Don Holmes:

Frankenstien

2012-01-16T16:47:00.000-08:00

Just finished the book. Remarkable. It is a story of what may happen to a person who is deformed and therefore is unloved. They can become resentful and angry and want revenge. It caused me to try to be more loving to the 'unloveable'.
We are doing o.k.
Snowed a bit last night so the view out my window is better than the bleak winter scene.

Looking forward to our trip to Hawaii in April. Taking my caregiver with us. I would find it very difficult without him.

Drop me a note - holmesdb@gmail.com

still here

2011-11-17T00:58:00.000-08:00

Hi -

WE are about the same. Feeling good and enjoying life. See lots of our kids and grand kids. Will all be together at Christmas as our middle grand daughter Kelli, is getting
married on the 18th here in Bellingham. Went out for dinner for our 52nd. The best time in our marriage is now. We are pretty much together 24/7 and mostly at home. Barb reads a lot especially now that she can't get out to her huge flower garden.
I am enjoying college football and reading on my Kindle.

Reading "Killing Lincoln' by O'Riely and an historian friend of his. On best seller list for many weeks. Just reread "the Mayor of Casterbridge" by Hardy. Like the way he has with words. It is interesting to watch the best seller list on "amazon.com'. What a mixed bag of quality writing and junk.

A note about the housing 'crises' There is no crisis. You would think the term means that there are not enough houses. There is a problem for some but 'one persons loss is another persons gain. The houses are not going to sit empty. The banks or whoever owns the houses will simply lower the price to the point that someone will buy it. It will simple be a change of ownership which is not a national crisis though it is a hardship for some who should have never been approved for a loan in the first place. Terrible how the media likes to blow things up. Am I wrong?

We are for Newt. We know about his 'baggage' but he has joined the catholic church and it is reasonable to assume that he has gone through some process of confession and received forgiveness. Any how he is is by far and away the smartest candidate and he knows how Washington works.

We are going to have an adventure this summer - Suzanne and her two kids, Barb, my care giver, and I are going to Hawaii this April for a week. Will be my first big outing since I went back to Nebraska a few summers ago. This Christmas will be the 5th anniversary of my accident. Times flies. The older we get the faster it goes. According to a form I filled out on the computer about, age, habits, etc. I am supposed to live until I am 95 and so is Barb. I don't know if this is good or bad. 17 more years - I can't imagine it.

Our dreary winter weather has begun and has already caused me to long for spring.

Still trying to get serious about writing a book on apologetics for lay people. Would be a bit like 'Mere Christianity' by Lewis but not as complicated. I have a sermon in my head about suffering and am looking for a place to preach it. It has been rumbling around in my head for months if not years. Suffering is not data for thinking as much as it is an opportunity to trust. 'I will never leave you or forsake you" That is the bottom line on the question of suffering.

Would be happy for hear from you so I know that someone actually reads my blogs.
Just click on 'comments' at the bottom of this note.

Best Wishes,
Don

note

2011-10-16T00:32:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lK1v0L7djrQ

Very interesting from a Russian Priest

It is more difficult to love than it is to endure suffering.

Doing fine after 5 weeks in bed getting over some pressure shores.

Best to you,
don

thought for the day

2011-08-17T13:26:00.000-07:00

Whatever failures I have known Whatever errors I have committed , whatever follies I have witnessed in private and public life have been the consequences of action without thought.

Bernard Barach

I am being interviewed for a job tomorrow - more later.

Don

Thought for the day

2011-07-29T23:27:00.000-07:00

One of the most telling indications of sanctity is a persons ability always to see himself in the sins of others.
Antony Padonovo "Free to Be Faithful"

Hi

2011-07-28T11:56:00.000-07:00

Beautiful weather today-sitting outside reading
Just got a new used Mac computer - HIGHLY recommend the Mac
No special plans
We are doing well -

Watch for quote of the day coming soon on this blog.
Don

not dead - still reflecting-

2011-07-01T09:01:00.000-07:00

Reasons that make it difficult to pray:

1. It seems silly to give God advice.
2) It seems silly to give Him information. "Dear Lord, bless Sally who broke her leg"
3) IT seem odd to praise God for being what he can't help being, like praising a parent for loving their child.
4) We can never be sure there is a connection between our prayer and what happens.
5) It is difficult to speak to a Being we can't see and who does not talk back. I know there are folks who claim that God talks to them but I think this is figure of speech.

So why to we pray? For the simple reason that our Lord commands us to - that ought to be enough.

Doing o.k.
Don

why don likes his kindle

2011-04-14T21:17:00.000-07:00

Why ereaders like the “Kindle” from Amazon and the “Nook” from Barnes and Noble may replace traditional books. (“ebooks” are books that can be read on a hand held reading device and an “ereader” is the device itself. There dozens on the market with the Kindle and the Book are currently the leaders)

1) One ereader, at the present time, can hold 3500 books - they are about the size of a paper back, weigh less and are about three eights of inch thick.

2) Cost of books on ereaders:
     a) There are about 2,000,000 books available for free
     b) There are about  800,000 books available that sell for between a $1.00 and $15.00- most best sellers are $9.99(the cost for a ereader is now $139.00 - the original price a few years ago was about $400)

3) Ebooks are available in 8 print sizes at the press of a button.
From 8 point to 72 point

4) Most ebooks are available in print size as large or larger than most other large print books.

5) Amazon has stated that their goal is to have every book that has ever been printed in any language available on ereaders within two years.

5) Ebooks will never go out of print.

6) Ereaders keep track of where you were when you last stopped reading - no more book marks or lost places. You may be reading many books at the same time and the ereader will keep track of where you were in each book when you stopped reading.

7) Batteries can last up to thirty days and can be recharged over night. (can keep reading while they charge)

8) You can search for a word or a phrase in all the books, or a specific book, on your ebook reader. It will list on the screen each book that has the word or the phrase and the number of times the word or phrase appears in each book. You can then click on a certain book and it will list all the sentences the word or phrase appears in. Click again and you will be at the appropriate page.

9) You can underline right on the ereader screen and then search for all the underlined sentences.

10) You can make your own notes to remain on your ereader..

11) Pages turn at the press of a button, faster than turning pages manually.

12) Only one hand is needed for reading thus freeing up the other hand to eat, feed the baby, etc.

13) Ereaders are wonderful for folks with arthritis with fingers that do not work well.

14) About 25 categories of book listed by best selling.

15) Moving the on screen cursor over a word automatically shows the definition at the top or bottom of the screen.

16) Books can be loaded into the ereader in about 15 seconds. (The entire Bible, The
complete works of Shakespear , etc. in less than 30 seconds)
17) You can looks up books by title or author

18) No trips to the library to pick up and drop off books - no overdue books.

19) Ereaders are handy and quick to use. You can even read a bit while waiting in line at the Post Office.

20) 169 newspapers, 90 magazines and Journals are instantly available from around the
world.

21) You can read the first chapter of most books on the ereader for free, then decide if you want to buy the book or not.

22) You can loan a book once to another person from your ereader to their ereader for two weeks at no additional charge.

23) You can register up to six people on the same account. If anyone of the six people order a book, it then become available to all six people at no additional charge.

Why authors like ebooks:

1) Authors receive about a 8% royalty of the selling price of a book published by
a publisher.

2) Authors receive 70% of a self published book on ereaders.    They would rather get
70% of a $10.00 book rather than 8% of a $30.00 book (a difference of over $4.00 per book) Note: An known author has turned down an advance by a publisher of $500,000 recently because he thought he could make more money by self publishing on
an ereader.

3) Authors can set the price of their book rather than publishers.

4) Authors can add an appendix or a correction to a book on your ereader at any time - now or 10 years from now and do it in seconds automatically.

5) Authors can keep total control of their book (copy rights, etc)

6) Books will stay available even if sales start to slow. Publishers now quit publishing books if their sales fall below a certain point so the author stops receiving royalty Payments.

7) Authors can have their book formatted for ereaders for about $200. So anybody who
can make their book available to millions of people without spending a lot of money.

8) When an author finishes writing a book, it can be made available to the reading public immediately, they don’t have to wait to find a publisher and then wait to get the book printed.

What does this mean for bookstores and libraries?

1) Book stores, as we know them, may go out of business - Border books (501stores) has already declared bankruptcy., The Barnes and Noble chain has been up for sale for over a year. Hundreds of small books store are already closed or declining. Other chains are closed: Daltons-750 stores, Crown 198-stores, Walden- 81 stores.

2) Libraries will disappear or change dramatically and maybe become a place to check out eraders.

Misc info.

1) Some schools have abandoned books and now supply or require ereaders for all their
students.

2) College students will no longer have to spend thousands of dollars on books as
ereaders will be drastically cheaper.

3) Students, of all ages, won't have to haul around book bags - just one ereader.

4) Millions of trees and tons of ink will be saved.

Answer to skeptics:
"I just like the feel of a book in my hands - not a mechanical device"

Maybe people don't know themselves very well. It is difficult to find someone who felt that way before buying an ereader and did not change mind quickly after they began using it. Also, it would be difficult to find someone who has given up their ereader and gone back to reading traditional books?

What people really like is reading and we associate that pleasure with a book. But the pleasure is in the reading not the method.

more speech to text

2011-03-21T20:11:00.000-07:00

well here we go again. I'm going to try to do to do the new speech to text. So far it is working pretty well. I still can't get over it. To just talk to a microphone and have this words appear on the page is very strange but it is skews me. But it is very fast. Probably about twice as fast or three times as fast as a person can type. And it is very accurate. To show its accuracy I will not make any corrections to this after I am done and you can see for yourself how accurate it is.

We have been doing quite well lately apart from the fact that Barb had a very bad cold which is now just getting old skews be getting over, that was my mistake not the computer's.

Book club was great last week we discussed new book word new book club and we picked the lemon tree. It is a book about the relationship between a Palestinian family in a Jewish family after the seven days for. It puts a human face on the conflict in the Middle East and it shows that the things are a lot more complicated over there that a person might imagine.

I have been keeping up with the NCAA basketball tournament. I don't have a favorite team this year after Washington lost out yesterday to North Carolina.

I am delighted to find the sun showing a lot more lately it's moving north so the days are longer. I'm looking forward to getting that out doors this summer to sit on the ramp that my son-in-law made for me and read in the sun. I've had quite a few guests lately. Friends that I've known for years come by. I have about two or three friends who I can count on coming by regularly and that five or 10 friends who come by often on.

Our book club book last week was a book called wait till next year. It was a memoir of a girl who was raised in Brooklyn and follow the Brooklyn Dodgers and told the story of her life growing up in Brooklyn and being an avid baseball fans and how the whole city of Brooklyn and city of New York's were supporters of the baseball games. There were three of them the New York Giants the New York Yankees and the Brooklyn Dodgers it was quite interesting because most of us remember living through those days in the late 40s and early 50s when television was just starting to come out.

