Well, thanks to Tom for passing this trailer along to me. I've been sharing it with family and friends and laughing every time I watch it. I think it's gonna be a great movie. Of course, I loved FARGO and AMERICAN BEAUTY, too, so some of you might not trust my judgment. :) Anyway, check out this trailer for a good laugh. And if you're from around our neck of the woods, watch for the "Welcome to New Ulm" sign.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Live like you were dyin'
Only recently a really, really good friend -- who, like me, has eclectic tastes in music, art, food, exercise, and life in general -- reminded me that Tim McGraw is the son of former Phillies baseball pitcher Tug McGraw, and introduced me to some music that I've really fallen in love with. True confession time... I've always told folks I like all good music... but in my mind I've always made an exception for rap and country. Please don't take offense NASCAR fans, but I'd rather read a book. Same goes for watching golf on TV, if that makes a difference. :)
Anyway, I may still prefer Minnesota Public Radio to the "new country station," but I will now accept any Tim McGraw CD for Christmas! If you're so inclined.
Peace, love, and coffee,
Pax, agape, and java,
Randy
Anyway, I may still prefer Minnesota Public Radio to the "new country station," but I will now accept any Tim McGraw CD for Christmas! If you're so inclined.
Peace, love, and coffee,
Pax, agape, and java,
Randy
Friday, August 15, 2008
Undercover Angel at the Lockspot
During July we were blessed with the trip of a lifetime: an Alaska cruise with Carolyn’s family. On the Monday after the cruise (during our five days in Seattle), we spent the better part of the morning and early afternoon at the Woodlawn Park Zoo. Snacks at the zoo were too pricey for our liking, so we spent the last 90 minutes “running on empty.” Our good friend Sue Meyer had previously pointed out the Lockspot Café at the entrance to the park which leads to the locks dividing Lake Union from Puget Sound. A big sign outside highlighted their specialty, Fish ‘n Chips. Perfect late lunch fare for a hungry family after a day at the zoo!
The Lockspot Café was everything we’d hoped for and more. Luke had Fish ‘n Chips, Carolyn ordered Clam Strips ‘n Chips, and I opted for Halibut ‘n Chips. Elyse, who is the only seafood-averse person in our family, went with the Bacon Cheeseburger. But even Elyse tried the fish and the clam strips and had to admit they were fabulous. I tried to trade a bite of mine for a bit of Luke’s but no dice. No leftovers for Luke either. It was good food, reasonably priced, with good service. Only later would we fully realize how good the service really was.
It was the morning of our flight back to MSP when we finally realized where Luke’s Alaska cap had been left. Yes, you’re way ahead of me. Yes, it had been left at the Lockspot three days earlier.
Gotta tell you about Luke’s cap.
Carolyn and I had given the kids an allowance for souvenirs. Totally discretionary spending for them. We’d done the same thing last summer, passing two envelopes (each filled with $35) back to Elyse and Luke in the back of the van to brighten up the long, flat, and sometimes (often?) boring trip across the middle of South Dakota on our way to the Black Hills. It was a hoot to see the contrast between Luke and Elyse. Elyse had spent almost everything after the first two or three days. But Luke—oh, my word, has the world ever seen such a careful, frugal spender?! He would agonize over every potential purchase, usually deciding, “No, not yet, not this, not now….” And on the Alaska Cruise, even with bigger allowances, Luke was just as careful this year. He looked at hundreds of tee-shirts and caps, always choosing to wait for a better deal or for something he liked better. We took a train ride along the “Trail of ’98” from Skagway to the Yukon border. Luke thought a long time about getting the cap they were offering on the train. But no, “not for fifteen bucks, Dad.” And then, back in town, he struck gold! This one wasn’t on sale for $12 or $10—not even for $5. Luke had found the perfect Alaska cap for two bucks!
So it was all the worse to discover the two-dollar cap had been left at the Lockspot Café. It was hopeless anyway, so I waited to make the obligatory phone call until after getting back home. It’s Friday or Saturday morning—nearly a full week after leaving this fairly unremarkable (but invaluable) Alaska cap at the Lockspot. A busy employee answered, listened to a briefer version of the story, and said, “Oh, I think I remember where we put that.” And then assured me she would send the cap and that I need not worry about sending her postage. I don’t remember her exact words, but it was something along these lines.
For eight-year-old boys from halfway across the country, we send lost Alaska caps back for free. Especially when it was the perfect Alaska cap. For only two bucks.
