sunday

Last night at The Grind was pleasant. I opted to sing outside. The weather was nice. It was a football night so the crowd was small. Come to think of it...there wasn't a crowd at all. No biggy. Gina showed up and played her d'jembe. I got home a little after midnight and I was bone tired. It's hauling that sound equipment around. I woke up around 4:00 a.m. and couldn't go back to sleep without taking something for the body aches. It 4:00 p.m. and I am still feeling it.

I can't complain too much. It's great having a sound system to call my own. Though out the eighties I used one of Christian Bro's smaller Bose systems. CBA at the time had a large touring system and two small systems. As those systems became unavailable in time, my brother Brook generously lend me his Bose system. Brook sold his system sometime in the late nineties. I wasn't playing much, hence I didn't notice it missing. I started singing with Jose' about five years ago. Bruce Cornutt let me borrow his a bunch of times. There were a lot of time that the venues I'd play furnished me with a system. Let the player beware though, life is like a box of chocolates, some systems are better left turned off. Bruce eventually sold his system. By this time, I was long past tired of being a sound system borrower.

About four of five years ago Jose' gave me an old set of Peavy speakers. Over time I was eventually able to pull together a system that sounds pretty good. Brook and Jose' recently helped me revamp the old speakers and sound so much better. Now that I have a system of my own, I dread having to tote it everywhere. I think it's my age. I am pushing 50 and it takes a little effort getting the system to the van, to the stage, play 3 to 4 hours then to the van, then back home. I am blessed though to have a system when I need it. It had been so long having to trouble others for one down through the years.

tonight

Going it solo tonight at The Grind

8-11

whats he got in his pocketses

Katie had to do some reading for school. She brought home The Hobbit this week. Last night I offered to read the chapter about riddles in the dark...when Bilbo finds the ring and meets Gollum. Tonight Bilbo caught up with Gandalf and the rest of the crew. They make their way from the frying pan into the fire...finding themselves up a tree surrounded by hundreds of grey wolves.

It was a very long time ago that I first went there and back again with Bilbo and the unexpected party. Tenth grade? It was a great tale, only to be followed by a greater story of rings, wizards, good and evil...and yes...more hobbits. I love reading the stories to new listeners. Years ago, right after Gina and I moved to Bowling Green, we would make hot tea and muffins each night. I would read to her in dialect by candlelight. She had never read The Hobbit and so I read to her instead of turning on the television.

About five years ago I read The Hobbit and Fellowship Of The Ring to a fifth/sixth grade class at Westbrook Christian School. At first the kids did not want to enjoy it but I read with a vast cast of voices...breathed life into the written words with great energy. It wasn't long until they fell into the spell of Tolkien's masterwork, following an old wizard, a hobbit and dwarfs into high adventure, deep into MiddleEarth. I lead the children with the confidence of Gandalf. They follow me into the unknown, taken captive, carried deep into the belly of mountains.

Katie sat on the bed tonight as I read at the foot. We've had two nights of adventure together. I look forward to reading more to her through out the next few weeks.

since last time

I haven't blogged much this week. I've been kind of busy but have taken the time to check out all of my friends sites on a daily basis. Here's what's happened since last time I blogged:

Friday: I played at The Coffee Vine Cafe' from 7-11 p.m. Gina stayed off the stage that night so she could catch up with an old childhood friend of hers. AJ came up and manned the Djembe' since Gina was distracted. It was nice having AJ with me. David Creel was there Friday night. I've known David C. since the early to mid 70's. His dad used to pastor Central United Methodist where my family were members. David was also an active part of Christian Brother's Association before he headed off to do missionary work on Saipan. He's on a long furlough and was great hooking up with him.

Saturday: I sang at The Coffee Vine Cafe' again. I was joined by Gina, AJ, Gabe, Sherry, Rachael on stage and had a great time worshipping together. We had such a great time that I asked each of them to help me lead worship Sunday morning. It was nice to be worshipping outside the church walls and God showing up. I look forward to more of this in the future.

Sunday: I was joined on stage by the previous night's worship team. Had a great time but my fingers were killing me. Worship was free and fun.

Monday: Gina and I finally got to pick up our van. It's been in and out of shops through out the Summer. The door is fixed and I don't have to use a bungee cord to keep it closed. Gina loves her old red van. It would be nice to sell it and get something newer but I think she wants to drive it more.

Tuesday: I work at the office till 2:15, until I go pick up Katie from Rainbow Middle. I've been taking the girls home after school now that we have two vehicles again. I think it's better for Katie to do her homework at home. It will be nice to have a little extra home-time during the week. I will be able to prep a dinner for the family as well as clean house through out the week.

