New Year's Resolutions

I am fastly approaching the age of 43. Here are my goals for 2009:

1. To make memories, and eliminate regrets.
2. To lose 43 pounds.
3. To read more books. I have a list.
4. To pick up my guitar again.
5. To worship openly with all my gifts.
6. To make all around me better.

Christmas 2008

Christmas 2008
The Perkins Family

(from 2001)

We have been in the habit of summarizing our year and sending these letters out at Christmas time. It seems like a lot of focus on us. Here’s the reason we do this…YOU are a very important person in our lives. When we think about our blessings, and the events in our lives that have helped make us who we are today, YOU fill our hearts, our thoughts, and our souls. So we write YOU each year to share our blessings, and to thank YOU for your impact on our lives!



Our family continues to move through life and evolve. As you can see above, we tried to recreate a family picture from seven years ago but just could not quite squeeze everybody in to the same pose. J So many new adventures, so many important milestones, it is difficult to keep track of all of them. We try to affirm accomplishments each day and gently work through the rough spots. Mary continues to enjoy her work with Starbucks and was promoted to shift supervisor. She has learned that her store will be closing as part of Starbucks closing 600 stores, but is hopeful that she will be able to transfer to another store close by. Mike continues to work with WesBanco and has experienced a year unlike any other in banking and risk management. The entire family vacationed in Ocean City, Maryland this year and had a most wonderful time. We continue to involve ourselves and our family in Church and community activities.



Brittany finished up her high school years with a variety of band activities and enjoyed her 3rd year as a member of the McDonald’s all-star band for OVAC (Ohio Valley Athletic Conference) football activities. She played softball for the high school and enjoyed another playoff appearance by the football team. She finished high school with wonderful grades and we had a great graduation party at our Church. Brittany is attending West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, WV and pursuing an Education major. She has a great room-mate, enjoys the family nearby and time with her cousin Amy, and is adjusting well to being away from home for long periods of time. We miss her greatly but are very proud of her new adventures!



Kelsey is a Freshman in High School and continues to balance an active schedule. She participated in the high school marching band for the 2nd year. She played softball and played Freshman High School volleyball. She is active in Church and participates in the Church Youth Choir and Bell Choir. Her involvement in a competitive drum-line (www.elementsensemble.org) took the family to Dayton, Nashville and other locations for competitions.


Aaron is now in the 6th grade. He loves many sports and plays basketball (in which he played on a traveling all-star team), baseball (in which he made all-stars) and his tackle football team which won their league’s Super Bowl this year. Aaron loves playing receiver and had many fine catches and runs during the season. Aaron is playing drums and will have his first concert with the Middle School Band in December.



Christian has moved to Middle School and is now in the 5th grade. He enjoys many sports including baseball in which he made all-stars, and football in which his team won the Super Bowl for their league. He also is interested in getting in to soccer, and enjoys chess anytime someone is willing to challenge him to a match. He loves legos, Star Wars and video games. Christian is also learning how to play the trumpet.



Both boys are participating in Destination Imagination this year (Mike is trying to be both team’s managers) and Christian’s team made it to the state level in that activity last year. Both boys also continue to be active in Church and the LOGOS program at our Church.



Muffin, Maya and Max also continue to be the animal friends to all of us that only dogs can be.



We hope that this Holiday season finds you healthy and happy. The dramatic economic times that we are enduring give us pause to focus on the truly important things in our lives. We are blessed to have you in our lives.





Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

2008 photos courtesy of Dewayne & Ginnie Lowther

winter in st. clairsville

christian balancing a chicken mcnugget on his head!

Peter King

If you don't already read Peter King's Monday Morning Quarterback, you need to...
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/writers/peter_king/archive/index.html

Quote: This game will be dissected for days in Dallas and celebrated like few other Steelers wins ever -- and I mean that, because in neo-natal units across western Pennsylvania, nurses coo babies to sleep by cursing the Cowboys.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Every now and then you have one of those evenings...where everything just seems to fall in to place. Last evening was one of those. Thanks to my Dad, my wife, my family and my brother for making it all work. Amazing.

