Diabetics Who Love Chocolate

I had a nice visit with my doctor today. The results from my thyroid show that it's normal. That's good news. However the results from my hemoglobin-A show that my blood sugar is still a bit too high, and higher than the last time. I'm going to watch my diet better and get more exercise. I go back in a month to see how I'm doing. In fact I did a little yardwork today - that's usually pretty decent exercise. Boy, it's tough being a diabetic who loves chocolate, especially this time of year when it's so plentiful around the office.

Fortunately my bronchitis is much better. I still have a bit of a cough, though, and it was tough singing in choir practice last night. But I still have my upper range. Provided my throat doesn't tickle, I think I'll be okay on Sunday.

My blood pressure was a little high (as it was last week). Dr. R was about to prescribe something for that; then it occurred to him and he asked if I had been taking decongestants. Boy, have I! So he suggested some other over-the-counter remedy. We'll see how the blood pressure is next month.

Boy, it sure sucks getting old.

I Love You More!

It is said that love is contagious. About a month or so ago, our four-year-old grandson has added a new phrase to his repertoire. Often when we exchange I love you's, he quickly adds, "I love you more!"

Now when my wife and I leave for work in the morning, or one of us goes to the store or something, we'll exchange I love you's with an extra, "I love you more!"

No Wonder We Can't Understand Each Other

I was reading another blog where they had used Babelfish.com to translate a previous post into Spanish, then back to English. It was rather funny. So I thought I'd try the same thing and see what I could come up with. I translated a statement into various languages, then back to English. Here are my results:

Original text in English: My cat thinks I am weird; the feeling is mutual, I assure you.

Chinese: My cat thought I am strange; The feeling is mutual, I guarantee you.

Dutch: My cat thinks I bizar is; the feeling is reciprocal, insures I you. The Dutch word bizar did not translate back to English, but I think it's pretty obvious.

French: My cat thinks that I am strange; the feeling is mutual, I ensure you. This is the most normal of the bunch. See, the French can do some things right.

German: My cat thinks that I am strange; the feeling is, I insures you mutually.

Greek: My ga'ta thinks that I am strange the sentiment he is reciprocal, to you I certify.

Japanese: My cat thinks of that I am incomprehensible; Mutual, me you guarantee feeling, is. Sounds kinda like Yoda, if you ask me.

Korean: It goes out and the thing which is weird my cat thinks; The sense believes firmly the trade name, or. Huh??????????

Portuguese: My cat thinks that I am I find odd; the feeling is mutual, me assures it. I like this one.

Russian: My tomcat thinks 4 weird; feeling is mutual, 4 convince you. Now how did they know we have a male cat? Is that old KGB still out there?

Spanish: My cat thinks that I am strange; the sensation is mutual, I assures to him.

And here's my personal favorite -

Italian: My cat thinks that it is bizzarro; the sensibility is mutual, I assures them. I just like the word bizzarro. Heck, I've even used it in a sentence or two.

I think this clearly demonstrates how easily things get lost in translation.

By the way, any resemblance of the above statement to me and my cat is purely coincidental.

Why You Should Put Up Christmas Lights

When I was a little boy, my dad never put Christmas lights on the house (he still doesn't). But that was okay because there were other houses I could look at in marvel and wonder.

Now that I'm all growed up, I put Christmas lights on my house. I do it for all the little kids and all the big kids (like me) who like to look at Christmas lights.

My affirmation of that came on Tuesday after I picked up our grandson from daycare and brought him home for his mother to pick up after work. As we pulled up to the house, the lights were already on, and J exclaimed his wonder. I said, "I did that for you."

"Thank you!" he said, and then, "That's the best grampa!!!"

And that's why you should put up Christmas lights on your house.

Down, But Not Out

Looks I've got bronchitis now...lovely. I went to the doctor's office and was seen by the physician's assistant (nice name for nurse practitioner) which was fine with me as long as she can prescribe antibiotics (which she did). So for now I'm on plenty of fluids and rest and hopefully soon the drugs will kick in. I skipped choir practice last night - it's hard to sing when you have to cough after every third breath. I sound pretty froggy today, too. Maybe by Sunday I can sing, but I was told not to plan on it.

We killed two birds with one stone...I see my doc next Friday anyway to check up on my diabetes (okay, I'm overdue, but I think I'm doing alright anyway). I mentioned that I suspected maybe a low thyroid (I've had an unexplained, sudden weight gain and I'm more fatigued lately). So we had some blood drawn to check my hemoglobin-A and my thyroid. Besides, if my bronchitis isn't getting better by then, we can deal with it then.

Bush and Kerry In the Boardroom With Donald Trump

This recording comes courtesy of KDKB radio in Phoenix - it's a clever recording of Bush and Kerry in the boardroom with Donald Trump. They're both getting raked over the coals by Trump, then Trump fires Kerry!

