Christmas 2010

I love Christmas!!! I love everything about it! I love that "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." I love that a world pauses to reflect upon this eternal promise that began its fulfillment 2000 years ago in a stable in Bethlehem. I love that, somehow, even the hardest of hearts seems to melt just a little during this time of year. I love that people seem more gentle and kind and considerate. I love shopping for my wife. I love the look in her eyes when she opens one of my presents and genuinely likes it. I love my family as we gather around the dinner table and partake in one of the best meals of the year that includes laughter, joy and love. I love driving around and looking at all of the decorations that so many put up to celebrate the season. I love getting up early each morning and turning on the lights of our Christmas tree that stays lit all day...it really gets my day off to a wonderful start. I love reading the Christmas story in Matthew and Luke. What I don't like...is when it all ends and we take everything down. Let the Christmas spirit fill us all, all year long.

Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays, and I have been saddened to see how we, as a nation, have just let it slip into relative unimportance. The commercial establishments long ago just decided to jump straight from Halloween to Christmas because nobody gave gifts on Thanksgiving, so, why in the world should anybody promote a time when they can't make a buck or two. I'll tell you why...because everyone in this country needs to stop and remember that we live in the "land of the free" for a reason. That, like it or not, we are "one nation under God" and like those brave people who risk all to travel to a new land where they could worship as they pleased and knew it was by the provincial hand of God that they survived and offered up their thanks in the only way they knew how. It was not until 1863 that President Abraham Lincoln declared that our entire nation needed a day to stop and thank God for His hand of blessing on our nation and our people. He did not proclaim a day of "food and football"...he said: "It is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God; to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon. We have been recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven...But we have forgotten God. We have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray. I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens...to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of Thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens." Let us all think about these words...let us all stop and reflect on all of our blessings...and, let us all truly celebrate a day of Thanksgiving!!!!

Good News and Bad News!

The mid-term elections are finally over! I think everyone has seen and heard all of the political commercials we need to deal with for a while...thank goodness we finally get a break. As the dust begins to settle and we all sit back and take a deep breath and try and figure out exactly what happened...a few things seem to rise to the top of awareness. What we have is good news and bad news. First the good news...it seems that all across the country (with the exception of California) Americans began to realize that the "hope and change" that was being implemented by the Obama administration, was not the "hope and change" they had voted for: this seemingly steady march toward Euro-socialism is not what made America great. Socialism has never worked..anywhere at any time. Free enterprise and personal accountability separated the United States of America from everyone else and the ingenuity and creative power of the people who knew they had a chance to succeed or fail kept the flame glowing. No one was promised a safety net and Americans accepted the challenge and thrived. As has been pointed out over and over again this shift in power of more than 60 seats in the House of Representatives is the largest move since 1938. Why is this important? Because the HR is the ONLY branch of government that has to stand up to scrutiny and approval every two years...and this year the citizens said loud and clear that their Representatives had not been doing the will of the people. To paraphrase something I read from an Iowan...it's "We the People"...not..."We the Congress." Arrogance and condescension is being exposed and replaced. Now...will the new Republican majority do any better? Time will tell...and if they don't respond to the will of the people in two years a new group will be given a chance. I don't think that America is again going to lapse back into the coma and lack of attention that brought an unprepared and extremist teleprompter reader into the most powerful office in the world. Accountability is the new watch word. The other good news is that the people of central Florida rose up and overwhelmingly got rid of the vile and vitriolic knucklehead, Alan Grayson. Arrogant doesn't begin to describe his total disregard for truth and civility..I'm not sure what word would describe his embarrassing campaign that, apparently, figured that all central Floridians were stupid and gullible...not so, huh Alan! Now for the bad news...Harry Reid will be back as Senate Majority Leader and is still as misguided as he has been for the last two years. Also...Barney Frank is back, but luckily this time he will not be chairman of anything and hopefully will not be able to lead us down the road to financial ruin as has been the case for the last four years. Also, I guess the people of California were too engrossed into whether to legalize pot than really look at the state of their state and elected Barbara Boxer and Jerry Brown. Unbelievable! Two tired and worn out free spending liberals leading the weak and clueless. We can all just wait for their cry to Washington to bail them out. So there we have it...a chance for a small step back to sanity. The liberals still control two thirds of the government...but, we can only hope...and prepare for 2012.

Fantasy Football

Considering how much I really enjoy watching football games, I guess it is a little unusual that this is the first year that I have waded into the stormy waters of...Fantasy Football!!! Why in the world did it take me so long...this is so much fun (even if my team is 0-2) Right off the bat let me say that FF totally changes the way you watch professional football. No longer are you rooting for a team (the Dolphins in my case) you are literally screaming for 8 individual players and 1 team defense that make up your team for that particular week. Of course, your team usually changes a little each week depending on how everyone plays...which makes it so much fun. I happen to be in a rather small league...there are only six of us...a daughter, two grandsons (who I discovered can be rather cut-throat when it comes to drafting players) and two friends of the grandsons. We all had a real hot and sweat producing draft night that gave all of us something to cheer about...and something to complain about. Al in all we did manage to survive and since our family gathers at our house on Sunday afternoon after church I get to watch the games (we have Directv Sunday Ticket) with daughter and grandsons...and let the smack talk begin!!! This past week my team played my oldest grandson who took great delight in his beat down of old grandpa. But...as we say as we lick our woulds...we'll get 'em next week...besides I just picked up Jahvid Best...be afraid...be very afraid!!!

