Jax Turns 3

Jax, the miracle baby turns three today!

Jax

What a ride it has been with this dynamic kid.

He has developed and grown so much during this past year it is hard to express it all.

But mostly--he remains the miracle baby with the straight line of a faint scar on his chest--to remind us all that he is truly a special child of God. And one upon whom many prayers have been said and blessings given.

The coolest thing happened after church last Sunday. Jax and Ethan met in the hallway surrounded by throngs of people--among them Jeremy, Nicole, Lucas, Mike, Nicole, Chris, and me. But when Jax found Ethan--for whom he had been seeking among all of the people there was the most awesome expression of love I have seen in a long time. A true, unabashed hug of two brothers who, thought they can fight like enemies, truly love each other and look out for each other.  I call them, the Haslup Boys.

Happy Birthday Jax--and may you always be blessed more than you realize.

Congressional Reprieve--A Sad Commentary on America

A couple of days ago, Congress passed another continuing resolution. I believe most people in America barely blinked an eye at the passing of the CRA, as it is called.

However, passing the CRA is significant. It allows the government to continue functioning--at least for another two weeks. This year's budget battles represents everything that needs to be fixed in our system.

The government is working without an approved budget. Congress is supposed to approve a budget and forward it to the President for signature and execution.  Sadly, neither the Democratic controlled congress (before January, nor the newly divided congress seems to know how to get through this process.

Here is the rub--the new fiscal year began on October 1, 2010--over five months ago. People forget that if the formerly fully Democratic-controlled Congress had done its job, we would not be in the position of playing partisan politics with the newly Republican-controlled House squared off against the Democratic-controlled Senate and the President.  But, alas, they didn't take their responsibilities seriously enough to put the work and functioning of this great nation ahead of personal politicking.

What is the impact? Inefficiency! In the end there is going to be a huge amount of waste, ineffectively spent fiscal funding, and maybe even a total governmental breakdown.

Article 1 Section 8 of the Constitution begins to define the powers of Congress as follows:
The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

As this is the first of  about 17 statements regarding what the congress is supposed to be doing, I would surmise that it is fairly important. Without a budget, none of the items listed can be accomplished. Congress is so focused upon internal politics that they are failing to accomplish their Constitutionally mandated mission.

Write your senators and representatives and remind them to get back to work governing this great land and providing "for the common defense and general welfare of the United States."

Whose fault is it?

It does not matter--they all are at fault.

Tulips on the Table

In all of the longing for Springtime and along with the outside work, we decided to rush things a bit last weekend.

Tulips on the Table

Wanting some flowers to grace the table,  we bought tulips--not a bundle of tulip blooms, but a container of forced tulip bulbs so that we can plant them and enjoy them in the gardens next Springtime.

I thought it was a really great idea because after the blooms are gone we don't just throw the stems away, no we have to do work and plant the bulbs and stems in the gardens--but hopefully they will bloom next year.

I say hopefully because we have a problem here with tulip bulbs.

Squirrels.

They seem to love tulip bulbs and so of the many hundreds we have planted, only a few remain.  The daffodils and the hyacinths are not apparently on the menu--but tulip bulbs seem to be a squirrel delicacy.

But no matter--we will continue to plant the bulbs for even a single season of enjoyment--because tulips are one of the classic Springtime flowers and these days they come in so many variations.

I remember when it they came in two colors red or yellow with one type of bloom. But now they appear in all of the colors of the rainbow--including green, and have multiple bloom styles from traditional, to double and parrot and who knows what else.

For now though--as our temperatures are dropping back into the low 40's, they provide that visual clue that says: don't despair, Springtime is coming,

Out the Hotel Window - Denver in March

Looking into the Morning light

I was thinking I wasn't going to do the out the window thing for this trip--afterall, I'm staying near the airport and the area is flat with not much to look at.

But then, yesterday morning, I looked out my window after talking to Chris on the phone and was treated to that fire in the sky kind of sunrise that just makes me go: aha!

I was awesome. And then I saw the moon and a star over one of the buildings near to my hotel.

Yeah, the images are grainy--what did I expect from my iPhone.  But I captured a memory. A moment in time as the world came alive, stirring and waking from its slumber.


Moon and Star over the Plains



Interestingly, shortly after I took this these images, the loval TV station rebroadcast similar images of the sunrise on its morning show. I guess I was not the only one who thought the scene painted by God was special.


I continue to be amazed at what I see and notice outside my hotel windows as I travel. I never used to even really open the curtains and let the world in, but I am finding so much to see and marvel at now that I am taking the time to look.

More Signs of Spring

Chris and I were working in the yards on Saturday and we found more sure signs of Spring in the yard.

The daffodils are springing up all over.

And as we removed the heavy layers of leaves--we found more and more groupings of flowers pushing their way toward the sun.

Ah yes, the sun--I wish I could see more of it.

But as today is March--I am sure the weather will be getting warmer and warmer from here on.

Too bad some areas of the north were still receiving snow totals measured in feet over the weekend. We at least are getting some warmth and sun.

Bring it on.

Monday Musings - February 28, 2011

1. Traveling through airports is still an event; between clearing security, deciding what food to buy before boarding a long flight, and being treated like self-loading cargo it just isn't a lot of fun anymore.

2. I still find something exciting about watching the first light of dawn grace the horizon and chase away the night.

3. The Oscars were awarded last night--yawn.  Maybe they should all get real jobs.

4. The Arab world continues to implode and the real question is, whose side should we be on?  Are they going from the frying pan into the fire?