I took my son Aaron to a Cleveland Cavaliers game; the first one we've attended. I picked him after school and headed North. Kelsey and Christian were unloading band fruit and then heading to the Church, and Mary changed her work schedule to make it all work. The tickets were a gift for Aaron for his 12th birthday which was the day before (12/2/08).

• We arrived at the Q right before 5 and parked in the adjacent parking building (thanks Doug). Our parking spot was about 50 feet from a bridge that went directly in to the arena!


• Gates opened at 5:30 so we went in search of food. Aaron wanted to eat at Quaker Steak & Lube (a decision that would come back up later). The restaurant is actually part of the arena so we got our Lebron James bobbleheads as we went in.


• We went in to the arena at about 5:45 and went straight to the gift shop. Aaron brought his birthday present money with him and bought shorts, a t-shirt, a basketball hoop and ball and then got a Lebron head band and wrist bands. He also bought a hat and pin for Christian.


• We walked down to the floor and Aaron got Daniel "Boobie" Gibson's autograph!


• Our seats had a great view and we settled in for the game.


• It was all Cavaliers immediately. The sell out crowd was loud and the game was quickly out of reach. The only bad part -- Lebron only played 28 minutes. But they were good minutes as he put in 21 points and the team won by 36!


• Back to the wings...late in the 2nd quarter Aaron starts to get sick and ends up yacking twice. I had to get a janitor to clean up our area and while we were waiting a Cavaliers guest services person comes up and asks if we want to upgrade our tickets to the first level! Of course!


• In our new seats we have a great view of the Cavs bench and floor and Aaron ends up getting on the Q tube (jumbotron). Of course.


• Then he catches a fumbled plastic basketball thrown from the floor in to the crowd. Of course.


• After the game, we leave the parking building and get to the interstate in less than 10 minutes. We got home about 12:30am.

