WHIPPER SNAPPER!

Being the wonderful and giving person that I am (AND MODEST!), I decided last week that I would roll out my downstairs neighbor's garbage while rolling mine out.  Thought--"OH he will see this as a sweet gesture and reciprocate by pulling all the cans back tomorrow.  We will be such good friends.  I'll cook him supper some night."  WELL--the cans stayed at the street until I rolled them back the next day.  I'm a little disappointed---but hey  GRACE!

I then meet the young man---he lives alone---and drives a BMW & BIG truck--my back yard is full of vehicles and his HUNTING toys.  I don't mind hunting--JUST PLEASE PUT YOUR TOYS AWAY!  He is cute---and he knows he is cute---COCKY would be a good description.

So I relay this garbage tale to Camille and she tells her friend that used to have my apartment---she laughs and said--we took the garbage out EVERY week AND rolled the cans back.  I think---NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!  SO I decide this week--I will roll only my cans out--I KNOW NOT VERY CHRISTIAN--but someone has to raise this guy right!  I look in the cans and guess what---He CLEVERLY has put HIS garbage in ALL the cans--mine/his---all of them---SO I'm giving this some thought----got to BREAK this foal.  Do they make locks for plastic garbage cans?

LESSONS FROM CHURCH

I visited one of Fort Worth's fine churches this morning---Christ Chapel---an independent Bible church.  It is a VERY large church with 4000 members.  When they started talking about the 11 services they would have for Easter--due to the 600+ above capacity they had at each service last Easter--I was a little overwhelmed.  The music was a wonderful mixture of old favorite hymns and contemporary Christian---I left KNOWING I had worshiped.  The message taught by one of their "Life Stages" pastor---was based on Hebrews---a good over-view of the truth from scripture---and a practical application for today.  What more could you want!

As many other Sundays---Satan seems to show up to spoil the experience for me--even keep me from going.  I had it in my head that the service started 15 minutes later than it actually did--something told me (YOU KNOW WHAT THAT SOMETHING WAS) to go check the schedule--and I had to get in high gear--BUT I made it.  THEN I left thinking I would get there in plenty of time--only to miss the exit--have to turn around after 3 slow red lights and go back.  NOT TO WORRY--made it.  It is a well oiled machine and a slick operation with 8 of Fort Worth's finest directing traffic and a parking lot full of parking assistance.  Greeters stationed at every door--a well thought out and organized Sunday service.

It did make me very aware of how important it is to talk to those around us at church--be bold--strike up a conversation.  It took a LOT of courage to walk in that church by myself---how much easier it would have been had someone said anything beyond the greeter's "Good Morning".  I do not lay blame---I know we all are intimidated when out of our comfort zones--but I find it interesting that the only conversation I had was one that I struck up with the sweet family behind me.  A gentle reminder from God that we are "His face and mouth" here on this Earth---it is a HUGE responsibility---I will be more intentional of making that first comment from now on. 

SO I had a great worship experience, heard powerful truths and was reminded of a practical lesson for a Believer.  A wonderful Sabbath experience!

DANCING WITH MY MAN

The day had grown long---he was weary---I put on a Martina McBride CD---we started with the Texas Two Step----and then slowly we began twirling---he began leaning into me and I pulled him closer---the song was melodious---sweet---soft---lyrics and a beat made for slow dancing together.  We slowly made circles around the room---moving with the rhythm and as many a slow song seems to lead---we ended up just swaying together until the last chord faded.  He then slept peacefully in my arms---his sweet baby breath slowing ---the lovely romance of dancing with your man!

THE COWBOY IN MY LIFE

In my perpetual quest to get-stay in shape---I went for my 5 miles this morning.  I have decided to explore new territory--and went West instead of East this morning.  The cowboy above is roughly 3 blocks from my apartment--going West.  I saw him as I headed North and admired his rough manly beauty---I headed through the University West neighborhood--went by a road crew after a few blocks---and kept on going---Strange--but there seemed to be another crew working a few blocks away---and these guys looked a lot like the first group---but you know --put an orange vest on and they all look alike.

Then I saw another cowboy statute which looked very similar to the one I had passed a mile plus ago ---WELL this is Texas---there are cowboys in Texas----I kept on trucking---made another neighborhood street or two and then got on the TCU exercise trail---next thing I know--there is another bronze cowboy---I always thought I knew where I was going---but it turns out the streets are not on a square here--I guess like many towns built on a river the streets follow the lay of the river. I have seen the same statue and the same work crew 3 times---

The cowboy---well he is my Cowboy Angel---the points me to the way home--not unlike the Angels God provides us on our journey this side of Paradise.

