Rodeo, Ride, Rodeo

We went to the New Mexico Stampede rodeo Friday night. It's a PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) sanctioned event so the caliber of contestants are pretty good. Last year's world champion steer wrestler, Stran Smith, was there and won the first round.

It was a lot of fun and no one got hurt which is always a good thing at a rodeo.

This morning, Betty and I took Sugar and Morgunn out for a ride. We rode them around our area on both paved and dirt roads. They both did very well. The morning was beautiful as the wind didn't pick up until lunch time. We had a great time.

Tonight I'm going back to the rodeo to shoot some pictures with a friend of mine, Steve Simmons. Steve is both an author and photographer. He has had stories and pictures printed in The New Mexico magazine and other publications. It should be a lot of fun.

(Later) It was great fun. I got in too late to add any rodeo pictures to this post, but I'll have some on Tuesday - after Sunday Reflections and Monday Video.

Super Bowl tomorrow - go Steelers!


Today is January 31 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Justin Timberlake (boy singer), Minnie Driver (actress, "Good Will Hunting"), Nolan Ryan (Hall of Fame pitcher), Suzanne Pleshette (actress, Emily Hartley on "The Bob Newhart Show"), James Franciscus (actor, "Mr. Novak"), Ernie Banks (Hall of Fame Chicago Cubs baseball player), Carol Channing (actress, "Hello Dolly"), Norman Mailer (author), Mario Lanza (opera singer), Jackie Robinson (first black baseball player in the major leagues), Thomas Merton (Catholic monk and author), Garry Moore (TV host), Eddie Cantor (1920's singer), and Zane Grey (Western author).

On this day in 1801 the sale of white bread was prohibited in London. In 1865 General Robert E. Lee was named General-in-Chief of all the Confederate armies and the House of Representatives approves a constitutional amendment abolishing slavery. In 1929 the Soviet Union expelled communist revolutionary Leon Trotsky. He was later assassinated in Mexico. In 1936 the radio show, "The Green Hornet" was introduced by its famous theme song, "The Flight of the Bumble Bee". The show premiered on WXYZ radio, in Detroit, Michigan, and stayed on the air for 16 years. (As a kid I listened to "The Green Hornet" on the radio each week.) In 1940 the first Social Security check was issued, by the U.S. Government. The check was for $22.54 and was issued to Ida Fuller of Brattlesboro, Vermont. Her check number was 00-000-001. In 1958 the United States entered the Space Age with its first successful launch of a satellite into orbit, "Explorer One." And in 1985 the final Jeep, the workhorse vehicle that came home a hero from World War II, rolled off the assembly line at the AMC plant in Toledo, Ohio.

The Wonderful World of Grandparents

It was windy and cold (again) this morning so we didn't get to work with the horses or ride.

Betty is doing some shopping while I do this post.

A friend sent us an e-mail with some quotes about grandparents and I thought I would share them with you.

If you're a grandparent you'll know these to be true.


Grandmas are moms with lots of frosting. ~Author Unknown

What a bargain grandchildren are! I give them my loose change, and they give me a million dollars' worth of pleasure. ~Gene Perret

Grandmothers are just 'antique' little girls. ~Author Unknown

Perfect love sometimes does not come until the first grandchild. ~Welsh Proverb

A grandmother is a babysitter who watches the kids instead of the television. ~Author Unknown

Never have children, only grandchildren. ~Gore Vidal

Becoming a grandmother is wonderful. One moment you're just a mother. The next you are all-wise and prehistoric. ~Pam Brown

Grandchilden don't stay young forever, which is good because Grandfathers have only so many horsey rides in them. ~Gene Perret

When grandparents enter the door, discipline flies out the window. ~ Ogden Nash

Grandma always made you feel she had been waiting to see just you all day and now the day was complete. ~ Marcy DeMaree

Grandmas never run out of hugs or cookies. ~Author Unknown

Grandmas hold our tiny hands for just a little while, but our hearts forever. ~Author Unknown

If I had known how wonderful it would be to have grandchildren, I'd have had them first. ~Lois Wyse

My grandkids believe I'm the oldest thing in the world. And after two or three hours with them, I believe it, too. ~Gene Perret

If becoming a grandmother was only a matter of choice, I should advise every one of you straight away to become one. There is no fun for old people like it! ~Hannah Whithall Smith

It's such a grand thing to be a mother of a mother - that's why the world calls her grandmother. ~Author Unknown

I wish I had the energy that my grandchildren have - if only for self-defense. ~Gene Perret

Grandmother-grandchild relationships are simple. Grandmas are short on criticism and long on love. ~Author Unknown

Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do. Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children. ~Alex Haley

The best baby-sitters, of course, are the baby's grandparents. You feel completely comfortable entrusting your baby to them for long periods, which is why most grandparents flee to Florida . ~Dave Barry


Today is January 30 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Christian Bale (actor, Batman in "The Dark Knight"), Brett Butler (comedian, "Grace Under Fire"), Phil Collins (British singer), Marty Balin (singer and co-founder of "Jefferson Starship"), Dick Cheney (Vice-President under George W. Bush), Vanessa Redgrave (actress, "Julia"), Boris Spassky (Russian chess master), Tammy Grimes (actress, "The Unsinkable Molly Brown"), Gene Hackman (actor, "The French Connection"), Dick Martin (comedian, Rowan and Martin), and Franklin D. Roosevelt (32nd US President).

On this day in 1798 a brawl broke out in the House of Representatives in Philadelphia, as Matthew Lyon of Vermont spat in the face of Roger Griswold of Connecticut. In 1835 a gunman fired twice on President Andrew Jackson, the first attempt on the life of a U.S. president. Jackson was not injured. In 1911 the first airplane rescue at sea was made by the destroyer, "Terry", when downed pilot, James McCurdy was forced to land in the ocean about 10 miles from Havana, Cuba. In 1933 Adolf Hitler became chancellor of Germany and the first episode of the "Lone Ranger" radio program was broadcast on station WXYZ in Detroit. And in 1969 the Beatles performed together in public for the last time. The show took place on the roof of their Apple Studios in London, England, but it was interrupted by police after they received complaints from the neighbors about the noise.

"Mars Attacks"

"Mars Attacks" - that's been the highlight of my day.

We went to exercise first thing this morning and, while we were in the gym sculpting our hard bodies, the wind picked up again. So, Betty wasn't able to work with Sugar on trailering as we had hoped.

So watching the movie "Mars Attacks" in the early afternoon was the most interesting thing I did so far.

We will meet with someone at church at 5:15 PM and, hopefully, that will redeem the day.

Maybe tomorrow will be more interesting. At least in the evening we're going to the NM Stampede Rodeo at the Star Center.


