SHOTS ON THE RUN

LUCAS OIL STADIUM

2012-02-02T09:45:00.002-05:00

Lucas oil stadium, originally uploaded by Bookrep.

As close as I'm getting to the Superbowl.

ISAIAH 58

2012-01-27T09:52:00.002-05:00

True and False Worship

¹“Shout with the voice of a trumpet blast.

Shout aloud! Don’t be timid.

Tell my people Israel of their sins!

²Yet they act so pious!

They come to the Temple every day

and seem delighted to learn all about me.

They act like a righteous nation

that would never abandon the laws of its God.

They ask me to take action on their behalf,

pretending they want to be near me.

³‘We have fasted before you!’ they say.

‘Why aren’t you impressed?

We have been very hard on ourselves,

and you don’t even notice it!’

“I will tell you why!” I respond.

“It’s because you are fasting to please yourselves.

Even while you fast,

you keep oppressing your workers.

⁴What good is fasting

when you keep on fighting and quarreling?

This kind of fasting

will never get you anywhere with me.

⁵You humble yourselves

by going through the motions of penance,

bowing your heads

like reeds bending in the wind.

You dress in burlap

and cover yourselves with ashes.

Is this what you call fasting?

Do you really think this will please the Lord?

⁶“No, this is the kind of fasting I want:

Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;

lighten the burden of those who work for you.

Let the oppressed go free,

and remove the chains that bind people.

⁷Share your food with the hungry,

and give shelter to the homeless.

Give clothes to those who need them,

and do not hide from relatives who need your help.

⁸“Then your salvation will come like the dawn,

and your wounds will quickly heal.

Your godliness will lead you forward,

and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.

⁹Then when you call, the Lord will answer.

‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.

“Remove the heavy yoke of oppression.

Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors!

¹⁰Feed the hungry,

and help those in trouble.

Then your light will shine out from the darkness,

and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.

¹¹The Lord will guide you continually,

giving you water when you are dry

and restoring your strength.

You will be like a well-watered garden,

like an ever-flowing spring.

¹²Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities.

Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls

and a restorer of homes.

¹³“Keep the Sabbath day holy.

Don’t pursue your own interests on that day,

but enjoy the Sabbath

and speak of it with delight as the Lord’s holy day.

Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day,

and don’t follow your own desires or talk idly.

¹⁴Then the Lord will be your delight.

I will give you great honor

and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestor Jacob.

I, the Lord, have spoken!”

ETERNAL PLANS

2012-01-12T10:25:00.001-05:00

...He (God) has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end.

ECCL. 3:11

...How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!

ROM. 11:33

A friend from my junior high/high school church youth group died yesterday after a two year battle with cancer, leaving behind two kids not quite in high school yet. She was a single mom which made these last few years even more difficult, though her immediate family provided her great care and comfort. I have an internal tendency to put myself in that person's situation, and that is when I grieve. On the one hand, I recognize the fact that we live in a world marred by sin, that everything is in ruin and disrepair, and the outlook isn't too bright. Like Solomon, I look around when things like this happen and find things meaningless, a chasing after the wind. Yeah, there's a time for eveything, it just seems the times of bad can outway the good. I think he and I would have gotten along well, but I think we'd bring each other down all the time too.

And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste

of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering...

...But if we look forward to something we don't yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.

And I am convinved that nothing can separate us from God's love...niether our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow.

ROM 8: 23,25,38

After leaving high school, I hadn't talked with my friend for 20 years, but Facebook put us back in touch, which I am so grateful for. It wasn't long after reconnecting that she got a prognosis of colon cancer, and thus started a two year journey in which she fought courageously, always confident of God's healing, praying for the best outcome. In her last post on Facebook, three days before her death, she eluded to the second half of Romans 8, and the great messages it holds. I'm reminded that in this life, we will still groan and suffer, seeking relief to be free from the sadness. But I am to rest in a God that loves me, who has adopted me, and will someday give me rest from this life that is full of suffering.While acknowleding my sadness, questions, and "groanings", I need to rest in the love of someone who has a plan and is working it out for the final good. I don't quite understand his plan for my friend, nor his plan for me, but once my full rights of adoption are complete, I will understand this moment in time. I must be patient and remain confident as my friend was, whose adoption process is complete, and is now home.

RESOLUTIONS

2012-01-04T10:25:00.001-05:00

I had a friend whose goal was to blog something everyday for one year. Hearing that I thought no problem; now, having a blog for several years, I believe that would be near difficult for me. But it will be one of my resolutions this year to blog at least once a month. I like reading blogs that are creative, and as such, one of my goals for my little piece of cyber-space, has been to do something that is creative as well. However, I've learned that I can have moments of creativity, but it only comes at moments when I least expect it, or am looking for it. It's like my habit of reading, which goes in spurts. I will read or listen to books on audio for a month, then not touch a book for a month or two (not good for a guy who sells books). I blame my strong non type-A personality on this.

