Ramblings...

My New Job!

2011-07-30T09:51:00.004-06:00

After many interviews last year and this year, I finally landed my dream job - the Guidance Counselor at Inver Grove Heights Middle School. I am so excited to begin my counseling career again. After having not worked in the field this past year, I am more than ready to dust off my counseling "chops," and dive right in. I am a little bit nervous, but I believe it's the good kind of nervous energy. I can't wait for school to begin!

Mother's Day 2011

2011-05-08T08:06:00.007-06:00

This year in Mom's memory, I planted her some geraniums, petunias, and eucalyptus. Happy Mother's Day.

The Fighter

2010-10-24T18:39:00.002-06:00

Most days I feel like a boxer, a few years beyond his prime, haven taken one too many punches to the head.
My face is bloodied, battered, bruised, and broken.
My eyes all but swollen shut, barely able to see my opponent.
My ribs are cracked, and each breath is more difficult than the last one.
My hands are a mangled mess, shattered knuckles, creaky joints, taped too tightly inside my boxing gloves.
My legs are sore, my knees and feet ache, my body wobbles beneath its own weight.
I'm not sure what keeps me standing, leaning on my opponent, holding onto the ropes.
Help me Father, it's all I can muster just to stay upright.
I don't want to throw in the towel yet.
Please God, help...

Dreams

2010-10-24T12:24:00.001-06:00

Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.

- Langston Hughes, "Dreams"

Faith, Trust, and Hope

2010-08-21T09:12:00.003-06:00

How do I explain my faith? Usually I point to my past, and then explain that God has taken someone like I was, and turned my life around. And He can do the same for others. But do I have the stomach to actually say that to someone who questions my faith? I trust I will, once He puts that person in front of me.

I am in a point in my career, where I can only trust His will for me. I have been heading towards the destination that He put on my heart quite some time ago - to be a counselor. However, after many years of education, unpaid internships, a half-time position followed by a full-time six month gig, I find myself where I started - out of work and desperately needing full-time employment soon (within a month). The pool of money set aside to survive on has all but run dry. Do I trust He will provide? Most days, yes I do. Lately, I have really begun to question Him, and my hope has been shaken.

If I put my hope in Him, He will give me all that I desire. A job counseling students, financial stability, and an eventual wife and children. When I put my hope in other people and things, I will fail. Help me Lord to not lose sight of my hope - You.

Faith, trust, and hope. God, God, and more God!

Twins

2010-06-17T12:11:00.002-06:00

Target Field, warm June night, cold beer, hot dog, Twins win!

Mother's Day 2010

2010-05-09T08:43:00.005-06:00

A great breakfast at Zumbro's,
A long walk around Lake Harriet,
Recollections of my Mom,
Planting flowers in her memory (petunias, geraniums, and marigolds; with the help of my neighbor Tom),
Maybe a trip later to her grave...
Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms.

Be God's

2010-04-25T07:56:00.004-06:00

"Many of us want to be 'good,' and Rich [Mullins] believed that being good was a noble pursuit. But the highest pursuit was not to be good, but to be God's. The best thing any of us can be is fully devoted to the God who loves us with a passionate, reckless, furious love."

- James Bryan Smith, An Arrow Pointing to Heaven

MLB 2010 Picks (delayed)

2010-04-17T12:24:00.005-06:00

My friend Jamie called me out awhile ago, to make my predictions for this MLB season. Here they are (finally).

AL Central: Minnesota Twins
AL East: New York Yankees
AL West: Los Angeles Angels
AL Wildcard:Tampa Bay Rays

Yanks over Twins, Angels over Rays
Angels over Yanks

NL Central: St. Louis Cardinals
NL East: Philadelphia Phillies
NL West: Los Angeles Dodgers
NL Wildcard: Colorado Rockies

Phillies over Cards, Dodgers over Rockies
Phillies over Dodgers

World Series: Phillies over Angels in 6 games

Spring Break - Wednesday

2010-03-31T13:19:00.003-06:00

A leisurely breakfast at Zumbro, then a few errands. A few hours sitting outside in the warm sun, feeling the light breezes, reading Agassi's book. My brain finally winding down...a much needed break.

Spring Break - Tuesday

2010-03-30T10:59:00.003-06:00

I could get used to this sleeping in late! After a nice, restful morning, I went to Normandale Lake for a long walk. Now I think it's nice enough again to grab my book and head outside for a bit. Plus, a fire tonight at Dan and Heidi's - Spring break rocks!

Spring Break - Monday

2010-03-29T12:56:00.004-06:00

This morning I slept in until around 9:00, and then enjoyed a raspberry muffin (from Zumbro) and some coffee. I then got a little work stuff out of the way (applied for a few jobs for next Fall, and got back in touch with my placement agency for the Summer hopefully).

I then spent quite a bit of time raking the yard, picking up the flower beds, and enjoying the glorious sunshine. I am now going to grab a few good books, sit in my chair outside, and partake in a cigar -- I love Spring break!

Twins Open House

2010-03-21T19:01:00.019-06:00

Today the Minnesota Twins had an open house to view the new Target Field, open only to season ticket holders. A friend (Jamie) and I bought a 20-game package, and we received free tickets to today's event. Unfortunately, Jamie was in Germany on a missions trip, so my friend Dan joined me instead. It was an awesome day! I am so happy that the Twins are finally going to be playing outdoors, where baseball is meant to be played. The grass was covered up today for some reason, but it still looked great. Here are a few pictures of the stadium.

Loneliness

2010-02-07T10:04:00.004-06:00

Loneliness is a bitch (harsh, but true). I am tired of seeing everyone else get what I want. Finding someone to love, being loved by another, getting married, having children, raising a family. Man was not designed to be alone; that is why God created woman. Yet, I am still alone.

I am sick and tired of going places and being by myself - a restaurant, a store, a mall, the movies, etc. I once had hopes and dreams of being a husband and a father, but not so much anymore. I am beginning to doubt it will ever happen. Each passing day I see another gray hair in my sideburns and goatee. I am beginning to feel my age; my body aches. I wake up each morning alone, and fall asleep each night alone. I go to school, come home each night, and spend too much time without someone to talk to, to share a meal with, to read a book or watch TV beside, to nap along with, or to sit in blissful silence with.

I am not expecting an answer from anyone, and am really tired of their sympathy or lack of patience. People don't know what to say to me, how to treat me, what to do with me. Being single isn't all that some people think it is - I'd trade places with just about anyone else.

I have turned the comment feature off on this post, as I don't want anyone to post the same old, same old. I am not expecting sympathy, suggestions, or even prayers. I am being honest, raw, and vulnerable. My life is really difficult, as I struggle getting through each and every day. God knows my heart, as He gave me these desires. Yet, I am not comforted by His presence - I cannot talk to Him face to face, argue with Him, plead with Him, or even question His will. He is not keeping me company when I need it the most. I will always follow Him, but I am having a really hard time understanding why I am alone.

A single glove, a single sock, dinner for one...all missing something. Just my thoughts and feelings, that is all. Honest, raw, vulnerable, and lonely.

Contentment

2009-11-16T08:06:00.012-06:00

Some thoughts from Donald Miller's latest book, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, that are really hitting close to home with me these days:

"God allows Job's family to be taken, along with his wealth and his health. Job calls out to God, asking why God would let this happen. God does not answer Job's question. It's as though God starts off his message to the world by explaining there are painful realities in life we cannot and will never understand. Instead, he appears to Job in a whirlwind and asks if Job knows who stops the waves on the shore or stores the snow in Wichita every winter. He asks Job who manages the constellations that reel through the night sky."

