Horn Bar

 I was driving to work on a recent rush hour morning, taking my usual combination of interstate connections, and as I passed a busy exit near downtown, I was surprised and concerned to see a large dog standing in the middle of the striped and painted no-man’s land of a triangular peninsula that separated the off-ramp and the right lane of the four-lane expressway. 

Oddly, the dog seemed completely oblivious to the personal and terminal danger that lay only six feet in either direction of a sudden and unplanned movement.  Instead, he was completely captivated by something he was nuzzling on the diagonally striped pavement.  I was somehow reminded of the iconic photograph of the iron workers eating lunch seated precariously, but confidently on a steel girder, several incomplete skyscraper floors above a 1930’s New York City skyline.  Both these men, and the dog were perilously close to imminent danger, but were much less nervous about it than I was.  But this is more about dogs than men.  At least I thought so.

As I passed the dog’s presumed last exit, I found myself looking hard for him in my rear-view mirror to see if he was alright, and wondering if there had been anything I might have done to help him.  I actually thought of him often at work that day, and as I drove into work the next morning, my driving eyes searched the exit area, expecting to see a large, lifeless lump in the grass or on the gravel.  I was relieved and amazed to not spot any evidence of a failed exit, but ironically,  by not seeing the dog, I was still somewhat unsettled to not be privy to the dog’s ultimate fate.

At least not seeing him the next day gave me a sense of relief and eased guilt, after I had chosen to not stop and help coax him off to safety.  Though it had not fallen to me to be responsible, it was difficult for me to pass by, and not offer any assistance, even as I gazed on, and fretted over his predicament. 

And it was on the third day as I drove into work past that exit, that I began to think of all of the predicaments I pass by in my life, where I may for a moment consider stopping to help, were it not for the inconvenience to my day.  But I typically keep moving on toward my own predicaments.

This incident is far from the first time my conscience has encountered a dog in distress.   As recently as this fall, I stopped my truck in the middle of a country highway, and held up traffic approaching from each direction to pick up an oblivious Pug doing a puppy trot between the yellow lines of Highway 47.  The farmer sprinting down his long gravel driveway toward the road was quite grateful…and winded.  The Pug just licked my face.

It occurs to me that, as frequently as I see a homeless person at the top of an off ramp, toting a tattered and stained cardboard offering to work for food,  I rarely roll down my window. It would seem that I give a dog in the road much more thought than I do the homeless guy.

And what about all the times I pass a stranded motorist with a flat tire on the shoulder?  I think I am the kind of guy who would stop and change a tire, but I don’t think I ever have.  And just last week, I saw a guy walking down the road with a gas can.  Logic told me that he must have been walking back to a gasless car, and I started to slow down, but then I realized how much clutter I’d have to clear from my passenger seat.  So I kept moving.

And how often have I sensed an empathetic need to share a real conversation with a friend, a co-worker, or a family member.  Maybe I just needed to stop and listen.  But I didn’t. 

Perhaps that friend, co-worker, or family member is troubled, but does not know that there are eternal answers to the questions of life.  And as much as I want to see them someday in my personal Heaven, it would be way too awkward to stop and talk about it.  So I keep moving.

I’d like to say that I’ve had a life-changing revelation, and I will begin to live my life more unselfishly, with open hands and open arms.  But, in truth,  I’ll probably remain cautious and protective.  I suppose it is a good start that I’ve become more aware, and I am at least slowing down, and considering helping.

Maybe next time, I’ll actually roll down my window, and yell at him to get out of the road.

The dog, not the homeless guy.

Baby steps.

(linked from one of my favorite blog sites, kottke.org)

Alex Tabarrok proposes that now is a good time for the US government to form the Buffalo Commons, a huge nature preserve in the western US.

The western Great Plains are emptying of people. Some 322 of the 443 Plains counties have lost population since 1930 and a majority have lost population since 1990. Now is the time for the Federal government to sell high-priced land in the West, use some of the proceeds to deal with current problems and use some of the proceeds to buy low-priced land in the Plains creating the world’s largest nature park, The Buffalo Commons.

According to this map, the US government owns more than 50% of the land in some western states (Nevada 84.5%, Utah 57.4%, Oregon 53.1%, Arizona 48.1%, California 45.3%).

Bulldogs win school’s first sectional title since 1995

HAGERSTOWN – With his once-healthy lead down to five points and his team facing a fourth-down-and-8 at its own 48-yard line early in the fourth quarter Friday night, Lapel coach Nate Andrews had a decision to make.

“Is it time?” he asked, turning to one of his assistant coaches.

“Yes, sir, it is,” came the reply.

So Andrews sent in the fake punt, senior Josh Owen completed a 20-yard pass to junior Sam Foust and the Bulldogs went on to defeat Hagerstown 40-21 for the second sectional title in school history and the first since 1995.

 http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/385509_starbucks30.html

"Rock singer Bono gave a surprise speech Wednesday at Starbucks’ managers conference in New Orleans, bringing star power to the company’s announcement of a partnership with (RED), a private organization that benefits AIDS programs in Africa.

 His appearance was even kept secret from the rest of his U2 band members, he said.