Sidenote---Runners---I actually ran a mile and then a couple more 1/2s during this morning's 5---I AM COMING BACK---ever so slowly!

I have over night guests again--Camille & Collin are spending the night--she was glad to share the Roasted Red Pepper/Alfredo-Pesto Chicken Pasta that I prepared.  LOVE having someone to cook for!

NOW--I need to go think about a name for my cowboy!

BELLS, HYMNS & PRAYERS

Robert Carr Chapel

TCU Campus

Saint Stephen Presbyterian Church

I am fortunate enough to live a block behind the Robert Carr Chapel which is on the TCU campus.  TCU at one time was a Disciples of Christ owned university---I have heard--but must admit that I am not sure--that they are no longer connected---it is just a private university now---the chapel  is directly west of me.

Directly east of me - 2 or 3 blocks is Saint Stephen Presbyterian church which is a huge complex on the side of the hill that I live on over looking the Forest Park area of Fort Worth.

The beauty of where I am is that they BOTH have bells and hymns that they play.  The tower at TCU also chimes the hour.  I have loved hearing these bells.  While a student at LTU and living in the dorm---Keeny Hall also had bells that chimed---I don't remember it playing hymns though--just chimed the time.  I loved those chimes a LONG time ago!

It is a sweet sound and often a reminder to pray----such a great place to live--chimes and bells in stereo!

MONA, MONKEYS & ME!

Today I took Mona for a tour of the AT&T store and the Apple Store.  Her I Phone decided to have a conniption fit and loose ALL of her contacts just before she left for Fort Worth.  She is in the Big City--there is someone here to solve EVERY problem--all you have to do is figure out WHO that someone is and THEN find out WHERE they are.  NOT TO WORRY---I AM ON IT!

We then went to one of the cities wonderful deli/bakery shops-McKinley's Fine Bakery----Corn/Potato Chowder ( I must say NOT as good as mine--NO BRAG--JUST FACT!) and 1/2 a jalapeno/cheddar pimento sandwich.  It was great--but next trip---SKIP THE WHOLESOME FOOD---GO STRAIGHT TO THE BAKERY!  I saw a piece of carrot cake that--well WHAT WAS I THINKING--passing on dessert!

This afternoon we met #3/#4/#5 Grand and #1 daughter at the Fort Worth Zoo---it is a GREAT ZOO--the best part--well beyond the fact that Wednesday's are 1/2 price day---was seeing Mona enjoying the zoo.  I LOVE the excitement and wonder she shows over any new experience--from the time we toured Disney World after our marathon---until today's zoo experience. She makes me back up and remember the wonder of what we are seeing.  

AWESOME DAY!  Now for Lora's Mexican Cornbread & Brownies for dessert--

COME TO FORT WORTH & I WILL IMPRESS YOU!

Mona thinks I am AWESOME---know my way around Fort Worth---and can even never take the same road and STILL get us back home!  REALLY--It's AMAZING!---KEEP IN MIND--Mona lives in Goose Creek--with 2 major roads & 1 major intersection---WAIT---Perhaps Major may have been slight overstatement!

I took Mona for a 2-3 mile walking tour of the homes RIGHT by me---VERY PRICEY---older part of Fort Worth--AND VERY BEAUTIFUL!  The wind was cold--but she was a trooper and endured my walking tour.  It is very hilly and reminds me a great deal of old and scenic historical neighborhoods in Shreveport.  It all butts right up to one of the City Parks--We stopped several times for her to make pictures of houses--hopefully these Texans will not think we are casing their estates!

We visited with Camille and Baby Collin while the big boys were at MDO until noon--and then WE HIT THE TOWN!

We WENT TO "Uncle Julios" for lunch---YUMMY!!!  Mona thinks it was the best Mexican she has ever had---I actually have found a place--in walking distance of my apartment that I like just as well--maybe even better.  The boys and I tried it out Saturday night---I had a brisket, spinach & feta taco----OH WOW!  I need to try that at home--after I can get out and grill this Spring.

I then took Mona to Garden Ridge--if you have missed that experience--well I must say---think   WAREHOUSE---STACKS TO THE CEILING---ANYTHING YOU CAN THINK OF!  It's a retail Flea Market!  She bought 2 things--I bought a buggy full--there and at Target.  I am calling a Sabbath Rest for my Credit Card--it is suffering from fatigue.

ANYWAY--we went North---traveled West via I-30---went South several miles---went East traveling on the I-20 Service Road---headed North---back to the apartment.  MONA WAS SO IMPRESSED--I am not going to tell her that I just drove in a huge circle---SOMEONE needs to be impressed with my prowess!

COME ON OUT TO SEE ME---I AM JUST COCKY ENOUGH TO BE DANGEROUS!