Today is January 29 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Sara Gilbert (actress, daughter on "Roseanne"), Heather Graham (actress, "Austin Powers"), Greg Louganis (Olympic gold medalist diver), Oprah Winfrey (talk show host), Ann Jillian (actress), Tom Selleck (actor, "Shadow Riders"), Katherine Ross (actress, "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid"), John Forsythe (actor, "Charlie's Angels"), Victor Mature (actor), W. C. Fields (comedian), William McKinley (25th US President), and Thomas Paine (Revolutionary hero, "Common Sense").

On this day in 1845 Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Raven" was first published, in the New York "Evening Mirror." In 1861 Kansas became the 34th state of the Union as a free or non-slavery state at a time when Southern states were seceding from the Union. And in 1963 the first members of football's Hall of Fame were named in Canton, Ohio.

Work Day Wednesday

This morning was cold and windy again so it was a good day to do some work outside. Our makeshift round pen (it looks kind of crappy, but it works and it was cheap compared to the professional ones) needed some repairs and we wanted to make the 'gate' a little more substantial.

I added some brackets so we can put some 2 x 4's in them as the 'gate.' Before this we had some rubber tie downs that we stretched across the space. Whenever we work the horses in the round pen they would eye those rubber tie downs as if they were thinking, "I can get through there." And, they probably could. So, now we have something more substantial.

We have a meeting at church this afternoon and visiting with another couple from church this evening.

If the weather permits tomorrow morning, Betty is going to work with Sugar on getting into and out of our horse trailer. As the weather gets better we want to be able to trailer the horses so we can ride along the river.

Have a great Wednesday.


Today is January 28 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Elijah Wood (actor, Frodo in "Lord of the Rings"), Nick Carter (singer, Backstreet Boys), Sarah McLachlan (singer), Alan Alda (actor, Hawkeye Pierce in "M.A.S.H."), Jackson Pollock (impressionist painter), Arthur Rubenstein (classical pianist), Colette (French novelist), and Jose Marti (Cuban writer).

A special remembrance that on January 28, 1986 the Space Shuttle Columbia exploded shortly after lift off. God bless them still.

On this day in 1596 English navigator Sir Francis Drake died off the coast of Panama; he was buried at sea. In 1858 John Brown organized a raid on the Arsenal at Harper's Ferry. In 1878 the first commercial telephone switchboard began operation in New Haven, Conn., with 12 subscribers. In 1904 the first college sports letters were given out. Seniors who played on the University of Chicago's football team were awarded blankets with the letter "C" on them. In 1915 the U.S. Coast Guard is founded to fight contraband trade and aid distressed vessels at sea. In 1916 Louis D. Brandeis was appointed by President Wilson to the Supreme Court, becoming its first Jewish member. And in 1978 the words "De plane, de plane!" were first broadcast on ABC with the premiere of "Fantasy Island."

Cold WIndy Tuesday

I guess it could be worse. We could live in the mid-West where they're getting an ice and snow storm today.

But, for New Mexico, it's a cold, windy day. Betty went over to our church today to help out with some work that needed to be done. I did some shopping to get some things for the horses.

I fed the horses their lunch while Betty was doing some grocery shopping. Today is the one of the two days when I clean out the horses' water tank - Tuesday and Saturday. It was cold, cold, cold while I worked to get the tank clean and refilled.

This afternoon we're trying to stay warm in the house while the wind continues to blow. In about an hour we'll head out into the cold wind again to feed the horses their dinner.

But, I guess it can always be worse.

Today is January 27 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Bridget Fonda (actress, daughter of Peter Fonda), Cris Collingsworth (former Cincinnati Bengal player, now a football commentator), Mikhail Baryshnikov (famed ballet dancer), Nick Mason (drummer for Pink Floyd), Troy Donohue (actor, "A Summer Place"), Donna Reed (actress, "The Donna Reed Show"), Skitch Henderson (bandleader on the "Tonight Show"), Jerome Kern (composer), Lewis Carroll (author, "Alice in Wonderland"), and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (classical composer).

On this day in 1785 the oldest state university in America, the University of Georgia, was chartered in Athens. In 1870 Kappa Alpha Theta, the first American Greek letter sorority, was founded at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. In 1880 Thomas Edison was granted a patent for an electric incandescent lamp. In 1888 the National Geographic Society was founded in Washington, DC. In 1945 the Russians liberated the Auschwitz concentration camp, where the Nazis had murdered 1.5 million men, women and children, including more than one million Jews. In 1967 Astronauts Virgil I. "Gus" Grissom, Edward H. White and Roger B. Chaffee died in a flash fire during a test aboard their "Apollo One" spacecraft at Cape Kennedy, Florida. In 1976 ABC's sitcom "Laverne and Shirley" premiered. It was a spin-off of the hit sitcom "Happy Days."

Monday Video - Horsemanship at a New Level

I ran across three videos of three young adults, one young woman and two young men, demonstrating their horsemanship with their horses. I believe they live in Pennsylvania and their countryside is beautiful.

Their relationship with their horses is remarkable and it's obvious the horses enjoy what they're doing. I also love watching how little these young people do to communicate with their horses.

I'll feature the remaining videos at some time in the future, but for now enjoy this first one.




Today is January 26 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Kirk Franklin (Gospel singer), Wayne Gretzky (great hockey player), Anita Baker (R&B singer), Ellen DeGeneres (comedian), Eddie Van Halen (rock singer), Gene Siskel (film critic), Angela Davis (Black activist), Scott Glenn (actor, "The Right Stuff"), Paul Newman (actor, "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid"), and Douglas MacArthur (WWII general).

On this day in 1784 in a letter to his daughter, Benjamin Franklin expressed unhappiness over the choice of the eagle as the symbol of America, and expressed his own preference: the turkey. In 1788 the first European settlers in Australia, led by Captain Arthur Phillip, landed in present-day Sydney. In 1802 Congress passed an act calling for a library to be established within the US Capitol. In 1837 Michigan became the 26th state. In 1841 the British flag was raised on Hong Kong island, six days after China had agreed to cede it to Britain. In 1875 George F. Green of Kalamazoo, Michigan, patented the electric dental drill for sawing, filing, dressing and polishing teeth. And in 1905 the world's largest diamond, the Cullinan, was discovered near Pretoria, weighing 3,106 carats.

Sunday Reflections - Rest

Last week I thought a lot about peace - the peace that passes all understanding. Today I have been thinking about rest.

My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. (Ps 62:1)

One of the great stories in the Bible is in 1 Kings 18. The prophet Elijah confronts 450 prophets of Baal to see who's greater - God or Baal. Elijah tells them to take a bull, sacrifice it and put it on the wood on their altar. Then they should ask Baal to send down fire from the sky to light the fire.

The prophets of Baal danced and shouted from morning to noon. Elijah taunted them to shout louder. They even cut themselves until the blood flowed - but no fire from Baal.

Elijah then rebuilt the altar of God, sacrificed a bull and put it on the wood on the altar. Then he dug a trench around the altar and three times had water poured over the bull, wood and altar to make the wood even harder to light. Then he prayed, "O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again."