The Times They Are A Changin'

Great American poet...and somewhat competent singer...Bob Dylan once said: "The Times They Are A Changin'." That could very well be the theme song for the upcoming mid-term elections in November, 2010. Back in 2008 when a disgruntled electorate went to the polls and elected Barack Obama as President, little did they know about this man they had just made the leader of the free world. Now...two years later...and much to the chagrin of a large portion of those who voted for him, the country is beginning to realise that they should have dug a little deeper into the background and thought process of this smooth talking man with the natural gift of reading a teleprompter. Little did they realize that when he said that he wanted to "fundamentally change America" that he really meant that he intended to "FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGE AMERICA!" Suddenly lights went on, "uh-ohs" were uttered and the stark realization set in that America has always been and will always continue to be a center-right, more conservative than liberal nation, and one that values the founding principles of this great nation more than the current hula hoop of political correctness. People began to realize that the very essence of this great nation was under attack by a hugely biased liberal media and political control by a dominant left leaning Democratic Party who were following a President with a very radical agenda. As this realization began to awaken the usually quiet and passive majority of voters, a new awareness of the inalienable rights of all Americans began to appear and real voter unrest began to galvanize into a movement to restore those ideals and principle that the original Founding Fathers envisioned when they wrote and signed the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America that now...supposedly...governs our country. As radical judges and uncaring politicians have taken direct aim at these foundational principles, the people are ready to take the political process into their own hands and try and restore the country back to "One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." I, for one, hope they do.

The Obama Presidency

Last night while watching Sean Hannity I thought that he totally nailed the Obama Presidency. In essence he said that our President really loves the perks that go with the job such as the airplane, the helicopter, the photo-ops, all of the great vacations, playing a lot of golf and basketball, campaigning, hobnobbing with celebrities, giving state dinners and raising money. What he doesn't like...and is not very good at...is governing!!!

Homeward Bound

As the Norwegian Gem silently slips through the deep blue Mediterranean Sea just a couple of hundred miles from the home port of Venice, Italy, I realize that this wonderful two week cruise is about to end. The Lord blessed us with beautiful weather, smooth seas, and the ability to visit places we have never been. We came to realize that every part of the world has a unique beauty and specialness that makes those who live there love their land and take pride in their country. We found that people all over the world are basically the same…everyone wants to live in peace, enjoy life and live in freedom. We heard the word “freedom” and “liberty” more in the five days we spent in Greece than most of the years we have lived in and loved the good old USA. We have made new friends, seen new place and captured memories that will last a lifetime. As we near the end of this journey I realize that today will soon be yesterday, but we have enough memories to be enjoyed for many, many tomorrows.

Iraklion, Crete

Iraklion, Crete is the fourth largest city in Greece. However, unlike Athens, and even Izmir, Turkey, Iraklion did not seem nearly as hectic and congested. We enjoyed a very pleasant stroll down the waterfront to the old fort built by the Venetians hundreds of years ago to protect the city from invasion. This area is also a major shopping and historic district where we visited the old Venetian arsenal which is not the Town Hall, the Church of the Apostle Titus and the Basilica of St. Mark as well as a major plaza and very lovely and peaceful park. The pace was quite slow and the people very warm and friendly. When we first arrived and we looked over the rail from the ship we were trying to decide why we had stopped in what could as well have been Buffalo, NY from the looks of things. However, once we began to explore the little streets and byways we soon discovered what a lovely and charming place this really is. Once again…I’m not sure what we expected…but, this wasn’t it. We had a marvelous visit in this ancient city.

Mykonos, Greece

Today we visited the playground of the rich and famous, the island of Mykonos, Greece. It seems that the vacation and second home “hula hoop” of the Jet Setters is now Mykonos. I can certainly see why. Mykonos is an absolutely beautiful island with lots of beaches, which Corfu and Santorini did not have. We have noticed that each one of the three islands that we have visited is so different from the others. Each has its own distinct personality, architecture, flavor and atmosphere. Mykonos is much like Santorini in that there is very little vegetation and very limited height to the trees that are growing. There are more threes here than on Santorni, but not nearly the lush areas of Corfu. The climate is very hot and arid, not nearly as humid as Santorini or Corfu. With so many differences, it would be impossible for anyone to visit one and say that they had “seen” the Greek Islands.
We covered a lot of the island on our tour…saw some very nice homes (one of which is pictured) and observed their gorgeous beaches, again, which Corfu and Santorini did not have, which I am sure is one of the reasons this place is so popular. The shopping area was also delightful with streets that were narrow, but not too narrow, and fortunately, not very crowded at all. The streets wind around in all directions and were purposely laid out that way many centuries ago to confuse the invading pirates. At times today I felt like one of those pirates…confused. However, in the end we had a delightful time and so far, I think I enjoyed Mykonos the best of the three we have visited.

Santorini...Part 2

Last week we had to reschedule our visit to Athens due to the labor strike and disruption and visited the island of Santorini on Athens day. Well…needless to say there were more cruise ships in the harbor that day than the residents had possibly every seen….and the congestion on the island was horrible. We were OK in Oia, but when we hit Fira it was wall to wall people…not very conducive for shopping or sightseeing.
Well, today was our regular stop and boy am I glad we came back. We were docked from 4 PM to 11 PM and were the only ship in port. The streets of Fira were pleasantly light of traffic and the restaurants were open with plenty of seating. We had a delightful time looking and shopping as we found the perfect piece for the Family Room shelves. In addition we had a delicious authentic Greek salad at a nice little café overlooking the Caldera. The pictures show the view from the café as well as Delinda enjoying the salad. They also say that Santorini has some of the most spectacular sunsets anywhere in the world and the photo I have included does not do justice to the beauty and serenity of the occasion.
We had a delightful time and now understand even better why so many people just love this little island that seems lost in time.