Sullivan some of the new skews the. Some of the new news that I think were going to bear watching is this new book that's come out by Rob Bell called God wins he espouses universalism but it is a very Christo centric universalism. His thesis is that the God of love is not powerless to prevent an eternal hell. He has trouble imagining, as I do, billions of people suffering in hell tormented hell for ever and ever. I think the book is going to be probably somewhat divisive and that Eugene Peterson of Regent College has endorsed the book. The author is part of the emerging church and is himself had he himself has an evangelical background. He graduated from Wheaton College and Fuller seminary. His book just came out this week and its already high on bookseller lists. It will be in single watch what kind of activity that stirs up the Christian community.

We like you have been watching the news and Libya and Japan. My goodness what problems this world has but I guess it's nothing new with cars have problems.

I been feeling quite good lately. I've been using my sleep apnea machine which I breathe into every night and seems to be not quite so tired the next day. I've had for overnight stays where they tried to test me to get the setting right on the machine. It's not much fun to sleep away from home all night and in the wake and six o'clock in the morning and told to go home. Greg Misty Suzman, has gone with me at night along with Tim and my caregiver.

Our caregiver Aaron Brandt has been with us now for over three years and he is wonderful young man. We are going to miss him next fall when he starts nursing school. I'm a little bit concerned else will be able to find somebody quite as good he's been a good friend as well as a good worker.

If you're curious about this speech to text software it's called Dragon software and it costs about $50 plus you might have to spend about $20 to upgrade your storage in your computer. Would be happy to hear from any of you. And I will write you back a personal Gmail best wishes to all Don holds that's not holds that's Holmes that's better.

Now that I have finished I can say that I have made no corrections. Many of the mistakes were my mumbling while I was talking. I think you will get better the more I use it. I think it will get better the more I use it.

experiment

2011-03-07T16:32:00.000-08:00

hello to all my friends this is going to be interesting to see if this works. I am using a speech to text mechanism to make this blog site. I am talking to a microphone that is connected to my computer while I talk it is taking my words and turning them into words. Sometimes it will make mistakes but it is surprising how accurate it is I have not. I forgot to put a period after the last it is. You have to say the word. For it to print up. Paragraph

I have been feeling quite well lately. We have been getting out some. Yesterday we spent the day with Suzanne and just Barb Suzanne and I because Jamie had taken the two kids in Seattle spend the weekend with his mother in that we had a nice long visit the night before we took Susie out for dinner the first time the three of us have been out for dinner just us for maybe five or 10 years. You will have to be patient with me as I sometimes forget to say the word.. I need to say the word. Oh

I have much to learn to make this work correctly but up to this point in the letter I have not made any corrections. As you speak the words appear. If the computer makes a mistake you can override the mistake with normal word processing.

As you can see it's pretty accurate I will probably be blogging a lot more. It is much easier to talk than to type I. I can talk at a very rapid speed and the computer still does a very good job reading what I am saying it is almost spooky I forget to keep single word. I need to say the word PER I OD when I come to the end of a line.

The computer will take numbers as well as letters. Example 12345. I will now say the alphabet to see how well it does. A BCDEFGH I JKLMNOPQRS the WXYZ. It made a mistake with the letters T and you. It cannot tell the difference between the letter you or the word you mistake it cannot tell the difference between the difference between the letter you send the word you.

We saw Les Miserables on television last night. It was fantastic. It was done in London with a 500 voice choir for the 25th anniversary of the production lateness is still showing into theaters in London and one in Chicago plus numerous showings all of the cut. Country backspace backspacwhoop. Oh well

Does anybody have any good books to suggest. We think we thought that 'Unbroken' was outstanding. We did in our book club and everybody really liked the book. Her current book is wait till next year. It is a book a memoir about a girl growing up in Brooklyn and her memories of the Brooklyn Dodgers.

I hope spring is here. It is sunny and warm out today but we have had lots of free cool weather for the last several weeks.

I think I'm going to like this speech to text is available from skews the it is available by a company called Dragon DR AGL and and it costs about $50. You just install it on your computer and put on your headsets in start talking.
The headset comes with the software it is easy to install. It takes you through a bit of a tutorial where you read into the computer so it begins to recognize your voice. I've only had it for several days now but I am very very impressed how you can talk to a machine and have your words turn the print.

Concerning my Kindle that I got for Christmas; I like it better every day. Some of my friends have one and they like there's justice much as I like my. I do not know anybody has one doesn't like it a great deal. I think this is going to be the reading device of the future. For better or for worse it will be the end of bookstores and libraries. There is no need to cut down all these trees can make thousands and thousands of books and all can be done online less-expensive and faster. You can order a book on your Kindle and 15 seconds later the book in your Kindle ready for you to read. You can change the print size. Almost every book comes with a concordance just like a Bible concordance so you can look up passages and search for words at the flip of finger. For instance if you wanted to type in the word fight and war it would search to every book on your Kindle may be 1000 books and show which books have that those two words in the book and how many times it's in the book then you can click on that book and it'll start skipping through all the places in the book where those words appear and highlight them so there's no need to underline anymore you just as you have a thought in your mind can just type in couple words from a thought and it will find it is quite amazing much more handy than using a concordance with the Bible staff to look it up and spell the word. Also with a concordance you can only look up one word. They cost about $125 and they hold 3500 books. There are about 1,500,000 books available on the Kindle for free. There is another 60,000 books available that you can buy to put on your Kindle. They usually cost at the most nine $nine. 99 each. I downloaded the complete works of William Shakespeare for free it took. It took about 20 seconds to download the books into my Kindle. I should be a salesman for them. Paragraph

I've rambled on long enough time to say signoff I've only made one. I've only made one correction everything I said in this letter so you can see that it's very very accurate. It will improve in accuracy as I learn how to use it.

Best wishes to all, enter
D: M, DON published post

2011

2011-01-05T13:10:00.000-08:00

I did not ask for or expect a kindle for Christmas. It is an amazing reading device. It looks exactly like a page on a book. It holds 1800 books along with about 1,000,000 books that are free. I have learned that it is not books that people like so much, it is reading.

The family was all here for Christmas, kids and grand kids and son in laws. The high light was the grand daughters playing the flute and the violin and Julianna singing Christmas carols.

Rereading the Voyage of the Dawn Treader for book club on the 20th.

Gloomy weather plus I have been stuck in bed for several days as my wheel chair is broken. New parts coming from back east are due any day.

We are in good spirits and are very greatful that our situation is not worst than it is.I turn 76 next week - my wife and I have a century and a half between us and are in good health as far as we know.

"Be not weary in well doing"

Don

Holmes Family Grace On Christmas DAy

2010-12-27T23:20:00.001-08:00

Who would have guessed as He lay in the hay,
He'd be the One, our sins to allay?

From His birth to His death as He came from above,
He taught us and healed us to show us His love.

He called His disciples and taught them to care,
He then changed their lives and charged them to share-

A message of hope of joy and delight,
To brighten our day, contrasting the night,

When ninety nine sheep, their day was all done,
He left them secure, to go find the one.

We're all like that one - lost in the night,
He was seeking to find, to make us alright.

Then when He had found us in sickness and sin,
He called for repentance, our life to begin.

He paid a big price, it should break our hearts,
So we could have life, and get a fresh start.

We twelve gather here, this day in December,
His birth and ours a joy to remember.

So thanks to the cooks and the food on the table,
But thanks most of all for the One in the stable.

ramblings

2010-12-22T21:23:00.000-08:00

I sometimes think that life is a miserable experience with a little happiness thrown it and at other times I think life is a great experience with a little misery thrown it. I have concluded that for some folks life is a great experience with very little miserableness and for others it is almost all misery with very little happiness. But for most of us it is a mix of both. Some days this and some days that. My moods seem to change with the winds of the moment. Reading the news gives me a very jaded view of life. The suffering of lots of folks everywhere gets more coverage than the great acts of kindness and mercy that are all about us. I have days of misery (less and less as time goes on) and other days of inexpressible happiness. I had a day in the hospital where I was flooded with a kind of happiness that lasted for about five minutes that was like nothing I had experiences before or have experienced since. I could give no reason for it except it was a gift of God.
"I am convinced that the sufferings of this present world are not worthy to be compared with the glory that will someday be revealed in us" - Paul
I am counting on it.

Went to the "voyage of the Dawn Treader" last week and did not like it. They way overdid the actions scenes. Reepicheep and Eustace were great. The words of the Lion at the end were marvelous.

All of our three kids and five grand kids will be here for Christmas dinner
Best wishes on this Christmas season.
Don

suggestion

2010-11-22T23:22:00.000-08:00

I have just discovered a wonder website. Booknotes.org It is interviews of 800 different authors talking about books they have written. It is video and talking and each one is 1 Hour long. I AM enjoying it a great deal.
DON

Hi

2010-10-30T01:01:00.000-07:00

No new posts lately because we have no news.
Have been feeling very good lately - chest pain has let up
a lot. Been getting out a lot especially out to Suzanne's
to see the kids.
Reading more and enjoying football season.
Life is good for us again and I am glad
I can say that because I did not feel that way
for too long of a time.
Best to all who try to keep up with us.
Don

back to living

2010-09-15T22:18:00.000-07:00

spent the last four weeks on my side in bed getting over a pressure sore on my rear.
Fairly miserable? Yes but not as bad as it may sound. Up today for two hours and hope to go to book club tomorrow. Can't type on my side so no communication until tonight.
Not much reading. Otherwise doing well.
Best Wishes
Don

hi

2010-08-18T21:24:00.000-07:00

Very active lately. Went up to Mt Baker with Tim and Andy - they hiked -beautiful weather. They stopped for a swim on the way back at a resort. Have seen the kids a lot lately. Grandkids-Kara getting ready to move to Italy. Kelly back in Spokane - plans unknown for the fall. Kayti back to Westmont for final year of school.

Reading "Best Defense" by Alan Sershowitz - it is kind of a defense of defense attorneys. VERY interesting.

Christy and Greg after a busy summer of guests are on extended sail boat trip.

Suzanne is recovering from a week long stay in the hospital after a mysterious aliment in her lower stomach. Still not diagnosed so we are praying for a good outcome.

It was Very painful.

Barbs and my help is holding up well.

Have a new renter in the barn and he looks like he may become our new caregiver when Aaron leaves the middle of March.

Send me a note.

Don

hi

2010-08-18T01:32:00.000-07:00

More news soon -
Did you hear about the Russian who accused Krushev of being an idiot?
He got arrested for revealing state secrets.
News tomorrow

Hi

2010-07-25T21:06:00.000-07:00

Home from Nebraska almost three weeks and things seem to be going pretty well. Julianna was baptized this morning and turned 9 yesterday so we had a big family bash today after church with about 25 family here.
Just finished "Bonhoeffer" 550 pages.. Highly recommend. Get it from your library as it costs almost $30 new.
Am rereading Narnia as Andy is reading it so I have to get current.
Barb had a wonderful two weeks in Hawaii with her sister-in-law. Came back very tan.
Weather has been wonderful - warm sunny days. I sit outdoors every day in the sun from about 2:00 to 7:00 and read.

Kara, Christy's eldest is comming home from N.Y. tomorrow for a week before she goes to Italy for the Fall term. She can keep her jo via computer while she is there.
She is a kick.

