No Harm, No Foul…Except When There’s a Foul - A Drunk Drivers Redemption -

Sometimes the experience of another is just enough to create a life changing moment. Such is the case of Lance (not his real name) of whom I’ve had the pleasure to meet several times while getting in a ‘stairclimb’ workout. The outdoor stairs that we have here in our small town is for him a means to keep his ‘ticker’ beating, for me a great way to prepare. Though we often just say hi and continue with our individual routine and rhythm, there are times that we stop and yak. That was the instance the other day. I remember Lance telling me that he had had a drinking problem, but I did not know the extent nor what influenced his decision to lay the bottle down.

It was the early 90’s and Lance found himself having a bit too much liquor before making his way to his truck for the drive home. During that drive Lance began to fall asleep and slid into a small ditch. Upon hitting it he was able to quickly stop the vehicle and just sit there for a few minutes before continuing down the highway. As he sat...he thought to himself how grateful he was that he didn’t cause any injury to himself or others, to which he proclaimed nonchalantly, “No harm, no foul”!

 

 It would be only a short time from that event in which another ‘drunk driver’ fell asleep at the wheel. Though for that driver there was a ‘foul’ as two young lives were taken. As Lance described the event I realized that it was the same accident in which I’ve thought of and driven past many times. The two girls were Junior High age and were returning from a party along Hwy 213 near Oregon City. Today they would be in their 30’s.

Lance reflected upon his “No harm, no foul” thought and realized just how amazingly fortunate he was. He could have caused the same. Still for a few months Lance would allow the bottle to be his companion. Then, just prior to Thanksgiving that same year he stopped drinking ‘cold turkey’. Now some 20 years later he is a changed man. He can often be found cutting wood for those in need. Seems that he realizes that life is a gift…and gift to be given.

 

 There was one who gave his life in order to provide a 'life changing moment' for each of us. His name, Jesus. The cross, though the means of His death, has become a symbol of hope. A hope, because through the Cross of Christ, and the resurrection on that Sunday morn, all can have hope. Life IS A GIFT. A gift given to us through our Creator who gave His son to be our ransom. Might it become a gift that you receive...and a gift that you give in return.

Coffee Capital of the World…Silverton?

'Gear Up'...my main coffee connection

In the past three years I’ve ventured on four different journeys’ eastward on motorcycle enjoying the amazing landscape of this land called America. Many are the keys to my travels, but of greatest are simply seeing what lies around the next bend (as my uncle Ronnie so instilled within me as a young lad), marveling at the beauty of both the wonder of animals and the panorama painted by the Creators hand, and meeting interesting characters along the way.

My favorite drive through...

And yet close behind these I would have to include the daily task of finding the ‘mom and pops’ diner and/or coffee shop. Diner’s, they have been relatively easy, coffee shops on the other hand, not so much! Often as I venture eastward beyond our town of Silverton, or perhaps even Central Oregon, the coffee shop experience quickly fades. Less of course you add ‘McDonalds’, or toward the East coast ‘Dunkin Donuts’ to this encounter.  But then again, they don’t exactly fit the ‘mom and pop’ model now do they?

Main Street Bistro

Many are better coffee connoisseurs than me. Actually, I know very little about coffee. My coffee experience didn’t even begin until I reached my mid-thirties while attending paramedic school at OHSU. Long days of study and my unfamiliar daily drive in traffic eventually led toward a slow and casual move into the coffee culture. Even then, until recently my typical coffee encounter for several years was merely four or five times a month. And then it was only towards a ‘foo-foo’ coffee at best. More recently, over the past five years or so I have found coffee shops (mom and pops in particular) to be a great place for connecting with old friends or meeting new ones.

And then, if you live in Silverton…well, we may be the coffee capital of the world. With eight such places in which you can come in from the cold and sit down with friends and enjoy your java, or if you’re on the move, we now have four drive-through locations as you head toward your Salem, Portland or Silver Falls destinations. Why ‘Dutch Brother’s' added their brand to the town…something to do with ‘business’ I guess. Per capital that works out to be one coffee shop per 800 citizens. Then if you eliminate toddlers and others who shouldn't or don't have the frequent espresso in their diet, that number decreases to something closer to 500. Ok, that was not a scientific study...I'm just saying.

