Aaaaaaaargh!

As most of you know, we’re getting close to being grandparents for the third time.  Wade Daniel and Marie are expecting their second child on August 30.

Betty and I are planning to go up there a few days before the due date, probably around August 25, to help out by watching their daughter Juliet and their dog Kona.  We’ll stay as long as we can be helpful.

Then yesterday, I received this in the mail.

“In accordance with the law, Sec. 38-5-1 and 38-5-19 NMSA 1978, you have been selected for Petit Jury duty.  You should appear in person on August 24, 2010 at 10:30 AM before the Honorable George P. Eichwald.”

August 24!  Can you believe the timing?  I served on juries three times in the past and I actually enjoyed the experience – despite all the time spent waiting around.  If it weren’t for the crumby timing I would gladly go and hang ‘em high.

I requested a postponement until November 1, but it will be a few weeks before I know if that’s approved.  If worse comes to worse, I’ll stay here for jury duty while Betty goes to Colorado to help.

I’m hopeful, but it’s still a bummer.

Friday Funny – How Hot Is It?

We’ve had a pretty warm summer this year and some places have even been hotter.  Perhaps this cartoon will express how your hot summer has been.

Enjoy.

Rancho de Chimayo

Betty and I decided to take a drive up to the Chimayo area, Northwest of Santa Fe, to one of our favorite restaurants – Rancho de Chimayo.

It was a beautiful day and we had a lovely drive.  The food, as usual, was delicious and we topped it off with a half carafe of one of the best Sangrias we have ever had.

Now we’re pooped and full to the brim.  A good day.

Let’s Talk

Have you ever wondered about all the “lead ins” we use to things we say?  I’ve been listening to some of our public folks on TV – politicians and Hollywood types mostly – and I’ve noted some things.

If these public folks start with “frankly” the statement is anything but frank – mostly obfuscation.

“Let me be clear…” means something rather muddy is about to follow so you have no idea what they said.

“The fact is…” means you’re about to hear opinion or something less than factual.

“The truth is…” means watch out – a big lie is about to come.

I’m sure there are plenty more.  Feel free to share any that you’ve heard.

Some Good Riders

Yesterday, I went to Tingley Coliseum to watch a little of the Arabian/Half-Arabian Youth National Championships.  I watched three classes – Youth Driving, 10 and Under Walk/Trot, and 16-18 Walk/Trot/Canter.

There was a champion determined in the Youth Driving and 10 and Under Walk/Trot classes.  The older class is so large that 6 riders advanced to the finals scheduled for tonight.

The stress was pretty obvious, but they handled it well.

Here’s the winner of the Driving class.

Here’s the winner of the 10 and Under Walk/Trot class.  The neat thing is he was the only boy in any of the three classes I watched.  Look at that posture.  I wish I could ride half as well as he does.

Here’s a short video of the classes showing how good these young people are in their riding.

It was a fun way to spend part of the afternoon.

Monday Video – Il Silenzio

If you’ve had a difficult, stressful day, listen to this 13 year old girl play this beautiful piece, Il Silenzio.  It will help calm your spirit.

Enjoy.

Sunday Reflection – God of Order

Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you. (Exodus 25:9)

We serve a God of order.

In Exodus, God gives the Israelites through Moses very, very specific, detailed instructions on how they are to build the tabernacle.  Then he proceeds to give them instructions on how they are to live, how they are to worship him, how they are to camp around the tabernacle, how they are to break camp, and how they are to make camp.

So, is God a control freak?

No, I don’t think so.  I believe there are several reasons for God’s specificity in these early days.

First, prior to the birth of the nation of Israel, nations were governed by kings and emperors.  Their word was law and they could and did change their minds and laws frequently to suit their purposes.  Punishments for breaking their laws were often capricious and disproportionate to the offense – steal a loaf of bread and lose your life.  In the nation of Israel, God is establishing a nation based for the first time on eternal, objective principles and laws.

Second, I suspect the living circumstances in the world at that time were not that great in terms of hygiene, diseases, etc.  God’s instructions helped the Israelites to live in a way that minimized the impact of diseases among the thousands of people who lived together closely for 40 years.

Finally, in any group, there needs to be a leader and there needs to be discipline.  God said when the cloud lifted from the tabernacle they were to break camp and get moving.  Can you imagine the confusion that would occur if God had not given them a specific order of breaking camp and moving out?

Yep, we serve a God of order and I’m happy to let him order my life.  He usually (always) does a better job than I do.