Seem to be getting a better hold on life with each passing month.

Don

nebraska trip

2010-07-15T23:06:00.000-07:00

Well I did it. Got on an air plane and flew to Omaha Nebraska to join my two sisters and their families for a 4th of July bash at my sisters farm just outside Licoln, Ne.
Everything went well. I was accompanied by my daughter, Suzanne, Her husband and their two kids. There were almost 30 people there with 13 kids between the ages of 4 and 14. Meanwhile my wife vanished to Hawaii for two weeks with my brother's wife, Donna. She just got back today. So we have had quite a summer so far. Reading a biography about Bonhoeffer, the first full length bio on him in 25 years.
Startling - He seems to be saying that Christ is always at war with the institutional church because the institutional church is preoccupied with staff, program, budget and its reputation rather than the preaching of the Gospel. It is in competition with Christ and the preaching of the Gospel.
Very Interesting. The title of the book is "Bonoeffer" (550 pages)

Don

no sun

2010-06-02T20:37:00.000-07:00

We haven't been able to see our beautiful Mt. Baker for ten days. Where is summer as I love to sit out in the son and read? Juliana and Andy were here all afternoon. Kayti and her boyfriend also came by for an hour. We had a very nice social day.
Still reading the "Great Burn". Lots of early 20th Century American history about the West - a very good read. Go in for my second sleep apnea test on the 10th and hope they can help my daily fatigue. I am always tired.
no other news
Don

humor to keep your spirits up

2010-05-26T22:46:00.001-07:00

Grandson to Grandpa "Grandpa, can you make a noise like a frog?"

Grandpa "Why do you want me to do that?"

Grandson "Because dad said that as soon as you make a noise like a frog we get to go to Disneyland."

Life the same. Doc says my leg mending fine. No restrictions.

Reading 'The Great Burn" About a fire in the early 1900's in MOntana, Idaho, Wash and Canada that destroyed four towns and was bigger than the state of conneticut. Lots of history including a lot about Teddy Roosevelt.

Also a famous kids book "The Hunger Games" My friend who writes books about Harry Potter says it is the best book he has read since Harry Potter. More later.

Hope to drive again soon but my wife hopes I do not.

What do you think is the difference between 'knowing' and 'believing'?

leave me message by clicking on 'comments' below

Don
Don

hi

2010-05-23T23:54:00.000-07:00

Been feeling fine lately. Reading more and spending lots of time with the grand kids with homework etc. See the doc tomorrow for final xray of leg. Not returned to driving yet but hope to soon.
No special plans till July Barb to Hawaii and me to Nebrasks.
Hope to send book recommendations soon.
Blessings
Don

news

2010-04-22T00:35:00.000-07:00

van fixed
bone mending well according to x-rays yesterday
am up and around as before the wreck
doing ok
world is in its normal mess, but no worse or better than ever.
'in the world you will have tribulations but be of good cheer for I have overcome thr world'

nephew in Nebraska in a serious car wreck and well be mending for many months.
my sis will become a care giver like Barb
cheerfully

don

Latest musings -

2010-04-12T20:15:00.001-07:00

I am ofter accused of valuing the mind more than the emotions. I plead guilty for the following two reasons:
1) The emotions are of no value is determining what is true or in determining how we should direct our live. The emotions have no inner compass to truth or actions.

2) The mind is the God created instrument whereby we can discover what is true and what is not. It is also the control center for our lives as to what we ought to do.
Doing what is reasonable and following our conscience is about the same thing as obeying God.

(Van will be fixes in a few days)

Best Wishes.
don
Holmesdb@gmail.com

dumb

2010-04-09T20:17:00.000-07:00

Well here I am tucked in bed again. Doc says I should heal fine. A bit tired again but should should be back to 'normal'in a week or so. (After they get my wheel chair fixed which quit working Thursday eve. Never a dull moment here.

The hospital staff was WONDERFUL. They discovered that I may have sleep ackneia (sp?)
The brain keeps having to wake up to tell the lungs to get moving. So a person does not get the deep sleep they need. Fatigue and snoring are prime symptiom (sp) which fit me well. Going to pursue this with more tests later. They say there is much they can do to help.

Just finished having Pizza with my grand son Andy. What a fun kid to be with.

I don't feel alone and my spirits are good.
Don

Update

2010-04-07T19:47:00.000-07:00

Dad is home. He was discharged late this afternoon and we got him home and tucked into bed in about an hour. In addition to his broken femur, he apparently broke his ankle too.

Surgery update

2010-04-06T14:37:00.001-07:00

Dad's surgery went great. They put in a rod along the whole length of his femur and they expect him to go home tomorrow and to be no different than the day before the accident. In an non-paralyzed person, the pain would be debilitating, but for him it's not a concern. Strange blessing.

broken leg

2010-04-04T22:07:00.000-07:00

Suzanne here. Dad asked me to let you know that he broke his thigh today. He is, as some of you may know, learning to drive again, and something went wrong. He hit the house (near the basement door entrance) with the van, damaging the door, the van, and his femur. It's a break clean through, with one part sitting at an angle to the other part.

After the accident he didn't realize that he was hurt, so he went inside and transferred himself from his chair to his bed for a nap. Then he happened to notice a weird bulge and thought he had better see a doctor.

He is at St. Joe's and is scheduled for early morning surgery. He'll be at the hospital for a couple of days and then back home.

Spring is here

2010-03-19T22:59:00.000-07:00

Finally have something to write about. I'm driving again after 3 1/2 years. Have a learners permit like 15 year olds do and can drive with another person who has a license. Went out with Tim once and then with a friend three times and have now been out with Barb three times. It was awful the first time but I have now got the hand of it and happy to say it is quite easy. Will try to pass the driving test in a few weeks. Have already passed the written and the eye test. So my dear wife will resign as my driving Mr. Daisey.

Feeling better each week. The sunshine helps a lot and have seen the grand kids more which is lots of fun. They are reading well and making great progress on their math. They now have 15 chickens, two dogs, two cats, two rabbits and two goats.

Book club was yesterday in our home. Read "The Help" - # one on the best seller lists. A book about how domestic help viewed their white bosses in the fifties. Worth reading.

We are very happy with our renter in the barn and the young couple in our basement.
They both work for a Bible software company and have recently acquired a dog. So far it get along fine with our border collie.

Have been following the progress of electronic books lately. They are going to revolutionize the publishing industry. It will be almost the end of bookstores and libraries. Look up the news about Amazon's Kindle at Amazons web site.
Everybody that has one seems to like them A LOT. I'll wait until the price comes down to get one.

Drop me a note - Holmesdb@gmail.com
Don

hi

2010-03-18T09:53:00.000-07:00

Nov 8th

Hi to all - your patience is rewarded - a new blog - amazing.

I don't write often because I don't have much to write about. We are continuing to make weekly progress in out new life. It will be three years this Christmas - hard to believe that I have not walked for three years.

We had the family over yesterday for Andy's birthday. He has been looking forward to it for months. I don't think they had much of a celebration at the 'deisky dom' (orphanage)in Russia. At the same time we also celebrated our 50th as of today.

we had a wonderful evening. Tim and his girl friend played guitar and violin and we all sang "I'll fly away'. Our kids gave us a electronic gadget with a screen loaded up with about 200 family pictures that stays on all the time and flips pictures every 10 seconds. Shows kids at all ages and many of our trips to Europe. It helps keep many wonderful memories alive.

So how are we doing? We are on a roller coaster. Some days ( not many) are awful and most days are o.k. and many days are wonderful.. Surrounded our family yesterday made me feel like the luckiest person in the world.

I will try to soon catch you up on books and Videos but will begin now with "Same Kind of Different as Me" You can read the blog at Amazon.com.

The normally gloomy winter is here but the grand kids are looking forward to snow.
See them about twice a week. Andy will probably come to spend the night this week.

We now have the barn, that I remodeled into an rental, rented. He is a retired fisherman who is going back to electronic school for two years. This is turning out to be a good investment for us. Our basement renter is moving out as of Dec. 1 as his is buying a condo. We have another fellow moving in immediately -
a man who is a professional picture painter and also teaches anatomy and physiology
at the local tech school and has several other jobs. He was raised in South Africa
so has a Brit ascent. He has had some medical training which we are glad about. We are happy to have two fellows around.

We wish you all the best with God's blessings.

Don

2010

2010-01-12T13:03:00.000-08:00

75 Years ago today I was born in Ames Iowa, the son of two probably afraid 20 year olds. Where has 75 years gone. We ought to try to live well as we can't go back and we probably wish we could do some things over and do better.

I have felt great lately and am getting closer and closer to a restored life. We bought a new Van yesterday that has better hand controls on it that maybe I can drive. It would be fun next summer to pick up the grands and take them to the park to play.

We are going out for dinner this evening to celebrate the 75th. The kids are going to have a todo at a later date on the week-end.

Our son in law is here painting the basement to get it ready for a new renter that I hope we can find soon. Our barn renter is doing well - he has been here for about three months now.

Reading "Hole in our Gospel" by the head of World Vision" about how we Christians have dropped the ball in helping the poor. It is a very disturbing book but I think we all need to read it.

Our Saturday morning men's group is reading Mere Christianity. For me it is about the 10th time and I still thing it is the best Christian Book in modern times. I suggest that everyone read it again and and again. I know a philosopher friend who says he may have read it a hundred times and he taught in a college.

We are having a very mild winter so far. My Sisters in Nebrasks have been covered with almost record snowfall and low temperatures.

Best Wishes and Blessings to you,
Don

Q

2010-01-06T22:33:00.000-08:00

ten years ago we had to deal with y2k which turned out to be much ado about nothing so this year came in quite calmly. All the early to mid twenties grand daughters were home with out eldest daughter, Christy along with two of their boy friends. A busy but fun time.

Quote from "Hole in Our Gospel" - "The only people who will find happiness are those who have sought and found an opportunity to serve" Albert Switzer

The point of the book is that we Christians are not even close to living up to our responsibility to the poor. The expectation of helping the poor are very clear in the Bible. Our much of our giving goes to the poor compared to how much goes to pay staff salaries and keep up our buildings. A very challenging book. Someone has said that no one will get into heaven without a letter of reccomemndation from the poor.

We are pretty much the same. We are now in our fourth year since my accident.
What can I say about it? It is awful, being paralyzed but life still continues to be good for us. I have gained tremendous sympathy for those for whom life is difficult - millions of whom are way worse of than I am. My family has been great and we have a sufficient number of friends.

I will miss college football being over as friends sometime have come over to watch but I will probably get more reading done.

Best wishes to all - love to hear from you - Holmesdb@gmail.com

Don

Dec 12

2009-12-12T21:26:00.000-08:00

Thought for the day:
"Sin is pleasure for the moment but creates memories of regret that last a lifetime."
Been feeling about the same - up and down. I seem to be tired most of the time. My always cheerful wife keeps me going. It amazes me how well she has accepted her role in life. I would get depressed being around someone in my condition night and day.

Christy's kids will all be home for Christmas as well as our own who are always home.

I would write in my blog more often but don't have much to write about. If you want to write in my blog I will reply.

