September 24 - “Restored!”

It was my turn. That all-time, proverbially dreaded trip to … The 

Dentist. That always calls to my mind some old war era interrogator who uses “dental tools” to torture - er - extract information. 

But actually I really like my dentist. She is a very sweet, cute young thing, who really knows her stuff. I did good this time, too. There are a few places that she wants me to cram super-fluoride toothpaste into, then not rinse. Interesting new evening brushing routines ahead … 

We went straight from there to Chris’ physical therapy appointment. She discovered which exercise is her nemesis. She has to hold a ball against the wall and roll it around in a circle. Mark that one. Oh, and it seems her therapist is more excited about our trip than we are. She can’t wait to see pictures. 

In the meantime, I got in my two and a quarter mile walk. And I had a unique greeting from a fellow Baby Boomer. A lady about my age grinned as she passed me, held up two fingers and said, “Hey.”  Now that wasn’t the V for victory sign. Oh, no. That was a peace sign all the way. Us hippies have to stick together. 

Oh! Almost forgot. As we were coming out of the dentist office, my phone rang. It was Brandi, the manager of our bank. She had just heard from her higher-ups that our stolen money was due to be replaced later in the day. Gotta admit, I was pretty skeptical. But sure enough, when I checked around noon, there it was. Restored! That’s a load off of our mind. 

P.S. Walmart - bananas

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭19‬:‭14‬ says, May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.

Father, thank you for our dentist. And for the hygienist. They are top notch. Bless them. Amen. 

September 23 - “On the bubble”

Early exercise time for me. I got started before Christmas got up. I started out with my version of the arm workout. Thera-bands and wall push-ups and some light weights. I managed to incorporate a 2.25 mile walk as well. And I finished it all around eight. Whew!

Chris had a dental appointment later in the morning. I stayed behind so she would have a chance at her first solo drive experience since the surgery. Of course she did fine with the drive. Not so much the cleaning, though. That didn’t happen. She was apparently “on the bubble” of their timeline for dental work after surgery. They called the surgeon to see if he would OK it. He didn’t call back before she left, though, so she had to reschedule to Monday. My appointment is today.  No bubble for me. All I have to remember is to take a mega-dose of antibiotics because of my bionic knee. 

Last night we went to Texas to watch Ezra play baseball again. The good guys totally outclassed the opposition this time. Ezra walked two or three times across the two games. Scores: game one  - 13-0. Game 2 - 10-1. Success. 

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭1‬:‭10‬ says, For am I now trying to persuade people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Father, please be with me today at my dentist appointment. Amen. 

September 22 - “Touchin’ base X 2”

Chris got us started with a very early physical therapy appointment. She had to be there at 8 a.m.  Not her favorite time of day. She powered through, though. And I actually walked two and a a quarter miles. She did have to wait a minute or two for me to round the corner. Her take on her session? Somehow our trip to Alaska came up, and the therapist had to convince her that  October actually begins next week. Which means, we leave next week. Yikes!

We stopped at Randall’s on the way home to pick up a prescription. Easy enough. Then we went into Walmart. Yep. Bananas. In fact, I had just said to Chris that my list only had the one item on it - bananas- when who should round the corner but our friend Traci. That would be the Traci who always has something to say about my regular banana runs. Glad you could be an actual part of one, Traci. 

Out in the parking lot we were tracked down by another friend, Krissy. She’s the one who was Chris’ personal trainer until the shoulder incident. Always good to touch base with a fitness guru friend. 

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭7‬:‭9‬ says, Know that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps his gracious covenant loyalty for a thousand generations with those who love him and keep his commands.

Father, thank you for friendships that thrive in Walmart. Bless Traci and Krissy. Amen. 

September 21 - “Another blast from the past”

We had a real blast from the past at church yesterday. We stayed over for church in Waco at Columbus Avenue. A lady approached me after the service and asked if I was Kelley Vaughan. Somehow I recognized her right away. 

It was Sherry, a girl who had been in the youth group at University Hills Baptist Church in Denver. She now lives in Germany with her Air Force husband. Her daughter attends Baylor and plays violin in the church orchestra at Columbus. Great to reconnect with long ago faces. 

We took off after church for the trip back home. We made the usual stop at Buc-ees for some lunch. And then we stopped in Santa Fe at Nathan and April and Cailyn’s house. They weren’t home, but Chris needed the bathroom. As it turned out, we were able to let the dogs out of their kennels for a potty break of their own. Nathan texted that they would be home in about 20 minutes, and I confess I was already kind of absorbed in one of those Asgardian/Thor adventure movies. We stayed. Enjoyed chatting with you guys and hearing all about plans for making  the homecoming mum for the ages. It’s gonna be amazing. 

