Steve's Journey

LOOK - IT'S A NEWS ALERT!

What's with Fox News? No matter what the news, or how old the story is, the flashing banner reads FOX NEWS ALERT or BREAKING NEWS. It's like the boy that cried "wolf." After awhile you ignore them, then you miss some really important news. FOX NEWS ALERT --- cat rescued off of roof in Jamesport, Missouri --- FOX NEWS ALERT

THANKS, KIA

Why do tire problems always happen on the coldest days? Curse those fancy cars with their fancy do-dads that always break down! Okay, my KIA minivan is not fancy, but it has a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that lights up when it thinks a tire is getting low. Trouble is I've had a tire that kept getting seriously low plus one completely flat tire BECAUSE of the TPMS monitors leaking. And fumbling with the air valve cover with freezing fingers is no thrill.

YOUNG GOODMAN BROWN

I just finished homeschooling my 17 yo grandson on his first expository essay. It was thoroughly rewarding (at least for me), and he did a terrific job. I'm convinced that he has a knack for writing. Plus the assignment put me back in touch with some of the classics, like Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story about a man who loses his faith, then shuns his Faith (his wife), showing how those that seem pious may not be so squeaky clean.

A LITTLE CONSIDERATION?

I came out to run an errand, and someone had blocked my driveway. That always irks me. The inner terror wants to locate the culprit and lecture them with, "Are you an idiot?" "Can't you see that you're blocking someone in, which, by the way, is against the law in the city?" "I should have had you ticketed!" Then the angel on my right shoulder says, "Come on, it's Christmas. Be nice." Then the deeper voice within me says, "Have I not taught you anything?"

SPEEDWAY IN LIGHTS

I love the annual tradition when I load up the grandsons in the minivan and take them through the grounds of the local race track. Bristol Motor Speedway strings up about a bazillion lights in 200 designs that you can drive through, then end up on the track of the World's Fastest Half Mile, finally taking a break in the infield, freezing your tail feathers off while the kids climb aboard a pirate ship and ride the rides. I have such neat grandsons, and I miss the two long-distance ones who would love to join in.

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I pray, Lord, for the truly difficult times that people are having in the world. I pray also for patience for dealing with things and people who push my buttons. And thanks for giving me another year to bask in the warmth of my loving family.

Amen