June 8 – “Crazies Convention”

The crowds of Crazies really hit the streets of Galveston this weekend.  There was some kind of take on the old Kappa Beach Party Weekend that used to gridlock the city back in the day.  This weekend’s Crazies once again managed to block all the traffic on the seawall in both directions.  And worse, they were brandishing weapons.  One of my friends who is both a fire fighter and a sheriff officer posted on FaceBook a warning to Galveston residents to stay at home.  He also predicted that there would be a shooting.  Less than an hour later he was proven correct.  There was, indeed a shooting.  Three, in fact.  Scary stuff.  And to top it all off, the Crazies left tons of garbage behind when they finally did leave the Island.  Oh, and traffic was backed up for miles trying to get onto the Island.  Not sure how to effectively deal with all this craziness.  Here’s hoping they choose a different venue for any future Crazy Conventions.

Speaking of crowds, we had a pretty good one at church yesterday.  I counted 60 plus.  It was hard to see everybody since they were all scattered out under the retreat center and in the playground playhouse and even in their golf carts.  I saw several first-time visitors, and Chris said we had some new visitors online as well.  Great to see new faces, and of course it’s always great to see our Seaside regulars as well.

I was treated to a surprise yesterday.  Bill and Dianne gave me one of those hands-free microphones that you hook around your head.  It’s connected by Wifi to the sound system, and it worked great.  Until I turned it off.  We didn’t know it at the time, but that broke the pairing signal.  When I turned it back on, it couldn’t connect with the receiver.  Meanwhile, I switched back to the microphone on a stand and settled into my stool.  After the service we read the directions.  I know.  I know.  We’re such “men.”  Too proud to read the directions.  But how hard could it be, right?  Yep.  Well, we’ll have to work on that one to see how to get it right.  We do thank Bill and Dianne for the gift, though.  I can’t wait to get it right and be able to wander a little bit again. 

We took it easy in the afternoon.  Leftover sandwiches and a little Home Town on HGTV.  Gotta love those home improvement shows. 

Last night we were treated to an amazing chicken fried steak dinner by April and Nathan and Cailyn.  Well, and by their dogs, Abby and Scooter and Tillie.  And the little miniature hamster-rat thing they have.  And you can’t forget their six chickens.  The chickens are the best right now.  They have big ol’ eagle claws on not-so-big bodies.  The poofy-headed ones are getting really big.  The hairy-legged one is still the runt of the litter.  The redhead seems to be working on its speed.  That might have something to do with the occasional appearance in the yard of a certain boxer pup (Tilly) who would love to play with the feathery new chew-toys.  The other two stayed busy being chickens and digging for bugs to eat.  Now if they would just get big enough to lay some eggs and earn their keep …

Isaiah 6:8 says, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send?  And who will go for us?’  And I said, ‘Here am I.  Send me!’”

Father, please keep folks safe during times like these Crazies Conventions.  It is truly dangerous.  Amen.