And God poured fire down from heaven and burned up the wood, bull and even dried up all the water. Elijah had won a great victory over the prophets of Baal. I suspect he was pumped up. At God's direction all 450 prophets of Baal were killed by the sword.

Shortly after, he was threatened by a single woman, Jezebel, who said, "May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them." She was ticked that all of her prophets of Baal were dead.

What was Elijah's response to this one woman? Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day's journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, Lord," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors."

After defeating 450 prophets of Baal in one of the most dramatic examples of God's power, Elijah was ready to throw in the towel. What was God's remedy? He sent an angel to give him food and rest. Elijah was worn out and God knew he needed sustenance for his body with food and sustenance for his mind and spirit with rest. After he ate and rested, God directed Elijah to journey 40 miles to Horeb.

It's easy for me to go from feeling strong in the Lord one day to wondering what in the world I will do the next. Often my fears come from the fact that I'm tired - physically or emotionally. Just as Elijah, I often need rest to continue on the journey that God is leading me on.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matt 11:28-30)


Today is January 25 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Alicia Keys (singer), China Kantner (actress, daughter of singer Grace Slick), Corazon Aquino (first woman president of the Phillipines), Edwin Newman (TV correspondent), Dean Jones (actor, "Love Bug"), Virginia Woolf (British novelist), William Colgate (soapmaker), and Robert Burns (Scottish poet, "Auld Lang Syne").

On this day in 1533 England's King Henry the Eighth secretly married his second wife, Anne Boleyn. In 1878 a Turkish steamer became the first ship to be sunk by a torpedo, fired from a Russian boat. In 1890 Nellie Bly, a young New York reporter, completed a trip around the world in the astounding time of 72 days, six hours and 11 minutes. In 1915 the inventor of the telephone, Alexander Graham Bell, inaugurated US transcontinental telephone service when Alexander Bell in New York calls Thomas Watson in San Francisco. In 1924 the first Winter Olympics began at Chamonix, France. In 1937 NBC radio presented the first broadcast of "The Guiding Light". The program became the longest-running story line in daytime drama. The radio show remained until 1956. "The Guiding Light" began its long run on CBS-TV in 1952. In 1961 President Kennedy held the first presidential news conference carried live on radio and television. And in 1964 the Beatles reached the #1 spot on the music charts, as their hit single, "I Want to Hold Your Hand" grabbed the top position.

Treasures in the Ground

Today in New Mexico there are 22 different Indian nations - the Navajo nation, two Apache nations (Jicarilla in the North and Mescalero in the Southeast) and 19 Pueblos. The Indians of the 19 Pueblos are descendants of the Anazazi people who once lived in the great cities such as Mesa Verde, Canyon de Chelley (pronounced Canyon de 'Shay'), and Chaco Canyon. Even though the Pueblo Indians have common ancestors, they consider themselves different nations with different traditions and customs.

When the Spanish, led by Francisco Vazquez de Coronado, entered what is now New Mexico from Mexico to the South, there were many more Pueblos throughout the area.

Finding no wealth in the Cibola (present day Zuni Pueblo) and surrounding areas, Coronado moved his armies East to the Pueblos along the Rio Grande River in September, 1540. The name given to this collection of Pueblos along the River was Tiguex (pronounced 'Ti-wesh').

Our house is located in the midst of the area where many of these Pueblos existed at the time of Coronado.

Shortly after we decided to get some horses, we had our back lot cleared of all the sagebrush. After several rains and wind storms we began to find an occasional pottery shard. We have found dozens of plain pottery shards, similar to the ones below, that were from pots that were probably functional in nature.

What became exciting for us is when we began to find pottery shards that were from decorated pots. We believe these decorated pots were more important because of the work involved, but we don't know their function. Most were gray or white with black markings...

We even found two shards from redware pottery...

It's always amazing to me when I see a shard in the ground that I'm touching something that was last touched by someone who lived on our land over 460 years ago. If you close your eyes, it's easy to imagine the Pueblo Indians who lived and walked on our land so many years ago.

Coronado may not have found the gold he was looking for, but we have found treasures in the ground where we live.

Today is January 24 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Mary Lou Retton (Olympic gold medal gymnast), Yakov Smirnoff (Russian dialect comedian), John Belushi (comedian, "Saturday Night Live" and "Blues Brothers"), Neil Diamond (singer, "Kentucky Woman"), Aaron Neville (singer, The Neville Brothers), Ernest Borgnine (actor, "McHale's Navy"), and Edith Wharton (author).

On this day in 41 AD Gaius Caesar (Caligula), Roman emperor from 37, was murdered. Caligula, or Little Boots, was a nickname he acquired as a child. In 1848 gold was discovered by James Wilson Marshall at his partner Johann August Sutter's sawmill on the South Fork of the American River, near Coloma, California. This prompted the "California Gold Rush." In 1899 the rubber heel is patented by Humphrey O'Sullivan. In 1908 the first Boy Scout troop was organized in England by Sir Robert Baden-Powell, a general in the British Army. In 1911 the U.S. Cavalry is sent to preserve the neutrality of the Rio Grande during the Mexican Civil War. In 1916 the U.S. Supreme Court finds the income tax is constitutional and we've been screwed ever since. In 1922 Christian K. Nelson of Onawa, Iowa, patented the Eskimo Pie. In 1935 Krueger Cream Ale, the first beer to be sold in cans, went on sale in Richmond, Virginia. And in 1972 Japanese soldier Shoichi Yokoi was discovered on Guam, having spent 28 years hiding in the jungle thinking the war was still going on.

Ever Wonder?

If you have horses, cats, dogs, or any other critters, you have probably observed them interacting and wondering, "What in the world are they saying to each other?"

I observed Morgunn and Sugar having a 'conversation' the other day and wondered that same thing.

So, I'll put my guesses here and you're free to add your own guesses.

Morgunn: "What're you doing tonight? Gletta has been kind of stand-offish lately and I need some companionship - if you know what I mean.

Sugar: "You talking to me, Sailor?"

Sugar: "Well, I want you to know that I'm not that kind of girl!"

Morgunn: "Oh, yeah? Well, you're not the only filly in the herd."

Morgunn: "I wonder what Gletta's doing tonight?

Pretty lame, I know. Well, if you can do better give it a shot.


Today is January 23 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Princess Caroline of Monaco (eldest child of Princess Grace and Prince Ranier), Rutger Hauer (actor, "Blade Runner"), Chita Rivera (Broadway actress, "Sweet Charity"), Jeanne Moreau (French actress), Ernie Kovacs (wacky TV comedian), Randolph Scott (cowboy actor), Humphrey Bogart (actor, "The Caine Mutiny" and " Casablanca"), Edouard Monet (French impressionist painter), and John Hancock (largest signature on the Declaration of Independence).