"And that is essentially all God says to Job. God doesn't explain pain philosophically or even lists its benefits. God says to Job, Job, I know what I am doing, and this whole thing isn't about you. Job responds, even before his health and wealth are restored by saying, 'All of this is too wonderful for me.' Job found contentment and even joy, outside the context of comfort, health or stability. He understood the story was not about him, and he cared more about the story than he did about himself."

"Paul says Jesus is the hope that will not disappoint. I find that comforting. That helps me get through the day, to be honest. It even makes me content somehow. Maybe that's what Paul meant when he said he'd learned the secret of contentment."

I like it when God speaks to me through other people, and through their experiences. It shows me that I am not alone in my own thinking, that others have similar struggles too. I have a long way to go towards being content, but I am at least on the path, walking towards it...

Fall

2009-10-03T12:38:00.004-06:00

A chilly, rainy Saturday afternoon in October - a good cigar, a roaring fire, baseball and football on T.V.

PGA Championship

2009-08-12T13:25:00.030-06:00

This morning my friend Jeff and I went to the practice round of the 2009 PGA Championship at Hazeltine! First, we watched Fred Couples and Padraig Harrington at the driving range. Next, we followed some groups playing the 10th hole; including Padraig, Shingo Katayama, Rod Pampling, John Daly, Angel Cabrera, and Charles Howell III. We then sat at the 16th green for a bit, and saw Irish sensation Rory McIlroy. After walking a few different holes we met up with Jim Furyk's group, and watched him. Amazingly enough, we then actually stumbled upon Phil Mickelson's group! However, my camera battery died moments before seeing Phil, so I don't have any evidence. We watched Phil hit for a few holes, and then decided to check out the pro shop before heading home. What an amazing day!

Licensed

2009-07-17T16:07:00.004-06:00

It's official, I am now a Licensed School Counselor! In today's mail I received my license. Now the only thing lacking is a job for the Fall.

A Master

2009-06-25T10:32:00.004-06:00

Yesterday afternoon I made it through my oral exams with flying colors, completing the last requirement for my Masters degree! It's nice to see that all of my hard work these past years have finally paid off. I need to send two more forms to the State, and then I will soon be a Licensed School Counselor. Now all that's left is to secure a job for the Fall - been applying the last few months, and will continue to do so over the Summer.

Almost Done

2009-06-13T06:37:00.005-06:00

My thesis is being reviewed one final time, for any last minute edits; my electronic portfolio is complete; my oral exams are being scheduled; the license application process has begun; and I am continuing to apply for jobs. I am nearing the finish line!

Chili

2009-06-06T17:09:00.008-06:00

Look Mom, Chuck made chili! After an ichat conversation with my friend Kelly, she motivated me to give a try at making chili for dinner tonight. So after a quick stop by the grocery store for supplies, I took that step. Actually, it was rather easy, and ended up being pretty tasty too!

Relaxing Friday

2009-06-05T12:55:00.002-06:00

I received some final edits to my thesis yesterday from my Reader, but I decided this morning that today was going to be a day to just relax instead. After having my weekly adjustment at Jeff and Katie's, I went for a walk around Normandale Lake. I then headed off to St. Paul for lunch at D'Amico's, and to enjoy a fine cigar on Stogies' patio. Now I think I will grab my ipod and a book and head outside to sit in my adirondack to enjoy the rest of this warm and sunny afternoon, before the cool rain moves in for the weekend. Happy Friday all!

Update

2009-05-27T08:43:00.003-06:00

I recently finished my last internship, bringing to a close my total of 600 hours. I am also in the last stages of my graduate program, planning to be done by the end of June! My thesis is over 80% complete, after having sent it to my Reader for his final thoughts and edits. I am also working on my electronic portfolio, which shows I have knowledge of the state licensing requirements through my graduate papers and presentations. Finally, I will be starting the application this week for licensure as a School Counselor. I have been applying for quite a few positions for the Fall, over ten so far, but do not have a job lined up yet.

There isn't much else to report, other than having jury duty the first two weeks in June - that'll be an interesting process as I have a paralegal background and am curious to see how that goes.

Mother's Day

2009-05-09T16:58:00.011-06:00

Happy Mother's Day Mom, you are greatly missed.

(What they'll look like soon - Bells of Ireland and Castle Mix)

1st Draft Complete!

2009-04-30T10:02:00.005-06:00

After several months and 35 pages, I just finished the first draft of my thesis! I sent it to my Chair this morning for one last review, and after his edits I will send it to my Reader for his final review and edits. My reward for all that hard work are some baseball cards, a cigar, and a candy bar! If the sun ever comes out, I will get a walk in as well.

Welcome Spring

2009-04-29T08:31:00.003-06:00

Other than the Fall, the Spring is my favorite time of the year. Tree buds begin to explode, grass starts to turn an amazing bright green, and temperatures slowly begin to warm up (even on a cooler day the sun's rays are quite warm).

Another passage into Spring is the MLB season kicking off. Early in the year all teams feel like they can compete, and that they have a shot at winning it all come October (sadly, most teams over-inflate their chances of success). But the "boys" of Spring never fail to amaze me - last night I was able to assist my friend James in coaching his BAA Mite team, with his son Ben on it, and I had a blast! I flashed back to my own days of little league ball, and became very excited to be a part of the team once again. Something tells me that I am going to be known as the loud, silly coach, but that's fine with me! Anything I can do to help them get excited about playing and loving baseball is just fine!

Play ball, and enjoy the Spring weather (at least on warm, sunny days)!

Butter

2009-04-21T17:03:00.005-06:00

Today, at my elementary school site in St. Paul, I was given the opportunity to lead two classroom guidance lessons for kindergartners. Our lesson was on cooperation, and learning to work together on something. We paired the kids up, and provided the groups with the necessary tools they needed to make butter! They were given a baby food jar that had heavy whipping cream in it, and they were given the task of shaking it until it turned into butter. When their arms got sore they had to give it to their partner to shake. After about five minutes of shaking, it formed into butter, which they got to spread on crackers and eat - they loved it! I really enjoyed giving them the lesson today, and they got a big kick out of making and eating the butter!

I will be leading several more classroom guidance lessons in the next week or so, and will videotape one of them for my final internship videotaping requirement. I will probably record the kindergartners again, as I will be reading them a book and discussing the importance of using our hands for helping and not for hurting (similar to today's lesson on cooperation when they used their hands to work together).

I've really enjoyed my time with the elementary kids, and I hope to get a job working in an elementary school in the fall.

Internships

2009-04-09T16:09:00.002-06:00

Today was the last day at my middle school site, meaning that I am now 2/3 done with my internships! I had a great time getting to work with and getting to know many interesting students. I will now be at an elementary school in St. Paul 3 days a week, while working the other 2 days on my thesis. I feel that I am still on track to be done with everything and graduate in June. There is a light at the end of the tunnel!

GC Retreat

2009-04-08T11:42:00.022-06:00

Here are some photos from last weekend's Third Annual Garden Communities Retreat.

Thursday's Sights

2009-04-03T11:40:00.017-06:00

The campus of Duke University,
Duke's Chapel,
Durham Athletic Park (former home of the infamous Durham Bulls),
Lunch at Chick-Fil-A,
Cigar shopping/smoking at JR Cigars' warehouse,
Awesome dinner made by Kelly, with her roommate Anna, her co-worker Amber, and E and Lisa,
Shakes from Chick-Fil-A, and the classic movie "When Harry Met Sally,"
An amazing week spent with E and Lisa in North Carolina!

