Sunday, February 11, 2007

A dream come true!

Hi all,

Many of you who know me, know that I've always wanted a mandolin. Ever since I started to play guitar, and especially since I began listening to bluegrass music, I've wanted a mandolin. Well, I've finally done it!

Since my father's passing, I've wanted to do something with some of the money that he left us that would be special, that would last, and especially, something that would keep on giving. So, I went out and finally picked up a beautiful natural-wood, solid mahogany mandolin made by Morgan Monroe. NO, I don't know how to play it. But then, I didn't know how to play guitar when I picked one up second-hand 25 years ago! Now, some people may argue that I still can't play guitar either, but I get around!

Thank you Dad for your continued generosity, even from beyond the grave. I give you my word that I'll learn this instrument to your honor. I miss you so much, and I pray that you'll be pleased with my choice of memorial.

Here are some pictures of what it looks like!


So, while I don't know how to play YET, I have something to give me hope and motivate me. Again, thank you Dad, and thank you Chris for understanding how important this was to me. I love you both, and especially you Chris. I am most blessed among men! I love you!

A musically unhinged life!

Saturday, February 10, 2007

Coming Soon.... ISRAEL!

Well,

I've finally gotten off my butt and have pulled out all of my pictures from my trip to Israel in 2001. At the time I was an Assistant Pastor on staff with Calvary Chapel Salt Lake City. While I'm no longer affiliated with that particular fellowship, this trip was one of the highlights of my life.

I am starting the process of scanning in my photos from the trip (BIG motivation to ensure that I get CD-ROMS made of all my pictures next time... not just hard copies!), and I'll soon be transcribing my journal entries from my trip, and scanning in the drawings that I made in my journal.

Be patient... it will take me some time to do it... but as I get a page done, and the associated pictures scanned in, I'll post them. So, like the old news paper serials of the day, you'll get to see the trip unfold.

Here's a taste:

The Roman Theater at Biet Shean

At this site, I found many pieces of broken Roman glass. It has an amazing opalescent quality to it. I would never have known to look for it had Pastor Terry not told me to kick through the loose dirt and keep my eyes open. I found some really nice pieces... thanks Pastor T.

More later.

This is truly a life unhinged!