QUESTION OF THE DAY...RAT BOUNTY

In the coming days I intend to post a letter I am writing to my representatives in the House and Senate advocating some sort of Rat Bounty. I don't like rats, and I feel that if people made some cold hard cash every time they killed one there would be a lot less of them around. I think if president Bush made this one of his priorities the public would admire him for it. I certainly would.

Would you support a rat bounty?

Happy Birthday to LISA RICHARDO!!!

JOURNAL 5/30/2007

Went to Palm Springs for our weekly doctor appointment. All was well. Spent some time recreating in the desert, and then returned to Idyllwild via Garner Valley in the early afternoon. Larissa Shirley baby sat while Sarah and I went into town to take care of some banking. Had our last junior high small group of the year in the evening. I read the "U.S. News and World Report" before falling asleep on the couch.

JOURNAL 5/29/2007

Worked from 8:00 until 4:30. Paid bills in the afternoon. Spoke with Elisabeth and Christine. Also called and left farewell messages for Job. Sad I couldn't get a hold of him before heading off to boot camp. Went to bed around 10 pm.

THE WEEKLY TRIP TO PALM SPRINGS

Today we drove to Palm Springs for our weekly doctor's appointment for Baby Jack.



...but on the way down the twisty turny mountain road this one got car sick and threw up all over the place.



I whipped the car over onto the shoulder and cleaned out the car seat while Sarah cleaned and changed Lucy. Bowden peed on the side of the road, and Lucy laughed.





While sarah was finishing the cleaning job, I crossed the road and picked Lucy some pretty yellow flowers.



I gave them to her with a "hope you feel better," and a kiss on the forehead.



Sarah said that the reason Lucy threw up was because I was "driving too rough," and she declared that she was going to drive the rest of the way down the mountain.



That pissed me off a little.



I took the kids while Sarah went in to see the doctor. We just kind of drove all over Palm Springs looking for somewhere to buy some lysol, febreeze and stuff for Lucy's pukey car seat. We stumbled upon the "Hole in the Wall Welding Company," whose yard was peppered with an interesting assortment of sculptures. I instantly surmized that in order to do the place justice I would have to take way more pictures than my patience would allow me to download onto blogger. So I just took the following two of a huge spider. Notice how Lucy is wearing a winter hat in the hot glaring desert sun. I told her, "Lucy, it's hot out there. I don't think you want that hat on." She wouldn't leave the van without it though.





We also got out and ran around in the desert in front of this huge windmill field. It felt surreal like a scene out of a science fiction book or something. Especially with Bowden laughing and yelling "I'm a jack rabbit!" as he kipped through the sand and Lucy wearing her diaper, pink sweatshirt and winter hat smelling the crispiest, brownest desert shrub you ever saw and declaring that it was a flower.

"Does the flower smell good, Lucy?"

(nodding her head) "uh-huh"

(There was no flower.)



Then we found this park where we spent the rest of our time before Mommy called and said she was all done with the doctor. I was ready to leave the park because it was hot!!!!! Under the trees it was nice and shady, but I don't think bacteria could grow on that play equipment. It was hot enough to be sterile. The sun in the desert is a violent thing. Not a slow creeping thing. There is nothing subtle about it. It's a dropping hammer, a crushing weight, a fire eye.




We ate lunch at a very fancy Cheesecake factory before driving back up the mountain and through Garner Valley to home.



The kids fell asleep on the way home.

Sarah drove...just in case.

Grrrrrrrr!

JOURNAL 5/28/2007

Worked for the better part of the day. Built a compost enclosure in the afternoon. After work Sarah and I joined Lisa over at the elementary school to play soccer with some high schoolers from church. I wore my old high school varisty soccer shirt and socks, but found that my body was different than in High School days. They ran all over me. Yet another reminder that I need to make getting back in shape a priority. After soccer, Sarah and I took the kids down to Hemet for dinner and we stopped by Target for a few necessaries. Talked with John on the way home. He was driving through Virginia on his way back to Georgia. Caught myself falling asleep in the recliner and forced myself up the stairs to my bed.

"NOBODY EVER ATE FIFTY EGGS!"

I feel bad for this guy, and for whoever let this happen.

He must have lost some sleep over this. Oh! The shame!!!

Titus 3: 1-11

1. Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,
2. to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
3. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.
4. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,
5. he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
6. whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
7. so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
8. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.
9. But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
10. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him,
11. knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

I Corinthians 11:19

"For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you."

IS THIS BLOG BECOMING TOO TEXT-HEAVY?

