COON CLUB CALLED OFF

I got an email that the Coon Club isn't meeting due to the heavy snow. That is so sad
because I was just ready to step out in the snow to go. Maybe I can call Coon Club
President to tell them that they can take my name off their membership! That will
show them!
I can understand Sugar Grove calling off church Sunday. And it wasn't all that white
stuff that did it. I was cause I were goin' be a preaching to them. Can't blame at all,
I've heard myself preach fer over 40 years! Maybe I should have the President of
the Coon Club call them and ask if they can meet there tomorrow since they won't
be a meetn'
I could start my own Coon Club cause I never call meetin's off fer anything. Might
miss somethunkin'. Hey! I could even be President!! Now that's a great idea if I
do say so myself.
By the way, my wife & daughter are mad that they called the Coon Club off cause
they wanted to stop at Pepper's fer lunch since the Coon Club don't serve fresh
meet no more!

SNOW WAY!

There is snow way we will have church Sunday as things look right now. Maybe if
I had a sled (I wonder did John Wesley have one?) I might make it but I'd need a
horse to pull me to Sugar Grove, 30 minutes away, 1 day by horse. Then there's
the congregation, how do they get there and now many would show? We shall see
come Sunday, if not Saturday.
I have stayed in all day and read. It's been relaxing to read back in the bedroom
all by myself (and two dogs). We waited to see if the snow would ever start. It has
and it hasn't stopped. They say late Saturday with 10 inches of the white stuff. I
think I will read some more from the new book I have. It's very good thus far.
My wonderfull wife got out and got dog food this morning so we're okay on that
count. So are the two dogs.
I hope the snow sticks enough to make a snow man and some snow balls. I don't
plan to shovel snow if we can walk on it, I think it is safer to let it stay. Knowing
me, I may have to eat my snow (words) though.
By the way, God loves you snow much!

SNOW FOOD

It's going to snow 5 - 10 inches today and I just realized that we're almost out of dog
food! What to do? That is the question. The answer: -1. send the wife out to get some.
-2. go get some myself. (not!) -3. send the husky after her own food. -4. feed them snow
cream. -5. feed them leftovers. -6. see if Tractor Supply delivers. -7. put the dogs
on a snow diet. -8, call 911. -9. move without them and don't leave a trail. -10. let
them eat cake and ice cream.
By the way, if you go out into the woods today, bring us some dog food. We will leave
the front porch light on for you. Thank you, thank you very much.

The Silence of the Snow

If I preach this coming Sunday, I'm preaching about the silence of the snow. There is
something about snow that slows life down in so many ways, good and bad. Since it's
too early to know if there will be church way out in the country or not, I want to be
ready if we do have church.
Think about some ways the silence of the snow can be good. Make a list and see if
you find this silence to be soft or loud, good or bad. I've preached this sermon very
few times and places but I think there is something worth considering in such a
time as this. They say we may get as many as eight inches of snow by Saturday
morning. It's slip and slide, stay inside time it seems to me.
Watch where you step and driving in this stuff. Stay safe in the silence of the snow.
If not, the silence will soon fade away.

Something to Celebrate

Last night we celebrated moving to Bowling Green six years by going out to eat. We are
right at home on Grider Pond Road. While we've had to make several changes inside &
outside, we're very well pleased here. Being back in Bowling Green is best of all. My wife
said she has lived here longer than anywhere else as an adult. That's because the longest
we lived anywhere since being married forty years ago has been five years, but we did
that four different times and places. So, there is no place like home sweet home.
Yesterday we went out for breakfast and then to Barnes & Noble. We needed a slow
down day after stripping so much wall paper in the master bedroom. The next thing
will be covering up nail holes and getting ready to place primer on the wall so we can
paint over it. I hope we have it done rather than doing it ourselves. I'm not a very good
painter.
Snow is heading our way they say. We might get up to 8 inches of the white stuff. I'm
glad I got a couple of books to read. I also doubt that I will be preaching Sunday. If
so, I hope the roads will be in good shape. It's going to be very cold Saturday and Sunday
so I doubt the snow melts very fast. Maybe I can build a snowman or a snow dog.