Corfu, Greece

The Greek island of Corfu is totally different from Santorini. First of all, the island is larger in size and population, with about 200,000 residents. Secondly, the main city of Corfu is much more modern and congested with traffic, more like Athens. And, thirdly, the architecture is distinctly Italian. This is the result of the 400 years that the Venetians occupied Corfu and left not only their taste in architecture, but many other aspects of daily life as well.
The island has large mountains that make for some fantastic views of the city, the port, as well as various resort areas. The first picture included here is of the two old fortresses built over a thousand years apart to defend the island. I am beginning to understand why the Greek islands are so popular for vacations. You feel like you are a million miles from nowhere, but surrounded by crystal clear water, tall mountains, gorgeous sunsets, an easy going lifestyle and great food. My kind of place!

Split & Trogir, Croatia

I’m not quite sure why anyone would name a city, Split…but, the Croatians did and today we visited said, Split and a delightful little walled, coastal village know as, Trogir. It was another beautiful day and the 30 minute bus ride from the docks to Trogir was delightful as we got to see some of the lovely countryside. One thing I have noticed that adds a common thread to the otherwise totally diverse look of the places we have visited in Croatia, is that about 90% of all of the roofs in the country are orange tile. At first I thought this was just an identifying mark of Dobrovnik, but come to find out, everyone in Croatia has this thing for orange tile roofs.
Anyway…this little, ancient village of Trogir had so much charm. Very narrow streets and walkways with shops popping up in the oddest places and living quarters just about anyplace you could fit in a door. The town centered around the main plaza with a lovely Cathedral. About 90% of Croatia is Roman Catholic and their churches are usually the major focus of each town and village. The only thing I found a little strange is that it cost me a dollar to use the Toilette.
In Split we toured, what is the heart of the city and was the original city. It is a gigantic palace built by the Roman emperor Diocletian as his retirement home. Following his death and the overthrow of the Roman Empire, the people moved in and set up residence. It is fascinating to see how they built this structure and all that they incorporated into making it very livable seeing as how it was built 1700 years ago in 293 AD.
All in all it was a most enlightening day and one to be remembered.

Venice...Part 2

This morning we sailed back into Venice to complete the first week of our two week cruise. Most of those on board only cruised for this first week so as 2,800 people from all over the world were heading home another 2,800 were boarding for the first time. Those of us who were continuing for a second week, had four hours to enjoy the lovely and unique walkways and canals of beautiful Venice. We used this time to see a part of Venice that we had never experienced. We took a shuttle boat over to St. Marks Square and headed east toward the beautiful park and garden located at the far east end of the island.
As we took our time in the cool of the early morning we enjoyed the fact that this early on a Saturday morning there were not a lot of tourists and the residents were slowing coming to life. We discovered a wonderful local neighborhood with fruit markets, grocery store, a pharmacy and, as Delinda discovered, a Venice ladies dress shop! The park was lovely and had several benches along the water that looked back toward St. Marks Square and the lovely Venice skyline…and waterline. We just sat for a while and drank it all in.
Back on board we are now anxiously awaiting another week of exciting new ports of call and more of the wonderful food…and…yes, boys…lots of ice cream!

Athens and the Acropolis

Like almost all very large metropolitan cities, Athens is a crowded, bustling place with impossible traffic. With a population of over five million, Athens never seems to slow down. It’s like the whole town OD’d on Red Bull. Things seemed so much more hectic than we found them in Izmir, but everyone involved just seems to accept the inevitable and rolls with the flow.
Our tour included stops at the Olympic Stadium used for the 2004 Games, Parliament with the tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the two ever present Greek Soldiers in old traditional dress, the Academia and Athens University.
The main stop, of course, was the world famous Acropolis with the Parthenon, the ancient temple of the goddess Athena. As I had seen so often in history books, the Acropolis is without question one of those places that everyone should visit. Just thinking back of the grandeur and how beautiful the place must have been during the glory days of Greece with all of the marble steps and walkway, the Parthenon, the other temples and gates…and the Agora where Socrates held class and taught the greatest minds of the day. Also, right below the Acropolis is a very large rock which is Mars Hill. This was the location where the Apostle Paul addressed the Athenian scholars and first presented the concept of a true, loving God. To say that the visit was overwhelming would be an understatement. The Acropolis is a place that can be revisited and studied over and over without ever growing stale. It was an experience never to be forgotten.

Ephesus & Izmir, Turkey

We used to often say when we were traveling in the motorhome and were surprised by places we visited, “I don’t know what we expected, but this isn’t it!” That was exactly the way we felt today driving through Izmir, Turkey on the way to Ephesus. Judging from the clothing worn by the Izmirites, the cars they drive and the businesses along the streets and highways, it could have been any major metropolitan city in the US. Izmir is a modern, bustling and cosmopolitan city of over three million people that is much more Western than Middle Eastern. We were also surprised by how many signs were written in English…especially those tourist oriented like, “restaurant” and “gift shop” and my favorite….”Genuine Fake Watches!!!”
Ephesus was also so much more than we had anticipated. The ruins are in a constant state of continued unveiling and the excavation will go on for years to come. I just didn’t realize, even after doing some research as I taught the Book of Acts and Ephesians, just how large and modern Ephesus was for its day. The beautiful marble stone streets and walkways, the beautiful buildings and temples, the large public baths and market places, and the absolutely lovely homes and first century apartments. I was amazed at the size of the amphitheater knowing that the Apostle Paul and his companions were brought before a mob of angry citizens in this very place two thousand years ago. If this were the only stop on this cruise, it would have been worth it just to walk theses streets and see the beauty of this once golden age city.