Resolutions take discipline, which I do not have, but if I put them up here, maybe I can look back in a year and see real progress. For me, resolutions are also hopes, something to look forward to even though it may not happen. I'm driven that way, it helps relieve the daily grind sometimes. I think the following list reflects both ideas of what a resolution is to me. A few of these I already do, but want to take it to the next step.

By years end, I hope to:

1. Exercise 5 days a week
2. Drop 10 lbs.
3. Read the Bible through in a year
4. Read one non-fiction title a month
5. Read through R.T. Kendall's Sermon on the Mount
6. Have put together a photographic themed project
7. Be a better salesman
8. Be in a position of leadership
9. Taken a trip out of the country
10. Visit somewhere west of Nebraska

JEDI MASTER

2011-12-04T13:26:00.000-05:00

WINTER IS COMING

2011-11-25T16:53:00.001-05:00

THANSKGIVING 2011

2011-11-24T20:58:00.000-05:00

NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH

2011-11-21T18:50:00.001-05:00

Our church took time to highlight adoption and what that can mean for families. Here's a video of part of the service in which we participated.

STILL HERE

2011-11-06T16:30:00.000-05:00

I just haven't had anything I believe is worth putting here, and I've had a photo-block of sorts. I've got a few more weeks of traveling, then, maybe I'll try and get whatever creative juices I have going again. I was asked to teach a class at church, starting in January, so I'm trying to figure out exactly what to teach, and how to teach it, something I haven't done in awhile.

A WALK IN THE WOODS

2011-10-01T20:27:00.001-04:00

NO MORE CHILDREN FOR ME...

2011-09-21T12:39:00.001-04:00

...though not by choice. This past weekend Liz and I participated in a 22.85 mile bike ride to raise money for cancer research. Before setting out, I was more concerned whether my legs would hold up, but that wasn't an issue. The folks that laid out the route did a pretty good job finding roads that didn't have too many hills, though at one point Liz was saying we should have done something like this in Indiana, as they have no hills.

We completed the ride in 2 hours and 25 minutes, and I have no idea whether that is good or bad. I will say, we never passed anybody who was riding, but did get passed at least 5 or 6 times by folks who were at least in the mid-fifties. Yes, there is hope that I too can be skinny and fit when I get to my fifties. The other kicker was there were three routes-20 mile, 50 mile, and 100 mile. When we got to the intersection when you choose the 20 mile, or 50/100 mile route, Liz and I took the 20, and everybody else was taking the longer ones. Good for them, they weren't planning on having kids either.

Maybe I'll try the 50 mile next year.

CLEVELAND AIRSHOW HIGHLIGHTS

2011-09-04T21:01:00.002-04:00

This past Saturday, myself, Will, Liz and two of their friends attended the Cleveland airshow. Here are some of the highlights:

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

2011-08-24T17:51:00.000-04:00

POINT A: Me

POINT C: Granny and Grandpa

POINT B: I happen to catch Granpa and Granny leaving a Culver's Ice Cream store while going to visit a customer who has a book store in the same parking lot.

BUSTED!

BROWNS TRAINING CAMP

2011-08-06T14:29:00.001-04:00

Grandpa Kelch, Will and I went for an hour or so to the Cleveland Browns training camp this past Thursday. I've never done that and am glad I went. It's a way you can get up close to the players, and the best part is it's free. These two guys are really the only ones I know, plus Hillis is on the cover of the latest Madden NFL video game, and if you're a football fan and watching the Browns (who's kidding who, does anyone outside of northern Ohio watch the Browns?), Hillis doesn't go around guys, he leap frogs over them...a beast of a guy.

UPDATE, SORT OF....

2011-08-01T09:53:00.000-04:00

I'm always annoyed when people don't update their blog. I realized it's been two weeks for me, and that's too long. Nothing of importance has happened, but I thought I'd post any updates, however, trivial (though some are not trivial to all involved).

1. Liz was able to get a different, and better paying job, and will start next week. She's going from ice cream to groceries...the fruit department to be exact. Though I expect they'll see what a good employee she is and she'll be taking on new responsibilities before she knows it.
2. Will got his first job...a paper route. I never had one, but my friend Mark did, and it got me thinking back to a long time ago, when I would spend the night at his house, and we had to get up while it was still dark to deliver the paper, something I've never enjoyed. If I recall right, he had to put the inserts in the Sunday paper, whereas, Will does not. Thankfully. On the weekends, I get up to help Will, because I enjoy spending the time with him, and I've actually enjoyed walking around the neighborhood when the birds are still getting out of bed and the light of the sun coming up is still dim.
3. We are homeschooling Liz as we've done all along, but we've enrolled Will in what they call K12, a program originally designed by Bill Bennet, but now administered by the state of Ohio (in our case). The nice thing is the state provides all the computers, books, labs and equipment we need, and it's sent to our door-all free. Well, I say free, but it's actaully my tax dollars at work...finally. I think it will be the right set up for Will and his style of learning. I just set up a new desk for him and wired up all that "free" computer equipment they sent.
4. Speaking of school, Sean will start Kindergarten this year. As he likes to say, "Good Times."

