NJ Life

Snow Moon

2012-02-08T22:49:00.001-05:00

The Snow Moon is the February full moon. It was full last night, 2/7/2012 and it was beautiful. Tonight it snows albeit flurries and a mere coating, but how apt to have a snow with the moon so full.

The moon is always a sight to behold whether it is but a sliver of a crescent , waxing or waning it is always most beautiful.

The universe so vast it is not to be understood and a place where there are countless moons, but it only the one moon I know intimately and it is upon this moon I fix my gaze. The light of the full moon illuminating the darkness, it's light so white and bright as it dances across the sky.

Like all light, it guides and the place it guides me is towards God for it is He that has made the moon in the sky. It tells me how I am nothing and everything simultaneously.

The moon sets a peacefulness on my soul like God, it is always gentle, but yet powerful as is He.

I love watching it wax and wane repeatedly, never tiring of it's infinite beauty and various shapes and hues.

Look for it, see and feel it, for it is in this you can rest assured that God is ever present for God's presence, not always seen or felt, like the moon, is always present. Promise.

regrets of life, b4 death

2012-02-02T20:32:00.000-05:00

Bronnie Ware is an Australian nurse who spent several years working in palliative care, caring for patients in the last 12 weeks of their lives. She recorded their dying epiphanies in a blog called Inspiration and Chai, which gathered so much attention that she put her observations into a book called The Top Five Regrets of the Dying.

1. I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.

2. I wish I hadn't worked so hard.

3. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings.

4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.

5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.

Here are mine -

1. Yes, I dedicated to much time to work most especially in my younger days. At times it defined me. Now I try to let me define my work.

2. I didn't tell my family how much I loved them. I tell my beautiful wife and my awesomely wonderful children this quite often. It is my siblings and parents that I need to tell this too.

3. Coincidence. I don't believe in it. So therefore when something seems coincidental I would like to more aptly take advantage of it. Grab it, embrace it and not ever look the other way.

4. I wish I had the wisdom of today many yesterday's ago. Alas.....that ain't gonna happen now is it. That being said-- I wish I would have followed my heart more and not my brain. My heart is much smarted then my brain.

5. I wish I had learned a trade with my hands. Be it a carpenter, a mason, a musician, an artist, a sculptor.......I find beauty in creating things and as I write this @ 49 (next week!) I realize time is disappearing with each keystroke.

6. Yes, I am taking advantage of my blogging rights and adding a #6. There's this bible verse- Encourage one another daily as long as it is called today. Most people would say I am an encourager and while I can agree to an extent, I think I can do better.

Special thanks on today's blog to Nurse Ware, theguardian (www.guardian.co.uk ) and of course God's word (Hebrews 3).

...to love one another.....

2012-02-02T02:07:00.001-05:00

to love one another

shine to each other

give to each other

to show one another

to live for each other

breathe for another

share for another

teach one another

to grow for each other

smile to each other

love

your brother

your sister

another

word

2012-02-01T08:28:00.005-05:00

Yeah, I'm all about Him....you know, God....we can't see Him or can we and can we feel Him?
I MEAN REALLY?????????.....can we??????

I do feel Him and yes, I can see Him too.

Yes, there are a few things that come into play for this to happen.
a) I have to want to feel Him
b) I have to believe I will feel Him
c) repeat this--- I HAVE TO believe I will feel Him
d) now....look for Him, search for Him, seek Him

He won't be hard to find.

You have to look and sometimes depending upon your heart you will have to look hard and you have to believe and you have to look and believe. Then start talking to him.....call Him.

Serious - - - - talk to Him. CALL UPON HIM.

Believing can be hard and understanding His existence can be even harder. I get it.

I have a hard time really believing that He isn't there more then He is. I have to work towards this.
I can see His beauty everywhere and His word is THE most powerful thing I have ever known.

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs

speaking

2012-01-31T18:37:00.002-05:00

I admit it, I am a poor listener. I can bully with words and my listening skill is only endorsed by my ability to interrupt other speakers.

He who answers before listening— that is his folly and his shame.

He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity. Proverbs

I wish this were all easy. After close to 30 years of marriage and 48 years of living, as indicated by the stocking stuffer book pictured above, received this past Christmas, I have a long way to go.

I once even read a book (Planet Walker) by Dr. John Francis who walked North America and did not utter a word for 17 years as he walked. Our educational systems thought so much of him they gave him a PhD. The book didn't help.

Most often people say if you know your problems, then you can address them and while I find this true, I also find it difficult. I had a counselor write the following down for me....while it has been helpful I could use this tattooed on the back of my hand at all times.

Before you speak-

Is it necessary?

Is it helpful?

Will it edify?

Is it said in loving kindness?

The key being BEFORE YOU SPEAK. I will continue to work towards thinking before speaking and responding instead of reacting and only speaking when NECESSARY and using my words when they are helpful and only doing so in loving kindness.

Thanks to my lovely wife Margaret, and our children; Sean, Aryn and Taylor for they have listened to me for far to long and thanks for God's amazing grace for it has no limitations.

...let justice roll down

2012-01-26T18:03:00.003-05:00

But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream
Amos 5:24

Switchfoot put out a song- The Sound (John M. Perkins Blues)

After hearing them perform the song live, and hearing Jon Foreman talk about how this book - Let Justice Roll Down inspired the song, more to say that John Perkin's life, his love for God, his reaction and non-reactions of being a black man, born a sharecropper; who moved to start his family in California, but then following God's plan by moving to Mendenhall, Mississippi in the 1960's when at the height of establishing equal rights felt the pain and hurt, the destruction and saw 1st hand the wickedness of man, that John Perkins, that is what inspired this song; The Sound.

"John Perkins said it right.....love is the final fight"

"There is no song louder then love"

God will roll the justice down. It is His to call.

and when it rolls down, rolls like waters and His righteousness like an everlasting stream; that is what I want to understand...how it is - - ALL HIS....and not mine....that my battle, is maintaining His love, showing His love. My battle is exposing my other cheek and walking two miles. This love, this uncomprehendable love, it needs to be understood and embraced and embellished by everything we touch.

John Perkins....a man who had more reasons (I pray) then I will ever have to show justice, did not, and let God have the call of justice....may we do the same.

dijon mustard, I love you

2012-01-23T21:42:00.000-05:00

I love a good hot dog, honest I do. Simple food, topped with dijon and of course, no ketchup. The breaking of bread and sharing of food. Sacred for all time.

I don't think life gets much better then when you are sharing food and life with others.

For the basics remain - - food, shelter and clothing
To have these things, these basics, are blessings beyond what we can imagine. We need to relish in them, give thanks and praises to Him who provides for He is good and great.

Taking the low road, the road of low recognition, the road to; not about me, but about you....well that is hard. SO hard, so very, very hard. Even when singing at church...."it's all about you Jesus" somehow the "you" get's replaced with me in my mind....forgive me Father.

Let's be salty....salty, salty, salty so salty that when people see and hear you that they know the goodness. They know the Christ! The truth and the light. Let our words and actions permeate the air with the aroma of the goodness of Jesus Christ.
This IS our calling. This IS our duty as believers.

Dinner was good tonight.....albeit spent with a hot dog on the 8:45 PM train out of DC and no one else....no one else that is, but you. Thanks for listening.

"But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. But whoever loves God is known by God.^{" God's Word}

note from travel

2012-01-21T21:15:00.001-05:00

In 2002 Mar and I won a trip of a lifetime! A trip to Paris, France, all expenses paid. We quickly learned that we could CHANGE the destiny of this trip and travel to anywhere and........we did.

We traveled to Tegucigalpa, Honduras in Central America. We had been there before and had good friends there. We decided to spice it up a bit with a true relaxing vacation at the tail end of the trip, for four days.

The beginning of the trip was spent staying with our good friends Cesar and Maritza and their children in their home. We enjoyed watching the World Cup on their tiny, fuzzy tv (Brazil eventually won) and traveling around the country to visit other friends in villages like Chichicaste where poverty is king.

Then came Roatan, worlds away from mainland Honduras, but not entirely. Roatan is a small island featuring world class diving 40 miles away from the mainland.

We stayed at the lovely Pearl Island Resort and were enthralled beyond words with the snorkeling. We can tell some serious stories. Our eyes have never been more fascinated with the features and awe-inspiring riches of our world then here.

We relaxed, and it is here I would like to share my passion. Isabella was the maid of the resort. We were the only guests (June; low season), the owners were absent and we got to know Isabella, share breakfast with her and talk. She earned 8.00 per/day wages, worked 7 days a week and it cost her $2 per/day to take the bus to work. Her net was $42 per/week. She was happy for the work.

It was here we also went shopping and I love to negotiate, and negotiate I did. We met up with Sandra, a young Guatemalan living in Roatan. She had weaved a beautiful table covering that we had decided to splurge on. Sandra wanted $65, but I knew I could do better and for 30 minutes or so I proceeded to try to talk her down as low as 20 and finally up to 50. She never budged. This was tiring. She would not give in and it was here, finally, where I recalled Isabella's wages and how Sandra had spent hours upon hours weaving this beautiful table cloth and how poor this nation was and here for 20 dollars or so I wanted to prove my authority and my own personal greed.

Needless to say. We own a beautiful tablecloth, my pride has since recovered, and now reading a journal entry or two from 10 years ago sparks these memories as vivid as yesterday.....now if I could just hear//smell the ocean......ahhhhhhhhhhh

Sometimes Daily

2012-01-06T08:09:00.000-05:00

Sometimes Daily

Things are running through my mind this AM....the song Struggle by Ringside is playing in my head. The sun is rising in the east and all I can think about is how messed up I am as a dad a husband and a human.

