September 18 - “Waaaaaay back”

PT again. Gotta help pay somebody’s car note. And I did get in my two miles in the meantime. Woohoo!

Chris said her therapist had a student tracker following her around this time. That meant the therapist was in show-off mode. Chris had to get that shoulder into some crazy positions. Guess it helped, though. At least it uncovered some more weak muscles. 

We did a little more Alaska-ing in the afternoon. Actually, I just got our new AirTags all turned on and synched up to the Find Me app on my phone. 

I also reconnected with an old friend. We knew him way back in our Langwood Baptist Church days (that would be sometime in the 70’s, so waaaaaay back). Thanks for sharing a window of your life with me, Carl. 

This morning we are on our way into Texas for some high school football.  Luke and Caleb are both playing tomorrow afternoon. Go Skyhawks!

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭6‬ says, Now the mindset of the flesh is death, but the mindset of the Spirit is life and peace.

Father, thank you for the chance to chat with Carl. Bless him and Barbara and grant them your peace. Amen. 

September 17 - “Into the Fire (department)”

I took off early yesterday. I was finally making some fire department visits again. Chris assured me she would be fine. I should have known then …

I saw several of the guys who have been around a long time. There were some noticeable absences, though. We have had quite a few retirements and resignations lately. The result is, of course, a lot of new faces and a younger department overall. Not a bad thing. 

Back home we ate our steakhouse leftovers for lunch. Then it was quick nap and full workout time for me. All my arm exercises plus a two mile jaunt around the house. Chris has already done her workout, so she headed to her favorite spot on the back porch with a book in hand. Great way to spend an early, hot again afternoon 

We heard some pretty disturbing news the other day. One of the kids who was in the very first youth group I ever led as youth pastor (Langwood Baptist Church) died. H.C. was a special kid who grew into a special friend and fine young man. We’re hoping to make it to the memorial service next Saturday. 

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭41‬:‭13‬ says, For I am the LORD your God, who holds your right hand, who says to you, “Do not fear, I will help you.”

Father, be with H.C.’s family as they negotiate the tough waters ahead. Amen. 

September 16 - “After Alaska …”

Chris’ physical therapy appointment was a later one yesterday. Didn’t start until 11:15. I still used the opportunity to do my two mile walk. Good thing. We celebrated by stopping at Saltgrass Steakhouse for lunch. 

Chris had her usual (we go there maybe once every two years, so can it still be called “her usual “?), grilled chicken and green beans. I had what I always have there (so … my usual), steak and shrimp. Fortunately, there is a lunch version now, so it’s not as expensive. We still had plenty of leftovers for another meal. 

On the way home we had a few other stops to make. First one was Academy. There we grabbed another stadium seat for watching all these baseball and soccer and football games. We also found a hiking pole that actually telescopes small enough to fit in a suitcase for airplane trips. Pretty successful stop. 

Finally, we stopped at Randall’s. Chris had a prescription ready, so we had to get that. And while we were there we decided to get some gas as well. We had a baseball game to get to up in Texas. 

Ezra was one again the star for his squad. Of course it wouldn’t have mattered what he did. He’s still a star. That’s my DadDad privilege kicking in, you know. 

Now. If you’ve read this far I guess you have earned the next little tidbit about our life. One more “event” has been added to our plate. Well, to Chris’ plate, to be specific. She is scheduled for another surgery the Monday after we get back from Alaska. This one is a cancer on her cheek. She had it frozen off a year ago, and the little bugger came back. This time the plan is to surgically remove it piece by piece, sending each piece to the lab to see how much of the cancer they got before continuing on. It could last two hours or six hours. But it’s the only way to guarantee they get all the cancer tissue. Now we wait. Now we “enjoy” our trip to Alaska with an extra thing hanging over our heads. Sigh. Here we go. 

‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ says, Because of the LORD’s faithful love we do not perish, for his mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness!

Father, thank you for the chance to eat out with Chris at a nice place, just the two of us. It’s been a while. Amen. 

September 15 - “Three Dubyas”

Yesterday turned into a trifecta day. Three big ones. No. Not specs, flounders and reds. And not some random Internet address. Instead it was WWW dot …

Wi-fi Day. The factory reset that customer service performed last week on our router has really done a number on our Wi-fi using contraptions. The latest casualty was our printer connection to the computer. It worked fine from the phone, but when I tried to print something out of Word … nothing. It said the printer was offline, but the printer insisted it was on. I finally had to uninstall the silly printer and reinstall it like it was brand new. 

