Big Ben's 150th Anniversary

London celebrates the 150th anniversary of Big Bend today. Peggy took this shot when we were there a few years ago. The London eye can be seen in the wide view of the 1859 clock.

Memorial Day

I am thankful for the many dedicated military men & women — and chaplains — past and present. It has been my privilege to know some great ones. Let's all continue to pray for them.

Suggestion for Fixing America's Economy

Circulating by email, with the author's permission. Unsure of original author's name.

Dear Mr. President:

Please find below my suggestion for fixing America's economy.

Instead of giving billions of dollars to companies that will squander the money on lavish parties and unearned bonuses, use the following  plan. You can call it the Patriotic Retirement Plan:

There are about 40 million people over 50 in the work force. Pay them $1 million apiece severance for early retirement with the following stipulations:

1) They MUST retire.  Forty million job openings - Unemployment fixed.

2) They MUST buy a new American CAR.  Forty million cars ordered - Auto Industry fixed.

3) They MUST either buy a house or pay off their mortgage - Housing Crisis fixed.

If more money is needed, have all  members of Congress pay all their taxes...

Cancer Relay for Life

Peggy and I walked the Cancer Relay for Life at Hillcrest High in Springfield on Friday night. Peggy has not been doing too well since this last round of chemo but the Lord helped her to be a part of this event. Both of us got to walk the Survivors lap. Lots of people ... and some rain. Peggy did great. Had a terrific team from Convoy of Hope headed by Judi Murphy, who did a lot of work to make this happen. Thanks Judi.

Here are a few photos from my set on Flickr. Here is the slideshow.


Survivors on our team (right to left): Leanne Bachman, Doug Corbett, Peggy & me.


Luminaries were lit after dark.


The team.

"Relay For Life® is the American Cancer Society's signature event that brings more than 3.5 million people from 4,900 communities across the country together each year to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against a disease that takes too much."

Beautiful Weather, Close Park

Gorgeous weather tonight. After work I coaxed Peggy out for a walk at the nearby lake. Here's Melba at the Close Park sign.


Melba met Anne Drummond at Drummond Lake and read her book with her. She's been on the same page for quite some time.


After the walk, we drove around to the Nathanael Greene side and came upon a very cooperative scissor-tailed flycatcher, one of my favorite birds.



Also saw an eastern phoebe.


Earlier, on the back side of the lake, we had happened across this beautiful brown thrasher.


Peggy had a pretty good day today.

You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby

Happy birthday to my lovely wife. This is Peggy a couple of decades before we met.

Tornados and Strong Winds Hit the Ozarks

I was home today and we got to give Peggy's cousin Melba a typical Ozarks experience. Two tornados touched down nearby and strong winds did some damage, including knocking down large trees. The huge tree next to Peggy's mom's apartment at Maranatha split down the middle. A short walk from our house, a neighbor's shed was lifted out of their yard and dropped over the fence ... a pile of rubble. A local high school had its roof ripped off (only minor injuries to students). I stopped at WalMart and found the main entrance closed for repairs:


Peggy was feeling some better the second day after her 8-hour chemo treatment. Went to Red Lobster with Melba and her mom after the weather calmed down.

Peggy's Chemo Session #5

First of 4 treatments with higher-powered drugs. At this writing we are over 6 hours into an anticipated 8-hour session. Peggy's not feeling great but her attitude is super. Acting up, keeping nurses and other patients entertained, and that's a good thing. Peggy's cousin Melba from Arizona is with us.



Nurse Gurty was back after an absence of one treatment.

Last Day of Don & Rita's Visit

Don & I hung Mom's hutch today. Brought it from the house. Pretty obvious this is posed after the actual deed was done.


Peggy's mom with Don & Rita by newly-hung hutch.


Watching turkeys in the distance from Mom's balcony at Maranatha.


At our house, giving Peggy her birthday gift early. They are back on the road with their Fifth Wheel tomorrow.

Peggy and Her Brother Today

Peggy's brother, Don Paul, visiting from Oregon with his wife, Rita. Here with Peggy (who has had a better last 2 days but did too much both days) in front of their Fifth Wheel at their mom's house. (Had one more garage sale today.)


Dad Paul's last remaining greyhound at the house.


We kept disturbing this robin who was at the corner of the garage. A cowbird was stalking the nest.