Home

I never realized how big our house is. It’s far too large for one person.

Earlier this week I took Squealer to spend a few days with his cousin Grace an hour away. Then Kadie, Scooter and Squealer left for the Gulf Coast on a mission trip with our church. They are going down to assist in the ongoing recovery effort from hurricanes that passed through years before.

When we compared our schedules a few months ago, Kadie expressed an interest in taking the girls on the mission trip. I want to get them involved in these activities at an early age and this one seems appropriate for an eleven and an eight year old. Squealer presented a problem, but PT Girl (Kadie’s Sister) and her husband Sully, agreed to keep Squealer locked away until everyone returns on Saturday.

Since I’m teaching this summer term, I couldn't go and that is why I'm left alone in a big, quiet house for the rest of the week.

Its odd that I can run the dishwasher once and that the sink stays clear for hours...I can walk barefooted down the hall and not impale my foot on a Sorry game piece...Washed clothes don’t spontaneously regenerate in the dirty clothes hamper only minutes later…I can take hot showers…For the first time in a few years, the Rangers don’t have to compete with Hannah Montana for attention on the television…

And yet…it’s hard not to get three hugs when I get home (or four if I can catch Squealer)...The only laughter I hear is my own as I read a funny joke (like this one)...I miss the completely rational (from a kid’s perspective) explanation for why there is—at this very moment as I discovered this morning—a plastic locket (from Skeeter’s necklace) inexplicably sitting next to the ice cube trays in our kitchen freezer.

So often our house seems barely big enough to hold the five of us. Its seams burst as it struggles to contain all the laughing, shoving, screaming, snuggling, frogging, loving, wrestling, feeding, weeping, zerbertting, praying, yelling, eating, spanking, chasing, hugging and living that goes on around here.

But this evening the little house seems huge and I am reminded again by the silence that a house isn’t a home.

The Forum

Professional organizations exist for almost all occupations. Tailors (Professional Association of Custom Clothiers ( PACC ), court reporters (National Court Reporters Association) and sales professionals (National Association of Sales Professionals (NASP)) each have their own organization.

In the field of Biblical Studies, the Society of Biblical Literature is the primary professional organization. In recent years, the SBL has taken a more active role in disseminating its scholarship to a larger audience through an online journal called “The Forum”. Readers of this blog might be interested in the current issue.

Birthday Lunch

Nothing like working on your birthday. Since I'm teaching this summer, I didn't get to take the day off, but did go out with the family a few days ago. We went to our favorite family restaurant and had a good time. They gave me three birthday cards, all of which I loved. There was also an appropriate level of good natured ribbing by the hostess after Kadie told her we were celebrating my birthday.

Her: “Don’t tell me your age, let me guess. I bet your turning 18--No no, I got it: 21!!”
Me: “If you add your guesses together you’re close.”

The family got me an iPod broadcaster so that I can force everyone in the car to listen to my music. (On the way to church Wednesday night I turned on Air Supply’s Greatest Hits. It was, perhaps, the singular most merciless act of my parenthood…All out of love indeed).

But lunch time conversations can be oddly surreal at times. Scooter loves to talk about anything and Skeeter tries to keep up with her big sister. Most of the time, Squealer is simply trying to master his bladder control. Kadie (the good parent) has been taking the kids to the library a lot this first month of summer. They have apparently each inherited my interest in history as Scooter has been reading some British history while Skeeter has been reading about the American settlers.

Skeeter: Our family is a lot like Laura Ingell’s family in Little House on the Prairie. They had a Dad and we have a Dad. They have a mom and we have a mom. Scooter is like Laura and I am like Mary. Squealer is like one of the stinky boys who lived near the Big Woods.

Me: “But didn’t they have another sister??”

Skeeter: (aggravated) “It doesn’t have to be perfect”

Scooter: “Well I think our family is a lot like the Tudors. Daddy, you are King Henry VIII, Skeeter is Elizabeth, I’m Mary, Squealer is Edward, and Mom is Jane.”

Me: “I’ve often called your little brother a Tudor.”

Kadie: “Who is Jane?”

Scooter (patiently): "Mom, Jane was Henry’s last wife, the only one who gave him an heir. She died.”

Me: “Actually they all died.”

Scooter: “DAD!! You know what I mean.”

Skeeter: “How did they die?”

Scooter: “Well, Mom died the same year Edward was born and then Edward died when he was nine. Oh, (turning to Skeeter) and then you killed me. Isn’t it sad that the younger sister killed Mary?”