I have made a study of motivation and confidence; where they come from and how we get more of them. Well right now, they are out the window. And as much as His mercies are new every morning, and I relish that they are, I do, I JUST CAN'T SEEM TO SHAKE MY SADNESS TODAY.

I think that that's part of the godly thinking...that we need to know that He is in our corner, always and forever. He will never forsake us. I long for that day, on my knees, giving Him praises, worshiping Him.

Till then I will try to keep my head up even in the shadows for it is the shadows that prove the sunshine.

Going to go read Psalm 73 and then put some Switchfoot on.

1st Snow 2012

2012-01-05T13:40:00.000-05:00

light in snow 1/5/2012

What started as the tiniest of flurries appearing to be dust gently gliding to the earth, became a dusting as the clocks turned past midnight last night. Twas a beautiful sight to behold, the 1st snow of the winter!

The morning came and a covering of snow blanketed our town. A father and his two young boys played in the covering making snow angels as the father captured their images.

It is weather that can make us stop, sometimes without choice.

Stop and laugh, stop and see and hear.

I love to stop. For it is then that I rest and find peace. So let it snow and snow and snow for I appreciate stopping in the moments.

day after precious day

2011-12-30T08:16:00.000-05:00

Every day anew, over and over and over and yet they are so very precious.

In an open thought to God...

God, I am so sorry. It seems like the past two years have not been yours, but mine. I do so ever wish I could give them back to you, but I can't. Thank you for giving me today. I will work hard at being nice to others today. I will work hard at not judging others today. Forgive me when I fail Lord....forgive me.

" I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked." Forgive me Father.

"But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works" Psalm 73

back in the saddle

2011-09-08T21:14:00.002-04:00

Tonight a friend, Brett is getting a liver. An eight hour operation. Hard to believe. I take my liver for granted. I take life for granted. It always seems to be there.....even though I know one day it won't.

What would we give for a day? One day. One 24 hour day. What is the value. Isn't it time to stop taking these days begrudgingly and start taking them and giving thanks?

I am on the 8:45 train home from DC. I had dinner with Quig @ Verenda. He had the lamb shank and I had the filet. It was pouring rain. We both arrived soaked to the bone. We talked...really he listened. I am thankful for him. I love him. He is a good man, a good friend, a believer and yes that believer part makes a difference. It gives us a bond, a common truth that is not shaken.

It's a crowded train. a different crowd then the 9-5er's. A working crowd. A smiling crowd. It is a good crowd. A crowd of people that are living life and enjoying today. What would you give for a day?

What is it worth

impact

2011-05-19T00:28:00.002-04:00

Just finished reading "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch. To say it impacted me is to put it mildly.

The shortness of life, the knowledge to know what matters and the desire to grow. Things I think I do, but knowing I can do them better, better for having read Randy's words.

The bible stands far and above in being the book most impacting my life.

The Green Mile- the book; blew me away, good and evil, classic/ingrained. And in the end....evil wins, at least here on earth.

The Last Lecture; an intelligent articulate man of integrity giving his children himself. Pure.

If I have nothing to give, I have yet myself which is far more valuable then all and it is time to give of myself and doing this is acknowledging who I am and loving myself for the goodness that I know of in my heart.

Thanks for listening.

My Amazon Wish List

2011-01-28T18:48:00.004-05:00

So I was listening to Ryan Adams on youtube performing "When the Stars Go Blue", and I was listening over and over since I am learning to play it, in fact I am listening now or at least trying to as the song loads via air card 10+ minutes outside of Philly on the Amtrak.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgrljNU_2w0
(link to song above)

I had noticed this book earlier, something caught my eye from a good distance and I don't know what it was; was it the title, the cover, something....what was it???

Little Princes-One man's journey to bring home the lost children of Nepal-- My kind of book. A book of meaning of substance, a book that makes a difference about a man who did so.

I had set a reminder in my phone with the book title so that when I was training home it would pop up and I could check it out and it did, while I was listening to stars going blue, over and over. I viewed the book decided I wanted it, but first need to finish the book I am reading and the one in the waiting line.

I went to save the book, save it to my Amazon "wish list" and it was then, scrolling through the 43 items on that wish list that I realized...I may not have time to read all of these books. It was then I realized...time, time, time and you.
Do i know you, have i told you, told you I love you?

I love you.

Peace friend peace

take me home

2011-01-11T08:07:00.003-05:00

Phil Collins is the type of artist that I have always loathed. He made it successful in the pop world and to me that automatically strikes you from my listening, except I secretly liked him.

In 1985 Phil put out an album called "No Jacket Required" and on it is a song that I find myself singing more times then I care to admit. No it isn't Sussido, thank God, but "Take Me Home" and I think the reason I find myself signing this is I am actually praying/speaking it to God.

I long for heaven....no crying, no dying, no pain, no more tears....yes, I believe in the good of the God, and I long for it.

Believing in Jesus and heaven is not something I do out of thinking I am imperfect or for reasons of submission; as much as having searched the world, the scholars of the world and the hearts and minds of men and womanI have found few truths of life-- God is one of them.

"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise." Proverbs 11:30

change of heart.

2010-11-29T08:39:00.003-05:00

There has been a lot of change going on in my life, chameleons change color and then change back again. I want the change I am experiencing to remain permenant.

I have been working on being a better man, better husband, father a better man in God's eyes.

Tis isn't always easy.

Forcing and maintaining this change is causing a lot of ripples. Ripples in my life and others. lives.

As much as others volunteer to help and assist ME with MY change, it is really up to me and no one else. We are all responsible for ourselves and others are not responsible for our feelings/actions/thoughts/demeanor/attitude.

The end result is good.
I feel better about myself.
I like who I am.
I feel closer to God.

But change is hard, the chameleon (think Pasquale in Tangled) changes his color, but always changes back.

The heart is the key. If you want real change, hardcore, see the difference, know there is a difference change, then it must be from the heart.....see Pasquale's change is only skin deep and as vivid as his change is, the depth of it is known by all.

Change of heart.

I forgot to let my annual Christmas beard grow. I like to stop shaving on Thanksgiving and then shave on Christmas. This year I am changing it. (12/25-2/14)

so you, thought you, might like to, go to the show

2010-11-08T19:53:00.003-05:00

It's 7:45ish and my bud just called and said he has a tix for tonight's performance of The Wall. The train is now leaving Wilmington DE. I have my guitar and two bags of luggage and need to get transportation to the show. He said Roger does not hit the stage till 8:20...I asked him to tell Roger to go on at 9. Fat Chance.

To be cont.

Wil hooked me up, dropped my bags at the Amtrak counter for 3 bucks each and I can pick them up in the AM.
Trained it to the "Wells Fargo Center" and made it to the show by 8:45, one hour after getting the news. I missed a bit, but saw PLENTY. This did not resemble a typical concert---I mean it was Pink Floyd (aka Roger Waters) and yes I have now seen Floyd (at least a semblance of them) . I will be posting a full review on my concert review blog. stay tuned.

2010-11-08T19:53:00.000-05:00

What I'm reading...

2010-11-07T14:08:00.002-05:00

Junger wrote the Perfect Storm which was an amazing book and forced me to keep him on my radar as an author to watch.

A few of his books have come with less positive feedback in the aftermath of the storm and I have laid him low on the priority list enjoying the occasional magazine article and such, but keeping the books at bay till now.

WAR- I saw this at the local Barnes, ordered it from Amazon the next day and got it shortly thereafter. It has certainly been a quick moving intriguing read, but not quite as gripping as I anticipated, but certainly as telling.
War is an interesting concept, Junger is keeping an unbiased thought process for which I am grateful and even though I am not done reading I feel compelled to share some wisdom.

EXCERPT- "They have a huge shoulder-fired rocket called a Javelin, for example, that can be steered into the window of a speeding car half a mile away. Each Javelin round costs $80,000.00 and the idea that it's fired by a guy who doesn't make that in a year at a guy who doesn't make that in a lifetime is somehow so outrageous..."

So, I wonder....how many Javelin rockets have we fired and how many have we purchased and what if we put the money spent on that towards the overall good of people?

Yeah....they bombed us....first? I don't know, but I learned in 6th grade from the assistant principal, Mr. Parker that "two wrongs, don't make a right".

Peace,

Tate

learning how to fly

2010-11-05T09:24:00.005-04:00

every day, every morning, every minute and moment more special then the last

I am learning how to fly, fly with wings like an angel, isn't that true trust? When you can fall and then fly? This is not in the traditional sense, this is in the trust sense.

Trusting others with all.

The TRUST FALL

I have participated and conducted trust falls where one is above the ground and trusts those below to catch. That is easy...you KNOW they will catch you.

What about trusting yourself, your thoughts, your breath?

It is time to grow, time to fly....cut the strings of doubt and despair and spread your wings of life and let the light shine.

TRUST. Trust yourself, trust your HEART, trust God...for He will never, ever, ever abandon and will always love like no other.

feel His warmth.

mornings

2010-10-31T08:34:00.003-04:00

I awoke this morn' and was thankful for the day. Hard to believe I have another day before me and I think; what will I do with this day, what will I make of this day, what could possibly stand out and make this day any brighter or sunnier or lively and full of life?

And then I think of Him, yes, God, how He loves everybody and I do mean EVERYBODY, God doesn't choose me over you or you over me, He loves us all.

