On the road, headed to KS...500 miles today, most of it off the beaten path, avoided the interstate where I could; wanted to get close to the land, the water and communities like...Watseka, Vandalia, Mexico, Blowing Green, Lee's Summit and Humansville..."2 lanes only" kind of trip. I love my country. So diverse...so independent but interdependent too...what a place.
As dusk gave way to darkness I came around a curve; there before me was the Mississippi. It startled me--so close I could see steam coming off the backwater. What a beautiful sight-the bright dusk sky reflecting off the river--a barge making it's up down to St. Louis. The best part: an instant before I navigated the curve, my Bluetooth beeped and Laura was on the phone with me.
We shared that moment together. I'm blessed.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Monday, July 5, 2010
God, bless America.
I am blessed to live free; to dream of what could be. I pray my nation will have passion to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
As time goes by.
Fathers Day is in the books. What joy it was to watch our kids and our grandkids grow through another year filled with "moments," triumphs, near misses, new memories and peril. They are our legacy--and it looks and feels like a keeper. They make us proud. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Regrets...
Thinking about my dad. I was 17 when he died, suddenly. As time has given me perspective, I realize that he was a stranger to me...NOT his choice. An unhappy home, mom (in my case) pits kids against their dad. Too young to realize I was seeing only one side of the pain. I often imagine what it would be like, now, to sit with him and talk...words I would have said; regrets. So dad...happy Fathers Day.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
What's wrong with this picture?
I'm perplexed.
President Obama makes no secret of his contempt for American Citizens (can anyone say sarcasm) who don't share his vision for the nation and American Allies who won't knuckle under and go along to get along. He routinely excoriates both; he implicitly questions their integrity, their character, their motives and their intelligence. At the same time he disdains our nation in the courts of other nations; sits idly by as Iran builds weapons of mass destruction and sponsors terrorism around the globe; minces words over the murderous behavior of N. Korea; demagogues issues related to Health Care and the Economy and shamelessly throws people, share holders, institutions, leaders, Corporations and Insurance Companies under the bus.
It isn't that he doesn't like old institutions, big money, back room politicians and powerful Lobbies. He consistently celebrates union bullies--cuts closed door deals exempting them from his vision for a new order and panders for their votes and money.
Just what is it people see in our President? I'd really like to know. Some might say "He's committed to justice and equity." What about justice and equity for the unborn? Others weigh in and say "He fights for the small guy, the underdog." If you subscribe to the adage that "misery loves company" then I'll stipulate that point to you...he's certainly added to the rolls of those in misery.
When it's all said and done it really is about vision. The fact is, his vision for the nation clearly appeals to many Americans, though I suspect far fewer today than in November 2008. His vision is a radical departure from where we've come from as a nation. A vision that "dumbs down" the wealth of this nation while at the same time expanding entitlements and those receiving entitlements; thereby expanding the voter base that is the ticket to power in Government. This vision brokers more government services, programs and entitlements in exchange for votes and power...who would dare bite the hand that feeds you?
The irony of this perverse swap is that the power brokers, in this case the Democrats, become the elite ruling class in a nation owing its very existence to their whims and fancies. This of course flies in the face of the rallying cry of the Dem's "we are the party of the people...the little guy." They don't empower anyone, they enable anyone willing to trade a vote.
So, what's wrong with this picture? Co-dependence on a massive scale that crushes the very spirit that has made this nation great, inter-dependent, entrepreneurial and free; 21st century feudalism.
In 148 days we will have a chance to do something about it. Till then we wait, hope and pray. Don't forget to vote.
President Obama makes no secret of his contempt for American Citizens (can anyone say sarcasm) who don't share his vision for the nation and American Allies who won't knuckle under and go along to get along. He routinely excoriates both; he implicitly questions their integrity, their character, their motives and their intelligence. At the same time he disdains our nation in the courts of other nations; sits idly by as Iran builds weapons of mass destruction and sponsors terrorism around the globe; minces words over the murderous behavior of N. Korea; demagogues issues related to Health Care and the Economy and shamelessly throws people, share holders, institutions, leaders, Corporations and Insurance Companies under the bus.
