Skywatch Friday Thoughts

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It's been a relatively uneventful week, but I am still have trouble getting around to focusing on some things that I like. I tried to watch most of the College World series this week, but, between rain delays etc., I found myself having to watch ESPN or the news for the final scores. My Sooners are in the losers bracket right now and they will play South Carolina tonight (Thursday) for the right to face Clemson. I would really like to see OU move into the finals, but it is an uphill climb for them.
Hot has been the operative word around here recently. The temperatures have soared into the mid-nineties, and the humidity hasn't been much better. We're only in the middle of June. Something tells me, it's going to be a l-o-n-g, hot summer. In order to really enjoy the boat, I have to be on the lake around 6:00 a.m. and home before noon. I'm okay with that.
I'm headed to Houston on business, so I don't know if I will get much posting done. Stop by when you get a chance, just to see if I'm still here. Houston in late June, now that's a pleasant thought. The temperature and the humidity will both be in the nineties. I should be accustomed to it by now.
Well, what do we do for an inspirational song this week? I am constantly amazed at God's mercy in my life. When I look at what I have done in the past and how I have sometimes conducted myself, it's a wonder He hasn't struck me dead! His grace and His mercy have sustained me through many a day when I have been less than He would like for me to be. I look around at all that God has provided for me, a loving wife, a healthy family, a home that is far better than I deserve, a secure job in these difficult times, the list goes on. When I see His presence in my life, it often brings me to tears, and I can only stand amazed. So, I give you Chris Tomlin and I Stand Amazed. Enjoy.

Wordless Wednesday

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Textures 1 & 2

Ruby Tuesday

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Recently the local Harley Davidson dealer sponsored a bike show. While I have never owned a motorcycle, nor do I have the desire to own one, I love the art of the machine. I love what people can do to customize their ride and make it a unique statement of their personality. This one caught my eye and I thought it to be a good Ruby Tuesday subject.

Here is a capture of the detail on the gas tank. The paint on this bike is outstanding. Have a great Ruby Tuesday everyone.

Skywatch Friday Thoughts

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Mixed Emotions

After the big shake up in NCAA conferences, several questions remain.  What are we going to call the Big 12 now.  Will it be Big 12,-2 or Big 8, +2.  Since the Big Ten now has twelve teams and the Big 12 now has ten teams, maybe they'll just switch names.  I know times change, but I do hate to see Nebraska leave the conference.  In the late sixties, through the seventies and into the eighties, the Nebraska vs. OU was the most exciting conference rivalry in the country.  The Big 8 or 12 title was almost always at stake and a chance to play for the national champion ship was often at risk as well.  In the good 'ol days, the game was played the day after Thanksgiving.  It became a part of your holiday tradition.  Once the Big 8 became the Big 12, and Nebraska moved to the northern division, the date of the game changed and the two schools no longer played every year.  Both schools had some difficult years, and the rivalry just never regained it's momentum.  Oh well, life goes on.

On a brighter note, my Sooners did punch their ticket to the 2010 College World Series Monday night, by blanking Virginia 11-0.  OU played a complete game.  The pitching limited the Cavs to just five hits and shut them out for the first time in over two years.  The Sooners turned several inning ending double plays and their hitting just kept making the night miserable for Virginia.  The Cavalier defense collapsed about the sixth inning as the Sooners just kept scoring one or two runs per frame.  You could see the confidence being drained from the Virginia players and their fans.  Oklahoma is headed to Omaha for the first time since 1995.  OU won the CWS in 1994.

 Sunday is Father's Day!

 And for the first time, my dad will not be here.  We lost him in December.  The single most important job a man can have is to be a good husband and father and my dad was a great one!  God's word tell us exactly how to be both.
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her....So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies.  He who loves his own wife loves himself."  Ephesians 5:25,28
"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."  Ephesians 6:4
I will probably have more on these two subjects at a later date.

And now, the inspirational song for this week.  Here is a group of young men that can really sing.  They are proof positive that there is something special about family harmony.  The Ball Brothers.  Enjoy.