The Lockspot Café was everything we’d hoped for and more. Luke had Fish ‘n Chips, Carolyn ordered Clam Strips ‘n Chips, and I opted for Halibut ‘n Chips. Elyse, who is the only seafood-averse person in our family, went with the Bacon Cheeseburger. But even Elyse tried the fish and the clam strips and had to admit they were fabulous. I tried to trade a bite of mine for a bit of Luke’s but no dice. No leftovers for Luke either. It was good food, reasonably priced, with good service. Only later would we fully realize how good the service really was.
It was the morning of our flight back to MSP when we finally realized where Luke’s Alaska cap had been left. Yes, you’re way ahead of me. Yes, it had been left at the Lockspot three days earlier.
Gotta tell you about Luke’s cap.
Carolyn and I had given the kids an allowance for souvenirs. Totally discretionary spending for them. We’d done the same thing last summer, passing two envelopes (each filled with $35) back to Elyse and Luke in the back of the van to brighten up the long, flat, and sometimes (often?) boring trip across the middle of South Dakota on our way to the Black Hills. It was a hoot to see the contrast between Luke and Elyse. Elyse had spent almost everything after the first two or three days. But Luke—oh, my word, has the world ever seen such a careful, frugal spender?! He would agonize over every potential purchase, usually deciding, “No, not yet, not this, not now….” And on the Alaska Cruise, even with bigger allowances, Luke was just as careful this year. He looked at hundreds of tee-shirts and caps, always choosing to wait for a better deal or for something he liked better. We took a train ride along the “Trail of ’98” from Skagway to the Yukon border. Luke thought a long time about getting the cap they were offering on the train. But no, “not for fifteen bucks, Dad.” And then, back in town, he struck gold! This one wasn’t on sale for $12 or $10—not even for $5. Luke had found the perfect Alaska cap for two bucks!
So it was all the worse to discover the two-dollar cap had been left at the Lockspot Café. It was hopeless anyway, so I waited to make the obligatory phone call until after getting back home. It’s Friday or Saturday morning—nearly a full week after leaving this fairly unremarkable (but invaluable) Alaska cap at the Lockspot. A busy employee answered, listened to a briefer version of the story, and said, “Oh, I think I remember where we put that.” And then assured me she would send the cap and that I need not worry about sending her postage. I don’t remember her exact words, but it was something along these lines.
For eight-year-old boys from halfway across the country, we send lost Alaska caps back for free. Especially when it was the perfect Alaska cap. For only two bucks.
As the silent leaven works its secret way,
Or as grows the seed grain through the night and day;
Lord, so be the increase peaceable but sure,
Of thy word within us, and thy kingdom’s power.
(Norman Elliott, 1951)The growth of the kingdom of heaven—the reign of God’s peace—is most often hidden from our view. Grace comes into our lives from the most unexpected places. Grace happens when, through a miracle, ordinary folk “…offer all that faith can do… while love is making all things new” (B. Wren).
Strangers are sometimes angels. And angels are sometimes waitressing at our favorite place for Fish ‘n Chips in Seattle.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Isn't life wonderful?
Carolyn and the kids left for Pella earlier this week, leaving me to "hold down the fort" and spend some quality time with Cannon. Dog days? We're officially in the dog days of summer (I think) but the weather hasn't felt like dog days at all. It has been absolutely gorgeous lately. Today was warm, but hardly humid, and this evening it is positively and perfectly pleasant. As Luke said to me a few days ago, it feels like Seattle. Seattle, by the way, is not at all dreary and rainy during July. At least that's the secret we were told not to share with everyone. The days we spent in Seattle were all sunny and 70s.
Holding down the fort and trying to use up a little more of my vacation, I spent more than half the afternoon cleaning house. Honestly, I don't do this enough. I tend to take the dog for a walk or -- more often -- visit a coffee shop with a book and/or crossword and/or a journal. And those things are therapeutic for me. But so was cleaning the house. I need to do it more often. Not that Carolyn needs my help in this department. Don't let me even imply such a thing! (And certainly not on the eve of our 15th wedding anniversary!)
Most men would rather fix something. I'm not good at that. I can write stuff, but I can't "right" stuff. (Play on words there.) Kathleen Norris wrote a book about the healing power of the ordinary stuff, like doing laundry and picking up the basement and dusting furniture.
Anyway, I could usually write something cohesive. Tonight I feel like I'm just going on and on without any destination in sight. At least as far as this post is concerned.
But in life, I feel a strong sense of purpose. The Westminster Confession says our highest purpose is simply to know God and enjoy -- yes, ENJOY -- God forever. I sense that one of my highest callings is to simply live in an attitude of gratitude, to say thank you more often, and to encourage others to discover the incredible joy of living both "on a journey" and, at the same time, "at home" in God. Henri Nouwen says we can be "at home on the journey" -- or something to that effect. Don Postema, author of Space for God," says this simply means affirming -- every day, every hour, every moment -- that "I belong to God." Or, as I learned in catechism classes, that "I belong... body and soul... in life and in death... to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ..." who loves me to the uttermost.
