Random Pic of the Day - "Today's wedding of a friend."

Dancing in the Promised Land, English Country Style

Extending their characteristic warmth and hospitality, the Huber family hosted an English Country dancing "class" last night at Promised Land Dairy’s former milk and ice cream parlor. Families represented at the dance included the Clarks, the Manteufels, the (Walt) Goforths, the Sergeants, the Horns (sole representative being yours truly), and anyone else I am forgetting.
Instruction commenced promptly at 6:30 p.m.

Those of us who were new to English Country dancing, and those who can’t seem to remember anything from one dance gathering to the next (like me), practiced our technique and etiquette with the easy (and very fun) Progressive Gordon. From there we moved to the Virginia Reel, which dance was made quite breath-consuming due to the long line of dancers. (Sashay away, my friends!) Following the Virginia Reel we enjoyed a variety of dances including Barbarini’s Tambourine (a personal favorite), The Comical Fellow, and other dances whose names I cannot recall.

I should mention that Nikkae did a superb job calling the dances, especially as last night was her first time doing so in public, and she had to deal with pupils who were quite often less than attentive. ;-) Rebekah would have been very proud, I am sure.

Although the warm and sticky night air (or lack thereof) made for damp dancers, we all had a wonderful time dancing the night away. Personally, I was grateful for the privilege of participating in multiple dances with the widely acknowledged "Belle of the Ball," Miss Kristalyn Huber. Thank you, Kristalyn, for being a willing and very talented dance partner.

It was great to see Mrs. Fiordelisi (I know that I am butchering the spelling) again, as well as be introduced to the newest Huber, Christian Valor. For some reason Christian was a little shy about dancing, but I am sure his reticence will fade away with time.

Thanks to all the families who participated in last night’s activities and who thereby helped make an enjoyable evening for me (oh, and others too). Here’s to the next Huber family dance!

Swing her, Nolan!

The Virginia Reel.

What shall it profit a man, if he dance the whole night and then die of hunger?

Look at these eyes, Mama. How can you keep me in here any longer? I want to dance!

This was one of our speedier dances.

Nathan explaining the finer points of a dance while the rest of the crowd awaits the music.

Before we part ways for the night, Baby Jane and I share a serious moment.

Quote of the Day

"One of the very first things they [a newly married couple] discover is the intimate relationship between the kitchen and wedded happiness."

- Home-Making, pg 64 (J.R. Miller)

Random Pic of the Day - "Billiards, anyone?"

Random Pic of the Day - "Disturbing in the extreme."

Random Pic of the Day - "The illustrious 'Belle of the Ball' posing in a different environment." ;>)

Anonymity

The word, "anonymous," is defined three ways by www.m-w.com:

1. not named or identified;
2. of unknown authorship or origin; and
3. lacking individuality, distinction, or recognizability.

Recently I have experienced a rash of anonymous commentators on my blog. For whatever reasons, these individuals make comments that they do not wish to be attributed to themselves. Rather than boldly standing behind the veracity (or lack thereof?) of their comments, they instead protect their identities by using the shadow of namelessness. I find this phenomenon somewhat disturbing.

In most cases, if something is worth saying, it is also worth attributing to the author. Likewise, if something is not worth attributing to the author, it is probably not worth saying (a paraphrase of a timely statement made by my good friend and roommate, Shannon Moeller). Although I readily admit that there are occasions when it is completely acceptable to remain anonymous (whether for propriety's or security's sake), I also assert that such occasions rarely appear within the realm of blog comments. Instead, the authors of anonymous blog comments generally are trying for the "cuteness" approach to commenting without being willing to "face up" to their statements, or they are actively engaged in the pursuit of frustrating others and are making their attacks (in fun or otherwise) from behind the protection of an impenetrable mask. In either instance, what has been authored is likely not worthwhile to have been said.