On this day in 1789 Georgetown College was founded by Father John Carroll, 54, in Washington, D.C. It was the first Roman Catholic college established in America. In 1790 the real-life mutineers of the real-life ship, the Bounty, burned their ship at Pitcairn Island in the South Pacific. In 1845 Congress decided all national elections would be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. In 1907 Charles Curtis, of Kansas, began serving in the United States Senate. He was the first American Indian to become a U.S. Senator. And in 1968 North Korea seized the US Navy ship "Pueblo," charging it had intruded into the communist nation's territorial waters on a spying mission. The crew was released 11 months later. (My ship was stationed in the same waters off North Korea exactly two years later - it was a tense time.)

She Knows... Thursday Ride

She knows when you're happy.

She knows when you're comfortable.
She knows when you're confident.
And she always knows when you have carrots.
-Anonymous

That definitely describes Betty's horse, Sugar. When we first got her, she didn't know what a carrot was. Now she loves them as do Morgunn and Gletta. (And, no, Michelle, we don't peel them for her).

We went for a ride this morning for about 45 minutes around our neighborhood. It was another chance for Betty and Sugar to continue getting comfortable and confident with each other. Sugar is doing well for being here only about 6 weeks (and we were gone for almost two of those weeks).

This kind of open country with all the blowing sage is definitely new for her. So, almost every ride is a new adventure for her and she checks out everything. We don't think she has much experience with cars, construction equipment and bikes as she experienced all three this morning. The good news is when she's 'interested' in something she stays in place. She doesn't turn or try to run away from anything new. We know that over time she'll get used to this area.

The other good thing is Sugar's walk and Morgunn's walk are pretty close in stride and speed so we can ride together side by side as much as we like. This was not the case with Gletta. She was a speedster and there was no way Morgunn could keep up with her and it was hard work for Betty to hold Gletta back. Betty's ride on Sugar is much more relaxed.

Here's a picture of Betty and Sugar coming home...



Today is January 22 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Diane Lane (actress), Linda Blair (actress, possessed kid in "The Exorcist"), John Hurt (actor, had a run in with a baby alien in "Aliens"), Joseph Wambaugh (policeman turned author, "The Onion Field"), Sam Cooke (singer, "You Send Me"), Bill Bixby (actor, "My Favorite Martian"), Ann Sothern (actress), D. W. Griffith (silent film director, "Birth of a Nation"), and Sir Francis Bacon (author).

On this day in 1498 Columbus discovers St Vincent Island. In 1771 Spain ceded the Falkland Islands to Britain. In 1901 Queen Victoria of England died after reigning for 63 years. She holds the record for longest-reigning queen in the world, and is fourth in the list of longest-reigning monarchs. She died at age 82. In 1944 American troops invaded Italy, landing at Anzio beach in a move to out flank German defensive positions. In 1947 KTLA, Channel 5, in Hollywood, began operation as the first commercial television station west of the Mississippi River. In 1968 the comedy show "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" premiered on NBC TV. And in 1973 on a sad day, the Supreme Court handed down its "Roe versus Wade" decision, which legalized abortion.

Morgunn's the Man

If you read this blog on any basis, you know that Betty's new horse, Sugar, is the lead mare of our little three-horse herd. When it comes to food, she makes sure Morgunn and Gletta know that she's in charge.

However, this morning I looked out our kitchen window and it looked like Morgunn was 'the man' today - sleeping away - with his lovely mares watching over him.


Dream on, Morgunn!


Today is January 21 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Emma Lee Bunton (singer, Spice Girls), Hakeem Olajuwon (professional basketball player), Geena Davis, (actress, "Earth Girls Are Easy"), Mac Davis (country singer), Placido Domingo (opera singer), Jack Nicklaus (terrific pro golfer), Wolfman Jack (early rock and roll radio DJ), Benny Hill (British comedian), Telly Savalas (actor, "Kojak"), Paul Scofield (actor, "A Man for All Seasons"), and Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson (Confederate general).

On this day in 1189 Phillip Augustus, King of France, Henry II, King of England, and Fredrick Barbarossa, Holy Roman Emperor, begin assembling the troops for the Third Crusade. In 1621 colonists began putting up houses to begin the settlement at Plymouth, Massachusetts. In 1908 in New York City, the first ``no smoking'' legislation is enacted, barring women from smoking cigarettes in public. Officials feared the air pollution created by cigarette smoke. (however, the measure was vetoed by Mayor George B. McClellan Junior). In 1954 the first atomic submarine, the USS "Nautilus," was launched at Groton, Connecticut. And in 1976 the supersonic Concorde jet was put into service by Britain and France.

Inauguration Day

Today is the inauguration of our new president. Whether you voted for him or not, here are 10 ways that we can pray for him and his family (thanks to Wade Daniel, my oldest son).

1. Pray for Obama's protection. We already know that some weird, neo-Nazi fanatics in Tennessee plotted to kill Sen. Obama during his campaign. Let's pray that racist hatred is not allowed to spread. Let's cancel every assassin's bullet in the name of Jesus. May civility triumph over bigotry.

2. Cover his wife and daughters in prayer. It is not easy to live under constant media scrutiny. Pray for Obama's wife, Michelle, and their two daughters, Malia and Natasha, as they face invasive cameras, nosy reporters, maniacal fans and dangerous enemies. Obama is not only a politician but also a husband and a father.

3. Pray that Obama will govern with God's wisdom. God rewarded Solomon because he asked for wisdom instead of wealth, long life or vengeance on his enemies (see 1 Kings 3:11-12). Pray that Obama will order his priorities like that. Despite Solomon's tragic character flaws, his legacy was wisdom. We can ask God to give our president the same grace.

4. Ask God to keep our president humble. Many great American leaders became corrupt after they moved to Washington. The fatal attraction of fame, wealth and power proved irresistible. The only thing that will guard a man or woman from this pitfall is humility. May God deliver President Obama from the curse of pride.

5. Pray for wise and righteous advisers to surround him. Godly leaders cannot do their job alone. Even the best leaders have failed because they trusted the wrong people. Pray that Obama will not select his counselors based on party, race, pedigree or political cronyism but on godly character and proven wisdom. Pray also that he will not allow secret traitors into his inner circle.

6. Ask for the spirit of reconciliation. Some segments of our deeply divided society want nothing to do with Obama now that he has won the presidency. Even some Christians will be tempted to harbor resentment and nurse political grudges throughout his term in office. Pray that God will grant forgiveness and healing so that leaders on all political levels can have constructive dialogue.

7. Pray that Obama will adopt pro-life convictions. Many politicians have changed their views on key issues while in office. In the 1800s some leaders who favored slavery later denounced it. In the 1950s some who opposed racial integration later became champions of it. Even though Obama won approval from many voters because he sanctions abortion, God could soften and change his heart.