And I think of how we all fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) and how we are all sinners, that we all are imperfect, we are just "men".

And I think of my sons and how obedient they are to me and me to my dad and how Jesus was obedient to His father and did what was asked of Him....and yes, He did it for us. For us to live not only eternally of which He promised, but also to live now, right now with joy and peace.

So let us take this day as it is, as a gift and unwrap it slowly enjoying the moments and the people with love as He loves.

family

2010-10-22T12:13:00.003-04:00

Flew into Tampa Bay this AM. Visiting with my sister Paige, hubby Tom and nieces Emily and Riley. And we should not forget Peanut, but she will get a whole post.

Had to knock out a work issue so Paige and Mar (my lovely wife) dropped me at the house as they went to pull the kids out of school for lunch at the local Moe's.

Got to walk around my sisters house for a few minutes and absorb her homemaking skills. Simplicity at it's best.

I think Riley's art really states it all.

Love my nieces.

Good Morning "Today"

2010-10-13T08:15:00.002-04:00

Dear "today",
Good morning to you! It is great to see you again. I missed you as I slept last night and am so glad to see you again! You look great, and you are definitely bringing your new look and feel full swing. I can feel your crispness today and I really like the new colors you are using and I love the way you fluctuated your brightness this morning.

I am really looking forward to seeing you all day. I hope it is a long day.
You are really making me smile, my good friend, "today".....thanks for being there!

Love,

Tate

Time w/Dad

2010-10-11T21:48:00.002-04:00

It's Monday night and spent some time watching Pawn Stars and American Pickers with my dad, but before we did that I baked some pizzas. They were surprisingly good. I didn't think the dough was going to come out good, but it did.

Nothing spectacular happened during the meal or the television watching; we traded some info/knowledge we had and enlightened each other, but mostly we just enjoyed the pizza and the time.

That is something I am taking more advantage of..."time". Time is so precious and I have been letting it slip away and not taking advantage of moments and the opportunities those moments present. Finding the time to make the dough and letting it rise. finding the time to make time for dinner w/dad. Finding the time to make the calls to the people we care about.

These are the things I am trying to accomplish.

I went to an oldie, but goody today- "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
Galatians 5.

I really like the part about "against such things there is no law"; what I think I have found, in life is that if you practice the fruits of the Spirit there really is no law against them. Always take the lower road, the opposite of what the world wants. When we do these things, our life is fuller and more complete and most of all...much more satisfying.

Let me practice these things for I lack "self-control" and "gentleness" and I am not always very "kind". May I find peace and joy in all of the fruits as I learn how to be like them.

The Story of Sean aka Buckaroo Banzai

2010-10-09T12:25:00.004-04:00

It was 26 years ago today that our 1st born was born, Sean Patrick Perazzelli.

It was about 10:00ish AM on Monday 10/8/84 that Mar's water broke and off to the hospital we sped to spend the entire day there. Mar remembers me leaving her side throughout the day and I of course remember little.

Fast forward- the evening has come, Mar isn't dilated and the premiere of the Burning Bed is on national television....wow...good TV huh? Farrah Fawcett running away from her abusive husband...just what the Dr. ordered.

The movie ended at 11:30...that's how you knew it was really special...it went beyond the normal 11 PM end time. Finally....permission to change channels (yes, we were waiting for our baby to be born) and lo' and behold- Oakland/Seattle and Seattle comes back to beat the Raiders--yay!.

Mar is starting to experience more pain, maybe it was the football, but her desire to go 100% natural is quickly diminishing and with that an epidural is requested...say it's about 12:05ish and the nurse administers the shot and within minutes Margaret is feeling a MAJOR and I do mean MAJOR desire to push. I go and find the nurse who returns with me, takes one look under Mar's gown and say's "DON'T PUSH!, I'm going to get the Dr. and you (pointing to me) need to get your gown on...NOW". So the nurse runs out and I run out to get changed leaving my lovely wife alone with a strong desire to push this baby out!!!!!

Somehow we make it to the operating room in all it's sterility with giant lamps focused down and masked people all around. I have two cameras with me...a Polaroid and some other camera and not one pic came out....they were all out of focus from me shaking.

Mar pushes him out---Stop---HIM, we were not having a boy, we knew we were having a girl and in our own blindness did not realize having a son was in the plans and we did not have any name or any plans on how to proceed. I remember Mar smiling, I remember his head, all pink and elongated like a football (the nurse quickly told me that his head would reshape) and I remember the nurse saying...."it's okay, you can touch him" and I looked at her with seriousness and like are you sure I can touch him? Wow....what a beautiful moment of life.

Mar held him....we were both so young. Mar looked content. I hung till she fell asleep at least I think I did and at some crazy early AM hour drove home from Voorhees to Pine Hill. It was during this time that an amazing thing happened. It was now Tuesday, October 9th and in the dark , dark night while driving home, elated, with the radio on they were playing Beatles and not just any Beatles, but two songs (double shot Tuesday) and all I remember is this incredibly poignant moment happening in that the song that came on was "Beautiful Boy" and John singing to his son Sean. Wow, wow, wow....and after the song was played the DJ came on and said...."Beautiful Boy by John Lennon written for his son Sean who both share today; October 9th as their birthday and all I could think was S-E-A-N, how perfect, how beautiful, how amazing for he, our son, is a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful boy.

A few hours later upon returning to the hospital I let Mar know of my of my drive home and of what I thought we should do in naming our son and we did, we named him "Sean" as he shares John and Sean Lennon's birthday and he truly was and is a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful boy.
Happy birthday Sean!!!!

people and raspberries

2010-07-30T16:20:00.004-04:00

I picked my 1st raspberries today. Picked a handful, I did. I have to keep remembering that it is the hand that plants, the hand that picks and our God that grants sunshine and rain.

Raspberries are easy.

People are more difficult.

I like to share my raspberries with other people.
It's more fun.
We smile.

Jesus has it right.

Turn the other cheek.

Help the robber in the ditch on the side of the road.

They are your neighbors.

Focusing on the needs of others is and can be painful, but it is our calling, it's what Jesus did and we are to be like Him.

I want to be like Christ. I don't need raspberries, but I need fellowship with people.

Remember Tom Hanks in Cast Away?
He made Wilson, for company, companionship, for LOVE.

love, love, love

love, love, love

love, love, love
lovelovelovelovelovelovelovelovelovelovelovelove

love

hypocrite

2010-05-05T01:32:00.002-04:00

- a person who professes beliefs and opinions that he or she does not hold in order to conceal his or her real feelings or motives

Sometimes I wonder, I wonder who I am. Just a big fake, putting on some show of something or other that confuses even me.

Maybe I am, am a hypocrite that is. Truth is I am not even sure. I am just sure of one thing and it's where I rest everything with all of my truths/lies and faults. And that is Jesus. So if all of this comes across as fake or false to you, I am sorry.

I do things I am ashamed of.
I say things I am embarrassed to say.
My actions are not always pure.
My thoughts...well God help us there.

Grace/Mercies/Love
God gives us all of this daily/hourly and by the minute, but do I accept it?

where who what how when Arrrrgggghhhhhh!!!!!!!

I lay my head down every night somewhere
it rests easy because despite my inequities Jesus is the one thing that I know.

(I have recently been called a hypocrite by 3 different people, one of whom is very close to me)
these words hurt, but are mere words
not whips
not chains
not nails

When that (being called "that", that is) happens it gives you a serious gut check.

take my world apart please Lord.....break it, shatter it-- SMASH IT.
Let me die daily.

I have and am nothing
utterly nothing

Love is.....

2010-05-03T22:26:00.005-04:00

Next to Quebec City Hall- The tulips had just started blooming

The most European city in all of North America-- AGREED!

Our innkeeper stated this is where to get the best dessert in all of Quebec- we bought 3

Lunch on the grass
with my best friend
Margaret Mary

Love is....

Lady shopkeeper- Married?

Margaret- Yes, 28 years in June
Lady Shopkeeper- What is the secret?
Margaret- Many things help, but the real secret is Jesus Christ
Lady Shopkeeper- No one has ever said that before, I like it

walk the streets

2010-04-21T23:18:00.000-04:00

i am going to go walk the streets

i think that's where the lost are

Dear God

2010-03-10T00:40:00.002-05:00

There's this song(s). If you are a music lover---go for it! "Laughing With" by Regina Spektor and "Dear God" by Monsters of Folk.

SEARCHING aren't we all? I believe I have found the truth. The search is over, but the truth is....I doubt. I do doubt, but I don't, at least not publicly or do I? IDK!?!?!?!?!?

seconds

enjoy them

use them

4 the glory f God

everything else is meaningless

today.....(tomorrow?)

2010-02-17T00:06:00.002-05:00

would've should've could've

leave it all on the floor

the next 2-3 years

work

till there's nothing left

a new dawn

2010-02-17T00:00:00.001-05:00

who knows what the day will bring

do not plan for tomorrow for you know what not today may bring

a new dawn
a new day
life

MERCIES NEW EVERYDAY!

2010-02-10T02:38:00.002-05:00

the snow, like the light of CHRIST making everyday anew has covered the sin, yes, the "sin" of life with a blanket of pure white snow...making "IT" anew.

"it" being life, the very life that makes us anew.

Pursue Christ
passionately
today
this moment
now

harmony

2010-02-08T01:17:00.008-05:00

"harmony"

Two twin homes, side by side
The first two homes have a barrier
The second have none

these two, twin homes, are next to each other

someone extended love and shoveled all

someone else didn't

God still loves all

Can't we, can't me?????

the SAINTS!

