February 7 – “Hiking Test One. Complete.”

Hiking Test One.  Complete.  OK, I know I have been walking around the neighborhood with Chris for several weeks now following “The Surgery,” but yesterday we decided to try the actual hiking thing.  A real trail.  Hilly terrain.  Really challenge my walking pole.  We were going to drive over near Fredericksburg to a place called Enchanted Rock.  Staying over in Waco the extra day kind of made that one a back burner item for the time being (Chris will have another quick trip in the works, I suppose).  Instead we heeded Christi’s advice and headed over to Cameron Park in Waco.  She told us all about a great trail that they found with a thing called Jacob’s Ladder.  She was sure we would love it.

Well, that’s where we began our adventure – the parking lot for Jacob’s Ladder.  Had its own sign and everything.  But when we turned around and saw the actual creation, we were stunned.  At first glance it appeared to be a simple staircase carved into the sheer face of a cliff.  How hard could it be?  But when we looked closer, and then got closer, our horror intensified.  There were steps all right, but the rise on them (how high you had to step up to reach the next step) averaged nearly two feet.  That was not easy for my poor old knee.  Or the new one for that matter.  It was a good thing they included handrails.  Chris was even grasping for help by the time we reached the top.  I was just glad we went there first.  About a third of the way up they had added a rock bench to rest on.  And there in the rock face of the mountain behind the bench was one small, insignificant piece of graffiti.  Just one thing.  No other graffiti in sight.  It read, “You’re doing great.”  Loved it.  Some Mystery Hiker inspired us to complete the climb.  And just before we reached the final leg, after some more anguished struggling, we came across another rock face and another tiny graffiti marking.  This one, in the same handwriting, read, “Keep going.”  The Mystery Hiker had provided another word of encouragement – just what we needed to make it over the top. 

After that extreme exertion we gravitated toward the paths that seemed a bit easier.  That meant passing up on such trail options as “the Act of Faith.”  Sounds great for a spiritual retreat, but NOT for a hike.  We ended up walking along the banks of the Brazos River for about a mile and a half. All the way to the point where the Bosque River empties into the Brazos.  Very pretty sight, but then I am partial to water.  Along the way we kept our eyes open for wildlife, as always.  Chris said she saw a woodpecker and a mocking bird.  My eyes were a little closer to the ground.  I never saw a moose, but we did come across a duck, a squirrel, a shaggy wiener dog, and a huge centipede.  I know it was a centipede rather than a millipede, because I sent a picture of it to Caleb.  He asked if it was fuzzy.  It was not.  That made it a centipede.  I suppose I could have turned it over and counted the legs, but why do that when I had my “phone a friend” option? 

Oh, we couldn’t find a stuffed centipede anywhere, so we picked up the next best thing in a new friend … a chicken.  A furry gray chicken named Chuckles, because, well, you know how chickens are …

Psalms 139:5-6 says, “You hem me in — behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.”

Father, thank you for the chance to test out my new knee.  And thanks for the great hiking partner I have.  Amen.

February 6 - “The Extra Day”

Yesterday turned into a workday in Waco.  Josh left for his office at the church to lead a meeting.  Zak and Luke got started on schoolwork.  They are all homeschooled.  Caleb had an online Latin lesson, so he disappeared into his own personal little “office” (Read here, a desk area in the laundry room.  He seems to love it).  Chris was playing with AnnaGrace.  And i started working on my teaching for Sunday.

I’m trying to learn how to use my iPad more extensively.  I got a little keyboard o attach to it.  Now I want to become proficient so i don’t have to worry about taking the laptop on our upcoming cruises to Alaska and The Panama Canal Zone.  No, it’s not the same cruise.  They happen about six months apart.  Kind of a fluke how we - who have never been on a cruise in our lives - are suddenly signed up for two bucket list ones.  We agreed to go on the Panama one with some Denver friends before we found out that the Alaska one was definite.  Panama is considerably cheaper than Alaska, though.   It still means we had to keep our belts tightened up really tight - and they are still cinched up pretty good ... we’re not there yet.

