2017 Christmas Music Marathon - Day 24

Christmas came early this year. After fifteen years without a pet, my wife and I welcomed Lucy to the family in March and our home has not been the same since. There is more laughter, more entertainment, and more life under our roof these days. The special thing about Lucy is that she was born on Christmas eve, so she is about to celebrate her first birthday. While life around our house may have been changed by a pup, the life of every human has been changed by a baby boy lying in a manger. Have a blessed day.

2015 Christmas Music Marathon Day 19

 

When the grandcrew were younger, one of our Christmas traditions was the "PJ" photo under the tree.

The evening would begin at church with a candle light Lord's Supper ceremony. Then, we would gather at our house for a meal. After the meal we would retire to the living room where we would read the Christmas Story from the Gospel of Luke. The grandcrew changed into their newest "Christmas PJ's, and I would get a couple of photos before we began unwrapping the gifts. It was a great tradition and the results were some of the best "Grandcrew" images that I have.

Every time I see these photos I am reminded that before the grandson arrived, our daughter was an only child, and she had birthed three girls. Even our dog was a girl. Then the baby boy arrived and everybody's life changed. On Christmas morn, the world was changed by a baby boy. Have a blessed day.

2015 Christmas Music Marathon Day 2

Not every Christmas song is easily identified as Christmas music. We have to listen closely in order to realize that the lyrics are announcing the birth of Christ in a new way. Everyone may be familiar with Hark the Herald Angels Sing, but this song declares the same message in a more contemporary verse. Have a blessed day.

Skywatch Friday

First Light

Not only is autumn usually the best time of year to capture awesome sunrises,  but with the sunrise happening later each day, it's easier to do. If you tried to get this image in August, you might have to be awake by 5:00 a.m. and in your favorite photo spot by 5:45 a.m. I've missed some great images by not being in the right place before 6:00 a.m. In the fall you can often be in your spot by 7:00 a.m. and still be there in time for first light.

 

Skywatch Friday/Inspiration Thursday

Have you ever noticed how those big, white puffy clouds can change into ominous grey storm clouds in a matter of minutes?  Life can be like that.  One minute you seem to have the world by the tail with a downhill pull and the next minute it can all come crashing down.  Sometimes you can see the storm clouds gathering and some days you just get blindsided by life.  Sometimes the storm leaves almost as quickly as it arrived and other days the storm is the beginning of a journey.  Regardless of the storms of life and the length of our journey, the Christian can rest assured of one thing, Redemption Draweth Nigh.  Have a blessed week-end.

2014 Christmas Music Marathon - Day 28

Merry Christmas!

 Merry Christmas to all.  May the gift that is Christmas be in your home and heart on this day.  May the God of all creation give you peace, joy, and fill your day with those things that bring a smile to your face and fill your day with memories for the future.

Since we will soon be moving (packing has already begun), I will be taking a break.  I may post a couple of more times before New Years, but I probably will not post during January.  You can check back just to see if I am up and running before the first of February, but my plan is to take the month of January off and get settled as best we can in the new home.  Again,  Merry Christmas to you and your family from my family.  And now, the final videos of this marathon.  Did you have a favorite?

2012 Christmas Music Marathon Day 31

The bear in the photo is vintage 1984.  His name is Boomer (as in Boomer, Sooner).   My wife gave him to me when I took a new job in Dallas, Texas and had to be away from the family for several weeks.  The rocking chair is vintage 1948-49.  I was two or three years old when I got that.  I refinished it a couple of years ago and it sits in the study.  Christmas is a time to recall memories from the past and to make memories for the future.  It is my prayer that you are able to spend time this Christmas with those who bring you the greatest joy.

2012 Christmas Music Marathon Day 24

Each year I put the Christmas lights around the house.  I change a few things each year and move a couple of the pieces to new locations, but the basic scheme remains the same.  Even though I participate in this activity, I've always wondered why we spend time on this tradition...then I found this song.  Enjoy.

Christmas Music Marathon Day 7

It's time for a little Christmas music from the Southern Gospel genre.  One of my favorite groups has always been Signature Sound Quartet.  Here are a couple of my favorite songs from them.  Enjoy.

Skywatch Friday

It's been hot here...very hot.  The afternoon high has been over 100 degrees for nearly two weeks now and it hasn't rained significantly in over a month.  I needed a photo with a little cooler blue in it, but this still has a hot core at the horizon.  I thought about trying to find a winter scene and see if that would cool me off.  This photo was taken in January, but there was no snow on the ground at the time.  Still, I know it was cooler then, than it is now.
Nothing makes me forget about the hot weather, or my troubles like Gospel music.  Regardless of the weather, regardless of my circumstances, I can always look to heaven and say, "Glory to God in the Highest."  Have a blessed week-end.

Skywatch Friday Thoughts and More

Our family vacation this year was spent at Still Waters Resort in Branson, MO.  I would recommend this place to anyone looking for some place to spend quality time with your family.  What did we do, you ask. Well....we rented a pontoon boat with a 115hp engine and a tube.  So...

I got to drive and try to dislodge everyone else from the tube.

Next up, our daughter and Son-in-law rented jet skis and took the grand crew for rides.  It has been said that sometimes speeds reached 55 mph!

Paddle boats and kayaks were always available for free. 

There is nothing wrong with just hanging out in a tube and not being pulled behind a boat.
And, swimming in the lake from the marina or in the pools were also options.  In fact, we spent most of  our time at the resort and very little time in Branson.  It was a great time for everyone.  We're already planning next year's trip.

Since this post is all about the lake and spending time on and in the water, I need an appropriate inspirational song to wrap up this week. So I give you one of my favorite groups, Signature Sound Quartet and "Step Into The Water." Enjoy and have a blessed week-end.

Christmas Music Marathon Day 17

I started this project with an uptempo song from Ernie Hasse and Signature Sound.  I think it's time to hear from the boys again.  This song is from their 2009 Christmas project.  "Every Light That Shines At Christmas". Enjoy

Christmas Music Marathon - Day 1

The day after Thanksgiving, Christmas season officially starts at the Driller abode.  I put Christmas CD's in the cars.  I put a Christmas music playlist on my computer at work and the next 24 days is devoted to the music of the season.  I don't know if I'll be able to post every day until Christmas, but I'll give it a go.  Each day will feature a new Christmas music video.  Some days that is all that will be posted.  Let's get started.  The first video is from Ernie Haase and Signature Sound.  This may not look like a Christmas video, but listen to the words.  It is definitely about the birth of the Savior.  Let the celebration begin.



I told ya this wouldn't look like a traditional Christmas video, but then, I never said I was going to focus on Christmas Carols, now did I. Stay tuned, there's lots more to come.

If You're In The Area

Ernie Haase and Signature Sound will be at First Baptist Church in Tulsa, OK this Friday night.  My wife and I will be there for sure.  It will be a wonderful evening of worship and music. The concert starts at 7:30 sharp. Be there.