2010-02-06T23:20:00.004-05:00

The storm surge was 20'-30'.
"Katrina"

Feb 6th, 2010 "snowmageddon" storm
upwards to 30" of snow blanketed in what is
arguably the wealthiest most populated sector of the world

Tomorrow the New Orleans SAINTS take the field
in the epic Superbowl match

Peyton is Goliath in stature
The "aint's", 'nuff said.

Today I saw a "Fluer-de-lis"
In an epic snowstorm

Who are the SAINTS?
We are the SAINTS!

good prevails

(I'm just sayin')

the impossible---DEFEATED (well almost)

2010-01-14T18:35:00.003-05:00

Today at 2:00 I decided that I would attempt to catch the 5:05 leaving Union Station DC for Philly with a Matchbox Meat Pizza in tow for the one of my favorite sons, Tails (pictured). Incidentally I have two favorite sons Sean & Taylor.

Since I was at Union Station when I decided this it should have been pretty easy.....right?
I also had to accomplish many tasks between that time and get back to Union with said pizzas.

1. take Metro red line to yellow to Crystal City and get 500 copies of stuff from Kinkos

2. find out that my pre-ordered kinkos stuff was all done in portrait when it was sent to them in landscape....wait an additional 30 minutes. they discount the job by 100.00--it's never about the money people...it's about the people.

3. take metro yellow to pentagon city fashion center mall and have mini conference with store management & order said pizza

4. take yellow to "downtown chinatown" (gosh i love saying that) and pick up pizzas (hey, I ordered one for me too!)

5. take red to union station and distribute some stuff and do some HR and then have a heavy meeting with district manager...it's 4:23PM

6. looks like i might accomplish the impossible, but once again I talked too much and missed the train by literally one minute.....i watched it pull away.

bottom line....we will have pizza and the impossible was almost defeated

once again proving that nothing ----hear me loud, hear me clear---

NOTHING is IMPOSSIBLE!

in one hour the pizza will be served in South Jersey....I ordered the classic Fire & Smoke for me and the Matchbox Meat for the men. I had them cook the pizza 3/4's of the way and we will finish them off.

Your goverment @ work

2010-01-07T12:58:00.001-05:00

Another case of the ridiculous.

On January 6th we received in the mail the local "South Jersey" phamplet outlining the events surrounding me. I thought it interesting that the brouchere; full color, with sponsored advertising and featuring "Fall/Winter 2009-2010" has only one event listed that is still valid. You see this non-profit goverment appointened entity had a few errors to contend with. Poor printing issues, informational issues, staff cuts, computer glitches and so on.

SERIOUSLY.....this is a non-profit entity run by the Tourism Board of NJ and they just wasted serious monies in mailing out an outdated brochure on S Jersey!!! When I called and questioned them on their practices they said; "they had to use the grant money"....what about starving people people? What about lay-offs and other stuff?! You had to use the money to send this out or lose grant money and cease to exist? Go ahead....cease to exist! You are an embarrassment to the citizens and taxpayers of the state of New Jersey. To print this with MY money is ridiculous, period.

Pamphlet dated Fall Winter with two ( I stand corrected) valid events listed. All other events have passed.

The ol' cliche....if I did my job in the for profit world the way you performed yours.....OUT OF BUSINESS!

years months weeks days hours minutes seconds

2010-01-04T22:45:00.004-05:00

I was living in the basement of my mother-in-laws house. It was killer cold with insane winds and my wife (nine months pregnant) and I were not necessarily getting along. My wife said it was time and we got in the car and drove to West Jersey Voorhees hospital, down Erial Road in Pine Hill we drove....the Christmas trees out for the trash men blowing in front of the car as we sped to the hospital. It was on this day that Aryn Alison was born. After her birth the hospital staff said I had a "rich man's family", a son; Sean and now the coveted daughter. I certainly did not feel rich.

Today, Aryn, whose eventual AOL screen name was "Aryns a rebel" is 22 years old and she is engaged to who I would consider a family member in "bad news Johnny".

My wife, the mother of Ary is Margaret, and today I am somehow more in love with her then I have ever been. Thank you Margaret Mary; I love you.

The Christmas trees blowing in front of the car, the angst of my wife that night and the day after Aryn's birth, Sean (the first born) seeing and loving Aryn are not capable of any words I could ever put in type.

Time is so precious; so, so precious. Don't ever lose sight of time. Take advantage of the years, months, weeks, days, hours, minutes & seconds for they pass faster then the blink of your eye.
Happy B-Day Aryn A...I love you, dad

Full Body Scan Cost

2009-12-31T12:09:00.002-05:00

DO THE MATH

I looked hi & lo to find out how much a full body scan machine costs and could not find that info. The US has 560 airports so I would give serious consideration for those who have invested their monies in H1N1 Anti-viral medications to now switch their money over to the body scan machine manufactures.

Now let's do some math-
The number of people who died on 9/11/2001 due to terrorist attacks- 3,057
The number of US soldiers killed in Afghanistan & Iraq since 2001- 5,180
The number of people who would have been killed on the potential Christmas Day Terrorist Attack- 300
The % the above total deaths is of the US Population--- Well I am to lazy to figure this one out. The current US Population in 308,397, 541 so what % is 8,537 of our population?

The number of people who die DAILY due to lack of clean water & food is over 24,000.

THIS ALL BOTHERS ME!

Imagine if we took the money for the body scan machines and gave it to the countries that need to dig wells and have food....if we did that "good will" over time, would we then have terrorism?

luck....i think not

2009-06-17T20:36:00.002-04:00

So, like I met this guy who happens to be the tight-end coach for the Philadelphia Eagles~~~ MY TEAM, bar none. I have met a few players here and there...but never like "hung" with 'em mind you and I hung with Mr. Melvin....I mean like he cooked me a burger and it was good!

So.....yes, I was sure to bring up TO and various Eagles things although I DID NOT bring up Brian D. Hey.....that was a mistake and we all know it.

But you know when you talk about Jeffrey and his leadership, I mean after all he is the owner you can't really, really argue the team's success I mean can you???? HowmanytimesintheNFCchampionship???????

But Tom said over and over~~ LUCK, sometimes it takes luck, we just needed a little luck, we needed to get lucky and so on and so forth and I kept my mouth shut (not as hard as you think) and you know what? I DON'T BELIEVE IN LUCK~ NOT ONE STINKING BIT.
Now go out there and WIN a championship the way one's supposed to be won....

thank you

sorry about that

I lost a bit of control there.

Gd' Bye y'all!

2009-05-22T08:56:00.003-04:00

This is well water from probably 150'+ down in the ground. It is good, real good
The landscape is speckled with abandoned, knocked down and/or burned down homes. This is where Jr. used to live, my buddy Bret would visit this homestead often. We visited too and found signs of local squatters- owls, swallows & mice.

A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Good-bye West Tex~~You've taught me well.

Day 4

2009-05-21T20:16:00.003-04:00

Sign on a church in Sudan, TX. Sudan's population is 1,039

What is faith?

We planted seed today in the pure "hope" of rain

Pic of me driving the tractor while planting cotton seed

Every prayer spoken in this area includes a cry for moisture

Day 3.5

2009-05-21T20:02:00.002-04:00

the elusive burrowing owl
the owl's friend the prairie dog

these are the roller baskets that we had attached with the plow. when we went to put up the planter we had to take these rollers off

Day 3

2009-05-21T09:37:00.002-04:00

We caught this lizard after scurrying around like a lizard to catch him

the BIG BOY tractor
Yes, it has AC and AM/FM, but you only get God's Country on the radio

David Goen, 71 year old cotton farmer checking the ground for moisture and not being happy about the cotton that is in the ground here.....if he doesn't get rain he will lose all the cotton seed since it won't grow and he has a lot of money invested into the seed.

This is David's office. It is affectionately known as the "boxcar". It is a very interesting place. This would be considered the headquarters for Fatsi's (Finnish for father) aka David Goen's 1,000 acres of farmland

Day 2

2009-05-19T23:09:00.003-04:00

Make the rows straight! Be careful when hitting the turn road and be thankful IF you have a turn road. Don't let the trash get caught up and go to the edge!

Tractor Terms

Littlefield, TX was Wayon Jenning's hometown!!!

We weeded two farms one was 80 acres and the other 90.
All we did was drag an 8 row weed plower behind a tractor.

DAY 1 Monday 5/18/09 in TX

2009-05-19T09:07:00.003-04:00

Welcome to Littlefield TX, POP 6,540 or thereabouts

where it doesn't get dark till 9

the beauty of a minute or a second or a glance

just stop, stop and observe

When we pray out here in Littlefield, TX we pray for moisture to water the crops
this is cotton pushing up

TODAY

2009-05-18T12:21:00.002-04:00

So today I am tired and I type this in the DFW International Airport. Tired because everyday is FULL IMPACT and this weekend was no exception. Was up late packing and doing last minute things to get out of the house and make it to the airport and that was a success.

I already miss my wife and kids. I will be thinking of them a lot because they really matter to me.

I am just about 40 minutes to board to head to Lubbock ( I looked it up!) and then it is onto Littlefield Texas for five days of planting cotton. Bret told me they were fixing a pipe. I wish I was fixing the pipe instead of typing on a laptop. Something about good hard work.

the rest of the world

2009-04-18T00:24:00.003-04:00

where is the rest of the world

can we see past....past ourselves?

can we see?

what is the rest of the world experiencing?

what are we doing for C H A N G E ?