CAMPING

2011-07-12T13:28:00.000-04:00

We left last Friday afternoon to meet up with Dawn's folks, her brother and his family, as well as her sister. We stayed at Hueston Woods State Park in Ohio, in the primitive section, though they don't call it that. They say it's a sight without electric. As you can imagine, they don't have cell towers nearby and though a pit toilet is a hot spot, it isn't a wifi hotspot, so we were without access to the digital world. I begin to really miss it when I don't have it, and realize I didn't miss much when I get back to it.

It was hot and humid while there but we were fortunate it didn't rain the whole weekend ( a tenters nightmare). We packed a fair amount of activities in, I think I lost 1 pound, and now we spend the next few months wondering if we should give up tenting altogether.

Summary of events:
1. biking
2. fossil hunting
3. playing in the clay (photo to follow)
4. taking pictures
5. horse back riding
6. swimming
7.sweating
8. campfires
9. playground
10. geocaching
11. smores
12. stuck in traffic (the ride home)

JULY 4TH HOLIDAY WEEKEND

2011-07-05T08:42:00.000-04:00

FUN THINGS TO DO WITH SPARKLERS AND A DELAYED SHUTTER

2011-07-05T08:38:00.000-04:00

2011-07-04T16:08:00.000-04:00

Dawn needed some time from the boys, and I wanted to go to a National cemetary I knew about to take a few pictures, which seemed appropriate since it's July 4th. So I picked up dad and away we went.

NEW SPORT?

2011-06-29T21:56:00.002-04:00

NO TIME...

2011-06-21T21:23:00.001-04:00

...to blog. Been traveling to MN, N and S Dakota the last two weeks. Now in Nebraska. Maybe next week, I"ll get some photos from these last few weeks up. Need to get some rest first.

NICE STORM

2011-06-11T13:17:00.001-04:00

Out our door from yesterday's storm

JUNE 6

2011-06-05T23:05:00.000-04:00

Somebody is turning 5 today!

THINGS WE SAW AND DID AT THE ZOO

2011-06-05T15:15:00.000-04:00

SMALL TO TALL

2011-06-04T21:23:00.002-04:00

I'm starting to be amused at the height difference in the kids. Caught this while at the Akron Zoo last night.

BEAUTY IN THE WEEDS

2011-05-27T22:58:00.000-04:00

MY LATEST BARN

2011-05-27T22:26:00.001-04:00

On the way to Bedford In.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY

2011-05-08T14:53:00.002-04:00

I have four mothers in my life, each significant, each of whom have played an important part in my life. My mom, who raised me and loved me, cared for me and now prays for me. My mother-in-law, which sounds so legal and dry. She is more than a relative by law, she is a wonderful person who also cares for me, with words of wisdom, by being patient with me, and taking an interest in me as a person. She also gave me the third mother in my life, my wife, who has by far, been the most patient with me and my childish ways. She has also been a great mother to our children...I could not and would not want any other women to be a mother to my children. She is perfect for them! Finally, there is a women who gave birth to my youngest child who could not take care of him, and had to let him go. I ask God to bless her in great ways and to fill any holes or hurts she has not knowing where her son is. Please let her know her son is doing fine.

To all four of my mother's, I love you all and appreciate everything you mean to me.

AKRON ZOO 04/29/2011

2011-04-30T12:33:00.000-04:00

THEY SAY IT'S SPRING HERE...

2011-04-30T09:39:00.002-04:00

TREE

2011-04-19T23:56:00.001-04:00

BROTHERS

2011-04-18T14:52:00.000-04:00

The boys often take naps together. Big brother is literally big brother.

WEST SIDE MARKET

2011-04-16T15:34:00.000-04:00

Cleveland isn't exactly L.A. or New York City, Phoenix or Miami. Manufacturing is gone, the Cavs stink, & winter is too long here for my tastes, but if you look hard enough, there are some charms about the place. There is a sense that people who stay here are trying their best to make a go of it, and that I like.

So it was on a news show I saw a report about this food market in the shadows of downtown Cleveland. We piled into the van this morning and headed out on a 60 mile trip from our house, in less than ideal weather. But it was worth it.

The last market I've been to like this was the Seattle Fish Market in...Seattle. Since we didn't get an early start, the crowds were a bit much, but even that added to the buzz of the place.

Oh the delicacies, meats, cheeses, fresh baked bread, peanuts, coffees, cupcakes, cookies, apple fritters...

...bananas, peppers, banana peppers, grapes, strawberries, mangoes...

...a variety of popcorn, olive oils, pastas, and candies.

Oh, and the booth selling all things Asian had this bottle of carbonated Peach soda with a lid I could not get open. In fact, we just brought it home where I pulled out the pliers and still could not get the cap off. I then noticed the marble on the top must have something to do with this perplexing packaging. Come to find out, you push the marble down through the blue part, and it rest in a cradle while the soda pours out.

Dawn said the bakery items were the best part, which explains why we brought home a bunch of goodies, including Red Velvet, Mocha and Chai muffins.

TIMESCAPE

2011-04-15T18:26:00.000-04:00

I'm just now getting around to all the cool stuff found on Vimeo. This is one video I really enjoyed and made me wish I made a living shooting this kind of stuff.

