On Thanksgiving, the turkey, stuffing, rolls, potatoes, and pumpkin pie blend together to create the smell of family, food, and home. A smell that wafts throughout the house and lingers in our memories….at least until Black Friday hits, when we hit the shopping centers to overdraft our credit cards once again in celebration of everything…
Category: Thoughts & Musings
Happy Thanksgiving!
It seems like summer was just yesterday, but, according to the calendar, Thanksgiving is just a week away. Maybe that’s because in Indiana, it was “summer” with sunshine and 70s on Sunday, before it snowed on Monday! When I think about Thanksgiving, I always remember a simple activity my parents incorporated into our yearly tradition….
Its a Good Day…
I just want to hide in a corner and cry. No matter how hard I try to suppress them, the tears keep welling up behind my eyes. I feel like a failure. A disappointment. Even though I arrived at school early, even though I read the minutes and had everything prepared, even though I left…
Keep Oneself Unstained from the World
James 1:26-27 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. ( ESV) Quite honestly, I’ve…
My Skinny Tires Can’t Handle This
“Root!” “Log!” “Freaking huge pile of logs!” As a “roadie,” the bumps that are normal for mountain bikers seemed as if they would swallow my bike. That was last year. After purchasing a mountain bike in early 2011, I ventured out to Franke Park’s mountain bike trails to see if I really could ride a…
Chillaxin’
Now that I’m working full-time again, the arrival of a three-day weekend is a cause for great excitement and anticipation. Labor Day weekend 2012 came laden with expectation: a friend flying in from Utah, wakeboarding at the lake, bicycle rides, soaking up the sun at Warren Dunes, trail riding, and sand volleyball. Then there was…
Cornrows & Classrooms
Those of you who stalk me on Facebook (or saw me in person) know that I had corn rows all last week. Reactions to my hair covered a wide spectrum, from viewing it as a rebellious look to identifying the ease of care that it offered. In reality, I did it just for fun, but…
Taxi Driver, by the Will of God
Yesterday, I had the privilege of being the chauffer for the president of a Christian university. As I approached the hotel where I was picking him up, I realized the incredible value of the opportunity before me. For two hours, I would have the singular attention of a man who inspired my respect, not merely…
Chasing Pigs
People sometimes classify me as a country kid, probably because I own horses, enjoy baling hay, and know how to drive a tractor. I would agree. Until yesterday. When the farmer down the road is out of town, I typically take care of feeding his animals, and as State Fair was this weekend, I was…
They Say I’m Crazy
It’s true. Most people I know think I’m crazy. Maybe jumping off of waterfalls, riding a bicycle for 160 miles in a day, or buying a Kawasaki Ninja have something to do with that. Or mountain biking, playing volleyball, riding horses, bridge jumping, trail running, and swimming across flooded rivers. Or teaching high school, leading…
Ride Fierce Racing 