Old blue (brown) Eyes Is Back

I have on one of my father's hats that were given to me by one of my brother's at
Christmas. This one has a bright feather in it. Strange, but both of the dogs are
barking at mebecause I have it on. Maybe they don't like it on me.
I like to wear a hat or cap in cold weather to keep warm. With the snow they say
is heading or way, I better be prepared to shovel several inches of snow. Most
likely, I'll leave most of it alone. After all, after awhile it goes away thanks to the
sunshine.
I'm off today for good behaviour. My dear wife told me I could rest after a hard
day of stripping wall paper yesterday. I want to go to Barnes & Noble to read a
new book and drink coffee. I ended up buying the last book I was reading whenever
I went there. It's a 500 plus page book that will take time to read.
Well, old brown eyes had better be going before my dear wife tells me "back to
work."

"Got the Time?"

Last week my wife bought a new battery run clock for our bathroom. I put it on the
wall and went on my way. After a few days she asked me if I hear the clock ticking.
I told her that I only heard it in teh bathroom. That's when she and our daughter
said they could hear it in the master bedroom. She took the clock down yesterday to
take it back to Walmart.
This morning my daughter asked if I heard the ticking clock. I told her that my hearing
before the judge is Friday but the snow might cancel it out. That's one way to keep the
ticking time bomb from going off. By the way, what time did you say it is?
After I came home from getting a hair cut yesterday, I found my wife stripping in the
bedroom. Being the wonderfull husband that I am, I started stripping too. We stripped
wall paper on one whole wall and I have an idea we will be stripping again today. "Yes,
they call me the stripper" and I'm proud of it!
I read that we might get up to ten inches of snow Friday so I doubt I'll be preaching
Sunday at Sugar Grove. I'm glad I have another new book to read in the silence of
the snow. What's that ticking? I thought the dog didn't get ticks this time of the
year. That ticks me off!
ps: it's 6:00 pm & I've been stripping again today. I spray stuff on the walls and
then I peel it all of! The best part is when I am able to sneak in a short nap. Like
now.

Great Ball of Fire!

When I walked into the kitchen for another cup of coffee a few minutes ago, my daughter pointed to the window and said, "There's the sun." Great ball of fire!" I said. "So big, so
bright!" The darkness of the early morning has given way to some sunshine on my old
Kentucky home. I might of missed it had it not been for stopping to simply look out our
kitchen window on a Monday morning.
It's almost 10:00 a.m. and it's snowing. The sun went back to bed, I guess. Now I've got
to go out in the snow to get a haircut and do a couple of other things. Maybe I can build
a snow fort and hide in it all day.
Keep the SON in your eyes even when the sun isn't bright.

A MOVING EXPERIENCE

I went to Barnes & Noble this morning to start reading a new 400 page plus book.
I almost bought it but decided to hold off for another new one soon to be out. I've
got way too many book at home already.
Speaking of home, when I arrived back to the house, I rearranged the bedroom
furniture. We've talked about it but not done it. Even if we soon strip the wallpaper
in the bedroom, I still was wanting a change. We both think it will be better this
new way. I need a longer cable cord for the tv so I can swap a chair with the tv
location, then I can relax watching tv from a chair rather the our bed.
I look forward to worship & football Sunday. I'm moved by both! I hope you are
as well. My muscles are sore so I'm taking a hot bath & heading to beddy bye.

DAY OF REST
I was able to get up this morning after a good night of sleep and rest. I went to two
services where I was blessed by being there. Afterwards my wife and I went out to
eat and back home where I watched one football game and am into the second even
as I write this blog. So, since it is a day of rest, I better spend the rest of the day resting.

I LOST MY CASE

I'm hiding in the car truck with the laptop, a flashlight, book & coffee so my wife can't find
me today. She bought stuff to strip wall paper with and I refuse to help her strip (don't go
there). If it isn't wall paper it's painting or something else. What's a man to do? Act like a
man, that's what! Be bold! Be Fast! Be lost! Don't tell her I'm here because I might even
get in a short nap. Wait......the garage door is going up and the car is moving.......
I have no idea where we're going. Porter Paint or Wally World? She sure drives slow. Hey!
We're at a drive in at Mc Donald's! I want a McMuffin, dear. She got hot tea to go. If I
knock on the back seat I'm she will stop & let me out of here. But why? Work isn't what
I want to do today! No way! I'll be still and quite & see where we're going.
"Welcome to Divorce Court to Go" someone just said. Sounds like my dear friend Judge
John Minton. Can't be. He is the Supreme Court Justice, not a Divorce Coutrt Judge.
He just told my wife (X-wife) she is free from putting up with me after 40 years in the
wilderness. What am I going to do? Hey Judge John, this is John, I married you & your
wife, why would you do this to poor little old me? POP! POP! The trunk opened just
now. I've been caught! Help!!
Now that I'm stripping wall paper, I sure hope I get off for good behavior. I thought we
were divorced. Hey! Watch that hitting me! I need a Divorce Attorney to re-marry us
so I can get a divorce on the grounds of over worked, underfed, etc. OUCH!!
This is just a drunk who made all this stuff up. So don't tell anyone anything because
most of it isn't true.
PS: She found me and made me go out to eat & to Kroger. I hid in the magazine/book
section as long as I could but she found me. I slipped away and hid in the bank area
but she found me and with drew me from there too! After we got home, I rested my
case. I took a nice nap and now I hope we have a good rest of the day. You too!