It isn't that he doesn't like old institutions, big money, back room politicians and powerful Lobbies. He consistently celebrates union bullies--cuts closed door deals exempting them from his vision for a new order and panders for their votes and money.
Just what is it people see in our President? I'd really like to know. Some might say "He's committed to justice and equity." What about justice and equity for the unborn? Others weigh in and say "He fights for the small guy, the underdog." If you subscribe to the adage that "misery loves company" then I'll stipulate that point to you...he's certainly added to the rolls of those in misery.
When it's all said and done it really is about vision. The fact is, his vision for the nation clearly appeals to many Americans, though I suspect far fewer today than in November 2008. His vision is a radical departure from where we've come from as a nation. A vision that "dumbs down" the wealth of this nation while at the same time expanding entitlements and those receiving entitlements; thereby expanding the voter base that is the ticket to power in Government. This vision brokers more government services, programs and entitlements in exchange for votes and power...who would dare bite the hand that feeds you?
The irony of this perverse swap is that the power brokers, in this case the Democrats, become the elite ruling class in a nation owing its very existence to their whims and fancies. This of course flies in the face of the rallying cry of the Dem's "we are the party of the people...the little guy." They don't empower anyone, they enable anyone willing to trade a vote.
So, what's wrong with this picture? Co-dependence on a massive scale that crushes the very spirit that has made this nation great, inter-dependent, entrepreneurial and free; 21st century feudalism.
In 148 days we will have a chance to do something about it. Till then we wait, hope and pray. Don't forget to vote.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Some gave all...
Dreams dashed. Hearts broken. Anger, confusion...pain, grief. Roads not traveled. Lost love. Lives that could have been, should have been; stolen, lost--laid down. A last full measure, given, taken. Sacrificial death; not in vain. A way of life preserved. Not deserved. Grace. THANKS.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Help!
Listening to the Old Beatles tune today..."Help." It occured to me...what a tremendous insight that song had into what happens to us as we move into the final third of our lives...which are filled with tradoffs. While we can't "do it all" anymore, the tenderness we experience as our spouses, kids, and friends "stand in the gaps" is profound. Life is good.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Seasons come...
Sitting on the front porch as dusk begins
to settle over the neighborhood,
watching Lily entertain herself in the front yard.
Blooms everwhere I look, pink..yellow..white..red..burgandy.
Listening to the water cascade from the fountain
and down into the bowl...
a dragon fly buzzes by. Spring.
to settle over the neighborhood,
watching Lily entertain herself in the front yard.
Blooms everwhere I look, pink..yellow..white..red..burgandy.
Listening to the water cascade from the fountain
and down into the bowl...
a dragon fly buzzes by. Spring.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Simple pleasures...ARE best!
Busy weekend.
Laura supervised the Landscape install at son Joseph's house. I worked to catch up after being out of the agency most of last week. Laura and I enjoyed lunch with daughter Erin, Matthew and our grandsons...spent the afternoon attending to yardwork at office building.
I thank God for life. My father died at age 55 and mom at age 53. I never really thought I'd make it to 57.
Every day is a gift.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
A "taste" of Chicago
Today I had a really interesting drive. I had a business conference in St. Charles, Illinois, so I hopped in my Ridgeline and hit the road bright and early; as it turned out, not nearly early enough!
My route to this lovely western suburb took me through the heart of the City. I think they must be spending all the stimulus money on repairing the expressways of Chicago...and that translates to something other than "express." It got pretty intense. As I struggled to stay alive, it occurred to me that driving in the big City is a lot like life. It requires a little skill and a lot of luck.
It's interesting how many driving "styles" are out there...as I dodged and darted, it dawned on me that these parallel the personal styles of the people we rub up against in the ebb and flow of life.
There's the squatter. They like to think they're qualified to drive in the fast lane...not. They squat and expect everyone else to work around them--they were there first and they own the space. They are oblivious. They are obstructionists...they hate change and so they find a groove in life and put it on auto pilot...and won't move regardless of what it may mean to others. These are the passive-agressives that populate our churches, neighborhoods and the workplace.