TimeScapes: Rapture from http://vimeo.com/timescapes on Vimeo.

2011-04-15T15:00:00.000-04:00

It's one of those days where there's things to do and I just sit and stare...at anything.

WAR

2011-04-13T00:18:00.000-04:00

Just finished listening to this book. Both a great and sad story. Krakauer gives a really good overview and history of some of our middle east problems while at the same time weaving in the life of Pat Tillman. All in all, a tragedy for the family, a black eye for the Army and government, and reminder that war, though necessary at times, is never good for anyone.

CITY OF TRANQUIL LIGHT

2011-04-09T19:48:00.001-04:00

I've been reading this book for weeks. Not because it's a bad book or slow moving, quite the opposite actually. But life has been getting in the way, so it took me longer than normal to get through it. I checked this book out from the library and have had to renew it 4 or 5 times. The weird benefit of this is, I feel I've spent a lot of time with the two main characters in this novel, Will and Katherine, a husband and wife team who serve as Mennonite missionaries in China, during the early parts of the 20th century. I was able to finish the book today, and am so sorry it had to come to an end. I will miss Will and Katherine, and all the people I got to know in this book. And, at the risk of sounding like a woman, or girly-man, this book moved me, which only a few books in my life have done.

As I mentioned earlier I checked this out from the library, so it was free, but knowing what I know now of this book, I would've paid the $25 hardcover price. If you're looking for a book to read, you may want to put this one on your list. If you do, I'd love to hear what you thought.

REA

2011-03-25T14:27:00.001-04:00

This won't mean much to anyone else, but all my life I've heard about REA (Rural Electrification Administration), the branch of government my dad worked in. While at FDR's get away in Warm Springs, Georgia, we learned that the idea of this department started while FDR was visiting, realizing many rural areas didn't have electricity, and could really use it. So, the photos are for Dad.(click on any picture to enlarge)

Sean is here because he decided to wear a pair of broken sunglasses at the FDR site.

ANDERSONVILLE, GEORGIA

2011-03-23T20:45:00.000-04:00

On our trip home from Florida, we stopped at a Civil War prison. I'm not as big a fan of the Civil War as my dad is (I'm a World War 2 guy, myself), but this one has some special significance. My great-great grandfather died there while fighting for the Union. My parents were able to locate his particular grave, but the office was closed when we were there and we were running of time time anyway. The kids did a quick scan of several rows of tombstones looking for the name, but to no avail. Anyway, I'm sure he doesn't mind that we didn't stay awhile to visit.

There's a really good museum at this site that gives a good overview of what it is to be a POW in many different wars. I don't think I've been moved emotionally at too many museums, but this one had some video interviews with Vietnam POW's and their families that were quite moving.

Below is a picture of the site the POW camp was on.

(click on photo to enlarge)

GATOR DAY

2011-03-17T21:37:00.001-04:00

How do you turn 35 miles into 260 miles? Take a trip with the Kelches. Our goal was to go to Gator Park, a place you can take air boat rides and see a guy wrestle a gator. When we left the hotel, we were all under the impression that Gator Park was 35 miles from the hotel, but it ended up being around 70-80 miles. (Not sure where Dawn read the 35 miles thing). Anyway, we made it, had fun, over-tipped our air boat driver, watched someone pass out, only to recover-we think, and got to hold a live gator. But now, we're only 30 miles or so from Miami, not a place that was ever on the agenda, with the kids saying,

"let's go to Miami, let's go to Miami."

So, we went to Miami.

We stayed a few hours before crossing back to the west end of the state...tired, having one last swim in the hotel pool and thinking of the week coming to an end. We are however, going to take three days to get home, hopefully stopping at IKEA in Tampa and FDR's retreat home in Warm Springs, Ga.

SANIBEL ISLAND

2011-03-16T09:04:00.000-04:00

We spent the day on Sanibel Island, a place I'd retire to if I was a millionaire. Beautiful beaches, resorts, cottages, and restuarants. We had our one meal out at the Bubble Room, hyper-active in it's decor, serving giant portions of cake, which makes Dawn happy (Liz finally realized Dawn takes her cake seriously), and charges prices based on the the experience of eating there, though the food was fresh and good. We spent a few more hours on the beach and I was able to geocache, dropping off one of my travel bugs.

BEACH DAY

2011-03-14T21:51:00.000-04:00

One of our goals on the trip is to stop eating at the chain restuarants. So, I saw this place from the road and thought, "why not?" Glad we stopped. You can't stop at a Greek restuarant and not order the Gyro. Liz and mom had the Greek salad, the gyro was for me, and Will had a philly cheese steak-very Greek.

Two years ago, when we went to the beach, Sean wouldn't even get off the blanket. One year ago, he felt the freedom to let his feet touch the sand, but stayed close to the blanket and never went near the water. This year however, it's been a totally different story. (Sorry, no pictures of him in the water, but trust me, he got his feet in the water).

I hope we got the sunscreen applied well.

