Like Rolling off a Blog

More blogs ! I need more blogs ! I didn't know just how much I depended on the postings of my kiddos to keep me informed. I take that back. I've always been an information junkie, and the blogs are no exception. What a wonderful communications-rich world we live in. So does it make us better communicators? I imagine not. Whether I send a runner 13 miles with a message, or send an email 1300 miles, the communicator and the communique remain the same. So, please post, leave a message, send an email, give me a call.

Well, as referred to in a previous post, that "swamp" land in Florida finally paid off. By the way, we still have another lot if anyone is interested ... Anyway, after giving our tithe, we have had a bit of fun -- paid off a bill, bought a 56 inch TV (HD all the way!!!), and today we treated Mark to an I-Pod and me to a replacement computer -- an I-Book. Wow! Also, we'll be joining Ingrid and Andy for a trip to Dallas, to congratulate Andy on his Masters in Biblical Studies. One of the grandmas will most likely be holding Miss Ashley while Ingrid concentrates on Andy's every step down the graduation aisle. This is a small taste of what it would be like to not be in debt. We're on the way. And if I can encourage anyone reading this ... please pay cash for all but your house! This indebtedness is a downward spiral into monetary slavery. But as I said, we're on a plan. Yea! In the meantime, we're sure enjoying the fruits of this investment. Viva la Citrus Spr...

Daughter in Chicago, voicedialing on cell phone: Mom and Dad rrrring...rrrring...rrrring...rrrring.... please leave a message at the ... Mother in Oregon: hello? Daughter: Hi! What are you doing this afternoon? Mother: Hello? (no sign of recognition) I'm reading... Daughter: Oh, are you still reading Across Five Aprils? Mother: no .... I'm ... Daughter: Mom, can you hear me okay? Mother: yes ... um ... it's Miss Julia Speaks Out Daughter: Oh, you've changed books already, huh? Mother: yes ... Daughter: Mom, how is your blood sugar? When did you last test? Mother: hmmm ... what? Daughter: Mom, I think you need to eat something! Mom, can you hear me? Mother: yes ... you say ... read? ... Daughter: No, Mom! Please go get something to eat! Or get some juice! Mother: I think I'm okay ... Daughter: Mom! I'm going to call Dad. You get something to eat, okay? Mom? Mother: hmmm Daughter: Mom, I'll call Dad and call you back, okay? Eat something! Daughter, calling...

I'm not sure I can quote it, but it won't belong before any mention of a praise song will bring to mind images of little babies, balls, computer generated colors and numbers, and prancing toddlers. Oh, it was so fun to have the next generation over, and work on stimulating a little mind again. Learning is so great when you realize it has a purpose. And there is so much product out there these days! Still, books are my favorite. Especially when read to an eager child. For those of you who have the link, check out Ashley watching her overhead play mat, as well as the DVD playing on the widescreen in the background. What do you think ... is it overkill? Little known fact: if you learned a new fact each second for a million years, only then would you fill your brain! So keep on learning!!!

Alas and alack. It is tax day. Ours were mailed yesterday, grudgingly. We're thankful we were able to pay ... based on a Florida land boom. There is talk about abolishing the IRS. With all due apologies to those who may work for that office ... yea!!! How did our country function -- through the greatest industrial revolution ever -- with no income tax? What was it that possessed FD Roosevelt to saddle working Americans with back-breaking income tax, and thereby demotivating the inventor, the entrepreneur, the corporations who employ a majority of workers, and ushering in the entitlement mentality? Certainly income tax revenue has caused an attitude of gluttony on the part of centralized government. The cry of "unconstitutional" comes to mind. I mean, that phrase has been used for all kinds of non-issues. Someone needs to read their Constitution a bit better, as well as the Bill of Rights. We were never supposed to be taxed... nor is it a constitutional right to kill a bab...

Swirling around in my brain are some aches, a few glitches, some green tea , and a mental calendar of today, tomorrow, and the coming months. It's a good thing that God is in charge, but I wish I'd remember that more often. Family with medical concerns and uncertainty (what isn't?), international travel , relational kicks in the shin, and just the general angst of life. Rats! Reaching down deep into that swirling melee I can reach the bedrock of something I know to be true: eternity is real. My finite mind cannot grasp it, and so my brain continues to ache. But if I set every one of my mundane concerns up against the timeline of eternity, somehow they no longer seem important. Matthew 6:34 (New International Version) as Jesus says: Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Was that meant to be encouraging?

What does a person have to do to get comments on their blog, huh? I mean, I'll take a good dissent as well as an assent. What do you say? Literally... And by the way, I also have some swamp land in Florida I'm trying to sell. Did I mention that this is April Fool's Day? Had any good wool pulled over your eyes lately? Tell me about it.