02-11T06:13:00.001-07:00

Last spring Chris, Nancy, and the rest of us found ourselves in an awkward situation. Hey, I know mountain lions are big, but you've got to be kidding! Exploring Roxborough Park South of Denver brings plenty of surprises. On closer inspection, you see that they're made of wood. These carved cats left a frightful impression on us. What's amazing to me is that someone has the imagination, not to mention time, to do something like this. We left the forest with a greater sense of art.

More on rock art

2012-02-09T05:12:00.000-07:00

A good artist draws the line somewhere. I suppose 500 year old rock art done by native Americans had similar criticism as art does today. Everyone has their own idea of what's good and bad art. Today an artist can paint a canvas in a day and a half and thinks nothing of it. Nor does anyone else. A sculptor once explained his art form to me. "You take a block of marble, a hammer, and a chisel, then you knock off all the marble you don't want." Hmmm... I can do that.

Can anyone tell me what this is?

Rock art

2012-02-08T06:02:00.003-07:00

500 to 1,000 year old rock art done by native Americans is an interesting study. Much of it is linked to the Fremont and Anasazi Indians. Some of it is older still in the Colorado Plateau and goes back to the Archaic period. A petroglyph is an image which is cut or carved into the rock. Pictographs are painted on the rock using things like animal fat and plant oils. The petroglyph below is from a well known rock in Albuquerque.

Exploring the Southwest is at its best when you're hiking through the canyons and discovering ancient rock art and remnants of old ruins.

Great is Thy faithfulness

2012-02-07T05:23:00.002-07:00

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning, new mercies I see.

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided,

Great is Thy faithfulness Lord unto me!

Morning after, the storm

2012-02-06T07:19:00.001-07:00

Taken from my upstairs window, this photo of the neighborhood captures the beautiful blue sky after the weekend storm. The streets are beginning to clear and dry out and later this week it's supposed to be in the 40's! That will be nice, but where does all the water go? Nebraska, whoopee.

Shoeing on Green Mountain

2012-02-05T07:03:00.003-07:00

Yesterday, we went shoeing with our friends up Green Mountain. The big storm had pretty much ended and the conditions were perfect for this. We had originally planned a trip up to Ouzel Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park, but the roads were so bad we decided on this instead. We had a great morning and then we all went out to lunch afterward.

Snowstorm in Denver

2012-02-04T07:58:00.007-07:00

Some of you have been asking about the snowstorm we are having here in Denver. It's still coming down, but not nearly as hard. So, Nancy and I got up this morning after a cup of coffee and some cookies, and walked around the neighborhood. We took a few photos to show you. Below, the keep off the grass sign is no longer relevant, unless you have a "bad back" or some other nonsense.

Shoveling the snow was fun because you can pile it really high! It's a good thing I don't have to do it, the association will shovel it if there is more than 3 inches. They've shoveled it twice during this storm, once yesterday morning and again at 4:30a today. It's really nice to have this done unless they take a break in your drive; cookie wrappers and yellow snow is usually the result. No such problems today.

Looking down our slippery streets is really lovely. We ran into Lou on this street. He was walking his son's dog and so we stopped and talked a while deciding that this storm was not as big as the '03 storm. Now it's calm with tiny little flakes coming down, a beautiful day and another winter wonderland in Colorado.

Snow predicted

2012-02-02T07:27:00.004-07:00

This snow in front of my house is nearly melted now, after nearly 6 weeks. Now, we're facing a prediction of 12 to 24 new inches of snow later today and tomorrow! The big pile in front of the house was the result of an out of control snowplow. It turned to ice which I've been chipping away over the last week, because no one could park in front of the house. Then you come in the house and you have to take off your big boots, dry off, shake off, warm up, put your gloves away... Actually, I don't mind freezing sleet and snow, but I wish they'd come in the summer, when the weather is nice!

Lost Creek Wilderness

2012-02-01T12:29:00.003-07:00

Someone in our hiking group was asking me about Lost Park. I told her it was a beautiful spot, although a longer drive from Denver than most people want to make. It's worth every minute of hassle on the drive, even when you include the 20 miles on a gravel road.

Get ready for the Super Bowl

2012-01-31T07:34:00.004-07:00

How could we even think of enjoying the Super Bowl without eating. This year you'll need two glasses of water when you eat - one to drink, and one to cool down your knife and fork! I'm sure I'll hear the words, "stop gorging yourself," and then one head will nod in shame, and other will keep eating. I got this photo from Kathy Ramsland. Thanks Kathy! I thought it was impressive too.

DEE Turned 60!

2012-01-29T08:05:00.005-07:00

Yes, it's true! Nancy's sister Dee made it to 60 years. She said she went to the Doctor and asked him to see if he could tell her how old she was. After a quick examination, the doctor said, "According to the examination, I'm alone in the room!"

Nancy and her brother arranged for yard art to celebrate her graduation to the geriatric scene. She woke up this morning to this. Aging is a wonderful experience for Dee. What a thrill it is to learn that Polident isn't a beat up Parrot!

I assured Dee that aging isn't all that bad. Think of the trouble many of us would be in if wrinkles hurt. Anyway, she enjoyed the yard art and was on the phone with Nancy this morning by 6:30a wondering who was responsible for this!

Click here Dee for more help!

Dawson Butte Hike

2012-01-28T14:21:00.004-07:00

We went on a great little five mile hike last week on the Dawson Butte Trail, which is just about halfway between Denver and Colorado Springs. We enjoyed nice weather and some mixed sunshine. Not bad for a January day in Colorado! We all decided the trail was nice enough to return for a mountain bike ride. We'll see this one again in May or June! The area is also popular for Geocaching.