Just a great time, a great birthday gift for Aaron, and a great blessing for me.

~~~

thanksgiving

An incredible friend and family member of mine recently posted "Everyday is my chance to thank someone for his or her impact in my life."

So now I say back to you....Thank you for your impact on my life. It is part of who I am. And I thank you.

Our pastor challenged us this weekend to think of something for every letter of the alphabet that we can be thankful for...no food items or animal items please...take the challenge. As the economy weakens and the Christmas buying frenzy begins, we should all take stock of what we already have that money will never replace...be thankful!

Aaron
Brittany
Christian
dogs a'plenty
education
family...oh my this list could go on forever...what a great family i have!
grandmas and grandpas
home & health
intelligence
justice
Kelsey
love and harmony
Mary!
nurses and doctors
options
parents that nurtured me and loved me unconditionally...still
quiet (a forgotten treasure)
repentance and forgiveness
sports!
time...special moments
u (whoever you are)
vocation
water
xylophones! marimbas
youth (the promise of the future)
zappiness

Sky Appreciation Moment

...

The Fall of HEROES

What a great show Heroes used to be! If you didn't watch year one of this show, catch it online or via DVD. Tremendous. Year two, not so much. Year three started with promise, but it is now going the way of series two...in to the can. Too much totally unbelievable character switches, too much convenient time travel / dream travel to make the plot work or change. Too much. It is just not enjoyable right now.

Too bad, so sad.

...

The Francis Suite

The power of Facebook has, via a friend in California, reacquainted me with one of the most memorable sounds and friends from my college days. Kenny Rittenhouse has a CD titled "The Francis Suite" and his trumpet playing is as beautiful, emotional, and soulful as I remember it from my days of sharing the stage with him in the West Virginia Wesleyan Jazz Ensemble. Through Kenny, along with Chris Loftis, John Clarke, David Choban, and others I learned my place in the world. I saw greatness and his name is Kenny Rittenhouse. I will always treasure the measures and notes we shared.

If you enjoy jazz, and especially the trumpet, treat yourself to a copy of this fantastic CD.

www.kennyrittenhouse.com


...

Serenity

Beside the pond, I relax
the water moves slowly
beneath it's surface there is chaos
but it is hidden from my eyes

I see peace, serenity

The world around me is constant motion
each fighting for the same rung on the ladder
yet in my home
it is hidden from my eyes

I see peace, serenity

I'm heading home


...

david wilcox

Another fantastic singer / songwriter that I enjoy at all times...David Wilcox. If you haven't explored his offerings, I would encourage you to start. Just wonderful...check him out at http://davidwilcox.com/

Some example lyrics:

SHOW THE WAY

You say you see no hope,

you say you see no reason

We should dream that the world would ever change

You're saying love is foolish to believe'

Cause there'll always be some crazy with an Army or a Knife

To wake you from your day dream, put the fear back in your life...

Look, if someone wrote a play just to glorify

What's stronger than hate, would they not arrange the stage

To look as if the hero came too late he's almost in defeat

It's looking like the Evil side will win, so on the Edge

Of every seat, from the moment that the whole thing begins

It is...Love who makes the mortar

And it's love who stacked these stones

And it's love who made the stage here

Although it looks like we're alone

In this scene set in shadows

Like the night is here to stay

There is evil cast around us

But it's love that wrote the play...

For in this darkness love can show the way

So now the stage is set.

Feel you own heart beating

In your chest.

This life's not over yet.so we get up on our feet and do our best.

We play against theFear.

We play against the reasons not to try

We're playing for the tears burning in the happy angel's eyes

It is...Love who makes the mortar
And it's love who stacked these stones
And it's love who made the stage here
Although it looks like we're alone
In this scene set in shadows
Like the night is here to stay
There is evil cast around us
But it's love that wrote the play...

For in this darkness love can show the way

11-4-2008

America is a great country. Regardless of your leanings, sit back and admire the process of this election...the class with which concession and acceptance speeches occur...the dignity of the candidates, their families, their supporters.

Good luck to you President-elect Obama. Russia is already threatening. Many other countries do not care for our country or are watching your every move. The economy is down and the country needs a lift. I wish you God-speed on your accomplishments.

(photo courtesy of Jae C. Hong/Associated PressJae C. Hong/Associated Press)

...poll to poll...

It is worth repeating...

Inaugural Poem
Maya Angelou
20 January 1993

A Rock, A River, A Tree
Hosts to species long since departed,
Marked the mastodon.
The dinosaur, who left dry tokens
Of their sojourn here
On our planet floor,
Any broad alarm of their hastening doom
