GREAT READS

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

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

SHOOTING

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

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