Going - Going - Gone!

My wife & I took Derby to get a hair cut today while the two of us did other things. We
went to Hardy's for breakfast and then shopping until she let her hostage go. She left
me at Barnes & Noble while she shopped some more. While I was there, I finished with
a new book and drank coffee. I spoke with a couple of people I know as well.
When we got home, we both were worn out. I'll go get Derby when he is ready to
come back home. I'm sure he is already ready but will have to wait awhile longer
until we're called to come and get him.
I have to find another book to start reading at Barnes & Noble. I saw where they
didn't do as well in December while Starbuck's made a big profit. I may have
to start buying more B & N books than coffee so I can keep our Bowling Green
store afloat.
That's all for now since the call just came to go get Derby. Yea!

Books, Barks & B & N

Since our daughter was working at home today, I went to Barnes & Noble to read some
more from a 300 plus page book, While I drank hot chocolate and read, I watched people
in the Cafe. It seems like I see the same people almost every time I'm there. Habits are
hard to break. I know, B& N is a habit that I have. I find it a great place to go to get lost.
So do so many others too.
We take Derby (dog) to get a haircut in the morning. While we're out & about I'm sure
we will go several other places before we get back home. That's okay except for the rain
they are forecasting. Sounds like another good day to go to see my two best friends, B &
N. Maybe I will, maybe I won't. Depends upon time and what the wife has planned for
the day.
I'm almost through with the mystery I'm reading. I want to complete it this week so I
can start on a new one. I hope the writer of the one I'm reading writes another one. He
is good except for the language, but I've come to expect it with so many writers these
days.
I'm keep the book I spilled coffee on yesterday. While it has some smell of coffee to it,
it's not strong enough to toss the book. Besides, I want to finish reading it. I have to
watch what I'm doing to not do something silly like that again. Oppps! Coffee break!

Smell the Coffee?

While I was waiting for my car to have an oil change, I read from a new book I'd bought
a few weeks ago. Several pages into it, I spilled coffee on the book. I cleaned the coffee
off with a kleenex and put the book down to dry. After it dried, I picked the book back
up and started reading again. Problem was, I smelled coffee so much that I'm not sure
the book will be a keeper or not. I hate to go get another book but I may have to do that
or read the rest of the book at Barnes & Noble without buying it. If I do, I'll drink coffee
carefully. Very carefully!
I'm working with what to preach at Sugar Grove the last Sunday of this month. I hope
to have that settled some time tomorrow if I can. I have a couple of thoughts that keep
churning down deep in my soul. Even though I have over forty years of sermons in my
heart and files, I want to stay alert to something new that is just right. The New York
Times had an article about how we hunker down in our homes so much that we don't
really spend much time with other people. There has to be a sermon there some how.
A book I just read, The Man who Loved Books too Much, could preach. What books?
What about the Book, the Holy Bible? John Wesley was a man of "one book." Are you?
Time to relax by watching some basketball on tv. Hope I don't spill something on the
sheets!

Sunday Stuff

I'm reading Love & War by John Eldredge & his wife in slow motion because it requires
some heavy thinking. The couple compare themselves to see why they say and do what
they say and do as a married couple. It makes me take a inward look at myself and my
wife in our 40th year of marriage. She hasn't read it yet. When she does, I will want to
see what her responses will be. Will she agree or disagree with what they think/say and,
with what I think/say? Hope it doesn't start another war between the two of us except
that making up can be fun.
I assisted at the 8:15 service and rushed to be a greeter at the 9:30 service this morning
at church. I came home and read the newspapers before meeting my wife, daughter and
a friend for lunch. My wife and I then went to Barnes & Noble where I had coffee and
read from a mystery that I'm reading whenever I'm there. Some football & sleep came
next before I got back to the tv for football again. No wonder I'm tired! I'm stuffed too!