Skeeter: (Looking stunned) I cannot believe that Laura Ingells killed her sister Mary!!”

Edward Squealer: (Standing up quickly in his chair) "Daddy! I gotta tinckle!!!"


(I've never thought about how to spell tinckle before)

Three Universal Laws

• For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

• A body at rest tends to remain at rest.

• Churches think they will save money during their interim time without a pastor.

Wait....

December 2002

The cellphone went off around 6:15 on Sunday morning, waking me up from a blissful slumber. I was disturbed by the ring, but decided to wait for Kadie to answer the phone. Kadie’s hospital always called around than time. She works as an RN (part time) whenever she wants. They often call her early in the morning and ask if she will work and then she decides whether or not to go in. Most days, she decides not to do so.

And she deserves it.

Throughout our long days in graduate school she had worked full time. But now that I have a full time job (for the first time in ten years of marriage) she has cut back to two shifts a week. It’s been great for our two kids as Skeeter and Scooter love the extra time they got to spend with their Mom. And now Mom is pregnant. (Squealer, as we would later find out, would be born a short month later.)

The phone rang again and I reached out to jostle Kadie awake. But as I reach out, I realize I’m alone in bed…

And then I remember I’m not at home.

I’m in a Motel Six off I-35 in Waco, Texas. I groggily come to my senses as my hand fishes around on the night stand for my phone. I’m in Waco using the Baylor library as I wrap up my dissertation. For the last four months I’ve been going down to Waco every other weekend to complete the project. Every Thursday through Sunday I’ve left the family to make the lonely trip along Highway 31 so that I can live and work in a small carrel tucked away on the third floor, in the bowels of Moody library.

But this would be my last time to make the trip. Since it was at the end of the semester, I planned to stay for a whole week to complete the beast.

As I pick up the phone I confirm on the caller ID that it is Kadie’s hospital. I say hello and expect to hear the familiar voice of Kadie’s supervisor asking for her to come in to work.

But instead I hear Kadie’s voice telling me hello. She explains to me that she began to have intense contractions the night before and went up to the hospital with Scooter and Skeeter. My mom also came over and spent the night in the cramped maternity room. (The girls, then 7 and 4, thought it was an exciting camp out).

I’m stunned and concerned for her health and for the baby’s health. I tell her that I would pack immediately and if I hurry, I’ll be home by early afternoon. No doubt sensing the rising concern in my voice she simply replied

“Wait.”

Kadie “How much longer until you finish?”

Me “Finish what?!”

Kadie “Your dissertation.”

Me “Given the circumstances, I really don’t think….”

Kadie (patiently) “How much longer?”

Me “Uhhhh…I could get it done by Wednesday.”

Kadie “I think you should stay in Waco until you finish it.”

Me “I’m not going to stay in Waco while you have a baby!”

Kadie “I’m not having a baby. They’re just premature contractions. They’ll probably release me today and your mom can make sure we get home safely. We’ll be fine. You need to finish.”

Me “There is no way I’m going to be able to write in a library while my wife is being hospitalized in another state.”

Kadie “Taran…we can do this.”

What do you say to that?! (Besides yes ma’am). She was released that afternoon and I stayed and worked on the last two chapters. I finished my first draft of the dissertation that Wednesday and then graduated a few months later.

I could not have made it through graduate school or parenthood…or pastoring…or teaching…or (fill in the blank) without her support these last fifteen years of marriage. She doesn’t appear as often as she deserves in the stories on this blog, but does appear more often than she wants. Kadie’s been an incredible force for my own personal and spiritual growth in the twenty years we’ve known each other.

(And as I’ve mentioned before, she never reads this blog…thus demonstrating once again her exceptional taste).

Father's Day

A great Father’s Day, in both genealogical directions.

Sunday mornings still feel a bit awkward as I step back into the Sunday School teacher role. In my more honest moments, I suspect that part of my dissatisfaction with decision making in our church is because I’m making the transition from interim pastor back to church member.

But Sunday morning was filled with kids having fun with Dad. All three of them presented me with my Father’s Day gift and then two of them gave me sweet picture/cards from their Sunday school classes. Before Sunday school began, there was a “Doughnuts with Dad” time in which the children’s SS classes were stocked with both Kispy Kreme doughnuts and with Dads of ample girth. (Mother’s Day is a more healthy affair offering “Muffins with Mom”).