Last night we went to Luke’s and then Caleb’s basketball practices.  That was the whole reason we stayed an extra night - a special request to “watch me play, too, Nani and DadDad.”  How can you say no to something that adorable?  It was a lot of fun, too.  Josh is Luke’s coach, and I enjoyed watching the kids I coached do his best to communicate to a bunch of kindergarteners the intricacies of pivoting and traveling and the ever-dangerous double dribble.  He did a bang-up job with them, too.  I think the youngsters were having fun, so that’s the important thing.  And of course Luke is the best player on the team.  Just ask his Granddad.  Christi told us that Josh has been trying to get Luke to pass the ball around more and not shoot every time he gets the ball (even though he tends to make the vast majority of his shots).  Luke’s reply, “But if I’m open I need to take the shot.”  Well, on second thought ... yep.  That’s probably right.

Caleb’s team was older and more advanced, of course.  Josh is team-coaching with another of his staff members at the church.  Brought back memories of when I coached varsity and Jr. Varsity and even the girl’s team.  I’m still not sure how we managed that time-wise, but it was a great youth ministry opportunity.  Caleb is one of the most sure-handed ball-handlers on their team.  They have two or three boys who can control the ball fairly well, but everyone on the team wants to do nothing but shoot as soon as they touch the ball.  Especially two of the kids who are obviously good athletes, but they think they can dribble through a fire pit and come out unscathed.  And sometimes they can.  I really enjoyed watching this group, too.  More specific accolades concerning a certain point guard named Caleb always available upon request at 1-800-DadDad.

Matthew 19:26 says, “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’”

Father, thank you for the growth and development of our youngsters.  Help them all to find a niche where they are truly happy, whether it be in sports or music or relationships, but especially in their spiritual touch with you.   Amen.

February 5 - “Kissing Pigs”

We got off to a very late start for our latest trip.  We were headed to Waco to watch Zakary’s last basketball game.  We haven’t been able to see him play for the junior high team yet, so this was a last chance kind of thing.  Amidst all the pre-trip packing, Chris made a birthday apple pie for Josh (His is the 16th, but we probably won’t be in Waco then.  Then we had to stop for gas.  At least there we saw Ed and Drake, so it wasn’t a boring stop.

After our lunch stop at Buc-eyes, I convinced Chris to take another short cut.  Actually it was the one we were goi no to take last time when we ended up at Washington-on-the-Brazos.  We went through Chappell Hill again, but this time we kept on going toward Brenham.  We discovered that Chappell Hill is a whole lot bigger than what we were able to ascertain from Washington.  Sprawling.

One of the new sights we passed this time was a spay and neuter clinic located across the street from a local dog park.  I have been wondering if that would be in the same category reputation-wise as, say, a Japanese restaurant sharing the same building as a veterinarian’s office.  Hmm.  We passed through Somerville and Lyons and Caldwell, where we saw the carcass of a very large and very dead wild hog.  Just Outside of Cameron we saw the Cameron Air Park.  Not airport.  Air PARK.  Looked strangely similar to an airport, albeit quite small.  Maybe Galveston has an international air park.  Ben Arnold is an actual town.  So is Rosebud and Lott and Golinda.  That’s where we were surprised to suddenly see an entire field full of hundreds of four-legged cows.  And then another full filed on the other side of a ravine that separatedd the two.  You’ll never guess the name of the little creek.  Cow Bayou.  No way.

We made it to Waco in plenty of time to get to Zak’s game, which was about 40 minutes away at a small Catholic school in West, Texas.  The boys did a fabulous job at their last game of the season.  This team pretty much destroyed Zak’s last time they played, but adjustments had been made.  In an exciting back and forth battle the good guys took the win in overtime.  Zak’s playe dhis minutes well, showing some powerful defense and rebounding, in particular.  Nice job, Zak.  And as a special bonus, Luke and his group of Teams Of Tomorrow (TOTs) performed at halftime.  TOTs is a program that teaches preschoolers basketball skills.  These little guys were dribbling with both hands and showing ball handling skills that many high schoolers would be proud to have.  And the best of them all?  Well, that would be the youngster with the Vaughan last name, of course.  Way to go Luke.

Oh, I almost forgot.  We ate supper in West at a local establishment.  Something like Slovacek’s.  The eating part was called the Kissing Pig Cafe.  Not bad barbecue if you’re ever gliding through town.  Don’t be deceived by the truck stop look on the outside.  It actually is a massive gas station, but once you make your way through the huge gifts shop, the food is not bad.  And who doesn’t want to eat at The Kissing Pig Cafe?  Come on ...