Flashback: Thanksgiving

2012-01-27T18:47:00.004-07:00

I don't get it. We have plenty of chairs in the house, so what's up with this? One thing's for sure, you would never see two guys stuck together in a chair like this, even if they are cousins. Thanksgiving brings out the fun in people. After dinner I suspect they were sitting alone wondering when they might see their feet next - after all that eating, I think. I was asleep.

The desert

2012-01-26T06:19:00.001-07:00

There is something special about the desert. It just screams fun, excitement, and westerns. Every kid wants to ride a horse and carry a six gun around his waste. Why do you think westerns were the most popular movie for so many years? All the boys loved westerns because the cowboys were brave, strong, and never kissed the schoolmarm. Plus they wore those cool hats. And the girls could never figure out why the boys liked their horses more.

Over the Christmas holidays we did a little horseback riding. Below is a photo of Seth riding into the desert. Hey Seth where's your hat?

Banjo in Italy

2012-01-25T06:05:00.002-07:00

I ran across this photo the other day and thought my last trip to Italy. Tyler and I were hiking in Cinque Terre along the coast, and we met this girl and her mother who were doing the same thing, just going in a different direction. She had this banjo (distinctively American) and seemed proud of it. I thought it was great. I told her about meeting a rock star once and asking him if he could read music. So she asked me, "well, could he read music?" I told her he said, "Yeah, but not enough to hurt my music." I could see her mom smiling in the background.

Rockies trade

2012-01-24T05:55:00.003-07:00

The Colorado Rockies traded Seth Smith to the the Oakland A's for a couple of pitchers, Josh Ottman, a right hander and Guillermo Moscoso, a lefty. Smith was a decent hitter for the Rockies with a .284 batting average with 15 home runs, 32 doubles, nine triples, and 59 RBI's. He also had a very good throwing arm, but with the addition of Michael Cuddyer who plays right field, there was no place for Smith to go. Let's hope it helps. The Rocks are now stockpiling pitchers.

Contrail in the morning

2012-01-23T05:49:00.001-07:00

I got up this morning, looked out the window and there it was! American Flight 2339! Hey! Is that my flight? I sure hope not, but it is a beautiful sight. We have some wonderful sunrises here in Colorado but most of them are natural and the result of light hitting either the clouds or the smog. Hmmm... is that natural?

Tyler

2012-01-22T06:04:00.002-07:00

Tyler didn't make it home this year from Korea due a trip he planned to Bali. So, we are really missing him now. He just had a birthday a couple of weeks ago, and of course we do Skype with him fairly often but it isn't really enough. Sometimes you just want a hug and a long talk on the couch. Anyway, I always liked this photo of him and thought I'd post it for family and his friends who follow my blog.

We did get an email from him that he was hung up in Singapore for four days with some kind of passport issue. He said he was now on his way to Bali for a dive there.

Yosemite

2012-01-21T06:57:00.001-07:00

If you haven't been to Yosemite yet, you should consider it. This is a beautiful photo of Tenaya Lake. Most of the photos you see are of Yosemite Valley with the big, giant granite walls. This is really more typical of the park. It is truly sublime. I got this photo somewhere off the Internet and recognized it immediately. Wish I could remember who took it or where I got it. Anyway, enjoy it.

Eye Tattoos

2012-01-20T06:41:00.003-07:00

After seeing an eye tattoo I realized a truth: if at first you don't succeed, I suggest you don't play Russian roulette! In addition, there's a good reason he has a stupid look on his face - he's stupid!

Just another hike?

2012-01-19T06:51:00.000-07:00

My planned destination for this spring is Machu Picchu in Peru. We'll be hiking roughly forty miles over a period of four days on the Inca Trail to this spectacular spot. It's almost an "other worldly" place. In college my friend Craig and I agreed to meet here. We said, "Meet you in Picchu!" Now it's time to go before our knees give out.

Deer

2012-01-18T06:13:00.001-07:00

No, I'm not going to shoot you! It's not hunting season yet. Right near my house is a canyon called Deer Creek canyon. I ride my bike up there once in a while. The canyon gets its name honestly, it's full of deer.

Happiness

2012-01-17T06:06:00.000-07:00

John Barrymore said, "happiness always sneaks in through a door you didn't know was open!" That's good enough for me. I can tell you that money sure doesn't make you happy. Is a man with eight million dollars happier than a man with seven? I don't think so. So, when happiness shows up, give it a comfortable seat but try not to send little faces to me thinking it's contagious. Oh, they are cute aren't they!

Pagosa Springs

2012-01-16T09:55:00.004-07:00

Our trip to Pagosa Springs was cut short this weekend due to an immanent storm, which never really materialized. It's hitting the mountains and high passes but not much else. Anyway, we had a nice time. Gary and Laura came over and we watched the Broncos finish their season in New England. I think most Coloradoans are ecstatic we got as far as we did. Two and a half months ago, we were in the Andrew Luck lottery at 1-4.

We did get up Sunday morning and go to the hot springs at 8:00a or so. There are about 35 hot tubs at this place and when we arrived, only one other couple was there with two small children. We picked a tub on the far side of the them near the river which had just the right temperature for us, 106. We weren't in that tub for more than 30 seconds and those two little kids ran over and got in our tub to splash around! Hey! I'm not your babysitter! These kids were planning on becoming astronauts. They rocketed around in our tub taking up space. But soon they left and we had it to ourselves again. You know kids, they can't sit still.

Ice scrapers and work

2012-01-14T07:32:00.003-07:00

My neighbors car is pictured below after the last snowstorm. I know he had to get to work, but he just left it there... for days. Hey, my sentiments exactly! It takes more than an ice scraper to deal with this! Later he told me 'work is the most unpopular way of making money!' I told him not to worry, the little bit of work he does, won't be noticed!