Oh, I forgot to mention my best Father’s Day gift. A pair of Speedos!!! With summer swim season arriving soon, Kadie and the kids decided than I needed a new pair. I debated whether or not to post a picture of me wearing the Speedos, but decided why not!! Fun wins out over propriety…I'll include the picture of me in my new Speedos at the end of the entry.

After SS and church we returned home and hosted my own Mom, Dad, and youngest brother Miguelito. Dad, mom and I had a politically charged conversation and simply enjoyed spending time together chatting about a lot of nothing. My brother Miguelito is 16 going on 25 and a lot of fun. He decided to spend the night with us and then gave me a great gift when he offered to baby sit the kids and let Kadie and I escape to a movie. We saw the third installation of the Pirate movie and were pleased. (Sidenote, Geoffrey Rush is absolutely amazing. To me, he was more interesting in this film than Jack Sparrow).























































I hope that you enjoyed your Father’s Day!!!!

On Anonymity

Shortly after attaining tenure, a blogging colleague asked if I would drop the anonymity of this blog. I’d been thinking about that topic already and concluded that I’m not ready to do so at this present time. Here are some reasons why I've decided not to do so...

First, I would like to continue to use this blog as a sounding board for my involvement in church ministry. I’ve not found many other blogs where intentional interim ministry is as much a topic as it is here. Bowden closed down the late great blog Interregnum (for reasons he explains here), which was one of the only other blogs taking up this issue from time to time. Susan Song or Lakeview would probably be fine with about 98% of what I’ve posted about my experiences with them, but if this blog operated under my name, I think I’d be more self-selective than I would like to be.

Workwise, I want to be able to post some stories or observations about teaching at a higher education institution. I don’t think I’ve betrayed any confidentiality, but some post participants (like here, here, or here) might not want the notoriety. (And most would recognize themselves). Since I do blog about a lot of personal conversations, I don’t want others to wonder if what they will say might end up on a blog post somewhere.

Third, safety is an issue. I take some warnings seriously about posting pictures and sharing personal information on the net with three kiddoes in the house. I like to share what they are going through and their perspectives on life, but I want to do so safely.

Lastly, this blog initially started out as a way to keep up with friends and family. And to them, this blog isn’t anonymous.

But this decision does come with some costs.

I don’t actively engage myself in SBC discussions in the blog world because I agree that it’s a bit weasely to put your thoughts out there while remaining anonymous.

I’m probably cutting myself off from some great relationships. I read blogs by folks like Dave, Benjamin, or Kevin, and think “I’d like to get to know these guys better.” Part of the intimacy of their blogs is because I know their names, where they live, and what they do. If they were anonymous, I don’t think I would have had the same level of appreciation.

But overall, I think that it is the right decision…for now, anyway.

Meeting With the Deacons

Yesterday evening I shared with our deacons the essential elements of the intentional interim ministry. We had a, as diplomats often say, “frank and cordial” exchange. As I explained the five elements of an intentional interim, I suggested areas that (in my opinion) we need to deal with as a church before we call another pastor.

Three areas of concern have remained unaddressed by our church. First, we were borne (in 1979) out of a prejudiced womb. Our church (like many throughout the south) decided to leave a neighborhood that was changing from white to African-American. In the early eighties we apparently developed a reputation as a church that was unwelcoming toward minorities.

But our most recent pastor, for thirteen years, has preached strongly from the pulpit a gospel message that was open to all races. We now have several African-American families in our church. In fact, on Sunday night we licensed an African-American friend for the first time in the history of our church. (A fact uncommented upon and even unrealized until I looked into it this week). This transformation in racial attitudes is an important and positive element in our church’s history that has been ignored.

A second area that remains unaddressed is a decision made about eight years ago to build a recreation center. This decision was made when we ran about 150 more people than we currently have in attendance. Its $1.2 million mortgage represents a heavy financial burden upon the church. We’ve established no long term strategic approach for dealing with the debt. Our most common response has been to complain about the lousy so-and-so's who signed up for the debt and then left the church. We need to lay out a long term plan for addressing this issue.

A final area of concern has been our staff turnover. Although we’ve had a pastor for thirteen years, during the last six years (since we’ve joined) we’ve had three youth ministers, four music ministers (really five because we’ve had one twice) and six children’s ministers. From my perspective, we need to examine our policies and procedures for dealing with staff. But from the perspective of our lay leadership, God has simply called some people to our church for a “season of healing,” and then called them on elsewhere.

