Wed~Thur Reviews

Now I know why they call him "Bullet Bob" . . . the 83 year old driver is hard to keep up with (on the road or in a conversation)! We stopped for BBQ in Marrietta and I brought back a Scion from Denton (non-stop).
Mid-week Bible Study was encouraging: 15 in the teens class even though 3 of our male leaders countn't be there.

Thursday the congregation pulled together to honor the memory of Coy Ramsey, one of our songleaders. The singing was by a double quartet of Christians from Walker and Oakcrest. Coy, an original member of The Rainbow Quartet, loved to sing about Heaven. I'm sure that hasn't changed since Monday morning. The ladies fed fifty family members.
I got a call to deliver a red Dodge Ram to Enid. At 4:30, the customer did the paperwork and I limped home in the loaner - an 07 Grand Prix with a donut spare on the front right - groaner. I brought in Mazzios and packed the van; we left for our house as Mike & Gwyn arrived at the airport about 9. Dave is covering some jobs for me as I go with Jeannette to meet with the Doctor Friday morning.

Too Much Time On My Hands

Well, 9 hours of driving can afford a person time to think, or not. Between OKC and Guymon, 266 miles, I observed 35 dead skunks, 2 deer, 2 rabbits, a coyote, a turkey, and a possum. Moving on to more pleasant topics, I really enjoyed the friendly staff and speedy service at the Playa Azul Mexican Restaurant in Woodward. That's "Blue Beach" I learned.

So I get to Guymon and the customer who needed to sign the
contract was back in Woodward. I caught up with her (2 hours
and 120 miles later) at a soccer pitch at Boomer Stadium. I guess "alls well that ends well" . . . I made it home about 9 with ice cream.

Sweet Fellowship

The last Sunday of each month is Family Night when I speak, the young boys read scriptures, Larry leads extra songs, and then we eat. Sure, I've always said NT fellowship doesn't have to involve eating, however, it is always easier to talk over coconut creme pie or a tasty meat casserole. I spoke on Psalms 119. After the pot luck we loaded the van and hurried over to "sit" with Gwyn's 3 kids, 3 cockers, a cat, and a house guest.
On Monday, Dave and I joined 4 other drivers to take the rest of the 10 Ford Pickups to Kansas. The late lunch is always fun: full of teasing. This time we ate at The Grain Bin, a very popular spot in downtown Chanute. The terrible, gusty crosswinds made the trip back uneasy.
I got back to find a flat rear tire on the van. I was assisted immensely by a young man from the Downtown Ford Service Dept (with an air tank after he had clocked out) and the good guys at Big O's who repaired it after closing time! Thank you. After Whiz Kids, Jeannette made chicken fajitas at Gwyn's.

Stark Opposite Saturday

I went North, they went South. I saw snow and ice, they drove thru rain and we had sun back home. Gwyn and Jeannette took Alyssa to Dallas to audition for a J.C.Penny commercial shoot. Five driver friends and I drove to Chanute, Kansas to deliver the first 5 of 10 brand new white F150 trucks to Quest (an energy company like Devon or Chesapeake). The number of people who lost their homes and businesses in Coffeyville was sickening; block after block had been bulldozed down. We ate well at Big Ed's Steakhouse in Thayer. We rode back
in a slick Lincoln Navigator. How about that OSU upset over Kansas. I'm sure glad we were back across the border when the game ended. Oh, sorry Teresa!
ps Its raining at the NASCAR track in California.

One Perfect Moment

or was it Some Enchanted Evening? The evening spent with the OKC Philharmonic and Art Garfunkel was an incredible experience for us. Thanks to James and Beverly sharing their tickets to the Pops, we were there to welcome this ageless superstar to Oklahoma. His unbelieveably talented band featured Cliff Carter on the piano.

Since the Abilene deal fell thru, I spent the morning working on my sermon slides. While Jeannette worked at the American Cancer Society office, I tracked down some meds for Rob, studied in the van, and made a happy hour run to Sonic.

Frigid Funeral Day

Services for our neighbor of over 20 years were held today at Vondel Smith. Gloria's memory was honored by three daughters and our Lacie. It won't be the same on this street. . . but then it hasn't been the same for a while now. I'm remembering Joseph and Pat, Charlie and Eunice, the Berkenbiles, and Charlie's cigars. It was a bitter, long day below freezing: some icy drizzle and a few flakes.
The day long trip to Abilene fell through for Friday. But the trucks are finally ready to convoy up to Chanute, Kansas on Sat and Mon from Downtown Ford. Mother is still in the hospital in Tucson but her BP and heart rate have improved. I started working on the taxes and Jeannette enjoyed the start of Caring Sisters tonight. Geoff is nursing a sore jaw from an major extraction and guess what . . . Julian is going out for spring football!