Don

Nov 19,2009

2009-11-19T21:14:00.002-08:00

Hi faithful blog viewers -

Well we did it. Made it to our 50th year wedding anniversary. (nov 8th) We opted out of a big to do. Neither of us wanted it so we didn't do it and we are very comfortable about out decision. Had a family dinner with out kids and also celebrated Andy's 10th at the same time.

My best friend from High school and my best friend from college both phoned us last week and it was great to hear their voices and catch up on their news and reflect on many wonderful memories.

We are doing about the same. Some good days and some bad ones. Get to church weekly and usually one or two outings a week. Usually see the young grand kids about once a week. Sunday heading for Christy and Gregs for a Sunday dinner and to a concert at the college on Monday night.

We continue to be thankful for God's care shown to us by family and friends and my my caregiver.

Barb has been reading more than I (you know - football season) but the books one or the other of us have read include:
Mosiac - a chronicle of generations
Count of Monte Crisco book and video
Sense of the World - blind man who traveled the world
Rebecca - Book and Video
Jane Eyre - book and movie

by Anne Rice: (secular writer of the Vampire series who has recently become a Christian )
Christ the Lord
Out of Egypt
Road to Cana
Out of Darkness

Book Thief
Same Kind of Different as me (THE BEST OF THE LOT IN OUR OPINION)
Finding Calcutta - Mary Poplin (very good)
Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society
Still Alice
Strength in What Remains Tracy Kidder
The Help
Home

Continue to recomend the Video - Doubt and also liked the almost three hour video -
The Tunnel

We have a new renter in the barn and are seeking a new renter for the basement as our renter of four years has bought a condo and in the process of moving out.

I have several friends who visit me almost every week.

Spend lots of time watch news on our computer.

If you have questions about us - just ask.

God's blessings on you.

Don (and Barb)

sept 1st

2009-09-02T22:00:00.000-07:00

We have had a wonderful summer - lots and lots of sun and warm weather. Barbara and Suzanne and the grands are on Vancouver Island for a short vacation. Barbara gets home tomorrow evening. I have been looked after by my friends and the guy who lives in the basement.
My sister Carol and her husband Denny were here for a few days and left yesterday.
It was wonderful to have them and they have agreed to try to get up twice a year which will be wonderful for me to look forward to.
Our son Tim is off on a trip to New England for 6 days with his girlfriend for a wedding and to visit her relatives. Kayti, (Christy's daughter) is off to New Zeland for quarter of school. Kelly is off to North Carolina to see her boyfriend. Kara in now living in Manhattan, NY working to interviewing canadates to teach in a private school system called uncommon schools.
Felt really good all the time guests were here.
Great Movie -"Radio" about a retarded black boy who is befriended by the local football coach. I highly suggest it.
Been reading books on apologetics that only a theological nerdly guy like me would like so I won't recommend (God, Reason and Theistic Proofs).
Any recommends of books from anyone would be appreciated.
Thanks for your prayers to keep my spirits up.
Best Wishes and Blessings,
Don

Hi

2009-08-20T22:59:00.000-07:00

Great day today. Sunny weather for book club at a home on the Lake. Good discussion of "Finding Calcutta" by Mary Poplin. Tomorrow we are all to the county fair with the Grand kids and Suzanne.
Keep looking up.

Don

sorry

2009-08-10T15:53:00.000-07:00

I have not been blogging lately because the news is not much fun. I am asked often "how are you". I normally give the pat answer that everyone else does "I am fine", but I am no no longer going that. I am going to say "not so well. Ever since my accident life has been difficult for Barb and and I'. It continues to be so. The pain in my chest has been awful for several days. See the Doc next week but don't expect much. This is part of the deal for many folks with paralysis. The guys in the wheel chair group have told me so.
BUT, as long as we are alive we can hope for better days.
Barb Christy and Kara are at a cooking movie today. I was delighted not to be invited.
Finished re reading "The Woman in White" It is the third time I have read it. It is a 600 page adventure, mystery and romance. The author - Wilkie Collings was more popular in the 1900's than Charles Dickens. I will read it again sometime.
It has been a joy to sit in the yard the last few weeks. Warm and sunny but do hate to see the winter come but it is the prelude to next Spring.
Have had lots of help lately doing the stuff I used to do around the yard. Walls repaired, Gate fixed and lots of clean up near the barn, which has been rented to a woman for the past two months. She has a good job but likes privacy. She also has a border collie like our but they do NOT get along.
Barb continues to be a brick but our life is not as much fun as it used to be, at least I don't think I am as much fun for her as I was.
"Casting all your cared upon Him because He cares for you."
Blessings to all
Don

thought

2009-07-19T23:54:00.000-07:00

I have never had much patience with pacifism and their fuzzy thinking. They are always asking 'can you picture Jesus shooting someone with a guy?' I just realized that there is a perfectly good answer - 'yes' if you can picture Him putting a millstone (millstones weigh about 200 pounds) around a persons neck and throwing them into the sea. This is exactly what he suggested and it is recorded in Matthew, Mark and Luke. (So what would He say about abortionist?) Jesus said that 'they' (the person with the millstone) would be better off - presumably because it would stop them from doing further harm to their own souls.

No news here. Our book club book this month is "The Cellist of Sarajevo" - The story of how three different people coped with life under bombardment and snipers. I do suggest for your reading.

My friend John Granger's new book "Harry Potter bookshelf" came out last week and is doing well. After Barb read it she is back reading the Potter books again.

How to post more frequently.

Don

Hi

2009-07-05T15:25:00.000-07:00

Still here. The pain in my chest which has been with me ever since in got home seems to be letting up. It that continues, I will be a very happy camper.
Days are pretty much the same. Friends come over to visit. The grand kids stop by often after Suzanne recuperated from her operation. All appears to be will with her.
John Granger, My friend who writes books about Harry Potter was here for a day and it was great to see him. He acknowledges being THE authority on the Harry Potter books.
Am reading his book "The Harry Potter bookshelf". Over my head but good reading anyway. Also reading a bio of Henry Jackson who was President before Lincoln and another book for book club.
Tim gets off the boat for 6 straight weeks before going back to his two weeks on, two weeks off schedule.
Christy and Greg are in Hawaii for two weeks.

Drop me a note at "Holmesdb@gmail.com" if you wish.

He sustains us,
Don

suggestion

2009-06-19T00:18:00.000-07:00

Go to 'samekindofdifferentasme.com' and look at the video and read about the book.
It was our book club discussion book today.
We are o.k.
Don

a prayer

2009-06-06T20:33:00.000-07:00

O Dear Lord, come quickly

To heal the millions of folks who have lost their minds and spend every day staring into space;
To heal the millions of friendless folks who live in rest homes who have no future to look forward to;
To rescue the millions of women in forced prostitution around the world;
To rescue the millions ow women who are stuck with men who abuse them;
To rescue the millions of men, women and kids who are hungry and dying;
To relive the millions of folks who live with daily pain;
To rescue the millions who live in fear of the daily violence of war:
To rescue those who are bewilder by the pain and suffering in the world;
To heal the minds of the millions in prisons and jails all over the world;
To heal the millions of folks blinded by their own sin and can not see the beauty of God's goodness.

O Dear Lord please come quickly to heal us all.

hi

2009-05-23T17:30:00.000-07:00

It is a beautiful day in Bellingham. Barb is delighted to sit on the patio and read after doing her gardening. She has a beautiful flower garden to enjoy when the sun is out.

Life continues to get better for us. A year ago I could not have imagined it ever being this good again. Not driving yet. It is hard to practice as we have to take the driver seat out, etc. Reading lots and doing stuff - church, lecture at the college, little league softball (Dull, as no one can throw strikes) but the whole family is there so we visit. Also enjoy sitting in the sun - I sometime feel like a 95 years old man just enjoying the sun.

Just found a new renter for the barn I had almost finished remodeling when I got sidelined. He is a 49 year old parts manager for the local Ford Dealer. Just moving to Bellingham from a nearby town. I think we will be friends. He goes on mission trips every year so will be a Christian friend for us.

Trying to do some writing but not very successful at it. It is hard.

Suzanne is going to have an operation on the 28 of May so Barb will be busy either at the hospital or with the kids for several days or more.

Christy and Greg are out sailing today and Tim gets back on his boat for another two week stint starting tomorrow.

We look forward to our netflix fix every week. Saw the the "Illusionist" last night. A complicated mystery. Enjoyed it but do not give it a high recommendation.

Barb is reading Ann Rice's books. She is a VERY famous secular writer that has become a Christian and is now writing 'for Christ' as she puts it. I have never heard of her but my literary friends says she has a huge following. You can look her up on the web -'Annrice.com"

Hope all is well with you,

Blessing
don

thought for the day

2009-05-18T22:54:00.000-07:00

It is a great relief and benefit to be caught in our sins. It, at least temporarily, frees us from the illusion of our own righteousness and forces us to fall humbly at the feet of Christ. B. R. Pembly

book

2009-05-16T15:51:00.000-07:00

Finding Calcatta by Mary Poplin - go get at the Library
Bookfinder.com new for about $12.00
Can read reviews at Amazon.com
Happy to be alive.
Don

hi

2009-05-10T00:04:00.000-07:00

Heard jo ann poplin speak at the college last week - She teaches PHD students at Clairmont in California - a very heady school.

She has spend her live in a religious quest before spending 6 weeks with Mother Teresa and was completely converted to Christ. She spoke very openly to about 200 students at the college.

A girl asked "why can't I be good without God". I went away thinking she was answered:
"You may be able, relatively to others, to be a good person but God will make you a better person than you could be without Him." i.e. If you are interested in being a good person, why not be the best you can be and you will need God to do that. If you are only interested in moderately good compared to other people then you can probably to that on your own. An specific individual Christian may not be as good as a specific non Christian but they would be a better Christian with God than without God.
I thought this was a great answer. Hitler might not have been a very good person even with God but he would have been better than he was. Mother Teresa might have been a pretty good person without God but was even a better person with Him.

Does everyone know about netflix? We have been in it for two years. WE have recently teamed up with another couple that we see ofter so for $5.00 a month per couple we can get new movies as fast as we send them in. Two a week if we watch the day we get them. Net flix pays the postage both ways. No trip to the video store and no $8.00 movie tickets and no late fees. Go to netflix.com for full info. WE watch histories, documentaries but mostly dramas. They have thousands of great dramas. You can click on a title and get a synopsis, the industry rating, the average viewer rating (1-5 stars)

Just saw Rebecca - one of the best mysteries we have ever seen. Master Piece Theater. We will watch it again some time.

Great to have summer here again. Love to sit in the Sun and read and watch the dot.

Would be open to good book or Video suggestions.

Don (watching the obituaries)

hi

2009-04-26T17:05:00.000-07:00

No new news -
Must see Video - Woman named Golda - Great documentary on the 3rd prime minister of Israel and a great survey of what has been going on in the middle east.
Barbara just got back from Hawaii where she and Tim (our youngest) spent a week on Lawai. It is wonderful for her to get away once and a while from her ball and chain (me)

I was well looked after in her absence by a friend who moved in with us for a week.