BREAK THE BUBBLE

SMASH IT

CRASH IT

ROLL IT UP AND THROW IT DOWN THE HILL

isn't it time; time to love time to give time to see time to be?

when you finally realize there is time

it is gone

Oprah Letter

2009-04-16T19:06:00.002-04:00

Dear Ms. Winfrey:

It is my understanding that your television show recently highlighted a "homeless tent city" in San Diego in an effort to....well I am not sure what your purpose was.
http://www.fox5sandiego.com/pages/landing_national/?Homeless-in-Calif-tent-city-to-get-shelt=1&blockID=244509&feedID=16

It is my understanding that now, these people will have a place to go.

Has anyone ever considered that maybe these people wanted to be there?

Just wondering since for thousands and tens of thousands of years mankind has lived in "his or her" environment that now, due to your broadcast of the plight of these tent cities in America; cities are now going after the homeless.

Ms. Winfrey...maybe I am ignorant to your television program and your purposes, but I am hoping that when you aired the segment on your show you gave San Diego solutions to the homeless problem. I try to teach my friends/families/co-workers that it is best to come forth with solutions and not just "identify the problem(s)", but again I am sure you did just that and provided San Diego and countless other cities with solutions to their problems.....not that I thought they were problems, but I guess you did.

Regards,

T. Perazzelli

Trouble

2009-04-05T23:11:00.002-04:00

somewhere in the bible it says-----Trouble will come, but TAKE HEART!

Life has it's troubles and pains and joys!

trouble does come....and sometimes we can't change that trouble

I try to change that trouble all to much by myself

I need to let Him; God, have my troubles, but yet it is SO HARD to do

my friend, an employee....is just not good enough.

I have tried and tried to fit him in, but to no avail.

...and yet----I HURT, FOR HIM.

if only the trouble of this world would end.

Too much money

2009-02-26T09:09:00.002-05:00

I ride the Patco Hi-Speedline train from Jersey to Philly just about every work day.

The most this train can charge you from the farthest Jersey station to any Philly station is 5.40 for a round trip ticket.

The new plastic "Freedom" card as pictured above can hold money and acts like a bank for you.

Generally I put about a hundred-bucks on the card and it takes me about 5-6 weeks to deplete that hundred dollars.

I am always thinking about HOW rich we really are.

How embarrassed I am by our richness. Last night I was talking to one of my best friends, Tony and I asked him how many people died from the whole peanut-butter salmonella thing of recent months. He said, "six", it was nine.
Then I asked how many people die worldwide of starvation every day....he pondered and pondered....thinking.
"3,000" was his guess and 30,000 is the answer.

But, I digress.....when you swipe the Freedom Card in the machine it tells you the remaining total and from no fault of my own you always get to see the balance of the persons in front of you.

Today I saw a balance of: 616.00

If this person rode every day, five days a week for the highest fare possible that would be TWENTY-THREE WEEKS worth of rides.

Can we not find better use of our money as a whole?

meanwhile the cripple on the corner cries out "nickels for your pity"

9 people & peanut butter

2009-02-20T23:59:00.002-05:00

NINE PEOPLE HAVE DIED DUE TO A RECENT OUTBREAK OF SALMONELLA IN PEANUT BUTTER---NINE!!!

The media has covered this.

We are all aware of it.

30,000 people die ever single day due to starvation....where is the media?

I love peanut butter and once named a dog Skippy after my fave peanut butter.

peace love & understanding

2009-02-20T21:57:00.002-05:00

there's this song "Peace, Love & Understanding".

the theme is "what's so funny about peace, love & understanding" NOTHING, nothing at all.

we could all gain to stand some lessons from those three things.

Peace- ahhhhh......tranqulity

Love- the greatest of these...

Understanding- O' to understand!

Tomorrow night I w/b playing this song in front a good 20+ people, playing and singing....if only they listen.

I know I will be...listening that is.

Love,

Tater

it's official

2009-02-12T20:22:00.002-05:00

i am out of control

someone needs to stop me.

I am not kidding......see I am on the train and we just stoppped at Wilmington and these boys got on....really they were just boys although if I told them I thought they were boys I am sure it would not have looked good....but the truth is they are Marines, but REALLY they are boys....you wonder why I don't call earth HOME????

Look around!

What d.......guess what.....out of control says: that's all you get. Fill in the blanks yourself.

You really don't want to hear what I have to say...

with love,

Tater

to show I still smile

2009-02-11T23:00:00.002-05:00

This is Felix. I work with Felix in Philly. He is also a college student and I really like him. He is funny and a pretty swell, yes swell, guy.

That is Felix's tattoo. Yup, Felix has a mustache tattooed on his finger.

Honestly...I think it is pretty clever.
it makes me smile cause he is a nut enough to do it and cause it's just plain funny

what i am playing

2009-02-11T00:46:00.003-05:00

I Will Rise-Chris Tomlin

Put Yout Lights On- Sanatana

Peace, Love & Understanding- Nick Lowe as performed by Elvis

Babaji- Supertramp

Everybody Hurts- R.E.M.

Waiting For My Real Life To Begin- Colin Hey

The Cure For Pain- Jon Foreman

SEARCHING FOR THE TRUTH NO MORE

I HAVE FOUND HIM

thankful for His grace :)

Deacon?

2009-02-09T00:14:00.002-05:00

Today I became the deacon of missions @ my church.

I also prepared the worship songs....most would say I led singing...I am really struggle on "what" to call song leading. I really see leadership as serving....

It was an amazing day

Glory to Him!

Becoming a deacon (for the 2nd time...long story :) was awesome in the fact that I now have purpose in my church body...we can say, more purpose lol.

The most beautiful or amazing part of the day today was when the house arose in the 8:00 AM hour. My favorite daughter had to work today so she did not attend worship :( HOWEVER....unlike the days of my children longing to jump in my arms and be cuddled and loved today was marked by one of the most simplest of things. A verbal sigh. if you will from my daughter when, as we readied for church and she prepared for work she realized I would be singing w/the church with our prepared songs.....when she realized that, and knew she would not be in attendance she sighed. It was as if she ran into my arms upon my arrival home from work when she was five years old.....that "sigh" of her disappointment.

People are to be cherished and loved.

Life is, but a mist.

live it before it evaporates.

YES!!!!

2009-02-03T10:08:00.002-05:00

I am a live music junkie and am as skilled as anyone can be in obtaining tickets for shows. It really is a dice roll. What with pre-sales and exclusive memberships it is always a bear. I have "slept out" for countless shows at countless malls and ticket venues and sometimes these sleepouts were in vain. Springsteen....1st in line @ the door only to be etched out 100% and not get a ticket due to people's names on a line list that were not there all night.

I don't like to present the problem and not have a viable solution as in this case....and I don't have a solution. Scalpers exist because WE, not necessarily me, are willing to use money for our means. I have seen it. A good friend of mine purchased super expensive Police tickets and I guarantee she could not name the 1st album....money can talk and talk powerfully.

So why all this ranting and raving???

Ray LaMontagne-- 4/4/08 @ the Tower in Philly....8th row! S-W-E-E-T
and not just two tickets, but 4!

I missed out on Springsteens tixs yesterday that conveniently went on sale the day after his Superbowl performance, and more then likely I will hit that show ( i have my secrets)....but right now I have 4 tixs to see a man who really has passion....and that is something I love to see.

now...who to bring.
I think I have that figured out too....will try and let you know later ;)

?

2009-01-29T23:04:00.003-05:00

someone...PLEASE explain to me how wrapping five septa tokens in a plastic bag is environmentally correct.....someone, please.

shout it from the mountain tops

2009-01-29T20:52:00.003-05:00

from Cali to the Grand Canyon and onto Wyoming, Toronto, The Caribbean....where I've been, but where I haven't been as well.

I have witnessed the stars from a jungle without light pollution and stood amongst the giant redwoods. I have seen the ocean CRASH into rocks on the shore as the sun sets. I have stood atop an 11,000' mountain amongst snow 15' deep!

I have hiked into the Grand Canyon and amongst the Red Rocks of Sedona. I have seen six different grizzly bears! Startled a rattlesnake and walked amongst the buffalo.....

FOR WHAT?

what can i have or do on this earth that makes ANY difference at all except influence others for the greater good of God?

I will continue to venture the earth

I will continue to proclaim the name of Christ....Jesus the Messiah!

e - a - g - l - e - s

2009-01-25T00:01:00.002-05:00

Dear Donovan,

It has been almost a week since we lost the NFC Championship game to the Cards led by Kurt Warner. I am sorry I have not written you sooner.

I was excited to see what you and offense would do with a FULL 9 seconds left in the game and being down by 7.

So I guess by all indicators in the play that was ran you didn't feel you had a chance to tie or win with a two-point conversion.

Sad....you see team leaders lead and never give up. That last play was an indicator of where your head was at.

I am a fighter and fighters fight. Not always physically, but mentally and by example. Imagine the thrill of airing the ball out with those seconds ticking away and Jackson running down the field arms out stretched hot dogging it all the way! Then imagine getting a second chance if needed with 1-2 seconds on the clock and airing it out again?!

Effort Donovan, effort!

But, alas. We threw a simple pass for short yardage and then players "tried" to keep it alive and run the remaining 90 or so yards for a touchdown.

Good call Donovan....I am not sure where your head is at, but I certainly know where it isn't.