OC Gathering

The monthly preachers' luncheon at Oklahoma Christian was a real blessing. John Curtis from Durant spoke on Psa. 119. I enjoyed seeing a big number of "spiritual giants" who have had an impact on the church (and my life over the years). I was especially thrilled to visit with Ralph Burcham (credited with introducing me to my future wife at Camp Rock Creek) and Duane Eggleston (mentor to hundreds of youth ministers).
Two late contract runs sent me through rush hour to the Camp Kickapoo area beyond Will Rogers Airport and to Bridge Creek tonight. Sonic got "sandwiched" in between. I'll make an early trip to Ponca City Wednesday. For these three, I have an '07 Saturn.

Weekend update

Friday morning Jeannette went to visit Dr. Fanning while I returned the Chevy Uplander. For the evening trip to the Lawton area, I picked up a big black Ram 1500. What started out as a quick run down to Elgin, turned into a trek into the "foot hills" of Mt. Scott. Almost to Meers, I found the home and the couple as it started to rain with freezing temperatures. I made it back up the H E Bailey turnpike before the region posted a winter travel advisory.
Saturday's hard rain finally melted the ice on the windshields. I bought groceries while Jeannette made a cherry cobbler for the families gathered next door. It was a very long weekend for Gloria's girls.
Sunday's teen class started John. Brent ate with us at Boomerang. I watched the Daytona 500 after flying my Earnhardt # 3 flag. OK, I did doze off a couple of times. I pulled for the Toyotas but those pesky Penske Dodges stole the show. DJ bows out with a respectable 16th finish.
The "group" went to Taco Bueno in Moore. We laughed all evening with Rocky and Brent's stories
Monday morning begin with news of Gloria's passing. I went to Westside for a Youth Ministers' meeting to plan the summer series. Buster, Logan, and McKnight were a riot! The Whiz Kids learned about Obed and the story of Ruth's love for Naomi.

Thursday Travels

Wednesday Night Bible Class was energizing; most of the girls were there. Sterling broughts Anna and Angela. It was a good day spent with David, Michelle, Rob, and Jeannette at Aunt Velma's funeral. After the graveside service we visited at the Pizza Hut (Velma's favorite!).

Thursday began with a trip to Chandler where I discovered the Rt. 66 Bakery & Deli. After the contracts were signed I found a Taco Mayo in the other half of town. I barely made it home in time to see the second race of the Duals at Daytona. Joe Gibb's 11 car has won the first ever Cup victory for the Toyota Camry. MWR teammates worked together to get Dale Jarrett into his final 500!
Then the call begging me to come back to work. . . I drove to Guthrie at dusk, and then all the way to Woodward for just 2 signatures! When I started back at 9:20, it was 28 degrees and traffic was light. I managed to get home for a valentine kiss just minutes before midnight. Thank You, Lord, for safe travel and a good job.

Aunt Velma Remembered

Velma Fay Lowrey Thompson, 1919 - 2008, graduated to glory after conqueroring brain cancer with grace and dignity. She and Vernon moved North to forge a new life together at Wagoner. And build they did. An "empire" of service and success in ranching, nursing, law enforcement, and church work. Velma is held in great esteem by many of the community for delivering 999 babies into this world in her role as a midwife and longtime assistant to Dr. Nelm. Vernon raised cattle, ranched hundreds of acres, and kept the lakes safe. Although she seemed quiet to many, Velma was a pillar of strength to the Church of Christ in Wagoner.

On a personal note, I will always cherish the summer visit: the chance to tag along to the marina at Ft. Gibson Lake, the plane ride taking off from the lake, the steak n gravy trip to Muskogee, the ranch house near the highways, putting up campaign signs for Sheriff around the county, and the old green chevy pickup.