I mentioned these three areas to the deacons and there were differences of opinion on each of them. Some simply told me I was wrong and that these issues didn’t exist while others agreed with the diagnosis, but not the treatment. As our time together closed, they told me that they would pray about our church’s options for the interim time.

I left the meeting in much better spirits than I did a few Sunday nights ago. Not because there was a greater agreement with my position, but rather because I felt prompted by God to share this information with them and I was obedient to that prompting. Now it is in God’s hands.

Where it has been all along.

The Bad News Miscreants (III)

Well, the moment finally arrived. In our late game on Friday evening, America let out her collective breath as the Lakeview Miscreants won our first game. We beat the host team (an area megachurch) in their own park. I am confident of the importance of this event, because on Saturday afternoon, someone from Tucson, Arizona came to Coffeespoons after Googling “Taran softball”.

So clearly word is getting out.

We dropped the first game 12-7 and won the second 18-15. The second game was a nail biter and no lead was safe. I had a fine pair of games at second base and only hurt us with a couple of errors for the evening. My hitting suffered as I went 0-3 with three walks for the night.

Injury report: I took a line drive smash off my right foot. It hit squarely on my big toe and the nail has turned a darkish hue. But all nagging injuries pale in comparison to the rest of the season. We are moving into the homestretch of the playoff race with our 1-5 record. We play six games over the next nine days, so things should really start to tighten up.

(I mean my muscles, not the playoff race. We’re way out of that!)

Kairos (III)

I was sweating bullets in my grey suit, and not just because of the questions. The A/C unit had gone out and I was sitting surrounded by a dozen men, each one plumbing the depths of my heresy.

Sunday evening I met with our ordination council. Our pastor, youth/education minister and ten deacons were arrayed against me. Also going through the process was my good friend Larry, to my left. He and his wife have become some of our closest friends at Lakeview and I’m glad that we went through the ordination process (he as deacon, myself as minister).

After prayer, the questioning started. Here were the questions they asked:

• Share with us your testimony.
  
• What is your view of the Bible?
  
• Would your children say that you are a godly Dad?
  (My initial answer was "It depends on which day you ask them.)
  
• Can you worship with people who behave ugly towards you?
  
• Do you believe in the virgin birth?
  
• What is the gospel?
  

So the questions were straightforward and no attempts were made to paint us into a corner or any other horror stories you hear about in these ordination meetings from time to time.

The only regret I had was that they made the decision (due to Sunday evening being the last Sunday of our pastor’s ministry here) not to do the laying on of hands during the service. We were told that they would pray for us before the congregation arrived in order to "expedite the service." The congregation did not participate. I did feel bad for my folks and Larry’s folks (and sisters) who all drove in to share in this time for us.

But all in all it was a very encouraging time. (And no, neither Letterman nor Seinfeld came up).

Kairos (II)

So why go through ordination now?

There are a few primary reasons.

First is that I feel a close relationship with our departing pastor. Although we theologically bear scant resemblance to one another, he and I have gotten along well over the last six years. I have supported him in the church and he has allowed me tremendous latitude in leadership and teaching roles. For example, he asked me to teach through 1 and 2 Timothy in a January bible study a few years ago when we disagree on the subjects of alcohol and female deacons. And as I have noted in the past, we've had our share of private confrontations.

The most amazing thing to me is that although he grew up a dirt poor boy from Arkansas, he has led our church (prior to my arrival) through a very difficult period of integration. It is the most integrated church to which I’ve ever belonged (though we still have a long way to go). He has modeled love and reconciliation and I consider it an honor for him to preside over my ordination.
A second reason is that I love this church and would like to have them be the ones who participate in this service with me. My kids came to faith in Christ at this church and Kadie and I have been blessed with places of service. Good people serve at this church. On those occasions when I do leaqve to serve in other churches, I want our family to have many connections to this church.

A third reason is the intentional interim ministry. As I’ve written extensively, it is a solid process for engaging the church in important elements of change. I now feel completely assured that this is what God has called me to do. Having a distinctive calling gives me something specific to be called to.

As to my previous objections?

I still don’t think I need to be ordained. But as I told Brother Jones last year and as I told "my former self" a few weeks ago: it’s not always about me. The church needs times of celebration and times of ritual. The church will take pride in my calling and will continue to serve as a support to me through prayer and encouragement. Wherever I go and serve, in some sense they will be participants in that service. In fact, B makes this point in his comment on Friday's post.