One of my favorites is the lane changer...the grass is always greener for these folks. They tend to create a lot of stress for the rest of us, because they're unpredictable and unreliable. They just can't be depended upon. These are the underachievers in life. Their lives are a series of starts and stops...and in the end, they never stay at any thing long enough to enjoy the synergy that develops when we discipline ourselves to pursue a long obedience in the same direction.
Danger: here comes the guy that loves to pass on the right. These are the folks who think the rules apply to everyone else. They are rouges. They break all the rules, then blame others when things go really wrong. These people just don't play well with others; they don't get it...ever.
Have you noticed the guy with the biggest most expensive car is the one who always drives at a recklessly inappropriate high speed. "I'm important so move out the way, I have people to see and things to do." The world is full of these narcissistic types that are captivated by their own reflections. They get it, they just miss most of the really choice moments in life because they don't have room for anyone else.
Don't you just want to scream at the guy who refuses to yield...they do their best work by driving in the slow lane victimizing the poor souls who attempt to merge into traffic. Ah, yes, these are the rules keepers." They are intolerant and follow the rules to the letter of the law, and never give any grace; then wonder why they are tolerated but never celebrated.
So...what does your driving say about who you are? The lesson here is that the world is a big stage where the way we live is constantly scrutinized. And when the way we live demonstrates we can be trusted, that we care--we take a giant step toward relevance; a chance to make a difference in lives of people we touch...a chance to make hard lives, easier.
I don't know if the conference I'm attending will prove to be a "keeper." But I do know this; the drive was worth the conference.
My route to this lovely western suburb took me through the heart of the City. I think they must be spending all the stimulus money on repairing the expressways of Chicago...and that translates to something other than "express." It got pretty intense. As I struggled to stay alive, it occurred to me that driving in the big City is a lot like life. It requires a little skill and a lot of luck.
It's interesting how many driving "styles" are out there...as I dodged and darted, it dawned on me that these parallel the personal styles of the people we rub up against in the ebb and flow of life.
There's the squatter. They like to think they're qualified to drive in the fast lane...not. They squat and expect everyone else to work around them--they were there first and they own the space. They are oblivious. They are obstructionists...they hate change and so they find a groove in life and put it on auto pilot...and won't move regardless of what it may mean to others. These are the passive-agressives that populate our churches, neighborhoods and the workplace.
One of my favorites is the lane changer...the grass is always greener for these folks. They tend to create a lot of stress for the rest of us, because they're unpredictable and unreliable. They just can't be depended upon. These are the underachievers in life. Their lives are a series of starts and stops...and in the end, they never stay at any thing long enough to enjoy the synergy that develops when we discipline ourselves to pursue a long obedience in the same direction.
Danger: here comes the guy that loves to pass on the right. These are the folks who think the rules apply to everyone else. They are rouges. They break all the rules, then blame others when things go really wrong. These people just don't play well with others; they don't get it...ever.
Have you noticed the guy with the biggest most expensive car is the one who always drives at a recklessly inappropriate high speed. "I'm important so move out the way, I have people to see and things to do." The world is full of these narcissistic types that are captivated by their own reflections. They get it, they just miss most of the really choice moments in life because they don't have room for anyone else.
Don't you just want to scream at the guy who refuses to yield...they do their best work by driving in the slow lane victimizing the poor souls who attempt to merge into traffic. Ah, yes, these are the rules keepers." They are intolerant and follow the rules to the letter of the law, and never give any grace; then wonder why they are tolerated but never celebrated.
So...what does your driving say about who you are? The lesson here is that the world is a big stage where the way we live is constantly scrutinized. And when the way we live demonstrates we can be trusted, that we care--we take a giant step toward relevance; a chance to make a difference in lives of people we touch...a chance to make hard lives, easier.
I don't know if the conference I'm attending will prove to be a "keeper." But I do know this; the drive was worth the conference.
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