All is well.

Don

note

2009-03-30T20:58:00.000-07:00

Did you hear about the atheist tht was complaining about Christian holidays and was told to relax because there was also a day to honor his beliefs - April 1st -
The fool has said in his heart 'there is no God'

another early morning thought

2009-03-30T20:37:00.000-07:00

Does prayer work?
Of course it does EVERY time.
The only problem is that we don't know HOW it works.
It is perfectly obvious that prayer APPEARS to be an unreasonable activity:
God does not need our advice or information or even our praise.
We pray: 1) because we can't help but do it some times and 2) because
we are commanded to pray by a very good Authority.

When something happens that we pray to happen, we can never know for sure if our prayers had anything to do with it or not. It might have happened even if we had not prayed. The command still stands and we should not get attached to the results.
Thy will be done - - .

So there!!!!!

driving !!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-03-27T12:12:00.000-07:00

Drove the Van Yesterday - first time driving for 2 1/2 - Our son Tim went with me to the parking lot of a Park near here. Harder than I thought. Lack of trunk control of my body made it hard to turn. The gas and brake are fine, just turning is a challenge.
I will probably have to practice a lot before taking the driving test.
Finished the book Amish Grace. Rather tedious and too much praise for the Amish tradition. I have no respect for the Pacifist tradition. To refuse to fight to protect the weak is not a Christian idea.
Don

Who

2009-03-24T23:14:00.000-07:00

I received a comment from Rebecca but do now who she is?

wake up early

2009-03-23T15:16:00.000-07:00

I wake up early and lay in bed thinking - my thought today was:

Most Christians believe that God is always present with them.
Some Christians feel this presence at some time or another, which means that at other times they don't feel his presence at least not in the same way.

One could therefore conclude that when His presence is felt, the feelings correspond to reality and that when we don't feel his presence then our feelings do not correspond to reality. He is obviously present even if we don't feel it.

One ought to conclude from this that we should pay no attention to our feelings because they are not a reliable guide to reality. We should consult what we know from what HE said about His presence - I will Never leave you or forsake you.

Feelings are not a good guide as to what we ought to believe or what we ought to do. Our conscience is related to our minds more than to our feelings. The word conscience broken down is 'con' and 'science' (with knowledge)

Now you can go to sleep.

Have not tried to drive yet even though my hand controls in the van are ready to go.
Don

great day

2009-03-18T22:43:00.000-07:00

The on going pain in my chest was the best it has been since I got home. A GREAT JOY!!!
Hand controls have been put on my car and I should get it back tomorrow. FINALLY.

Finished the book Voyage for Madmen - 8 men set out alone in different boats in the 60ties to sail around the world without ever touching land and getting not help of any kind from any one. 1 Made it, six quit and one committed suicide. One Frenchman who was ahead in the race decided not to go back to England after getting around the world, and headed for a second trip. Quite a story.
Starting Amish Grace - our book club book this month about how the Amish community dealt the the murder of a group of their school children by a man who was mad at God for some losses in his life.

God bless you all,
Don

tip

2009-03-16T19:10:00.001-07:00

Procrastination is the thief of time.

correction

2009-03-16T19:05:00.000-07:00

The movie I recommended last blog was not 'hidden children' but "Secret Lives" Sorry
My van went to the shop today to get the hand controls put on - FINALLY.
Don

movie must

2009-03-13T22:51:00.000-07:00

GO rent Hidden Children - a tragic and inspiring documentary about the people who hid Jewish children at the risk of their lives and the lives of their children all over Europe during WW II.

Active day - Bank, Trader Joes and Costco (great piece of peperoni pizza)

We do not witness to what we have seen and touched but to what they (the disciples) have seen and touched. We pervert the Gospel if we think we have to add our experience to their witness. D. Bonoeffer.

Bed time.
Don

day

2009-03-13T09:45:00.000-07:00

Beautify sunny day -

Life is Good

Our caretaker who is usually here every day for 3 hours is sick so my friends have been filling in. Miss the caretaker - a 26 year old pre-nursing student who is wonderful but I can't praise him too much or he might read this blog and want a raise.

Stock market up lately - great.

Don

convinced

2009-03-12T23:00:00.001-07:00

"I am convinced that the suffering of this present world are not worthy to be compared to the glory that shall be in us."

"Casting all your cares upon Him for he cares for you"

the eagle

2009-03-12T14:08:00.001-07:00

The Eagle
by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

He clasps the crag with crooked hands;
Close to the sun in lonely lands,
Ring’d with the azure world, he stands.

The wrinkled sea beneath him crawls;
He watches from his mountain walls,
And like a thunderbolt he falls.

?

2009-03-12T13:51:00.000-07:00

not as good as i have been
but better than i was

go figure

Wednesday

2009-03-11T23:43:00.000-07:00

Went to a Lenten service tonight at church. Saw friends - rather a superficial discussion about Lent.

Barb went to hear a speaker at a bookstore that had written a book about care givers.
She thought it was helpful. No one who has ever been a caregiver can understand what a life-changing experience it is. She said by what she heard that she thought we were doing fairly well.

Suzanne brought me a new book today - Rebecca - will report.

Grand kids by today for an hour and will be here for a longer stay tomorrow.

Hope to get my Leviticus notes from my power point presentation on the blog soon.

Please pray for our daughter - Suzanne's back as she is in serious pain, sees doctor on Thursday.

My pain comes and goes - was o.k. today.

Lewis - "love is not an emotion but an attitude of the will, that attitude that we have naturally toward ourselves but my learn to have about other people."

Don

more Lewis

2009-03-09T18:57:00.000-07:00

Progress can be made only with a resisting material.

Good day here - 2 inch snow but sunshine later

Reading "Voyage for Madmen" a report of the 1960 sail boat race around the world by eight contestants sailing along. Scary!!!!!!!!!

Finished Leviticus yesterday so now I can go back to church.

Don

Faith

2009-03-07T18:55:00.000-08:00

FAith is the are of holding on to what your reason has once accepted in spite of your changing moods.
csl

hi

2009-03-06T00:10:00.000-08:00

good book club meeting tonight - China Road - see previous blog

One of the book club members drove the van with 6 of us to a Restaurant on the Ocean for a great dinner -I think a great dinner is a good burger and a baked Potato.

Feeling quite good lately. Made arrangements to get controls on our Van in about two weeks - has taken for ever.

Heard a guy speak at a bookstore yesterday who was a fighter pilot (p38) in
ww II who got shot down and was in
Buchenwald for a time and saw the smoke from the burning Jews and others. Fascination evening.

Our grand daughter Kara age 26 just got a job in downtown Manhatton recruiting teachers for a charter school in New York and New jersey. She starts in Sept.

Don

from Barb

2009-02-26T21:38:00.000-08:00

Note from Barb -

Greetings from 'nurse Jane fuzzy ears' (character from Uncle Wiggley). Since I am not a computer buff I shall have Don type in a note from me.

I want to rave about several books that brightened my gray February days: a book of poems - Diary of an Old Soul (George MacDonald) (of The Princess and the Curdy fame), Valley of Vision - puritan prayers, Mudhouse Sabbath by Laren Winte. You can't go wrong on any of them. Find them eBay, Amazon, Bookfinder, etc. Tell me what you think.

It's startling bring and beautiful today with about 8 inches of fresh sparking snow below us and our surround garden and trees. I think I'm in Narnia without the white witch.

Barbara

thinking

2009-02-26T01:58:00.000-08:00

cs lewis -

"Logic is the king that all events in all possible worlds must obey"

In other words,if it is logical it must be true.

If you have the right information
and you process is accurately then you come to Truth every time.

But we must be humble because there is no way we can be positive that we have the right information or that we have processed accurately.
Don

one foot of snow tonight in the area

go buy this book

2009-02-20T23:52:00.000-08:00

CHINA ROAD - Great story of a journalist traveling 3000 miles across China. Sometimes he gets the Impression that China will one day rule the world and the next day he is convinced that the whole thing is going to fall apart because of the corruption of the communist officials that run the show. Barb and I think it is a great book - it is our book club book for next month.
Been mostly staying home and enjoying the indoor winter. Get the grand kids overnight this Saturday - fun.
Pray for me if you wish that I would get serious about writing a book "Fire the Clergy and Burn down the churches" subtitled 'A modest proposal for Church renewal". Take a guess at how much money we spend on the staff and church up keep and how little we actually spend on the poor. The Bible says little about paying church workers and staff but a lot about the poor.
What is anyone reading that you recommend?
Don

update

2009-01-12T14:26:00.000-08:00

Jan 12 Happy Birthday to me 74
Great Series on pbs tv from now to summer on Sunday nights= Classics
Last Sunday and yesterday a four movie - Tess by Thomas Hardy = Excellent - much better than the 2 hours movie.

Heading Christys tonight for bb dinnes.
Will post my SS notes from Yesterday on Leviticus later in the week.

Life is good.

Don

Hi

2009-01-09T18:00:00.000-08:00

I have so many people telling me that they check my blog that I must say something more often. We have had a flood in the N.W. More water, snow and freezing than we have seen since we moved here. Basements getting water for us and both our daughters. Nothing major

Am studying for my Sunday School class that I am beginning this week and leading on the book of Leviticus. There is a lot to learn from this book. I may try to keep my notes posted on the blog site.

Barb and I are doing well. Things are going so well for us that we don't see how they could get much better but each week seems better than the last.

Expect to get the parts that go on my Van this week so maybe is a month I will be driving. Barb is not excited about this. If I can't run a chain saw, what makes me thing I can manage a van? We will see. Watch the obit pages.

I bet that Senator McCain may be the most relieved man in America. Who would want the job that Obama now faces.

Best Wishes.
Don

movie reccomend

2008-12-28T20:24:00.000-08:00

Great movie that maybe you have already seen - Tender Mercies - much Gospel content.
Don

dec 2008

2008-12-27T14:51:00.000-08:00

Our whole crowd was here for Christmas. Three kids, two son-in-laws 5 Grandkids plus Barb and I. Fun to see the Russians-- ages 7 and 9 -- and their excitement for Christmas.
On Dec 24 we had another gang at a community hall - most of our family and all of my
brother's family - about 25 in all. We do this every year.

Nothing newsy to report.

Watched a video last night that we highly recommend - John Q - it is a well made film with Denzell Washington and Robert Duvall and is well-done propaganda for National Health Care. (A great idea but how do we do it?)

Most snow and cold weather we have seen since we moved to Bellingham. Will try to update the blog more in the coming year.

They have strict laws in Maine about hitting animals on the hiway. I recently heard of a man who hit and wounded a pig. The driver thought no one saw him as he drove off. The next day a policeman came to his door with a ticket for $500.

When the man asked how he knew he had hit the pig, The officer replied that the pig had squealed.

Silly jokes cheer me up once and while. I am not seriously depressed - but I do get bored. Can only read so much and the stuff on the TV is awful. Teaching sunday school next year on Leviticus may prove to be a good thing.

The weather has kept us from getting out much but it is warming up today and the forecast is for warmer weather.