Wednesday

2009-04-01T19:42:00.006-06:00

Coffee and donuts at Dunkin Donuts,
Smoked pipes and purchased cigars in South Carolina (very low tobacco tax),
Lunch with E's mom at her newspaper,
Look-see at Holden Beach,
Photos at Wrighstville Beach,
Toured historic downtown Wilmington,
Dinner on E and Lisa's balcony,
Another great day!

Random Thoughts from the South

2009-03-31T13:41:00.015-06:00

I watched an amazing movie this morning, one that I would highly recommend to anyone. The name of it is "Once." It's about a street musician in Ireland who meets a woman who shares his musical passion. In the span of a week, they begin recording an album together. The beauty of their raw vulnerability with one another was very captivating. Check it out!

"He cries in the corner where nobody sees
he's the kid with the story no one would believe.
He prays every night dear God won't you please
could you send someone here who will love me."

Lord, I like who I am, and how You have created me. I like being a counselor. I like being there for someone who needs me. But, I don't like being alone. I believe that You have created someone for me, and that she isn't ready to meet me yet. Help me to be patient. Help me to trust that she and I will meet. Help me to wait.

"Her office is shrinking a little each day
she's a woman whose husband has run away.
She'll go to the gym after working today
maybe if she was thinner then he would have stayed."

I enjoyed another cigar by the poolside today, listening to this song over and over again. Even though it was overcast, it was still warm and slightly humid. I needed this time. Time away for a break. Time to be with close friends. Time to be alone with you Lord. Time to mourn. Time to be frustrated. Time to question and doubt. Time to hear from You. Time to sense You. Time to cry out to You.

"He's waiting to die as he sits all alone
he's a man in a cell who regrets what he's done.
He utters a cry from the depths of his soul
oh lord, forgive me, I want to go home.
Then he heard a voice
somewhere deep inside.
And it said, I know you've murdered and I know you've lied
and I've watched you suffer all of your life.
And now that you'll listen, I'll tell you that
I will love you for you
not for what you have done or what you will become.

Lord, I want someone to love me the way that You love me. I want to love her the way that You love her.

"I will love you for you
I will give you the love, the love that you never knew.
I will love you for you
not for what you have done or what you will become.
I will love you for you
I will give you the love, the love that you never knew."

(Song lyrics courtesy of J.J. Heller's "Love Me")

Poolside

2009-03-30T12:47:00.010-06:00

I spent some time today poolside, enjoying the sun, a good cigar (Rocky Patel Vintage 1999, Connecticut), and an enjoyable book (Annie Londonderry's Extraordinary Ride Around the World on Two Wheels). Later tonight, Eric, Lisa, Kelly, and I are going out to eat at Holy Smokes, a southern bar-b-que restaurant in Raleigh. It should be really good!

Sunday

2009-03-29T13:32:00.003-06:00

My luggage was delivered this morning at 4:30 (at least it got here)!
It was great to be able to worship along with Eric and Lisa again at church.
A windy, but very warm day (low 70's), driving with the top open.
An amazing lunch of New York-style pizza.
Homemade popsicles near the North Carolina State campus.
My white feet getting some rays!
Free Derek Webb concert tonight.

I'm Here!

2009-03-28T22:45:00.004-06:00

I have arrived in North Carolina! Unfortunately, my luggage is still in Chicago. I hope to get it delivered sometime Sunday morning. The flight from Chicago to Raleigh was very bumpy, as we had to fly above a bad storm. That was just about the worst turbulence I have ever experienced.

But, I am here, and I enjoyed the humid evening air. E, Lisa, Kelly, and I sat out on E and Lisa's porch/deck, enjoying coffee, brownies, cigars, and good conversation - it was a great start to my vacation!

NC, Here I Come!

2009-03-25T09:08:00.005-06:00

On Saturday, I will be leaving to visit Eric and Lisa in North Carolina! I will be there from Saturday until next Friday. I am really looking forward to my visit with them! I am also excited that both of my internship sites had the same spring break, so I won't be missing any interning time.

Even though NC has had a cooler than normal winter and early spring, the temps there will still be warmer than they are here, and there won't be any snow flurries! I am really tired of this long winter, and am ready for some sun and warmer temps. Hopefully, I will be able to break out my shorts on this trip, and get some much-needed sun on my white legs!

My Picks

2009-03-14T09:23:00.007-06:00

Because inquiring minds want to know (Jamie and Matt), here are my picks for the upcoming 2009 baseball season. Play ball!

AL CENTRAL:
Minnesota Twins

AL EAST:
Boston Red Sox

AL WEST:
Los Angeles Angels

AL WILDCARD:
New York Yankees

NL CENTRAL:
Chicago Cubs

NL EAST:
Philadelphia Phillies

NL WEST:
Los Angeles Dodgers

NL WILDCARD:
New York Mets

AL PLAYOFFS:
Yankees over Twins
Red Sox over Angels

Yankees over Red Sox

NL PLAYOFFS:
Phillies over Cubs
Mets over Dodgers

Phillies over Mets

WORLD SERIES:
Yankees over Phillies

Progress, Part II

2009-03-04T10:23:00.005-06:00

I recently sent my chair the next ten pages of my thesis, bringing the grand total of completed text pages to 20. I am now about 2/3 done with the paper! Being that I just started another internship (where I will be an additional 2 days a week), I only have Wednesday's left to work on my thesis for the next month or so, so the progress will slow down a bit. However, I still feel that I am on track to be done with everything (internships, thesis, electronic portfolio), and graduate in June!

Ev and I

2009-02-25T09:38:00.004-06:00

Chillin' with Evelyn

Worship Moment

2009-02-23T13:16:00.002-06:00

Well, after several months of trying to locate an elementary site for an internship, I finally have one lined up! There was a potential site in St. Paul that fell through, but I was given another lead this morning. After speaking with her, I will now be interning with the 2008 School Counselor of the Year, at Phalen Lake Elementary in St. Paul. I'll be there 2 days a week, starting next week (with one day a week still left to work on my thesis). It should be a great learning opportunity to work with her. Praise God for His direction!

Progress

2009-02-17T07:09:00.004-06:00

Yesterday afternoon I sent in the first draft of my thesis to my chair for his review and suggestions. The draft was about 10 pages long. I am now going to begin writing the next draft, and will send it in once it reaches another 10 pages in length. Even though I still do not have an elementary internship lined up, I am doing my best to stay on track with my paper, and to use this time accordingly to work on it until I do get a site worked out. I thank God for the progress, and pray the paper continues to flow.

Relief

2009-02-11T11:52:00.005-06:00

After having to wait through the night on Monday to hear the results of the data transfer on my MacBook, I heard yesterday afternoon that they got most everything off of the old hard drive! I spent most of the evening last night reinstalling applications and reorganizing my documents. My thesis is there, along with what appears to be most of my Masters papers! I bought a backup hard drive to be prepared in case this happens again in the future.

And as things tend to go, when it rains it pours. I had a check engine light come on in my car yesterday afternoon, and after speaking with the dealer I found out that it could either be affordable (several hundred dollars) or rather expensive (several thousand dollars). But after having it checked this morning I am happy to announce that it was only a minor fix needed, so I didn't have to break the bank in repairing it. That was another answer to my prayers!

Let's hope nothing else goes wrong, as my fragile psyche cannot handle any more right now!

Waiting...

2009-02-09T14:29:00.005-06:00

I am typing this on my trusty old Apple G4 Cube, as I wait to hear the results of the data transfer and new hard drive installation on my MacBook. It never fails to amaze me that things seem to go wrong when I need them to actually go right. I planned on working on my thesis today at school, but my Mac crashed on me before I could get anything accomplished.