Lastly, I don’t think my distinction between clergy/laity will be too much affected by ordination. I say this because I will continue to be bivocational. Bivocational ministers might have an easier time than full time ministers explaining to the congregation that ministry is not something we pay other people to do.

But in the end, I do feel it is calling of God. It is kairos, God’s timing.

Now if I can just get through the candidacy interview without mentioning my affection for either Seinfeld or Letterman, I’ll be alright…

Kairos (I)

Maybe kairos is the best way to explain the following bit of news. This Sunday evening I’ll be ordained to the Gospel ministry by Lakeview Baptist church. A bit of background.

When Kadie and I packed up the UHaul and trucked on over to the spacious living quarters at Southwestern Seminary in 1991, I had recently been licensed. The seminary requires all its students to be licensed in order to enroll. My pastor at the time helped me accomplish this, but due to the tumult of graduation, marriage, and moving that occupied that summer, he and I decided that I’d return home at a mutually convenient time and then I would be ordained.

We planned on setting up my ordination later that year, but never got around to it. It was a low on my priority list. After that first year, the pastor of my home church was forced out, and there arose a pharaoh pastor who knew not Taran. I grew disconnected with that church, but didn’t feel a close association with our church in Ft. Worth either.

When I went to Baylor, and was called to pastor Lone Oak, it wasn’t a concern of theirs. Neither was it an issue this last year at Susan Song. Plus I had two additional reasons for not wanting to get ordained.

First, ordination is not a key doctrinal issue for me. I don’t know if there’s a fourth level of doctrinal triage or not, but that’s about where I’d put it. There’s nothing wrong with ordination, but it is not required. I follow Spurgeon in saying that if God has called you into service, you really don’t need any one else’s endorsement. It is simply not a big concern to me. (Although Spurgeon goes even further. He said that ordination was a case of “empty hands being placed on an empty head.”)

Second, I’ve always thought that ministers were separated enough from the laity. There is a tendency in the church to assume that ministry is what you pay the preacher to do. It is a faulty division of labor: there are those who minister and those who support those who minister.

But I believe strongly in the calling of all believers as ministers. The key verses of my own ministry have been 2 Corinthians 5:18-19.

Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reonciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

Paul is writing these verses to underscore the fact that all people are entrusted with God’s ministry, not just the leaders in the polyester suits. Ordination simply adds another unnecessary layer of insulation between clergy and laity.

So why get ordained?????

Seinfeld and Philosophy

I work with Religion/Philosophy and Popular Culture a lot, often incorporating the two into my classes. I have no idea how many readers out there (by which I mean both of you) enjoyed watching Seinfeld during its run, but if so, you might be interested in reading this.

The Bad News Miscreants (II)

The Miscreants played another two-fer on Friday evening, and given the fact that I am just now posting the results, you can probably anticipate how things turned out. We went 0-2 again, driving our season record to 0-4.

In game one we surged to a 10-0 lead in the first inning and then ended up losing a nail biter 14-12. That was a hard loss.

We were never in the second game and were pummelled 30 to 14. (Our new rallying cry is "Only two touchdowns and a field goal short!")

I rebounded from my previous poor defensive effort and committed no errors in the first game at second base (although let the record indicate that I also had no chances at second either).

I presented a scorer's challenge in the second game since they moved me to left field. I have the fielding range of a narcoleptic amoeba, so I couldn't get to many hits. I did catch three pop-ups, not an unremarkable feat for me.

Life at the plate was better. I went 3 for 7 with a walk. All three hits were weak bloops over the second baseman that settled into the short outfield area with the force of an arthritic man gently nestling down into a large recliner.

The highlight of my offensive output was the walk. The ump had a fixed strike zone that would've been more appropriate for Herve Villechaize than any of the 5 foot nine behemoths our team fields. Taking note of that fact, I elected not to swing until I was down two strikes and ended up walking on a 3-1 pitch.

Sadly, that was the high point of my afternoon.

Injury report--- I stupidly dove to first base trying to beat a mishandled throw and banged my left knee with sufficient force to generate a sizable bruise. Adding insult to injury I was still out. (Due to toughening MPAA standards, I will spare the gentle reader another picture of a purple-hued injury.)

After sprawling toward first, I was reminded of my age by the fact that my teammates gathered around my crumpled form and said "Way to Hustle Taran!!" "Great try!"

"Are you OK?"