The Greek Isle of Santorini

The Greek island of Santorini has quite a history, both real and imagined. Some speculate that this could be the site of the lost colony of Atlantis since what is now Santorini was once a circular island that was totally reshaped when the volcano that made up the island erupted around 1500 BC and the center sank leaving what is now a semi-circular island made up entirely of volcanic ash….and tourists!
The only crop grown is grapes which makes up the secondary industry of the Island, wine. The primary industry which employs 80% of the population is tourism…and there is a reason for this. The quaint little village of Oia looks just like a movie set…in fact I expected to see Anthony Quinn around every corner. The houses and hotels are situated on the hillside overlooking the beautiful Mediterranean Sea. All of the houses are white, just like in the movies, and the blue roofs belong to the churches, of which there are many. Many, many shops line the very narrow cobblestone streets with restaurants and bars aplenty. It is a very popular vacation spot for tourists from all over the world.
The capitol city of Fira is much larger than Oia and is quite a bustling community. The basic tourist and shopping area is very crowded with shops, hotels and restaurants all built into the side of very steep cliffs overlooking the port. The only way up or down is by cable car or donkey down 500 very steep steps. Since I don’t like riding a donkey on level ground, we opted for the cable car, for which we waited in very hot sun for almost an hour. Notwithstanding this decent problem, the tour and views were spectacular and was a most pleasant welcome to Greece.

Beautiful Venice

I don’t know how anyone could visit Venice and not totally fall in love with this “one-of-a-kind” city. Nowhere else will you find a thriving major, commercial center with no automobiles, no bicycles…in fact…no on land transportation at all. However, the waterways and canals are teeming with every kind of boat you can image. The usual image is of the singing gondoliers…and there are plenty of gondolas, but I did not see any of the gondoliers actually singing. Their water buses, or Vaporettos, water taxis, all shapes and sized of boats that must transport everything from food, to furnishings, to garbage. I never did quite figure out the “rules of the road” but, luckily, those who spend their days navigating these waters seem to understand their own special etiquette. Oh, near misses don’t count, and all of these boats have a heavy duty reverse gear that can bring a moving boat to a stop in a hurry…and this is often needed.
One of the pure joys of Venice is just wandering the narrow streets and following canals to see where they lead. Around St. Marks Square, which is the Icon of Venice, over to the Rialto Bridge is shopping like you have never seen. Every high end manufacturer has a store alongside the unique and provincial Venetian local fare. Once you cross over the Rialto Bridge you get into a much less commercial and much more “this is where the locals live” area, which we thoroughly enjoyed. The people are so warm and friendly and every block is a photographer or artists dream. Each building is different and the churches, of which there are many, are totally magnificent. We even stumbled across the Opera House, the Music Museum, and a museum that was featuring Leonardo Di Vinci.
All in all…it was two wonderful days in what is becoming one of our favorite cities in all of the world.

America The Beautiful

For ten years Delinda and I traveled the lower 48 states in our motorhome. Following our extended trip out west this past summer we realized that we had been in all 48 states and decided to now go and see the world. We sold the motorhome recently…a sad day…but are now looking forward to the future. Recently I got to thinking about those ten years and all of the wonderful and remarkable places we visited. Which ones impressed me the most? Which will always stick in my memory? There are so many, but here are a few:
1. Mt. Rushmore is right at the top of the list. During our travels we often said…”I don’t know what we expected, but this isn’t it.” Never could I have imagined the beauty and magnificence of Mt. Rushmore. It was so much more than I had expected. It seems so sacred, in a secular way. It so captures the American spirit and the dignity of those who made our way of life today possible. This is a must for every American…and don’t miss the lighting ceremony in the evening.
2. The Little Bighorn Battle Field. We came across this almost by accident. We were traveling from Yellowstone National Park (coming up later) on our way to Mt. Rushmore and noticed that the Interstate went right by the Little Bighorn National Park. We had to stop…and, as a matter of fact found an RV park right next to the battlefield. We spent the weekend and it was a time I will never forget. Again…what I had imagined as I read the account of Custer’s Last Stand was not what I saw…or learned. To walk where so many fought and died and learn what really happened has tweaked my interest to the point I just bought the new Nathaniel Philbrick book, “The Last Stand,” and am hanging on every word. As you travel through Montana don’t miss this treasure.
3. The Oregon Coast. Close to the look of the coast of Maine, but different enough to hold a beauty and mystery all of its own that makes you want to see more, sit awhile and just stare, and never leave.
4. Yellowstone National Park. This place is such a contrast…beautiful wooded mountains, rushing rivers and streams, large serene lakes…and smoldering, boiling “hot pots” that shoot skyward steam and water, such as Old Faithful. No wonder everyone falls in love with this place and wants to come back.
5. The Halls of Fame. Being a sports fan we visited the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Akron, Ohio, the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Indiana, and the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. Each one had the real personality of their sport and each does a magnificent job of presenting their sport in an entertaining, informative and historically accurate way. I loved each one and could have spent even more time wandering among the memories.
6. The Tabasco Factory. Odd, you say…not really if you love Tabasco sauce as much as I do. Located on Avery Island, Louisiana and surrounded by a beautiful botanical garden, it was a delight to see the history of this famous hot sauce, see it being bottled, and learn how long they let if “ferment” to make sure it has all of the flavor that keeps us coming back. Oh yes, their little country store is a trip in itself.
7. The Great Smokey Mountains. We tried to get up to Lake Toxaway at least once each fall to just take in the colorful beauty of the changing of the leaves. These quiet mountains with the narrow, winding roads and gorgeous overlooks are a spectacle created by God for all to see and enjoy.
8. The Alamo. Again…not what I expected. We only see in the history books pictures of the Mission. The actual battle occurred on the enclosed walls that surrounded the compound. So much history that comes alive as you walk through the courtyards and conjure up visions of Davey Crockett, Sam Houston and the gallant American hero’s who gave their lives that “Freedom could Ring.”
Oh, I could go on and on…we saw so much….The Grand Canyon, the Louisville Slugger plant, the most beautiful and unique little state capital in the nation, Montpelier, Vt. But just be assured that if you ever get the chance to get out on the road and meet the wonderful people of this nation and see the beauty and overwhelming majesty of the land you will see with your own eyes why we call it…America the Beautiful.