Pray For the Ukraine

I'm requesting that we be in prayer for the Ukraine, especially as the crisis deepens over the disputed presidential election. A lot of people stand to lose their newly-found freedoms if the Russian-backed candidate wins. I've even heard stories (including this one and this one) that Russian Special Forces troops are already in Kiev posing as Ukrainian troops. Lord, lift the veil of deceit that lays upon the Ukraine. May truth and justice prevail. Amen.

A Most Humbling Event

Let me first say that with S's medical problems of the last couple of years, money has been tighter than we like. Currently we still have an appeal going on with our health insurance company regarding S's procedure back in April. S has also been docked some of her pay because she is out of sick time (an adjustment was made to her last paycheck in fact). But we have been able to manage (I think) pretty well. Not even our giving to the church has suffered.

Well today S and I had a rather humbling experience. Our pastor pulled both of us aside today. It seems that a good samaritan in our church has taken S's plight to heart, and we were handed an envelope. When S opened it, we were shocked. There was a considerable amount of cash inside. We didn't know what to say. We don't know who to thank - except for God himself. Yeah, money has been a little tight, and perhaps God upon hearing my concern, put it upon someone's heart to help us out some.

I am still numb from what happened to us today. The money is just about what we need - no more, no less. That in itself is amazing and awesome.

Dear Lord, we are so thankful - and humbled - by the blessing that we have received today. It is so generous. I ask you to abundantly bless those who gave from their heart. Amen.

It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas

Today was spent going up into the attic and pulling down all (okay, most of) the Christmas stuff, and then putting the lights up on the house. It doesn't look like we're going to put up the tree, though, since were going to celebrate Christmas morning at the girls' apartment.

Here's proof that I got the Christmas lights up today (these digital cameras can do a spiffy job at night, too)

David vs. Goliath = Israel vs. the World

I had one of those “ah-hah!” moments last night while watching David, the television movie about King David based on 1st and 2nd Samuel. It came during the scene depicting the well-known story of David and Goliath [1 Samuel 17].

This story is not just a struggle between two people, but a winner-takes-all battle between two peoples. It also symbolizes how Israel always has – and always will – prevail when God is on his side.

There are other Biblical references to how Israel has prevailed (and will prevail) in what appears to start off as a hopeless battle:

• Gideon defeats the Midianites [Judges 7]
  
• The fall of Jericho [Joshua 6]
  
• Israel defeats the Amalekites [Exodus 17:8-16]
  
• Israel’s enemies to be annhilated [Ezekiel 39]
  

Modern history also bears out God’s protection over Israel:

• Israeli War for Independence (1948-49)
  
• Sinai (Suez) War (1956)
  
• Six-Day War (1967)
  
• Yom Kippur War (1973)
  
• Raid on Iraq’s Osirik nuclear reactor (1981)
  
• Persian Gulf War (1991)
  
• Intifada (1988-92)
  
• Al-Aqsa Intifada (2000-present)

Time after time, Israel’s neighbors have tried to wipe them off the map, drive them into the sea, or whatever rhetoric they choose to use at the time, and yet they have failed every time. It’s not only hard to beat God – it’s impossible.

I believe the struggle between David and Goliath not only represents the battle between Israel and the Philistines, but the ongoing epic battle between Israel and the world that we are witnessing today. It doesn’t take much to notice that God is the God of Israel. Are we listening?

Happy Thanksgiving

Today my wife's family gathered at J&M's house for Thanksgiving dinner, where we had plenty of family...

...plenty of food...

...plenty of fun (by the way, that's my grandson next to his grandma on the right and looking up at his Aunt D)...

...plenty of cute little kids...

...and an awesome Arizona sunset.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you.

To Boldly Go Where I Haven't Gone Before

I've certainly learned quite a bit this weekend about HTML (HyperText Mark-up Language) thanks to Dr. Joe Burns and the folks at the HTML Goodies website.

As a result, I've spiced up this site somewhat, especially in changing the background (compliments of ARG). Pretty sharp, huh? And I was able to use HTML to alter the description on a couple of my web pages, although Blogger says I shouldn't use HTML there.

So nonetheless, I'm feeling pretty smug, if I do say so myself.

My Trumpet Has Arrived

Well, tonight the trumpet I wrote about earlier arrived, somewhat battered as advertised. And as I was told before, it was not playable - at least initially.

I must have spent a good fifteen to twenty minutes inspecting it. You can tell it was probably dropped and repairs attempted by someone who didn't know how to repair a musical instrument. It's a little bent and dented, and the crossbraces were shabbily re-soldered, but the bell of the horn looks good. The valve action was still good on the first valve, not so good on the third valve, and the second valve was stuck altogether. The slides were in good shape. The finish is bad.