Tattoos

2012-01-13T05:25:00.000-07:00

People are getting tattoos everywhere these days. There is just no end to what you'll see and where you'll see it. It made me think how fantastic nature really is. A billion years ago she had no idea that we'd wear glasses, yet look where she put our ears! People don't know if this guy has had a facelift or not. I think he just wears support sideburns!

Gimme sunshine

2012-01-12T05:33:00.001-07:00

Just two minutes after I shoveled the drive this afternoon it was covered again. Half an hour later there were two more inches! Nancy told me it took her three hours to get to work in the snarled traffic! But isn't it pretty? Nah! But we need the moisture! Nah, we've got plenty now. Gimme sunshine.

Highlights of 2011

2012-01-11T06:41:00.000-07:00

Click this link for our 2011 highlights.

Click the link above for the highlights of our year. It's a short 8 minute video. Most of our friends and followers are in it. I trust your year is off to a great start!

Many Blessings to you all.

Andy

Broncos Win Big!!

2012-01-10T06:44:00.005-07:00

I thought you might find this article about Tim Tebow interesting. You know Tebow commonly puts the Bible verse 3:16 on his face. How about this? Tebow had 316 yards passing the ball for an average of 31.6 yards. There were about 45 million viewers of the game, rendering a 31.6 television rating. Really?? Yes, that's right! Here in Denver there is some degree of excitement. Okay, there is a lot of excitement!

Eating your house

2012-01-09T06:28:00.001-07:00

The grandkids really enjoyed the holidays. Lots of food, fun, family (all playing with you), and presents. What more could you ask? Well, maybe one more thing. I'd like to eat my house! Wait! you can't eat it yet, it's still under construction. That's building material, not candy!

Hold on a minute, it even lights up! Can I eat that too? The kids have found a way to help mom cut down on food expenses too. She fills a basket at the grocery store, gets in the express checkout, and the kids keep eating until she's down to eight items!

Pancakes

2012-01-08T07:42:00.003-07:00

After eating this blueberry pancake I realized what my favorite food is... thirds! If I keep eating like this my rowing machine will sink! But you've got to love it. This pancake was like an NBA player, it flopped over the side... of my plate. Anyway, with lots of butter and really good syrup you can forget about a diet anytime, which is exactly what I did over the holidays.

Now that I'm home and back from vacation, I've been going to the Y to workout. There are all these people attending my exercise classes I don't know. In fact, I've never seen them before. I suppose it's okay, they'll all be gone by February!

Breakfast in the mountains

2012-01-07T06:06:00.002-07:00

Seth and I rode up the Santa Catalina Mountains for breakfast with Dad and Evorine. We rode on horses and they rode in a van. We enjoyed blueberry pancakes, eggs, bacon, and fresh coffee together with the rest of the family. Dad told us about his trips to the mountains as a young man growing up in Tucson and what it was like being in the last 'mounted' cavalry unit. We had a wonderful ride up and and time with family. You'll have to forgive my father for putting on the wrong hat. Having been born in Colorado you'd think he knows better.

Evorine has recovered from a serious illness and is much better now. She was able to join us and make the trip up to the mountains for breakfast. It was a beautiful morning with beautiful views of the desert.

Family reunion

2012-01-06T06:34:00.003-07:00

We had a family reunion during the Christmas holiday at Tanque Verde Ranch. You see, a family is a unit assembled to spend money the head of the family hasn't earned yet. Nevertheless, when all is gone and everybody else has abandoned you, your family is still there. I like this part of the family because they're fun and they make me laugh. Tess is in College now at UCLA. When she writes home it goes something like this; "Dear Mom, Please write to me more often - even if it's only ten or twenty."

I did learn a good trick from my other side of the family, which solves the problem of visiting relatives. I borrow money from the rich ones, I give it to the poor ones, and none of them ever come back!

Rescue attempt

2012-01-04T06:50:00.002-07:00

Watching my grandson rescue Barbie from the tree was interesting. "She just climbed up too high, I'll get her." We had a great Christmas because I no longer am as interested in my own presents as I am in watching the children discover theirs. You talk about excitement, this was it. They say it's better to give than to receive. I say it depends on the gift! I did get an Evelyn Waugh book from my son-in-law. Now that was good!

Then there was the underwear and pajamas we gave the kids. Those are the kind of gifts you take out of the box while you're looking for the present!

Swimming in December

2012-01-03T06:21:00.001-07:00

You don't see this too often in late December. The weather was nice enough to enjoy the pool during our stay in Tucson. My son-in-law Seth (a really, really good father) was seen for hours playing with the kids in the water, so I took this photo of he and Daisy. As you can see, they were in the water with a lot of people. It's a good thing they were in early while the water was still blue!

Betting on horses

2012-01-02T07:10:00.001-07:00

I wanted to introduce you to my horse. Here's a good tip for you betting people. I learned this while riding last week. Bet on jockeys with bad breath. The horses win just trying to get away from them! Look at his ears!

My accountant doesn't understand that I love horses, so I give all my money to the improvement of the breed. I've also managed to make my betting deductible. I have a bookie who changed his name to Red Cross!

Horses

2012-01-01T20:51:00.007-07:00

I used to have a riding academy but business kept falling off. Okay, not really. That's my daughter Noelle riding behind me up Tanque Verde Creek. It's amazing that I stayed on my horse! Look at her, and all that cactus behind her!

We had a great ride that morning and then met with our family for breakfast up in the Santa Catalina mountains. We had blueberry pancakes, and bacon and eggs. Unfortunately, my horse was so slow they made him the mascot for the post office! Then, when we got back to the stable my horse tiptoed so he wouldn't wake the other horses!