Seattle-based Starbucks will donate 5 cents to the Global Fund for each holiday beverage it sells from Nov. 27 through Jan. 2. After that, Starbucks will designate certain products as (RED), which will benefit the Global Fund."

 "Here we are, talking about the economy tanking. People are saying, ‘Maybe the world doesn’t need more coffehouses.’ And what do you do? What does Starbucks do? You decide to give your money away," Bono said to thunderous applause from the thousands of store managers and others gathered at New Orleans Arena.

Saturday nite, after an exhausting day of working
in the yard at Debbie’s house, we went out for dinner,
and then came back to Lapel thinking of watching a
movie, but we hadn’t picked up anything, so we
looked through her DVD’s and VHS tapes, and
somehow ended up watching a 30 minute episode
of "Veggie Tales", where Cucumber Larry and Tomato Bob
told the story of Joseph from the Old Testament, but
in the context of an American Western story.

I wasn’t really familiar with the "Veggie Tales" thing, having never had my own kids, but once I figured out the subtext of the story in front of me,I got really interested, and ended up really getting encouraged and inspired by the message, mainly of being patient of God’s plan, and continuing to "do what is right", even in the face of darkness and uncertainty, because He will provide in the end, when His time is right, but meanwhile, there is work we can and should be doing while we are planted wherever we are.

As if to drive the point home, at church today, we heard about Joshua, and I was encouraged to recommit myself to God’s plan, (Joshua’s Stone–24:26-27), and to challenge myself to remain faithful, even in times of darkness and uncertainty.

I love it when God speaks so clearly to me, especially when I need to hear Him.

Even if it is in the form of an animated cucumber.

They should really market this stuff to kids….

Well, Debbie, David, Sam, Candy, and I have
been working hard all summer on the ever expanding
dream of having a patio behind the house in Lapel.

As DIY projects often go, it started as a modest idea,
but the more we read, saw on the Home networks, and heard
from people who actually had a bit of wisdom of such things,
(thanks David!!), we decided to do this the right way.

The "right way" ended up including over 6 tons of crushed
gravel, known as "The Dusty 12" in the industry, or at least
at the gravel pit near Lapel.  We also used a couple tons of
Sand, and at last count,  nearly 130  16x16  paver stones.

The patio is nearing completion, and is anxious to host and
toast future family gatherings. 

Heck, we could almost have a wedding there….

It would seem that I tend to neglect the creative or informational outlet of my blog, when I am particularly busy, stressed, or worried about stuff, which typically involves work.                          

Even if it’s only a cup of coffee.

In the past few weeks, Starbucks has announced the imminent closing of 600 stores, which accounts for around 8% of the US stores.  Four of those stores are within a few miles of me in Metro Indy, but thankfully, none are in my specific parking lot.   But it is still a nervous time, as it is in many US businesses affected by the current economy.  It’s always possible that my store would not survive a third trimming back of the herd.   And yesterday, my boss was let go, as part of the "restructuring of the organization".  So my focus has been on executing all my objectives at work, and staying out of the crosshairs. 

I’ve been praying alot on this lately.  I like my job.  Sure there are challenges, but that is life.  I really enjoy the people connections I am able to make, from my fellow partners, to customers, and even my vendor drivers.  We have very interesting, enlightening, and encouraging conversations.   In these uncertain times, I’ve been praying that I would be able to recognize whether or not God needs me to be planted in this particular job at SBX, or if it might be time for me to serve elsewhere.   Some days, I feel God moving in my conversations at SBX, and I know that I’m there for a reason, creating a certain environment for those around me.  Or even being encouraged by those around me.

Other days, I feel frustrated at how the job restricts me from quality time with Debbie, and my family, and lately, I have thought I felt the walls closing in, and wondered if I had time to get out on time.

Recently, in a moment of helplessness, I had confided to Debbie that I had been praying for God to take control of my life, according to His will, but had not been clear on the answer to that prayer, and I was still stressing about my decisions.  Debbie wisely reminded me that, if I have truly given up control, then I need not worry, but trust in faith in the plan.  It had been a moment of clarity for me, and I’ve had much more peace about myself since then.  I have faith in the plan.

I also realised that this does not mean I simply go through the motions at work, and wait for a lifeline,
like the guy on the roof in a flood, who drowns, after passing up help from boats and helicopters, because he is waiting for God to save him.   If I invite Jesus over for a BBQ, I still need to prepare a meal, and not just expect Him to throw open the grill, and reveal a miracle feast of steaks and brats.    I still need to do the work.

So I have been diligently working, learning, and developing myself in my current position to be the best person and SBX manager I can be, because that is where I am currently planted, and until I hear further, this must be where I am supposed to be.  And, in the meantime, I am bettering myself for some future, unrevealed purpose.

It is in this peace of faith that I have been able to set aside my own personal insecurities, and trust that, even if I can’t be certain of what my professional future looks like, I am certain of what I want my personal future to look like, and it most certainly looks like Debbie and I being married.

So I made it official and ask her to marry me, for better or for worse.

Miraculously, she said yes.

So lately, even at a time when it would appear that my coffee cup is half empty, I am certain that in reality and faith, it truly is at least half full.

and I thought I didn’t have anything to write about…. 

Happy Dad’s day from my dad (circa 1961) and me.