8. Bind all evil forces assigned to manipulate our president. The specter of Islamic terrorism looms over the United States, and dark forces are ready to infiltrate. Our only hope lies in prayer to the God who is able to expose and outwit the schemes of the wicked. This is truly a time for spiritual warfare, and intercessors must not come off the wall in this hour! Pray that no foreign government, terrorist organization or demonic principality will use Obama as a tool. We must stand strong against the spirit of antichrist that promotes dictatorship, persecution of Christians and hostility toward Israel.

9. Pray that Obama's door will remain open to the church. The loudest voices of secular culture—from Bill Maher in Hollywood to atheists in academia—would be happy if religion were removed from public life. Pray that Obama, who claims to have a personal faith in Jesus Christ, will unapologetically welcome Christian leaders into his company and seek their counsel. And pray that false religious leaders (who claim to know Christ but deny His power) will not have his ear.

10. Pray that our nation will enjoy God's peace and blessing during the Obama administration. The apostle Paul instructed early believers to pray for all in authority "so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity" (1 Tim. 2:2, NASB). God's will is for America to experience peace and prosperity so that we can continue to export the gospel to the nations. This must happen whether a Democrat or a Republican is in the White House. As we cry out for God's mercy on our wayward nation, pray that He will allow us to be a light to the world as we finance global missions, feed and heal the world's poor and share Christ's love at home and abroad.


Today is January 20 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Rainn Wilson (actor, "The Office"), Paul Stanley (guitarist for the rock group KISS), David Lynch (director, "Twin Peaks"), Dorothy Provine (actress, "The Roaring Twenties"), Arte Johnson (comedian on Laugh-In, "Verrrrry interesting"), Edwin "Buzz"Aldrin (second astronaut to walk on the moon), Patricia Neal (actress, "Hud"), DeForest Kelley (actor, Dr. McCoy on "Star Trek"), and George Burns (comedian).

On this day in 1801 John Marshall was appointed chief justice of the United States. In 1841 the island of Hong Kong was ceded to Great Britain. (It returned to Chinese control in July 1997.) In 1885 the roller coaster was patented by L.A. Thompson of Coney Island, NY. His coaster was 450 feet long with the highest drop being 30 feet. In 1892 the first officially recognized basketball game was played at the YMCA gym in Springfield, Mass. In 1930 Charles Lindbergh arrives in NY, setting a cross country flying record of 14.75 hours. In 1958 Elvis Presley got a little U.S. Mail this day with greetings from Uncle Sam. The draft board in Memphis, TN ordered The King to report for duty; but allowed a 60-day deferment for him to finish the film "King Creole." And in 1981 Iran released 52 Americans it had held hostage for 444 days, minutes after the presidency had passed from Jimmy Carter to Ronald Reagan.

Monday Video - Tara and Bella

Everyone needs a friend - someone special in their life who accepts them as they are. Today's video is a great example of that - Tara and Bella.

Enjoy!




Today is January 19 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Junior Seau (professional football player), Desi Arnaz, Jr. ( son of Desi Arnaz, husband of Lucille Ball), Dewey Bunnell (singer, "Horse with No Name"), Dolly Parton (country singer), Shelley Fabares (actress, "The Donna Reed Show"), Janis Joplin (singer), Michael Crawford (actor/singer, The Phantom of the Opera), Phil Everly (singer, The Everly Brothers), Tippi Hedren (actress, "The Birds"), Jean Stapleton (actress, Edith Bunker in "All in the Family"), Guy Madison (actor, "Wild Bill Hickock"), Edgar Allen Poe (author/poet), and Robert E. Lee (Confederate general).

On this day in 1861 Georgia seceded from the Union. In 1903 the first regular transatlantic radio broadcast took place between US and England and a new bicycle race called the Tour de France was announced. And in 1955 a presidential news conference was filmed for television for the first time, with permission from President Eisenhower and the board game Scrabble was introduced.

Sunday Reflections - Peace

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
(John 14:27)

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
(Phil 4:7)

So much is going on in the world today that is disturbing. The economy is struggling and it is affecting so many people - including people close to us. And it is discouraging to see such a lack of leadership from our government - both state and federal.

The Middle East continues to be a tinderbox. The 'small' wars we have seen, I believe, are leading up to a bigger and more serious one.

There is a war going on just South of us in Mexico because of the drug cartels and I believe it is only going to get worse.

Health problems continue to plague so many including several people close to us.

It's hard to imagine peace in the midst of all this - but that's what Jesus promised. However, we have to realize that he said it would be 'his peace,' not the peace that comes from the world. This peace must be something different than what we experience in our natural world. In the world, peace seems to be the absence of turmoil. Somehow, Jesus' peace is peace is the midst of turmoil.

And Jesus goes on to say do not 'let' our hearts be troubled and do not 'be' afraid. This means I have a choice when things seem overwhelming in my life or in the lives of those close to me. I can choose to 'let' my heart be troubled and be afraid, or I can choose to 'let' my heart be at peace - the peace that transcends understanding and can come only from God - and I can choose not to be afraid. The only way I can not be afraid is to reach up and hold the hand of my heavenly Father. As his child in this world there is so much I don't understand, but my Father does and I can trust him.

With my hand in his, I receive that peace that guards my heart - it guards my heart from trouble and it guards it from fear. And, just as important, this same peace guards my mind. It guards my mind from itself - rehearsing all the what-ifs that can happen - and it guards my mind from the enemy who would love to attack me there. The enemy knows that when I am afraid I take my eyes and heart off of God which is what he wants.

Finally, I believe this peace that passes all understanding and comes from God really comes down to faith. And faith is believing and trusting when there is absolutely no reason to believe or trust.


Today is January 18 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Kevin Costner (actor, "Open Range"), Bobby Goldsboro (singer, "Honey"), Danny Kaye (actor, "White Christmas"), Cary Grant (actor, "Father Goose"), Oliver Hardy (comedian, Laurel and Hardy), A. A. Milne (author, "Winnie the Pooh"), and Daniel Webster (American politician).

On this day in 1778 English navigator Captain James Cook discovered the Hawaiian Islands, which he dubbed the "Sandwich Islands." In 1911 the first landing of an aircraft on a ship took place as pilot Eugene B. Ely brought his plane in for a safe landing on the deck of the USS Pennsylvania in San Francisco Harbor. In 1929 "New York Daily Mirror" columnist, Walter Winchell made his debut on radio, broadcasting a blend of political commentary and celebrity gossip to `Mr. and Mrs. America.' In 1936 Su-Lin arrived in San Francisco, California. She was the first giant panda to come to the U.S. from China. The bear was sold to the Brookfield Zoo for $8,750. And in 1943 a wartime ban on the sale of pre-sliced bread in the US -- aimed at reducing bakeries' demand for metal replacement parts -- went into effect.

Interview

I was brave (stupid?) enough to jump into my friend, Keri's, ("Just a Family") invitation to answer some questions about my self. The question now is anyone else brave (stupid?) enough to take the challenge.

Here's how it works...

1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me."
2. I will respond by sending you 5 questions.
3. You update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You include this explanation and an offer to interview others.
5. When you receive the comment from another, you will send them 5 questions.