Here are a few of my thoughts recently:

I've been feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders,
I am unemployed and worry about money,
I am in the middle of a career switch, and worry what the job market holds in the Fall,
I sometimes doubt my abilities as a future School Counselor,
I have been extremely lonely, and am struggling with isolation,
I am in need of warmth and sunshine,
I feel that I might never get married and have a family of my own,
I am knee-deep in working on my Masters thesis and portfolio,
I am experiencing serious computer issues today,
I have been frustrated by the lack of hearing God's voice and not feeling His direction,
It is very hard to wait.

Mental Slump

2009-01-16T10:56:00.003-06:00

I'm not sure if it's the extremely cold weather, or the break in my internship schedule, but I am having a very hard time staying focused and on task. I still need to find an elementary school to do an internship at, but am not having luck as there aren't that many possible sites and there are a lot of us looking for them. So I have three days a week that are now open. I should be using that time to finish the research for my final masters paper, and should be starting to write it soon, but I am not motivated. Maybe next week will be better for me.

Due to the cold weather, I am also having a problem with my kitchen sink, as the pipes are frozen. I've had a space heater on them for the last 24 hours, but they are still not warm enough for the water to begin flowing. At least the pipes in the rest of the house are still working - I just hope I won't have to do the dishes in the bathtub!

Awesome Experience

2009-01-07T09:42:00.002-06:00

I just had a really awesome thing happen to me at my high school internship (DeLaSalle) this morning. Today is my last day here after completing my 300 internship hours, and the choir came into the guidance office and sang a few songs in my honor. It was a very moving experience - it's nice to know I made an impact!

The Sixth Picture

2009-01-03T10:14:00.011-06:00

I was recently tagged by my friend Heidi, where I was assigned to find the sixth folder of pictures, and then the sixth picture in that folder, and to post it. I had quite a few pictures in that folder, so I've posted a handful of them. They are from my church's missions trip to Waveland, Mississippi to help rebuild after hurricane Katrina. To keep the "chain" going, I am tagging some other people and assigning them the task of posting the sixth picture in their sixth folder of photos, with some info about the pic. The tagged people are: Lisa, Eric, Abs, and Jamie. Happy posting!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

2008-12-29T13:53:00.003-06:00

Well, for Christmas this year I spent it in Des Moines with Jamie, Gretchen, their girls, and some of Gretchen's family at her parent's home. We arrived there on Wednesday afternoon and got back home yesterday afternoon. It was a great time! There was plenty of food, including an awesome meal of grilled steaks and twice-baked potatoes on Christmas Day. Because of all the food and snacks, I went and worked out both Friday and Saturday mornings with Jamie. I had to offset the calorie intake somehow! We also managed to get a few games in on a Wii, which Gretchen's brother-in-law Robbie had. I might just have to get me one of those someday, as the games were a blast!

I also have this entire week off from my internships sites, with the only thing that I must get done is some research for my final Masters paper for school - a 40 to 45 page paper. I will probably head to the U of M's Wilson Hall Library tomorrow to begin the research process, assuming they're open over the holiday break.

After sleeping in late this morning, I went out to breakfast at Mickey's Diner in St. Paul, followed by an amazing 100 anos at Stogies on Grand - another wonderful day! I hope you've had a nice Christmas, too!

The Holidays

2008-12-13T20:51:00.005-06:00

I love Christmastime! Whether it's Christmas music, movies, and TV shows; Christmas trees and decorations; or even a little bit of Christmas shopping (assuming the crowds aren't too hectic). Tonight was my annual tradition of enjoying a warm fire while watching a classic Christmas movie (A Christmas Carol) and partaking in a fine cigar (earlier this afternoon with Dan and Jamie)...what a fun day!

Thanksgiving

2008-12-01T08:46:00.012-06:00

Well, I survived the Thanksgiving holiday! I spent Wednesday through Sunday in southeast Wisconsin at my uncle Dan's (a view of the Wisconsin countryside at left). We were joined by my aunt and uncle, Gale and Susan (they are the parents of my recently departed cousin, Monty). My uncle's girlfriend Jane was able to join us for the turkey feast, too. My uncle is not much of a cook, so he ordered a turkey from a local bakery, along with the stuffing and cranberry sauce. He and I managed to peel, slice, and mash the potatoes all by ourselves! My aunt brought us homemade pumpkin and pecan pies - her baking reminded me of my Mom's, as it was wonderful!

As some of you know, my uncle and I have a strange relationship. I used to spend at least one long weekend a year with him, going back to when I was about 15. I can still clearly remember (somewhat clearly) the first time he and I went to a local bar, and I was served underage as a 15 year old. This practice continued for many years, with me being his drinking buddy. After I became saved, I didn't see him as much as before, as I struggled with being around him and his lifestyle. He too didn't know what to make of my new-found religion. He is a practicing Atheist, but has at least come to accept my belief in God. I do not judge him, but try to lead by example. However, I have been known to stumble a bit when I am around him. This Thanksgiving, I managed to only partake in a few Guinness'.

We were also able to connect for an evening with my uncle's cousin Bob, who is my second-cousin. He and his wife Pat live in Alaska! They have always been known as the adventurers in our family, and hearing their stories of his small airplane was pretty exciting! I hope to visit them one day soon in Alaska. They moved there almost 30 years ago, so Bob could work on the Alaskan pipeline as a mechanic. He retired a few years ago, and has been hunting, fishing, and flying ever since!

I got back into town yesterday afternoon, after spending the morning and early afternoon in the car - with a few stops, it only took me about 5 1/2 hours to get home. Considering I get very sleepy and bored while driving by myself, I did pretty well with my ipod and some podcasts.

I hope your Turkey Day was enjoyable - any fun adventures?

A few pictures of my uncle Bob and aunt Pat in Alaska:

What a Beautiful Day

2008-11-02T12:18:00.007-06:00

Early morning worshiping of God, in the GC prayer room for 40 (our non-stop prayer to God from Friday night to Sunday night).
An amazing breakfast at Zumbro.
A brisk walk around Lake Harriet.
My newly-mowed and raked lawn.
Sitting in my Adirondack chair, for possibly one last time this Fall.
Enjoying a Saint Luis Rey cigar.
Watching and listening to God's creation.
Seeing a little red squirrel, a bunny rabbit, and a gray goose.
Making apple crisp for tonight's GC potluck.
Making hawaiian chicken for Dan and Heidi & Anna and Evelyn, for tomorrow night.
Relaxing and reading in my favorite recliner, in my favorite spot in my house (the porch).
Thank you God.

They're Here!

2008-10-28T18:08:00.032-06:00

I spent this afternoon at the hospital with Dan, Heidi, Anna, and Evelyn! I have an open day in my schedule (until I get a middle school secured), so I was able to get some quality time with the girls. Gretchen and the girls, along with Marissa, stopped in as well. Be sure to check Gretchen's and Marissa's blogs later for pictures too!

Here are some pictures from the day: 1. Dan feeding Anna with a dropper; 2. Evelyn sleeping; 3. Me and Anna; 4. Daddy and Anna; 5. Evelyn and Me; 6. Heidi and Anna (I think); 7. The Sisters; 8. Heidi, Anna, and Marissa; 9. Isabelle, Marissa, Tori, and Evelyn; 10. Evelyn and Tori; 11. Anna and Gretchen; 12. Me and Anna (good picture Isabelle!):

Stillwater

2008-10-18T13:35:00.005-06:00

After enjoying a slow morning of sleeping in late and coffee with peppermint mocha creamer, I decided to head to Stillwater. I got myself ready, and hopped into the car and sped off.