Tebow and the Tea Party

I am becoming more and more convinced that those who feel such a need to discredit Tim Tebow and cast appalling aspersions on any chance that he will succeed in the NFL and those who are compelled to castigate and disparage everything that the Tea Party claims to represent and toward anyone who stands up for the rights of individuals to express themselves, have a lot in common.
Exactly what is this common thread? Unfortunately, there are people in the country who just can’t stand to see anyone who is happy, faith based, successful, loves others, defends the principles that made this country great, works hard, believes that you should reap the benefits of your own labors and is opposed to getting something for nothing. No matter how positive the effort or message, the naysayers just go crazy and feel it is their sworn duty to vilify these people.
Anyone who is not speaking the party line, is not politically correct, and has the unmitigated gall to actually disagree with the current administration must be a far right religious nut…and therefore called every name except human.
Psychologists must be having a field day figuring all of this out. Actually, it doesn’t seem quite that difficult. I am just afraid that there is a minority of self-loathing and hateful people who feel that only by minimizing those who disagree with them can they justify their position. They actually believe that anyone who doesn’t think the way they do must be some kind of “phobe.” They just can’t accept the fact that those who think differently than they do…are only doing that…having a different opinion. They don’t hate you, or want to discredit you, they just have a different opinion. And, the last time I checked the Constitution still gave everyone the right to speak up and speak out.
The Founding Fathers had it right. This is a Republic and is to be governed by the people with as small a government as possible to establish domestic tranquility.
Now, you may be saying that is a real stretch to put rabid football fans in the same category as far left loons. I am not trying to do that. I just see too many “conclusions jumped too” and too many half truths expressed in both issues.
Will Tim Tebow make it as a professional football player? I have no earthly idea. However, I hope so and will certainly give him the benefit of encouragement….just as I encourage everyone else who wishes to express an opinion on the political direction of this country to do so…on both sides. Just be civil and stop with the vitriolic, self-defeating rhetoric and stick to the facts.

Roatan…A Real Gem!

As we docked, by the dawn’s early light, at the small remote section of the island of Roatan known as Mahogany Bay…it looked eerily familiar. The neat, colorful and brand new looking shopping village alongside the lovely, carefully manicured and neatly organized tropical beach. Oh yes…Disney’s Castaway Cay! Evidently the people from Carnival visited Castaway Cay and said…”We need one of these”…and…voila…Mahogany Bay, Roatan. Even if that is only a theory, what has resulted is magnificent. It is exactly what you would expect a tropical Caribbean resort would be like. We spend a wonderful few hours under a “clam shell” covering our beach chairs on the pristine white sands that led down to the perfectly clear and delightful Caribbean cove. This was absolutely one of the highlights of the cruise. The people were delightful and even the shopping village proved to be an interesting visit. I just wish we had been able to get into an actual village to see how the islanders lived. Oh well, maybe next time. It is obvious that Roatan is a resort destination in the making and I am sure it is going to be popping up on a lot of radars in the near future.

Why Belize?

Without a doubt Belize was the strangest and most bizarre port-of-call that we have ever visited. First of all, the water around the harbor is so shallow that cruise ships have to anchor a great distance off shore and require a 15 minute, high speed boat ride to get to port. The ride was particularly rough and bumpy and very hard on those of us with bad backs. Then, when you get to the port you realize that you are in a fenced off area that is known as the “Shopping Village.” It is full of little shops selling birds, beads and island trinkets as well as bars and a couple of restaurants. That’s it! Unlike the other Caribbean ports we have visited, such as St. Maarten, St. Thomas, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Nassau, you can’t just wander through the city and enjoy the uniqueness of each little village. In Belize you are warned that if you are not taking a tour booked on the ship not to venture beyond the gates of the “Village” where there are lots of security guards, many with guns. I guess it goes without saying that Belize is not our favorite spot to visit. As a matter of fact I seriously question why the cruise ships even bother to stop here. Oh well, like we used to say about our motorhome, the inside of the ship always looks the same…nice and safe.