Is lost in the gloom of dust and ages.

But today, the Rock cries out to us, clearly, forcefully,
Come, you may stand upon my
Back and face your distant destiny,
But seek no haven in my shadow.
I will give you no more hiding place down here.

You, created only a little lower than
The angels, have crouched too long in
The bruising darkness,
Have lain too long
Face down in ignorance.
Your mouths spilling words
Armed for slaughter.

The Rock cries out today, you may stand on me,
But do not hide your face.
Across the wall of the world,
A River sings a beautiful song,
Come rest here by my side.

Each of you a bordered country,
Delicate and strangely made proud,
Yet thrusting perpetually under siege.

Your armed struggles for profit
Have left collars of waste upon
My shore, currents of debris upon my breast.

Yet, today I call you to my riverside,
If you will study war no more.
Come,
Clad in peace and I will sing the songs
The Creator gave to me when I and the
Tree and the stone were one.

Before cynicism was a bloody sear across your
Brow and when you yet knew you still
Knew nothing.

The River sings and sings on.

There is a true yearning to respond to
The singing River and the wise Rock.
So say the Asian, the Hispanic, the Jew
The African and Native American, the Sioux,
The Catholic, the Muslim, the French, the Greek
The Irish, the Rabbi, the Priest, the Sheikh,
The Gay, the Straight, the Preacher,
The privileged, the homeless, the Teacher.

They hear.

They all hear
The speaking of the Tree.

Today, the first and last of every Tree
Speaks to humankind.

Come to me, here beside the River.

Plant yourself beside me, here beside the River.

Each of you, descendant of some passed
On traveller, has been paid for.

You, who gave me my first name, you
Pawnee, Apache and Seneca, you
Cherokee Nation, who rested with me, then
Forced on bloody feet, left me to the employment of
Other seekers--desperate for gain,Starving for gold.

You, the Turk, the Swede, the German, the Scot ...
You the Ashanti, the Yoruba, the Kru, bought
Sold, stolen, arriving on a nightmare
Praying for a dream.
Here, root yourselves beside me.

I am the Tree planted by the River,
Which will not be moved.

I, the Rock, I the River, I the Tree
I am yours--your Passages have been paid.

Lift up your faces, you have a piercing need
For this bright morning dawning for you.

History, despite its wrenching pain,
Cannot be unlived, and if faced
With courage, need not be lived again.

Lift up your eyes upon
The day breaking for you.

Give birth again
To the dream.

Women, children, men,
Take it into the palms of your hands.

Mold it into the shape of your most
Private need.

Sculpt it into
The image of your most public self.

Lift up your hearts
Each new hour holds new chances
For new beginnings.

Do not be wedded forever
To fear, yoked eternally
To brutishness.

The horizon leans forward,
Offering you space to place new steps of change.

Here, on the pulse of this fine day
You may have the courage
To look up and out upon me, the
Rock, the River, the Tree, your country.

No less to Midas than the mendicant.

No less to you now than the mastodon then.

Here on the pulse of this new day
You may have the grace to look up and out
And into your sister's eyes, into
Your brother's face, your country
And say simply

Very simply

With hope

Good morning.


...

Come Away to Sea

Just another beautiful song from David Wilcox!

"Come Away to Sea"

The wind is right for sailing
The tide is right to go
So come away to sea with me
There's things that you should know

There's things I'd like to tell you
That words can't seem to say
Unless we're on this simple craft
Sailing far away

Sail around this sound
Far away from shore
Come away to sea with me
Sail your heart once more

Join me in this simple craft
Welcome to my home
The things I'd like to say to you
Are better said alone

So let your heart sail with me
We'll cast away from town
And we'll sail away on music
Inside this simple sound

This simple craft I play upon
Is made from wooden parts
Its never sailed an ocean
But is sure can sail my heart

And if you feel the music
Then we've raised another sail
The ocean wraps this world around
The wind will never fail


...

End of Season

You must also lose with class.

The Band

19-0 Union Local at the half. Go band!!!!

Playoffs?!

Week #11 St. Clairsville vs. Union Local @ UL

the boys of winter

Philadelphia wins in 5 games. Tampa Bay concludes an absolutely incredible year in 2nd place. I realize that our society is changing, and that the beauty of baseball isn't embraced today like it was when I was a child, when my dad was a child, etc. Today's society is too fast paced. I remember as a kid listening to the baseball games on the radio, hoping that the reception holds. I remember anxiously awaiting the morning paper so that I could check the box scores and see what favorite player did what the day before. Today, we watch the 30 second highlights on ESPN, watch the key stats scroll along the bottom of the screen. Everything is condensed in to tiny brief summaries devoid of all emotion, context, and enjoyment. And if we miss SportsCenter, we can quickly check the internet for the results. Why would we ever want to watch a game when we can see the 30 second version? Why would we ever read a book when we can just read the cliffnotes or watch a quick movie. Why would we ever commit to a relationship when we can go to www.ineedaquickfix.apathy and see what happens.