Sean's feet. Sand doesn't stick to dry feet real well, so this photo proves he was in the water.

FLORIDA DAY 2

2011-03-13T18:38:00.000-04:00

Captain's log: Walterboro,
SC to Naples, FL= 9.5 hours.
I feel like I've driven to the equator
Great to see NO SNOW.
Wearing shorts and t-shirts
Sun is out
Checked into a great room with a kitchen (hopefully this helps us save money).
Sean just pooped and it stinks. I need to leave my lovely room.

FLORIDA DAY ONE

2011-03-12T20:49:00.001-05:00

Captains log: Wooster to Walterboro, SC= 8.5 hours No car trouble Had Sonny's BBQ for dinner Sean doesn't like long car rides We got off the highway to see if the pro shop at the Carolina Panthers stadium was open-no such luck.

ADOPTION: THIRD DAY STYLE

2011-03-08T22:18:00.001-05:00

I love the music group Third Day, and I love that someone brought to my attention this song/video. I will continue to tell people that adoption will change your life in amazing ways and as someone in this video mentions, it changes your perspective and view of God. I also love how this video shows we are all adopted by God. Spreading the word....

MAIL POUCH

2011-03-05T11:31:00.001-05:00

Though I don't chew tobacco, I see these barns all over, and I'm sure they have a history behind them. If you come to Ohio, there is one barn in each county that is painted the same as all the others...see my opening blog picture, this is one of them. Anyway, I'm thinking of starting a collection of Mail Pouch pictures for no apparent reason. (This barn was found near Bedford Indiana).

CLEVELAND AUTO SHOW 2011

2011-02-28T21:00:00.002-05:00

Since Will has gotten into the show Top Gear (both the British and American versions), he has taken a greater interest in many things...auto. So he and I spent part of the day going to the Cleveland auto show, not so we could buy a really nice car, but to see, feel and sit in cars we could never afford. There were a few cut aways of engines which gave me a chance to explain to Will the mechanics of an engine. I kept it simple.
He are a few of the highlights with several observations:

Dodge Charger

Price tag for this Corvette, pictured above-$98,000.

The Stingray...my favorite car of the show. If you're going to give me a free car, I'll have one of these please.

This is a Chevy Camaro painted with a military theme in tribute to our troops. You may have to click on each picture to see the art up close.

OK, I'm going to look up companies investing in Hydrogen technology, and buy stock. In fact, watching a Top Gear episode, it dealt with the beauty of using hydrogen in cars. Not sure what the draw backs are, other than the only pumps available are in California, but it sounds like a great alternative to gas and I can see this replacing the gas engine. Top photo shows a pump and below Will is holding what plugs into your car.

Love the dashbooard of the Mini Cooper. Makes me want to have one.

These are several of Will's favorite cars. Cars by Lotus.

The car above is from Porsche.

From Joe Gibbs racing...a car raced by Kyle Busch. If I were into NASCAR, I'd pick this one just because I love M & M's.

Portable pool table from Ford.

The above price list goes with the Bonneville below. Those were the days!

If you've seen our personal car we have a Mazda 5 Touring...which is very much like this new Ford C-Max. I've learned that Ford owns or has a stake in Mazda, so it makes sense that they would make cars that look alike. I hope this one runs smoother than the Mazda.

ACROBAT IN THE MAKING

2011-02-26T14:40:00.002-05:00

HOMECOMING FOR LIZ

2011-02-20T19:56:00.000-05:00

For being homeschoolers, Liz somehow ends up at homecoming dances each year. Now I know why.

GREEN BAY

2011-02-20T18:38:00.000-05:00

Had a chance to take my customer out to eat...they being Packer fans and the fact they live in Green Bay, we ended up at the stadium restaurant. Food was ok, but the surroundings were pretty cool.

HIGHLIGHTS PART 2

2011-02-12T22:41:00.001-05:00

See part one below, though it really doesn't matter what order you watch.

BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

2011-02-12T21:04:00.001-05:00

Will had his basketball tournament today. Filmed his first game using not HD, so now I need to figure out how to convert it so we can watch it. In the meantime, here's one shot I did catch.

TO FOCUS & FRAME OR NOT TO

2011-02-04T22:44:00.001-05:00

Not every picture has to be framed just so, with complete focus.

SNOW DAY

2011-02-02T17:11:00.000-05:00

I think I'm bored...thus a photo of a squirell.

PRE STORM PHOTOS

2011-02-01T16:53:00.000-05:00

PHYSICAL FITNESS

2011-01-30T22:13:00.000-05:00

This is how we exercise in the Kelch house.

MOODY PUBLISHERS

2011-01-20T09:10:00.000-05:00

Recently I asked the question on my facebook page what people were reading. It's probably not the best place to get a feel for what folks are reading, much less, if they're reading, since not all you're friends are checking in each day and they miss your question/post. Nonetheless, it was good to see people are still picking something to read, whether they get it on their Kindle, Amazon, bookstore, ect....As someone who sort-of-struggles to read on a consistent basis, I beat myself up from time to time for not reading more. I know it's a great way to learn and grow.