Isaiah 43:19 says, “See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

Father, thank you for perennial short cuts and athletic grandkids.  And for Kissing Pigs.  Amen.

February 4 – “SOUPer Bowl Special”

Great day in church again yesterday.  Those counting had totals ranging from 77 to 87.  I’m pretty sure there were around 83.  We had locals and our beloved Snowbirds and even a few brand new visitors.  One unexpected guest was a couple from the Seaside past who moved to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Tom and Cathy Bollman.  Always good to see a Seasider come back to check in. 

The SOUPer Bowl Commercial Party was also a fun time.  We had seventeen people gathered together, all cheering for their respective team.  Actually that is not a very accurate statement.  Any cheering going on from the ones watching the game would better be described as rooting against the Patriots.  Or for finally getting another Bingo square covered.  Or for an especially good chunk of crab meat.  Or maybe for seconds on a bowl of chili.  Yep.  The masses were just not very “into” this particular Super Bowl.  Oh, the commercials were passable at least, although none were really spectacular.  I’m pretty sure the beer companies spent the most money at five million for each 30 second spot. 

Chris made two big batches of chili, one somewhat hotter than the other.  I didn’t taste that one.  My stomach is just not built for the mega-spice attractions.  Sam brought her signature crab dip, which I did my best to hide from the rest of the guests.  That is always by far my favorite food of the evening, although the seven-layer dip came in a pretty close second.  Oh, and the fried cheese.  Gotta love fried cheese. 

We did play some games.  I put together a trivia game, the highlight of which was the first ever facial recognition section of people connected to this year’s event.  Actors, football player, coaches – anyone related in any way to the spectacle on television – were fair game.  As it turned out Cory (the cop, not the fiddle player) got all the faces correct but one.  He just couldn’t figure out the quarterback of the Rams.  Of course, the photo made him look like a movie star.  Then there were the Bingo games.  Three options this year.  The easy, generic version, with answers found relating to commercials and football.  The middle of the road version, with commercials being cited.  And the all-new, most difficult version with company logos instead of actual words, kind of a visual verse version of bingo.  James smoked everyone with the first Bingo.  He then drew a super bowl advertiser’s name from a bag and received something that advertiser advertises.  He was one of the lucky ones.  He won a big old bag of Doritos.  Cory (again, the cop, not the fiddler) actually picked up wins in the full card Bingo and the trivia games.  The advertisers he drew?  Colgate, which garnered him a brand new tube of toothpaste.  And Avacados from Mexico, which reaped none other than … not one, but TWO avacacados.  Several other winners took home the eight-pack of Pepsi and the cans of Pringles and the can of Peanuts. 

All in all, I would say the night was a success.  After everybody left and we got the house cleaned up, we even watched some of that new show, The World’s Best.  Glorified version of America’s Got Talent.  Odd that the show ended with the escape artist trapped inside a cube of water and eerie music playing and close-ups of celebrity judges’ horrified faces.  You have to wait until Wednesday to find out what happens.  Yeah … nope.  Not impressed. 

Psalms 139:1-4 says, “O Lord, you have searched me and you know me.  You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.  You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.  Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.”

Father, thank you for the friends who joined us last night.  May the fellowship work your magic and develop intimacy among the Body of Christ.  Amen.

February 3 – “Phil or Armand?”

I understand the groundhog didn’t see his shadow yesterday.  Doesn’t that mean Spring is coming sooner?  Or is it the other way around?  I have never been able to get that right.  I’m just wondering if Armand the Armadillo saw his shadow.  I’m pretty sure he’s the one who speaks for Texas, not that Yankee Rodent …

We were once again blessed by an onslaught of LaMarque Vaughan children last Saturday evening.  Mom and Dad went on a date.  The kiddos had pizza and played video games, mainly.  Except for the hour or so where they introduced me to some tiny little dollish action figures they called Heroclix.  That is apparently the hottest new gaming thing.  They go to tournaments on the weekends to play whatever it is you play using the figures.  Each one has some sort of ability that helps him in the games. 

