Floods of Emotion

Thursday evening after work I traveled to Glenwood to pick up a load of windshields. As I traveled I was watching the weather because there were supposed to be storms on the way. It was raining lightly but I had returned home before the it started raining harder. After I had made it home, the sky turned a green color and we were a bit nervous, but when we checked the TV and internet we found that we were not under any watches or warnings. Soon after I got to work Friday morning, Gina called me and told me that there had been terrible flooding at the Albert Pike Campground with many dead and many missing. The Caddo and Little Missouri Rivers had flooded during the night.



The Albert Pike Campground is located about 45 minutes from Mena over gravel roads deep in the heart of the Ouachita Mountains. The last information that I have heard is that at least 16 people including a number of children have lost their lives in the flood, though the death toll is expected to rise as more than seventy people are missing. Up to 30 people have already been rescued in the Albert Pike Campground area, and rescue crews are now searching the area on horse-back.

The flood was caused by up to nine inches of rain that fell in the early morning hours, catching many campers at Albert Pike Campground off-guard. Rescuers are having a hard time getting to the area due to the heavy rains, flooding and washed out roads.



The park is situated in a valley between two heavily forested hills, near the Little Missouri River. The "Little Missouri" usually has a water level that is so low, it looks more like a creek. People can easily wade across the river. Last night the Little Missouri got hit with 8 to 9" of rain within a very short period of time. The water level went from 3 feet to 23 feet from midnight to around 3:00am.


Rescuers are searching for anyone still missing. Family members have reported more than seventy people missing after the normally peaceful rivers rose as much as eight feet in an hour. The flood stage on the Caddo River near Caddo Gap was within 1 foot of the previous record. I traveled through Caddo Gap Thursday evening.



A U.S. Forest Service spokesman says it would have been impossible to warn everyone at a the Albert Pike campground that a flood was coming because cell phone service is spotty and there are no sirens in the sparsely populated area. Some parts of the valley are so steep and craggy that the only way out is to hike downstream. Any hikers who had taken cars to the campsites would have been blocked at low-water bridge crossings that are inundated when the rivers rise.



The raging torrent poured through the valley with such force that it peeled asphalt off roads and bark off trees. Cabins dotting the river banks were severely damaged. Mobile homes lay on their sides.



My prayers are with the families that have suffered loss, and with those who have family members missing. I can't imagine their agony.

This is the second time that I have been so close to a tragic flash flood. On July 31, 1976, while we were living in Loveland, Colorado a violent rainstorm sent a rampaging wall of water through Big Thompson Canyon. The massive flood killed 144 people. Gina and I along with my family had been picnicking along the banks of the Big Thompson River that afternoon. When it started to rain we packed up and drove home through heavy rain. We didn't know there had been a flood until the next morning. Today's tragic events brought all those memories flooding back.



Events such as these floods always bring questions to my mind. Why do these terrible things happen and why have I been spared? I don't have the answers as to why so many tragedies happen. I do know that ever since sin came into this world through Satan there have been terrible tragedies. I suppose that Adam and Eve asked "why" when Cain killed his brother Abel.

The only promise that a Christian has in this life is that there will be trouble. Our trouble free existence will be in Heaven where God will wipe away all tears.

Why do bad things happen? Because we live in a sinful world. I know that's not the kind of answer we like, but there is no better answer available.

I am eagerly looking forward to the day when "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away".

Real Love - Gavin and Rachel

All my little plans and schemes
Gone like some forgotten dream
Seems like all I really was doing
Was waiting for you

Just like little girls and boys
Playing with their little toys
Seems like all we really were doing
Was waiting for love

No need to be alone
It's real love
Yes it's real
Yes it's real love
It's real

From this moment on I know
Exactly where my life will go
Seems like all I really was doing
Was waiting for love.

Last Sunday, My son Gavin and his fiance Rachel were married in a beautiful ceremony at the Keene, Texas SDA Church. As I proudly sat through the ceremony I was struck by how much love came shining through. Rachel had a big smile on her face as she walked down the aisle, and the look on Gavin's face as he watched her was priceless. The smiles were on their faces all day.









I was so happy for them because I am sure of their love for each other. Real Love seems to be an uncommon thing but I am certain that Gavin and Rachel have found it.



Not only was the wedding beautiful, but we had a wonderful time with family over the weekend. It was great to get to spend time with our kids and our siblings. We had so much fun. My granddaughters were the flower girls and they were very beautiful.







It was a beautiful wedding and a lovely day. My prayer for Gavin and Rachel is that their wedding day was a beautiful beginning to a lifelong journey together. I hope that they plan to grow old together.



Grow old along with me
The best is yet to be
When our time has come
We will be as one
God bless our love
God bless our love

Grow old along with me
Two branches of one tree
Face the setting sun
When the day is done
God bless our love
God bless our love

Spending our lives together
Man and wife together
World without end
World without end

Ready To Kindle

For quite some time I have been hearing about e-books and how they are going to revolutionize publishing and reading. I have been a skeptic because I love books and the way they feel and smell and look. I collect old books. How could e-books ever replace that experience?