I say all of this, not to dampen the jovial spirit of my blog commentators, nor to dissuade the use of witty repartee in the future. My personal approach to blog commentary, whether on my own blog or others, is quite often one of witticisms, wisecracks, and waggeries (albeit always with a name attached). However, I would ask that my commentators take responsibility for their comments, unless they have good reason not to do so. I leave the term, "good reason," to your discretion, but I do ask that you exercise said discretion.

Philippians 1:9-11

And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

Second Quote of the Day

"Are you painting figurines?"
- N.S. Hayden speaking to Mark Stubblefield

Quote of the Day

"I'm still savvy; I'm just distracted."
- Mark Stubblefield

"Random Pic of the Day" - Yummy pork chops.

Random Pic of the Day - "My beautiful sister, Cara, and my lovely great-grandmother, Dorys."

Random Pic of the Day - "My rapidly maturing brother, John."

Random Pic of the Day - "Ken Starr and Caleb Hayden pose for the camera. One day Mr. Starr will tell his children that he had his picture taken with C.S. Hayden."

Current Reading List

The following titles are books I am presently reading. My degree of faithful reading varies from title to title (some of which titles are calling rather loudly to be picked up again), but each book is legitimately in process of being ingested, after a literary fashion, by yours truly.

Churchill: A Biography
by Roy Jenkins

Les Miserables
by Victor Hugo

Saints and Strangers
by George Willison

The Fringes of Power: The Incredible Inside Story of Winston Churchill During WWII
by John Colville

Masters of Death: The SS-Einsatzgruppen and the Invention of the Holocaust
by Richard Rhodes

Churchill at War 1940-45
by Lord Moran

Reagan: A Life in Letters
by Kiron K. Skinner (Editor), Annelise Anderson (Editor), Martin Anderson (Editor), and George P. Shultz (Foreword)

Operatives, Spies, and Saboteurs: The Unknown Story of the Men and Women of WWII’s OSS
by Patrick K. O’Donnell

The Religious Tradesman
by Richard Steele

Sworn on the Altar of God: A Religious Biography of Thomas Jefferson
by Edwin S. Gausta

The Story of the Irish Race
by Seumas MacManus

Everything I Know About Business I Learned from Monopoly
by Alan Axelrod

The True Patrick Henry
by George Morgan

Home-Making
by J.R. Miller

The Institutes of Biblical Law - Volume 1
by Rousas John Rushdoony

Random Pic of the Day - "Tim, Peter Pollock, Michael, Peter Bradrick, Nathan Barnes, Mark, and Cecily enjoying gelati and fellowship."

Random Pic of the Day - "Colossal smile, dude."

Random Pictures

For the enjoyment (or disturbance) of my readers, I have decided to add a new feature to this blog. On a more or less daily basis, I will now be posting a random picture from my personal collection of photographs. Oh, the lengths to which I go for readership (self-deprecating, slightly annoyed sigh).

Due to the fact that these will be random pictures, please do not draw any inferences or make assumptions based upon an individual photo's subject matter. If I do in fact have specific reason on occasion for selecting a photograph to post for the general public, that is my prerogative. I do what I like!

Below is my inital Random Picture. Enjoy.

Nothing appropriate comes to mind.

The Conference Trail

For the collective information of my impatient readers, I have been in Rochester, Minnesota for the past four days (Wednesday through Sunday). Due to the regrettable absence of an Internet connection in my hotel room, I was unable to post any blog updates during my visit to the land of 10,000 lakes. Therefore, I offer no apologies for my recent blogging activities or lack thereof.

Bweee.

Returning to the MACHE conference in 2005 (I also exhibited there last year with Wesley Strackbein) was a blessed opportunity and experience for me. This year I enjoyed the privilege of manning the Vision Forum booth with my co-worker, Michael Gobart. Together we interacted with a large percentage of the 5,200+ conference attendees, engaging many in conversation about products and issues, and answering a variety of important questions. Special kudos to Michael for being such a diligent student of the Word and for using the fruits of his studies to biblically address many relevant and timely life issues raised by customers at the Vision Forum booth.