How did I get so theological all of a sudden? Sorry if that caught you by surprise. I think what really prompted it was thinking about all the things I am thankful for! Making that list is an easy exercise on the eve of August 7, the date -- 15 years ago -- when I married the beautiful woman who makes me happier than I could ever deserve.
Holding down the fort and trying to use up a little more of my vacation, I spent more than half the afternoon cleaning house. Honestly, I don't do this enough. I tend to take the dog for a walk or -- more often -- visit a coffee shop with a book and/or crossword and/or a journal. And those things are therapeutic for me. But so was cleaning the house. I need to do it more often. Not that Carolyn needs my help in this department. Don't let me even imply such a thing! (And certainly not on the eve of our 15th wedding anniversary!)
Most men would rather fix something. I'm not good at that. I can write stuff, but I can't "right" stuff. (Play on words there.) Kathleen Norris wrote a book about the healing power of the ordinary stuff, like doing laundry and picking up the basement and dusting furniture.
Anyway, I could usually write something cohesive. Tonight I feel like I'm just going on and on without any destination in sight. At least as far as this post is concerned.
But in life, I feel a strong sense of purpose. The Westminster Confession says our highest purpose is simply to know God and enjoy -- yes, ENJOY -- God forever. I sense that one of my highest callings is to simply live in an attitude of gratitude, to say thank you more often, and to encourage others to discover the incredible joy of living both "on a journey" and, at the same time, "at home" in God. Henri Nouwen says we can be "at home on the journey" -- or something to that effect. Don Postema, author of Space for God," says this simply means affirming -- every day, every hour, every moment -- that "I belong to God." Or, as I learned in catechism classes, that "I belong... body and soul... in life and in death... to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ..." who loves me to the uttermost.
How did I get so theological all of a sudden? Sorry if that caught you by surprise. I think what really prompted it was thinking about all the things I am thankful for! Making that list is an easy exercise on the eve of August 7, the date -- 15 years ago -- when I married the beautiful woman who makes me happier than I could ever deserve.
Friday, July 25, 2008
It is now officially summer
OK, where did the week go? :) As I shared with my buddy-since-second-grade, David Vander Laan, I started the week in first gear. Put in the clutch and slid into second gear on Tuesday. Third gear on Wednesday. Fourth and fifth gear on Thursday...
Well, you get the idea.
It's officially summer. I bought a few ears of sweet corn at the Mankato Farmer's Market on Tuesday. And tomatos! And new potatoes. And more. Luke and I found some more sweet corn today at the Lake Crystal Farmers Market and it was even better than what we had earlier in the week. So bring it on! Fresh sweet corn means it's finally summer!
Well, you get the idea.
It's officially summer. I bought a few ears of sweet corn at the Mankato Farmer's Market on Tuesday. And tomatos! And new potatoes. And more. Luke and I found some more sweet corn today at the Lake Crystal Farmers Market and it was even better than what we had earlier in the week. So bring it on! Fresh sweet corn means it's finally summer!
Monday, July 21, 2008
Finally
Finally, nearly four years in the planning, comes the online version of the weekly column which amazed and confused the good (and other) Dutch folks in Pella, Iowa. And beyond. If I were you I'd expect more, but this is it. Like the sign on the path to the castle: "I'd turn back if I were you." I'm kidding. Anyway, just as I wrote the original Still Up in the Air many years ago as some sort of a wild and futile attempt to keep my sanity as an accountant, now I write it to keep my sanity as a pastor. And to remind myself of what I've always believed: "Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts."
True to form...
This first post was originally NOT my first post, but rather the description of the blog. But, oh, bother, the blogger gods will only allow 500 words or less as a description. At least I'm smart enough to cut and paste... Big Eight CPA work at least taught me a few useful skills. :)
Anyway...
We just returned from our longest family vacation since our move to Minnesota. Actually, longest since 2001 when I started seminary. Actually, longest ever. We had a great time, and if I was more savvy I'd share some of our photos. Maybe later, if that's alright with you. (Heck, it's my blog, what am I asking YOU for?) Must be I've gotten so darn Minnesota Nice over the last four years. (I'm smiling, I'm kidding, I'm laughing out loud and refusing to use the abbreviation.)
But as I was saying, the vacation was great. Cruising from Seattle up to Alaska and back including Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Ketchikan, and Victoria. And 4+ days in Seattle with two road trips through Mount Rainier National Park, a visit to (and up) the Space Needle, two great walks through Pike Place Market, a day at the zoo, watching the sunset over the city while eating dinner at the Golf Club at Newcastle, and much more! Stay tuned for details.
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