Hiking in Arizona

I was thinking about hiking the other day. A few months ago a friend and I went hiking in a wilderness canyon- rare in that it has water year round. It was twelve miles off the main dirt road- took an hour to get to the trail head. Surprisingly we met two other groups of people. Part of the attraction of this hike is the cliff dwelling in the canyon. The access to the dwelling is rather steep, my friend and I decided it was too steep and outside our comfort zone. We went down to the stream to eat lunch in view of the dwellings. While we were eating by the stream, one of the groups we had met went up to the cliff dwelling. The lady and two men climbed up into the structure- they were probably in their sixties- they obviously had different comfort zones than us. We had a good laugh about that. The other group we met was a group of men out for a hike like us. As we were talking something seemed odd to me- then I noticed- they were all armed. Each man had a pistol on his hip in plain view. I see this sort of thing a lot out here in Arizona. I like Arizona.

Humilty

We are going to go through this book for our small group. It should be a good discussion type book. The author has a funny line in the forward about how stupid he was to start writing a book about humility- but by God's grace he made it through.

Rocket

* Flies to 300 meters (1000 feet)!

The Alpha III is an E2X Starter Set. More people have started with this timeless rocket than any other in the history of the world! Suitable for ages 10 and up. Features a bright molded one piece fin unit and nose cone and engines for two fantastic parachute recovered flights.

How the Alpha III works is: 1.) Electrically ignited rocket engine provides rocket lift-off. 2.) Rocket accelerates and gains altitude. 3.) Rocket continues to climb during coast phase. 4.) Model reaches peak altitude. Ejection charge activates recovery system. 5.) Recovery system is deployed. 6.) Rocket returns gently to Earth! Replace the engine, igniter and recovery wadding and be ready to launch again!

Complete starter set includes: Alpha III model rocket kit, Electron Beam electrical launch controller, Porta-Pad II launch pad, two model rocket engines, recovery wadding, complete instructions, rocketeer's guide, reusable carrying case and safety code/full one year warranty.

Yes- It's good to have boys!

Here's my card

So I've finally broken down and ordered business cards. I'm rather sheepish about it. Someone in the church was kind enough to put it together and send the file off to the printer. I've been asked several times if I have one- and been able to say no. No longer. There has got to be some sort of business card etiquette that I've been missing out on for years now. I get handed cards often enough but rarely at my request. I'm sure there is some article out there detailing the business card exchange ritual. If you know of one- point me to it- or write one and send it to me. There has got to be some protocol that distinguishes you from the cold call timeshare salesman that just happens to be in the area and wanted to drop his card off. Maybe not- oh well, here's my card.

I usually don't like stuff like this but these are funny- so indulge me

HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO TO MARRY
You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming..
-- Alan, age 10

No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with.
-- Kristen, age 10

WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?
Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then.
-- Camille, age 10

HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?
You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids...
-- Derrick, age 8

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?
Both don't want any more kids.
-- Lori, age 8

WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?
Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.
-- Lynnette, age 8 (isn't she a treasure)

On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.
-- Martin, age 10

WHAT WOULD YOU DO ON A FIRST DATE THAT WAS TURNING SOUR?
I'd run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the newspapers and make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns
-- Craig, age 9

WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?
When they're rich.
-- Pam, age 7

The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that.
- - Curt, age 7

The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do.
-- Howard, age 8

IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?
It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.
-- Anita, age 9

HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED?
There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there?
-- Kelvin, age 8

And the #1 Favorite is........
HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?
Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a dump truck.
-- Ricky, age 10

It's fun to see the world through inexperienced eyes- even if these are made up you cold totally see some kids saying stuff like this.

My favorite is the date that is turning sour- run home and play dead- call the newspaper- make sure you show up in the dead columns. It's good to be married.

(HT:J. Meyers)

cleanliness is next to...

Employee Takes Bath At Xenia Burger King
Burger King Corp. said, "We have sanitized the sink and have disposed of all other kitchen tools and utensils that were used during the incident. We have also taken appropriate corrective action on the employees that were involved in this video.

Additionally, the remaining staff at this restaurant is being retrained in health and sanitation procedures."

see the story here

At first I thought that this was from The Onion. But no, this whole news segment is just one big and beautiful piece of Americana. At least they threw out all the utensils and sanitized the sink, twice. And the staff was retrained.

C.S. Lewis

I got a kick out of the book dedication for "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe."

My dear Lucy,

I wrote this story for you, but when I began it I had not realized that girls grow quicker than books. As a result you are already too old for fairy tales, and by the time it is printed and bound you will be older still. But some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again. You can then take it down from some upper shelf, dust it, and tell me what you think of it. I shall probably be too deaf to hear, and too old to understand a word you say, but I shall be

your affectionate Godfather,

C.S. Lewis