I've made a commitment for 2011 to use my time more wisely, by reading more, whether I'm waiting for the car to get fixed, using my hours of drive time better, or just laying on the couch in the family room. So far, I've had a good start this year by listening to more audios in the car.

My congratulations go out to Moody Publishers for starting a blog in which they say: "we are here to start a dialogue on faith, publishing, and literary culture, in which we welcome your insights and offer you a behind-the-scenes look at the book industry."

You can find them here: http://www.insidepages.net/

Happy reading.

FLIGHT TIME

2011-01-02T15:55:00.000-05:00

CHRISTMAS FOR SEAN

2010-12-25T11:52:00.000-05:00

This is Sean's 3rd Christmas with us, but the first one we believe he understands what's going on, and has really gotten into.

HUNTING

2010-12-11T10:02:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago was the Ohio youth hunting weekend. Myself and two other dads took our kids out for a day of deer hunting. About an hour after lunchtime, Will and I spotted a deer close emough for Will to get a shot at it. Good news is he hit it, bad news is not enough to kill it. We spent 2-3 hours tracking that deer and never found it. I was assured the coyotes would get it. Though not growing up a hunter myself, I do enjoy getting out a couple of days a year, whether we see anything or not.

THE NRA WILL SEE YOU NOW

2010-12-05T15:24:00.000-05:00

Will has been busy teaching Sean a few things.

PHOTO MAGIC

2010-11-27T17:00:00.004-05:00

Found a new feature I'm going to enjoy using for my photos. The photo of the buggy is mine, the wall is not.

(click to enlarge)

(original)

PONDERING

2010-11-26T09:10:00.000-05:00

WHAT GOOD IS GOD?

2010-11-25T11:39:00.002-05:00

This has been a great book to read. Though I already know the answer to the title, I was more drawn to the book by it's subtitle: In Search of a Faith the Matters.
I believe many who take their faith seriously, or desire to, want to make their faith matter. Yancey starts each chapter with a story about Christians living out their faith around the world and here in the U.S., usually in the most difficult situations, followed by the text of a speech/talk he gave to a group of people living out their faith in those circumstances-to be an encouragement to them. I've been most challenged by the contrast of people I read about and how differently I live my life. The fact that I live in a culture so dominated by everything superficial, it is hard not to be drawn in by all the trappings our society offers, to become a participant in things that don't matter. Galatians 5:17-18 reminds us there is always a constant fight between the Spirit and the sinful nature, something I sort of take comfort in...meaning, what I experience in my thoughts and desires is not unusual but common to everyone. Still, there is that constant tug that can be overwhelming at times.
All that to say, this read book has been a challenge to continue to re-evaluate what my goals, desires and life should be about.

ALL ON HIS OWN

2010-11-19T19:40:00.000-05:00

Today my son:

-emptied the dishwasher
-set the dinner table
-put a new trash bag in the can
-and would have vacuumed the living room had we asked.

Oh, did I mention it was my 4 year old son.

NOTHING NEW

2010-11-09T23:04:00.000-05:00

Wish I had more to say. I'm on the road this week in Indiana, next week, not so sure yet, and hopefully things wind down for the rest of the year. Travel has been crazy this last month and I'm ready for a break.
That's it...I told you I didn't have anything new, but thought I should fill up some digital space just to let you know I'm still here.

GREAT READS

2010-10-30T18:23:00.000-04:00

For some reason, I've been reading three books this past week that in one way or another, can be sad and depressing...yet have a very powerful story/message.

1. Shattered by Frank Pastore: A baseball pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds in the early 80's, he was living the life as the world often defines it until he is hit by a ball in his pitching elbow-a hit that brings his baseball career to an end. He recounts his growing up years with a terrible mother who always slammed his dad, taught Frank there was no God, and manipulated people and the system for her own selfish reasons. Yet, through the experience of having his elbow shattered and a series of other events, he comes to Christ, yet still has to deal with his future, and repairing any relationship he may have with his parents.

2.The Lost Boy, by David Pelzer: This was probably the hardest book to read. It's a story of a boy growing up in the foster care system in California, during the late 60's and early 70's. Unbelievable stories of how a mother could treat her own child, and how Dave managed to navigate his way through anger, misunderstanding and rise above his circumstances.

3. The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch: Though I'm not completely finished with this title, I'm convinced with a few chapters left that it will be one of the better books I've read. Randy knew he had 3-6 months left to live due to having pancreatic cancer. As a professor at Carnegie Mellon University, he chose to give one last lecture to his students about the meaning of life and what to value most. Many worthy lessons and things to remember.

CAST

2010-10-23T13:36:00.000-04:00

Poor guy, he only had his thumb operated on, but the cast goes way above hi elbow. Hopefully in a week or so, the doctor may reduce the size of the cast.

A DAY AT THE ZOO

2010-10-17T14:02:00.000-04:00

SHOOTING

2010-10-09T22:25:00.001-04:00

The day started out with Will and I joining a friend from church to go clay shooting. It was great. Will has always liked guns, and though we've shot the .22 at grandpa and grannies place, this was the first time he used my shot gun in a controlled environment. I also think we've found a hobby Will can really get into. Later, Will went with our friend to find the deer his daughter had shot earlier that morning...that was around 3:00 pm. Will didn't get home until close to 8:00 pm. Long day, but it was good according to Will.