May Christ's presence be real to all my friends -

Don

HI bloggers

2008-12-03T13:03:00.000-08:00

Big News - Planet Narnia (book title) was published about a year ago. It solves a mystery. For 50 years scholars have wondered about two thing related to the Chronicles of Narnia. 1) Why would as scholar write a book for children? Scholars don't do this. 2) What ties the books together. Aslan is not important in all the books and different kids appear in different books. The author Michael Ward (Website: Michaelward) has solve the mystery. Each book is based on the mythology of one of the seven planets as view my 16th century cosmology. Read the comments on his blog site.
Scores of scholars have read book and they all agree with his interpretation. They says that this work will even more contribute to Lewis's reputation as a scholar.
Apparently Lewis never told anyone about this. The book Planet Narnia is in my opinion unreadable. It is a phd thesis. I have emailed the author and he says a rewrite for lay people is due out next summer.

Free insight about Lewis:
When Douglas Gresham (Lewis's stepson) was asked if he thought Lewis was a genius he replied:
"Oh, absolutely, there's no doubt about that. He was a complete genius. He also was a very fast reader, but he had honed the talent and perfected the strange memory that resulted in never forgetting anything he had read. Now he could, he could ask you to pick any book off of his shelves, and you would pick a page and read him a line and he would quote the rest of the page; in fact, quote the rest of the book until you told him to stop. He had this enormous capacity to remember everything he'd ever read."

This book Planet Narnia is causing quite a stir. The Chronicles of Narnia will be taken a lot more seriously and many may now be reading more of Lewis's other works. The next Narnia movie will be out next summer with more to follow. Hope I live long enough to see the all.

Other news - My sister (Carol) and her husband (Denny) are coming up to visit us from
Nebraska this week end (Dec 6). We don't like them and tried to discourage them from coming but they are coming anyway. They have been here before and we told them not to come back but I think they are deaf and like free food. Denny likes jokes:
A man's wife had just completed writing her first book so he went to get her some flowers and candy to celebrate. The clerk asked if he was celebrating some thing and her told her "Yes, my wife has just completed her first book."
After a pause, the clerk replied "Slow reader?"

We are doing quite well as we approach our two year anniversary of my accident (Dec 16) Life is good again after it not being so good for a long, long time. Still not driving as I can't seem to get any co operation from local mechanics to install hand controls on my Van. We think that life will get better and better as time goes by, at least hit has recently. Care taker here every day until noon. I usually am up the rest of the day and to bed about 10:00. Watch lots of football on the tube. Read, to email and putter at my desk. Football - our washington huskies have the longest loosing streak in the nation.

Interesting note: Plato points out that our conscience speaks out loudly when we are about to do something we know we shouldn't do but is much more quiet about neglecting things we ought to do.

Our grand daughter going to Westmont College in Santa Barbara survived the fire but there was much damage to the college classrooms, dorms and faculty housing - 13 faculty housed burned to the ground. They had a very long Thanksgiving vacation but back to school this week.

Christ is King.

Don
Had a great thanks giving at Suzanne and Jamie's house 24 people.

need visitors

2008-11-04T12:30:00.001-08:00

Suzanne here, popping in to say that Dad's van is in the shop and has been for quite awhile, so he can't go out and is getting a bit restless. If you can fit a visit or a phone call into your schedule, you would be a blessing.

end of sept

2008-09-28T22:25:00.000-07:00

Another month has flown by. Getting out more and more and feeling much better from week to week.
Movie tonight - "Grace is Gone" a very touching true movie about a Father and two daughters whose wife and mother is killed in Iraq. Getting out this week to a lecture and a men's group. WE get the grand kids twice a week while Suzanne teaches two nights a week at the local community college.

A group of men continue to get together in my home on Saturday a.m. We read books
together. We have been meeting for many years.

Am reading two good books - Fly Boys about the part played by the Navy pilots working off of air craft carriers in WWII. George Bush senior was one of them. The other book Reason for God is by a Presbyterian Pastor - Timothy Keller. He is head of a 5000 member church in New York City and has been involved in starting 100 churches with in New York City. The book is called "Reason For God" and is an intellectual defense of Christianity. It is very good.

You can all send my sister a Birthday card in October (17)
Margaret Holmes
Oakland, Nebraska
(It is a small town)

summer almost over

2008-09-14T18:42:00.000-07:00

Hi to all you who occasionally look up my blog.
We seem to be doing better every day. Controls on my Van should be done in f couple of weeks. I am up in my chair now all day with an occasional nap.

I supervised the installation of a Basket ball hoop in our drive way for our grandson Andy today. Now I need to find a basketball.

Just started a new book call Flyboys recommended by an onld college friend.

Barb has made peace with our new life. She and Suzanne and the two grandkids just got back from a week on Vancouver Island.

We have had absolutely beautiful weather for a few weeks so I have been outside a lot.

This gal from Alaska has made quite a stir - who would have ever predicted it?

We are ok and appreciate your thoughts and prayers.

Life is good again because God has made it that way. I wish it was good for everybody.

Don

bad day

2008-07-18T17:50:00.000-07:00

Scroll down for blast about the Shack.

Today is great but yesterday was a bummer. I take about 10 pills every morning. Barbara takes them out of bottles and puts them in a cup. We have been doing this for a year and a half. Yesterday we had a pill that came carded and Barb tore it off and put it in my cup reasonably assuming that I would take the pill out of its container. I never look in the cup so I put the pills in my mouth and swallowed the whole thing.

The card was about 3/4 of an inch square with very sharp edges. The pill was inside a little plastic container with tin foil on the back. Of course it got stuck in my throat. I thought it was just a stuck pill so I drank a ton of water but could not get the 'pill' to go down. I called Barb for more water and she brought it and wondered why I was having so much trouble and then asked it I had taken the pill out of the plastic container. I asked "what container" and then we both knew what had happened.

It was starting to hurt especially when I swallowed. We called the doctor and said to head for the emergency room at the hospital. I got there at 10:30 am and got home at 6:00 p.m. with the pill gone. They knocked me clear out for about 25 minutes and shoved a little camera down my throat and them pulled it out with some sort of grabber.

IT WAS AN AWFUL EXPERIENCE.

But I was pleased with the doctor even though it took forever waiting for different doctors and nurses and paper work. All's well that ends well. I am now a little hoarse but otherwise back to 'normal' with no pain.

Getting out a lot lately for different activities.

Best Wishes to All,

Don Holmes

update

2008-07-09T16:41:00.000-07:00

We are having absolutely beautiful summer weather in Bellingham. I am now up in my power wheel chair all day some days without getting tired out. Life is truly getting better again. Hope to get my car equipped soon so I can drive and release Barb from chauffeur duty. The grand kids were over last evening and I had hoped to play chess with Andy but I got upstaged by "Marry Poppins". They never get tired of watching Mary and Bert.

Finished "Post American World'. It is our book club book that meets this Friday. I can tell from the book if I should be discouraged or encouraged about the place of America in the future.

Tim is in the midst of negotiations to buy a power boat that sleeps 4. He would moor it near where he works so he could get some solitary time. He works two weeks on and two weeks off, 24 hour days with three others in tight quarters but has lots of free time in between boats and putting our oil booms to absorb oil if there a spill -- kind like a fireman's job. He says that it would be great for the family for he and my two son-in-laws to go fishing and for the new grand-kids to go boating overnight to some of the islands in the San Juan Islands.

Still fuming about the "Shack". The more I think about it the worse it is in my mind. The feminization of the Trinity is just awful. The profound differences between the feminine and the masculine should be respected. We are all feminine before God. We are his bride and He must therefor be best represented by masculine imagery. It stands Christian theology on its head to promote female imagery as approproate imagery for the Trininty.

God is ever-present and we have no complaints.

Don

doing well

2008-07-01T13:31:00.000-07:00

Hi - We are doing quite well. Getting out more and more to Church, meetings, kids' homes - they all have ramps except for Tim.

Just finished a book on tape - The Long Walk, a book published in 2006 about 7 men who escaped from a Russian Prison in Siberia and walked 4000 miles in about a year across the Gobi desert and Himalayan mountains to India. It is number 4 on Amazon.

Video - Broken Brides: Great drama on reconciliation.

Very hot here - nearly 90 degrees which in hot for Washington.

There is a reunion this week in Nebraska for my family. I have two sisters in Nebraska. Counting all the kids there will be quite a crowd. My brother and most of his family is going.

Life is beginning to get good again. For a long time I thought is would never happen. I have a caregiver from 9-12 a.m.every day. Neither Barb or I could get along with out them. We see Suzanne's kids quite a bit. I help Andy to read and we play chess.

Will keep you posted about books and videos. I still dislike The Shack even though it is very popular.

I passed my eye test and driver written test so I will be able to drive when I get hand controls put on our Van.

Don

life is good and getting better

2008-06-20T13:31:00.000-07:00

Hi -
Friday evening and I am off to watch Jake Locker and the Bellingham Bells play baseball. Greg, My son in law is taking me. Barbara just called for supper so I will add more soon.
Don

The Shack

2008-06-04T13:29:00.000-07:00

My summary criticism of the Shack is that the author apparently thinks that Christ came to take away our pain rather than to deal with our sin to make us presentable to God. "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away (not our pain) but our sin".
Scroll down two blogs for more criticism of the Shack. I heard the author speak recently - very sentimental.

UPDATE

2008-05-31T15:56:00.000-07:00

For the Shack review - scroll down to next blog

We are doing well. It has taken me a long, long time to get adjusted to this new life.

Getting out 3 or 4 times a week. Going out for dinner tonight. Routines are working and my spirits have been very good. Wonderful to see summer come. Our book club meets next week. Going to Vancouver next week to Regent college where the author of The Shack is having a discussion with the Regent faculty. I am taking tomatoes. I will report the outcome.

Thanks Ira for the long letter and to Dan for the several emails.

Our two new grandkids are a continual joy. They were here all day Friday doing yard work.

Will share our discussion at Book club after we meet Friday.

Don and Barbara

review of a book The Shack - a runaway best seller

2008-05-19T19:10:00.000-07:00

The Shack - A very critical review.

Overview:

Mackinzie Allen Phillips (Mac), who has had his young daughter murdered in a shack during a camping trip, is invited by God to revisit the shack four years later. At the shack he is met by the Trinity in the form of a large African woman (God the Father), an Asian woman (The Holy Spirit) and a Jewish man (Jesus) He has apparently been invited to the shack by God to help him deal with the pain of the loss of his daughter. (P.92) There is some attempt by God to help Mac deal with a variety of theological questions.

What do we know about Mac?

1) He was raised in a rather harsh Christian home.

2) Family devotions were tedious and boring.

3) His father had a drinking problem

4) He has been to seminary

5) He is a rather superficial thinker as he never faced up to the problem of the evil in the world until he experienced the loss of his own daughter.

6) He has some familiarity with church and with church beliefs.

The author of the book has declared on a web site that the Mac in the book is really a picture of himself. He has also stated clearly that the book is a book of fiction.