The Amazing Mayans

During our stop in Cozumel we took an excursion over to the mainland and bussed our way to the ancient Mayan ruins at Tulum. What a trip! Our guide, Angel, was a native of the area and during the two or three hours we spent with him on the bus and touring the ruins I learned more history of Mexico and particularly the Mayans than I had ever known. The level of sophistication that they managed to attain over 1500 years ago staggers the imagination. Their astute knowledge of astronomy, building techniques and even sewer construction is truly amazing. The city of Tulum was built on a cliff overlooking the beautiful Caribbean…it was such a wonderful site for anyone to live and amazingly enough all of the stones that were used to build the city and the wall around it had to be carried on the backs of the people from quarries many miles through dense jungle. Quite a people! This has been a most relaxing trip and we are looking forward to spending a day exploring Belize…or at least some of the shops.

A First for Cruisin'

Even though we have only been on six cruises, we did experience something today that has never happened to us before...we were not able to enter one of the ports of call! We were supposed to be spending today on Grand Cayman Island, but instead we are enjoying another day at sea. Grand Cayman is one of two ports (Belize the other) where the water is too shallow to dock and we have to "tender" in to the port from the cruise ship. Today their was unusually high winds and swells in the harbour and we were unable to safely get the small tender boats up to the dock area...sooooo....off to sea we go. Actually, for Delinda and me it is no big deal as we have been to Cayman twice before. However, we do feel sorry for those who had never seen this beautiful tropical paradise and we were kind of looking forward to a little shopping. We will, instead, enjoy another restful and relaxing day reading, sleeping and best of all...eating entirely too much. The food so far has been fabulous. Last night was lobster and cherries jubilee!!!! Sunday night was steak and creme brulee!!! Can't wait to see what is on the menu tonight.

Return of the Tiger

When Tiger Woods announced that he was returning to competitive golf at the Masters in April it was if someone had fired the gun that started the race with every journalist and broadcaster in the blocks ready to speed down their own lane of opinion and comment.
It seems that it is not only sports writers who are obsessed with this revelation, but, it appears that everyone with access to a computer or microphone is trying to find space to voice an opinion. Even the national newscasts had to made mention of this momentous event.
You would think that we had just discovered a cure for Cancer with all of the hubbub that rippled through the world of so-called journalism. Never had so many spent so much time analyzing something of so little importance….the man is going back to work.
I have a tendency to give people the benefit of the doubt. Personally, I thought his public confession was very sincere and included two or three parts of a 12 step program. I also think that journalists and broadcasters who really know none of the true facts about how Tiger and Elin are working things out should keep their overblown criticism and judgment to themselves and deal only with verifiable facts.
Those who rush to judgment about him returning to golf too soon after the devastating revelations of the past four months should take a good hard look in the mirror. What is it about their perfect lives that gives them the right to dictate time, conditions and appropriate dues-paying to someone who has just gone through the most traumatic time of his life.
It is quite probable that returning to golf is part of his therapy and rehab. The worst thing that Tiger could do would be to sit around the house and get more and more despondent. As long as he is sincerely facing his demons and truly trying to turn his life around, then we do not need to condemn, we need to support.

Is Jesse Ventura Really A Pinhead?

I was watching Bill O’Reilly last night and, as I usually do, was looking forward to the “Pinheads and Patriots” segment which last evening featured dear old, commonly used, Jesse Ventura. He is such an easy target for these kinds of things because he has to be the most politically incorrect person on the national scene. Almost everything he says upsets someone.
So, does that make him a “Pinhead.” Not really if you take a close look at who he really is. I have had the pleasure, and I mean that sincerely, of meeting Jesse and spending a few brief moments in conversation and longer moments watching him do what he does best…bask in the spotlight!
Our first encounter came during an event called “Goofy Games” at Walt Disney World. In a nutshell, “Goofy Games” brought together a team of a sportscaster, contest winner and two athletes from major markets to compete in silly contests with the winners getting money for a charity. It was a very fun event that generated money for needy causes…and…good publicity for Walt Disney World.
Without a doubt the most fun athletes to be around were the professional wrestlers. Jesse, along with Big John Studd and Sgt. Slaughter were big names in the wrestling world at that time…and they were wonderful. The kids loved them, and they loved kids. They would do anything to help out children. They would visit children’s hospitals, take time to sign autographs and talk to the constant hoard of kids that surrounded them.
Well, to make a long story short, Jesse Ventura was voted, by a landslide, the “Goofiest Athlete.” And for good reason. He was everywhere during the uplinks that the sportscasters would do to report on their activities of the day. He would go from one setup to another putting anchors in head holds and generally disrupting everything…and…everyone loved it and everyone loved him.
I later ran into him at a television convention and he mentioned that he was thinking of going into politics. What??? Who in the world would elect this “king of comedy?”
You know the rest of the story. Jesse Ventura was not only a wrestling star, he starred in a movie with Arnold Schwarzenegger, became Governor of Minnesota, and has written a book. How many of us can claim one of these on our resumes?
Does he often come” off the wall” with his thoughts and comments? Absolutely! But, let’s remember, Jess Ventura is an entertainer. He is a dancing bear in the circus of life. He cannot stand not being the center of attention and will do just about anything to remain there (see Goofy Games.)
Like the dancing elephant…don’t throw stones at his technique, just enjoy the show.