The second “Dub” was for Workout Day. We both hit the arm strengthening exercises hard and heavy. They always leave my right arm really sore, but no pain, no gain, right?

The third Dub I have affectionately “dubbed” Walmart Day. Yes. I was out of bananas. We needed some other things as well, but we all know by now that the bananas are the all-important item of sustenance around here. 

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭31‬:‭8‬ says, The LORD is the one who will go before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or abandon you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.

Father, thank you for Chris’ passion about getting us ready for the trip to Alaska. Amen. 

September 14 - “Color commentary”

We had a bit of a low crowd at church yesterday. Still some great worship, though. It was the last Sunday for our worship pastor. He and his family sang a really beautiful blessing song as part of the service. Thanks for your time with us at Seaside, Gregg and Cathy and Jesse. 

We had a guest with us in the afternoon after church. Ezra was considerably more interested in watching the Texans game with us than in staying at the church for a meeting that his parents were hosting. 

He was a source of fine color commentary, as usual. It doesn’t matter if he is watching football, baseball, or even basketball, he can come up plenty of comments on play execution, coaches’ decisions, or umpire calls. It’s almost exhausting to watch a game with him … but so much fun. 

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬ says, Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

Father, thanks for our afternoon with Ezra. Great kid. Amen. 

September 13 - “A new Star”

We joined the multitudes. You know, those many humans who only have Saturdays to mow and edge the lawn. We got started early enough. I did wait until right at eight, there’s olive branch to the neighbors’ weekend peace. 

Unfortunately, the grass was so high … Wait. Can’t say that. It wasn’t primarily “grass.”  It was instead a mass of green weeds. The kind of green weeds that I literally had to mow over twice to get them cut. So the weeds were so high that I had to mow over them twice, forward, then back. Effective but very, very tiring. Then I switched to edging (aka weed eating). The front was not so bad. The back, though, was crazy. I did get it done, though. Even had enough energy to trim the evil boogervilla and the attack-wisteria. And to answer the burning question on all of your minds, yes, Chris did the sweeping. Couldn’t get her to even let me have a turn. She got it done, though. I dutifully operated the dustpan so she wouldn’t have to. 

Once we cooled down from all that heat outside, and after a good lunch, we both tackled our respective exercise programs. Mine was just the arm strengthening. Chris did her hip stuff and walking. I sure hope all this torture will be worth it. 

Last night we headed into Texas to watch a baseball game. Well, it was actually a scrimmage. And no, not the Astros. Ezra was playing in his first ever baseball game. 

Actually it was a scrimmage. Nobody kept score. Ezra started in left field. He made a perfect throw in from the fence to hit his cutoff man. Saved a run. They moved him to second base, and he fielded a grounder and got an out in the lead runner. And he even pitched the last inning. Oh, and at bat he smashed a hard line drive into center field for a single. How’s that for a boy who has never played baseball before (except in the backyard with his brothers). Proud of that kid. That’s my boy!

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭28‬ says, Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Father, thanks for watching over those kids on the field. Amen. 

September 12 - “Hi, Baby”

We were back again to the physical therapy department yesterday. Chris’ turn again. That meant my day to walk. Trying to follow that schedule I made for myself. Walk one day, strength training the next, off on Sunday. Oh, That reminds me. My arms are definitely sore after strength workout number one. 

It was great to be back at my “home gym” so to speak. The people are so much more pleasant in the Galveston clinic. I was, however, interrupted twice on my walk. The first time I was coming down a long hall with absolutely no one in sight, when suddenly, what should my wondering eyes perceive, but a tiny bald head poking around the corner looking at me. As I got closer that head revealed the body to which it was attached. It was my friend Ed. He had been in physical therapy, and Chris told him where I was. We chatted for a few minutes, then he left to go to work and I resumed my walk. Good to see you, Ed. 

Now the second interruption was quite different. I rounded a different corner - one with a bit more traffic. A cute young nurse was approaching, head buried in her phone. A few steps away, she finally looked up and noticed me. And she said, “Hi, Baby.” Yep. I got hit on by a virtually unconscious cutie. It did surprise me enough that I swiveled my head around for a second brief glance. Head back in her phone, the cutie pie headed into one of the clinics - the pediatric clinic. Sigh. Made me feel younger, at least. Much, much, much younger. 

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭2‬ says, Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Father, thank you for the smiles and words of encouragement and “Hi, Baby’s.” Amen.