JOURNAL 5/27/2007

Katy Gage as well Ashly and Erik Riley came up for a visit in the afternoon. Katy brought her newborn son, Cameron, with her. Had a good visit. I worked lunch clean up, but otherwise had the day off. Sarah worked dinner. Bowden, Lucy and I went for a short hike after dinner. I carried Lucy most of the way. Kids were kind of cranky and disobedient today. Talked with Mom briefly after dinner.

THOSE WITH WHOM I AGREE IN SUBSTANCE I CAN NOT ALWAYS AGREE WITH IN SPIRIT.

JOURNAL 5/26/2007

Spent all day at Camp Ronald McDonald in Garner Valley doing my Lifeguard recertification, which made for a very tiring day. I need to get in shape. On the way home I stopped by the library's book sale, and bought a book of light verse. Fell asleep on the couch watching a movie in the afternoon. Sarah woke me up three times and finally forced me to go up to bed, which I was grumpy about at the time, but which I am thankful for now. My mood is unpredictable when I am drunk with sleep.

JOURNAL 5/25/2007

Worked from 8 am until 5 pm. Made a dump run in the afternoon. Sarah went over to Lisa's after dinner to watch a movie. I went to bed and fell asleep before she came home. Talked with Job for a while in the afternoon about boot camp and stuff. He leaves on Wednesday for Portland, Maine and then somewhere in Illinois for two months of boot camp.

JOURNAL 5/24/2007

Got a late start at work. Sarah slept in and I made Bowden and Lucy breakfast. Got into work at 9:00 am, spent the better part of the day working around the grounds before going home around 5:00 pm. Gave Rosie a call in the afternoon to wish her a happy birthday. Also spoke with Job and Joel briefly. Sarah made Maccaroni and Cheese from scratch for dinner, and lisa came over with drinks and salad to join us for dinner. Played Settlers of Catan before bed.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SISTER-IN-LAW ROSIE

Happy birthday to you!
Hip-hip!
Happy birthday to you!
Hip-hip!
Happy birthday dear Rosie!
Happy birthday to you!
Hooray!

"Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's."

I Cor. 6:19-20

JOURNAL 5/23/2007

Worked from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm. Sarah deposited our pay checks and drove to Hemet to do some shopping. Junior High small group in the afternoon. We talked about John 3:1-22 the story of Nicodemus. Watched "Lost" season finale before bed.

JOURNAL 5/22/2007

Worked from 8:00 am until 5:00 PM. Mostly in the office. Talked with Job briefly in the afternoon. After work we loaded the kids into the van and drove over to Lisa's apartment for dinner- Tabouli, grapes, and Coca Cola with Strawberry shortcakes for dessert. Afterwards the kids watched "The Muppets Take Manhattan," while we adults talked about, for some reason, 1 Corinthians 7 and divorce. Went for a walk through the woods before going to bed.

A WALK IN THE WOODS AT NIGHT

I read somewhere that one of the best things to do if you are attacked by a mountain lion, a nocturnal predator, is to blow on a whistle as hard as you can. I doubted that if 200 savage pounds of muscle, teeth and claws pounced on my delicious frame I would have the wherewithal to fish a whistle out of my pocket so I kept it in my mouth...just in case. The woods at night can be kind of scary. I have to admit that it made me a little paranoid. I know a couple from my church who rescue raccoons and keep them in cages behind their house. They had to shoot an old mountain lion who was coming around trying to get at the caged raccoons. First they threw cans of soup at it, and when it didn't run away they decided to shoot it. That was about a half mile from the camp. Such incidents are rare, and I know all about how they are more scared of me and blah blah blah, but the woods at night were freaking me out!





It was really dark on the trail and I couldn't really make out where I was walking. I kept taking pictures so the flash could give me a quick glimpse of where I was. I think the flash actually hurt in the long run because it kept my eyes from adjusting to the darkness. I was like a drug addict who keeps taking drugs to "get well." Once I started using the flash to find my way I couldn't wean myself off it. It was just too dark up there.



I even visited Dead Man's Cave!

CONVERSATIONS WITH BOWDEN

Daddy: Bowden, what do dinosaurs do when their teeth get dirty? Do they brush them with a toothbrush?

Bowden: No, they're just dinosaurs. They don't use teethbrushes.

Daddy: Oh...so what do they do when their teeth get yucky?

Bowden: Well actually, they don't... I mean... they just don't use teethbrushes...because they're just dinosaurs.

Daddy: Hmmm... what do they do when they go poop? Do they wipe themselves with toilet paper?

Bowden: No, that's silly! They're dinosaurs! They don't use toilet paper.

Daddy: Ewwwww! So they don't wipe their bottom after they go poop?

Bowden: They use their tail.

Daddy: Their tail?

Bowden: Uh-huh.

Daddy: Well, how do they get the poop off their tail?