Love,

Tate a die-hard EAGLES fan

Post Inaugural

2009-01-24T13:06:00.005-05:00

I got home Fri after seven solid days of work, work, work only really interrupted by Donovan's funeral when he gave up with 9 seconds left....a note on that---LEADERS DON'T GIVE UP--NOT EVER!

While in DC, I met two "celebrities" if you will. David Cohen & Catherine Keener (40 Year Old Virgin).

I recognized Mr. Cohen and rang him up. It was on Sunday before the Eagles game ( I was wearing my Dawkins jersey). I could not remember what he does and just knew it was political and maybe something with the Sixers.

Oh! If only I had remembered!!! David Cohen is the Executive VP of Comcast....THE Comcast!

Oh, how I would have loved to tell him how I think his company is ripping off the people of this country. I don't have too many issues w/to many companies in this world, but Comcast TOPS the list for overcharging and ripping people off. Any company that takes a run @ owning Disney and actually has the surplus money to so....that company has to much money and where do they get the money from????

Where I live I have, but one choice in the entire world for broadband service---Comcast.

that is a monopoly!

Comcast just completed building the tallest building east of Chicago and the greenest building in the world. Again....our money!

So Mr. Cohen....all I can say it was a pleasure to meet you and you have a nice handshake. Next time I will be ready for you!

As to Catherine.....I was too busy to really invest the time, but she looked just like in the movies.

a week in dc

2009-01-22T13:26:00.002-05:00

Tuesday- Extreme - More Then Words

Wednesday- Heart - Dog & Butterfly

Thursday- James Taylor - Shower The People

How do you express appreciation "more then words"?

"up in the air they like to fly" people accepting challenges and soaring.

"shower the people you love with love, show them the way that you feel"

these three songs signify my entire week in DC....smashing company sales records, 17+ hour days and people going above and beyond the call of duty

new president

2009-01-20T00:40:00.003-05:00

i am working like i have never worked before in my life. i arrived in dc on fri afternoon and have worked 12-15 hour days since my arrival. i am overseeing 7 dc metro area stores that are all selling OBAMA.
insanity!

We broke a company sales record on Sat and then again today, monday. we are in crisis mode.
staff is working on mental and physical overdrive.

life IS good---eternal life is better.

what matters time and time again are people.

people are the lifeblood of the world.
if the world had no people, we would have no life no matter what nasa says.

animals and plants are life, but not life like we live. animals do not have free will...we do.

i have never experienced anything as chaotic as this in my life and frankly I cannot see something of this magnitude happening again, in my lifetime.
sports championships do not compare.

even with the amount of $ my stores are capturing and the electricity of each day i know in my heart of hearts that i live for a better day. i live for the day of His return. the return of the King. the King whom everyone knows, and that many refuse....if only the world would embrace Christ the way they embrace Obama....then we would have real change.

WINTERTIME

2009-01-16T01:16:00.002-05:00

The trees have been naked for months. The air is as cold as it gets. The sky is clear and the wind has the clouds racing through the sky.

Yet

Life goes on...

The bible says our life is, but a mist in time.

We trudge on...working---FOR WHAT?

to pay the bills!?

go ahead....pay the bills....BUT remember the truth and what is important in life.

P E O P L E--- L I F E

REMEMBER TO SPEAK THE TRUTH WHENEVER POSSIBLE. If a crack should appear to allow you to tell others of the TRUTH....do not hesitate or stop. PROCLAIM the truth!

Time is short as the cold steals your breath.

wintertime is in it's prime.

sing with me. sing the songs of life. lift your voice. lift it loud, above the clouds

i feel like i repeat myself here on this blog.

live the life He has promised you..step out of the shadows and live

the breath the winter wind steals is life...if you seek the truth.

seek

look

(then you will find)

the dream of a lifetime...

2009-01-12T00:59:00.002-05:00

By default (where I was born) I am a DIE-HARD Philadelphia Eagles fan. In my book there has never been any such thing as a band wagon to jump on or off.

My parents determined I needed glasses when I could not see the players # from the 700 level @ the Vet back in '74 when Roman Gabriel was the QB.

Somewhere around 1978 my father and uncle got six season tickets in section 634. I attended the 1980 NFC Championship game which we won against the Cowboys. My dad and Uncle went to that Superbowl, which we lost to the Raiders. We held onto those tickets for 16 years, through Marion Campbell, Buddy Ryan and the last year of Rich Kotite. When Ray Rhodes came into the picture my dad gave up the seats and my brother and I did one year of Ray and then by default not being born ultra financialy wealthy we gave up our seats. I have only attended one NFL game @ the Linc and that was a pre-season game. I have only ever owned one jersey and that is Jerome Brown's.

When Jeff Lurie purchased the team you could feel the electricity of this new owner and he did not disappoint.
In eight years we have been to the NFC Championship game FIVE TIMES!

A long time ago I gave up "living" for my team....sure I love 'em, but I don't live and die with games. I have often said....I just want one Superbowl victory in my lifetime.

Sports Illustrated picked the Eagles to be in the Superbowl this year. We still have the NFC game to go....I am not getting ahead of myself; trust me.

Kurt Warner has won the big game, as has Ben & Joe Flacco is an admirable opponent.

We have the "Brians" and Donovan as well as an arsenal of receivers.

Go ahead Steelers and Ravens---beat yourselves silly.

Look out Cards, here we come.....and this time it's FOR REAL!

The Batman

2009-01-10T01:06:00.003-05:00

I just watched The Dark Knight....wow! I think this image captures the whole movie.

Two face.

Don't we all have two faces????

While here....on earth, we have two faces....lean towards the good side.

Now the Bible states that there is only light and dark and you are either in one or the other and Jesus came so we could live in the light.

Live in the light.

The fence of light/dark cannot be straddled.

Accept Him who let's you be light.

It was a good movie....really good.

stop look listen

2009-01-08T23:31:00.000-05:00

inspiration

2009-01-08T00:31:00.002-05:00

inspiration vs motivation vs confidence
I = Stimulation of the mind or emotions to a high level of feeling or activity
M= The act or process of motivating
C = Trust or faith in a person or thing

three things that are important

I am going to take motivation out of the equation
I used to think motivation was soooooo important!
Lately I am more focused on Inspiration
right now it's late and my inspiration is waning....i need to think about it some more

gd' nite

FALCONSBOLTSCOLTSCARDS

2009-01-03T23:51:00.003-05:00

N F L

I love Pro Football. I have grown up with it. I know the game inside and out....and you always need to PLAY the game to have a determination.

Credit is due to all the teams that played today.

Out of everything that took place...I am most disappointed in the Indianapolis Colts. They have the potential and should have legendary status and yet I am not so sure they do. Peyton, what gives?

KUDOS to the Chargers. I am not a Norv Turner fan in the least and he called a good game OR he is smart enough to have good people under him.

My game ball goes to Darren Sproles, period. WOW! What a game he played and it was ONLY fitting that he ran that last touchdown in....you gotta love D E T E R M I N A T I O N !

cont. from yesterday

2008-12-31T09:26:00.002-05:00

I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith.
Romans 1

If you read the letter I posted below from my good friend....then you should understand the above verse.

This is just part of what we are called to do.

E N C O U R A G E one another

a copy of a letter from a friend

2008-12-30T21:34:00.001-05:00

Tater,
The real "Big Man" is a coming and He won't be dressed in red and white. He'll be burnished bronze and riding a white Horse. He is indeed Faithful and True to us my brother, isn't He. :) How you are a blessing to me. The CD being the latest example of your encouragement. I am glad that the Lord has blessed you through me Tate. Truly, it is I that has been the most blessed I think. Because you have served and given more. Your passion for life and living in the moment has taught me to really evaluate my perfectionism and need to "be right." Wow. Talkin' about being hit by a 2x4. :)Anyway, continue lovin' and livin' my brother. Consider this email the closest thing to a kiss planted on your cheek my friend. To Tate Perazzelli...a true Italian stallion in the faith. A blessing to many. One who indeed had a "lust for life" and more importantly a "lust" (love) for the Life-Giver and the Life that is truly Life. Press on my brother. Press on. Chet

MY WORDS---let's ALL just keep on keeping on and encouraging one another!! Love, Tate

ol' man winter

2008-12-27T17:51:00.003-05:00

I miss summer. Don't get me wrong...I love winter, but I miss summer because I love to watch things grow. I need to see the change of seasons and I LOVE snow & even ICE, but I miss my garden---really miss it.
I don't really have anything amazing in my garden. Some people comment that it looks cool. I really think that my rock garden in the front of the house takes away from the "curb appeal"...oh well....I like it. I love to weed and plant and watch things go and honestly....I hardly ever water-EVER. If you can't make it in my garden, you die. I don't give my plants and special treatment. I figure we don't get any so I am not going to give them any.
Of course there are always exceptions; if I plant you in the middle of the hot summer I am going to get you some water.

Today I did some minor garden work.....ahhhhh...the joy.

I miss my Shangri La.

NAMINGS

2008-12-23T18:41:00.002-05:00

When you name something...or someone it is important. It looks like a small group of people (myself included) are going to name themselves. We are a band. We do it for fun....and it has blossomed.
I named my 1st child...Sean; it's a bit of a long story, but let's just say he shares his birthday with John & Sean Lennon and John Lennon wrote a song for his son called "Beautiful Boy".
I gave my favorite daughter her middle name...Alison after a song by the same name.
And our final child was given a letter as his middle name....legally my wife changed the letter to a name and hid it from me, much to my angst, but to me, he will always be; Taylor "J".