Friday

This has been a busy week with my being "on call" to visit the hospitals. I have been
every day and will be going again in the morning. I did take time to eat breakfast with
a couple of clergy friends this morning. The three of us agreeded that we all need to
make time to get together to be refreshed.
I made myself wash my car and our daughter's car today. I also moved things around
in the garage to allow better use of it during these winter days. Aftewards, I took a
nap and plan take my wife out to eat at a resturant tonight.
Since I have a gift card from Barnes & Noble, I hope to drop in Saturday and buy
something I've been wanting to buy for the family. I will read from a book while
I'm at it.
Have a great weekend.

Daily News

I got up early and primed the small bathroom with paint and then took a "time out"
out of the house. I went to the church (I'm on call this week) and Barnes & Noble. I
read a couple of chapters in a mystery and then headed back home. My wife and I
took some food to a friend who strained her arm in a fall and then we went somewhere
to eat. Afterwards, we went to get more paint for the hallway. Now I've got paint on
my hands from painting a small section of the hallway. It's not age spots.
I want to watch UK beat a southern team tonight on ESPN before going to bed. I have
a busy day Wednesday with an early morning hospital visit and the preach at 10:30
at the Retirement Village. Tomorrow night there is a 6:30 meeting at the church to
attend. I will say it again, I thought I was retired! So glad to be able to be up and out
day by day.
Take care and leave the porch light on.

A TRADE-OFF

I worked in our two car garage today so we can get two cars into it at the same time. I
had to move things up, in another area & out of the area. It will be great to have both
cars inside in this cold weather. Since my wife wanted to paint in the small bathroom,
I cleaned the garage. Good trade off, I think. I just hope the wife doesn't trade me off
for a younger feller. I may be getting old, but Arthur and I can do just about anything
if I can get up out of the lazyboy without breaking a leg.
As Paul Harvey would say, "Gooddaaaay"

Keep the SON in You Eye's

I attended the 8:15 service and the 9:30 service this morning before going to Cheddars
with the family for lunch. Afterward, my wife and I went to Barnes & Noble where I've
started reading another mystery. Not long after arriving home, I was called to go to the
hospital to see someone who had been in a wreck and lost his wife in the wreck. Needless
to say, I was really tired when I got home.
I watched football for awhile and then started looking at my schedule for this week. Since
I'm "on call" this week, I have to be prepared to respond to any calls I might be getting.
I also preach Wednesday at one of the retirement homes here in BG. While I''m doing
this, I hope to paint some since I didn't do it last week. I thought I was retired but I'm
tired. I would go south but it is cold down there too. So, I guess I'll stay here and do all
I can this week.
I had some trouble reading during the conscecration of Commuion at the 8:15 service
but got through it well enough to be ok. Some thought I was sick but I was just having
trouble with the small print. I'm going to enlarge it enough to see it better next Sunday.
If that's the worse thing that happens, I'm doing well enough to keep on keeping on.
Have a great week and keep the SON in your eye's!

AN INSIDE JOB

There is a small devotional book at Barnes & Noble that I've been reading. It offers a
theme for the day and then deals with that subject. I have found myself really being
involved it it's questions and thoughts. I put the book down as I'm drinking my coffee
and ponder what's on that page. I doubt I buy another book like it since I already have
so many but, if I were going too, I'd buy this book.
I enjoyed having some quite time today at B & N just to watch people and read. It's
become a good place to go to get lost for awhile. I even have my own parking place,
Handicapped parking, unless someone else get's it first. Most of the time I want to
be in the cafe so I can drink coffee and have the table to lean on while I'm reading
or relaxing.
Since the snow has come as well as the bitter cold, I'm staying inside at home for
the most part. I thank the Lord for shelter, warmth, food, etc daily knowing that so
many people don't have what we've got and take for granted. It is wonderfull to
be with my family knowing we are doing okay even on these dreary day's.

WARNING

WARNING: Do not try to find a parking place in the Kroger parking lot on Senior
Citizen Day. I drove and drove and drove until I found a place to park when my
wife and I went to Kroger today.
WARNING: Watch out for people who stop to talk right in the middle of the asile.
You have to wait, detour or bump into them as you go on your way. The looks
they give you could scare someone to death.
WARNING: Don't wait for the wife without being out of the way of shopping carts.
Do what I do: go to the drug store section & get a cup of free coffee and wait till
you see the wife waving for you do get up and get going.
WARNING: Don't try to talk with strangers because they think you're strange.
I said something funny to someone and they looked at me like I was a nut. I
was just trying to be nice.
WARNING: Don't go to Kroger the day before snow is coming to town. Everyone
was grabbing the milk and bread off the shelves so fast that there wasn't much
left.
WARNING: watch out for the snow Thursday. Stay in, stay warm & watch out
for snow bunnies.