I recently stumbled across a discovery that made me sit up and take notice. I knew that e-books were supposed to be cheaper than their print counterparts, but I wasn't aware of the huge amount of free books that are available. Over 1.8 million free, out-of-copyright, pre-1923 books are available to read on Kindle. As I browsed through what was available I was amazed. There were so many books that I would not have ever been able to even see a copy of much less read. I love history, and the amount of historical material that is available is staggering. To get an idea of what is available go here.


You don't have to buy an e-book reader to gain access to this amazing treasure. Kindle provides free apps for the i-Phone and i-Pad, Windows and Mac PC's, and Blackberry phones. You can download the free Kindle Apps here. I have used Gina's i-Phone, and it is amazingly easy to read from. Since I downloaded the apps last Thursday I have already read:
The Truth About Henry Ford by Sarah T. Bushnell
Lincoln Letters by Abraham Lincoln
Narrative Of The Life Of J.D. Green, a Runaway Slave by Jacob D. Green
Slave Narratives: a Folk History of Slavery in the United States from Interviews with Former Slaves.

The Kindle is slim: Just over 1/3 of an inch, as thin as most magazines

It is lightweight: At 10.2 ounces, lighter than a typical paperback

You can be reading in under 60 seconds: Get books delivered wirelessly in less than 60 seconds; no PC required

Includes 3G Wireless: 3G wireless lets you download books right from your Kindle; no annual contracts, no monthly fees.

The Kindle has a Paper-Like Display: Reads like real paper without glare, even in bright sunlight

You can carry your library wherever you go: The Kindel holds up to 1,500 books

With the experimental Text-to-Speech feature, Kindle can read newspapers, magazines, blogs, and books out loud to you.

With Kindle you get free book samples: Download and read first chapters for free before you decide to buy

I just had to have a Kindle so I ordered one last Thursday. It came today, and I have been pleased with it. I spent most of the evening reading on it, and it is a pleasurable experience. I think that I am going to like it. It's not the same as holding a book in your hands, but the convenience more than makes up for that.

I've gotta go. So many books and so little time. I think I am going to read Ben Franklin's Autobiography next.

Cancer Prevention Study - 3

Friday afternoon Gina and I traveled to Hot spring to attend the Garland County Relay For Life which is the largest Relay in Arkansas. They have over 60 teams with over 730 participants. Even though we were interested in seeing a Relay of that size, the main reason that we attended was so that we could sign up for CPS-3.

CPS-3 stands for Cancer Prevention Study 3. The American Cancer Society first began conducting long-term studies in the 1950s. For these studies, large groups of individuals were recruited through a successful partnership between the American Cancer Society researchers and volunteers. The study population provides information (e.g. lifestyle, medical, or behavioral) and then are followed over time to assess their health outcomes and to determine how those outcomes are related to the previously collected exposure data. The commitment of the study participants and the volunteers who recruited them has been vital to the success of these studies.



Past long-term American Cancer Society follow-up studies have played a major role in cancer prevention at the American Cancer Society, as well as in other national and international efforts. More than 300 scientific articles by American Cancer Society epidemiologists have been published from these studies and findings have significantly contributed to tobacco-related research, and to the understanding of obesity, diet, physical activity, hormone use, air pollution, and various other exposures in relation to cancer and other diseases.

Results from previous American Cancer Society long-term follow-up studies have demonstrated:

* The link between cigarette smoking and lung cancer
* The significant impact of being overweight or obese on risk of cancer occurrence and death
* The impact of hormones, physical activity, diet, various medications and vitamins, and various other factors in relation to cancer risk
* The impact of air pollution on cardiopulmonary conditions motivating the Environmental Protection Agency to propose more stringent limits on particulate air pollution
* the link between aspirin use and reduced risk of colon cancer
* the link between postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy and various gynecologic cancers (such as breast and ovarian cancer)
* the link between diabetes and cancers of the pancreas and colon
* the link between physical activity and lower risk of various cancers (including breast, colon, and aggressive prostate cancer)

American Cancer Society researchers will be studying CPS-3 members for the next 20 to 30 years. The CPS-3 study population will have environmental and lifestyle exposures that may be meaningfully different from previous study populations and will help further advance understanding of the factors that cause or prevent cancer.

Gina and I were proud to be part of such a study. To enroll takes about twenty to thirty minutes. Enrollment consists of filling out a questionnaire that asks a number of lifestyle and medical questions. After filling out the questionnaire medical professional drew four vials of blood from you. Gina was very calm as her blood was drawn.



Actually those drawing the blood were extremely good. I have an extreme aversion to needles, but the girl who drew my blood did such a good job that I barely noticed. I just looked away and the deed was done. The most painful part for me was removing the tape that was placed over the insertion point. Having blood drawn was a small price to pay for being a part of such an important study.