Anyway, if you enjoy the journey through ‘smallville’ America and like coffee, make sure you include a stop into Silverton. You're sure to find some good coffee, and better yet you might just find a new friend.

1...1...1...1

Where silly meets simple or...where simple meets silly.

Oh...so maybe this is a secret which should remain so. There have been so many 'simple' things that we have enjoyed, but I don't think there are any quite so simple nor frequent as...1...1...1...1. And you can even say it...1111, or 11...11, or 1...1...11, or...you get the idea. The object is to be the last one to say 1..1..1..1 before it turns...1...1...1...2. In the World Series of 1...1...1...1...I'm not sure who has come out ahead. There's no score keeping, only silly fun between husband and wife.

Yet there is one aspect where 'silly' does become 'serious', that's when I look and the clock actually shows 11:11. It is at that time, no matter what I'm doing, I think of Karen. It may just a simple thought, or a smile, a prayer or a recent memory.

Whatever your relationship, might silly and simple routines become a regular component of your day. Plus you have the added benefit of not spending great amount of dough for entertainment. 'Free' surely is a good price :)

A Christmas Carol...thought

Gonzo and Rizzo

Christmas conjures up more traditions than any season and/or event within our American culture. Decorations and presents likely lead the list of traditions that emerge, but others include, caroling and plays, feast and family, trees and mistletoe, stockings and Santa, cards and candy canes and hopefully even the remembrance of the Christ child. Movies for the season perhaps are close to the top. You can always find numerous ‘Hallmark’ expressions of Christmas or the infamous ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’. Still others live and die by ‘Christmas Vacation’ or ‘A Christmas Story’. And of course Charles Dickens provides perhaps one of the most enduring reflections in His ‘Christmas Carol’. Written in a mere six weeks with the belief that he could reach greater masses regarding his concerns about poverty and social injustice through story than any other means. 

'Christmas Present'

Two adaptations of the ‘Christmas Carol’ are regulars in our home, a 1970 version called ‘Scrooge’ with Albert Finney and the 1992 movie with Michael Caine in ‘The Muppet Christmas Carol’. Yes, the ‘Muppets’. It provides plenty of humor along with a few thought provoking lines. My favorite characters ‘Gonzo the Great’ and ‘Rizzo the Rat’ with their, "Light the lamp, not the rat". And of all the quotes I think none are greater than Scrooge during his time

with ‘Christmas Yet to Come’ when he says:

“Ebenezer Scrooge: [in the graveyard] Must we return to this place? There is something else that I must know, is that not true? Spirit, I know what I must ask. I fear to, but I must. Who was the wretched man whose death brought so much glee and happiness to others? 

[the spirit points to a headstone, Scrooge begins moving toward it, then turns back, frightened]

Ebenezer Scrooge: Answer me one more question. Are these the shadows of things that *will* be, or are they the shadows of things that *may* be only?

Scrooge with 'Christmas Yet to Come'

[the spirit points again at the gravestone, Scrooge slowly approaches it]

Ebenezer Scrooge: These events can be changed! A life can be made right.

[he clears the snow from the stone and reads]

Ebenezer Scrooge: [in tears] Ebenezer Scrooge! Oh please Spirit, no! Hear me, I, I am not the man I was! Why would you show me this if I am past all hope?...

[sobbing]

Ebenezer Scrooge: I, I *will* honor Christmas, and try to keep it all the year! I will live my life in the past, the present and the future. I will not shut out the lessons the spirits have taught me! Tell me that I may sponge out the writing on this stone!

[kneeling, clutching at the spirit's robe]

Ebenezer Scrooge: Oh Spirit, please speak to me!”