I have named many groups of people that have been formed to change the thinking and passions of men and now...with great glee we are on the verge of naming a band.

In some ways it has importance and in others it doesn't.

It will be a collective decision; if and when we get to that point and my choice is as simple as it gets--- House Band

May you all have ,or be included in a house band and if we ever perform around or near you, you are a part of us...House Band,

Lainey

2008-12-20T00:39:00.002-05:00

Elaine is sitting on the far left. This pic was taken the nite of the church Christmas party. We did a big production for the talent show with our house band performing complete with slide show and the lyrics to Lean on Me showing. The pics were of lots of members of the church and it solidified this church as a family, a body, an imitation of Christ. We had everyone sing along to the classic Bill Withers tune, and they did.

Back to Lainey...Elaine. Elaine lost her father over a year ago. Her nearest blood relative is her brother in Tennessee.

After covering Lean on Me and watching the slide show everyone started cleaning up and reassemblying the auditorium.

Elaine approached me and said this:

"People ask me all the time why I don't move down to be with my brother and I always answer them with...I can't leave my church, it's my family"

I am happy to report I feel the same. My church is my family. I love them so much. We experience so much together. I love my dad, mom, brothers & sisters, but there is something about that bond of Christ that surpasses all.

Thank you Elaine, thank you.

I know Neil Young

2008-12-12T09:18:00.003-05:00

I feel like I know Neil Young. I think he is an amazing songwriter and he is playing @ the original Spectrum tonite with another fine band, Wilco. I have known about this show for months and have been trying to get an ebay deal for a tix for a while. I have not been able to get one. I could still buy one in the 70+ range, it's just a lot of money and I don't know why I won't pull the trigger, but I won't.

When I play the guitar I like to try and play a lot of his songs....very introspective. I like Neil. His music strikes a chord with the working man who likes to have a good time and he has crossed so many genres of music in his career.

I thought it was odd that when I went out of my hotel room into the lobbied Starbucks to get my joe, Down By the River was playing....really freaked me out. Full moon tonite too. Man, maybe I will spring for a tix....

Who knows....

endings

2008-12-11T00:26:00.002-05:00

listening to people wondering what truth is, but only hearing what it is they want to hear.

talking to people about the truth while they hear the lies.......trying to find a crack, a sliver of a crack to let the truth explode into them like a crack of thunder in the night sky with lightening lighting up all there is to see like Christ does...as long as your eyes are open to see.

what the day may bring

2008-12-08T16:19:00.002-05:00

I took the day off which means I answered a few phone calls for work and kind of spent some time with the most beautiful as well as going to my guitar lesson and answering/composing a few well needed emails.

E N C O U R A G E M E N T

Yes, we have a purpose to spread the life-saving message of Chirst and we also have a responsibility to encourage one another, build each other up.

We are always judging, taking issue with others.

Why aren't we just building others up?

So I went to my guitar lesson with a professional rock star...no kidding on that one and came to several conclusions.
1. I do want an electric and I want an American made Telecaster used is more then fine.
2. Giving encouragment to someone and then seeing what effect that encouragement has can be MIND BLOWING!
3. people can't see the forest through the trees.

I have a LOT on my mind right now...all really good stuff....just hard to make sense of it to you, but let it be known-----readers far and wide and I know there are quite a few of you.

I love you all and am thankful for your faith.

Praise be to God!

love and the triple mocha

2008-12-06T08:45:00.002-05:00

A triple café mocha cappuccino once every three days can add up to $400 a year.

It all adds up to hundreds, and even thousands, of dollars each year.

This giant redwood tree survived hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of years by simply using basic things that God has provided. Sunlight, water and soil.

This tree has never, ever purchased a triple cafe mocha cappuccino or even my favorite the carmel macchiattio. God gives you and the tree what you need to survive.

What is it that you need to live on this earth.....maybe a bit more then the tree, some clothes to keep you warm?

When you see other trees as magnificent as this opps I mean, when you see other people as beautiful as God, since He made them in His image....reachout to them.

I don't think the tree ever needed love, but I do, and He loves me and I love you, all of you.

GOOD vs. evil

2008-11-29T09:27:00.003-05:00

Isn't it the classic? Good & evil?

All things seem to always come down to those two things.

I just completed a book...Dangerous Beauty and I highly recommend it. It was given to me for it's compelling ability to paint a picture of the beauty of Africa and that it did.

But it also touched me like few books have.

life always boils down to others

and it was once again proven

setting and achieving goals

2008-11-25T09:07:00.003-05:00

one of my favorite quotes is:

Create the vision

Articulate the vision

Passionately own the vision

and

Relentlessly drive it to completion

the vision is:

one thousand campers

see it

close your eyes and see what it looks like

sad

2008-11-22T16:43:00.002-05:00

i am unusually sad. as my son says, "no worries" . My sadness will eventually turn to gladness, but today...right now: I AM SAD.

I do know why I am sad...it has to do with family; how do I explain what I don't want to explain on a blog? Pretty simple actually--I don't, don't explain.

Time is to short to be dealing with this, but it is part of living.
All a man's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.
To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. Proverbs 21

Listening to:
Hurt by Johnny Cash
Tired of Being Sorry by Ringside
Father & Daughter by Paul Simon
and one line from the song Detlef Schrempf by Band of Horses-
...and watch how you treat every living soul...

2008-11-21T00:37:00.001-05:00

is life to short?

or is it to long?

the unknown is what frightens me.

it scares me

and yet i know

i know why it scares me

the last hours

2008-11-06T20:01:00.002-05:00

the ONLY thing I can think of whenever I walked past these flowers was...

the splendor of the King

click on the pic and look closely.....a hummingbird a fluttering

I can't remember her name, but she and her new husband (they were from France) had started pedaling in Alaska and made it to Santa Barbara on this November day and their final destination....Argentina in 2010 ( the biker, not the walker)

this is for Chet

climb the mountain

be it big

be it small

take the challenges

that present themselves

and you will never be bored

promise

Pics from Mon

2008-11-06T11:00:00.005-05:00

Ben lives @ Big Sur and works the parking lot in the middle of nowhere. He pays 50.00 a month to live in a dorm and work in a state park. He reads, draws and talks to people.

Ben had suggested a trail to the coast to see "purple sand" and the beach. He said we would have to get our feet wet.

Our feet got wet & muddy....the mud was amazing spa treatment like mud and it was free!

I hiked the entire hike barefoot and when we told Ben what I had done he called me a savage.

Look close or click on the pic to to see the fox. I thought it was a grey fox....Ben said they don't have grey foxes....only red, so it was a red fox.

After this hike we took a 2nd hike to see more wintering monarchs. We had a really, really hard time finding them, but we did. Deep in a Eucalyptus tree grove. Standing in a small clearing and having like 20 butterflies flittering about you is like pure fantasy.

what happened on Sunday

2008-11-04T00:45:00.002-05:00

It will be hard to recount the entire day, but here goes....The town of Pacific Grove, CA has a site where Monarchs winter....it is an amazing site to see thousands and thousands of butterflies in one spot. It is an experience much like a fantasy.

CLOSE-UP!

this is a harbor seal in Pacific Grove---we also saw Elephant Seals

The Mission in Carmel

so....we went to see the butterflies and then went o church in Pacific Grovc then we drove to Carmel and had lunch which was spectacular after which we found a cheese store and purchased some local cheeses. then we went to Padres State Park and watched a spectacular sunset and saw waves crash against the rocks and send spray 10, 20, 30 feet in the air. It was God performing fireworks ( I lost all of these pics)

then we went back to Monterey and stayed @ the Blue Lagoon for 39.00

zzzzZZZZZZZ.....

Then Monday came....it was a long day

BIG SUR

what its all about

2008-11-02T11:11:00.002-05:00

This is where we stayed Fri in HMB (Half Moon Bay). It was nice, with a shared bath, but we had no one to share with. We have been getting some sweet deals since it is off season. Last nite (Sat) we paid 49.00 in Monterey. We only have two nites left of exploring. Tues nite in LA has been booked for a long time.

This is Sheila in her store Tokenz in HMB. This is what it's all about---people and love. Her store gave off a positive light and yet it had many points of reference to god(s). We talked....she is a wonderful good person. In the end we all left more faithful to God.

It has been raining for days and it has been overcast since we got here. Our pics have not had great light. This was during the pouring rain somewhere north of Monterey....I cannot begin to describe the POWER of the ocean. Except to say it was made by Him who is all powerful.

Santa Cruz

THE HOOK

where surfing began

One thing I have noticed about Cali...each area is proudly it's own

santa cruz has a serious ambiance

Great pizza @ Pleasure Pizza on E. Cliff Drive

Great COFFEE-- Fins on Ca. 1

Ever in Monterey? Kristen recomends The Blue Lagoon Inn which was BOOKED SOLID and we found Padre Oaks---possibly the best bargain of the trip!

Sunday 11/2

Church

Carmel Mission

Butterfly Groves

BIG SUR

let's go!

2008-11-01T11:35:00.002-04:00

Alcatraz from Pier 39
Mar driving the cable car....they let me ring the bell..

Making the difference by encouraging and loving people has it's rewards.

B & W; Fuji Fine Pix Z

Pier 39

Photographer Margaret Perazzelli

it's raining today....

overcast and windy and it is the first day below San Francisco.

We stayed in a lovely little town of Half Moon Bay last nite albeit a bit of a posh little town

We are ready to hit the coast after being in SF for a full day.