Arriving in Rochester on Wednesday night, Michael and I set about the business of sleeping. On Thursday we picked up our inventory and setup our booth at the convention center, spending about five hours arranging our products and making our booth "presentable." When finished, we headed for dinner and then back to our hotel room where I stumbled across a Philadelphia 76ers/Miami Heat basketball game on TV, which game had less than two minutes remaining in regulation. Sweet! Much to my intense rooting delight, the Sixers proved to be eventual winners, finishing on top after an exciting overtime period. Then, like two responsible gentlemen, Michael and I called it a day and enjoyed a blessed slumber (at least I did; regrettably, Michael was beset by allergies most of the night).

Friday saw both of us at the convention center by 7:30 a.m., as we did a final "touch up" to the booth and prepared for our day. After the day’s responsibilities were complete, at 5:30 p.m. we closed shop and headed for dinner at the Macaroni Grill. Delicious!

Our last day at the conference, Saturday, passed much as the first had done. Booth traffic was consistently steady, and Michael and I found ourselves pleasantly occupied throughout the day; not too crazy, but no opportunity for boredom!

In the morning Michael was gracious enough to man the booth by himself as I walked three blocks for the purpose of procuring hot liquid from that favorite American café, Starbucks. My beverage of choice was hot chocolate, while Michael’s selection was a caramel frappuccino. I carried back to the convention center these morning wake-up concoctions, and they’re desired effect was gratefully not in vain.

Upon the exhibit hall’s closing at 5:30 p.m., Michael and I packed the remaining inventory, arranged for the shipping of our products to San Antonio, and headed back to the Macaroni Grill for dinner. Again, delicious.

As I finish this post on Sunday I am sitting with Michael in the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport in the midst of a three-hour flight layover. Our MACHE conference journey will end, Lord willing, around 4:30 p.m. this afternoon when we arrive back in San Antonio.

Praise be to the Lord for His care and provision for Michael and I as we ministered with and to the saints of Minnesota this past weekend. Working with Michael was a genuine treat as always, and I look forward to my next opportunity to do so. I pray that my next stop on the conference trail, Pennsylvania, will be as successful and enjoyable as was Minnesota.

Below are a few pictures from my journey. Enjoy!

The Vision Forum booth!

Michael placing a Forever Flashlight on display during booth setup on Thursday.

Rearranging some Jonathan Park albums.

Michael at the Vision Forum table.

Blogging in the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport during my return to San Antonio.

Happy Birthday Puceks!

Yesterday was the celebration en masse of Pucek family birthdays. All party guests honored the annual circumvention around the sun made by the following Puceks (forgive me if I miss anyone): Laura (Mrs. Pucek), age - -; Krissy, age 24; Mandy, age 22; A.J., age 17; and Samantha Jo, age 9.

The party was held at a park located within the Cordillera Ranch (a ranch-style housing community). Complementing the beautiful day were a state-of-the-art pavilion, a delightful blue pond, and multiple sports fields. There was also an impressive playground for the little ones to enjoy.

For a guy regrettably accustomed to a more sedentary lifestyle of office and computer, Saturday was a great opportunity to rejoin the world of physical activity and fun. Festivities of the day (which commenced for me after I arrived 1 ½ hours late due to, shocker, shocker, getting lost) included soccer, volleyball, and Ultimate Frisbee. I earned my "badge of honor" for the day during soccer by acquiring a sweet abrasion on my left shin. Not to brag, but it is quite a doozie, even if I do say so myself! Ah, the good life.

Many thanks are due the Puceks for being so kind as to have birthdays, and for being even more kind as to invite others to celebrate that reality with them. Truly it was a wonderful time enjoyed by all. Happy birthday Puceks!

P.S. After the party finished, the Torres family graciously invited Nathan Barnes, Michael Fowl, and me to eat dinner with them. We all three of us jumped at the opportunity to partake of Mrs. Torres’ cooking, and our experientialist anticipation was amply rewarded by a delicious meal of pork chops, brown rice, green beans, ? beans, and garlic bread. Thank you Torres family!

