I’ve spent most of these first nine days in 2011 pondering service–primarily our service to others and our desire to be “in service” so that we are available when needed, when called upon. This could mean everything from being in service for our family and friends, to providing service to a larger community: a church,…

Read more →

There will be posts like these, on occasion. It’s 10:04 p.m., and let me give you Three Minutes’ worth of thoughts: I’m loving my scanner, but it’s scary to hear some of the things that the police are dispatched for, such as “Individual is driving a Jaguar while on the cell phone and has a…

Read more →

I’m tired. It’s Friday, and it’s been a long week. Do you know what I mean? I treated myself today, though, to a little dip into the past. I bought myself a Digital Police/Fire Scanner, one that is head and shoulders above the one we had when I was a kid. I grew up in…

Read more →

I tell ya. I get no respect around here. Probably the biggest thing I’ve noticed since getting the Bug is the lack of respect I’m given by other drivers. When I was in the Jeep, few people ever cut me off, pulled in front of me, or challenged me in any way. I think that,…

Read more →

I’ve been keeping my eye on the used camera stock in our local (and very reputable) photo shops. Just a few weeks ago, a Nikon D300s with the MB-D10 battery grip came in for resale. It was a recent purchase, too. A lifelong customer of this particular shop had purchased the camera in August. Sadly,…

Read more →

I am proud to say that I am now the happy owner of a VW bug. This is a car that I have wanted to have for a long time, and I could not be happier when I’m in it. I really mean that. It’s like a happy meal on wheels, without all the nasty…

Read more →

(Image, “January Stars,” by Nicc Balce. Check out all of Nicc’s great work at http://robotnicc.deviantart.com/gallery/) I’m a huge George Winston fan (solo piano), and I’ve got most of his works. He’s most popular for releasing seasonal collections (Autumn, December, Winter into Spring, and Summer), but he’s also got a solid collection of thematic CDs (Montana,…

Read more →

Awww…isn’t he cute? One of his far-distant cousins has decided to take up residence in our house. He’s small, he’s furry, and he is wonderful entertainment for our aging cat, Taz. In fact, it’s entertaining to watch Taz play with him, only to let the mouse go so he can seek refuge and give the…

Read more →

A Christmas Legacy by Rus VanWestervelt copyright 2010 Part One: A Darkening Solstice Ellie sits in the darkness by the decorated tree, where faint shadows ebb and glow on the walls opposite the candles on the fireplace mantel. The lunar eclipse—an astral event that happens every 500 years or so on Winter Solstice, is in…

Read more →