Our society needs to slow down. I need to slow down.

My top ten ways to fix baseball...
10. Start the season as usual, but play a double-header every Sunday. Charge the parents, but kids get in free. The almight dollar will still be spent on food, drink and souvenirs. Kids will start loving the game again, enjoying it with their dads. A new generation of baseball lovers will be born.
9. With the weeks saved by the doubleheader madness, start the playoffs earlier and finish the World Series in early to mid October, before the snow.
8. Put Pete Rose in the Hall of Fame.
7. Retire Roberto Clemente's #21.
6. After Sunday doubleheaders, let the kids run the bases and meet some of the players.
5. Find a way to fix the small market teams. The Pirates give away Bay and Nady. Shameful.
4. Do everything possible to get the kids of America back on the baseball diamonds.
3. Find a new Commissioner. Bud isn't all that bad, but the Commissioner should be charismatic, a strong leader, someone that baseball lovers can be inspired by.
2. Put asterisks everywhere and clean up the drugs. All of them. Alcohol, uppers, everything.
1. Don't change a thing.

...

leaves are changing

it seems that fall brings many changes in our live. the obvious preparations for winter. putting away the mower and getting out the rake. our next door neighbor has moved and new neighbors are coming soon. a relationship has ended so a new chapter beings for our oldest daughter. leaves are changing. and all will be well.

Laughter of the Soul

look in to someone's eyes
see their soul before you
find what makes that person
and focus on what you know is true

the eyes reflect the soul
the soul defines the vision
you see through your own prejudice
and hopefully rise above

laughter of the soul
an explosion, catharsis
that cannot be contained

find what makes those around you laugh
do it repeatedly
bring joy to the heart
depth to the mind
laughter to the soul
repeat

look in to someone's eyes
see their soul before you
find what makes that person
and focus on what you know is true


...

Fruity Pebbles

What a beautiful time of year! The trees are so precious with the greens, the reds, oranges and yellows. The joy of Fruity Pebbles everywhere you look. The mornings brisk and cool, the days warm. Fall is upon us and I love every minute of it.

Thank you God!

A Confluence of Affirmation

What a busy and beautiful weekend. The weather has been absolutely incredible. We logged many driving miles this weekend with attending Wesleyan Homecoming celebrations, traveling back to Cadiz for the boys football game Saturday night, then back to Morgantown on Sunday to pick up Kelsey. She had stayed with Brittany at Wesleyan for a night. It seemed that each destination, each turn in the road, each moment of reflection, we were surrounded by family, friends, and people who care about this world and our role in it. Inspiring.

I am blessed with the fruit of God's love, the affirmation that I am me and that is good enough.


...

Kris Kristofferson

I never tire of hearing the music of Kris Kristofferson. If you haven't listened to his work, broaden your music library and give him a try. Yes I know he's from a long time ago, yes I know it's country, yes I know the world's moved on. But the message in the lyrics, the songwriting, is just marvelous...

Best of All Possible Worlds

I was runnin' through the summer rain tryin' to catch the evenin' train
And kill that old familiar pain weevin' through my tangled brain
When I tipped my bottle back I smacked into a cop I didn't see
That policeman said Mr Cool if you're ain't drunk then you're a fool
I said if that's against the law tell me why I never saw
A man locked in that jail of yours who wadn't just as lowdown poor as me
Well that was when someone turned out the lights
And I wound up in jail to spend the night
And dream of all the wine and lonely girls in this best of all possible worlds

Well I woke up next morning feelin' like my head was gone
And like my thick old tongue was lickin' somethin' sick and wrong
And I told that man I'd sell my soul if somethin' wet and cold is that old cell
That kindly jailer grinned at me all eaten up with sympathy
Then bought himself another beer and came and whispered in my ear
That booze was just a dime a bottle boy you couldn't even buy the smell
I said I knew there was somethin' I liked about this town
But it takes more than that to bring me down down down
Cause there's still a lot of wine and lonely girls in this best of all possible worlds

Well they finally came and told me they was a gonna set me free
And I'd be leavin' town if I knew what was good for me
I said it's nice to learn that everybody's so concerned about my health
I said I won't be leavin' no more quicker than I can
Cause I've enjoyed about this much of this as I can stand
And I don't need this town of yours more than I've never needed nothing else
Cause there's still a lotta drinks that I ain't drunk
Lots of pretty thoughts that I ain't thought oh yeah