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭9‬:‭1‬ says, I will thank the LORD with all my heart; I will declare all your wondrous works.

Father, thank you for the chance to see Sherry again. Bless her and her family. Amen. 

September 20 - “Coon Crusade”

I was beginning to think my watch was stuck on Eastern Daylight Time. I didn’t wake up until after six. A function of the amazing bed here, I’m sure. I had a cup of coffee. No movement.  I did my quiet time. Still no one. I even took a walk around and around their den. Not sure how far. I didn’t set my watch, because I figured someone would walk in. 

Finally Luke appeared. Then Chris. I pulled up and reined it in right there. I forgot to mark the mileage though. I’ll just check my steps at the end of the day. 

The excitement of the day came when Josh announced that he needed help going on a coon hunt. Yep. They had raccoons in their attic that woke them up in the night. Josh dressed in his best camouflage outfit. He pulled on one glove. He loaded up his BB gun. He grabbed a flashlight and crawled up the ladder, ready for the ‘Coon Crusade.” 

Caleb was right behind him with his BB gun and a flashlight. Luke drew the assignment of banging on the ceiling to awaken the critter. Can’t let that critter get too comfortable. Apparently, Josh locked eyes with one of the interlopers. A shot rang out. Then another (OK. That’s some literary license there. A BB gun doesn’t actually “ring out.” More like “Pffft.”) either way, the critter either escaped the way he came in or found a hiding place deeper within. 

In case it was the latter, and in anticipation of further encroachment, Josh then dragged a critter trap up there and baited it with some marshmallows. Will the entrapment be successful? How long should he leave it alone before checking it? Ah, questions. We shall see …

I forgot to mention that Zak and Lindsay came back over. We had a few minutes  fore departing for football games, so we played a few rousing rounds of Uno. Not the traditional one. This one had the randomizer machine with the tiny guy inside who pushed a button that spit cards at you if you couldn’t play. Problem was, AnnaGrace was best friends with the tiny guy inside the machine. She whispered to him the whole game. Didn’t seem fair to me. Kind of a conflict of interest, wouldn’t you say?

The football games began around 3:30. Actually there was a JV game earlier than that, but Luke’s junior high game was where our initial focus lay. Then Caleb’s varsity team followed in the nightcap. 

The varsity won in a landslide, as has been their usual all year. They do fall behind for the first time all year, though. 6-0. But they followed that with 56 unanswered points. Caleb played an awesome game on defense. Even finagled a personal foul on one of the opponents when the opponent retaliated against Caleb holding him (note: no holding penalty was assessed) by shoving Caleb to the ground. No one was hurt, and we gained half the distance to the goal line. Tricky, Caleb. 

Luke’s team did right well, too. Their score was 52-12. Luke scored the first touchdown on a diving grab of a pass in the end zone. Later he ran 60 yards for a touchdown on a designed end around play. But the run was nullified by a holding penalty. So what did Luke do? Nothing much. He just took the next handoff on an identical play, and proceeded to run 70 yards for a touchdown. Take that. Can you tell who might be a tad proud?

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬ says, I give thanks  to my God for every remembrance of you

Father, thank you for random takes of Uno and sweaty football games and most of all, family to share them all with. Amen. 

September 19 - “Saturday Afternoon Sweats”

We took another road trip yesterday. Well, not anything new and glamorous. We went to Waco. Hey. High school football is alive and well. And we have two grandsons playing six man football right now. Luke is on the junior high team and Caleb is on varsity. That style of football is high-scoring and incredibly exciting. Not to mention we have someone in particular to root for. Not exactly Friday Night Lights, though. So … Saturday Afternoon Sweats it is. Go Skyhawks!

We made it to Buc-ees just in time for lunch. As it turned out, we got there at just the right time.  A high school football team from somewhere (The Vikings) and their entourage were everywhere in the store. But by the time we got out of the bathroom, they were all outside, taking a group photo surrounding the big ol’ Bucee statue outside. 

We finished our meal in the parking lot, then hopped back on the road toward Waco. Not a whole lot of traffic, so we made pretty good time. We did have to get gas as soon as we got to Waco. $3.93 a gallon. Ouch. 

Nobody was home except for Maddie Belle when we arrived. She was very kind when I came through the gate. Didn’t even bark. She just led me to the back door, then strolled back over to her dog door and went inside. Good greetin’, there, MaddieBelle. 

Zak and Lindsay came over to do some laundry. Actually she pretty much just dropped him off and headed to work, so Zak got to play Mr. Mom. By the end of the night Zak and Luke were playing football in the living room as we watched the University of Houston vs Texas Tech football game.

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭7‬ says, Don’t be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

Father, watch over the guys playing football in the heat today. Amen. 

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.