My first stop in Stillwater was, of course, Starbuck's! After getting my Caramel Macchiato, I then went and did some antique shopping. After wandering the aisles for awhile, I was getting hungry. So, I decided to grab some lunch at Shane's on Main, my friend Lisa's discovery. After lunch, I did a little shopping at a bookstore, and bought the classic novel of Willa Cather called "My Antonia." It will be added to the pile of books waiting for me to read! I then went next door to the bookstore, and bought a bottle of white wine (Oktoberfest) from the Northern Vineyards, a co-op of vineyards in central Minnesota. It will go well with a fire and the baseball playoffs tonight!

Last, but certainly not least, I grabbed my cigar and lighter, and found a great spot by the St. Croix river and the lift bridge, to enjoy a fine smoke (a Gispert). Here are a few photos from my last stop in Stillwater.

Fall

2008-10-12T09:15:00.006-06:00

October is my favorite month.
Sunday morning breakfast, and a walk around the lake.
Green, yellow, gold, orange, and red leaves.
Framed against a blue gray sky.
Autumn.
Summer winding down for a long Winter nap.

Elementary School Rocks!

2008-10-09T15:22:00.004-06:00

Today was the 2nd day for me at my elementary school site, Gatewood, in Hopkins. Just like last Thursday, at the end of the day, my brain hurts! There is so much activity and energy within those walls, that it's fun to be a part of it. Surprisingly, there are a lot of "disciplinary" problems to deal with, but at that age it's mostly teaching kids to make the right decisions, and to see the consequences of their wrong choices.

I even got to work briefly with one student by myself today! His name is Paul, and he is struggling at home and a bit at school, and his teacher was glad for my involvement. We went outside during lunch and threw the football around. I got the chance to introduce him to a few other students on the playground, and I think that helped him somewhat. I'm going to be meeting with Paul each Thursday that I am there, getting to know him better and giving him someone else to talk with and open up to.

I was also able to observe some classroom guidance today, with it being 4th grade Class Representative voting day. The kids were excited to give a short speech to their classmates, and they were really excited when we tabulated their votes and announced their reps. It was really cute hearing some of their speeches as to why they should be elected (maybe Obama and McCain should have been there taking notes)!

I really enjoyed my day today!

Go Twins!

2008-09-29T16:37:00.007-06:00

I was able to go to the Twins game on Saturday afternoon versus the Kansas City Royals. My friend Jamie invited me to join him and two of his brother-in-laws and another person, and we were able to sit in a suite. Here's the view from our suite! Unfortunately, the Twins lost that game, but they still have a chance at winning their division and making the playoffs with a little help from the Tigers. Go Twins!

Update

2008-09-29T16:25:00.003-06:00

My first two weeks of practicum/internships are in the books, and it has been going well. I am slowly getting some more contact with the students at DeLaSalle, with a few Senior interviews (college planning check-ins) scheduled for later this week. I've had a few more opportunities to work with the students at my Alternative site (Lincoln International), when I helped give classroom presentations on a career interest inventory. I've enjoyed working with the Somali and Latino populations at Lincoln.

I have also lined up another Elementary site, Gatewood, in Hopkins. I will be there 1 day a week, beginning this Thursday. And I have a lead on a potential Middle school practicum in Hopkins (one of the better school districts), hopefully starting there sometime in November.

Day One

2008-09-16T10:47:00.004-06:00

Day one of my internship at DeLaSalle went really well yesterday! I have my own desk and computer (no access to it yet), and my very own name tag made by our Guidance Office student aid (I'll try to get a picture of it up soon). For the first few weeks, I will mainly be doing administrative tasks such as filing ACT/SAT test results, but after that they plan on getting me more involved in the counseling aspects, after I become more comfortable in that setting. The day really flew by and I was quite surprised to see that it was over so fast! I enjoyed talking with the other Guidance Counselors, and even getting to have some contact with some of the students.

On a rather disappointing note, my Elementary site backed out on me at the last minute. The School Counselor that I would be observing emailed me to say that because her position is partially-funded through a U of M grant, that they can only take on internship students from the U of M. So now I will have to try to locate another Elementary site - please pray that the process goes smoothly and quickly.

Remember...

2008-09-11T07:34:00.006-06:00

Memorials at the Pentagon, and eventually at the World Trade Tower site:

New Adventure

2008-09-09T10:00:00.005-06:00

Well, only 6 more days until I will be interning full-time in the school system! I pretty much have all of my sites lined up, with the exception of a middle school. They haven't gotten back to me in over a month, but are probably quite busy with the school year beginning. I will be splitting my time between DeLaSalle high 3 days a week, Lincoln International high (alternative) 1 day a week, and Anne Sullivan elementary 1 day a week. I will probably be at Hidden Oaks middle later on this Fall.

This coming Friday is also my last day at Target! For that matter, it is my last day receiving a paycheck for quite awhile! I will be living off of student loans for the next 6-8 months while I complete my required internship hours and my final Masters paper. It's been awhile since I didn't have a job, so I am trying to look at the experience as an "adventure," and will try to enjoy the time as much as I can. Hopefully next Fall I will be gainfully employed as a Licensed School Counselor.

I cannot wait until Monday!

Quote II

2008-09-04T12:14:00.004-06:00

During this time of politics, I think the following quote sums it all up:

"Those who stand for nothing fall for anything."
- Alexander Hamilton

Fair Thoughts

2008-09-02T06:58:00.006-06:00

I really enjoyed the State Fair this year! I went early Friday morning, and rode the bus from Southdale Mall, which saved me the expense of parking and the hassle of driving. I wandered around for a bit before settling on my first food of the day at 8:30 - a corn dog! I then quickly moved over to the cheese curd booth to partake in their goodness! I met up with James and Amy and their kids, and we walked around the Fair together for a few hours. We branched off after awhile, and I managed to get my last item of food for the day, a fresh strawberry shake from the dairy barn. I was going to share some cookies with James and Amy, and enjoy a lot of milk for only a buck, but their kids are not fond of chocolate chip cookies and I didn't want to eat a whole bucket by myself. Well, actually I did want to, but I decided against it! I will just have to wait until next year to enjoy them.

I was also able to spend time yesterday in one of my favorite spots in Minnesota - Stillwater. My friend Lisa was going to spend the day their because her husband Eric had to work, so I managed to join her for the day. It was a really fun time. Afterwards, we met up with Eric, and Jamie, Gretchen and the girls for a BBQ in a Bloomington park. It was a fun way to end the holiday weekend!

State Fair!

2008-08-26T07:30:00.005-06:00

It's that time of year once again, time for Summer to be winding down and Fall to slowly (I hope) begin. Those that know me, are fully aware of my enjoyment of the Great Minnesota Get Together - our own State Fair! My family rarely went to the Fair while I was growing up, so I began my own tradition once I got older of going to the Fair each year. I've even been known to go twice in one year! I'll be heading to the Fair this Friday.

For me, the Fair is nothing more than eating a lot of unhealthy food (Pronto Pups, cheese curds, chocolate chip cookies and all the milk I can drink for a buck), to just getting a chance to people watch. I might wander down to the barns and the animals, but for this city-slicker I'm more interested in the fresh milkshakes than I am the cows or horses!