Lord there's still so many lonely girls in this best of all possible worlds

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To Beat the Devil

If you waste your time talking to
The people who won’t listen to
The things that you are saying who
Do you think’s gonna hear?

And if you should die explaining how
The things that they complain about
Are things they could be changing,
Who do you think’s gonna care?

There were other lonely singers
In a world turned deaf and blind
Who were crucified
For what they tried to show

And their voices have been scattered by
The swirling winds of time,
Because the truth remains
That no one wants to know.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Me and Bobby McGee

Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose,
Nothin' ain't worth nothin' but it's free.
Feelin' good was easy, lord when Bobby sang the blues,
And feelin' good was good enough for me,
Good enough for me and my Bobby McGee

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Silver Tongued Devil

I said girl don't you know he's a devil
He's everything that I ain't
Hiding intentions of evil under the smile of a saint
All he's good for is getting in trouble
And slipping his share of the blame
And some people swear he's my double
And some even say we're the same

But the silver-tounged devil's got nothing to lose
And I'll only live 'till I die
We take our own chances and pay our own dues
The silver tounged devil and I

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This Old Road

Look at that old photograph
Is it really you
Smiling like a baby full of dreams
Smiling ain't so easy now
Some are coming true
Nothing's simple as it seems

But I guess you count your blessings with the problems
That you're dealing with today
Like the changing of the seasons

Ain't you come a long way
Ain't you come a long way
Ain't you come a long way down
This old road

Looking at a looking glass
Running out of time
On a face you used to know
Traces of a future lost
In between the lines
One more rainbow for the road

Thinking of the faces in the window
That you passed along the way
Or the last thing you believed in

Ain't you come a long way
Ain't you come a long way
Ain't you come a long way down
This old road

Say you tried to chase the sundown
And you let it slip away
And the holy night is falling

Ain't you come a long way
Ain't you come a long way
Ain't you come a long way down
This old road

...

I Wish I Were...

...An OSCAR MEYER Wiener

The wiener mobile was in St. Clairsville last week! Is there any cooler automobile?

I missed it as I was in the ER with Aaron who had suffered a minor concussion playing tackle football with friends (sans pads and helmet of course).

Mary and Christian were able to see the wiener mobile at the Riesbeck's store in St. Clairsville and snapped this photo for my collection.

...

Fall

I've been reading, tasting imagination
This world is only what we make it

Watch the wonder of a child seeing a fire-fly
An adult seeing a falling star
Why do we let ourselves tire of the wonders all around us?

The colors of this season, the coolness in the air
Can there be any greater gifts from God
Than the every day miracles that surround us?

Greatness is defined within each of us
We must only come to grips with who we are

Our souls are already Holy


...

Saturdays

You never know where you might end up. Aaron's baseball coach, Jeff Monterosa, is defensive coach for West Liberty State College. Today they play West Virginiia Wesleyan College at their new home field in West Liberty. Aaron's coach left free passes for us so here we are. So far, he's doing a great job coaching...WL 20 WVWC 0 at the half.

The boys are having fun being on the sidelines or even on the field.

Fire!

When Your Hut Is On Fire:

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions. One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. He cried out, 'God! How could you do this to me?' Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! It had come to rescue him! 'How did you know I was here?' asked the weary man of his rescuers. 'We saw your smoke signal,' they replied.

The Moral of This Story:

It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of our pain and suffering. Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground. It just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God.


...

Free Rice

My son showed me this web-site today. Check it out. Have some fun, test your knowledge, learn more about hunger and help feed someone in need!

http://www.freerice.com/


...

Time

just in time to wonder what the day brings

just in time to worry about tomorrow

just in time to plan my future by the minute

too late to live now




time doesn't tell you when it is ending

it only tells you its current state

time is wicked in its clarity

live now before it gets late


...

Cooperstown NY

Brittany is at the Professional Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown NY with her WVWC composition class. She seems to be having a great time and sent back some pictures related to the greatest baseball player of all time (Roberto Clemente).

More Clemente

More from Cooperstown!

Clemente

Brittany is at Cooperstown, NY!

Bulldog Brothers

Brothers Aaron (#22) and Christian (#21) game-planning on the sideline.

