Tanque Verde Ranch

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.