Once I've made my way around the Fairgrounds a few times, and had my fill of food, than it's usually time for me to get out of the crowds, and to begin preparing myself mentally for the end of Summer. I am actually really looking forward to this Fall, as I will be doing my practicums and internships full-time in a few weeks. But for now, I am focusing on, and looking forward to, the Fair.

Life, or Something Like It

2008-08-22T07:26:00.007-06:00

I've been struggling with loneliness for quite some time now, and oddly enough, I am actually getting used to it. Most days I seem to be OK with it, with brief moments where I actually don't focus on it. And for the most part, I've come to accept it, like an old worn sweater, or a tight-fitting glove. I think that what I keep telling myself is that it's just for a season, and that God has something for me to learn during these times, but that doesn't always make it easier to get through those moments. I still greatly desire to have a wife and children, and I know that feeling will be there until the day I finally have them.

Until then, I am learning to take one day at a time, trying not to focus on the feelings of frustration, doubt, and anger. Instead, most days I am rather melancholy, and have learned to enjoy having some time by myself where I can read a good book, watch a little TV, or go out for breakfast and a long walk. I know better than most people (as a budding counselor) that when times like this happen, it is best to busy oneself with life's steps, try not to focus on the feelings, and let things happen as they may. But, I am such a control freak that it's rather difficult for me to release, rest, and run to God instead. I am definitely a work in progress, with some distance to travel still...

Happy Friday!

Quote

2008-08-15T11:05:00.003-06:00

To borrow from Eric and Jamie, I found a great quote from Alfred Adler (the former psychologist, and the namesake of my graduate school).

"God who is eternally complete, who directs the stars, who is the master of fates, who elevates man from his lowliness to Himself, who speaks from the cosmos to every single human soul, is the most brilliant manifestation of the goal of perfection."

- Alfred Adler

Now top that one boys!!

Back to School?!

2008-08-08T07:07:00.007-06:00

I cannot believe it, but I am actually looking forward to going back to high school! I start my school counseling internship at DeLaSalle in about a month, but am really excited to begin it now. I also have an alternative school and middle school all lined up, with an elementary school yet to be determined.

Just the other day, I went to Target and got my school supplies! I needed some notebooks to take the required notes for my practicums/internships, so I bought a few composition books, and a calendar/organizer to keep track of which school I am at, on which day. Maybe I'll color coordinate each day for the particular school...just so my unorganized friends can mock me!

I haven't been this excited to start back since I was in elementary school! I am looking forward to the Olympics beginning tonight, and then the State Fair later this month, but shortly after that I will be heading back to class with much anticipation (who'd have thought)! I can just hear the students now, "Mr. M, can we talk?"

Summer Reading

2008-07-30T06:30:00.009-06:00

The dog days of Summer are here, and I find myself spending more time with a good book, than I do with any other activity of late. Part of that is due to the amount of time that I have by myself, but another part of that is the great pleasure that I find in reading. To borrow a page (no pun intended) from my friend Lisa's blog, here is a sampling of the books that I am either reading, or that are lined up in my queue.

"A False Spring" is a baseball classic that I read about once a year. It is about unfulfilled potential, and how a person has learned to live with that failure. One of my favorite lines is that the author (Pat Jordan) doesn't view himself as a writer who used to pitch, but as a pitcher who happens to be writing just now (ten years after his minor league pitching career ended). I dive into this book whenever I need a quick and enjoyable read, and whenever I am feeling nostalgic for things past.

I am also in the middle of reading a book about Sandy Koufax, called "Sandy Koufax: A Lefty's Legacy." Koufax was a dominate pitcher in the 1960's, who ended his career early by retiring in his 30's. He went out while on top of the game, when he was still overpowering the sport. Over the years, he has been rather reclusive with his life, but was willing to share his story with the author of this book. It has been a glimpse into the mind of a pitching genius.

The third book I am reading, which is a difficult one for me to get through, is called "The Shack." I bought it based on a recommendation of my friend Eric, and have been intending to read it for months now, and have finally started to do so. It's a hard read for me not because of the writing style, but because of the content. From what I've pieced together so far, it's about a family that loses a child to kidnapping/murder, and how they've dealt with that loss, and with their relationship to God. Those that know me, know that I do not enjoy violence, or bad things happening to children, so this book is stretching my boundaries a bit.

As usual, there are more books on my bookshelf waiting to be read, with the last count of about ten books lined up! They range from Erwin McManus' newest "Wide Awake," to a work of fiction about golf. What are you in the middle of reading, or what type of book would you want to read if you had the time or the desire?

In a Fog

2008-07-25T06:32:00.003-06:00

This is the view from my 34th floor window at work this morning; a thick fog covering up the skyline. What is usually a pretty clear and far-reaching view, is now just my own reflection, staring back at me.

In a fog...that pretty much sums up my life these days. I'm not sure of what is out there, or what my next step might lead to, because I cannot see through the fog. It's at times like these when I need to rely on God the most, and trust in His leading me through the confusion.

James' Adventure

2008-07-20T14:51:00.012-06:00

James sure has been gone awhile...
It looks like he found out where the swamp was!
He had to push the four-wheeler out of the mud!
At least he found his shoes!

Men Being Men

2008-07-20T14:43:00.013-06:00

Scenes from the 2008 GC Men's Retreat:

Details

2008-07-17T12:56:00.004-06:00

Well, this Summer sure is moving along quickly, isn't it?! I am getting my plans in place for the Fall, with my remaining requirements for my practicums and internships. I have my high school internship in place at DeLaSalle, while I just received word from Hidden Oaks middle school in Prior Lake that they want me for a practicum and possibly then an internship. I have also been getting some alternative practicum hours done at Lincoln International high school this July during their summer school program, and will be finishing up the remaining hours in September. Now all that is left is to get an elementary school lined up, for both the practicum and internship hours.

My plan is to quit at Target in mid-September, and focus on getting all my hours done within 6 months, as well as writing my final project paper/thesis. I hope to be completely finished with my program by April, and will then be in need of a short-term temporary job (to pay the bills) until next Fall, when I hopefully will have a School Counselor job secured! I know that God is a God of details, but there sure are a lot of details for me to work out/worry about in getting things all lined up!

Roads

2008-07-06T09:09:00.011-06:00

"Two roads diverged in the middle of my life,
I heard a wise man say
I took the road less traveled by
And that's made the difference every night and every day."
- Larry Norman and Robert Frost, The Shack

There have been many roads over the years that I have chosen to take; some not so good, that have shaped me into the person that I am today. Finally, I chose to follow the road leading to God; and even though it has been difficult at times, it is the better road to be on. I once struggled with alcohol, unhealthy relationships, and dead-end jobs. I once chose to live for myself, and my own desires, and I paid dearly for those choices. I could have easily kept on drinking, kept on chasing after women that I shouldn't have been chasing, and by now I might have actually been married with a family, but I know I wouldn't have been in God's will. Instead, I am no longer drinking to excess like before, I am still single (looking and waiting for the right woman), and I desire to do God's work through my soon to be profession of counseling.

No one ever said being a Christian would be easy; as it is sometimes filled with loneliness and doubt, but I have come to understand that it's the best road that I could have taken.

Happy 4th

2008-07-04T10:52:00.007-06:00

I trust that you are having a wonderful 4th of July. For lunch today, I grilled up some marinated pork - nummy! Now, I am getting ready to head outside and enjoy my Adirondack chair, with a good cigar, and a good book, while staring at my freshly painted house! Later tonight, I'm going to Paul and Deneena's for a BBQ, and then we're going to see some fireworks.

Have a happy 4th!

Finished!

