I was tagged by El vigilante to complete this meme. The rules of this meme are:
1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them.
5. Let each person know they’ve been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.
Here are six random things about me (that you may not know)
1. I have quite a collection of old Bibles and Bible pages dating to 1499
2. I have been married for 33 years to my best friend, who also was the only person I ever dated.
3. On our first date at Elitches Garden in Denver, Colorado I threw up on Gina, and she took me to her house so I could clean up and wash my clothes. We then returned to Elitches, but didn't ride anything other than the train.
4. The only place I have had a story published was a magazine that published the story after I had submitted it, but never told me. Someone saw the story and told me. I have no respect for the magazine.
5. I like to submit pictures to the San Pedro Daily. I read the San Pedro Daily just about every day.
6. I can't grow sideburns under any circumstances. I'm glad the 70's are over.
What an awesome day it was. The weather was brisk and cool with the wind blowing the leaves that have been falling in large quantities. Gina loves to see the leaves blowing, and takes great pleasure in driving through the leaves and watching them swirl behind the car. Today definitely didn't disappoint her.
When we arrived at church, there was a sharp wind blowing that seemed to cut right through you, but it was warm inside from the love of the people. Last week were out of town so were not able to attend church. We really miss seeing our church family.
Our Sabbath School class is warm and friendly, and it was great to be able to catch up a bit after being gone. We watched the video of the song "Watch The Lamb" and had a good discussion about how the sacrifices of the Old Testament were symbols of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us on the cross.
WATCH THE LAMB
During the church service my friend Richie Owens sang for us one of my favorite hymns, "Savior, Like A Shepherd Lead Us". I love the words to the song.
Savior, like a shepherd lead us, much we need thy tender care; in thy pleasant pastures feed us, for our use thy folds prepare. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast bought us, thine we are. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast bought us, thine we are.
SAVIOR, LIKE A SHEPHERD LEAD US
When Pastor Rodil started his sermon titled "How To Thank The Lord", he told us that he had been looking on the internet last night for an illustration to start his sermon. The story that he used was my blog from yesterday, "The Hammered Dulcimer". I was surprised, but Gina wasn't. The pastor had told her before hand that he was going to use the story. He gave a very uplifting sermon that centered around the idea that we should thank the Lord for everything that happens in our lives, not just what we consider the good things. We need to thank God for everything, even the bad things. It was a very meaningful sermon for me, because I know that Pastor Rodil and his family have gone through extremely tough times in the last year.
PASTOR RODIL CAPOBRES
After church we had some friends over for the afternoon that we hadn't visited with in several months. Little Kaitlyn had been wanting to come to our house and see our dog Skye Baby for a long time. She came with her parents, and had a great time playing with the dog, and with Gina's doll house.
KAITLYN AND GINA
In the evening we were invited to Bear Barton's 50th birthday party. I have never been to a birthday party like it. Richie Owens and Bear have been playing music together for 13 years. Bear is a harmonica player extraordinaire. Richie rented the Ouachita Little Theater, and invited many musicians that he and Bear had played with over the years to come and jam.
BEAR BARTON AND RICHIE OWENS
Richie projected video on stage of Bear playing with a number of different musicians, with some of the video being a number of years ago. We enjoyed seeing Bear with hair.
The party lasted until late into the evening. Well late for me anyway, because I am even older than Bear. It was after 10:00 when the jam session ended, and then I enjoyed getting to visit with Bear for a few minutes. I hadn't seen him for some time. I am happy that I got to be with him at his birthday party. Bear, I wish you a Happy Birthday and many more to come.
It seems like every day we hear more bad economic news. I can't help but worry about what the future holds. This last week has been a slow week at my business. It is not unusual for there to be a slow week, but when I hear nothing but bad economic news, it makes me wonder. As I have been praying about the financial situation. I have been reminded of the way God has taken care of me in the past. One particular instance came to mind, and I thought I would share it with you.
Several years ago our family made a trip to Branson Missouri to meet my sister and her family. We had a delightful weekend, enjoying everything except the Branson traffic. We especially enjoyed going to Silver Dollar City.
While we were at Silver Dollar City we listened to traditional mountain music. I like to listen to mountain instruments, especially the hammered dulcimer. There were vendors there selling instruments, and I stopped at one of the booths to look at the hammered dulcimers. The salesman showed me the different dulcimers that he had, and assured me that with the materials he had I would be able to learn to play. In the excitement of the moment, I purchased the hammered dulcimer.
When I returned home, I got the new hammered dulcimer out and tried to play it. Somehow I just couldn't get the hang of it. I watched the video that the salesman had included. I still couldn't make music. All I could make was horrendous noise. I read the book that came with the instrument but it didn't seem to help. I came to realize that I just wasn't musically talented. I would probably never be a hammered dulcimer player. The brand new hammered dulcimer with its zippered case and its wooden stand were put in the closet. The only time I thought about them was when they got in my way as I was trying to get something out of the closet.