Nathan Barnes, Andrew Torres, and Michael Fowl taking a break.

Trying to light the cake while battling a treachorous wind. Oh, well. Candles don't taste very good anyway.

Picture rather self-explanatory, don't you think?

Mr. Pucek serves one up for the "old guys."

I've got it!

Michael prepares to deliver another killer serve.

Lookout, Ball, you're about to experience major smackage!

A man dedicated to his craft.

Mrs. Pucek, Jennifer, and Mandy enjoying some much-deserved rest at the close of the day.

The Sovereignty of God

Ecclesiastes 9:11
I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

This verse is an important reminder of God's continual sovereignty and Providential working in our lives. Regardless of our personal efforts and endeavors, the mighty Jehovah remains omnipotent, and all must bow to His will.

The Newest Huber. . .

. . . and more details. And more pictures!

Special Announcement

For those of us who miss our good friend C.S. Hadyen, and for those of us not so privileged as to have yet met this fine man, I have excellent and exciting news. Caleb has started a blog!

To ascertain the present goings on of my comrade, and to read his many and (usually) insightful thoughts, please visit the following website:

http://www.cshayden.blogspot.com/

Enjoy!

Charles Dickens and A Tale of Two Cities

I have long been an ardent admirer of Charles Dickens’ writings, having read several of his more famous works (A Christmas Carol; Oliver Twist; David Copperfield; Great Expectations; other titles whose names I cannot now recall) throughout the course of my short life. Dickens possessed a unique ability to weave stories of trial, heartache, and (often) melancholy triumph, and relate them to his readers in words that brought to vivid reality the characters and events he described. Dickens’ readers are also quite often recipients of his eternal sense of ironic humor, finding reason to laugh out loud at a clever and subtle comment in the midst of an otherwise serious circumstance. Although considered too "wordy" by some, Dickens’ liberal use of picture-painting verbiage, his detailed and lengthy storylines, and his sometimes-meandering character dialog make him one of my favorite writers of fiction.

Last night I finished my fourth or fifth reading of the bittersweet Dickens classic, A Tale of Two Cities. My introduction to this time-tested literary masterpiece came many years ago when my dad read it aloud to my younger sister and me. I so enjoyed the story that I soon after reread the book on my own, and have since done so again on multiple occasions.

A Tale of Two Cities relates the horrors of the French Revolution and starkly portrays the evil of that terrible, fear-inspiring era of godless, unadulterated democracy. This story of despair, bitterness, revenge, courage, love, and self-sacrifice strikes deep in the consciousness of the reader, drawing him into the intricacies of mankind’s differing responses to good and evil.

My favorite twist in A Tale of Two Cities is the demonstration of “no greater love” displayed by Sydney Carton, an oft-drunken reprobate, at the end of the book. Having loved a woman (Lucie) years before, and knowing himself to be unworthy to ask for her love in return, Carton had at that time given her all he could offer. He had promised her that, if the need presented itself someday, “ . . . there is a man who would give his life, to keep a life you love beside you!” That “someday” arrived, and Carton sacrificed his life at the guillotine in exchange for the life of Lucie’s husband, a despised French aristocrat who had loathed the evil connected to his title and long ago forsaken almost every tie with his native land (an errand of mercy had returned him to France, and had brought about his death sentence). Dickens closes the book by attributing to Carton the following now-famous phrase, “It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever know.”

Although I do not believe Charles Dickens to have been a Christian, and although I disagree with much of his worldview and philosophy, he did know how to capture the essence of a deed or a statement and enshrine it for posterity. Carton’s life-ending act of love is a reminder to the reader that, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13).

Love him or hate him, Dickens played an extremely integral role in the development of the modern-day novel, and his prolific story telling has impacted the reading habits of many generations. If you are ever in the mood for thought-engaging historical fiction, I recommend one of his finest works, A Tale of Two Cities.