CPS-3 researchers need a blood sample to measure things such as hormones, nutrients, vitamins, chemicals, metals, and genetic factors that may be related to the risk of developing cancer. Questionnaire data provides a detailed picture of the participants lifestyle and environment, but the most accurate picture of actual exposures or susceptibility to disease may come from what can be measured in the blood. It is important to collect the blood sample when the participant is first enrolled in the study so that a new health problem does not alter the levels of anything that is measured.



After signing up for the CPS-3 study we stayed for a look around the Relay For Life that was going on. The Garland County Relay is held at the Oaklawn Jockey Club, one of the premier horse racing venues in the South. The event is big! Even getting parked is a time consuming process. The track for the Relay team members to walk on is so big that it doesn't seem like there are that many participants. We enjoyed being there but it just wasn't the same as our smaller hometown Relay where we know most of the people.



The Survivor Lap was really something to see with that many Survivors lined up in one place to take a lap honoring them. We were a bit disappointed that they weren't given purple survivor t-shirts. The sea of purple shirts would have been awesome.

If you are near a CPS-3 sign up location I would recommend that you become involved in this important study. Click here to see if there is a location near you.

Gavin and Rachel

Gavin and Rachel's Wedding is just two weeks away. Everyone is getting excited. There will be family there from Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Missouri, Georgia, Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas. There have been lots of preparations but everything is in order. We are leaving this afternoon for Keene, Texas to take Gavin and Rachel a washer and dryer. We purchased the set for them when some dear friends of ours were moving to Oregon.



Last fall Gina and I took Gavin and Rachel's engagement photos. We went to Janssen Park here in Mena and tried our hand at being professional photographers. Gina would work with them on posing and placement and then we would both take photos. The two camera system worked great. With slightly different angles and more photos to choose from I think that we got better pictures than if just one of us was photographing.



The old police car is a 1939 Dodge that the city bought from my Dad in the 80's and outfitted as a police car to use in parades, and as an attraction. The car, affectionately known as "Flossie" by the local cops, was used in the movie "The Pardon" that chronicles the story of Toni Jo Henry; the first woman to be executed in the state of Louisana.











We had a great time taking the photos, and I think that the photos show that the kids enjoyed themselves.

Mother's Day Weekend

This weekend was a wonderful Mother's Day weekend. Saturday, after Sabbath School, Gina and I, along with our friend Deanna, traveled to Hot Springs where we spent a leisurely afternoon at Garvin Woodland Gardens. On the way to Hot Springs we went through the town of Caddo Gap. I had been wanting to stop in Caddo Gap and take some pictures of the old buildings there. Caddo Gap is in the area in which explorer Hernando de Soto and his forces clashed with the Tula Indians. The expedition described the Tula Indians as the fiercest they had faced during their inward journey into North America. After the battle De Soto then turned to the southeast and descended the Caddo and Ouachita Rivers into what is now Louisiana where he died. Caddo Gap marks the westernmost point of DeSoto's exploration of North America.



The Town of Caddo Gap was settled before 1850. The first village was located near the natural gap or narrows of the Caddo River. The coming of the Gurdon and Fort Smith Railroad in 1907 led to the construction of the present town on what was formerly the Jim Vaught plantation. For several years Caddo Gap was a popular health resort. Now just a few people live there, and the old buildings appear to be abandoned. I like the tree trunk that is used as a post to support the corner of this building.



After stopping near Glenwood for a picnic lunch we traveled on to Garvin Woodland Gardens. There were not as many flowers in bloom as there were when we last visited Garvin Woodland Gardens a little over a month ago.




Although the gardens were not a striking as they had been when the tulips were in bloom, it was a beautiful day to stroll the grounds. The weather was absolutely perfect. Sunshine and in the low 70's with just as bit of a breeze. It will soon be quite hot for outdoor activities here in Arkansas, but this day was perfect.



We spent about three hours walking through the gardens. There is so much to see, and they are constantly expanding. It looks like they are planning a large rose garden and more walking trails.



I can't remember when I have spent such a lovely day just walking and enjoying the beauty of nature.





If you are ever in the Hot Springs, Arkansas area I highly recommend a visit to Garvin Woodland Gardens.







When we returned home Saturday evening we we pleasantly surprised to learn that my Aunt Kathy and cousins Joe and Janie were in town visiting from Texas. We made arrangements to meet for Sunday morning breakfast. We had a wonderful family gathering at a local restaurant. We really enjoyed visiting with everyone, and it was nice to have breakfast with my Mom on Mother's Day.



After breakfast we headed for Fort Smith where we did some Mothers Day shopping. I must say that I really enjoyed shopping at Dillards, Dress Barn, and Lane Bryant. :)

After shopping we went to our new favorite restaurant in Fort Smith, Fuji Japanese Steakhouse. We enjoy the atmosphere, and the food is great. We I suggested to Gina that we make the trip to Fort Smith for Mother's Day and eating at Fuji, she immediately said, "let's go".





I certainly had a great Mother's Day weekend, and I hope that Gina did too.