The book, in many ways, is a theological disaster. The first and most glaring error is the feminization of the Trinity. The biblical writers, from cover to cover, all seem to think that the masculine image is the most appropriate image to represent the Trinity. Nobody suggests that God is a man -- only that the masculine image is the best image to represent God. C.S. Lewis says that the whole universe is feminine before God. God gives and the universe receives. Even in sex, the male gives and the woman receives. What justification do we have to declare that the Biblical writers and 2000 years of church history are wrong in preferring the masculine image to the female image to represent God? Any religion that puts the feminine at the heart of the universe rather than the masculine would result in a religion very different from historic Christianity. This is important. (See C.S. Lewis - 'Priestesses in the Church' in God in the Dock.

A second error is the clear assertion that there is no hierarchy of office within the Trinity (p 121-123). The whole New Testament speaks of hierarchy of office. The Father sends the Son, not the other way around. The Son prays to the Father, the Father doesn't pray to the Son. The creeds say that the 'Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son', the Father does not proceed from the Holy Spirit. The author of this book boldly puts words in God's mouth that don't square with the Biblical record. The whole tone to the relationship of the members of the Trinity the each other is annoying. They kiss each other all the time, They call each other and Mac sweetie and honey.

Odd things about the story:

1) God twice refers to the possibility that Macs pants might be or get full of poop (p 88, 121).

2) All three members of the Trinity became human in the Incarnation (p. 99)

3) Suggests that Jesus is physically ugly. (p. 113)

4) States that God the Father has scars on her writs that match the scars on the wrists of Jesus. (p 95)

5) God loves everyone equally but he especially has love for Missy (the dead daughter p 92). He is also especially fond of everybody (119). The word especially loses its meaning if it applies to everyone. Verbal confusion.

6) God is bigger than the Son and the Holy Spirit. (Why?)

7) God cries (p 95) (the author does not seem to realize that there is a strong theological support for the idea that God is impassible)

8) The attempt to discuss the problem of free will is very superficial (p. 94-95)

9) “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me” God explains this to Mac by saying that Jesus was wrong, He was not forsaken, He only felt forsaken. This complex problem is explained away quite simply - too simply.

10) “When all that humans can see is their pain, perhaps they lose site of Me” (p. 96). This is only true if humans have not had good teaching in church. The whole point of the book of Job is that a man can suffer terribly without losing his faith in God. Suffering should not have any effect on a person's belief system.

11) When God tries to tell Mac that He is more than just a large human, Mac says that His explanation does not make much sense. (p. 98) Why not? It’s not that complicated.

12) “When we three spoke ourselves into human existence as the Son of God we became fully human - - we became flesh and blood.” (p.99) Where in the world did the author get this idea?

13) Mac seems to think that we learn truth from our experiences (p.102). This is true if by experience he means thinking but not true if he means his feelings. Mac is a bit weak on thinking.

14) Jesus is clumsy (drops a bowl of batter) (p.104). God calls him ‘greasy fingers”.

15) Mac is very impressed they way the members of the Trinity treat each other. (p 105). “How different this was from the way he (Mac) treated the ones he loved” How?

16) There is a frequent subtle hostility through out the book against theology, seminary, rules, law, obedience, religion, authority, power, judgment, repentance, guilt, responsibility, expectations (p. 112, 123, 148, 158).

17) God uses slang. “Those things will give you the trots if you ain’t careful (p.121). “You ain’t heard nothin’ yet’ “(p 203).

18) Jesus and God the mother are so dense that they can’t understands Mac’s questions about hierarchy within the trinity (p. 121, 122).

19) God is very disparaging of human's ability to determine what is good and evil (p.147). This is theological and philosophical nonsense ( see C.S. Lewis - Abolition of Man and the book of Romans)

20) “power in the hands of independent humans - - does corrupt” Maybe often but not always

21) God is critical of Mac for judging the actions of other people (p. 158). This is contrary to common sense. We are not to judge motivations but are compelled to judge actions.

22) God says that judging requires that you think yourself superior over the one you judge (p. 159). More nonsense. All we need to judge the actions of others is common sense. We don’t need to think our selves superior.

23) Jesus loves people who he had judged worthy of His love (p.163). This is a flat contradiction of God’s grace. We are not loved because we deserve it. He loves us in spite of the fact that we are not worthy of it.

23) Jesus says that he has no desire to make non-Christians, Christians (p.182). What kind of nonsense is this. He has no desire to make people his followers?

24) Mac asks ‘why didn’t you tell me about Missy (the killed daughter) before?’ (p. 176) What has he learned at the shack about Missy that he didn’t know before? We are never told.

25) All the evils of the world are all related to religion, politics and economics. (p. 179) A silly assertion.

26) The Bible doesn’t teach you to follow rules (p. 197), yet Jesus said, ‘If you love me, keep my commandments’.

After Mac’s encounter with God in the Shack the great sadness of the loss of his daughter was gone. Is this a good thing? How would anyone want this kind of sadness to be gone?

Why is this book receiving such a positive response? Because it presents a very mushy and undemanding God, one that satisfies our emotions and makes no demands on our minds. If laypeople were better educated theologically this book would be a colossal flop. If people are being ‘blessed’ by this book, it only means that God can use even bad teaching to a good end.

Apparently the author went to seminary. I wish he had stayed awake in class and would have avoided writing this awful book.

april

2008-04-08T10:46:00.000-07:00

not dead yet - alive but not kicking. We are settling in to a routine that will probably be reflective of the rest of our lives. Care givers work we me til about 11:00 or 12:00. Up in my wheel chair til 9 or 10. Watch news and videos with Barb. Fortunately reading has become possible. For a long time I did not feel up to reading - I don't know why but I just could not get interested in anything I read. For the last week or so this has changed and I am now looking forward to reading. It will probably be my main activity in life. We get out as much as we want, Church, shopping, visiting kids and grand kids. Our Van is working fine. Hope to get controls put on the van so I can drive - probably within a few months.

Andy, our 8 year old grand child has learned to play chess well enough that I have to pay attention or he will take my pieces. It is actually fun for me. Juliana, age 6, likes to play and knows how the pieces move but she can't really play.

Hope the Obama beats Hillary and that McCain beats Obama. The talking heads on TV are going wild with over analysis and predictions. We usually watch Rick Steves at 7:00 week nights and his travel series.

Delighted to see summer coming. Barbs flower garden is blossoming and she is anxious to get back to gardening. She loves to work in her garden. I think life is now good again for her and meI need less and less help. I can get in and our of bed to my wheel chair by myself and am perfectly content to be home alone if she needs to get out and about.

In spite of the fact that we seem to be doing better, I can not avoid admitting that being in my situation is a real bummer. I can't complain (who would I complain to?) as millions of folks are a lot worse off than I am in a variety of ways.

Will we travel again? Hard to say as the ideal seem fraught with logistical problems at the moment but we know others do it so who knows.

Will try to let you know when we see a good movie or read a good book.

Don

leap year day blog

2008-02-29T21:21:00.000-08:00

Hi my friends -

I am pleased to update all on my blog. Feeling better and adjusting better every day. The doctor today told me that most people in my condition almost feel that life is almost back to normal after a few years and we are beginning to think that it may be true.

We are getting out more and more. I got a new power chair recently that was too big for the lift on our van so had to get another van which we found at a very good price. It is working well. Yesterday we even went to the mall for some shoes. Why do I need shoes? - to protect my toes when I don't drive carefully.

We are getting more and more back into our evening reading when we don't watch videos we get from netflix.

About once a week we get one of the grand kids from Suzanne for an afternoon. They are a handful but we are delighted to have a new set of grand kids in the family.

Greg (Christy's husband) is in the process of turning a closet in my room into a bathroom so I have something to entertain myself in the daytime - watching him. Has to tear out a small wall and then do the plumbing. It bugs me to watch when I would love to help.

We have two care givers that alternate days that work from 9:00 to noon every day. At first I did not thing we would need them but don't see how we would get along without them. Hard to explain but with laundry, meals, daily exercise of my legs (called range of motion to keep my joints limber) assistance to get on and off the commode and assistance getting a bath - it is a load. I have a guy 5 days a week and a nurse two days a week. We may not need them forever as I get stronger and am more able to take care of myself. No longer going to physical therapy as I exercise at home.

Following the election closely - I want Obama to beat Hillery and then for McCain to become president. Newt Gingrich was my first choice but --. Did you hear that Chelsie Clinton asked McCain who he most feared and said "Osama, and Obama and Yo Mama."

The frogs are beginning to peep at night which we hope is a sure sign of spring. It has been an easy winter with little snow and almost no freezing.

How do we survive financially? Quite well - Medicare and our medicare supplement have taken care of almost everything. Our retirement income has been sufficient so we are not going backwards. (Except for today when the market dropped 315 points) We feel fortunate as some folks in my condition have to spend all ther resources and then end up on medicare in a nursing home -- a miserable existence -- I was there for three months before I could start therapy.

Looking forward to Prince Caspian movie which comes out in May.

Best wishes to you and thank you for your prayers,

Don Holmes

We are doing great

2008-01-25T12:43:00.001-08:00

Hi to all -
Yesterday I received a new power wheel chair to replace the one that had been given me that really did not fit very well. The new chair is really great - I thank you all who pay taxes as Medicare paid for it - that is you.

We have gotten out a lot lately - Church, mens groups, errands. We are reaching the point where life is good again - a long path, but I think we are making it.

Reading a really great book - Amazing Grace - on the life and work of Wilberforce. Recommend it to all.

Don't really have anything more to write - ask me questions and I will answer.

Great to be alive and to know Christ is present.

Don

update

2008-01-06T15:19:00.000-08:00

First blog of the new year -

I have been living in a kind of mental fog ever since the accident on Dec 14 2006. About a week ago I began to wake up clear headed and with a new since of optimism and have felt real good lately. We are getting out more to events in or town, seeing friends, church etc. Haven't felt much like reading until lately. We joined NETFlix so watch videos several times a week.

Watching the race a lot lately. Delighted to see Obama ahead of Hilary but my man is McCain.
Read both books Obama wrote. Fascinating person. He know what life at the bottom is like.

The older grand kids are all gone again. Kara teaching in L.A. Kelli a Junior at Whitworth and Kayti a freshman at Westmont. It was wonderful to have them home for Christmas vacation.

The Siberian transplants, Andy and Juliana are doing well. They added a new dimension to Christmas this year. It is fun to look forward to watching them grow up.

I turn 73 next week and even though I have no legs am delighted to still be in good health. I sleep and eat well. Barb is having some soreness in her legs which she is looking in to next week at the Doctor.

We are doing better as a team to work out how we are going to make our lives work. This is a MAJOR adjustment for the both of us.

We see all of our kids a lots. Doing well - appreciate your prayers.

Don

christmas eve eve

2007-12-23T13:41:00.001-08:00

Barbara and I are home, me watching the Seahawks and Barb addressing Christmas cards. We are having a quiet peaceful day before the flurry of activities during Christmas week. The three older granddaughters are all in town. All of Bob's family and our family will all be getting together tomorrow for a Family breakfast. Christmas this year may be almost normal for us. We are adjusting better and are having more good days than bad days lately. Even managed to go out for dinner this week.

