So much has happened in Maple Valley it’s difficult to know where to start. Here we are in the dog days of summer, and Maple Valley School is already preparing for the first day of the new year. Students can’t wait to get back in the class room. We are obviously well into the tourist …
Continue reading Scandal at Maple Valley – Episode 27: The Pancake-Off Fiasco
This post is different from my normal goofy, tongue-in-cheek stuff. I just thought you should know. Sundays for me were a mixture of anticipation baptized in dread, inspiration wrapped in insecurity, and anxiety that has a life of its own. I didn’t look forward to Sundays at all, and I was the pastor. I was …
There's good and weird news coming out of Maple Valley. Folks have been waiting for months to hear about the suit that was brought against Shorty Cloverton and several members of the town council including Sheriff Pete Terkinberry and Mayor Alvin Thrashborn. For those who may not know, which, not ever wandering very far from …
Continue reading Scandal at Maple Valley – Episode 26: Events Turn
I was probably eight years old when I saw a demonstration in Sunday School I never forgot. Why the pastor and church leaders thought this would be a good idea is difficult to understand. But, considering that smoking was fourth on the higherarchy of sins after murder, dancing, and buying on Sunday, I guess it …
One of the beautiful things about model railroading, and scenery in particular, is that beauty is in the eye of the creator. If you think it's incredible, then it is. We all like to be told our work is terrific, but the truth is you are the only one to please. I pondered backdrops for …
Continue reading Painting Beautiful Backdrops for Your Model Railroad
In my last post, "Vacation Church", I described my memories of our family going to strange churches while we were on vacation. Strange, not because there was anything wrong with them, but because we were going to a church other than our own. I felt weird, uncomfortable, insecure, and on display. I had an enlightening …
When I was a kid, I always hated going on vacation over Sunday. it meant we would go to a church somewhere other than our own. Going to a strange church was bad enough, but we had to go to Sunday School too. Having an extreme legalist for a parent meant church was lived out …
A few days ago, we visited Holly to take care of some business. It was the first time we have been to town since the terrible fire that took place a few weeks ago. Fire is awful when it's somewhere it shouldn't be. It has no respect for property, memories, or life. Luckily, this time, …
It's a rite of summer on the tip of the thumb. Everyone in this area knows about the Pt. Austin Farmer's Market, open every Saturday during summer. The market is a shopper's delight. Scores of tents sit side by side in several sections. Each one is filled with items for sale. Most offer homemade goodies …
When I was in middle school I had a best friend who played the trumpet, just like me. And his name was the same as mine. Dale. Sometimes we played horn duets in church. Sometimes we got in trouble in church together, too. One Wednesday, when folks used to go to church so God would …
A Coffee State of Mind 