Between the White Lines

I was asked a question the other day about the reference to between the white lines which I have on my masthead.

I thought it an funny question, because the reference seems so obvious to me--but upon reflection, I guess it may be a generational issue which created the question.

Roads have been a part of my life for my whole life. I am getting older--I still remember when yield signs were yellow with black letters.

The reference then, is to a highway. The white lines mark the edges of the road. On rural highways, there are no lines in the center of the road to mark lanes--it is just a ribbon of blacktop with two white lines. Drive between the lines.

Those who really know me, know that I am a country boy at heart. So I remember those roads.

When we lived in Germany, there was a back road I used to drive from the place I worked to the small base, Neubrueke, where we lived. It had white lines on the sides and one night, on my way home, I was driving a bit too fast and my old car, the only Mercedes I ever owned, slid off the road into the ditch while rounding a curve. I failed to keep the car between the white lines.

Finally, there is a Garth Brooks song: Much too Young (To Feel This Damn Old). There is a reference in the chorus of the song to a white line getting longer which I believe is a reference to the times before the roads were marked with yellow lines in the center. I remember when roads used to be marked with only white lines--the sides and the center.

And the white line's getting longer and the saddle's getting cold
I'm much too young to feel this damn old
All my cards are on the table with no ace left in the hole
And I'm much too young to feel this damn old

And so, there you have it. My white lines. I can still see that old green Mercedes off the road in the ditch. Fortunately it did not roll, but it should have.

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Before the Alarm Went off

God woke me up this morning--He wanted to tell me a couple things.

We haven't been talking much lately, and almost never in the morning in a meaningful way. And my nighttime prayers have been really abbreviated or non-existent. So, He felt I needed to hear from him.

It wasn't real early--just a few minutes before my alarm and after one of the best night's sleep that I have had in a while because I finally went to the doctor yesterday for the headache which has bothered me for a week and got some medicine for the sinus infection that seems to be brewing.

So, I was ready to hear his voice before the noise of my life took over.

He told me that he loved me.

And then He asked me to tell him what was on my mind. And I did.

When I was done, He told to be still and listen.

And I heard the sound of peaceful breathing coming from the bed next to me where Chris was sleeping, as she has done almost every night for the past 36 years.

He reminded me that she loves me, too.

I pondered that for a while--as she continued her regular peaceful breathing.

I love her too.

God intervened in the moment to tell me again that He still loves me. So does Chris. So do my kids and grandkids. And it is not a shallow love, but a love that pulls together when one of us needs something. I heard Jeremy say: "Because, that's how we roll," in my head.

It is the love that had 14 of us praying in a circle in a hospital waiting room about two and a half years ago for Jax during his open heart surgery at the tender age of six days. "Team Jackson," I remembered Patrick said.

I am here for you too, God reminded me. My pillow was damp with the tear of peace that rolled down my cheek following behind the tears of shame and regret that had been trying to escape from my eye.

I remembered how the sun had suddenly peaked out from behind a dark cloud last evening after I had been drenched in a driving rain walking into the pharmacy. And despite being wet and chilled--the presence of the sun warmed me--not just physically, but emotionally, too.

God reminded me--that what is the most important to me is not always what I devote the most time to. And, sometimes, there are things in my life that I give time to that I shouldn't. I'm not balanced.

He reminded me that He can help with that, if I let him. He also reminded me that while I feel that a lot of people depend upon me, and not just my family, I too, depend upon a lot of people if I would only notice them more.

Like I told Dylan and Rachel just two short weeks ago, we are not meant to go through life alone. Life is a team sport.

I've been playing like the basketball superstar that scores 50 or more points in a losing effort because I'm trying to be one man show.

Despite liking to lead, sometimes I need to follow.

I've got a lot to work on, things to repair, and others to face the consequences of poor choices and decisions. But there is good coach and a strong team to keep me between the white lines.

God reminded me that He is there for me, we just need to chat more.

And all I could say was, amen.


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Location:Rainbow Dr,Elkridge,United States

Good Morning Surprise

This morning, short already, has been full of not so pleasant surprises.

When I hit the door with Makayla for her walk, I expected to be greeted by cool, crisp air--instead it was the humid, heavy air of the on coming hurricane. Ugh.

And then, my laptop decided that it and Windows Vista were not working well together.

That, I guess is life. Surprises.

And, of course, it is really dark now at 5AM. Which means walking Makayla is just a bit more exciting and difficult.

But the day is dawning and my plate is full of stuff to do.