Indulge me one more song. It was sung at dad's memorial service. It is one of my favorite arrangements of all time. Chris Tomlin - Amazing Grace, My Chains Are Gone.

Wordless Wednesday

The Boys of Summer - Part II

 The Grandson - All American Boy

 Base Hit!

 A Quiet Moment

 Unsung Hero

 Out at First!

In the Dugout

 Major League Pose

 Safe at Home!

 Future Little Leaguer

If you like these, but didn't stop by yesterday, then scroll down to my Ruby Tuesday to see more Little League baseball captures.  Have a Wonderful Wordless Wednesday.

Ruby Tuesday

The Boys of Summer 2010

Little League season is already over.  I am taking this Ruby Tuesday opportunity to post a few of the photos I took of my grandson's team this season.  This is their second year.  Last year was Tee-ball and this year was machine pitch.  I believe next year will be coach pitch and by the time they are nine years of age they will have to hit off of a pitcher their own age.  My wife and I go to most of the games.  I take the opportunity to capture a few images of the game.  Later I print them and give the prints to the parents the following week.  It's a lot of fun for everyone.  The following photos may not qualify as Ruby Tuesday's, but they do qualify as fun.  Take me out to the ballgame.  The grandson is in none of the photos in this post.

  Game Face

 Strike Two!

 I Love This Game

 I Am "Baseball Ready"!

I have to admit, I love photographing kids sports.  The emotions are honest and real.  The love of the game is obvious and some of the expressions are priceless.  Come back tomorrow.  I have a feeling that my Wordless Wednesday will be more of the same.

Skywatch Friday Thoughts

This week's schedule has not permitted me to do much with my Friday Thoughts segment, so I will just leave you with the weekly inspirational song. What happens when you accept Christ as your Lord and Savior. Well, the Bible says that you become a new creature. As a new creature, you enter into the Family of God. It is my prayer that you are already a member of God's family. If not, I pray that God will make Himself known to you in such a way that you will realize just how much He truly loves you and wants to have fellowship with you. One of these days, I hope we can all say "Welcome To The Family". This week I return to one of my favorite groups, The Booth Brothers. Enjoy.

Wordless Wednesday

You Talkin' to Me?

Ruby Tuesday

A couple of weeks ago we were on vacation in Destin, FL. I stepped out of the Condo we had rented and this rolled into the parking lot. Something is wrong with this picture.
1. Pizza delivery tips are much better than I thought.
2. Someone had to take a second job to pay for the insurance on this ride.
3. His parents are gone for the week-end and he's driving dad's "Z" every chance he gets.
4. This "Z" actually gets better gas mileage than his '74 Pinto.

Have a wonderful Ruby Tuesday everyone.

SkyWatch Friday Thoughts

 

 Sunset over Bentonville, AR - May 29, 2010

It has been a bittersweet couple of weeks.  The Saturday prior to Memorial Day we traveled to Henryetta, OK to visit the grave site of my parents and place flowers on the headstone.  It was the second time I had been to the cemetery since dad passed away, in December.  It was not easy.  It is just different when both parents are gone. It's not easy writing about it. We spent a little time there because three generations of my family are buried in that cemetery.  I will probably post something more about that visit later.
As I posted Monday, Memorial Day is actually intended to honor those who gave their lives in service to this country.  As a nation, we now use the occasion to honor all of our family and friends that have preceded us in death.
While the visit to the cemetery was painful, because I miss my parents...there is comfort in knowing that I will see them again one day.  For the Christian, the grave is not the eternal resting place.  It is only the place for the earthly remains to rest until Christ returns.  Our Savior has told us that he has gone to prepare a place for us, so that where He is, we may be also.  My parents are now in that place that Christ prepared for them.  Christ also told us that there will come a day, when the trumpet will sound, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then the rest of us will meet Him in the air.  Oh what a day that will be!  I truly pray that those of you who read this are prepared for that day.  It is my prayer that you have experienced God's amazing grace. One of these days, I Will Rise!

Wordless Wednesday

Come on in, the water's fine!