So, here are Keri's questions and my answers...

1. If you could be a historical character from actual life or from a book, who would you be and why? What would you do as this person?

Answer: There are plenty of choices here, but having to make a choice - I'll choose Brother Lawrence (1605 - 1691). Brother Lawrence was a monk in the Carmelites Order. For the first 15 years as a monk he worked in the kitchen. For the rest of his life he worked repairing the monk's sandals. Brother Lawrence learned what it meant to "pray continually" and "to do all things as unto the Lord." When he cooked or washed dishes, he cooked or washed dishes as unto the Lord and recognized God's presence with him as he did so. When he repaired sandals he repaired sandals as unto the Lord and recognized God was with him in the repair shop. All that he did, he realized that God was present with him at all times and in things. Throughout his life he corresponded with several people about what he was learning about "practicing the presence of God" in his life. These letters were collected after his death and published into a small book which is now a classic, "Practicing the Presence of God." If I were Brother Lawrence today I would do whatever God put into my life as unto him and realizing that he was present at all times. But, I'm not Brother Lawrence, so I'm content be me, with a wonderful wife, children and grandchildren. Yet, I want to learn, as he did, how to do all things as unto the Lord. When I ride Morgunn I want to do that unto the Lord and realize that God rides with me. When I wash the dishes after one of Betty's great meals, I want to wash them as unto the Lord and know without any doubt that God is with me.

2. What is the most important decision you've made in your life (other than marrying Betty and becoming a Christian) and why?

Answer: This one is the hardest question as you (Keri) disqualified the two obvious, easy answers. I will also assume that associated decisions such as putting God first in my life, deciding to have children, etc., are also disqualified. I could say joining the Navy as it helped me mature, gave me a broader knowledge of the world, and a deep appreciation for our wonderful country. I could say joining P&G out of graduate school as it gave me a good career, a good retirement, and living in a lot of different places where we met many great people. Those would be good, but not the most important. For me, other than the two you put out of bounds, the most important decision I have made is to try to be a better listener. Communicating with Betty, with my family, with friends and co-workers, and with those I come in contact with every day take up a big part of my day - every day. I realized that I wasn't a good listener. I would hear and begin to share what I wanted to say, but I wasn't really listening - actively listen to fully and truly understand what the other person was saying. Since I have been working on listening better I find all of my relationships, from my most important (Betty and family) to every day casual contacts are much richer, deeper and more meaningful. It's really fun to watch the faces of people who realize that you are really trying to listen to what they have to say. It's changed my life.

3. We have talked about how much fun we each had snorkeling. It was the first time I (Keri) had ever tried it. What activity do you want to try that you have never experienced?

Answer: This is easy. I have always wanted to fly in a sail plane. Betty and I have flown in a hot-air balloon twice and I love to fly in any size plane. But, I have never had the opportunity to sail just on the hot-air thermals.

4. You've mentioned that you became a Christian at age 30... was it a huge, pivotal moment or a quiet realization?

Answer: Both. I became a Christian in 1984 (interesting year to become a Christian) and it was both the worst year of my life and the best. The prior year P&G had moved me from a job I loved in Memphis to a job I hated in Cincinnati and I didn't see much hope for improvement in the future. The reason this was significant is that at that time my self-worth was wrapped up in my career. If I was doing well, I felt good about myself and vice-versa. Several other things happened that year and I don't have the space to detail them here. However, at a weekend retreat I was faced with the reality of Christ's death and resurrection. God basically said, "Either you believe in the resurrection or you don't. It's time to get off the fence." After struggling with that for several weeks, I finally said one night just before going to sleep, "OK, God. I'll try it your way. My way is not working very well." No lightning bolts or thunder. I just went to sleep. But, from that point on my life was changed, hence a pivotal moment, but the realization of that change was a slow, quiet realization. The first thing I noticed is that reading the Bible now began to make sense and was important to me where before I found it dry and dull.

5. What is your all-time favorite book or movie and why?

Answer: This is an easy one for me. My all time favorite movie is "A Man for All Seasons" which came out in 1966 (the year before Betty and I married). It's the true story of Thomas More who stood up to King Henry VIII when he rejected the Catholic Church so he could be divorced and remarry. More's dedication to his faith and to his principles, even above his family and his own life or death, made a deep impression on me. It's a way of living that I have endeavored to follow ever since.

OK, my inquisition is over. I found it fun and I learned some things about myself. Anyone else game to play?

Today is January 17 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Kid Rock (rapper), Michelle Obama (soon-to-be First Lady), Jim Carrey (actor, "The Truman Show"), Andy Kaufman (actor, "Taxi"), Muhammed Ali (formerly Cassius Clay, champion boxer), Shari Lewis (puppeteer), James Earl Jones (actor, voice of Darth Vader), Eartha Kitt (singer), Betty White (actress, "The Golden Girls"), Al Capone (gangster), and Benjamin Franklin (Revolutionary War era statesmen).

On this day in 1806 the first baby was born in the White House, the grandson of President Thomas Jefferson. In 1893 Queen Liliuokalani of Hawaii was deposed in a bloodless revolution by a group of businessmen and sugar planters and a provisional government established, with annexation by the United States as its aim. In 1912 Robert Scott reaches the South Pole only a month after Amundsen. In 1917 the United States bought 50 of the Virgin Islands in the West Indies from Denmark for $25 million. And in 1972 Highway 51 South...also known as Bellvue Street...in Memphis was renamed Elvis Presley Boulevard.

Staying Young

It was a little windy again this morning so Betty and I rode Morgunn and Sugar in our back lot. That was a good thing as it's a safe place for us and the horses. It was a good time for Betty and Sugar to work together to get more comfortable with each other and to learn about each other. It's also a good time for me to work with Morgunn to get the winter's cobwebs out of his body and mind.

We'll probably keep doing that for a good while during the winter when it's cold and mix it with groundwork. By the Spring we all should be in a pretty good place when the weather is really good for riding.

Riding and taking care of the horses is a good way for us to stay young - at least in our minds and spirits if not our bodies. I got the following from a good friend in England on how to stay young.

HOW TO STAY YOUNG:

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height.

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.' And the devil's name is 'Alzheimer's'. (For us this means continually learning about our horses and ourselves in relation to them.)

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6. Tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life is ourselves. LIVE while you are still alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love , whether it's family, pets (horses), keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county, state or a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is. And don't let fear be the master of your life.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity. Let them tell you the same thing.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. And, life is a coin. You can spend it anyway you wish, but you can only spend it once.

Oh, today is National Nothing Day. You celebrate it by... doing nothing!

Today is Jnauary 16 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Kate Moss (model), Sade (singer, "Smooth Operator"), Debbie Allen (dancer), John Carpenter (director, "Halloween"), Dr. Laura Schlessinger (radio talk host), Ronnie Milsap (country singer), A. J. Foyt (4-time winner of the Indy 500), Dizzy Dean (St. Louis Cardinals pitcher), Ethel Merman (singer, "There's No Business Like Show Business), and Andre Michelin (tire maker).