A Spiritual Retreat

I went to the church this morning and then to Barnes & Noble to read & relax. I was
in need of some quite time all alone while I was there. I found a new spiritual guide
well worth taking time to read to start off another new year. It provides a text and
then invites the reader to respond to how he/she might deal with the things brought
up in the text. I read 50 pages and look forward to reading 50 or more pages next time.
After I returned home I helped put the rest of our Christmas things away for another
year. Now I'm just waiting for the snow they say we will get this week.
My wife and I had planned on taking a trip Thursday/Frday but we will wait for that
too. No need to take risk when don't have to do it. I'm sure my wife will think of a
thing or two that needs attention, like painting, etc..
My small spiritual retreat was what I needed today. I'm glad I got off alone to read
and pray while drinking a cup of hot coffee in the Starbuck Cafe.

TWO PLUS ONE = ONE

I am worn out tonight after my wife & I took our old Oldsmobile to Somerset for
our son to use. I drove the Oldsmobile & my wife drove the other car there. We
had a delightfull time while we were in Somerset but were glad to get home. I
drove us home knowing that she had to be worn out after a busy day.
I got an invitation to preach the last Sunday of January today. Since Sugar Grove
is willing tohave me back for the 20th time, I will preach. their pastor has to be
at a meeting with other minister's that morning. I don't have to attend now that
I'm retired.
Yesterday I consecrated Communion at the 8:15 service and headed home to
read the papers until my wife & I went out to eat lunch. I had planned on going
to Barnes & Noble but she needed the car. I watch football & had a nice nap
knowing we would be running all day today. I was right. I need to take Tuesday
off now.
So, two plus one = one, now that we have got rid of one car and have only the
one we have for now. We'll see how long that will lasts!

DOXOLOGY - DOXOLOGY

I put four new Firestone tires on our old Oldsmobile today so that it would be ready
for another year of travel. It has been a good car since we bought it back whenever
it was many years ago. I named it "Doxology" as our way of thanking God for it. The
car we drive most is "Doxology 2" and it too is still working well. I think the dirt on
both hold them together like glue.
I'm about to watch UK/UL play basketball on tv. Our daughter is UL red & I'm UK
blue. I'll watch on my tv & she will watch on her tv & may the best team win! Go
big blue!!! I predict UK 79 - UL 72. Doxology!!!

OUT & ABOUT & IN AGAIN

I went with my wife and daughter to Pepper's Mexican Resturant and then to the
Mall today. I was worn out doing all that walking so I sat down to watch people as
they passed by. Most men were walking behind their spouse's which isn't anything
new. I do all the time myself. I did get a couple of sweaters by being in the right
place at the right time. So it was a worth while trip as far as I'm concerned. Now
all I want to do is dig into the chocolate cake I made this morning. Got milk? It's
great being back in again to rest up from this first day of 2010.

CHANGING THE CALENDAR

Before going to bed last night I replaced the 2009 calendar with the 2010 calendar.
This calendar hangs on the fridge in our kitchen. It has pictures of country singers on
it from the country Music Hall of Fame where a friend of ours works. He has given
us new calendars over the past couple of years and we always hang them on the fridge
in the kitchen.
How many calendars make up your life? This is my 66th calendar. Whenever we
go to Cracker Barrel Resturant I like to look at the calendars that show what was
happening the year people were born. My 1944 calendar has all kinds of information:
the cost of things, who was famous, who else was born on February 11, 1944. I don't
buy it since they don't have my name listed but they are still interesting to see.
2010 was celebrated all around the world last night as it became another new year on
calendars. As for me, I was in bed and sound asleep before 10:30. I knew that when I
turned out the light, 2010 would welcome me to another new day and another new year
in my journey called life. You see, it's not just the calendar that changes, it's you and me.
We're changing day by day, week by week, month by month, year by year. If you don't
believe me, look in the mirror. As for myself, I'm shorter, have less hair, my tummy is
bigger, but I've still got it! I just don't remember where I put it!
Happy New Year!! Have a great 2010 from start to end.