5. Congress. What happens when if government shuts down? Will they continue to get paid? There should be a deal in there somewhere. History says that shutting down the government over a budgetary impasse is a bad idea.

6. It is March Madness!  Let the annual orgy of college basketball begin.

7. Seems I was rushing daylight savings time a bit yesterday. It really begins on March 13th. I really thought Springtime was closer.

8. I didn't know that: On February 28, 1827 the B&O railroad was incorporated and became the first railroad in America to offer scheduled passenger and freight service.

Sleepy Sunday with Spring on the Way

Unlike yesterday--the dog let me sleep in a bit today.

So now I'm a bit behind on the day.  Bit that is OK.

Yesterday was one of those days where it was a bit cold--but there was very little wind.  We were able to continue cleaning the yards and moving the remnants of Winter off and back into the woods where the leaves should have stayed anyway.

We took so many loads of leaves off the lawns and from around the pool that I was just amazed at how they had blown in.

But--we are ready for the mowing to begin! Well, the lawn needs to green up first. But if the weather keeps climbing farther away from freezing, I suspect I'll be mowing by the Ides of March!

I know the tractor is ready!

The pool isn't far off. I ordered the chemicals for the season and they will be delivered this week. So April isn't too far off.

In two weeks we revert to daylight savings time! (Corrected, thanks, Dad!)

It is funny, this year, unlike most, I have not been driving to work in the daylight. But not that it matters, let's get the daylight reallocated and start playing outside during the evening.

I need to get through this week first. But sleeping in a bit sure started the week out great.

Why I Can't Sleep In

I should be asleep in my be right now.  It is shortly after 6AM on a Saturday morning after a trying but snow shortened work week. I love to sleep in on Saturdays.

I was happily asleep a few minutes go, but then Makayla decided she needed to go out.

Usually not a problem. The sun isn't up yet and I put her leash on her and we head outside. It was damp and cool, but not cold. The air was still and there were no birds singing yet. I noted the snow was mostly gone from the storm of Tuesday. Makayla did her business and we headed back inside for her cookie reward.

And the cats also get cookies for just being cats.

The Makalya lets me know the food dish is empty and she needs water.

Now I am awake.

I hit the coffee pot and decide--no more sleep this morning. Time to start the day.

Short Week means No Less Work

Although this week was effectively a three-day week, holiday followed by a surprise snow day, there was a full week's amount of work to be accomplished.

Work, it seems gets parsed out on a weekly basis. Just because the work week is shorted does not equate to less work. The same amount of stuff needs to get done, I just have less time to do it.

I can tell how my week is progressing by the newspaper I take along with me every morning. Most days, I get to read the paper over my lunch half-hour as I enjoy food at my desk. A busy day means that I hit the headlines and scan the sports section. Really busy days mean the paper never leaves the plastic sleeve that it is delivered in.

So far this week (all two days) the paper has not left the plastic sleeve. I'm not even reading the headlines, it seems that I am living the headlines. On top of that, I'm staying late to get the critical stuff done. Yesterday for example, I played racquetball at 5:30 am, but still was at my desk my 7:15. I checked out at 5:45 pm. Not too bad for an 8-hour day.

And I really want to get in to work early today so that I don't have to work too late tonight to get the weeks worth of stuff accomplished.

It is just funny how it all works out. 

Is time off, then, really time off or just time reallocated?

Time Stands Still

It was about 5:17 pm on Wednesday afternoon. I was on Piney Orchard Boulevard headed home in my truck after E-day.

The day had been a fast moving day--broken up by a doctors appointment and work. I had been busy, but I always look forward to E-day.

I was daydreaming a bit about the evening at home with Chris and the events planned for the next day. I was doing about 50 mph in a 45 mph zone and beginning to get into the drive.

Then it happened. Time stood still for a short amount of time.

A green Mustang convertible with a white top, for some unexplained reason turned in front of me attempting to get onto Old Waugh Chapel Road.

Emergency stop!

Collision imminent!

The anti-lock brakes were shaking under my foot. The green Mustang loomed larger and larger in my windscreen and I began to think about the looming impact and wondering if the car in front of me would at least accelerate a bit.

I aimed for where the car was, but stayed in my lane and chose not to perform some heroic maneuver and potentially roll my truck. The truck held its line--straight as an arrow--so swerve, no hesitation.

I thought about how the airbag would feel exploding into my chest as the seatbelt secured me to the truck.

I heard the squealing of the tires of the Mustang as the driver recognized the impending collision and mashed the accelerator to begin moving ever so slowly from my path.

I wondered if the truck would be repairable.

I thought about the engine being in my lap when it was all over.

And then--it became clear that the vectors were going to miss each other. The Mustang cleared the intersection a hair breath before my truck got to where the car had just been, and I released the brake so the guy in back of me would not rear-end me.

I thought for a moment about chasing down the Mustang driver--and giving them a good tongue lashing. But decided against it.

I hit the accelerator and got back up to road speed, said a prayer of thanks and tried calling my wife.

I know time stands still in such situations. How else could I have done so much and thought of so much in what amounted to the blink of an eye? I was on a bit of an adrenalin high.

But I was unharmed and not involved in a serious accident--and continued on my way home reflecting on the circumstances and reactions of those short seconds.

And the traffic around me continued on unabated and probably unaware of my brush with disaster.