Bulldogs -- Christian On Defense

Some action photos of Christian on defense for the Bulldogs.

Bulldogs -- Aaron's Big Catch

Some action photos from Aaron's big catch in the 9-7-08 Bridgeport Bulldogs youth tackle football game.

Awaiting the stitcher...

The Damage Done (Before the Needle)

A fun evening at the ER!

End of August, 2008

Brittany came home from college yesterday. She is a freshman at West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, WV. Her first two days home involved being with friends, going to the St. Clairsville High School football game with us (a great win over Buckeye Local; more on that later) then out with the band. Today she is at Cedar Point with her boyfriend and his family. It is good to see her on the go, having fun. The adjustment to college remains a work in progress...

August has really been quick this year; it is hard to believe that today is the 30th. As my hairline recedes the calendar turns much faster. I must find a solution.

There were a lot of injuries in the football game last night. Most of them were cramps or seemingly mild injuries. However, one young man for Buckeye Local was taken off on a stretcher. My oldest son Aaron heard that the boy had sustained a concussion and pain / numbness due to a neck injure. Please pray for that young man and his family.

This holiday weekend looks like a very nice one. We have some events and my wife will be working some at Starbucks, but overall it is fairly laid back by our standards. We can enjoy some time with Brittany before she heads back on Monday. One of her classes involves the impact of baseball on America and she will be traveling to a Washington Wildthings game this week, then a Pirates game at PNC Park. Finally, she will be traveling to Cooperstown NY later in September to visit the Baseball Hall of Fame. Good stuff.

Oh yeah, did I mention that there are a bunch of great college football games today? : )

Goodbye for now. Find someone today that you can honestly express how much they mean to you. Let them know how you feel. Brighten their heart and yours will be brightened as well.

Slow Down

Today is 8-11 and Brittany goes away to college in just 2 days. I just don't know what to do.

And then last night I learned that our niece Amy is engaged to Andy. They make a wonderful couple and I am very happy for them.

The world seems to be spinning a good bit faster than I am comfortable with. No one announced 'warp speed', no one suggested I have a seat and fasten my seatbelt... Toooooooo fast.

OVAC All-Star Football Classic

A glorious day, and the return of football. Brittany was nominated for the OVAC All-Star Band (McDonald's) for the 3rd year. We attended the meet the teams function last night which also included performances by the cheerleaders and band, as well as introduction of the football teams and the Queen of Queens candidates. This all occurred at West Liberty State College, their new football turf, and was marvelous. The band is absolutely incredible!

Today we enjoyed the band's performance at the Wheeling Italian Festival and are now preparing to see the football game and band performances at Wheeling Island Stadium.

An amazing and fun day!

For coverage of the game, follow this link:

http://www.wtov9.com/sports/17009675/detail.html

Travelin' Thru

The road stretches out before me
Waking up for a brand new day
The sun peeks through the clouds
And I am off to earn my pay

Work is work, fun is fun
And rarely the two shall meet
I'm searching for professional peace
But realize that dream may stay incomplete

I am blessed with a wonderful personal life
Ample happiness to balance out
So work is work, and fun is home
And of that there is no doubt

Open Try-out for the Pirates

My boys and I had the good fortune of being able to pass in the outfield grass of PNC Park last Saturday! Thanks to my father, a Pirates season ticket holder, for letting us have this opportunity!

More "Miracles"

The "Miracles in the Marketplace" production last night continues to dominate my thoughts. So much talent, so much open sharing of that talent. Praise God!

Miracle in the Marketplace

Last night's "Miracle in the Marketplace" was an incredible event at Thoburn United Methodist Church in St. Clairsville. The concept was envisioned by Adam Myser and strongly supporting by the extended Myser family. A variety of scripture themed productions took place including plays, singing, interpretative dance, marionettes, etc. Games were enjoyed by all, as well as home made apple dumplings, ice cream and lemonade. A great crowd came out and, in summary, the experience was amazing!

Birthday

I can't believe that our youngest daughter is now 14!

And she is a wonderful young lady!

I'm very thankful for the wonderful family I have. I am a blessed man.

Eva

If you haven't ever listened to Eva Cassidy, then you must add her to your collection.

Her story is a sad one, an early death, with popularity only really coming after her death. But her story is inspiring... she stood for her musical beliefs. Every song I listen to by her is like an entire world opened up. Such depth, soul, passion, etc. "How can I keep from singing?"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eva_Cassidy

http://evacassidy.org/eva/