A Check in His Spirit

Our church is still attempting to determine the best course of action in response to our pastor’s recent resignation at our home church. On Sunday evening I met with the Chairmen of deacons, finance committee and personal committee. For a couple of hours I shared the Intentional Interim Ministry (IIM) process with them and explained how it would be a beneficial process for Lakeview Baptist.

Following the presentation I took questions. My biggest concern going into the discussion was with our stewardship chairman. He’s a godly man and one who has earned the respect of the congregation and of myself. He has been very close to our pastor and served as chairman of the search committee that brought him here thirteen years ago. He is, in short, someone whose buy-in is integral to the IIM process being accepted at Lakeview.

But he is old school. And the IIM process is new in these parts. So when I finished he sat quietly for a minute and then said "Taran, I have a check in my spirit." By which he meant (I determined from context clues) that he had a bad feeling about the IIM and that this bad feeling was of divine origin.

As our discussion continued, the gist of his concern was that he feels the process to be too mechanical, and not spiritual enough. He felt that I did not emphasize the signifiance of the Holy Spirit in the prcess. It is true that I didn’t spend a great deal of time in the presentation talking about how prayer/fasting/discernment, etc. accompanies the process…I simply assumed that part.

The other two leaders were more open to the process and all three agreed that I should share it with the deacons and then, if they agree, with the church. I should meet with the deacons next week.

But for someone as passionate about the IIM as I am, it was a bit disheartening.

Camping Trip 2

Some pictures from our trip.

On the way up, we went horseback riding. Here Skeeter meets a two week old foal.

During our trail ride, we crossed several streams, which was very fun for the kids (and the adults).

Petit Jean offers some impressive vistas.

Here Kadie helps Squealer along one of the more challenging hiking trails.

At the end of a long hiking trail, the kids found a wonderful cave (complete with Indian pictographs).

I did mention that it rained, right? Here is what may turn out to be one of my favorite pictures of Squealer. It is raining outside and he has to stay in the tent. His whole little body has a resigned expression as he sadly watches the rain fall.

Alas, no pictures of Ranger Rick!

Camping Trip

We returned from our vacation intact and had a great time camping. Although my family and I went camping periodically growing up, I had not been on more than a one night campout in decades. Fortunately we went with four seasoned veterans.

We camped out with a couple (Jim and Sandra) from our Sunday School class whom we are just getting to know. They have two daughters around the same ages as ours and the four girls have already become best friends.

Jim owns a restoration company (they come in after floods, fires, etc. and work with the insurance companies to rebuild homes and businesses). He drove up to Petit Jean in a huge black Dodge Ram pickup. I took the White Goose with the ailing transmission. It has 187,000 miles on it, but with a rebuilt engine at 165,000. So we’re just now wondering when the transmission will blow. Not the best vehicle to take into the mountains, but somehow it held together.

Driving around the park, we took Jim’s behemoth truck and threw the kids in the bed while the adults rode in the front cab. Since the drive from our campsite to the hiking trails was a mile and a half over empty park roads we didn’t think twice about this.

But “Ranger Rick” did. After we stopped, Ranger Rick approached us and said that anyone under fifteen had to ride in the cab but that the adults could ride in the bed. He then said “I imagine that even [here he mentioned our home state] has similar laws to Arkansas and you should keep in mind that we enforce those laws in a State Park.”

His condescension was palpable and I almost responded that “Well, given my state’s history of governmental corruption, it’s also th3e case that $50.00 will keep a Park Ranger from hassling you for three days. Is that also the case in Arkansas?”

But my basic respect for the law and my even more basic desire not to be beaten in front of my children kept my darker emotions in check.

Plus that’s what blogs are for.


Some random thoughts on camping…


Bug repellant keeps away bugs, but not (alas) children.

I’m told that they emit all kinds of poisonous gasses, but burning Styrofoam plates and plastic water bottles is fun.

Loud early morning geese have no snooze button.

No one can out-pester a four year old. No one.

Every male, irrespective of age, at some base level, is a pyromaniac.

A new tent never goes back into its original box.

Campfire Smores are the finest dessert I have ever tasted.

At home we don’t let Squealer carry a dull table knife, but on vacation we do take him on a semi-perilous hike through rugged terrain.

When it is raining on a camp-out, there’s simply not much to do.

My opposition to infanticide decreases marginally in direct proportion to the number of times I hear the question “When are we going to be there?”

I’ll post some pictures over the weekend.