He Is Risen!

Happy Easter to y'all!  And a very wonderful and Happy Birthday to my absolutely fantastic daughter-in-law!  May you have many more!!!
Peace,
JE

Where is Spring?

Here's what it looks like off of my front porch this morning.  I know for some of you, this isn't too unusual, but for us here in the middle of Indiana, having this much snow on the 25th of March is way unusual.  It's not cold out, so it's heavy, wet stuff.  I am NOT shoveling any more than I have to.  My neighbors, who are much younger than me, plus my daughter Prof, are clearing the way. I was out a little while ago and there is at least 8" on the ground and it's still coming down.

We did our annual Easter Cantata at church last evening. (I know it's Palm Sunday, but Spring Break here is the week after Easter and lots of our choir will be gone next Sunday,) and we were afraid that we would have to cancel because we knew this storm was coming.  Our cut off time was 3 PM.  By performance time at 7PM, still no snow.  When it was over, refreshments were served, and as people were leaving to go home, it was just beginning to snow a few flakes.  I call this a "God thing."  He wanted us to present our message of the Resurrection of Christ.  And we did!

Peace,
JE

My own "Baconator."

The other day, I was reading the latest Alex Cross novel, and Alex's grandmother, who lives with he and his family, was fixing breakfast.  I followed Nana Momma's method for fixing bacon.  Wow!

First, I fried the bacon like usual, only not until fully crisp.  I then drained the bacon well on paper towel, sprinkled it liberally with brown sugar, placed it on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, and topped with my cooling racks, to keep grease off of bacon, and popped it into a 350 F oven for 15 minutes until bacon finished crisping up.  Served with scrambled eggs and toast.  What a treat!!!

Peace,
JE

Mr. T and Gramps

Yesterday was the big day for Mr. T.  He was baptized during our morning church service.  In our church, we do "sprinkle" the babe, as a form of dedicating his life, and ours to the service of God.  Then, when the children reach a certain age, mostly teens, they take an 18 month confirmation study, then are confirmed. 

That being said, at 17 days old, my latest heir to the throne, was dedicated.  He slept through most of it, but later, did open his eyes and look at Gramps with a definite "what's going on," look!  Such a wonderful time in all our lives.

Peace,
JE

The Things You Do For Your Kids!!

My daughter belongs to a book club.  They meet once a month for an evening of snacks and discussion.  The book they were to read by next Tuesday, The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin, is not my daughter's "cup of tea."  She is not a lover of romances, and especially romances taking place during the late 1800's. (Though her favorite book of all time is, "The Great Gatsby."  Go figure!)
Since she knows that I am a great "Downton Abbey" fan, she  knew I would like this novel.  So at her recommendation, I read it.  It took place mainly in England, during the Gilded Age.  It was sort of reminiscent of "Downton Abbey," but would definitely NOT make a good TV show.  It contained lots of "upper crust" rivalry and snobbishness.  It also contained a lot of the back-biting that went on within the staff of "Lulworth Castle," where the book took place.  I finished the book last night.  I told Prof that I thought she should give it a chance, so she decided to renew it (due today) and read it.  She called me about an hour ago and said that she couldn't renew it as it had a waiting list at the library. (Probably another member of her book club trying to cram it in this weekend before club meets next week!)  So, being the great father that I am, (ahem!) I wrote a two page condensed synopsis of a 465 page novel for her.  I felt like I was back in 11th grade AP English class.  I will remind Prof when I give it to her that even though she is an English major, that right now she isn't teaching and she had better not grade my "book report."
I really need to get a life!  Ha!

Peace,
JE

Me!

For some reason, way back when, I saved this.  It struck me this morning, after a "restless" night, just how appropriate it is for me now.

I don’t have a masculine build anymore, no appealing abs or a flat stomach. I am far from being considered handsome,  but I am me.  I eat food.  I have some flab.  Probably more fat than I should.  I have scars because I have a history.  Some people love me, some like me, some hate me.  I have done good.  I have done bad.  I love my shorts and flip flops, and sometimes I go without shaving.  I don’t need to go to the barber anymore.  I am random and crazy.  I don’t pretend to be someone I’m not.  I am who I am.  You can love me or not.  I won’t change!  And if I love you, I do it with all my heart.  I make no apologies or excuses for the way I am. 

Peace,
JE

He's Here!

New Grandson TW, is here.  He finally arrived last night at 11:06 PM.  He weighed in at 8 lbs, 3 ozs. And was a tall 20 in. long.  He looks like his Grampa JE!  (Not!)  Mom and babe doing fine after a long long day of waiting!  Grampa JE is tired!  Think I will nap before going to visit!  Pics to follow, with Mommy and Daddy's permission, of course.

Peace, (again)
JE