Another calm day...

What a great day it has been! I received great news at work today and that has taken a lot of stress off of us at home.

Work is very interesting right now. So much change. Very dynamic. Challenging.

After work, I picked up Christian and headed to the bowling alley. Brittany was asked to join a high school age team, representing St. C., and has done very very well. She bowled about a 130 average tonight. The St. C. team won.

We have a wonderful, crazy, family. I am very blessed.

Soul Alive

Thank you Lord for the peace you have given me. A character on the TV show ER said "sometimes it is easier to continue to feel guilty than it is to forgive ourselves". Very insightful. I am forgiven. I am saved. I forgive myself. I am alive!

Alvin, Zanesville, Elements and Shrek

I am posting this from a parking lot in Zanesville, hopping on someone's linksys internet connection. We are here with Kelsey as she practices with her drumline (Elements) until 1:30 a.m. They then practice again on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Mary, Aaron and I made the trip and just decided to stay here then drive home to sleep in our own beds (it is only 1 hour back home). We went to the mall and watched The Chipmunk movie (Alvin, Simon, Theodore). It was very funny. And now I blog while Aaron watches Shrek 3 and Mary sleeps.

My soul has been nuclear lately. I am very satisfied. Happy with all.

Brittany found out today that she has been accepted at the University of Charleston and that she also received a very significant scholarship. We are traveling there on Monday to visit the campus.

She is very excited!

Too much fun for one evening / morning!

A line from Miranda Lambert comes to mind... "I'm waiting on the sun to set cause yesterday ain't over yet."

boys will be boys...

My two boys seem to fight about everything right now. And many times the fights become physical and not just words. I'm at a loss. They frustrate me enough that I often get heated up as well and that certainly doesn't help.

Sure am glad my brother and I never fought when we were growing up. : )

song of the week

Interesting lyrics...

You have so many relationships in this life,
But only one or two will last.
You go through all the pain and strife,
Then you turn your back and they're gone so fast.

Oh yeah. They're gone so fast.

Oh, so hold on to the ones who really care,
In the end they'll be the only ones there.
When you get old and start losing your hair,
Can you tell me who will still care?

Can you tell me who will still care?

Plant a seed, plant a flower,Plant a rose,
you can plant any one of those
Keep planting to find out which one grows.
It's a secret no one knows.It's a secret no one knows.

Oh, no one knows.

buckeyes again

Living on the edge of southeast Ohio after growing up in WV and remaining a WVU fan, it is almost a daily occurrence that some Buckeye fan gets in your face with how incredible the Buckeyes are.

For the record, their football team has been incredible of late. It is hard to argue their accomplishments. Accept that they can't close the deal. They can't perform in THE big game. And, quite frankly, I just love that.

Especially after WVU stood up and whooped the Oklahoma Sooners.

It is a good day to be a Mountaineer! And it is just like every other day to be a Luckeye fan... so close... and yet not even close!

42 = mlp = Super Bowl

Yesterday was my birthday. I am now officially 42.

What a wonderful day it was.

Candle and singing at wake-up with the entire family participating. Well wishes throughout the day. We met with my Dad, brother and friend for lunch in Morgantown, the enjoyed WVU's upset over Marquette in basketball. Home for dinner of spaghetti, ice cream dessert and presents. A wonderful, wonderful day.

I am surrounded by incredible people. Very blessed.

coffee, college and sports

Okay... I'm trying out 'blogger'. I have been wanting to write so I am going to try this as a vehicle for my musings.

Today is the day before my 42nd birthday.

Basketball game this morning... our kid's lost by 1 point. I coached fairly, not necessarily to win, and accordingly I had one of our best players on the bench at the end of the game. The league rule is that all kids play equal time and I try to stay as close to that as possible.

It was a memorable moment at the end of the game. I called a time out and asked the five on the court if they all wanted to stay in. They all said 'abolutely' which is what I wanted them to say. Then my son Christian pulled me aside and offered to come out so that the best player could go in. I told him thanks but no thanks. We had a chance but couldn't get a shot off.

There is coffee brewing. Smells great and I am excited about having a cup.

We are watching the end of the Ball State and Rutgers bowl game, preparing to watch the NFL games. Fun stuff. I enjoy the family and a relaxed day. Tomorrow we are going to Morgantown for a Mountaineer basketball game and to share my birthday with my Dad and brother. Should be fun.

I am also finalzing the filing of Brittany's FAFSA form for financial aid. Here's hoping that we can find some viable financial aid to get Brittany off to college. I am excited for her.

Signing off now. Be back soon.