So, remember the break I mentioned?

Yesterday, the temps went from 41 at 6AM to 4 at 6PM. Ick. On top of that, we had gale force winds.
Back to sucking $2/gal LP out of the tank.
At least it was warm enough to melt most of the ice before the refreeze.

Finally, a break

From the cold. And, from the extreme busyness of last week.
First, the cold, or lack of it. 41 degrees when I got up this AM, expected to get into the 50s today. I really don't mind winter, but the really bitter cold thing we were having for the past while got old fast. Also, we've been having sunny days, which helps my attitude tremendously.
Busyness. Had something every night last week but Wednesday, when I was able to get home by 7. No break on the weekend, either, as I was involved in teaching a class at church Fri eve and Sat AM, then on praise team Sun AM. It was all a good kind of busy, but it does wear on an old guy.
I think I've got a couple of evenings to be home this week. Then, we go to Chicago Sat AM to see the kids and our granddaughter. Fun. Quick trip, we will return on Sunday, but worth the effort. It will also give us a chance to see Scott's new place.
Hope you have a great week, also.

Cold

Yes, it evens looks cold. -10, right now. Brrr.
Yesterday, it was about the same.
This is when cars are reluctant to start [and I don't blame them].
Yesterday was a busy day, meetings until 2PM, then to DM to run a few errands with Kathy. I'm looking forward to a lower key day today, basically church, lunch and naps.
Naps. Mmmmmm.

(Another) Snowy Day

We have had winters that have not lived up to the billing in years past. However, that has not been the case this year.
Snow has occurred on a weekly basis, at minimum. Overnight, we received another couple of inches of snow. Plenty of wind, also, to drift things up a bit.
Makes me glad to have my snowblower.
Hope the road grader comes by so I can get into my office today...

Early Sunday AM

I'm sitting here at my desk. Early. I've been up now for about 1 1/2 hours, because I have procrastinated planning a service for the 27th that HAD to be done today.
The good news - it is done, ready for tweaking.
The bad news - it is COLD this morning.
More good news - no new snow to deal with.
More bad news - that means I don't get to run the snowblower this AM.

Yesterday afternoon I worked at the radio station. A local Contemporary Christian group (the station plays CC music) had dropped off some CD's they had made. I grabbed a copy, b/c I saw they had included a cover of "Free Ride", which if you are of my generation you will recall was originally done by the Edgar Winter group (http://www.edgarwinter.com/home.php). One of a number of classic rock songs I have thought was adaptable to a faith message. Haven't listened to it yet, I'll let you know how it turned out.

In other news, I took a lead from Scott (relvalations.blogspot.com) and looked up who I share a birthday with on famousbirthdays.com. I have known for years that I shared a BD with Stevie Wonder. However, I also learned I share a BD with Bea Arthur and Dennis Rodman. Yikes. So, before you look, think carefully - do I REALLY want to know?

Happy Birthday, Scott!

Our son (in whom we are well pleased) turns 27 today. Before he left to go home after Christmas we celebrated his birthday.

Here he is blowing out the candles on his BD cake. Note there are not 27 candles, we live in an older home and we were concerned about the fire hazard...

Happy birthday, son. We look forward to celebrating many, many more with you.

Caucus Night in Iowa

I caucused last night, something I am in the habit of doing. However, as you may have heard by now, last night was anything but ordinary.
First, Kathy attended. Something she has not done before. And, judging by a turnout that was probably 5 times what was expected (early reports suggest a total turnout statewide of around 343,000) a lot of others attended for the first time, as well.
There was a line around the building to get in to our Pella caucus. That has never happened before, to the best of my knowledge. While it took a while to get in and to get settled, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in what I was seeing. This is what so many have - and are- risking all for, the freedom to have a say in what is done by our government.
And have a say they did. I interpret the resounding victory by Mike Huckabee in my caucus (he received 809 of the 1278 votes cast) as a voter base standing up and saying "We've had it with politics as usual, with the attack ads, with holding our noses and voting for someone that does not believe as we believe." I believe the D's said the same thing with the clear victory enjoyed by Senator Obama.
This could be an interesting race. I'm just glad the focus is off Iowa for now; back to herbicide ads on TV and quiet telephones.
Phew.