Now, I assumed that meant the little people were superheros.  Silly me.  Not so much.  Most of them I couldn’t even figure out WHAT they were, much less who.  One of them was a huge (in the realm of Heroclix anyway) brown whale-looking creature with sharp teeth that could walk.  It kind of had the look of meatloaf that has been left out on the counter … for three days.  I naturally assumed it was Moby Dick’s cousin Albert.  I was, however, mistaken.  Strange.  As if that wasn’t bad enough, they handed me one that they insisted was Spiderman.  What I saw was a guy stuck to a wall, Spiderman-y, sure enough, but he looked older than me.  That’s just not right.

Oh, and we did engage in a night of learning as well.  We asked Siri about all sorts of historical figures and learned some fun facts about Abraham Lincoln.  Siri assured us that when old Honest Abe saw the large size of his son’s head, and noted the way the child constantly wriggled and squirmed around, he started calling him Tadpole, Tad for short.  Gotta love those nicknames. 

Psalms 138:8 says, “The Lord will fulfill [his purpose] for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever — do not abandon the works of your hands.”

Father, thank you for groundhogs and armadillos and grandchildren.  They all make the world a little more interesting.  Amen.

February 2 – “Barry Bonds and the Cyrillian Warbler”

Chris really surprised me yesterday.  She told me that I should get back into my long-time hobby of baseball card collecting.  Well, actually it was Cailyn who kind of breached the topic, ignited the spark.  Seems she is doing a report for school on major league baseball player Barry Bonds.  I’m not at all sure why he was in the mix to choose from, but, hey, a baseball player is a baseball player, right?  After we heard about the report I rummaged through one of my baseball card tubs until I managed to find a card of Barry Bonds for her.  It was from back when he was just a really good, all-star caliber player for the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Long before he (allegedly) discovered steroids and became a muscle-bound beast.  Hope she can use the card in her report somehow.  But back to the collecting.  My next goal is to complete the set of 1961-62 (It came out over two years) Fleer Baseball Greats.  I have most of the second issue, since I started collecting cards in 1962.  And our research yesterday indicated that the 1961 set should be much easier - and cheaper – to find.  And it does appear that there are a myriad of places to begin online.  Not as much fun as gong to card shows and little shops, but I guess we all have to adapt. 

In the afternoon we took our walk and did our stair-walking.  I still did lunges up on the deck in between flights of steps.  It wears me out, but I think it’s really helping the knee rehab.  Afterward we rested a bit in our new patio chairs.  That’s when we saw a fascinatingly cute little blueish bird flitting about our bushes.  I tried to get a picture, but it would stay still long enough.  It obviously wasn’t a hummingbird, which we see all the time, so Chris grabbed her trusty iPad mini and looked it up.  Best we can figure it was a Cyrillian Warbler.  Sounds like a creature on Star Trek to me …

Psalms 138:7 says, “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me.”

Father, thank you for sharing that tiny bit of your creation with us.  It was beautiful.  Amen.

February 1 – “’No’ days”

February.  February.  I have to type it out a few times so I can get used to it.  Not that I have trouble spelling it or anything.  It’s just hard to believe that, once again, time is flying by.  Seems like just yesterday it was January …

I suppose I should be excited about days like yesterday.  It was basically boring. 

No fun trips.  Well, unless you count our excursion to Whataburger with Cailyn after we picked her up from school.  She and the old retired teacher guy who works there now traded dance moves, so there was that spectacle.  And yes, I did join them briefly on our way out the door.  We even saw a Seasider enjoying a Whataburger of his own on his way home from work. 

No new animal friends to add to our stuffed (in more ways than one) zoo.  Unless, of course you count Cailyn.  She is squeezably cute, you know. 

No extremes on the knee recovery front.  We walked our two miles.  Well, Chris walked three.  Then we walked the deck steps.  I added a couple of extra minutes to mine to account for adding lunges every time I reached the top of the deck.  Not sure how many Chris did.  She operates by counting the number of times she scales the steps.  Six is her usual number. 

No surprise visitors.  Unless you count the ones who braved the terrible weather to come to home group last night.  Small group.  Just Corey and Janell and Brennan and Sam and Cailyn and Chris and me.  Really good Bible study time, too.  Book of Numbers. 

Hmm.  For a lot of “No’s” that turned out to be a pretty positive day.  I’ll take it.  It’s all in the way you look at it …

Psalms 138:6 says, “Though the Lord is on high, he looks upon the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar.”

Father, thank you for the way you always turn “no” days into positive, fun experiences.  Amen.