When we were done with breakfast it was like walking into a Wallmart store parking lot. Where is my car? Which one is mine? At the end of the morning I realized one important fact about horses. A horse is an animal that can take thousand so of people for a ride.

Tanque Verde Ranch

2011-12-29T15:00:00.005-07:00

We've been in Tucson the last week at Tanque Verde Ranch. Our daughter and son-in-law and their kids joined the rest of the family on a little adventure in the warm Southwest mountains in Arizona, 28 of us in all. Most of us went horseback riding everyday, mixed in with mountain biking, and lounging around the pool and hot tub. The pool was about 84 and the hot tub maybe 100 degrees. Last night we all enjoyed a big bonfire and a full plate of ribs, beans, and corn bread. Ole Pete sang Western songs till everyone left. This morning, Seth and I got up early, and rode up the mountain with a small group (saw a few deer on the way) and we all enjoyed a big breakfast of blueberry pancakes, bacon, and eggs! Mmm!

A white Christmas

2011-12-27T12:55:00.003-07:00

A white Christmas is a special time. The sun is shining, there's a chill in the air, and the hot chocolate is especially good. What's even more special is reclining on the couch writing this while sitting next to my grand daughter Daisy! Gotta love it.

I take it back

2011-12-26T07:00:00.001-07:00

Well I finally figured out my computer problems causing my blogging issue. I take back everything I said about Google, my Blogger account, and all their affiliates. I gazed into the mirror and with the help of my son-in-law Seth realized the error of my ways in roughly 10 seconds flat! Have a happy new year! I know I will...

I believe it

2011-12-24T16:47:00.002-07:00

Merry Christmas! I believe in it. I believe that God alone brings ultimate satisfaction. It comes from nowhere else. In my thinking, we either live under pressure to grow to be something more to be authenticated and loved by others, or we celebrate His beautiful and breathtaking grace.

Too many people are set in their ways and convinced. They clench their fists and wave at God declaring the same as poet William Ernest Henley, "I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul." And so they move into life determined to survive and do it on their own.

You can see this sentiment exhibited in the lives of wealthy people and even successful actors, actresses, and athletes. There is a familiar sound of arrogance in their attitude, then when difficulty hits, there is a scrambling for a solution and some plan of action. They want something bad to turn into something good. This attitude permeates American culture. We think we have the wherewithal to take care of ourselves. But money won't always cure your cancer or bring your spouse back. God isn't necessarily going to give you a good night's sleep or less anxiety.

People don't want to know God, and when they do, they pursue the satisfaction God provides more than they pursue God. Neither is obtained as a result. We don't want to know God better and knowing him isn't really going to satisfy the need. Rather, we want to use God to get what we want. Fixed ideas like this are like a cramp, in the foot for example. And the best remedy is to step on them.

Knowing God does bring about many blessings and for me he has brought unpredictable times of peace and joy. And one day I know I'll live in an unimaginably wonderful place with unspeakable joy and happiness. So, we should enjoy the blessings when they come and persevere when they're absent and even when all good feelings are gone.

I know that today's advice to follow God is probably weak, but the rich fullness and nourishment of life is only available from God and through trusting him. He gave up all the riches of heaven and in humility came to earth as a child. Then he suffered as the poorest peasant, serving others, healing them, and teaching them about God. Then he was crucified for you and for me. That is the greatest present of all. Merry Christmas my friends!

Computer

2011-12-21T10:43:00.003-07:00

Merry Christmas to everyone! I've been having trouble with my blogger account (computer) and it just doesn't seem to like me very much. In fact, it's been down so often it has canvas burns. As of today I am unable to post any photos, but at least I can print this. And I'm calm about it. At work things are so stressful our computer has an ulcer!

This post slipped through before the machine knew what was happening!

My day off

2011-12-16T15:13:00.001-07:00

I took the day off yesterday and got a few things done. Here was my list:

1. Fix bed frame in the guest bedroom (how a bed frame breaks, I have no clue)... done

2. Throw out the pumpkin (I thought the neighbor kids would do that six weeks ago!)... done

3. Put ice in the freezer (the ice maker is broken upstairs, so I have to bring ice upstairs now)... done

4. Clean up, lube, and tune the mountain bikes for Arizona trip... done

5. Sweep out the garage... well maybe tomorrow

6. Fix the car door... okay maybe I just need to find someone to fix it

7. Get a string of faulty Christmas lights going or replaced... hmmm... awfully close to Christmas

Maybe tomorrow...

Lorrie Line

2011-12-15T16:00:00.004-07:00

Tuesday night we went to a Lorrie Line concert at the Newman center with Mark and Teena. It was really very good and lots of fun. She brought all the kids in the audience up during the concert, dressed them in costumes and played, On the Third Day of Christmas. See photo below. During the intermission her husband came into the audience and interviewed a couple people with the microphone. Of course I was selected. How does this happen? Do I have stupid written on my forehead?

Pronghorn Antelope

2011-12-14T16:38:00.003-07:00

Trips to Tucson are always special. I can count the antelope on the way, and there are usually hundreds to see. Several times I've stopped the car, got out, and taken photographs like this one. It's a good thing I'm married to Nancy! I'm not sure anyone else would find it as amusing. The best place to see them on I-25 is between Raton and Las Vegas, NM. Did you know that pronghorn antelope are the world's second fastest land animal?

Today

2011-12-13T07:13:00.003-07:00

Today a savior is born to you - and yet it was night when he was born. It's a metaphor, an eternal one. The word "Today" is a declaration of eternal time. God says Today, and its repeated from generation to generation, because every individual among those millions who become a Christian it says: Today a Savior is born to you.