The Unbelievable Popularity of Sarah Palin

With the exception of Sarah Palin can you think of any other Vice Presidential candidate on the losing ticked that during the next year received so much attention and press coverage? One that also wrote a best-selling book that, so far, has sold over two million copies. Or, for that matter, can you even name a losing Vice Presidential candidate?
How about naming any other former governor of Alaska? Or…just name two people who actually live in Alaska. Interesting, isn’t it? Why is she so popular? Why does she garner so much media attention? Well…let’s see if we can figure this one out.
In my opinion it goes all the way back to the Republican convention when she gave her acceptance speech. Up until that time I don’t think more than a handful of people outside of Alaska had a clue who Sarah Palin was. But following that speech no one has been able to forget her.
The Democrats were dazed. Where in the world did John McCain dig up this backwoods hockey mom from Wasilla, Alaska. Furthermore, I would be willing to wager that 90% of all Americans had to rush for their atlas to even know where to begin looking for Wasilla, Alaska.
However, it didn’t take long for the Dems to figure out that this lady meant business. She absolutely captivated, and I must say, totally divided an entire voting population. The first assault was on her intelligence, a crusade that everyone in the elite media was more than willing to participate in. The interviews with Charles Gibson and Katy Couric were downright condescending and totally intended to embarrass this “pretender to the throne.”
No one stopped to look at the fact that as a former mayor and governor, she had more practical executive experience that Barack Obama and Joe Biden combined! It didn’t matter that the core of the American heartland had totally fallen in love with this straight talking, no holds barred, housewife who had the audacity to take on the “good old boys” and embarrass them at their own game.
There is no debate that her role was controversial and whether she helped or hurt John McCain’s chances at becoming president will forever be debated wherever political science majors gather to drink beer.
The amazing part is that even though she was on the losing side, her popularity today far exceeds that of McCain, Biden and especially Obama. Ratings on television shows on which she appears go through the roof. She is much sought after for speeches, book signings and appearances in general. Now, it is reported that she may even be the star of a reality TV series.
Can you take her political ambitions seriously? I don’t know. Does she even want to run for another public office? I don’t know. My personal opinion is that she is back and grabbing headlines for one reason only….to drive the Democrats crazy! I may be wrong, but the next time you see her on TV look closely and see in which cheek she has her tongue firmly planted.

The Arrogance of Barack Obama

It is getting to the point where I am no longer surprised nor amazed at the seemingly endless stream of biased information and downright misleading statements that come out of Washington. However, I have to admit that I had to do a double take last Thursday morning when Barack Obama, at the Health Care Summit, stopped the show with the profound announcement: “I am the President!”
Now, the last time I checked every single person in the room KNEW that he was the president! Half of them voted for him and the other half knew exactly why they voted against him. Then, why in the world would he have to remind everyone of exactly who he was? Very simple…pride and arrogance. Let not anyone in the room forget that I am the Grand High Poobah!
I don’t think I have ever seen a president with as much arrogance and disdain for anyone who dares think differently than he does than Barack Obama. But then, never in his public life has he ever been faced with dissent. He is so inexperienced, and has been so surrounded throughout his political life with a cadre of “yes men” and drooling sycophants that he has come to actually believe that he knows what he is talking about.
Pride…by definition…”inordinate self-esteem.” Boy, that sums it up!
To borrow an expression from Bill O’Reilly, I have never heard so much bloviating in my life. He had to comment on everything, like he was the Oracle from on high that always had to set everyone straight, particularly anyone who did not agree with his position. Arrogant…prideful…and…wrong! So out of touch with the American people.
This is explainable, though, as he continues to surround with “advice givers” who, themselves, lost touch with America years ago. This is a group of political hitmen who know no other way of governing except through fear and intimidation…just like they learned and practiced in Chicago.
One of these days they are going to wake up and realize that you can’t govern the freedom loving and honest people of this wonderful country with tactics designed to control, terrorize and intimidate. Or, maybe they won’t and in three years they will all sit around when they are back in Chicago unemployed trying to figure out just what went wrong.
I remind our president of the words of the wisest man who ever lived, King Solomon, who said in Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”

Tiger's Windermere

If you have watched any major golf tournament in the past few years quite likely you have heard the announcer on the first tee say: “From Windermere, Florida…Tiger Woods!” Why in the world, when he could live anywhere in the world, would Tiger Woods decide to live in one of the smallest communities in the state of Florida. What is so attractive about Windermere?
Well…since it is also my home, I will acknowledge my prejudice right up front by saying that it is a wonderfully private and all accepting community. Windermere is an isthmus surrounded by seven lakes known as the Windermere Chain. It is located about 12 miles southwest of downtown Orlando and at one time was a place for summer lake homes for those living in the surrounding area. No one paid particular notice to the area until two things happened: Walt Disney World and Arnold Palmer.
When Disney began to move California executives into the area they all seemed to immediately discover the quiet and secluded neighborhoods of Windermere. Not long after that Arnold and his partners thought the area would be just right for an upscale golf course and Bay Hill was built nearby and followed a few years later by the Isleworth community and golf course that attracted some of the greatest golfers in the world. Why? Well, to begin with, it was gated, patrolled by security, close to a world class airport and in the state of Florida which has no state income tax. Put all of this together with year around golfing weather and you have a natural athlete magnet.
In addition to golfers many other athletes, entertainers, business executives and just plain folks have decided that this is a pretty nice place to live. All of this to say that Windermere is a melting pot of old-line Floridians, newcomers, wealthy and the not so wealthy, and some just getting by. What makes the place so unique is that nobody cares how much you make or what you do…a neighbor is family and family overrules everything else. It is a true community, which is why when the media descended on the area after the Thanksgiving mishap of Tiger Woods, no one was enthralled. We couldn’t wait for the storm to blow over and these “media types” went away to smell out another carcass.
Tiger lives here. This is his home and those who live in the area respect his privacy and hope that his life and the lives of his wife and children have not been permanently scarred. This community wants to be a healing agent. We don’t throw stones, we offer security and peace.
Maybe that’s why once you move it here you don’t want to leave.