Perhaps the essence of the story found in this simple sentence, “Are these the shadows of things that 'will' be, or are they the shadows of things that 'may' be only?” Is it not as well the purpose of the Christ child. The changes that are possible in each of our lives, the changes that can affect those who are placed in our path. Plus the realization that we are not “past all hope”.

As the year 2016 begins I like to remember that they are “shadows that may only be”. And that mine is a “A life that can be made right”, a life that can be a present and presence of hope to a world that is often without.

I give thanks to my Savior Jesus Christ for the provision of that hope. And I look forward to next year when once again we'll sit together to watch this version of 'A Christmas Carol'.

 

Plus "It Feels Like Christmas"

Christmas Decoration Joy...

Searching...What to Place Next

The sounds of "ohhhhh…you have so many stuffed snowmen…this is soooo cute…Tirza, look…another, this is soooo cute…you have a lot of candles…and another, ohhh that is sooo cute! This one is so soft…did you feel him?"  

Miko...watching the singing Penquins

Just a few of her Stuffed Animals

These are the sounds of Karen’s ‘Craft Girls’ as they decorate our home with the panorama of Christmas. I would never have thought that people…that kids could have so much fun decorating, then again, I was never a girl. Their joy and pleasure along with Karen’s is pretty amazing. I just get to sit in the adjacent room while doing some work on the computer and simply listen and watch their joy. The music of John Denver and the Muppets then Ron Diller on guitar provides the perfect background sound to this fun scene.

As wonderful that the decorations are during this time of year, I would hope that the deeper meaning of the Christ child born of the virgin Mary, the Savior of the world...might decorate your life this day and always.

God Made the Colors...For You & Me

It was the 1970's and a duo who called themselves 'Gospel Seed' wrote the following lines. A song that I have likely quoted more than any other. Thank you Gary and Mike.

Golden Chain

"God made the colors for you and me, beautifully for us to see, glad He didn't it black and white, much to our delight. God put the colors in the red red rose and in the green of the grass that grows, and all the colors of the butterfly as they go fluttering by.

But the colors I love best is when I lay my head to rest, is watching while clouds go floating by on the blue color of the sky. La la la la la la la la la la la...la la la la la la la la la la la...la la la la la la la la la la la...Colors are yours and mine.

Orange is the color of the fruit on the tree, pick it and eat it so naturally, purple is the color of the grape on the vine, colors are yours and mine.

But the colors I love best is when I lay my head to rest, is watching white clouds go floating by on the blue color of the sky. La la la la la la la la la la la...la la la la la la la la la la la...la la la la la la la la la la la...Colors are yours and mine."

Song by Gary Luttrell and Mike Moore 1977

In our busy, chaotic life where circumstance and routine can rule, we lose the wonder of all that is around us...Like the flavor of food, the laughter of a baby, the smile of a grandmother, the sound of the waves crashing or the trickle of a creek. They are all wonders that are ever around us. Such is the case for color. These colors are just around my own yard here in Oregon. Distance is not required in order to appreciate wonder. Blessings!

Veteran Gordon Menveg, I Salute You Sir!

PVT US Army Air Corps

Gordon Menveg...He was my Grandfather, the husband of my Nana. Though married less than 20 years and dying on my birthday in 1990, nearly 20 years before she would breathe her last...he always remained her sweetheart. On this 'Veterans Day' 2015, I leave this blog in his remembrance. 

Gordon's plot South of Las Vegas

Over the last 12 years of Nana's life I would have the honor to travel one to three times a year to visit and assist with needs around her house. Most of those days would include some sharing of her many years of life, including those with Gordon. One fact that always remained quiet was in regards to Gordon's time in the Army. The reason...he never would speak of those days to her. All she knew is that they affected him greatly. What I know...is that his limp and seizures were a result of his tour with the Army. And yet, I never heard him complain.

Grandkids ponder Gordon's and Nana's graves

All of us know of hero's who stood in distressing times for our freedom. One such hero was Gordon Menveg!

 

Note: Though I agree greatly with Lee Greenwood and his beautiful song, I do pray for God's blessing on all of His creation.