Monday Musings - March 7, 2011

1. March is already a week old? What happened to February, did we lose it somewhere in a snowstorm?

2. The rains of this past weekend should really get off to a great start. Coupled with the moderate temperatures we should be mowing in a few weeks.

3. Paul Zukerman writes an interesting and thought provoking article titled: "Why Evangelicals Hate Jesus." Take a read--it caused me to pause for a moment and think.


4. Did you read the one about the college basketball player attending BYU who, when asked, admitted to having premarital sex with his girlfriend? He was suspended from the basketball team just before the conference tournament and may be kicked out of school for an honor code violation. My question--OK, yeah he did it and admitted to it. And being suspended from the team is the right thing to do, but there needs to be some mercy here too--we all sin, daily. Perhaps we are just lucky enough not to be breaking BYU's honor code when we do it.

5. Spring training continues to be exciting, and although the O's lost their second game, they do seem to be playing very well and lots of promises seem to be being fulfilled.

6. I watched most all of the four Indiana Jones movies this weekend, as they were playing back-to-back-to-back-to-back on one channel and it was raining all day Sunday.  I'm not sure if I'm proud of this ultimate couch potato achievement or not.  Although, I did ride almost six miles on our exercise bicycle to compensate (I was watching one of the movies as I rode). I think I need a new hat, lol.

7. Here's a thought--I like rain a whole lot more than snow! We received over an inch of rain this weekend--that translates into about 8-10 inches of snow. Any questions? Sorry to my family in upstate NY--you should have taken a short trip for the weekend to avoid the white stuff.

8. As we were driving on Saturday, I noticed crocus and snow drops were blooming on some of the yards in the neighborhood.

9. The birthday party for Jax on Saturday, was also attended by four of the family's dogs--I forgot to mention that Makayla and Chewbacca also were in attendance.

The Celebrations Went on and On

Jax had a great birthday--from all indications.

Blowing Out the Candles

Jeremy, Nicole and Luke at Discovery Zone

Grandma and Luke

On an Adventure in Egypt

It started early and continued into the night as family and friends celebrated the special guy's birthday and the completion of his third year on the planet.

We began as a group at the Discovery Zone with Lucas and his family and spend a fun filled--but at times tense couple of hours. Some of our group forgot the most important thing about group activities--stay in sight and so there was an all out search for one of the guys which ended happily. It was good practice for Disney World which may happen sooner than later it appears.

The actual party was a masterpiece--decorations were themed for Scooby-Doo, Jax's favorite character and an adventure created by Tina and Patrick highlighted the afternoon as the kids searched for clues to discover ,Who stole Jax's presents--complete with ghosts and twists and turns.

The kids had as much fun as the adults did watching them find the presents.

Scooby Cake

We even enjoyed some comic relief as we rounded up some escapees--the dogs decided to go for a stroll.

A great day of fun and celebration.

Happy birthday Jackson.

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.