Like many other families in the Mena area, our family didn't have a great year financially. Among other things, our heat pump was struck by lightening and the compressor had to be replaced. As I was thinking about how I was going to pay for the new heat pump, that hammered dulcimer came to mind. I wondered if I could sell it. I thought about selling it on ebay, but I never got around to it.
One day on an impulse I called the swap shop at noon on KENA radio and listed the hammered dulcimer. I had heard a lot of unusual things for sale on the swap shop, but never a hammered dulcimer. The day went by and I did not receive any calls about the dulcimer. I thought to myself, I didn't really think anyone would call.
That night there was another small crisis at home. The washing machine wasn't working properly. I don't know about your house, but at my house that was a crisis. Where were we going to get the money to pay for the repairs? We hadn't recovered from replacing the heat pump. Call a repairman I told my wife, we have to get the washing machine fixed. That night we prayed that God would help us out of this financial problem.
The next day about noon I received a call from Waldron. The caller asked, "Do you have a hammered dulcimer for sale? I have been looking for one for my daughter and a friend told me they had heard one for sale on the radio." I assured her that I did, and made arrangements to meet her to show her the dulcimer. When she saw the instrument she gave me my asking price immediately. It was almost exactly the amount that the repairman needed for fixing the washing machine.
As the buyer was leaving I told her, "I don't know if you are a Christian or not, but I have to tell you something." I was so excited by how God was taking care of my financial problem that I had to tell her the whole story of the dulcimer and the washing machine. After I had told her the story, she replied, "I am a Christian, and I have to tell you a story. My daughter has wanted a hammered dulcimer for some time. I have been to several music stores, but the cost of a hammered dulcimer is more than we can afford. My daughter has been praying that God would help her find a dulcimer she could afford. I told her that used ones were very hard to find, but she continued to pray. Finding this dulcimer at a reasonable price is an answer to our prayers."
I stood there stunned as I realized that the great God that we serve had answered the prayers of two families that day. In Philippians 4:6 it says "Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks."
My friend Richie Owens wrote a song that always gives me comfort. In the video below he sings "All Things Work Together".
This week I received this award from Scrappy Girl. I really appreciate it, especially since I have only been blogging for a little over 2 months.
The rules of the Brillante weblog award: Put the Brillante logo on your blog, add a link to the person who awarded you, nominate at least 7 other blogs, add links to those blogs on yours, leave a message for your nominees on their blogs.
This gives me a chance to share with you some of the blogs that I have been blessed by.
1. Tony Rath. Tony's blog is a photography blog from my favorite place in the world, Belize. His photography is exceptional, and I look forward to each post.
2. Flat Tony. Tony is from Tasmania, Australia, and I really like his outlook on life, and the fact that he is from Australia. Flat Tony's alter ego visited here in Arkansas. You can read about his visit here.
3. Scrapnqueen. Talena's blog was the first blog that I read, shown to me by her proud mother. I had heard of blogging, but didn't really know what it was all about. This is the blog that inspired me to start one of my own.
4. Rocky Mountain Girl. Michele has some of the most beautiful photography you will ever see on her blog. She lives in British Columbia, and is very good at showing you the world she lives in. She has health problems, and is on my prayer list. She also has a more personal blog called Butterflies and Purple Lavender .
5. Dina. Her blog, Jerusalem Hills Daily Photo is one of the most informative blogs you will ever read. I have really enjoyed her descriptions of life in Israel, and her wonderful explanations of Jewish traditions and culture.
6. Ivar Ivrig. Ivar lives in Norway, and is one of the best photographers I have seen. His perspectives, and his use of color and composition are absolutely wonderful. I look forward to his posts. He provides his viewers with a window into his world.
7. Rebeckah. Her blog is titled Life With Kaishon . Kaishon is her son, and she is passionate about him. You can tell from her blog that she loves God, and those around her.
Here is a little something extra.
The Grant Adventure. My son-in-law recently started a blog that I'm sure you will enjoy. I know I have.
It's time again For ABC Wednesday. If you aren't participating in ABC Wednesday, you are missing out on a lot of fun.
THE CURRENT LODGE
Named after a Dutch monarch, Queen Wilhelmina Lodge is a lodging tradition of royal hospitality since 1898. Today's lodge is the third inn to grace this same spectacular setting atop Rich Mountain, just 13 miles from Mena.
The original Wilhelmina Inn was constructed of native stone and timber at a cost of $100,000. The building was illuminated by carbide lights and made for a glorious site as carriages topped Rich Mountain from the train stop at the base of mountain's north side. Thirty-five guest rooms graced the second floor, with at least four "water closets" to serve their guests. Maids and cooks were housed on the third floor. And, the glorious first floor was used as a place to socialize.
Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands was to be crowned in September 1898. To honor the young Queen of the Netherlands, the magnificent structure was called "Wilhelmina Inn" in the vain hope she would visit.
WILHELMINA INN
The grand opening of the inn came on June 22, 1898. Soon, Wilhelmina Inn became known as the "Castle in the Sky." The grandeur of this renowned mountaintop inn with its breathtaking scenery, fine accommodations and exquisite service, however, was to last only a few short years. Less than three years after the opening of the lodge, the Kansas City, Pittsburgh and Gulf Railroad, facing enormous financial troubles, was sold. The lodge was abandoned and fell into disrepair.