Missions & Monarchs lay ahead

A wise man will hear and increase in learning, And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel, To understand a proverb and a figure, The words of the wise and their riddles. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Lord God, may Mar and I gain wisdom in our travels and knowledge in our day.

Halloween

2008-11-01T02:33:00.002-04:00

Union Square. LOVE is all powerful, isn't it?

Sign in the Mission area of San Fran

No matter what, no matter who----don't judge. Just love.

How else will they come to know Him?

in the city

2008-11-01T02:29:00.004-04:00

The tugboat Hercules, retired and docked in San Francisco Bay...and it was built where....Camden, NJ, five minutes from my house?

TIMES CHANGE--people don't Coit Tower, a Frisco landmark,and this is the view from it.

One of the major highlights of the day were the murals at Coit Tower.
The murals captured mankinds quest.
That quest will be talked about on the next post.

We heard that it was like Jim's Steaks, but just Chinese food....we were told there would be a line out the door. Well it was excellent.....nothing fancy just really good Chinese food....and of course God had spared us the lines.

Nor Cal Coast

2008-10-31T02:01:00.004-04:00

NOR CAL is a state of mind----trust me on this one. MENDOCINO, ever heard of it? WOW is this town amazing. Hippies unite. I don't know who works. Pot smoking was rampant and this was during the day. Moody's Organic coffee shop supplied me with the best coffee I've had....almost ever. Seriously. Flower Power---Peace & love & power to the people!

From the 60's in Mendocino we traveled to Anderson Valley in Mendocino County. No it is not Napa or Sonoma County. Wine is a big deal out here and it's like a cult of people.....people following, Following what I do not know, but following nonetheless.

Ok...these roads are THE most challenging roads I have ever driven and these photos don't even come close to telling the story. One blink or shift of the wheel and you tumble way down. See the edge of the road? See Tate looking down the edge of the road?

Guess what?

Tate is still here!It was late when we crossed the Golden Gate Bridge (6 bucks) into San Fran. We had just booked a bargain rate for a room on priceline which got blown way out of proportion when we paid the 45 dollar fee for 24 hour parking.

But, I had not yet had dinner when my incredible wife made me the following-

sliced apple, sliced avocado, peanut butter crackers, cheese w/crackers.

Tomorrow we do the city thing---ride trolley cars, visit our store on the pier, visit Chinatown and do some shopping for Christmas.

See you later!

Love,

Tate

oh......btw---here is a golden nugget-Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is my portion,

Coastal 1

2008-10-30T10:38:00.003-04:00

So far we have driven from Portland, Or. to Fort Bragg, Ca. We have been driving US 101 and when we got to the end of Avenue of the Giants we took the beginning of Coastal 1 and started the drive. The 1st 30 miles of this have proven to be some of the most challenging driving I have ever done. It was also as quiet as could be...a beautiful wooded road of the likes I have never seen.

We are on 1 here and finally nearing the coast....people live very rustically out here.

We have made it to the coast on 1. This road is amazing....the scenery, when you can see it....drop dead amazing.

wish you were here....

Wed

2008-10-30T10:13:00.003-04:00

THE PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES ARE WORLD CHAMPIONS!!!! We watched the game in the Northern Coast Brewing Co. in Fort Bragg, Ca last nite....YES!!!!!!!!
This is Eel River and our road followed this road for dozens of miles. This short walk was taken off the Avenue of the Giants- R E D W O O D S . When you are driving down the road the trees engulf you in darkness. It is an amazing place. I cannot put into words the site of these trees. So we stopped and hiked out to this dry river bed where off in the distance was a tent with four fellow Jeresyians camping along what was left of the river. The river bed was massive as are the trees.

....and lo' and behold! I caught this little guy in the river. He was no bigger then a pencil eraser.

The obligatory drive-thru tree. 4 bucks gets you through. It was a tight fit for the car....very, very tight!

In the 50's Fort Bragg, Ca a working mans town was dumping all of their trash at the end of Elm St. into the ocean. All of the glass trash has now been turned into sea glass and there were dozens of people out collecting.

2008-10-30T01:28:00.000-04:00

Gd'-bye Oregon, HELLO California!

2008-10-29T11:58:00.006-04:00

Shannon works @ the Sea Basket, bayside in Charleston, OR. She is a serious; pro-union Democrat and she is a major, major awesome person. We talked for quite a bit. No, I did not order the oyster omelet, but I am wishing I had.

This is Ron the Mormon from Erie PA who has long ago transplanted to Brandon OR area. Ron has a lifelong contract with the Muir Woods to carve Myrtlewood hummingbirds for them. As fast as he carves them they will buy them. Ron is also seen here with his creation the SLOBSTER, a jackalope if you will, of the Southern Coast of Oregon. Ron is a man who knows his scripture and is inspiring to those he meets.

Self-taken in the Redwood Forest. It took f-o-r-e-v-e-r to build my own tripod!

Mar on the unknown, unnamed beach in Cali. We wet our toes and it was sooooo cold!

crashing wave @ said beach

this is what we came for

2008-10-29T11:09:00.000-04:00

Depoe Bay to Charleton/Coos Bay

2008-10-28T09:20:00.002-04:00

The Devil's Churn along the Oregon coast...we did not have time to hike down and walk along it. It was high tide and the water was just churning in. It was so cool. Stunning. Spectacular. Awe-inspiring.

...and then we stopped and looked out, high above the ocean and we heard sea lions from down below. There was so many of them. We saw them swimming, basking on rocks and here on the beach. They also came in many different colors just like people. We saw; black, grey, tan & brown and of course dark grey.

So.....we are seriously behind. It is currently Tues AM---7 AM to be exact and #1, it is still dark and 2 we should be half-way down the Northern Cali coast by now. The Phillies are preventing us from doing a lot of driving since we are not driving when they are on, but part of it is that there is so much to see and do.

Last nite we pulled into Charleston, OR. A bayside fishermen's kinda town. We checked in at Capt'n Johnny's Motel for 56 dollars and walked across the parking lot to eat at the highly recomended Portside, which had wonderful views out the wind of mud---low tide. At Portside we had some serious fish--Mar had poached Salmon and I had Cajun Halibut. The fish was among the best we ever had....super fresh and simply well prepared. The Halibut was amazing...it was my 1st Halibut as well as....ready--- BAKED OYSTERS. Mmmmm dipped in butter and they were huge! The bartender (we ate at the bar to watch the rain in Philly) told us the fish was from the boats on the docks...it was her b-day and we got to know everyone at the bar. Later in the evening Alex...sitting next to me told me how the Halibut and Salmon were really from Alaska....he thinks their fish is better then Portland's. Oh well....the Oysters were from the farm 'round the corner.

We are having a great time....it is already screaming by! The sign above was in the hotel bathroom....apparently you are not allowed to clean fish in your room.....go figure.

Onto the Seabasket for a nice fried egg and then to Walmart for some supplies and Cali here we come!

The trip in

2008-10-27T14:01:00.003-04:00

Ok, so they had TV on the plane and I could get updates of the Eagles game even though it was the KC game on. I didn't pay the 6 bucks and eventually a screen saver of clouds came on. I would have paid the 6 bucks to watch the Eagles, especially since I was flying....just like an eagle.

We met Mar's bosses son, Stephen in Portland where he lives for some grub....met a Phillies fan from Boyertown PA (next to camp) and watched some of the Phillies game and then encountered the largerst urinals I have seen to date....frankly if this was my restaurant I would advertise--- LARGEST URINALS IN PORTLAND!

and if your ever in Portland---Deschutes is the name of the restaurant brewery.

Anyway it is 11 and we need to hit the road....agate hunting @ Fogarty's Beach and Newport Beach.

The owner's of A Whale's Rendezvous, where we stayed said the whales will come right up to the back deck no more then 50' from where you stand....but alas...we are packing and thus far--no whales.

sea lions and waves

2008-10-27T10:52:00.003-04:00

the view from the room....you can't really see them in the water in this shot, but there were about 50+ sea lions just rolling around with the waves. Watching and hearing the waves from here is amazing.

The ocean is alive, it is living and breathing. The waves come in and CRASH into the rocks cascading their spray all over and then you watch the waters recede being drawn back in to the ocean.

I cannot begin to express the gratitude for the day after waking to this. The stars last nite and this AM were insane as we stared skyward and named the constellations.

From the book of Proverbs 27---two treasures.....enjoy.

Better is open rebuke then hidden love.

As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man.

BTW---the sun is just starting to hot the white foam of the waves and it is spectacular!

2008-10-27T01:36:00.002-04:00

ahhhh the things that happen in a day!

Right now I am sitting next to that little fireplace in the pic typing away with the ocean about 100' away crashing into the cliff and rocks below me....it is really amazing as was the sunset as we drove to the ocean....

the waves are crashing below me and they sound like a freight train!

I am very tired what with watching the Phillies win Sat nite till 2 AM and then getting up and catching a flight clear across the USA.

The scenery here is stunning and the state of Oregon is so pristine!

So, yes we stopped in Denver albeit briefly to switch planes and about an hour or so into the 1st flight I asked Mar for a can of Peanuts and this is from the top of the can...razor sharp and on a plane, but do not bring toenail clippers!!!!

Sorry for the lack of good stunning pics tonite will make up for it tomorrow.

Go EAGLES----thank God you beat Atlanta!!!

and Philly great ready......the championship is coming home!!!!!!!!!

Tater