Smoked Meatloaf

The meatloaf was a bit dry but not bad. Nice complex flavor from the smoke and cook very well.







Remember whenever cutting wood of any kind with any implement do not become complacent. This little slip could have cost me several hundred dollars if the blade had been traveling in any other direction except perpendicular to my leg.





Thanking God this was not laid wide open.

1Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?

2For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

3He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

5But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:1-5

Gathering Wood

Winter is on it’s way and as I keep saying it is going to be a record cold one here in Tampa thanks to Global Cooling! I just discovered piles of freshly cut Oak in the field behind the house and went right out and began harvesting it. I plan on making a few more trips before whom ever cut it down starts hauling it away. I thank God for His faithful provision!

It has been a beautiful day and the breeze blowing from across the field through the shade is bliss!

I keep getting careless with the Silky Bigboy saw and it bites!

Let Me Apologize In Advance

Something I deliberately failed to mention about our little marshmallow and fire gathering was an appearance by one of the neighborhood boys. He is a good little chap, maybe a little on the mischievous side. I like him anyway and he has been respectful and obedient while in my presence.

Unbeknownst to me he has a little hamster named Hammy. When he showed up at the gate during or fire party he brought the little fellow with him. I went over to see the little fellow.

I was admiring what I saw when I noticed something was amiss. I said “hold him up where I can see him better”. Sure enough my eyes did not deceive me. Hammy has feet but not with flesh on them. Hammy’s feet consist of exposed bone from about mid ankle to the tip of what used to be toes.

Now you can imagine my shock and dismay at such a site. “How long has Hammy been missing the flesh on his feet,” I ask? “Two weeks,” comes the reply. “How did it happen?” “I don’t know,” he says.

Hammy was the picture of contentment even without his flesh. He was walking around on the grass as though nothing was wrong. Anyway it was disturbing so I thought I would share it with you cause that is what friends do.

The Withered Finger

I know a woman who several weeks ago broke a finger, snapped it while trying to break up a fight between two dogs. She immediately reset it and then decided to remove her ring in case it began to swell. She pulled the ring from the finger and the pulling caused to bone to slip to the side once again.

The primary care physician wrapped it up until the orthopedic surgeon could have a look at it. A couple of weeks later when the dressing was removed for the specialist's inspection it was obvious that the finger was considerably shorter than it’s original length.

The image above depicts the finger after the specialist opened it up and used some hardware to make things right. It is going to very entertaining to watch the finger regain its former glory and everyone who knows the person the finger is attached to is excited to have her back to her fully functional self. She has been a model of patience during the whole ordeal and has done Jesus proud!

They Think His Arm Is Broken

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The Body

I am reminded that the body and the spirit are two entirely separate entities. The body is the temporary home of the spirit a temple if you will. Yesterday at church one of my friends and a fellow manly man was strolling up the sidewalk to the church.

Last week I saw him on several occasions with a bandage wrapping his forearm and you can bet I was anxious to see the damage. I asked him how and he said it was the result of a car accident.

Now that the gauze was no longer present I quickly asked to see the injury. It is a beauty and I can imagine the scene of the accident was very bloody. I have had my share of stitches and the experience is a mixed one. It always strikes me funny as the doctor numbs the wound and begins to vigorously scrub the area inside and out. For an experience physician the procedure is routine and they think nothing of sewing you back up.

This is where I start pondering. I have an abiding faith in the God of the Bible and I have been aware from an early age of God’s Word concerning the body. Seeing the stitches reminded me that the body in little more than a suit of skin and flesh and bone. When the body gets torn, ripped, or cut we have it sewn back up and carry on with life.

There will come a day for each of us when we will no longer reside within our body as we once knew it. Our body will eventually wear out just like an old comfortable outfit and it will be thrown away, with much pomp and circumstance in many cases, where it will return to the dust God made it from.

When we know the truth about the body we can live in liberty!

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28

But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. Romans 7:23-25

And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. Romans 8:10

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. Romans 8:13

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. James 2:26

As alway it is a decsion for each individual. It is a responsibiltiy given to each person by a wise and loving God. When you hear the truth you will do somthing with it. The only question is what?