Bowden: With their teeth.

Daddy: Ewwwww! ...and you said they don't brush their teeth. That's gross!!!!

Bowden: Well actually, it's not poop...I mean...it's mostly mud.

JOURNAL 5/21/2007

Out the door at 8:20 am for our weekly pilgrimage to the baby doctor in Palm Springs. As usual, Lisa came as well in the capacity of baby sitter and fellow pilgrim. Sometimes you just need to get off the hill! The doctor appointment went well. Sarah gave them her birth plan, and made sure they added it to their file. Afterwards we ate out, and tried to go the Palm Springs Art Museum, but it was closed. While we were down there Lisa and sarah wanted to gop the mall, so I watched the kids in the play area while they walked around. Sarah didn't buy anything... it was just nice to walk around in a mall off the hill. Finished off a strawberry/rhubarb pie Sarah had made in the afternoon. Weather a little chilly in Idyllwild today... especially after being in the desert!

JOURNAL 5/20/2007

Sunday. Went to church. We had Lisa over for dinner. She was giving her testimony to the High Schoolers over at the church immediately afterward so she couldn't hang out. Luckily dinner was a little late in coming together so we were able to hang out before. Kind of a lazy day. As usual, I put the kids to bed and Sarah and I didn't do much of anything in the evening. I fell asleep in my own bed.

JOURNAL 5/19/07

Went over to the church for the Awana Grand Prix. Bowden was very excited although his car was so light that it didn't even make it to the finish line. He still won a trophy for 2nd best design. Sarah, the kids and I drove Kaitlin home and ran a few errands in Hemet. Spoke briefly with Chad Irving in the afternoon. We may go and visit him and Tricia in early in July. Fell asleep in the easy chair downstairs, but woke up in my bed... I have no idea how I got there.

CONGRATULATIONS TO BOWDEN AND HIS WIDJIWAT FRIENDS FOR WINNING SECOND PLACE IN BEST DESIGN IN THE AWANA GRAND PRIX

WE MAY BE THE TINIEST BIT BLOG-OBSESSED

A BIG SINCERE "THANK YOU!" TO PAUL HUTCHINS FOR TAKING A WEEK OFF TO COME AND WORK AT CAMP...YEP, THAT'S RIGHT... HE TOOK TIME OFF TO WORK

PAUL AND I WENT OUT TO INSPIRATION POINT ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON TO WHACK SOME GOLF BALLS OFF INTO THE HORIZON

I CUT MY HAIR THIS MORNING

JOURNAL 5/18/07

Went into the kitchen at 6:00 am, and was joined shortly thereafter by our faithful volunteer, Paul Hutchins, who stumbled in like a homeless man lookng for someplace warm. He had been up before me and had gone for a walk. He and I were joined by Lisa at approximately 6:30 and together we churned out breakfast for 75, and then we worked in the kitchen until after lunch clean up. In the afternoon, paul and I drove out to inspiration Point with a box of golf balls and a driver and had fun whacking them off into the horizon. We were later joined by some teenagers from Hemet who we invited to hit golf balls with us. After they joined the fun our pile of golf balls dropped precipitously. Sarah and I played cards and talked with Lisa and Kaitlin in the evening after Paul left for home. We also finished working on the the Awana Grand Prix cars for the race tomorrow after Bowden and Lucy went to sleep. Per their requests Bowden had a rattlesnake painted on his and Lucy had fireflies painted on her hot pink car. We put the unfinished cars out on a stool with some salt, sunflower seeds, a penny and a letter of explanation for the Widjiwats who we told them would finish their cars while they slept. This morning Bowden was beyond excited to find his car finished exactly as he had requested. Sar...ahem...I mean the Widjiwats drew an incredible rattlesnake draped over the top of Bowden's car and the fireflies on Lucy's car were really neat too. Job called me in the afternoon to advise me that he has officially joined the navy and begins boot camp at the end of the month. Fell asleep on the couch but woke up in my bed...I don't recall how I got back in my bed.

Journal 5/17/07

Worked from 8:00 am until 4:30 pm...mostly office stuff. Sarah worked dinner in the kitchen. Spoke with John for awhile in the afternoon. He said he plans on being in Vermont next week. Kaitlin, Paul and Lisa hung out with Sarah and me in the afternoon. We watched the season finale of "The Office" and ate root beer floats.

Journal 5/16/07

Worked 7:00 am until 4:30 pm. Had Junior High Small Group over for a movie night- watched Princess bride. Watched Lost before bed!

WIDJIWATS AND TREES

When climbing in the pines
You must beware of oozing sap-
Many are they who've stepped in it
And never did come back.