When I played it, it sounded like something was stuck in it. Then just for fun, I took out and inspected the valves one at a time. They looked fine. Then I remembered something my junior high band teacher said 32 years ago - never take all the valves out at once because you might put them back in wrong. But I also remembered that the valve number was usually stamped into the metal (which is why I got away with taking all the valves out at once). So once again, I took out the third valve - it was stamped with the number 2. So I pulled the second valve and sure enough, it was stamped with the number 3. No wonder the trumpet wasn't playable (I haven't played in years, but come on, I couldn't have gotten that bad). Anyhow, I switched the valves and voila - it played fine, much to the chagrin of my wife and dog.

Some the solder joints are coming loose. The trumpet could definitely use some rehab, but with a good cleaning, some vaseline for the slides, and some valve oil, this instrument will be quite playable. Praise God!

El Gato

Here's a picture of Snoopy taken with my new digital camera - he's trying to figure out what Dad is doing (Dad is trying to figure out what Dad is doing. Dad will be spending considerable time figuring out how to use his new toy, and he will be subjecting his blog readers to plenty of inane photos I'm sure).

Memorial Service For A Saint

Last week, the wife of a former pastor at our church passed away quite suddenly and unexpectedly. Today was her memorial service at our church; our choir had the honor of singing for the service.

I don't intend to sound morbid, but I love Christian funerals and memorial services. There's just something about the moment that makes me feel that much closer to God; I believe our spiritual plane is more in line with Jesus'.

I also love to see how full the church is at a memorial service. That typically is a testimony to that person's faith. Today was no exception - the church was packed.

Being that K's husband was a pastor, a district superintendent, and was (with K's help, of course) instrumental in bringing the Walk to Emmaus movement to Arizona, there were lots of people I knew.

Most of the ministers were decked out in their robes, looking quite fine. Our district superintendent was also there, as well as a former bishop to our conference. I must have known at least half of the clergy there.

I really didn't know K - she and Pastor L had already moved on to another church before I started attending CUMC. But I had heard plenty about them, and I knew who they were. Nonetheless, I was quite touched at her memorial service today, as if I knew her all my life.

The music was beautiful. C sang His Eye Is On the Sparrow and the Lord's Prayer. The choir sang The Lord Is My Shepherd by John Rutter (which is part of the Requiem we just sang a couple of weeks ago) and also John Rutter's The Lord Bless You And Keep You. That one chokes me up anyway, let alone what it did to me today.

Despite the circumstances, it was a joyous occasion. I talked to a lot of friends (including ministers) that I hadn't seen for a while. Even the minister that married S and I was there.

One thing is certain - K was very much loved, and now she's in a far better place, walking with Jesus.

A Soldier Is Home On Leave

I mentioned in a previous post about a soldier I was concerned about. Well, he's home for the moment, spending a couple of weeks with his family.

When his dad came to choir practice last night, M made a surprise visit. But I'm sure M was even more surprised at the cheers, applause, and standing ovation we all gave him - and the thank you's.

It certainly was good to see him again. Army life appears to have been good to him.

One More Semester

Our daughter E gave us (her dad and stepmom, her mom and me) the heads-up on her tuition coming due for the spring semester. I'm just glad we're splitting it.

And you know what? She graduates in May. WOOHOO!!!!!

Roundabout Way to Get A Promotion

Our daughter J arrived at work on Monday to find out that her department was being downsized, and guess what? She was part of the downsizing.

She was going to have to go back to her old department which she hated. There was another department she had wanted to go to but passed it up before. J was either going to try to get into that new department, or quit her job. So she went to the new department's manager and asked how many openings she had there. There was one left, and if she was interested, J could go to an interview at 7:30 on Wednesday.

J starts her job in the new department on December 1 - with a raise to boot!

Putting Politics Aside

While some folks are still bickering about the blue states and the red states, it's nice to know that the guys who have led our country for the past 28 years can put their differences aside and color the country purple as it were. That's why I entered this post on this page and not on the Religion/Politics page.

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These photos were taken at the dedication of Bill Clinton's presidential library yesterday:

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I always think it's cool to see a bunch of Presidents together (and notice that Carter and Bush, Sr. - the guys who have been retired the longest - are smiling. Of course, they've had the most fun.)
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I love this shot of Chelsea and her dad. I think this precious moment between a father and a daughter puts a very human face on Clinton, who until four years ago was the most powerful man in the free world. I predict this will be one of the Photos of the Year in many publications. Heck, I'd give it the Pulitzer.

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I don't think this will be a Photo of the Year (although you never know) but it is pretty cute. Hey, I think W was going to let Chelsea get rained on! Again, it puts a human face on a President.

Days Like Today Make it Hard to Act Christlike

Margaret Hassan

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The picture above is of Margaret Hassan, chief of the relief organization CARE. She is now presumed dead, murdered by those who thought of her line of work as a threat.