I got home, changed clothes, and headed out with Liz and her friend Gordon to take his senior portrait. We hit a couple of locations, but there was this empty semi-trailer we happened upon, and it seemed like a cool idea for pictures...the end result is below.

TEMPLATE

2010-10-05T08:43:00.000-04:00

I think I need to come up with a new template. I don't want to leave blogger, especially since I'm not a computer programmer, and blogger makes it pretty easy to put a blog together. So, stay tuned, maybe things will change here soon. Or maybe they won't. I think what I need more is ideas and thoughts to write down. A dry spell is going on right now.

GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE

2010-10-01T23:26:00.000-04:00

SAN FRAN

2010-09-26T02:00:00.000-04:00

Liz and I left Yosemite this morning and ventured into the San Francisco area...yikes. Not sure what I think of this place yet. After checking into our hotel and doing laundry, we headed out to find something to eat. By happenstance, we decided to eat at a generic pizza place situated on the corner of a small strip mall. I think I've had the best meal of the trip at Pepi's. Liz had ravioli, and I had the Cchicken Parmesan. The sauce was sweet and the chicken was perfect. Fortunately, I could only eat half and brought the rest home for a little lunch tomorrow.

We originally had set out to find watch the sunset, getting something quick to eat, but getting dinner served took too long and we managed to watch the sun set, but were driving the whole time looking for the beach. We finally found one and Liz was able to get her toes wet in the Pacific ocean. On our way back to the hotel, we stopped at a mall...only to find ourselves the complete minority. Let me put it this way, if Sean wants to marry an Asian women, and can't find one back in Wooster, he can move here and have too may choices.
I thought I had landed back in China. The travel books mentioned there was a huge Asian contingency here, and they weren't lying.

The photos are from our time in Mariposa Groves at Yosemite.

2010-09-24T22:48:00.001-04:00

I've not been good at all updating my blog with the travels of Liz and I. The fact is, we've been pretty busy trying to experience all there is to do here. Part of the "problem" is we are staying outside of the park about an hour away in Mariposa, Ca., a nice little tourist town where the food portions are plentiful, but the taste is fair. (I did have a really good chicken burrito today-at Taco Bell). So, we're finding we don't have a whole lot of time to surf the web or update what's going on. And, I'm doing my best to stay on east coast time, so I've been hitting the pillow by 8:30-9:00 pm, and getting up around 5:00 am.

I think Yosemite National Park is now my favorite national park among the ones I've been too. This is a photographers paradise, and having two or three days here will not be enough. I'm hoping to bring Dawn here, and it would be great to see Yosemite in the Spring when the water falls are really running. I already have three to four hundred photos and I don't know where to start editing, but thank heaven for digital!

Here are a few other highlights:

1. So far, we've met people from Denmark, Wisconsin, Indiana, & Washington.

2. As Liz and I hiked among the giant Sequoiass, we briefly talked to a homeschooling mom and daughter who, due to the husband being laid off from his construction job, are taking 4 months off to see many of the National Parks throughout the whole western part of the U.S.

3. While taking the park bus to get our car (1/2 hour drive), the bus driver had a man who had his rescue dog with him, talk about what he does and how he trained his dog. Made the bus ride shorter and gave Liz some occupational ideas.

4. No pictures can do justice to Yosemite-you just have to come here to be awed by grandeur of the canyon walls.

5. Saw a real life search and rescue helicopter deliver a patient to a waiting ambulance...see my previous post.

YOSEMITE SEARCH AND RESCUE

2010-09-23T08:33:00.001-04:00

I have so much to post about Liz and I being at Yosemite National Park, I don't even know where to start. I must have several hundred photos from the first day, which by the way, this park is a photographers paradise. Anyway, while coming back from a hike, we had seen Search and Rescue go by and assumed a hiker had fallen. Sure enough, it wasn't too much longer that we heard a helicopter go through the canyon. Once we made it to an open marsh area, the helicopter came in, fixed a long rope to it's bottom, took off again only to return a few minutes later. As you'll see from the video, I couldn't have had a better seat had I been to an air show.

OUT AND ABOUT

2010-09-17T21:41:00.001-04:00

This past weekend we attended a wedding on Dawn's side of the family...and had some down time to be random.

DEEP IN THE WOODS

2010-09-04T22:04:00.002-04:00

WEST VIRGINIA MORNING

2010-09-04T21:46:00.000-04:00

SUMMER TIME FUN

2010-09-04T21:36:00.002-04:00

ANOTHER DILBERT THAT HITS CLOSE TO HOME

2010-08-27T20:56:00.002-04:00

A DAY AT THE CLEVELAND ZOO

2010-08-22T21:44:00.002-04:00

I'd hate to be that chip

Dawn thought we'd be the talk of the development if we could get one of these plants on our patio

I think these guys are ready to go home.

