Home From Denver

Denver Video by the Gatlin Brothers (Sorry about the 30 second commerical)

Visiting Denver took me back in my mind index to one of my old favorite music groups. I realize this dates me and possibly even labels me as a redneck. So what! My favorite line in this song was one that got my attention many many years ago when I wasn't treating Preacher's Wife like she deserved to be treated and could have lost her. It's a line in the second verse that says, "...it's awful cold and lonely when you're king of the mountain all by yourself." It took me a while to learn that higher is not always better. So I am thankful today for that song getting my attention many years ago. I love you Preacher's Wife!

A Mile High And Counting...

Preacher's Wife and I had a safe and enjoyable trip here and were thrilled to see our grandchildren as well as their parents. The children assured us we were going to have a great time. First, let me begin by telling you that the United States Census Bureau estimates that the population of the City and County of Denver was 588,349 on 2007-07-01, making it the 26th most populous U.S. city. Denver has hundreds and thousands of site seeing opportunities. I think we saw most of them yesterday. The grandchildren assured me that we have seen nothing yet. So I am up early today sipping a Starbucks waiting for the children to give us another exciting day. Oops, here the come... gotta run!

Denver Bound

Preacher's Wife and I head out for Denver today to spend a few days with our grandchildren. For me it has been almost a year since I have seen them but Preacher's Wife saw them in October. This should let everyone know that she is the unemployed one. We have a list of places we want them to show us, and a list of things we want to do. I think on top of the list is the movie, HORTON HEARS A WHO! Of course I will probably post quite a bit the next few day having new pictures of my grandchildren and all. Oh, by the way did I mention that we will also see Michael and Amy. This is because they are the children's parents.

Texas dust storm meets Texas rain storm

The pictures you see are the results of a Texas mud rain storm.

The explanation is that the heavy winds Tuesday kicked the dust and dirt thousands of feet into the atmosphere. The dust simply combined with the rain as it fell resulting in the ‘muddy rain.’

The dirty rain left vehicles across San Antonio looking like they’d been taken off-roading in the mud. The cars were covered, but the coating was not quite dust, not quite dirt, but rather yucky mud.

San Antonio car washes are extremely busy today. It took me 45 minutes and Preacher's Wife an hour to get our cars washed.

The TV show that changed my life.

The year was 1959. I was ten years old and it was the year that forever changed Sunday night church meetings. Yes, it was the year that Ed Stephan created and wrote the TV show "Bonanza".

Set in Nevada in the 1860s, Bonanza chronicled the adventures of the Cartwright family who owned the thousand-square mile ranch near Virginia City. Each of Ben's three sons was born to a different wife and none of the mothers were still alive. It was a typical western with lots of personal relationships and problems thrown in the mix. As a ten year old boy, it was my favorite show.

My dad was a conservative fundamentalist Baptist preacher, so we did not have a television in our home. Why am I telling you this? Because even ten year old boys will find a way if they have a will. I had a will and my mom had a way. Every Sunday night she would send me four houses down the street to visit the elderly Orr family. I was to check on how they were doing and keep them company for an hour or so. So now you know another part of my life story. I am partially the man I am today because my life was shaped by Hoss Cartwright.