DOES TIGER WOODS DESERVE OUR SUPPORT?

I have found it absolutely mind boggling at some of the criticism that has been heaped upon Tiger Woods following his much viewed and over analyzed apology last Friday. I am utterly amazed at those who have lashed out in zealous indignation and righteous judgment and cynicism as to his ulterior motive and sincerity.
What? Have these critics ever walked in his shoes? Have they ever been confronted with world- wide scorn and scrutiny? Have they ever tried to express regret and humility in front of a doubting and skeptical audience that numbered in the millions? Try walking in those shoes and then think about how you would like to have your heart felt remarks received.
Anyone familiar with a 12 Step Program realized immediately that after 45 days of rehabilitation Tiger was pursuing at least two and maybe three of those all important 12 steps. He was admitting his guilt, blaming no one except himself. He was making amends to those whom he had so badly hurt and asking for forgiveness. And, he was recognizing a Higher Power. These are all included in the program. Yes, there are more steps and the fact that at this very moment he is back in rehab working on changing his character, the way that he thinks and the actions that this new outlook will bring should be encouraged at every level.
To paraphrase an old adage: “When you see an elephant dancing, don’t criticize his technique, applaud the fact that he can do it.” In other words, don’t be the first one to cast a stone and read into his statement more that was said, don’t be such a hard hearted skeptic, pray for him…encourage his efforts…and truly hope for a reconciliation with his family. That, seemed to me, all he was asking us to do…along with forgive his totally hedonistic and selfish actions.
Was this apology sincere? I don’t know. Will he slip and fail again? I don’t know. The recovery process is exactly that…a process. It is not like a light bulb that lights instantly when you throw the switch, it is more like an old florescent tube that flickers a little when you throw the switch and sometimes will even go completely black before the light fills the room.
Why don’t we just give him a break. Root for him and remember that he is on a journey…the most important one of his life.

Was Tim Tebow the Best Ever?

Gather a group of college football fans together and pose the question, “Was Tim Tebow the greatest college football player of all time,” and you are likely to start the never ending argument of all time.
Those old enough will begin to bring up the names of Red Grange, Tom Harman and Charlie Trippi. The younger crowd will interject Archie Griffin and Herschel Walker.
However…lets set some ground rules: What exactly determines a student athlete, of which all college football players must be; and..what determines greatness?
Even though in recent years the term “student athlete” has become an oxymoron, to play college football you must be enrolled in a college or university and accumulate grades of some kind. So let’s tackle this issue first. Tim Tebow not only completed four years of college, but finished ahead of schedule with a grade point average far above the average. He epitomized the definition of “student athlete.” Let’s face it. Even his detractors must admit that he was the “face” of college football for his entire four year stay at the University of Florida. No one was scrutinized more, dissected more or had his every statement and move more closely examined than did Tim Tebow. Through it all his unswerving demeanor rose above the often callous cheap shots that would be aimed at his morals, ethics and quality of play.
Now…how did he do on the football field? Not bad! Two National Championships, one Heisman Trophy (and it could be argued that he should have won two, but voter backlash gave the award to the quarterback with the best stats and not to the best football player.) Was a consensus All-American and undisputed leader of his team.
Here comes the third, and possibly most important, part of the trifecta…character! His much reported off field trips to the Philippines to work with orphans, and his many other volunteer efforts on behalf of many charities, as well as his undeniable statement of faith clearly sets him apart from anyone else who ever donned head gear and eye black. He was a role model in an age when true role models are more scarce than a conservative Democrat.
Even after graduation his courage and conviction to participate in a Super Bowl ad that brought about such vitriolic attack before anyone had actually seen it showed a courage rarely found in anyone at such a young age.
So was he the best ever? I think yes…what say you?

A Far Reaching Rejection

During his first year in office President Barack Obama has made hundreds of appointments and they have flown basically unnoticed through the approval process…until now. For the first time the Senate rejected the nomination of Craig Becker to the National Labor Relations Board. This is a big deal for several reasons. First, the Senate no longer holds the 60 member super majority needed to fly these things through without thought or reason. Secondly, it is going to require the president to use the “end run” of putting his nominees into office during Senate recess thus bypassing the legislative process entirely. Now, to be fair, all recent presidents have done this. However, this is particularly important as it is the first time that Obama has been rejected by the subservient legislative branch. Now that the Republicans can stop the hemorrhaging of leftist appointees the president has no choice but to resort to this rather devious method of “stacking the deck.” Now…why was Decker’s appointment rejected. I guess you could say it was political…he is a leftist, liberal labor attorney who is currently the assistant general counsell for the Service Employees International Union, the infamous SEIU who have been such ardent supporters of the Obama campaign as well as his heavy handed handling of the automotive takeover. It is this same union that is urging the president to override the vote of the Senate and appoint Mr. Decker while the Senate is away on recess. What is actually happening is that the roughshod methods of political intimidation that this group of Chicago ruffians has been implementing is coming under more and more public scrutiny and the people are rising up and saying that “enough is enough.” To paraphrase the wise Dr. Cliff Huxtable who once said to his son Theo…”I brought you into this world and I can take you out.” The people are rising up and sending a loud and resonate shout-out to the Obama administration and all of the far left puppets…”We put you into office and we can take you out!”