Learning comes from a quest for truth

2011-12-10T06:24:00.002-07:00

Allan Bloom in his book The Closing of the American Mind, concludes that the average student attending college or university today has determined that everything is relative and there is no truth. In such an environment, there is no longer a search for truth. In the absence of searching, there can be no real learning, and therefore we are witnessing the gradual closing of the American Mind. The acceptance that there can be no truth and the continued process of searching for how truth can be understood and applied is at the heart of the company where I work.

There is a principle which allows us to confront life and it's problems and challenges and even our failures with the reassurance that our starting point never changes and provides a reason and a hope for today and the future. It provides a standard of integrity as we teach and learn with the potential to improve. We can enhance who we are becoming.

Our company first objective is to Honor God in in all we do. But Andy you say, "in a diverse pluralistic world with people holding different views and beliefs this objective must surely offend some people."

The issue of whether there is a God is not something that we need to avoid for shy away from. People have a choice as to whether they will respond to God, ignore him, or reject his existence. But no one should seek to hide the possibility of God or fail to examine the result when one begins with God in the learning process. In a pluralistic society, there is room for God and for people who put the value of others ahead of their own self-interests or gratification. God is in the workplace, the Church, the football field with Tim Tebow, and everywhere else.

Dolores River

2011-12-09T06:49:00.001-07:00

I spent 20 minutes shoveling snow off the driveway. Now that winter has set in, my mind is wandering back a couple of summers to this little cabin where we stayed a couple of days. It was right on the Dolores River in SW Colorado. It was a beautiful spot in the mountains. I think we should go back there again.

Sunrise and teenagers

2011-12-08T06:40:00.001-07:00

The other day on my morning walk I enjoyed this sunrise. I recently met a teenager who told me that he'd never seen one, a sunrise! I assume that's because he can't get up in the morning. Male teenagers have real problems. They're too old to say anything cute, and not old enough to say anything intelligent. They now have a teenage doll you know. You wind it up and it resents you for it.

Lisa

2011-12-07T06:58:00.001-07:00

My computer can specialize in altering anything on almost every aspect of the face -wrinkles, warts, beauty marks, noses big and small, straight and crooked, thick or pointed, earlobes, punctured or otherwise, and any facial feature that can be targeted. In this case, I tried but the computer said, "Nope, such specialization wouldn't be fair to the rest of us." Thanks Lisa! You always keep us entertained.

Thanksgiving photo expert, not

2011-12-06T06:42:00.002-07:00

On Thanksgiving we all went to the lake near my house for a family photo session. The photos came out reasonably well, considering I was the photographer. I try to never say I'm an expert at anything. If you want to find some experts, start to do something. In ten minutes, people will come from all around the world to tell you how you're doing it wrong.

The weather was nice but that's where it ended. Getting everyone to smile at the same time, open their eyes while looking into the sun, the kids to stand still, keep people off of the goose poop, the sticks out of the baby's mouth, and decide what combination of people will be photographed... whew! Forget about photography, I'd like to see an expert do all that!

Break a leg

2011-12-05T06:21:00.001-07:00

Skiing is really fun. You drive up to the mountains for an hour (and don't forget the 2 hour drive back), you brave the cold, try to get your cross country skis on while you're wearing gloves, you start down the trail, pick up speed, maybe a little too much speed and then bam! So why do it? Hey buddy! Get that ticket out of your mouth! And where did you get those cute white boots? You bought those?

Broncos win again!

2011-12-04T17:01:00.005-07:00

Tebow was 10/15 for 202 yards and 2 TD's. McGahee rushed for 111 yards and Thomas had 4 receptions for 142 yards and 2 TD's. While it was another ugly game, we won another and now tie the AFC West for the number 1 spot. Denver is rocking now!

Marijuana shops

2011-12-03T13:57:00.006-07:00

The other day I went out to lunch with my friend Leon. We were driving North on S. Broadway here in Denver and saw one marijuana shop after another. In one place there were two right next to each other! What did all those people with back pain do for all these years?

They don't even look like medical shops, they look like head shops. It is such a joke. I understand you can even get marijuana flavored toothpaste. You still get cavities, but you don't care. Some of these people smoke so much grass - once a month they have to mow their stomachs!

Thoughts on Thanksgiving

2011-12-02T13:50:00.001-07:00

We had a wonderful thanksgiving time together with the family. Last year we had dinner at a roadside diner. I had to say grace over grease! Of course 200 years ago the pilgrims ate venison, shell fish and swan. In 2011 we put the turkey in a microwave oven and then ate it at seven-thirty in the morning! So, we had the same thing this year as last year... relatives! Now I have a cold! Thank God for daughters!

Weather

2011-12-01T07:51:00.005-07:00

I got up this morning to this... a blizzard in progress. You know it's winter when you see a dalmatian with thermal spots. It's also pretty cold. In fact, today my overcoat will be wearing a sweater.

The good news is, it's only supposed to snow today. It will clear up tomorrow, at least that's the prediction and you know how reliable a prediction is.

Hank Foiles catchers mit

2011-11-29T18:12:00.002-07:00

Not sure what to do with my 50 year old Hank Foiles catchers mit. I used it in Little League in Scottsdale, AZ back in the early '60's. If any of you have some good ideas, I'm happy to listen.

Broncos and Tim Tebow

2011-11-28T06:33:00.001-07:00

Tim Tebow and the Broncos did it again! We beat the Chargers in San Diego. During the game he was being chased by a defensive tackle after running for a first down and Tebow stiff armed the guy instead of sliding in. He gained another five yards. Look at those guns! It's no wonder the Denver fans woke up. Chicago, you can have Orton back.