COME ON...PLEAAAAASE

2010-08-09T15:48:00.000-04:00

IOWA BARN

2010-08-07T13:23:00.000-04:00

From one of my recent trips to Iowa..east of Des Moines.

(click on picture to enlarge)

DILBERT

2010-07-31T19:36:00.000-04:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIZ

2010-07-31T15:35:00.000-04:00

Where has 16 years gone? Dawn and I are very proud of Liz. Happy Birthday my sweet girl.

DORM ROOMS, A KISS, AND THE TRANSFORMERS

2010-07-23T22:25:00.003-04:00

While Will and I were in Chicago, we happened upon a movie set for the third Transformers movie.

I showed Will where Dawn and I went to school and pointed out my dorm room. (Actually, Will has been on the campus before, but I'm getting old and like to reminisce).

Moody Bible Institute as seen from the 94th floor of the John Hancock building

Where Dawn and I first kissed!!!

CHICAGO

2010-07-23T21:32:00.000-04:00

(click on image for larger view)

DAYTON AIRSHOW 2010

2010-07-18T18:49:00.001-04:00

(click on picture for bigger view)

SCAREDY CAT

2010-07-15T08:26:00.001-04:00

Sean is scared of any little bug or fly. So Will took a chance to tell Sean there was a little bug by him.

THATS IT

2010-07-05T17:59:00.000-04:00

This is the extent of our fireworks show in Wooster

2010-07-05T00:14:00.000-04:00

Click on the photo to be taken to other photos of the Wooster Fireworks display.

CABOOSE

2010-07-03T20:43:00.002-04:00

COURTHOUSE

2010-07-03T20:39:00.001-04:00

Courthouse, originally uploaded by Gary E K.

ICRS

2010-06-27T19:15:00.001-04:00

It's that time of year, when the Christian publishing industry holds its annual convention. This year it will be in St. Louis, and I'm waiting at the airport to catch my flight. It's been several years since I've needed to go to ICRS (it used to be called CBA-Christian Booksellers Association), but since it's being held near my territory, I am one of the chosen few. A lot has changed since I first attended 17 years ago. Going to ICRS usually meant two weeks were blocked in my schedule. The first week, we had sales conference, and were allowed to have our families there. Once the meetings were over, we could spend the weekend being tourists. Now that the economy has reeked havoc on independent bookstores, and the company has cut back to save money, I'll be heading out tonight and be back by Wednesday, all without the family. The first year I went, I think I went non-stop, from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, with one bathroom break and a 10 minute lunch. This year, I anticipate chatting with my customers, saying hello to people I just saw in the last three weeks or will see in the next six, and watching the clock go tick, tick, tick.
With all the changes going on with work, I was reminded in church this morning from the book of Ecclesiastes, that I need to be content. And so I will set my mind and heart to that end.

Eccl. 5:18 Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life.

WE HAVE A WINNER

2010-06-22T19:19:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to Liz who took first place in a local photo contest and was the first place winner for her age bracket. Now she is entered into the state fair competition.

GOLD WING WEEKEND

2010-06-20T16:56:00.000-04:00

Every year in Wooster, the Gold Wing motor cycle club rolls into town, setting up tents at the fair grounds and doing whatever people with the same mototcycle do...which is, I don't know. But on Saturday night, they have a light parade to show off the untold thousands of dollars they pour into their bikes. Anyway, since the parade route is right near our house, it's worth the walk up to the road to see them. Unfortunately, I don't have the right camera equipment to capture moving objects at night. So the following photos will have to do, and you'll just have to use your imagination.

UPPER MICHIGAN

2010-06-16T10:11:00.000-04:00

FIREMAN

2010-06-05T21:54:00.002-04:00

WATERFALL

2010-05-30T16:14:00.001-04:00

Rocky Fork, Indiana

GOALS

2010-05-30T15:33:00.001-04:00

It always bothers me a little when people don't update their blog much...but I realize I'm the most guilty of doing that. I have a co-worker who made it his personal goal one year to blog every day. I didn't have a blog at the time, and thought that should be pretty easy. Now that I've had one for several years, I understand that's a pretty big task. I don't think I'd make that my personal goal because it would become legalistic for me to do, and I hate legalism. Lately, I've had to remind myself what my blog is for...it's for me, a journal per se. I just let others peak in. Of course, I don't put all the real private stuff on here, but generally, I do put the things that interest me, my photos, my thoughts, articles that speak to something I care about, and to practice writing in a semi-intelligent way. So, if you do happen to check here on any regular basis, my apologies for not having anything up lately. You can rest assured, if I ever decide to stop posting, I'll let you know.

With that, here are several goals I do have, and assuming blogger.com doesn't go away, I hope to check back in ten years to see if what I wrote came about.

In ten years, I hope to be doing one of the following:
1. Living in the Phoenix, Arizona area
2. Be involved in cross cultural ministry, hopefully in Asia somewhere.
3. Own my own business, being blessed with enough success that I can have extended time overseas (see #2), while at the same time, helping others who have a desire to extend Christ's love but who don't have the funds to do so.