Bookends

What an encouraging way to begin and end a travel season. First, the Lord allows me to venture into a "little boy's dream" and walk around a cowboy's town, causing uncontrollable grins to spread across my cheeks, expressing the deeper, undefined joy and excitement buried in my chest. Then, to spend time catching up with old friends from high school and college, bringing a different smile and delight to my face and heart.

Thank you, Lord, my King, for these great blessings. May I ever be your faithful servant.

Oh, and my family makes me laugh too.

Text message from my sister: "Where are you there days?"

My response: "Well, 'there days' I am in Redding. I drive home tomorrow."

Sister: "Cool. Good weather down these?"

My response: "Yes, the run shines nicely down here."

God bless my family. Or rather, God's blessed me with my family. =)

The Final Countdown

Festivals are gone, Ashland

onward now to California

undoubtedly it'll be sunny

returning soon after friends

To Put it Succinctly... (And yes, I CAN do that...)

Now,
today:
beautiful,
God-filled, joyful,
praise Him for so much!
Great

Bucks,
Starbucks.
Yes I did.
Friendly ladies
called me the "Tea Guy".
Grins

School:
Eagle Point.
Great turnout,
sincere interest.
Cool eagle statue,
gray.

Lunch:
outside,
clear with breeze,
by the river,
fancy cabin feel.
Grand

Drive:
southbound,
redwoods route,
river giants,
astounding beauty!
God

Inn:
bayside,
character,
Crescent City.
Boost in my spirits!
Glee

Plans:
weekend
redwoods tour,
driving through giant.
Kiddish giddiness!
God

Potty Day

A subtle theme seems to have seeped through the day today. Well, mostly just the last few hours, but nevertheless, coincidences of a toilety nature in fairly recent succession never sit well with a person.

First, while searching for a hotel in Ashland, I accidentally went searching for...well, something else. A town I certainly hope doesn't exist! Then, while reading a book at dinner the author released information from a story about some young person urinating on the wall at some youth retreat. And to finish the job I actually read an advertisement on a urinal mat!

I mean, honestly. Have we really sunk so low as to advertise (for alcoholic beverages no less) in a toilet?! In the advertisers' defense it certainly does shows a lot of respect for their company.

"Hey guys, I think we have one of the greatest products on the market, don't you? [Hearty agreements from the crowd.] Then let's really show our worth with this next advertising campaign. We need something that will flush all our competitors out of the running. If we believe in this product we should shower it with great ideas. Let's think of something that will get people streaming in the doors here. I don't want one of these shallow-reaching promotions that only sprinkle the population here and there. I want something, great; a downpour of creative thought! [Here, here's and cheers from the group.] Now what could we do that would blow our competitors out of the water? ...Hmm...
...
...
...
...Eureka! Urinal mats!

But I suppose I should let my readers be the judges.

Subliminally Pointless Update (SPU)

Spilled water on my lap, during my nap,
Our little airplane friend did, Ethan did.
Underneath his foot caught the cup, tipped it up,
Trickled down, toward the ground.
Hit my pants, soaked my bum, very dumb.
Ethan's mom: "Sure, take the chair; I don't care,
Recognizing" (said so terse) "I may just nurse."
Now I'm stuck, just my luck.

Open fields Wyoming had, I was glad,
Realizing that the state was in a state
Each stereotype, quite had right:
Grassy knolls, cows and bulls,
Or even colts and buffalo, whaddya know?
Novelties for cowgirls and boys; oh the joys!

Nothing but the sun for everyone,
Only heat, not a drop, one raindrop.
Rather quite forgot, being so hot,
That fall was near, even here.
Here I felt that I could stay any day
Even if adventure called me out past the mounts.
Regretted once again forgetting my lens
No pictures from this trip, what a rip.

Connected more with colleagues now, don't know how,
And laughed and joked with the man, Dan's the man.
Loved his sense of humor and his heart, work of art.
Inviting fellow, seems so mellow,
Father's got a plan for him, not a whim.
Obvious His plans are not, that I've got,
Reflecting often as I am about the plan
Now waiting as it always is inside His
Incredible hand; oh so grand!
And clear to me as neuropsychology.

Hope to see some friends around the bend,
Only have a few more weeks, three more weeks,
Medford, Roseburg fairs, quite the scares;
Everyone just grabs; what's the info? No one cares though!