Roxborough State Park hike

2011-11-27T09:13:00.005-07:00

I went for a hike yesterday with my brother-in-law David, who is from Phoenix. We drove down to Roxborough State Park and hiked the North trail. He enjoyed the hike since he works with the boy scouts and likes getting outdoors. We packed a lunch and had a enjoyable hike.

Near the trail head we saw a number of deer right by the trail. I heard another hiker say that he'd seen a bobcat about an hour earlier. Last spring I saw a mountain lion track one of the trails, and last year I saw two black bears.

Thanksgiving picture

2011-11-25T07:40:00.003-07:00

The weather was nice enough for a family photo outside near the lake, so I brought my camera and tripod to take the pictures. It took an hour to figure out and photograph all the different combinations of people from all the required angles. You get this one. Daisy got the best and only seat which she really liked, a rock.

A walk to the pond

2011-11-24T06:56:00.003-07:00

I took the kids for a morning walk yesterday and we ended up at the neighborhood beaver pond. It was full of ducks and so the kids just wanted to watch them fish and sit by the lake for a while.

"Look they're going upside down grand dad!!" "Yes, that's how they find fish," I said. "Why do they want fish?" asked Andy. I explained to them, "It's for Thanksgiving. They eat fish because turkey's are their cousins. They don't want to eat their cousins you know." "Oh yes."

While we watched the ducks eat, red winged blackbirds flocked to the cottonwood trees around us. I got this nice photo of one near us. It was a short nature lesson today.

Thankfulness

2011-11-23T07:53:00.006-07:00

We have so much to be Thankful for, especially when the grand kids are here. Now we're looking forward to eating turkey for Thanksgiving. Last year the turkey was pretty tough, and when we closed the oven door, it blew out the pilot light! The first turkeys weren't wild you know. They just went crazy when they found out what we planned to do with them.

Last year, aunt Dee said to little Andy, "Would you like some more stuffing?" Little Andy said, "Nope. And I don't know why the turkey eats it either!"

We've been enjoying walks near the open space, watching the prairie dogs run around and chirp. They're lucky we don't eat them anymore! Guess I should have worn a hat. Aren't my grand kids terrific!

Football in Denver

2011-11-22T06:50:00.001-07:00

Andy can now do the touchdown sign, the holding signal, interference and off sides. Daisy is good at standing in front of him and getting in his way. it's good for them to get involved in football. Football builds strong bodies. Do you believe that? I think it's baloney! I watched four games this weekend, and look at my flab!

Actually, I don't know who had more fun with all this, mom, me, or the kids. Everyone in Florida was really proud of Tim Tebow. Now that he's in Denver and the Broncos are starting to win, we have something to crow about. But he can't do it all alone. It's a good thing his linemen are so big - it only takes three of them to make a dozen!

At dinner I enjoyed watching Daisy eat her quesadilla. She prayed before dinner and I'm telling you it was over two minutes long! She had a lot to ask for!

Grand kids and prairie dogs

2011-11-21T06:23:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I took the grand kids for a walk in the neighborhood to see the prairie dogs. It was a little cold but we bundled up and enjoyed our walk through the open space.

The prairie dogs were chirping and carrying on and providing us with great entertainment. Why do those dogs have such short legs? Why are they so small? Why don't they bark? Because they are really just overgrown rats.

On the way back to the house we saw a coyote. He took one look at us, and took off running the other direction. It was a great walk yesterday with two of my grandchildren.

Thanksgiving begins early

2011-11-20T06:35:00.001-07:00

The kids arrived for Thanksgiving. Hooray! After a a 15 hour drive they arrived in Littleton all happy and excited. We're looking forward to a great time together.

A highlight of 2012

2011-11-19T06:24:00.001-07:00

Here's a highlight of the year. Rafting with my friends, hiking up the cliffs to view the river, and watching the world go by. How good can it get?

Okay maybe it gets a little better at breakfast! Yes, on rafting trips we eat like kings. And then we eat some more and enjoy the river and wide open spaces.

Broncos beat Jets

2011-11-18T07:22:00.004-07:00

Football is a game in which eleven men spend hours trying to move a small object a hundred yards. It's the same as the post office! Our team confuses me. We have 8 third down opportunities and only convert three of them. The Broncos certainly have a lot on the ball, unfortunately, it's rarely in their hands. So, we play awful until the last five minutes of the game and then crush the opponent.

What I really liked was what happened after the game. About eight or nine Broncos including Tim Tebow, and three or four of the Jets players circled in the middle of the field, got on their knees and prayed. Now if that isn't teamwork, I don't know what is.

Occupy

2011-11-17T16:50:00.003-07:00

Without a doubt, business is dependent upon society and is a part of society. First year business students learn that the purpose of business is to create value. Business creates goods and services which enrich customers who can't or are unable to create it themselves. They pay for it, and value is created both ways. It's the American way.

Business is conducted in a social context and it's determined by community, church, state, and nation, as well as by business itself. Business and society are not discrete, separate entities in a community, they ARE the community. Occupy Wall Street cannot just clip it out. Business represents our values, our philosophies, our way of life. They produce both social climate and business enterprise.

Is government going to control our social life? How will it support free enterprise if this happens? And you can ask the reverse questions too. Is government going to control free enterprise and if so how will it support freedom? They forget that free enterprise is dependent on free men and women, and that restricted mobility, controlled thinking, and managed social orders are the paths to conformity, lassitude, and sterility.

NBA Replacement

2011-11-15T06:33:00.001-07:00

I'm patient. I'll just wait for baseball. Everyone is greedy, and they're greedy at the fans expense. The more money the owners pay the players, the more money the fans will have to pay when all is said and done. When you add inflation to the mix, there's just no money in money. A poor fan couldn't save for a rainy day. One good drizzle would wipe him out! Let me tell you, the NBA just isn't that good.