On this day in 1883 the US Civil Service Commission was established. In 1896 the first five-player college basketball game was played at Iowa City, Iowa. The University of Chicago defeated the University of Iowa by the low score of 15-12. In 1909 Ernest Shackleton locates magnetic South Pole. In 1920 the United States went legally "dry" as prohibition of alcoholic beverages took effect under the 18th amendment to the Constitution. The amendment was repealed in 1933 by the 21st Amendment. In 1957 three B-52s took off from Castle Air Force Base in California on the first non-stop, round-the-world flight by jet planes, which lasted 45 hours and 19 minutes. In 1961 Mickey Mantle signed a contract which made him the highest paid baseball player in the American League. His contract was for $75,000 for the 1961 season. Willie Mays (the National League), was making more money than any baseball player with his contract for $85,000. And in 1964 the musical "Hello, Dolly!," starring Carol Channing, opened on Broadway, beginning a run of 2,844 performances.

Max the Man

We're having a full Thursday.

This morning we did some ground work with Morgunn and Sugar. We put each of them in the round pen. Morgunn is an old hand with the round pen and knows the routine well. Working in the round pen is new to Sugar and Betty did a good job with her. She had Sugar following her at the end of a vigorous work out for both of them. Sugar is learning that although she may be the herd leader among Morgunn and Gletta, Betty is the overall lead mare.

We met some friends from church at Cracker Barrel for lunch. CB is one of our favorite places because, being a Southern boy and girl, we enjoy their Southern cooking. We both had fried catfish which is really good.

Then the highlight of our day was going to Max and Michelle's house to spend an hour with them to see how Max is doing. We had hoped to go sooner, but our colds kept us from doing that. We didn't want to take any chance of Max getting sick from us. They both seemed glad to see us and we were certainly glad to see them. When someone you care about is sick or hurt, you want to see with your own eyes how they're doing.

Max will have a long road to get healed from the surgery and then build up his strength before he's wrangling horses and kids at the ranch, but he'll get there when the time is right. From our experience of Betty's accident last year and a couple of surgeries I've had, we know a tough time is when you're feeling better and 'think' you're OK, but you're not. It's a boring time because you want to do more when you shouldn't. That will be hard for a guy like Max, but I believe he's got the smarts and the discipline to take care of himself even during that time.

We share some laughs and stories and it was great to be with two people who are good friends.

Tonight we visit with a couple who need a little marriage counseling. All in all, a full day.

Today is January15 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Charo (singer/dancer "Cuchi, cuchi"), Margaret O'Brien (1940's child actor), Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (civil rights leader), Lloyd Bridges (actor, "Sea Hunt"), Gene Krupa (jazz drummer) and Aristotle Onassis (Greek shipping tycoon who married Jackie Kennedy).

Wednesday Bolt

We thought about going riding this morning, but decided not to. It was windy and both horses were acting a little squirrely.

So, this afternoon we went to see the new Pixar movie, "Bolt." It was great.

We saw it on one of the 3-D screens and, after getting used to the glasses, thought it was really cool.

The story, as usual with Pixar, is really strong and engaging and, as usual with Pixar, the characters are unique and very engaging.

If you're looking for a good afternoon's diversion, we highly recommend going to see "Bolt."

We're getting into our hot tub tonight and we're looking forward to it. We enjoy it during the winter even more than the rest of the year - as long as it's not windy and I think tonight is going to be OK.

Today is January 14 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Jason Bateman (actor), LL Cool J (rapper), Faye Dunaway (actress, "Bonnie & Clyde"), Andy Rooney (CBS commentator and curmudgeon), William Bendix (actor, "The Life of Riley"), Hal Roach (filmmaker who produced "Our Gang" comedies), Albert Schweitzer (humanitarian doctor), and Benedict Arnold (Revolutionary War general convicted of being a traitor).

On this day in 1690 the Clarinet is invented, in Nrnberg, Germany. In 1784 the United States ratified a peace treaty with England ending the Revolutionary War. In 1914 Henry Ford introduced the assembly line method of manufacturing cars, allowing completion of one Model-T Ford every 90 minutes. In 1969 25 crew members of the US aircraft carrier "Enterprise" were killed in an explosion that ripped through the ship off Hawaii (I was on the carrier Enterprise shortly after this happened). And in 1973 the Miami Dolphins became the first NFL team to go undefeated.

Just Another Tuesday

No horse pictures, no videos, no 'deep' thoughts.

Betty and I went to the gym this morning to exercise which is important for our aging bodies. After that, and going home for some breakfast and a shower, we met with a woman at church who is dealing with some personal issues.

We came home and fed the horses and Betty went off to Sam's Club to do some shopping. Since then we have watched some TV and spent a little time on our computers.

That's it for today. Tomorrow we hope to go riding with Morgunn and Sugar.

Today is January 13 and if today is your Birthdy then you share your day with: Orlando Bloom (actor, "Lord of the Rings"), Patrick Dempsey (actor, "Grays Anatomy"), Julia Louis-Dreyfus (actress, "Seinfeld"), Richard Moll (actor, Bull on "Night Court"), Charles Nelson Reilly (comedian on Hollywood Squares), Gwen Verdon (actress/dancer), Robert Stack (actor, "The Untouchables"), Sophie Tucker (singer, "Last of the Red Hot Mamas"), and Horatio Alger (author about success).

On this day in 1610 Galileo discovers Calisto, the fourth moon of Jupiter. In 1906 Hugh Gernsback of the Electro Importing Company advertised radio receivers for sale for the low, low price of just $7.50 in "Scientific American" magazine. This was the first ad for selling the invention and it guaranteed radio reception of about one mile. In 1920 a NY Times Editorial says rockets can never fly (and they're still wrong today). In 1942 Henry Ford patented the plastic automobile which allowed for a 30% decrease in car weight. And in 1966 Robert C. Weaver became the first black Cabinet member as he was appointed Secretary of Housing and Urban Development by President Johnson and Elizabeth Montgomery's character, Samantha, on "Bewitched" had a baby this day. Tabitha was the name given to the daughter.

Monday Video - Having a Bad Day?

We all have bad days and if you're having one today, check out today's video. I love the little white ponies. Also, be sure and notice that even though you fall off, you can get back on and have a good ride as these folks do.

Enjoy.



Today is January 12 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Melanie Jayne Chisholm (one of the Spice Girls), Jeff Bezos (founder of Amazon.com), Kirstie Alley (actress, Rebecca on "Cheers"), Howard Stern (shock jock and all around jerk), Rush Limbaugh (conservative talk show host), Joe Frazier (heavyweight boxing champion), Tex Ritter (cowboy singer and father of actor John Ritter), Jack London (author, "Call of the Wild"), Edmund Burke (philosopher, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."), and Charles Perrault (author of fairy tales, "Cinderella" and "Sleeping Beauty").