Garner State Park

On Saturday I visited Garner State Park as part of a group of young people and adults assembled by the Pucek and Spradling families. God blessed our day with blue skies, a gentle breeze, warm sunshine, and a general sense of peaceful serenity. Not knowing what to expect before arriving at the park, and expecting very little in the way of real beauty (based upon my past experiences with Texas scenery), I was pleasantly blown away by the picturesque setting in which I found myself.

We hiked up the side of a steep and rocky hill, carefully picking our way amongst the boulders. Stopping as we climbed to take advantage of awe-inspiring vistas (and to catch our respective breaths), we gradually ascended to the top of the "mountain." Once at the summit we sat down and took turns choosing Psalms to read, Nathan Barnes ably performing his commission to read the majority of those Psalms. How wonderful it was to hear the sweet and mighty words of the Psalms as we surveyed God’s majestic creation!

After completing our descent, the majority of the young people took to the sand-filled volleyball court. The remainder of our afternoon was spent playing volleyball, exploring caves, swimming, playing Hearts (the card game), and enjoying various other forms of fellowship. As one who inevitably departs from a day outdoors with a severe sunburn, I was grateful for the forethought of Mandy Pucek to bring sun block, and her generosity to share it. Hurray for unburned skin!

The Torres family took excellent care of Mark Stubblefield, Nathan Barnes, Michael Fowl, and me throughout the day, allowing us to ride with/follow them to the park, providing us with the main courses for lunch and dinner, and generally keeping a watchful eye upon four "family-less" bachelors. Mrs. Torres, thank you for playing the role of "Mom" for all of us!

We ended our day with a campfire, s’mores, singing, and testimonies, and then drove the 2 ½ hours (at least for our group of four guys) back to San Antonio.

Many thanks are due to the Pucecks and Spradlings for their efforts in arranging so enjoyable an event. I eagerly look forward to my next opportunity for such enjoyment!

How beautiful is that?!

Another view from the vista.

Andrew enjoying a delicious and nutritious Quaker Oats Chewy Granola Bar, an ALERT Basic staple.

Returning feet to the captivity of socks and shoes after the toe-wiggling freedom of "beach" volleyball.

Great smile, Michael!

Angie Spradling, Andrew (not Torres), Mandy Spradling, and Lourdes Torres.

Down the hatch.

Gazing into the mystery that is a campfire.

Saying Goodbye to Mark, Part 2

This past Friday night the Sarratt family once again demonstrated their hospitable ways by hosting a going-away party for Mark Stubblefield (yes, another party for Mark). All those in attendance---and there were many---enjoyed a fun-filled evening of foosball, ping-pong, air hockey, conversation, singing, and the usual awesome Sarratt cooking. We even made time to say some nice things about Mark.

Mark is a blessed man to be the beneficiary of so many wonderful friends in San Antonio (myself excluded, of course). Speaking very seriously for a moment, I know that Mark considers himself privileged to have spent two years in this community and was deeply touched that so many people gave their evening to bid him a fond farewell. My prayer is that the Lord will see fit to geographically return Mark to us soon. However, regardless of God's timetable for Mark's life, Mark can still count many San Antonio (and surrounding area) citizens as special friends, whether in close physical proximity or not. I encourage all of us to maintain regular contact with Marcus, and not allow this temporary separation to wither the friendships created during these past two years.

To help us remember a man only this day departed from our fair city, I have posted a few photos from our recent evening of remembrance. Enjoy.

Look out, Missouri!

Brandon Huber and Andrew Torres pose for the camera. Is that better, Brandon?

Hmm. I see four smiles and zero tears. Oh, that's right. This is a celebration! (Katherine, Nikkae, Jennifer, Jaime)

The guy's table. . .

. . . and the girl's table. Uh, wait a minute.

Mr. and Mrs. Torres assist with the singing.

While Mark, Katherine, and Jennifer listen in rapt attention to praises of Mark Stubblefield's better traits, Nikkae unsuccessfully battles the Sand Man. Can you really blame her?

"Who's Mark?"