2008-07-03T18:28:00.006-06:00

1/2 Done

2008-07-02T18:48:00.007-06:00

Well, Ben was able to get about 1/2 the house painted today! The driveway side and the back of the house are now done. He will be back tomorrow to finish up the remaining sides, and to do any needed touch-ups. If he has time, he will also get the garage painted. I like the color scheme, but it is going to take some time getting used to the new colors!

Windows

2008-07-01T18:55:00.008-06:00

Ben came over today, and got all of the window frames painted! He'll hang the storm windows later tomorrow. The red really stands out to me, but I bet that when he paints the body of the house tomorrow, it will all blend in quite nicely! It's rather dark inside tonight, as there are no windows to see out of!

Wednesday's Progress

2008-06-26T11:17:00.010-06:00

On Wednesday night, Jamie and two of the girls came over to help me scrape/prime. While Jamie primed, Tori and Isabelle drew on my driveway in chalk, and played around on the large tree in my backyard. Dan S. came over as well, and was immediately put to work scrapping! After a quick spin on his new motorcycle, Dan H. joined us too! And, last but not least, E joined us in the madness! We managed to get about 1/2 of the back of the house scrapped and/or primed. Ben N. came over on Thursday to work on the windows, and hopefully can come back next week to finish up. Things are slowly starting to take shape!

“Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen.”
- Leonardo da Vinci

Sunday

2008-06-22T20:13:00.007-06:00

After enjoying some tasty donuts this morning (thanks to Jamie), Dan, Jamie, and I got to work scrapping and priming the opposite side of the house as we were working on yesterday. Dan actually finished one area from yesterday's work, while Jamie began priming and I finished some scrapping. After Jamie left, Dan and I finished the priming, just as we were getting doused by a brief rain shower. Here are a few more pictures from today's work. All in all, it was a pretty productive and enjoyable weekend, with amazing weather. I'll be scrapping and priming the back of the house this week each night after work, so if you have some spare time and feel like scrapping or priming, just give me a shout!

Saturday

2008-06-21T20:18:00.010-06:00

After a quick breakfast of coffee and bagels, Dan and I got back to work on the house. Jamie joined us for awhile, and then Eric came over to help too! We managed to get just about all of the driveway side scrapped and primed, with a few spots to finish up tomorrow. While Dan was finishing the top of the wall, I went on the other side of the house to begin scrapping it. We ended up working on the house all day, from about 8:30 until 6:00, with a quick stop for lunch. Dan, Eric, Jamie, and I will be back at it tomorrow morning, getting as far as we can. I think it will look really good, once the paint is on!

I was able to join Dan and Heidi for dinner tonight; an amazing feast of salad, garlic bread, and lasagna - thanks, Heidi! Now it's time to take my sore, old body and try to get some sleep, before we begin again on the house tomorrow.

Friday Night

2008-06-21T20:12:00.005-06:00

Dan and I were able to scrape for a few hours on Friday night, and we got a pretty good start on the project! Here are a few pictures of our work, on the driveway side.

Big Project

2008-06-20T08:30:00.005-06:00

Well, tonight begins a large undertaking at my homestead - scrapping and priming! I've waited long enough to paint my house, and this last late-Winter and wet Spring has done it's damage to the peeling paint.

Tonight Dan and I are getting a start on scrapping the driveway side of the house, in the shade of the evening, before it gets too hot tomorrow to be standing in the sun all day. I've purchased the scrapping and priming tools, and am finally eager to begin!

Once we get the body of the house scrapped and primed, then I've asked Ben N. to assist with the details of the windows, while Dan and I paint the house. I am changing the color scheme from blue with white trim to cream/tan with dark red trim - it should look great! I'll post pictures as I'm able.

An Enjoyable Saturday

2008-06-14T14:20:00.007-06:00

I got up early this morning to get my homework done for class, about 7:30 a.m. I made a pot of coffee and got to work. I cranked out my portion of a PowerPoint presentation on the role of School Counselors in the middle school environment. Afterwards, I went outside to enjoy the sunny morning by doing some much-needed yard work. With all the rain we have been having lately, my grass was getting a little too tall! I was on such a roll, that after mowing the lawn, I even cleaned out my gutters!

At this point I was getting rather hungry, so after a quick shower I was on my way for breakfast/brunch/lunch. I decided to go to the Malt Shop in Edina. I was quite pleased with my choices of a turkey BLT and a strawberry shake - a great reward for a busy morning! I then got the grand idea for a trip to St. Paul, so I sped off to Stogies on Grand. I sat outside on their patio enjoying the warm sun and the nice breeze, while smoking a La Flor Dominicana chisel...what an amazing smoke it was! I sat outside for almost two hours, unwinding and enjoying the day! After a quick stop to get some necessary groceries, I went home to read and nap in my recliner for the rest of the afternoon.

Thank you Lord for an enjoyable Saturday!

Writer's (Blogger's) Block

2008-06-11T07:01:00.004-06:00

I am definitely suffering from a case of writer's block, as I haven't been able to come up with anything to blog about lately. Sorry for the lack of posts, but hang in there my faithful readers (all two of you), and hopefully I'll be blogging away soon!

Welcome June!

2008-06-01T10:28:00.007-06:00

Routines and habits, we all have them.
Some can be pretty annoying, while others can be rather comforting.
Sunday mornings.
Sleeping in (sort of, thanks E!).
Grabbing a paper and heading to the Cafe Z.
Iced coffee, eggs, and the Sports section.
A walk around Lake Harriet.
The sun is very warm today, and I am thankful for it.
Leaves and twigs everywhere, from last night's storm, making the path slippery.
The lake was calm and clear, rather glass-like.
There were a handful of white-sailed boats, slowly drifting across the water.
Many, many people out, walking, running, biking, and sweating.
The trip home, thinking about this blog post.
Time to start the laundry.
Cleaning up leaves and twigs in my yard.
Sitting in my Adirondack chair, with a cold pop and a tasty cigar (Rocky Patel, Vintage 1990).
Watching the sun and the breeze, listening to God's creation.
Spending the night with my friends of the GC, praising our Maker.
Playing with the kids.
Routines and habits.
Welcome June!

New Twins Stadium

2008-05-27T13:42:00.008-06:00

Here is a picture (from my cell phone, it's a little blurry) of the new Twins stadium under construction, from my 34th floor window of the City Center - awesome! It should be ready in time for Opening Day 2010! I get excited every time I look at it, and cannot wait for it to be finished.

It's Green!

2008-05-25T22:27:00.006-06:00

After Cliff and Angela left on Sunday morning, I went out for breakfast at Cafe 28. It looked like it was going to rain afterwards, so I didn't go on my usual walk around Lake Harriet, as I didn't want to get caught half-way around the lake in a downpour! On my way home from breakfast, I stopped off at the hardware store to get some paint and a brush for my Adirondack chair, and spent the afternoon painting it. It's now ready for me to enjoy it on my day off on Monday, reading a good book in it while smoking a fine cigar!

Adirondack

2008-05-18T14:48:00.014-06:00

I spent Sunday afternoon putting together my new Adirondack chair. Unfortunately, I don't have a screwdriver bit for my power drill, so I had to do it by hand with my trusty screwdriver. Ouch, two blisters! Here is the chair in it's different stages of completion. Now all that is left is to buy some stain and a brush, get it stained, and enjoy a cup of coffee in my new chair in the great outdoors (my backyard)!

