All of Their Belongings Packed in a Trash Bag….

All of Their Belongings Packed in a Trash Bag….

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When our boys were much smaller, Jan ordered monogrammed duffle bags for each of them. Each child had his own personalized luggage. They would load their bags in the car to go visit Grannie and Granddad for a few days. And of course they valued the individuality that goes with having your own bag. Randall had legos stashed in his duffle bag. Daniel carefully packed capes and swords for the trip. Mitchell was more inclined to include weaponry in his…

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A Criminal Has Been Paroled: His Name is Burnout

A Criminal Has Been Paroled: His Name is Burnout

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Pronounce me guilty. I discovered this morning that I have used a word grossly out of context for quite some time. The word is: burnout. I would love to eradicate that term from my vocabulary completely, but that is probably not going to happen. I have expressed on more than one occasion: I am burned out! It is usually a reference to work related matters. Occasionally I might mention it in regard to some volunteer driven project. I realized this…

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There is Room Enough for Two….

There is Room Enough for Two….

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 I heard an old favorite song on the radio early this morning: Up on the Roof sung by James Taylor. It was a popular hit for Taylor during the summer of 1979. After doing some quick research, I discovered that the song was actually written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King. The Drifters were the first to release it in 1962. It reached #5 on the US. Singles chart that year. Here is a portion of the lyrics: When this…

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A Tribute to Papo

A Tribute to Papo

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 My wife, Jan, is my guest blogger today. The funeral service for her granddad, Tom OBrian, was in Friona this past Tuesday. Her thoughts today serve as a tribute to his life. Proverbs 17:22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. My granddad died this past weekend at the age of 95. As I listened to my family’s memories of him, I was reminded of this reading from Proverbs. Papo, as we fondly…

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I Am Going to Shape you Into My Mold in 3 Easy Steps

I Am Going to Shape you Into My Mold in 3 Easy Steps

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 Why is that we expend so much energy trying shape people into the mold in which we think they should fit? In fact for that matter, why do we periodically put forth similar amounts of energy trying to become someone other than ourselves? We are not going to change another human being’s basic personality, so we might as well give up trying to shape him into our image! It is equally foolish for us to try to be someone we…

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Lindsay Lohan? There are Other 20 Something’s Worthy of Honor!

Lindsay Lohan? There are Other 20 Something’s Worthy of Honor!

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 I am not a Lindsay Lohan fan. Actually that is not entirely true. I am not a fan of glorifying bad behavior. The media has chosen to give Lohan’s poor behavior choices lots of attention. She is presently serving a 90 day sentence that will likely be reduced, due to overcrowding in the detention facility. I deal with people who are on their way to being incarcerated every single week for offenses similar to the ones Lohan has committed. It…

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It was Just a Dream…Final Reunion Thoughts

It was Just a Dream…Final Reunion Thoughts

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 I had the strangest dream last night and again early this morning. In the dream, I ate a steak dinner at one of my favorite places in Lubbock with a group of friends, whom I have longed to see for decades. I knew all of these individuals in high school and some of them in junior high. The dream was very odd. There were friends from the east coast and others from the west coast. Former speech team comrades from…

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A Memorial Service for the Monterey High School Class of 1980-Reunion Thoughts Part III

A Memorial Service for the Monterey High School Class of 1980-Reunion Thoughts Part III

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 To our friends from the Class of 1980, who have gone before us: It is July 24th in Lubbock, Texas. We have been wondering the halls of Monterey High School this afternoon. You know it is our 30 year reunion. You are not going to believe this, but the hallways here at MHS….Well, they just don’t look right. They are carpeted and the classrooms are air conditioned. Kids these days… But don’t worry… we are looking beyond the veneer of…

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Taco Villa Was Around in the Caveman Days!! Reunion Thoughts Part II

Taco Villa Was Around in the Caveman Days!! Reunion Thoughts Part II

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 Sir…Sir…Here is your cup for your drink… Oh, I am sorry. I was off in another world, I told the young high school girl working at Taco Villa at noon today. I went on to tell her that I ate there everyday with my friends, when we were in high school. I suspect she thought I needed to be committed somewhere. I was just a little too enthusiastic about eating at Taco Villa of all places. And I think she…

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Why Reunite? Reflections on the 30 Year High School Reunion Part I

Why Reunite? Reflections on the 30 Year High School Reunion Part I

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 The summer of 1979 is particularly memorable for me for some reason. That may be attributed to the fact that it was the first summer break that I had my own car to drive! I went worked hard that summer at the SPD Car Wash situated on a corner of South University in Lubbock near the South Loop. When 6:00 p.m. rolled around each evening, I always had plans with my friends. There were short overnight camping trips, golf games,…

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