I will be busy and hopefully not too distracted by the those seemingly important things which crop up for a few minutes and then settle back down.

I pray your day is a good one.



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Earthquakes and Hurricanes

What a day yesterday was--the earthquake changed our collective view of the region and brought us a step closer to understanding how helpless we feel when the ground shakes and there is no place to hide.

For my part, I recognized the earthquake as the tremors built in intensity, but was really surprised at how much the building shook by the time it was over. It was weird watching the suspended ceiling move about on its own. I had a clock actually fall off my desk and break on the floor of my office.

And this was a relatively minor earthquake compared to the big ones of the west coast and the devastating one that recently occurred in Japan.

We will likely be talking about this earthquake for a longtime.

The news media was quick to press into earthquake coverage and there was localized damage--but mostly a lot of unsettled people. I came home to check on the items we have hanging on the walls--and we, fortunately, escaped with no discernible damage.

Next up--Irene. A hurricane taking aim at the Outer Banks or our weekend enjoyment.

Water, winds, loss of power, downed trees and a pool full of tree debris. What could be better than that?

I was reminded that one of the last hurricanes of significance blew through in 2003 and was named Isabel. What is it with "I" named storms?



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Sure Signs of the Impending Demise of Summer

1. It was dark outside when I took Makayla for her morning stroll.

2. My favorite constellation, Orion, is creeping into the morning sky.

3. The outside temperature was 56 degrees.

4. The pool water is getting cold.

5. I had to use my poop-finder flashlight.

6. I turned the air conditioner off in the truck yesterday and was amazed at how much power that under-powered vehicle actually had.

7. Chris wore a sweater last evening as we ate dinner on the deck.

8. I haven't heard the house air conditioning come on in over 12 hours.

9. I'm heading off tis morning to risk life and limb playing racquetball again after the summertime hiatus.

10. The Maryland Renaissance Festival begins tis weekend.


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Monday Musings - August 22, 2011

1. I had never been on a cruise ship before yesterday when I was treated to a three-hour tour and dinner. Now I am beginning to understand the reason why cruise ships are so popular.

2. Makayla is doing better. The antibiotic and anti-inflammatory are doing the job of helping her to heal that very sore and ugly spot on her back. The vet thought it was a small puncture wound--maybe from a cat when they were playing.

3. I can tell that football is back and that the O's are sliding into their season ending slump. They have managed two wins in their last ten games. So much for the hope we all had at the beginning of the season that something new and special was going to happen this season.

4. The thunderstorms of yesterday really eloped bring my pool to overflowing! Unfortunately, I could not swim in it yesterday due to the pace of the day.

5. Well, it is the beginning of another week. This week should be better than last week.

6. All of the rain sure is making the grass grow!

7. We discovered last week that the county school board wants to build an elementary school on the main street near our house. It is almost within sight of another elementary school. And all because the community didn't want a school at a site near train tracks we're toxic chemicals are carried. Talk about the ultimate knee-jerk. Oh yeah--they want to open the school for the 2013 school year.

8. To all off the teachers and staff of Howard County Public Schools--have a good year. I'm sorry the summer is over.

9. Smile. Some days are better and some not so much but a smile is like putting icing on the cupcake.

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A Flash of Light and a Kaboom

And that is how I woke up this morning with a ferocious thunderstorm dancing on top of my house.

Another thunderstorm.

Fortunately there was no wind. So the pool survived.

What a way to start Sunday morning.

The cat even jumped out of the window through the shade--just to add some excitement to the storm, as if it needed additional excitement.


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Makayla's boo boo

Well here is the shaved spot. It looks bad

Makayla at the Vet

I found a small lump on Makayla this morning and so we are at the vet having it checked out. Initial indications are a small infection. But she is being clipped for a better look.

I'm a wreck.


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Location:Arundel Mills Cir,Hanover,United States

After the Storms

Ugh. I looked out at the pool this morning after the week of rain and storms.

I've got a lot of work to do.

Leaves and debris in and around the pool that are going to take up a lot of my day.

Ah, the joys of owning a pool--standing tall against the storms that come against it to maintain a small piece of paradise.

Of course the cooler temperatures are having an impact of the water temperature, too.

And people wonder why I'm not a fan of August.

I just heard on the Today Show that Philadelphia is going to set an all time record for rain--and I am sure we are not far behind. According to the paper we are 2.3 inches above normal for the month of August to date.

But now it is time for breakfast--then to the pool, but not for enjoyment immediately.

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