Wow!  Over 2 years.  Any chance anyone still looks at this?  If so, comment, and I'll post some updates.

Thoughts for mid-January

Sayings of Zen:

Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just pretty much leave me alone.
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt and a leaky tire.
It's always darkest before dawn. So if you're going to steal your neighbor's newspaper, that's the time to do it.
Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted.
Always remember you're unique. Just like everyone else.
Never test the depth of the water with both feet.
If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments.
Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them you're a mile away and you have their shoes.
If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.
Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish, and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.
If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.
Some days you are the bug; some days you are the windshield.
A closed mouth gathers no foot.
Duct tape is like the Force. It has a light side and a dark side, and it holds the universe together.
There are two theories to arguing with women. Neither one works.
Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.
Never miss a good chance to shut up.
Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.
There is a fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
No matter what happens, somebody will find a way to take it too seriously.
Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.

Seriously. Can you imagine anything more adorable than these two? Merry Christmas!

Here are some things I will be thankful for in this coming week. Actually, I am ALWAYS thankful for these things...


Jeff & Charlotte...

Jana and Sam...




And Scott (aka Uncle Awesome), shown here on one of the TWO sofa sleepers we carried up to his second floor apartment last week...

And, of course, my lovely bride and the 34 years together we've been blessed with.

Happy Thanksgiving, all.

So, let's see, it's been what, a year?

So, we finally did something outside of the norm, so I thought I'd post a few pics. Went out to Sonoma, CA for our niece Laura and her fiance Jason's wedding. Great flight out - be it a bit early after a short night's sleep. Got to see some things I'd only seen on TV or films before...

And, some awesome scenery in wine country...

We enjoyed a lovely rehearsal dinner on Thursday evening at El Dorado Kitchen...


And then, Friday afternoon, witnessed the wedding ceremony at the Vianasa Winery. It was a beautiful sunshiny day, but a bit windy.






Then, on to a delicious dinner and lots of fun at the reception!



On the way back to the airport, we had a bit of a detour across one of San Fran's hilly streets...


In all, it was a great time. Now, back to the real world...

WARNING! MAY BE MORE POSTS IMMINENT!

But, for now, how about a pic?

Yes, we had Tulip Time fun. The Dutch cuteness was overwhelming. I'll put together a bit more later. Until then, enjoy the above pic!

My 15 Favorite Albums - volume one

I posted this on my Facebook page, where I have been doing the majority of my [limited] posting recently. This was in response to Jana's "tagging" me (see her list on her site, the link is on the right). Thought it might be of interest to some. Maybe not. It wasn't as hard as I thought...in fact, as the title indicates, there may be another list coming. Or not. I mean, I haven't posted here since last year, so it could be 2010 before I get around to it.

1. The Who, Live at Leeds: One of the best live rock & roll albums ever. Saw these guys in concert in 1981 (post Keith Moon), it was an unbelievable show. Maximum R&B, baby.
2. Rush, 2112: Probably three of the most accomplished rock musicians (Neal Peart, best rock drummer ever), and the pride of the Great White North. The last song on the album, “Something for Nothing”, is one of my all time favorites. I have searched YouTube in vain for a video of them performing this. Some of the other early stuff (Farewell to Kings, Fly By Night) is kinda special to me, as well. The later stuff, not so much.
3. Pink Floyd, The Dark Side of the Moon: This album was on the top 25 for YEARS, and for good cause. One of the early “concept” albums, few have pulled it off as well since. David Gilmour’s solo on “Money” is a R&R standard. I’m sure drummers everywhere have used “Time” as a practice tune, as well.
4. The Who, Tommy: The. Rock. Opera. If I have to explain, you wouldn’t understand.
5. The Concert At Woodstock: See above. An eclectic mix of the greats of the 60’s and 70’s. Don’t miss Alvin Lee & Ten Years After, “I’m Going Home”.
6. Van Halen, any: Hey, they’re Dutch kids. How can I not like their music? I really have no preference on David Lee vs. Sammy, either. If only Eddie could pick it up a bit on the guitar.
7. Queen, A Night At The Opera: Can’t hear this one without thinking of Garth & Wayne in the Pacer. Freddie Mercury was an outstanding vocalist, Brian May a tremendous guitarist.
8. The Who, Who’s Next: Great tunes - "Baba O'Riley", "Bargain", "Behind Blue Eyes", and "Won't Get Fooled Again". The rebellious teen in me loved the cover art, as well.
9. Pink Floyd, The Wall: Second best concept album ever. One of the greatest guitar solos ever on “Comfortably Numb”.
10. The Beatles, Abbey Road: OK, you knew there had to be at least one Beatles album. The irony is, the band was about to break up, but this was considered one of their best products. Not a bad song on the album, in my opinion.
11. The Doors: These guys were way ahead of their time. The tunes still work today.
12. Deep Purple, Machine Head: “Smoke On The Water” has one of the most recognizable guitar riffs ever. I wore that track out on the album.
13. Black Sabbath, Paranoid: From my “banger” days. “Iron Man”. Need I say more?
14. Jethro Tull, Aqualung: After “Aqualung” and “Cross-Eyed Mary”, turn to the second side to hear Ian Anderson’s religious commentary. Thought provoking.
15. Steppenwolf, Steppenwolf and Monster: More from my formative years. Who doesn’t remember “Magic Carpet Ride”? “America” was a favorite from the Monster album.

As promised...

Samuel Scott Tigchelaar, welcome to our world.

As I'm sitting by the fireplace in Lawrence enjoying New Year's Eve with family (sans Uncle Awesome, sadly) I thought it time to post a few pics of the newest addition to our family...

