Dude, that's a car!

Some people string up popcorn, some beads, and some lights. This guy strings up his car for Christmas. Yup. Today I was driving on a coastal back-road and glanced over to check out some Christmas decoration. I looked back to the road in front of me and shouted, "Dude, that's a car"! I broke out in uncomtrollable laughter and didn't stop until reaching Rockland.
















Later I had to go back the same way, so I took the camera along. I figured nobody would believe me if I told them about it. This HAD to take some good ingenuity and hard work. I think I will drop the guy a 'thank you' note. The sight of that car sailing through the air with Santa driving REALLY made my day.

New York, New York!

Time Square ... What a fun place!
We took four days off (all Jos could get) and headed for "The Big Apple" for some R&R. Life in the city is hardly restful, but we had a really nice hotel retreat over in New Jersey. So we walked around until exhausted, and headed back over the Hudson to rest. NYC is a great place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there.















I always wanted to visit Ellis Island where my ancestors were 'processed' when migrating from Germany. From there they only traveled a little distance into up-state New York to settle. It felt very strange walking over this floor knowing there was so much history. If those old tile floors could talk - what stories they could tell.



















We went to BB King's club in Mid-Manhattan and took in a show by a remnant of the band called, Asia. Musically, it was the 'pits', but I liked the venue. I would love to go there and see a good show by a complete band. Its almost like being on stage with the musicians.












It was a very powerful experience walking on the hallowed grounds of the World Trade Center. As you can see, this was a clear blue day - just like 9/11 when the planes hit. As I walked around the grounds of this new structure being built, I could imagine the chaos on the streets that day. I could see the fire trucks parked around the block, firefighters yelling to one another about needed equipment, and hear the constant noise of verbal traffic coming over portable radios. It was surreal and overwhelming. Glad to see they are rebuilding.




















I was very emotional while visiting this firefighter's memorial in the twin towers museum. As a former firefighter, I knew very well the sentiment of those who donated department patches, notes, and special trinkets. The feelings were strong and impact profound ... and they live on today.

Labor Day Ride

What a ride! Up on Cadillac Mountain on Labor Day. The views were spectacular!! You would never know a hurricane came through 48 hours ago. The air was so clean and clear, you could almost see the curvature of the earth. And there was LOTS of people in the park.















Josey and I spent the entire day on the bike. A little over 2 hours to get there. We got lunch in Bar Harbor, and then began touring the coast.




















We got off the bike a few times to try and take in the sights. It always feels good to give the 'backside' a break. It was about 60 degrees up there, so soaking up some sun is nice too.

















In late-afternoon the sun shinning on the water makes it sparkle ... I really love that. Its almost surreal, and feels magical. As usual, its really difficult to capture the beauty with a camera. But it sure was nice.















Got off the mountain at low tide ... not the prettiest time of day in the park. And the smell was not all that great either. Extreme tides always expose sea life ... the kind that is best enjoyed when underwater.

We got home about 6pm feeling quite wind-blown and road-weary. But what a day! Its good to be 'tuckered out' on a holiday.

Big Fun

Now I have to say, those Spaniards gotta a good thing going for tradition. The annual Running of The Bulls looks like "big fun" to those of us who enjoy a little adrenaline rush with our recreation. I'm not real familiar with bulls. But I tangled with a 400 pound sow once and lost. So I can only imagine what its like to have one of these 'big boys' breathing down your neck while running for your life. It must get the ol' ticker beating fast!























Found this picture of some white lady giving it a go - which I think is really cool. The article said she was a Canadian tourist, and this just doesn't seem to be something our french speaking neighbors would typically do. But I gotta give her credit for taking one in the kidney for the sake of adventure. She's a right rugged gal!

Laconia 2010

I finally made it to Laconia for Bike Week! After three summers in nearby Maine, I finally found a free day to go. Although I only spent a few hours there, I can say it was "quite the experience".

I rode nearly all day to get there and then back home (about seven hours on the road). And I was blessed to have skirted a few major rain showers along the way. In fact, I rode most of the trip on flooded roads - but never felt a single raindrop.














I spent some time hanging out with fellow CMAers, the group was well represented. Bikers from the CMA are always at the "white church" on Weirs Beach strip. But I saw the colors being worn up and down the boardwalk. I saw a Hells Angels and every other breed too. And OH ... so many nice bikes!



This type of event is so good for me to experience. It gets me out of the 'church' and into the 'world' ... to be reminded of how some people really live. I live a terribly sheltered life. And the feeling at bike rallies is raw and real. People don't pretend to be anything, they just go wherever their urges (or intoxication) takes them. You can see some pretty WILD stuff there. But I draw the line at sundown, I don't stay around after dark when the big party starts.

So now, "I've been there, done that, and got a T shirt". The event isn't even over yet and I can't wait for next year. "COME ON LACONIA 2011."

New Family Member

Please say "hello" to a new family member, Timothy (he's the one in mother's arms). Tim was born and lived in China, but as of last week lives in New Jersey with my niece, Pam. Her and her husband, Dennis have opened their home to this little fellow whom REALLY needed a family.

We are excited about Tim's arrival, because we believe God gave Dennis & Pam vision for this adoption, as well as all the grace needed to love him unconditionally. And as you can see, he has a few new brothers that love him too.

Its a beautiful thing to behold when God gives someone vision for such a thing. A burden started the process of investigation. And investigation fostered a desire to help. Now after three years of prayer and preparation, we see that vision become reality. ITS AWESOME !!!

I just LOVE this picture because it reminds me of my youth. I had a '57 Johnson (35 HP) just like this one - on an aluminum Lonestar boat of the same vintage. It was an unusual boat for South Florida where the extremely salty ocean eats up everything metal. Obviously it was somebody's lake boat from the north, because it was still in great condition by 1970.

I had SO much fun running up and down the Inter-coastal Waterway in that boat. I remember the battery often going dead so the electric starter would not work. Having to crank it by hand was a real chore. Those old motors had some SERIOUS compression, and I was a little kid then.

Sun-up to sundown we burned all the gasoline we could buy. I went through hundreds of gallons (really cheap gas) as we water skied and explored Florida's waters. It was WONDERFUL ... wish I could go back to that time.