Pulled Tooth

“I got my tooth pulled,” he says. I ask him,” which one”? He pushes up his upper lip with his index finger and reveals the gap. Why did you get it pulled,” I ask? “it was sinking," he says.
He reaches into his pocket and fishes out a folded little bundle of gauze. Carefully he loosens the tape binding the roll of gauze together and unwraps his treasure. Sure enough resting directly in the center of the soft gauze is a freshly pulled tooth still moist with blood. Boys, you have got to love them and being one myself I hope you do!

Blood Eye

Oooooops!

Today I placed the camera atop the tripod with flash attached and turned to retrieve a second remote flash. Count to three and crash I spin around to see the tripod laying flat against the tile floor with the tripod mount and the a section of the lower housing of the camera firmly attached minus the rest of the camera.

I slowly pick up the pieces and find that the lens, the flash, and the camera all still function. It is hard to believe but I am pleased I can continue with the shoot. I must say I am more surprised that I am not overwhelmed with grief and anger.

Every tragedy in this life, big or small fades in significance when seen in the light of an eternity in heaven. Thirty years and by the grace of God I am finally beginning to rest in the truth that the kingdom of heaven is my home and the ravages of sin on this world and on my person are as trivial as they are temporary. The camera body is battered and broken but it was inevitable. My body will experience the same in due time and God my father will be sufficient to see me through. It is obedience to His will for my life that I desire. Let my failings and disappointments be accepted with the grace and faith that Jesus accepted the scorn and rejection of His beloved creation even unto death on a cross.

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. Colossians 3 : 1-3

Being dead is such a liberating way to live!

Rattle Snake Bite

Go here if the warning that these pictures are graphic has not detoured you!

Thank you HG & MG for passing this along. I have handled a few rattlesnakes in my time and have always wondered what would have become of me if I were bitten.

Cancer & Jerry Gomez

Several months ago I met Jerry Gomez over lunch at Pane Rustica. One of my grown up friends from church arranged the gathering and I was along for the ride. Jerry is my friend's neighbor from across the street . Jerry has a comfortable home, a wife who loves him, and three smiling children. Jerry also has cancer.

It was during this conversation between friends that I learned of Jerry’s illness. It did not take long for me to decide that I liked Jerry. He is a gentle fellow and his love for his wife and children were very evident. It was clear to me that Jerry understood that his cancer could cause him to loose his life in the near future. Just as clear was his desire to live a long and fulfilling life raising his beloved children with his wife. He is currently in recovery having undergone all the miseries that a bone marrow transplant entails but I know that he takes time to smile through it all.

I am happy to know Jerry Gomez and draw strength from his ordeal. None of us would choose to suffer such challenging circumstances but many of us will. I pray for the grace and patience to endure like Jerry whatever my struggles may be.

Here is more about Jerry Gomez from others who know him well.
Check out the guest book it is inspirational!

Plink Plink...........Shatter

I parked in front of the pre-school building this evening at 7 pm. I left the building at 9:15pm and what to my wandering eyes should appear but a shattered rear passenger side window. Someone shot the windshield twice as they approached the van and then as they passed shot out the rear passenger window.

The widow that was shattered was on the side walk side of the street so I am guessing that the happy individual was walking the area with a semi-automatic bb pistol! There must be nothing like the thrill of wandering a neighborhood bb gun blazing spreading joy with the your little ball bearings.

Brother Slices Knuckle

Ah the epidermis is both rugged and fragile. What a wonderful thing is the bodies ability to heal.

Woe unto Brother Joe

 

Got a call from my bro Joe yesterday morning, "Someone hit my truck bring your camera!"
In five minutes I am on the scene snapping images like an incompetent forensic photographer. It all happened at about 6:50am when a black Jeep Grand Cherokee veered off the road hitting my brother’s beloved little Toyota to the tune, as estimated by the body shop, of $5000.00. Of course the driver was not the owner of the vehicle and disappeared shortly after the hit and run parking the vehicle at a relatives apartment
a block  North East of the scene.
The detectives later reported that Peggy the runaway driver has a whopping 5 arrest warrants. This is one accomplished lady.