Here are some pictures from the memorial service today.

http://www.swalkercoc.com/canan/Velma2.htm

Trips or Not

I left this morning to make 2 short runs before noon. The first one, Chandler, was switched to Ada. The second, to Guthrie, was aborted when the customer turned out to be at Incredible Pizza in OKC. The next two that were added were tonight within the county.
In between, we got the van detailed for the trip to Wagoner early Wednesday.
A tale of two halves as the Lady Sooners roared back, righting a number of wrongs. Jenna Plumlee sparked the crowd with her hussle and long range sharpshooting.
Car tag seen today: SERVNHM (Serving Him) = good goal!

Sad or Celebrate

Its human nature to be uset and saddened at the passing of a loved one. But, in Christ, that dear soul has "graduated to glory." There is plenty of reason for celebrating to long life of a godly woman. So it is with mixed emotions we begin to say "see you later" to Aunt Velma (Thompson).
Bible Class went well this morning; we (the teens and I) are studying Luke in our N.T. Survey.
After watching qualifying for the Daytona 500 this afternoon, I met the youth group to attend the AWTG in Norman. What a great experience, listening to hundreds of teens praising the Lord.

Golden Breakfast

The monthly men's breakfast had to relocate when our fav Sunnyside Up Omlette closed;
today we enjoyed the Corral's huge buffet. Bennie does a good job coordinating this. I got a call to pinch hit for Honda finance and run contracts to Francis, OK. What? You don't know where Francis is? It's just east of Byng. Still lost; almost to Ada (on 377 out of Seminole) you hang a left. On typical Sat. mornings I like to listen to Total Access at Texas Motor Speedway with Gilley and Sybil.

An interesting quote from Bobby Knight: "You need to hate to lose more than You love to win."

Well, it's Shootout time and I'm lovin' it (i.e. racing is back).

Driving Drought Done

Do you want to go to Wilburton? Of course. I haven't had a call all week (and as Dave says, "That'd be a nice little trip for you.") The couple couldn't believe I found Caddo street in the dark and without calling for directions. Thank You, MapQuest, again!

The Church van's electrical problem was diagnosed by Brookwood Automotive. It's ready for the AWTG at Westside Norman on Sunday afternoon.

Jeannette got to talk to Gray and I got a call ffrom Geoff. Anybody know how to get around a forgotten password on MS Vista?

A side benefit from getting to drive brand new cars is satellite radio. Yes, the wife & I have enjoyed XM on DIRECTV. But with Sirius, I can become immersed with NASCAR on 128. Where else can you "visit" with A. J. Foyt, John Force, and Dick Trickle on the same evening?

Gotta give an atta-boy to Adelita's Mexican Restaurant on Hwy 270 East, McAlester.

Quiet Days and Then

We witnessed the Super Bowl and Super Tuesday. It's been pretty quiet as far as calls to drive this week. Maybe that's a good thing - my cell phone got turn off by the giant corporation and it took several hours Monday night and Tuesday morning for the techies to fix it. Whiz Kids went smoothly; I used the story of Joseph. The Giants won Sunday as our group of friends enjoyed Mazzios. Who won Tuesday is still being debated... I know the tornado victims didn't!
Storms Across 5 States Leave at Least 50 Dead
I can only imagine the casualty count if the Union campus had not had the early warnings. Our hearts go out to all those families devasted by the storms' fury. We will be praying for Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, and other victims (like the Ohio floods).

48th Annual Moore Youth Rally

Well, they did another great job hosting almost 400 teens. The brethern at Moore Central hosted Willie Franklin again. "Uncle Chocolate" (as he calls himself) doesn't hold back; his famous straight talk to young people is all the advice parents and youth ministers may be too reserved to give. Groups from as far away as Broken Bow gather every Feb. I'm glad Ashley, Jake, Cory, and Kritsa were there!

I dodged another blowout this morning by limping South on Kelley until I found a used tire shop at 23rd near the Capital.

Now that I'm driving around the state, I've started watching and enjoying "Discover Oklahoma." The Super Bowl is soon but the Daytona 500 is just 14.5 days away!!!

The day after

The last days of the month are so full of pressure in the car business. So I thot this morning would be quiet. I worked on a plan of attacking the massive cell phone bill. Today we remembered the Challenger anniversary.
People who use their good fortune to help others is impressive, i.e. Wes Welker and Roy Williams. While I waited in the line at the bank's drive-thru, I got the call to run papers to Lawton to salvage a sale. Our heroes leave their families to go to places like Iraq.
The wild fires lit up the hills North of Lawton tonight after topping the news all afternoon. Did Monk really say "un-Google-able"?