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That's the kind of people we're having to deal with in Iraq. Yes, they're targeting soldiers and managing to inflict casualities. But more disgusting, they're targeting those who are trying to get the electricity on, trying to get clean water flowing, trying to rebuild homes, trying to bring in food, trying to comfort a helpless child. They target the weak to compensate for their own weakness.

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Our boys (and girls) are over there getting shot at so they can open doors for the decent citizens of Iraq (which is most of the population). Unfortunately, the pigs that are doing this aren't interested in opening the doors of opportunity; they're more interested in opening the gates of Hell. Given their desire to murder women and children, I think our soldiers are justified in helping these pigs into their journey to Hell.

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It amazes me that slobs like the "documentary" filmmaker Michael Moore just don't get it. What the insurgents are doing is purely evil, plain and simple. If you can't see that, then you have truly been blinded and deceived by Satan.

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Forgive me, Lord. My anger burns hot. It's days like today that make it hard to be Christlike. Please lift the veil of evil that hangs like a shroud over Iraq. Amen.

A Rather Spiritual Evening

Tonight I was out at the ASU School of Music where our church organist, a doctoral candidate there, was performing his recital. There were four of us, myself included, who sang some Gregorian chant in one of the pieces.

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The recital was well-attended. There were quite a few folks from our church, as well as many of H's music students. It was quite a delightful recital.

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It was while I sat listening, sometimes in prayer, sometimes in meditation, that I really felt the Holy Spirit upon me. I could feel that God was pulling me in closer, as if I was holding on to some kind of "cosmic string." It felt good.

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Sometimes we make a leap of faith because we feel a nudge or a push. I've felt that before. Tonight felt different. I'm being pulled in. To what, I do not know. But what I do know is that all I have to do is hang on. It will be revealed to me in God's time. I feel peaceful. Thank you, Lord. Amen.

Long Weekend

I don't know what Dr. C did to me on Friday, but it got my body's natural defenses going. I had a pretty decent fever and headache going into Friday night. But after sleeping in on Saturday I was feeling pretty good again. Got the ol' checking account balanced and pretty much took it easy the rest of the day.

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Sunday was real busy. I was liturgist for both the 8:00 and 11:00 church services. I thought it went fairly smoothly considering I was doing "double duty" by singing with the choir during the anthem. All in a day's work.

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Bad news, though. I'll be singing with the choir on Friday at a memorial service for the wife of a former pastor of ours. She passed away quite suddenly and unexpectedly early Friday morning. Pastor L must be quite devastated.

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Well, back to work. Gonna be a busy week.

Netherlands the Latest Religious Battleground

It appears now that the Netherlands is the latest battleground in a religious war between Islam and the rest of the world. This latest battle started with the November 2nd murder of filmmaker Theo van Gogh, great grandson of the famous painter. Van Gogh made a film that was critical of Islam, so naturally he was murdered.

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This has touched off a number of incidents between Moslems and Christians across the Netherlands, and various law enforcement involvements as well, including a raid on a Kurdish training ground.

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When will it end? How far will it spread?

A Terrorist Is Laid to Rest

I saw a little bit of Arafat's funeral/burial ceremony today on the news. I haven't heard of any death toll but up to 120 were injured; but remarkably it appears that only four were injured by gunshots or shrapnel. Pretty amazing when you consider how much ordnance was being fired into the air. Even Saeb Erekat seemed to be fearing for his own life as he opened the door of the helicopter.

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There is a lot of hope for peace now that Arafat is gone. After all, it was Arafat himself who rejected a very generous offer made by the Israelis a couple of years ago.

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But I'm not so optimistic, given what I saw on TV today and comments made by Hamas. The Palestinians have had a strong leader for so long, and despite otherwise peaceful efforts made by other lofty officials of the PA, Arafat was the true leader. Now the Palestinians are in effect, leaderless. There may be anarchy there like we've never seen. Israel may have to resort to more forceful measures if things get out of hand. Just another chess piece in the whole complicated Middle East situation.

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What really concerns me is that Arafat died a rather peaceful death considering his violent legacy. This may embolden other leading terrorists.

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Many admired Arafat, even heads of state. But don't let that fool you. Today, a terrorist was laid to rest.

Feeling Yucky

I think I'm coming down with a cold or something -- I've been feeling pretty yucky today. I was supposed to go a Lay Speakers training class tonight and tomorrow but since I had a bit of a fever I thought it best I stay home, especially with it being cold and (at least earlier it was) rainy. A few hours ago I took a couple of aspirin, not for the fever but for the headache -- which actually got worse before it got better. I'm actually feeling kinda okay now.

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We had a nice storm come through late this afternoon. The wind really kicked up and the leaves from the trees lining our street were falling like snow. Then the thunder and lightning and rain came, dropping the temperature by fifteen degrees. Sweet.