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Traveler

I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don't want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don't want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences. - The Message

So, I  was reading Paul's instructions to the church in Ephesians and I came across the above early in the fourth chapter. At the time, Paul is locked up in prison (again) and  does not want folks waiting around for him. He says, go do your thing. Get on with it. Roll.

I'm not sure if I find these few verses appealing because I spend so much time traveling or if it is because I've always liked Paul's use of sports in his writing. In this case, I think it is the traveling note that rings true with me. 

When I travel, I like to get where I am going efficiently. There is a goal and that is my pursuit. If I sit on my hands, or stroll down some other path I will loose focus on the purpose of the trip. The aim is to do it and do it well. I try to be rested and ready so that I can do the things that I need to do with excellence and return home safely. 

At the same time, an alertness is needed to what is going on around me. If I place my needs first I may offend others when traveling. I may overlook opportunities. If I forget to act in love I can just be a bull charging down the chute. What good is that? And what of mending fences? In other words, if my only goal is the end of the journey I will miss the great things that happen as part of the journey.

Occasionally I post something on this blog about an event or person that I came across heading down the road. I've come to enjoy these moments during the journey. My life is richer and I trust I have made a few lives richer on the way. I pray that I am doing what we are told to do while heading down the road. And if you look at the path before you, I believe you can apply the same truth.

In his instructions Paul points out that we are all called to travel spiritually. To do so, we must have a place to go, an objective. Where are you going? And who will you meet along the way? Kind of exciting, isn't it? Let's make sure we stay off our hands. Godspeed.

Moustache Challenge - Final Update

Thanks to your response to The Swell Guy Moustache Challenge we took care of 6 children for Operation Christmas Child this year. You guys submitted some great entries and I know some fun was had along the way. I certainly enjoyed posting these photos. Thanks again!

It's Tuesday-palooza!

She told Billy there would be no camo for this wedding.  It was her way or the highway.

Tuesday-palooza celebrates life through noteworthy photos. Selection tends towards humor, southern life and laughing at ourselves & the things we do to occupy our time. Your comments, suggestions, and photo submissions are welcome.

Pippi Longstocking came into my world

It seems recently Bethany and Erin were comparing childhood notes and realized that they both loved the 1988 movie "The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking" as children. Now, as it so happens, Sunday is about the only evening of the week that is a sure thing that all four of us are together at home. Last night after dinner the girls wanted to watch the above mentioned movie as a family unit. Sigh. OK.

Let me mention the obvious. I'm a guy and Baby Girl, Erin, and Denine had me out numbered. What choice did I have but to play along? So I was a good sport. I really was. I resisted the urge to find something  to do in the man cave (garage) or stick my nose in a book. I was there. I was attentive.

I was especially attentive when the girls burst into song during the opening introduction. They roared "Pippi Longstocking is coming into your world. The one no one can keep down. No! No!No!". Every time a musical interlude started the girls were rocking the Pippi. I think Denine alternated between rocking along and laughing. I just sort of stared at them all gape mouthed and wondered what happened to the two young women in our house. Denine seemed pleased that I did not get up and dance during the musical numbers. 

If we ever go to karaoke with the girls I trust and pray that the Pippi Longstocking theme song is on the play list. I'm just saying. 

When the movie was over I still had this urge to do, watch or say something manly, but I did not give in. I stayed the course. I give Denine some credit for this change. After twenty-five years of marriage I am now a slightly more sensitive guy. However, I am no wimp. I did plant a stake in the ground for manhood. I informed the ladies that I might have played along last night, but if they bring any "Moulin Rouge" up in the house all bets are off. 

Six odd traditions from cycling history

Sure, you know the Schwinn Sting-Ray was the coolest bike ever. But how well do you know these six traditions from cycling history? 
 
---At the dawn of the 20th century, women's saddles had cut-outs similar to many of today's seats. But the holes weren't there for anatomical reasons. It was widely held that riding a bike would stimulate women in unladylike ways, so saddle makers added cut-outs to eliminate such scandalous sensations.
 
---In the days before ice vests and jerseys with SPF ratings, riders knew the best way to keep cool was to put a cabbage leaf under their cycling caps.
 
---On the day before a big ride or race, whatever you do, don't get your legs wet or your performance will suffer. A short shower's okay, but no bath. And never, ever go swimming. 
 
---Fausto Coppi, the great Italian racer in the World War II era, slept on his side with his legs in proper pedaling position, because this gave him a performance edge.
 
---Saddle sores bothering you? Do like the old-timers and slip a raw steak in your shorts before your next ride. (No T-bones.)
 
---Air conditioning makes you sick by circulating germs. So, as you're driving to your big ride when it's 105 degrees and 97% humidity, roll down those windows and enjoy a nice, healthy sweat. 

I’d be remiss if I did not credit writer Scott Martin for his research & writing on this topic.  I have re-worked, but most of this writing credit is Scott's.  

My first grade Thanksgiving play...

When I was in first grade I was in a Thanksgiving play like millions of average American grade schoolers before and after me. I'm pretty sure the popularity of doing a play was to imprint the first Thanksgiving in our little noggins. The play that we did at Temperanceville Elementary School was a pretty standard deal. For better or worse, here is what has stuck with me.

-Guys want to be a Pilgrim. Girls want to be a Native American (and  yes, we said the "I" word back then).

-Tall paper Pilgrim hats are not weather proof, but they make you bullet (and arrow) proof later on the playground. It is almost as good as a super hero cape.

-Being a Pilgrim means you get to wear big buckles on your shoes, belt, and hat. These are part of the force field that make you bullet (and arrow) proof. The Native Americans on the playground do not like hearing this when informed.

-The Native American boys get to hold a bow & arrows which was reasonably cool, but is somewhat diminished due to the suction cups on the arrows. The adults constantly warn to be careful because you could shoot an eye out. Daisy Red Rider BB guns were not yet invented when the first Thanksgiving occurred.

-The best guy role is the Pilgrim that gets to use "The Axe". This is slightly diminished when you discover it is not a real axe, but it is still the best role.

-That kid who never sits still (this was before  ADD) gets to be The Turkey. He embraces this role. Embraces.

-No one wants to be The Corn, even though Mrs. Gladyings, our teacher, assures us this is a very key role. 

-Evidently Pilgrims and Native Americans really enjoy Welch's grape juice and jello salad with their turkey, corn, and other traditional dishes.

-The official Thanksgiving colors are orange and brown. The official Christmas colors of red and green season will soon follow. These colors are much easier to remember than the colors of Advent season. Crayola should provide spares of these four colors in every crayon box.

-Football was not yet invented, but an extra long recess so the attending parents could talk was an adequate substitute.

It's Tuesday-palooza!

At Rockefeller Center in NYC they still call it a Christmas tree.  At 76 feet and 10 tons it takes more than one  guy to lift it up.

Tuesday-palooza celebrates life through noteworthy photos. Selection tends towards humor, southern life and laughing at ourselves & the things we do to occupy our time. Your comments, suggestions, and photo submissions are welcome.

Oasis

Frequent business travel can make the soul weary. It's not all the glamour that some assume. Little things, like finding this guy playing jazz standards today in the heart of the airport become welcome pleasures along the journey.

*Check the reflection in the piano.

Moustache Challenge - Update #3

There is the latest update for The Swell Guy Moustache Challenge. You have until Nov 23 to submit your entry! Help the kids.