My Uncle used to say, "If you want to make a living, you have to work for it. If you want to become rich, you just have to bargain for it with your union." The NBA players know there are more important things in life than a little money - a lot of money! See you in April, Rockies!

SK on sin

2011-11-15T06:32:00.000-07:00

SK writes; "The sinner, who after all was a woman and a sinner, dared go to see Christ at the Pharisee's house, where the Pharisees were all together at a feast - Nicodemus, who regarded himself as a righteous man, dared go to Him only at night.

Here also is the atonement. A man doubts that the sin he committed out of weakness can be forgiven. All is lost he thinks, and so he sins more. It takes the atonement to bring him to a halt."

Crime and punishment

2011-11-14T06:18:00.001-07:00

My crimes were not as scurrilous as Ed's, since they permitted me wear my sunglasses. In proportion as the crime is more enormous, it ought to result in more violence against the man to whom it is imputed. Then I thought, maybe people are just confused, since we have ten million laws to enforce the ten commandments! Nah. I did like the sign I saw in the gas station the other day. It said, "If you're interested in finding out if there's life after death, try robbing this store."

Sam Johnson

2011-11-13T08:12:00.002-07:00

I like what Samuel Johnson said in the Rambler 31; "As all error is meanness, it is incumbent on every man who consults his own dignity, to retract it as soon as he discovers it, without fearing any censure so much as that of his own mind."

He also said about history; "Those who have no power to judge of past times, but their own, should always doubt their conclusions."

Respect and Jerome

2011-11-12T07:49:00.005-07:00

When I was young, there was no respect for youth. Now there's no respect for the old. I missed it both times! Years ago no one respected Jerome, AZ because it was old and no longer needed. Now it's been revitalized and looks young again. Once again, it's respected. There used to be a brothel in Jerome. The worker's children were called "Brothel sprouts." It got no respect. They turned it into a new restaurant and now it's respected!

Home today

2011-11-10T07:35:00.002-07:00

I'm going home today after 4 days of meetings in Portland. It's a good thing I had plenty of light for these meetings! I took this photo of Mt. Hood from inside the building. Looking at that mountain just makes me want to climb it. It is compelling.

What to do in the winter

2011-11-09T07:17:00.001-07:00

We may not have this much snow yet, but it keeps piling up. More of it arrived in the mountains yesterday. Doesn't this just make you want t0 put some wood on the fire, have a cup of hot chocolate, and curl up for a good read, maybe take a nap?

Farragut State Park

2011-11-08T07:10:00.001-07:00

Here is a nice photo of the forest at Farragut State Park in Idaho. The Northern half of Idaho is especially beautiful. I can image how Lewis and Clark would have been enthralled with the views and scenery there, if they hadn't been caught in a storm, out of food, and near death. A great read on their adventure was written by Phillip Ambrose, Undaunted Courage. I highly recommend it.

Double rainbow

2011-11-07T07:06:00.000-07:00

I thought you might enjoy this photo taken in Alaska of a double rainbow. My next trip will be in February sometime so I probably won't see anything like this. I am hoping to see an Aurora Borealis. Not only does it have to be clear to see one, but there needs to be activity on the sun.

Snout beetle

2011-11-06T12:43:00.003-07:00

Being the son of an entomologist means that once in a while I'll share an interesting experience or photo with you now and then. I wish I could say I took this photo, but I did think you'd enjoy it.

Snow and more snow...

2011-11-05T09:08:00.004-06:00

We're getting lots of snow in Colorado this fall. It's time to get out and enjoy some back country skiing, hot chocolate, and quiet forests. The downside is that it's cold! In fact, it's so cold the hens are laying eggs from a standing position! But after skiing in the mountains I get sweaty and hot and take off my cap. Then I realize how cold it is, I have to part my hair with an ax. I can't wait to get out.

Barry McGuire

2011-11-04T16:43:00.004-06:00

I invited Barry McGuire to sing and talk at our prayer breakfast in Anaheim next summer and he quickly accepted. We talked about Jerry and Joanie and the fond memories he has of them. He said "Jerry certainly left a big hole." Barry's commitment to his work and ministry continues as he tours with John York who played for the Byrds.

Wahpeton and a whale of a good meal

2011-11-03T11:44:00.006-06:00

My work took me to Wahpeton, ND this week. I have been working with one of our larger franchise owners in the area. A month ago I didn't even know there was a place named Wahpeton. With a population of about 10,000 it deserves some special attention. In fact, the Ramada Inn there sleeps four!

The company office was on a small side street. In fact, the street was so small that when they wanted to paint a white line down the middle, they had to widen the street. I hope to go back here soon. It's a great place!

During my time in Wahpeton, they held an employee recognition luncheon for the employees and I was invited. We had a wonderful meal provided by the culinary students at Wahpeton College. If one of these guys gets hired at a restaurant, I want to know where it's located. I'll be eating there!

Unemployment

2011-11-02T14:24:00.001-06:00

Unemployment is still near the double digit mark. Many say that unemployment is due to a shortage of money to pay people who work because people have no money to buy things that could be made if they got paid to make things. Actually, no one wants to make things in the U.S. because there's no money in it, so they make things somewhere else.

The government keeps saying that there are openings in every field. That's not exactly true. My neighbor can't get placed. He's a buffalo hunter. He said, "unemployment isn't all that bad. When you get up in the morning, you're already off!"

Coffee

2011-11-01T06:13:00.000-06:00

There is nothing like a cup of coffee. Then I taste the stuff at the office (I rarely go there), and think, "someday I hope to have one." I was out with friends for breakfast on the weekend and had some coffee with Chicory in it. Mmmm. Good. It's made from the root of a perennial plant with blue flowers.

