Greetings from the Bluegrass state. I hope this finds all of you well. I have been here since last Saturday (14Th). The trip down was pretty uneventful, even though the traffic was extremely heavy. I did discover a bump on one of my tires on the way down. My Pops looked at it after I got here and determined that I need a new tire before I can go home. What a way to start a visit!
Everyone here is doing well. I have seen friends and family and have enjoyed seeing them all. Am seeing some more friends Friday and Saturday. Saturday we are having a birthday get together for me (my birthday is on the 27Th). Several friends and my brother and his family are coming for that. It should be a good time.
It has been a nice visit thus far. My parents and I watched the movie "We Were Soldiers" Saturday evening after I got here. They liked it. My Pops said it was very much how he remembered Vietnam being. My Mom had a cousin who died over there on my grandfathers side. We knew this, but not much else. At the end of the movie, they showed the names of the real soldiers who fought in that actual battle, and there was her cousins' name. We were all shocked. Grateful too, it gave us some more indication about his time in the service etc. Now we know where to find him on The Wall.
My Mom had also found a picture of one of my Uncles who fought in WWII in the Pacific. She was looking through a book at the library about Iwo Jima and there was a picture of my Uncle! Can you believe the odds of that? He was aboard ship in the picture getting a briefing about going ashore on Iwo Jima. She made copies for my brother and I, for which I am very grateful. She made copies for other family members too, I believe.
My brother and his family are doing well. His wife is in her last weeks of her pregnancy with the new baby. My nephew is growing like a weed. He gets taller every time I see him and is so smart for his age. He understands that he is having a baby brother, but doesn't really understand what that means I don't think. We are all anxious for the new little one's arrival and pray that all goes well here in the last weeks and for the delivery.
I have kept up my work-out routine while here. I brought my weights with me. This week I am on Sunday-Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday schedule. It is going well and I feel myself getting stronger by the week. My walking time is getting better and better so I think when I come home, I will increase the distance. Right now I am walking just a little over a mile on my work-out days and I have my time down to between 16-17 minutes. So, I think I will increase it to 2 miles when I get home. It is nice to actually see muscle in my arms and legs now. And my stomach getting flatter again after the surgery.
Of course my allergies are acting up. My parents have cats. They are outdoors, but have been in the house and it still bothers me. Also, we have believed for a long time (21 years actually) that I am allergic to the bluegrass. Can you believe that? Actually allergic to the type of grass the state is known for! There new motto here, has been for a couple of years, is "Unbridled Spirit". I just love that. They mentioned on the news last night that I think they have made new rules for jockeys etc., because of what happened to Eight Belles at the Derby. They also said that there were to be congressional hearings on the industry and how the horses are treated. I think that is ridiculous. Congress certainly has more important things they should be spending their time on. What happened to Eight Belles was just a freak accident. No amount of meetings, hearings or rules is gonna change things like that from happening from time to time.
I finished my new book, 'Soul Connection'. In some ways it was better than the first book, 'Soul Healing'. It was a very good book though and I commend the author, Tammy Smith, for writing those two books. They have helped me a great deal and I am so thankful for that.
I am starting on my Beth Moore Bible study today. They are starting it tonight at New Life, but obviously I am not going to be there. They told to just do what the workbook said to do for the first week, so I am. I looked through it yesterday and it looks very good. I hope to learn a lot from it and that it will draw me even closer to God.
Have been reading in Luke in my daily Bible reading. A chapter a day. I haven't ever read Luke like that before. I have just looked up verses from it for this and that. I have found it to be very interesting and very straightforward. I like reading it this way and think I will try other books of the Bible like this. It's nice to read it in the progression it was meant to be read.
Well, I guess I have blabbed enough for this time. I hope all of you are doing well. Before I go, I will leave you with the words to one of my favorite songs. The song they sing at the Derby every year. It always brings a tear to my eye when I hear it or sing it. It is a good song. So, without further ado, the words to "My Old Kentucky Home" by Stephen Foster. Oh, I forgot to say, Saturday morning we are going to a civil war re-enactment. "Morgans Raid" is what it's called. It's about Morgans Raiders obviously. For you history buffs, you can look that up online and read about it. Here is the song:(mind you this was written in the mid 1800s so there may be some words that may be offensive to some people. for this, I do apologize, but it's how it was when the song was written.).
My Old Kentucky Home, Good-Night (1853)
Words & music by Stephen Collins Foster (1826-1864)
"1.The sun shines bright in the old Kentucky home,'Tis summer, the darkies are gay,The corn top's ripe and the meadows in the bloom,While the birds make music all the day.The young folks roll on the little cabin floor,All merry, all happy and bright:By'n by Hard Times comes a knocking at the door,Then my old Kentucky Home, good night!
CHORUS : Weep no more, my lady,Oh! weep no more to-day!We will sing one song for the old Kentucky Home,For the old Kentucky Home far away.
2.They hunt no more for possum and the coon On the meadow, the hill, and the shore,They sing no more by the glimmer of the moon,On the bench by the old cabin door.The day goes by like a shadow o're the heart,With sorrow where all was delight:The time has come when the darkies have to part,Then my old Kentucky Home, good-night!
(CHORUS)
3.The head must bow and the back will have to bend,Wherever the darkey may go:A few more days, and the trouble all will end In the field where the sugar-canes grow.A few more days for to tote the weary load,No matter, 'twill never be light,A few more days till we totter on the road,Then my old Kentucky Home, good-night!
(CHORUS)."
Goodbye for now and God Bless.