A Brisk Morning

2008-05-18T10:41:00.002-06:00

My Sunday morning routine started out just like all the others did, but this morning's was a bit cooler than expected. The Cafe Zumbro had their outdoor patio open, so I thought it would be nice to enjoy my breakfast outdoors. Well, the warm sunshine hadn't quite reached that side of the building yet, so myself and a few other hearty souls were shivering while we dined this morning! At least the coffee was warm and plentiful!

My morning walk around Lake Harriet also started out rather chilly. There was a strong, cool breeze blowing, which aided those who were on the lake partaking in some sort of a sailboat race, but made for a brisk walk/run for the rest of us. About half way around the lake the breeze subsided, and the rest of my walk was glorious! The cool morning didn't keep me indoors, and it didn't stop many others from enjoying their Sunday morning as well.

On my way home, I stopped off at Settergren's Hardware store on Penn and bought myself an Adirondack chair. It still needs to be put together and probably either stained or painted, but that's a glimpse into my next blog post. I hope you enjoy your Sunday!

Mother's Day

2008-05-11T07:59:00.007-06:00

This year, in honor of my Mother, I planted some flowers for her in my yard. It's hard to believe that she has been gone now for almost 13 years. Growing up, I can remember my Mom planting her garden each Spring, and tending to it throughout the year. To this day, I still think of her whenever I see certain kinds of flowers.

To those women who have greatly influenced and shaped their children's lives, I wish you a happy day! I am a product of my Mother's love, and I am grateful for that.

"Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body."
- Elizabeth Stone

"All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother."
- Abraham Lincoln

Time

2008-05-08T08:10:00.007-06:00

I've been thinking a lot lately about the concept of time; partly because I have too much time on my hands these days, and partly because of the death of my cousin (too young/before his time).

According to Wikipedia, time is a basic component of the measuring system used to sequence events, to compare the durations of events and the intervals between them, and to quantify the motions of objects. Another way to look at time - in physics, spacetime is any mathematical model that combines space and time into a single construct called the spacetime continuum. Spacetime is usually interpreted with space being three-dimensional and time playing the role of the fourth dimension.

It seems that we are constantly being bombarded with demands on our time; ranging from work schedules, to kid's events, from personal desires, to perceived worldly pursuits. When do we finally stand up and take accountability for what we fill our days with? When do we realize that there is a finite amount of time that we have on this planet, and make the most of that precious commodity?

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace."
- Ecclesiastes 3:1–8

A New Experience

2008-05-04T12:16:00.006-06:00

I went to enjoy my regular Sunday morning breakfast at Cafe Zumbro, but was stunned to find out that I had a 45 minute wait to get a table - people must have read my blog reviews and swarmed to my favorite restaurant! So, I wandered down a few blocks to Cafe Twenty Eight, and enjoyed their brunch offerings. Cafe Twenty Eight is in a former fire station, with the old fire pole still in the lobby area. The food was pretty good, but I didn't quite like the experience as much as I would have at Cafe Zumbro, but oh well! Afterwards, I went for a walk around Lake Harriet, and enjoyed the warm sun and strong breeze - I think spring is finally here!

Monty

2008-05-03T06:53:00.006-06:00

Well, I got the phone call this morning that I had been dreading. My aunt Susan called to say that my cousin Monty died last night (Friday). She said that she and my uncle Gale were there, and that he passed away peacefully. His memorial service is being planned, but won't be for another week or so. Please keep my aunt and uncle in your prayers.

Sorry for the grainy, old black and white picture, but it's from 1975; when my cousin (on the left) was 6 years old, I was 3 years old (in the middle), and my brother (on the right) was 7 years old.

Another Peaceful Sunday

2008-04-27T10:54:00.009-06:00

Sleeping in.
My warm quilt.
A hot shower.
Sunroof open in the Jetta.
Upton Avenue.
The Linden Hills neighborhood.
The Zumbro Cafe.
Coffee with cream and sugar.
The Sunday Sports section.
Twins baseball.
Box scores and statistics.
Bacon and cheese frittata.
People talking, chatting, laughing.
Cute blonde waitress with the shoulder tattoo.
Lake Harriet.
Dozens and dozens of ducks.
Buds on the trees, slowly awakening.
Green, green grass.
Birds chirping.
Waves lapping the shore.
A cool, crisp breeze.
The warm sun.
People walking.
Babies in strollers, with bright pink cheeks.
People running.
Dogs panting alongside their running owners.
People biking.
Snippets of conversations.
Small glimpses into others' lives.
The downtown skyline.
The Lake Harriet bandshell.
Large houses and massive, old trees.
Time to reflect.
Time to think.
Time to talk.
Time to pray.
Hopes and dreams.
Hurts and pains.
Friends, family, relationships, strangers.
Spring.
Starting over again.

Jackie Robinson

2008-04-17T10:17:00.006-06:00

I'm a few days late with this post (Jackie Robinson Day was Tuesday), but the importance of Jackie Robinson to both baseball and America is something that shouldn't be limited to just one day a year.

"The example of Jackie Robinson says that one man's courage, and one institution's willingness to change can make a huge difference, not only in a sport but in a society. That example is too large, too good, and too relevant to be confined to ballparks. It ought to be celebrated on a truly nationwide basis."

- Mike Bauman, columnist for MLB.com

Jackie Robinson Day/MLB.com
Bauman article

A Prayer in Spring

2008-04-17T06:50:00.002-06:00

Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers today;
And give us not to think so far away
As the uncertain harvest; keep us here
All simply in the springing of the year.

Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white,
Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;
And make us happy in the happy bees,
The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.

And make us happy in the darting bird
That suddenly above the bees is heard,
The meteor that thrusts with needle bill,
And off a blossom in mid-air stands still.

For this is love and nothing else is love,
The which it is reserved for God above
To sanctify to what far ends He will,
But which it only needs that we fulfill.

- Robert Frost

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!

2008-04-13T14:03:00.004-06:00

What a very enjoyable Sunday it has been! After sleeping in this morning, I went out for breakfast at the Zumbro Cafe in the Linden Hills neighborhood of Minneapolis. I really enjoyed their coffee, with my eggs, bacon, and potatoes. In the afternoon I went for a walk around Normandale Lake in Bloomington. There was a cool, crisp breeze blowing, but the sun was bright and warm! I had a chance to enjoy the weather and spend some time in conversation with God. I think Spring might be here for good this time (let's hope). Now I am watching some Twins baseball, and dreaming about their upcoming outdoor stadium.

Enough already!

2008-04-01T09:59:00.006-06:00

I've had enough of winter weather already, so let the snow melting begin! Come on spring, my psyche can't handle it much longer!

"See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land. The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me."

Song of Solomon 2:11-13

Love Sonnet #6-4-3

2008-03-26T14:22:00.004-06:00

Here's my submission to A Prairie Home Companion's upcoming love sonnet contest in mid-April. Wish me luck!

The sun sets bright over the outfield wall
Feel the heavy bat in my hands, as I drip
Here comes the pitchers’ first offering…“ball”
In his windup again, He loosens his grip.
Sailing through the air, the white orb gains steam
I think I saw it pass, but to no avail
I swung with all my might, that ball did scream
It’s in the catcher’s mitt, I wanted to wail!
The final delivery is sent with pride
I can see the seams of that spinning ball
As it nears the plate, I am in full stride
I swing with mite; it’s over the fielder tall!
Whoever said I’m too old to go home,
They should see that ball sail, and watch me roam!

Spring, huh?!

2008-03-22T07:26:00.005-06:00

Silly me, I thought it was actually supposed to be Spring! Looks like it's Winter all over again...

March Madness

2008-03-20T09:48:00.003-06:00

Let the madness begin!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2008-03-17T14:07:00.006-06:00