On this day in 1644 Archibald and Thomas Wanderson ordered to pay 100 marks fine for court expenses to try their wives as witches. The wives were later executed (talk about a bad day). In 1915 the US House of Representatives rejected a proposal to give women the right to vote and the U.S. Congress establishes Rocky Mountain National Park. In 1943 the wartime Office of Price Administration said standard frankfurters would be replaced by "Victory Sausages" consisting of a mixture of meat and soy meal. In 1949 the Chicago-based children's show, "Kukla, Fran and Ollie," made its national debut on NBC-TV. Fran Allison was hostess. After "Howdy Doody" this was my favorite show. In 1966 "Batman" debuted on ABC-TV. Adam West starred as Batman and Burt Ward was Robin. And in 1971 "All In the Family" debuted on CBS-TV. Carol O'Connor starred as Archie Bunker, Rob Reiner as Meathead, Sally Struthers as Gloria, and Jean Stapleton as Edith.

Sunday Reflections - Reset Button for Life

Our pastor started a new series this morning called "Reset." His theme is how can we 'reset' our life - how can we start over. The answer of course is through God's grace - especially what He did through Jesus on the cross.

It got me to thinking - are there any areas of my life where I would kit the reset button if I could?

My childhood was good. I was born to a good man and woman who weren't perfect, but did their best. It was a time in the South (born in Tennessee) when racial prejudices were the norm for most whites and my parents were no different. They would talk about blacks in a disparaging way, but when it came to dealing with individual black people they would always treat them with respect and courtesy. That was fairly common in those days.

About the only place I would hit the reset button is I would try to be a better little brother to my older sister, Jane. I was a brat and I regret that now.

School was not a problem for me. I went to two high schools and played baseball and basketball. I was much better at baseball than basketball. The best thing that happened in high school is I met Betty when we were both juniors. Definitely no reset button needed there.

College was a mixed bag. I was too immature when I first started college (University of Tennesee) and I got caught up in the social atmosphere - fraternity, social drinking (fortunately this was before drugs). I would hit the reset button and work for a couple of years before starting college so I would be mature enough to responsibly take advantage of what college could offer.

The Navy was a great time of my life. I loved going to sea and, if I had been single, I would have made it a career. But, I was married and both of our boys were born during my Navy days so a career in the Navy being away from them was not something I wanted to do. No resetting here.

I went back to UT to get my MBA and that was a good experience. I got a job with Procter & Gamble after college and my career with P&G was very good so no resetting there.

Actually, the rest of my life has been as good as I could hope and better in many ways. I became a Christian at 39 and I know that God's timing was perfect so no regrets there. We have two great sons and two wonderful daughters-in-law. We're blessed with a beautiful granddaughter, Juliet, and a great grandson, Javier.

Looking over my life if I could change only one thing I would wish that Betty and I could have gotten into horseback riding earlier in our life. We enjoy it so much it would have been nice to have been younger when we were learning.

All in all, I've been blessed and the idea of resetting my life is not something that appeals to me much at all. I wouldn't trade my life and life experiences for anything in the world.

...he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
(Phil 1:6)


Today is January 11 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Ben Crenshaw (pro golfer), Naomi Judd (singer and mother of Wynonna and Ashley Judd), Rod Taylor (actor, "The Birds"), Grant Tinker (NBC chairman), and Alexander Hamilton (first Secretary of the Treasury).

On this day in 49 AD Julius Caesar leads his army across the Rubicon, plunging Rome into civil war. In 1785 the Continental Congress convened in New York City. In 1813 the first pineapples are planted in Hawaii. In 1861 Alabama secedes from the Union. In 1902 "Popular Mechanics" magazine was published for the first time. In 1935 aviator Amelia Earhart began a trip from Honolulu to Oakland, California, that made her the first woman to fly solo across the Pacific Ocean. And in 1964 US Surgeon General Luther Terry issued the first government report saying smoking may be hazardous to one's health.

Nothing Much Today

Nothing much today. Enjoyed a quiet morning. Met with a couple after lunch to do some marriage counseling then did some grocery shopping. After feeding the horses we have been watching the Tennessee Titan - Baltimore Raven football game. Go Titans!

We'll watch Professional Bull Riders tonight and that will be it for today.

Today is January 10 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Pat Benatar (singer), George Foreman (two time heavyweight boxing champion and grill maker), Rod Stewart (singer), Jim Croce (singer, "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown"), Sal Mineo (actor, "Rebel Without a Cause"), Johnnie Ray (singer), Paul Henried (actor, "Casablanca"), Ray Bolger (actor, the Scarecrow in "Wizard of Oz"), Grigori Rasputin (adviser to Russian Czar Nicholas and weirdo).

On this day in 1776 "Common Sense" by political philosopher Thomas Paine was published. The pamphlet advocated independence from England. In 1840 the Penny Post mail system is started. In 1861 Florida seceded from the Union. In 1911 Major Jimmie Erickson shot the first photograph from an airplane whiles flying over San Diego, California. In 1943 President Franklin D. Roosevelt sailed from Miami, Florida to Trinidad to become the first American President to visit a foreign country during wartime. In 1949 the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) announced a new 7-inch, 45 rpm phonograph record. Soon, the 45, the record with the big hole in the middle, would change the pop music business. In 1951 Donald Howard Rogers piloted the first passenger jet on a trip from Chicago to New York City. He got to the Big Apple in one hour and 42 minutes. And in 1967 Massachusetts Republican Edward W. Brooke, the first black elected to the U-S Senate by popular vote, took his seat.

Another Good Ride

Betty and I went horseback riding again this morning. It was a another beautiful day. We rode for about an hour. Sugar had one 'spook in place' when some dogs started barking and Betty handled it beautifully.

We both can tell that we haven't been riding regularly for a long while. We're feeling muscles that we don't normally notice. Hopefully, the weather will stay decent enough so we can ride a couple of times a week from this point on.

Today is January 9 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Dave Matthew (singer, The Dave Matthews Band), Crystal Gale (country singer), Jimmy Page (songwriter/guitarist for Led Zeppelin), Joan Baez (folk singer), Susannah York (British actress), Bob Denver (Gilligan), and Richard Nixon (37th US President).

On this day in 1626 Peter Minuit sets sail from Amsterdam to Manhattan, which he later purchased from the Indians. In 1788 Connecticut became the fifth state to ratify the US Constitution. In 1799 the first income tax was imposed in England. In 1929 The Seeing Eye was incorporated in Nashville, Tennessee. Its purpose was to train dogs to guide the blind. In 1951 the United Nations headquarters officially opened in New York City. And in 1984 Clara Peller was first seen by TV viewers in the now-famous and horribly annoying, yet wonderfully successful, "WHERES THE BEEF?", commercial campaign for Wendys fast-food chain.