We find them later in the trees,
Caught in their sticky trap,
With "Tell them all I loved them,"
Pinned Upon their pack.

* * *

He found her by moonlight. She was sleeping in the pines as those of the Burlick faith do. He desired her for his wife, but he knew that she would never have him. She had made that plain. As she slept, he cut a wound in the bark above her head and silently watched as the sap oozed and mixed with her hair. When she woke she would be trapped, and he would "happen" upon her and be the hero. He would offer to cut her free in return for her hand in marriage...and if she would not- then the birds could have her. Aye, the birds, with their beady merciless eyes, would convince her to marry him.

* * *

Have you ever stood on a moon-dappled limb?
Up near the top where the trunk tapers slim?
Where you cling to the bark with a white-knuckle grip
As it pitches and rolls like the deck of a ship?

Have you ever slept in the riotous trees?
Have you been rocked to sleep by the force of the breeze?
Have you laid out your roll in the quiet recess
Of a woodpecker's hole or an old robin's nest?

Have you ever sat where the mourning dove grieves?
Looked out on a view that's framed by the leaves?
Where the comings and goings of things here and there
Are plain to your sight from so high in the air?

HOW TO SPOT A LIE- #4

If you ask somebody a question and they repeat the question before answering it there is a greater likelihood that the answer is a lie.

For example:

"What do you have in your pocket?"

"What do I have in my pocket?"

"Yeah."

"Oh, nothing."

Another example:

"Were you out smoking marijuana?"

"Was I out smoking marijuana?"

"That's what I asked."

"No"

JOURNAL 5/14/07

Beautiful weather today. Worked from 8:00 am until 4:30 pm. Kitchen short handed so worked a little there. Sarah took a nap in the afternoon and then worked dinner. Paul Hutchins arrived in the afternoon and also worked dinner. He came up to help us out this week 'cause we are so short handed. We had a good time hanging out with him in the afternoon, and we are excited that he will be here all week. Called Job and spoke briefly with him in the afternoon.

JOURNAL 5/13/07

Drove over to the Idyllwild Inn at 8 am with Bowden to drive a some hikers who are through-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail up to humber park. Josh White couldn't do it because he was doing the announcements during the first service at church. The only hikers needing a ride was anice couple from Kennebunk, Maine. Had a nice conversation with them as we drove up to the trailhead. They told Bowden, who was munching on a chunk of Zuchini bread in his car seat, that they were hiking from Mexico to Canada. Bowden said "Wow, I really can't believe it," even though I'm pretty sure he has no idea what Mexico and Canada mean. He was probably more impressed by the way they said it than by any understanding of what that meant.

We stopped by the store on our way home and Bowden helped me pick some things out for sarah for Mother's day. Went to church. Lisa came over for lunch after church, and I made Crepes in honor of Mother's day. Called my Mom and spoke with her briefly in the afternoon. Left message on Mom Paulson's phone.

Received word in the afternoon that Selah had been born and Rosie was fine. Very exciting news!

Fell asleep on the couch and took a nap in the afternoon. USC intervaristy arrived in the afternoon for a week long camp.

"Outside are the storms and strangers: we-
Oh, close, safe, warm sleep I and she,
-I and she!
Robert Browning

ROSIE AND JUSTIN HAD A BABY!!!

Happy Mother's day to you Rosie!!!

...and happy birthday to Selah!!!

WOODY ALLEN INTERVIEWS BILLY GRAHAM

Fascinating stuff!

PART 1

PART 2

(P.S. I don't know why, but I just can't seem to figure out how to post a youtube video onto my blog. It's very frustrating!)

JOURNAL 5/12/07

Worked most of the morning. Took the rest of the day off. For lunch, Sarah and I took the kids up onto the trail for a picnic. It was a beautiful day here in Idyllwild. After lunch we went over to the White's house for an open house. The elder Whites are headed overseas to live in China, and it was kind of a going away party for them. It was fun visiting with everybody from church. Lucy was cranky in the afternoon as she missed her nap.

PICNIC

It was a beautiful day here in Idyllwild so we had a picnic. Sarah made sandwiches, zuchini bread, and muffins. She also put together baggies with blackberries, strawberries, and red peppers in them. It was delicious. A couple of weeks ago I hauled this picnic table to the top of this hill and situated it under the shady branches of a live Oak tree. It is always shady there and there also seems to always be a little bit of a breeze up there, which makes it a pretty ideal place for a picnic.




Sarah is due June 1st, and it shows. That ship is under full sail! C'mon Jack!



Lucy Spoon... my little girl.




Check out the currant bushes growing along the stream. They are profuse! If they produce enough berries this year I may try my hand at turning them into something edible.



Bowden-bose!