In 1957 the Arkansas General Assembly created a new state park on the site where the old Wilhelmina Inn stood. Plans were soon underway to construct a new lodge on the site of the original inn.
Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the second inn opened its doors on June 22, 1963. Although less grand than the original hostelry, this lodge contained 17 guest rooms and a restaurant. Occupying the same site as the first inn, the second structure was built with some the rockwork still remaining from its predecessor. Operated for 10 years by the State of Arkansas as an Arkansas State Parks lodge, the facility was a popular travel attraction until, on the evening of November 10, 1973, a fire that began in the kitchen area destroyed it. Thankfully, there was no loss of life, but the building was totally destroyed.
To carry on this grand lodging tradition atop Rich Mountain, Arkansas State Parks lost no time in constructing a new lodge on the site, opening a new $3 million dollar state park lodge in 1975. Today, this lodge is the crowning attraction of Queen Wilhelmina State Park. Within walking distance of the lodge are a park amphitheater, playground, campground with 40 sites and a modern bathhouse, and hiking trails.
This is one of our favorite places to go. It is close enough that it doesn't take a lot of travel time, and the drive is beautiful anytime of the year.
VIEW FROM THE LODGE
One of our family's favorite things to do at the lodge is to ride the miniature train. We have been riding the train for almost 30 years. Here is a picture taken in 1981 with my mother, my wife Gina, and my daughter Cynda riding the train.
QUEEN WILHELMINA MINIATURE TRAIN 1981
This picture was taken last summer while Gina and I were riding the train with my daughter Cynda and her daughters Autumn and Rebekah
QUEEN WILHELMINA MINIATURE TRAIN 2008
A spectacular mountaintop setting. Breathtaking panoramic scenery. Royal hospitality. Queen Wilhelmina State Park is all this, and much more.
What a busy few days we have had. Last Thursday morning, we headed for Nashville, Tennessee. We met the rest of the Relay For Life Leadership Summit attendees from our area in Little Rock. We caravaned with them to Jackson, Tennessee where we stopped for the night. When we entered the hotel we were met with a sign greeting us.
After a good nights sleep we headed towards Nashville. The autumn colors were exceptional. I have never traveled on an Interstate highway that was so beautiful. We stopped at a rest area, and I took a few pictures of the fall foliage.
We arrived at the Opryland Hotel at around 11:00 A.M. If you have never seen the Opryland Hotel, I can't really explain it to you. It is the largest hotel in the U.S. that doesn't have a casino. It has 2,881 guest rooms and over 600,000 square feet of meeting space. The hotel is spread across nine acres and includes a natural indoor atrium that features winding rivers, walking paths, marvelous landscaping, and peaceful waterfalls year-round.
We checked into our room, and then registered for the Leadership Summit. There were over 1200 people attending the Relay For Life training event. There were Relayers from the six states of Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee along with special guests from South Africa. The Leadership Summit was the first-ever divisionwide Relay For Life training event. There were inspirational speakers, and lots of information at the breakout workshop sessions.
I really enjoyed the summit, but being that crowded does make me a bit uncomfortable. There were more people in the hotel than people who live in my hometown of Mena. As crowded as the Relay For Life summit was, It was only one of several conventions that were occurring in the hotel.
One of the most inspiring things was when we were introduced to a young girl who was a cancer survivor. Even though she was blind, you could feel her enthusiasm for life. She sang "This Little Light Of Mine", as all of us in the audience shined our flashlights.
The Leadership Summit left Gina and I inspired and full of ideas for the Relay For Life that will be held here in Polk County in 2009.
Gina and I are leaving today for the Relay For Life Leadership Summit to be held at Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee the 7th and 8th of November. We are looking forward to attending.
Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature activity. It offers everyone in a community an opportunity to participate in the fight against cancer. Teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Relays are an overnight event.
Teams of people from all walks of life have fun while raising much-needed funds to fight cancer and raise awareness of cancer prevention and treatment.
The event in Mena was great. It was held in beautiful Janssen Park and was very successful. There was great entertainment and it was very well attended.
The purpose of Relay For Life is to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer. The strength of survivors inspires others to continue to fight. Remember loved ones lost to the disease. At Relay, people who have walked alongside people battling cancer can grieve and find healing. Fight Back. We Relay because we have been touched by cancer and desperately want to put an end to the disease.
Click on the photo above to purchase the paperback version of my book, Gentle Reader: Devotionals From a Small Town, for $5.99
About Me
I was born in 1956 in Madison, Tennessee, while my parents were attending Madison College. I grew up along the Front Range in Colorado, attending schools in Longmont, Brighton, Boulder and Loveland, Colorado. Two years after graduating from Campion Academy, I married my sweetheart, Regina. We lived in Loveland, Colorado for six years before moving to Mena in western Arkansas.
I love the people of Mena and the friendly easy going way of life here. I have owned and operated my own business since moving to Mena. I enjoy the natural beauty of western Arkansas and being out of doors.
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