Anyway, I was at the office last summer and realized my friend there has a problem. Coffee is a pretty powerful stimulant. He would drink twenty cups a day at work! He died last month, but a week later he was still mingling in the company lounge! I drink decaf now.

Toy story

2011-10-31T07:24:00.002-06:00

My grand kids (okay it was their mom) decided to do Toy Story for Halloween. Daisy, Eli, and Andy promise to collect more candy than any other child in the neighborhood. And, we all know the outcome of too much candy! I'm not prone to use the word "cute" very often, if at all, but in this case it may apply.

Hiking and reading

2011-10-31T05:59:00.000-06:00

On our hike the other day, we walked out on this high ridge about a hundred feet or so from the trail to enjoy the view of Denver. It was a clear day and we could see downtown and the entire city.

On the shelves of my den I have the complete works of Dickens, Victor Hugo, Herman Melville, Balzac, and almost all the other great writers. You would think... When we got back to the trail we realized that all of us flunked reading in school.

Hiking and deer

2011-10-30T06:40:00.000-06:00

We went hiking yesterday in Roxborough Park near our house. The weather turned nice and the snow started to melt. We hiked the South Trail and saw probably 20+ deer or more along the trail and the road driving up to the park. I suppose if you're a deer, this is the place to be during hunting season! We liked it too.

The rocks in the park were still outlined with a layer of snow and ice from Wednesday's snow. It made for some special scenery.

I saw this fine looking, big buck on the hike. Personally, I could never shoot Bambi's mommy. But her dad, well maybe so. Lucky for this buck to be in the State Park during hunting season. I used to wonder why people go hunting. Then I remembered my last trip. I went hunting with my friend Drew who came fully equipped and brought a half-dozen bottles of bourbon for snakebite. He also took two snakes.

Pujols Tebowing

2011-10-29T05:40:00.001-06:00

What a great World Series. But it's a hard sport. The losing team will look at each player and decide who to keep and who to cut. A man knows when he's cut from the team if he comes to the clubhouse and they tell him visitors can't come in! I did enjoy seeing Albert Pujols Tebowing at the end of the game. He's giving credit where it's due.

Self-doubling

2011-10-28T05:20:00.001-06:00

Just to clarify something about ethics I thought I would say something about Kant. He was of the opinion that man is his own law (autonomy), that is, he binds himself under the law which he himself gives himself.

Perhaps this reflects much of what society today believes. However, in a more profound sense, this is how lawlessness and experimentation are established. This thinking is not being really rigorous in any more sense than Don Quixote's self-administered blows to his bottom were vigorous. It is impossible for me to be really any more rigorous in A than I am or wish to be in B. There has to be some constraint if it's really going to be earnest. If I am bound by nothing higher than myself and I am to find myself, where would I get the rigorousness as A, the binder, which I do not have as B, who is supposed to be bound, when A and B are the same self?

The maxim which I give myself is not only not a law, but there is a law which is given me by one higher than myself, and not only that, but this lawgiver takes the liberty of taking a hand in the capacity of tutor and bringing pressure to bear.

Now if a man is never even once willing in his lifetime to act so decisively that this tutor can get hold of him, well, then it happens, then the man is allowed to live on in self-complacent illusion and make-believe and experimentation, but this also means: utterly without grace.

SK said, "Christ preached with authority - this "the clergyman" now also does, for in reserve he has the police and the house of correction."

More on dogs

2011-10-27T06:08:00.001-06:00

Another hike, another dog. Hiking with them is sometimes difficult. You step on them, trip over them, watch them eat your ham sandwich, and usually find the owner amusing. Jim and Chris have terrific dogs - their well behaved. This guy's dog was challenging. After a few hours, he looked at me and said, "My dog must have been bred by a waiter. He never comes when I call him." I replied, "A few fleas won't bother him either. Besides, they'll give him something to do so he won't keep thinking about being a dog."

Fame

2011-10-25T06:58:00.001-06:00

Fame is the feeling that you're on the mind of everybody who is thinking of everything else. Famous people all come from crowded neighborhoods. Show me somebody famous, and I'll show you ten thousand people who lived on the same block and went to the same school!

A few people wake up and find themselves famous. Most of us wake up and find we're a half hour late.

Baseball and the World Series

2011-10-24T07:47:00.004-06:00

I watched the World Series Saturday night. I think the Cardinals won that game 16 to 8 or something. I was feeling pretty bad for the Rangers third baseman. With a third baseman like that, the routine ground ball has become obsolete! Maybe they should do what the Houston Astro's did. The team looked awfully good on paper, so they took out the grass and put in Astro-paper!

Life isn't fair you know. When I tried out for baseball, I couldn't hit curve. Now I play golf and I can't stop hitting them! I'm waiting for next year now, when and my Colorado Rockies make their comeback!

Dogs

2011-10-23T07:12:00.005-06:00

On our last hike Chris and Jim brought their dogs. They're cow dogs, really well behaved and fun to have along. Even when we stopped to have lunch the dogs were obedient and didn't try to eat my ham sandwich. It reminded me of a couple of old rhymes. There was a dog named Lassie who went to Denmark and came back a cat. Then there was this Pekingese who married a tomcat. Now they have a Peking tom!

If I ever get another dog again, I think I'll get a watchdog. I'll name him Seiko.

Cycling indoors

2011-10-22T08:56:00.004-06:00

I went to my indoor cycling class this morning. As you can see I didn't do so well. My bike had a flat. Hey, there's no wheel at all! At least I'm getting some exercise, and going outside is unacceptable since it's dropping to the low 40's in the early morning.