Wednesday: I dropped Katie off at school and then dropped by The Coffee Vine' so Rachael could fix me a large Ooey-Gooey Coffee. It's a combination coffee, chocolate and maple concoction that is absolutely delicious. Later in the day, Jose' dropped by the office. Gina talked him into joining us for lunch. I hadn't seen Jose' in a month. I love Jose' and always great hanging around him.

I've got a lot of musician friends and would like to throw this out there. I have a friend who really wants to learn how to play guitar. Do any of you guitarist out there have an acoustic in the closet that you don't use and wouldn't mind passing it on to someone who would put it to good use? I'm just throwing it out there.

Also...This week I've been able to catch a few episodes of Ken Burn's THE WAR. If you recall, he's the guy that produced THE CIVIL WAR back in the late 80's. THE WAR tells what is was like up front and on the home front. I also enjoyed THE FAMILY GUY's hour long STAR WARS spoof that aired Sunday night.

Oh Lord

what will it take oh Lord

what will it take to open our hearts and minds

our nation has drifted far from you

far from your heart

far from your way

we are a divided people

separated from you

even if your judgement doesn't come

we walk briskly toward our own destruction

like a prodigal son

we have turned away from you

tossing away our birthright

our freedom

our inheritance

piece by piece

veering from your course

inch by inch

i still pray for this people

the only home and country i've ever known

expose us oh Lord

renew us oh God

that we see as a nation

that you are God

the one true God

that it is you and only you

that all blessing came

the great wing that has sheltered us since our beginning

the One who has nurtured us and covered us with grace

that we are not a nation simply born and sustained by chance

this freedom we have known for so long

provided solely from your hand oh Lord

is was you oh Lord

that set us upon a hill

blessed us with a goodness

that we have tainted

a truth

that we have turned from

deliver us oh Lord

we need your light

we need your fire

keep us safe

keep us strong

keep us one

surround us

keep our borders safe

dwell among us

let the enemy see you at our gate

and fear you

God of creation

God of all

keep our troops safe

give our troops victory

deliver us from our enemies

break their swords

crush their efforts

expose their hiding place

foil their plans

i pray for my little girls

keep our children safe

let them not be raised

beneath the darkness of terrorism's threat

let our children not live with this fear

do what it takes

do your will

break us oh Lord

let us become a nation

that stands with you

my heart is that all America see

that you are God

my heart is that our enemy see

that you are God

that darkness will lift

when we individually

and collectively

repent and turn to you

awaken our hearts

quicken our minds

to serve you

i do not want this nation to fall

but no matter

you are my God

you are my nation

if America falls

i will stand for you

but i plead for this country

as Lot plead for his hometown

i pray that the prodigal son returns home

returns to you

Bowling for Spina Bifida

October is National Spina Bifida Awareness month, bowl-a-thons are being held through out Alabama.

Who: Spina Bifida Association of Alabama / Contact Bowling Captain Megan Armstrong and make a contribution 543-0607
Where: Paradise Lanes / Sutton Bridge Road / Rainbow City
When: Saturday / October 13th / 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Why: The Spina Bifida Association of Alabama is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the prevention of spina bifida and to enhance the lives of those in Alabama who live with spina bifida and their families.
All donations collected are fully tax deductible because SBA of AL is a 501 (c) (3) organization. Your support is greatly

Welcome Home Robert

Pictures express what my words can't.

heart breaking

This story happened today. It was a brief three minute clip on CNN. I spent thirty minutes trying to find the story online so I could share it with you. I had to wade through the non-news of O.J., Dan Rather, and the Jena 6 march.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0920copfolo0920.html

Politicians, Republican & Democrat are letting this nation down. Our politically correct leaders are themselves a national security risk. The killer was an illegal alien with a history of violent crimes. He had been caught and deported last year but came back over. This isn't a first time this kind of thing has happened. Our leaders should be enforcing immigration laws, standing in the gap, but instead are doing quite the opposite.

I urge you to read the article above and find out about the kind of man that fell this afternoon. Pray for the family and friends of fallen Officer Nick Erfle. Pray for our nation. Pray for those at our nation's helm....those ship of fools in Washington, DC.

weekend gig

I'll be playing at the Coffee Vine Cafe' this weekend from 8:00-11:00 p.m. (maybe later). The coffeehouse is located at Rainbow Plaza (3225 Rainbow Drive). The coffee shop is tucked in the armpit of the plaza. Come on by and let Rachael fix you a mocha latte'. I might even get her on stage to sing again.

-df

cool ride

betty let me borrow her 73 bug

while one of the vans are in the shop

i drove it to winn dixie before heading home

i filled it front and back with groceries

i listened to the radio through it's crappy speakers

wgad 930 oldies crackling through

only two knobs on my radio

no fm

no cd

no a/c

but the evening was cool

so i rolled down the windows

and let the wind kiss my face

drove home shifting gears

it's been a long time since i had my own little 73 bug

long time since i drove a straight

she smelt like a volkswagen

and the sound of that little engine so familiar