Am in the process of getting some wall pulley weights to work out at home so I will not have to go to physical therapy any more. It has been a hassle to get in the wheel chair van and have Barb drive me there once or twice a week. Now I will just have to have the discipline to use it. It is crucial that I keep my arms strong.

Great video of Christy and the kids.

Hope to start raising funds for the International Justise Mission after the first. IJM.Org for more info.

The Lord is Good and we feel very blessed.

Best Wishes

update

2007-11-26T12:54:00.000-08:00

Surprise - Surprise - an updated blog - This will be a long one to cover for all the ones I didn't write.

Daily life:

Up about 8:00 - 8:30 for breakfast, pills.
9:00 - 11/12 Hired help.
1) exercises my legs to keep them healthy.
2) assists me getting on the portable potty for any where between 30 to 60 minutes.
3) twice a week helps be get on to a bench on the tub for a bath.
4) helps me get dressed, pants shoes, etc.
5) helps me get into my wheelchair for the day. I use what is called a sliding board to get from the bed to the chair.

12:00 - lunch

afternoons: once or twice a week Barb takes me in our wheel chair accessible Van to the hospital for physical therapy - a rather rigorous work out to strengthen my upper body.

I nap almost every day and people stop by to visit.

See my family a lot. Christy and Greg, Suzanne and Jamie and their two kids and Tim who works two weeks on and two weeks off on a boat. He expects to get his Captain's license any day. Had a big gathering at Suzanne's on Thanksgiving day.

I was one of three speakers at Church a week ago on a thanksgiving theme. Following is what I said:

About the third week I was in the hospital, I received a phone call from an old friend. I was too tired to talk to him so he talked to my wife. He asked her "How is his faith". When Barbara told me this is made me mad as I took it as a kind of insult. What is the world was he asking or implying? Was he curious to know if my injury has caused me to disbelieve in God? Or was he asking if my injury had caused me to disbelieve in the goodness of God or was he asking if my injury as caused be to disbelieve in the promises of Christ. This is silly. My faith and I hope your faith is founded on historic facts related to the life and death of Christ and his promises, primarily his promise that he will never leave us or forsake us.

There is a minister in New England by the name of Robert Farrar Capon who wrote a book called Hunting the Divine Fox in which he relates the following story:

A man was traveling late at night in the middle of winter over a mountain pass when his car quits running. He gets out of the car and opens the hood and sees no obvious problem. As there was no traffic he begins to fear that he may freeze to death when he sees a light coming up the hill. He begins to have hope but then sees that it is not two lights like a car would have but only one light. As the light gets closer he senses that that light comes from a figure and he begins to think that it is Christ. And then realizes that in fact it is Jesus and he is excited. What does Jesus do? He takes the man by the hand and they go and sit in a snow bank while the man freezes to death.

I then asked the congregation to repeat with me three times the promise "I will never leave you or forsake you".

How are we doing? Better but it is not easy.We are gaining hope that we can get our life back.

My over riding emotions are fatigue and frustrations. Living in a wheel chair is more difficult than I imagined but it is getting better. I attend a group that is all wheel chair people. They say it takes about two years to get fully adjusted and I believe it. I still have trouble believing that this has happened.

More blogging later today.

Off to physical therapy

Don

(psst)

2007-11-18T15:12:00.000-08:00

(since Dad is not updating his blog I'm taking the liberty of telling you that I am talking about him over on my blog: Adventures In Daily Living.)

Oct 30

2007-10-30T16:54:00.000-07:00

Hi Blogger Fans.

I don't write often as there is little to write about. We work hard to get through each day with some good days and some not so good. We watch Videos and read and get out several times a week for therapy. Big accomplishment this week was getting from my chair via the sliding board to the bench in the bath tub for the second time. Funny what makes news. Getting stronger each day from therapy and work at home.

Finished the biography on John Newton. Barb is reading "Inside the Third Reich" which I had read before. 600 pages by Albert Spears who was Hitler's architect and munitions head.

Friends stop by but not too many. Like to visit with friends.

Am taking pills to help my legs not flinch but it makes me sleepy.

Barb is leaving for Hawaii next week so my friends will be filling in.

Did you hear about the little girl who was beaten by several sets of foster parents and when asked where she would like to live said that she wanted to live with the Nebraska football team because they couldn't beat anybody ( My sister in Nebraska sent me that).

In talking to other wheel chair people, they say that it takes about 2 years to adjust to wheel chair life so I will be half way on Dec. 14th. I believe them.

We are doing quite well.

Don

finally

2007-10-19T17:32:00.000-07:00

Finally in mood to update.

We continue to adjust to our new life. Still have trouble believing this has actually happened to us and I do mean us as it is huge adjustment for Barb as well as me. Our Van is working out well. Go to out-patient therapy one or twice a week and will probably continue to do so for six months or a year.
They sometimes work me pretty hard to build up my arm strength. I am not in any pain but life is very difficult and frustrating. Nothing is easy.

Watch lots of football and news. Read lots. Just finished a biography of Sidney Potier and John Newton. We joined net flix on the twice a month program.

See lots of our kids and grandkids. Juliana and Andrew are a kick. They are doing great with their language. Barb was fixing lunch for Andy and asked him what he would like. And he said "Anything you fix will be appropriate". A year ago he did not know a stitch of English.

In case you are curious, we have had not had any major medical expenses because of all this. Medicare and our supplement have worked wonderful.. The joys of being over 65. YEH.

We are not church-shopping but are going to visit a church this week. They meet every other week in the evening for a pot luck before worship. On alternate weeks they do community service projects. Interesting.

What you like to hear about in my blogs?

Don

flu shots

2007-10-17T19:21:00.001-07:00

Psst . . . just a gentle reminder to get your flu shot, particularly if you plan to visit my parents this winter.

Best,

Suzanne

doing well

2007-09-23T17:20:00.000-07:00

Hi to all those in Blogger land. We are still adjusting to the situation. I have developed much sympathy for all who struggle in life. Lots of folks struggle for a variety of reasons. I don't know what God's plan is for all of them is but I know they are not forgotten.

Reading a biography on Sydney Poitier and John Newton. I suspect that I will get a lot of reading done in the next few years. Can you suggest some good books or videos?

With our new van we are getting out some - a good thing.

My family continues to be of immense help so the burden on my wife is somewhat manageable.

Best Wishes to all,

Don

PROGRESS

2007-09-09T11:17:00.000-07:00

Nothing but good news lately. We have been getting out more now that we have a wheel chair van. Found my new pair of glasses that have been missing for 10 days. I had been laying on them under the sheet. They are titanium and very bendable so they were still o.k. Been getting good reports from our three grand daughters, one teaching school in L.A and the other two in school at Westmont and Whitworth. Suzanne and Jamie and their two kids are on vacation in Vancouver Island and Barb is going to join them next week for four days.

Have been able to get out side more as the weather has been beautiful.

Has been fun watching a local boy make good as the Washington Huskies quarterback - Jake Locker.

Barb is grateful for the many phone calls and cards of encouragement and so am I.

Just finished reading the Glass Castle - interesting true story about a homeless family and their advendures.

Now reading Ninety Minutes in Heaven about a man in a terrible accident, 'went to heaven for 90 minutes' and his struggle to get his life back.

We are making daily progress in our new life.

Don

doing great

2007-08-26T16:19:00.000-07:00

WE are making great progress every day.
We have purchased a Van. I can't drive it but Barb can and haul me around like a sack of potatoes.
It is quite comfortable. I have to duck as I drive in but have lots of head room after I get in side.
It has a very good lift for my chair. WE have been out several times and it gives us a lot of freedom on our own schedule.
My sister Carol and her son Brent from Nebraska have been her for several days. We spent part of the afternoon by a ocean beach with a lunch. It is great to get back to doing regular things.

I fell asleep in my chair and fell on the ground a few weeks ago. Barb was nearby and called my brother and his son to pick me up. I was quite comfortable laying on the ground for 45 minutes.

Read a lot and watch sports on T.V We also rent Videos.

Will try to keep more current with the blog
Don

(missing a Sunday post)

2007-08-25T18:35:00.000-07:00

Dad didn't post last Sunday so you didn't get to hear about

falling out of his chair onto his head
buying his van
going in the van to a family party in a park

Maybe if he is besieged with comments clamoring for news he'll keep to his 'post every Sunday' post. Just maybe.

It's worth a try.

day by day

2007-08-14T11:36:00.000-07:00

Sorry I missed blogging last Sunday - two days late.
Big week last week. The mens group from my church met here on Wednesday. This first time I have been with them since last year. Also the book club met here on Saturday - six couples.

We are hoping to get a Van soon so we will not be dependent on the city disabled bus.

I am sitting up most of the time. It is good to not be so tied to the bed.

If previous blogs have sounded a bit depressing they are probably accurate. We seem to be doing better now but it has taken a while to adjust.

Got to church again last Sunday.

We finished the last Harry Potter book and liked it a lot.

If you have specific questions I will try to respond on the blog site.

Don

update

2007-08-05T11:47:00.000-07:00

Still here.
Each weeks gets better.
Went to Costco by myself on city handicap van to get new glasses.
Having our book club meeting here this week. First time I can go to our book club since last year.
We have been meeting for over 25 years.
I am able to read a lot.
Hope we can get a handicap van soon so we are not so house bound.
Spend lots of time in the yard throwing the ball for our dog Emma.
Having quite a number of friends stop by which is much appreciated.
Still don't know what our life is going to be like in the long run.
Need to find some way to justify my existence beside just staying alive - any suggestions.

Don

UPDATE

2007-07-29T15:20:00.000-07:00

We went to church for the second time today. Using the public bus transportation to get there.
FHinished the new Harry Potter book this week and was no t disappointed.

Going to out patient therapy once or twice a week. Will probably continue this for a year or so.
They work me pretty hard.

We are getting our routine at home down pretty well and things are better for both Barb and I.

Looking for a wheel chair Van and hope to have something with in a few months.

Have been to two movies lately so we are getting out a bit more.

This whole process of adapting to live in a wheel chair has been a lot more difficult than I imagined. I am up in m wheel chair almost all day now.

Looking forward to a visit from my sister Carol from Nebraska next month.

More next Sunday.

Thanx for your prayersl

Don

Birthday Bash

2007-07-22T18:31:00.000-07:00

Much progress this week and feeling great. Saw the HP movie last week and also saw
this week. Had a birthday party here today for four family members. MANY family members here with much noise and conversation.

Life is beginning to get good again. Working on getting a Van that I can drive- hope to have some thing within a few months.

Reading the new Harry Potter book - the last one. Kara, Kelli and Suzanne all have finished it thought it was great.

Spend most of the day up in my power wheel chair. Can get around well in the house and the yard. The Whatcom transportation authority is wonderful. They will pick up and take me home from anywhere in Whatcom County for free. I have been out with them about 8 times and will continue to use them until I get a van.

We have gotten our routine down so it is quite manageable for Barb and I. I think my sister and brother in law from Nebraska are coming up for a visit in August. Very much looking forward to having them here.

Will try to post every Sunday.

Don