Not - so - sweet dreams, perhaps?

Big sister Charlotte is enjoying her new brother, as well.

Happy New Year to all of you. Many blessings in 2009!

And then there were two...

Grandchildren, that is. Here's a welcome to Samuel Scott Tigchelaar, born 12/27/2008 at 10:58AM. 8 lb., 4 ozs. and 21.5" long. Big sister Charlotte, and mom & dad are all well and excited about this precious new addition. Pics to come!

Writer's Death Has Wide Effect

Amazing the widespread effect of the death of a writer. See this article...
http://www.theonion.com/content/news/nascar_cancels_remainder_of_season

Bookending August

I noticed that the last post I had done was at the beginning of August. So, never let it be said that I've only posted once in August. Just in the nick of time...

Okay, okay...

I was reminded yesterday that I haven't posted for a while. Yes, I've noticed also.
Since the last post, we've been busy going about our lives. Over the 4th of July, we traveled out to Athens (our last trip there!), going through Chicago on the way to pick up Scott. Had a great couple of days with the whole family, including final visits to some favorite places (O'Betty's Hot Dogs and Avalanche Pizza). Watched the fireworks on Thursday evening with Charlotte, who was only mildly impressed.
Throughout July, it seems my schedule was work, go to meetings, and mow the lawn. Every now and then, Kathy & I would see one another. I think that is now a bit better under control (or is it just denial - as I write this, on Saturday, I'll soon get ready to go to work for a 9AM meeting, then I'll be mowing the lawn...).
The exciting news is that Jana & Jeff have found a place to live in Kansas. We'll be going down there next weekend to help them move in. This is an exciting new development for us; this will be the closest they have lived since they have gotten married. In fact, one of the branches I service for my job is about 1/2 way to their house...I can foresee Kathy riding along from time to time and meeting Jana there to spend a few days with Charlotte (and Jana & Jeff, too).
I'll try to be a bit more faithful in posting in the future. Thanks for visiting.

Phew.

This afternoon, I finished my last securities test. This one wasn't quite the monster I took in May, but with the hectic schedule I've had recently, there didn't seem to be a lot of time for study (or was I just tired of studying?).
When one's brain is old, as mine is, it seems to take a lot more effort to make the stuff soak in. Maybe it's my need to understand the logic and concepts, which don't always seem to be present when one deals with government regulations.
Anyway, I passed, with score to spare.
Phew.
I'm vegging out tonight. Tomorrow, I leave for St. Paul for a follow up week of training. A week on the road, away from work and home, neither of which I wish to be away from.
This shall pass.
Hope all is well with y'all.

Happy Father's Day

Yesterday, I found myself in kind of a funk. I couldn't really put a finger on what was wrong, just a non-specific "downer" feeling.
As I was riding on my lawnmower, it occurred to me - I missed my dad. Seeing all the spots on Tim Russert, which mentioned the relationship between Tim & his dad, made me think of my dad, and all the fond memories I have of him. He's been gone a little over a year now, but rare is the day I don't think about him or mention him in conversation.
Most of all, I miss talking to him. I've got a lot of questions for him; guess they'll have to wait.
I've had conversations with my kids already today, wishing me well for Father's Day. I wonder, however, how I stack up as a dad. Methinks there could have been improvements made, but I'm sure about everyone might think that in retrospect. I count myself as blessed to have such a wonderful family, certainly beyond what I deserve...
So, hope all you dads have had a great day. Enjoy your time with your kids, they are priceless moments you will treasure forever. And, if you've still got your dad, be sure to keep the relationship alive and well.
No regrets.

For all you who vainly visit each day hoping for a new post...

It's in process. It's been just a bit busy lately, with the new job and studying for some additional securities exams (one down, one to go)(exams, that is, not jobs...). So, I've got some great plans for awesome posts, just a little weak on the execution of late. So, hang in there, keep visiting, it will pay off...I promise.

Tulip Time brings...

Welcome visitors. Not the least of which would be family. Kathy went down to KC Wednesday to pick up some VIP visitors, ant then took them on a tour of their soon-to-be new home, Lawrence, KS...After the campus tour, they came to Pella for Tulip Time festivities, as well as fun at Papa and Nana' house.More pics later.

A slithery surprise

So, I got a call from Kathy the other day, just as I was about to leave work and head home. She said she needed some help making a problem go away...




...specifically, this 3 ft bullsnake in our greenhouse.

Ah, springtime in Iowa, when the trees begin to leaf out and a young snake's thoughts turn to sunning on a pile of wood. Little did he know the hoe (garden hoe, that is) awaiteth...

This was supposed to be my spring post...

but as I sit here at my desk this morning I am watching snow fall outside the window. On April 12.

Not unprecedented, mind you, but certainly unwelcome. At least by me.

I must say, I am more than ready (is there a word for that?) for Spring and Springtime weather. Of course, after a run of years where the tulips have been long gone by Tulip Time, this may bring another issue - tulips not open by Tulip Time.

Just goes to show that we aren't in control.

Hope it's nice where you are.

Kinda windy today

Here's the view from our deck.
Or something like that. Better have rocks in your pockets if you go outdoors.
Maybe this will dry things out a bit :-)

March is the cruelest month...

as this photo shows.

March 27th. It was nice yesterday. Not so nice today.
As a matter of fact, we got so much HAIL this morning they had to blade it off the highway.
What you see above is snow, which is coming down quite enthusiastically as I write this.
Grrr.
When exactly is this global warming thing supposed to kick in, anyway?