I know I said I wasn’t going to post much this due to WifeGeeding’s surgery, but I came across a Walter Cronkite interview that I wanted to share, and figured I might as well put together some other randomness.
WifeGeeding’s surgery has been moved back from early morning to mid-morning, which really ticks her off. See, she really prefers to eat as soon as she gets up, and because of the surgery, she can’t have any food or water after midnight. At this time, she’s already dreading that part, but isn’t really scared or worried about the surgery. We’ll see how she acts in the morning.
WifeGeeding had a nice birthday on Friday, but most of my plans for her didn’t really work out.
First of all, she discovered her present the day before as I was working on it. I got her tickets to see the Mary Poppins musical when they come to Dallas this September. I thought I would print out an advertisement for the play, cut it into a puzzle, and have her put it together when we eat. But I got busted when I was printing it, at a time that she never ever is near me.
The other thing that didn’t work out was her cake. On Monday I ordered a cake from a nice bakery and cafe called Magnolia. I specifically told them I needed a white cake with chocolate icing. When I picked it up on Friday, it was the opposite. They checked the ticket and it turns out the decorator goofed, and has also went home for the day. They apologized and offered the messed-up cake free of charge, which was nice, but a bit weak if you ask me. I mean, what else were they going to do with a cake that said “Happy Birthday WifeGeeding!.”? They were going to throw it out anyways. Maybe my expectations were a bit high, but I would have expected at least some sort of gift card for my next visit. Now, I just don’t plan on going for a cake anymore.
Dinner was at WifeGeeding’s favorite restaurant, III Forks. While eating there, a family with two kids, two very loud little kids were seated next to us. And shockingly, an adult in the group was wearing shorts to such a nice establishment. But I guess in the economy, they aren’t going to turn anyone away.
Now I’m not opposed to families bringing their kids to eat out, but III Forks isn’t really the kind of place for little kiddos, and since it was a special occasion, I asked our waiter to move us to another table. I felt kind of bad about doing that at first, but this family was so disruptive, that later that evening we saw two other couples asked to be moved as well. And as the evening went on, the adults really started to appreciate the alcohol, and they even got pretty rambunctious.
Someone in our house killed a copperhead this Sunday.
WifeGeeding has a friend that is in the new “$2.99, are you out of your mind?” Subway commercial.
Overall Carter didn’t have a good presidency, but his Energy Crises Speech certainly speaks to us today.
While in Barnes and Noble on Saturday I was at the magazine rack reading an article about U2 while wearing a University of Texas shirt when a frail old lady tapped me on the shoulder and asked if I played for the team. I laughed, said no, that I didn’t attend the university, but always wish that i did. She then smiled, took a few steps back, and did the Florida Gator arm chomp thing. I laughed, told her how neat it would have been if Texas would have got to play Florida in the BCS Championship game, and complimented her on Tim Tebow. She then just started talking up Tebow. It was a little weird, but cute.
I always thought the Florida Gator Chomp was a pretty cool thing. Easy to learn, very identifiable to the university and pays homage to the area, and looks cool when a whole crowd does it.
The over-zealous college football fan does annoy the crud out of me, but the this little old lady just looked lonely and probably just needed someone to talk to.
I use to attend Irving Bible Church and was a very proud of the church, especially its pastor. I’m still on the church distribution email list, and recently received an email from the pastor where he told his congregation he has colon cancer. He did it in a most poignant way, feel free to read his words here (bottom half of the page), and if you are the praying kind, lift up a few prayers for him and his family.
From my new church, when I sit in the worship center and look out the window, I can see Irving Bible. The very first thing our pastor did today was speak and pray for Pastor Andy, his family, and the church. It’s nice to know that church neighbors can get along. And I can’t tell you how proud I was of my pastor at that moment.
Yesterday’s sermon was over temptation in the 21st century. In the sermon, my pastor told two stories that reminded me of the back and forth I had last week with some of my pastoral readers. Remember, I did a poor job of communicating what I meant, and I think if we were all in a room talking, we all would agree on about 95% of things on the topic.
In one of his stories, he mentioned how he was a pastor of a small church in a small Indiana town. He needed to buy a new car, and it turns out someone in his congregation was in charge of an estate sale, and could arrange things where he could afford a Porsche that was part of the estate sale. He mentioned how very tempting that was, but was mindful of the perception that could bring.
He also mentioned how he use to work for Dow Chemical, and later felt the call to go into ministry, knowing how he was going to be sacrificing a career and a more than decent salary, that he knew the calling meant a change a lifestyle. He and his wife sold the house and everything else, and he became a seminary student, scraping by from time to time as years gone by, but also knowing God was the great provider. Years later, it was time for his kids to attend college, and while walking out of the financial aid office how frustrated he felt at God about the stress of not being able to provide for his children’s education. But he pulled himself together, and God did provide, just in a different way.
I didn’t tell that story as nice as he did.
And I wish I could tell you how bothered I was by the comments last week. Most really weren’t harsh, but I just wish I could communicate better and don’t like the idea of making people upset.
He also mentioned that while in Indiana, he and his wife had all the sweet corn they could eat.
I’m proud to have Walter as my middle name. There are great men who had that name, such as Walt Disney, Walter Cronkite, and my father.
I can not recall seeing a newscast of Cronkite behind a news desk, I’m just too young. But I do remember when CNN hired him for one day to cover John Glenn’s return to space – that was pretty cool.
UT has a way for making people drop out and becoming pretty darn successful. See Michael Dell and Walter Cronkite. That’s right, both never completed getting a degree, but I’m sure some sort of exception or honorary one was made.
CBS Sunday Morning always starts out with a nifty trumpet introduction, but this week is was short and somber in recognition of Cronkite’s passing. It was actually pretty touching, and CBS Sunday Morning did a much better job than what CBS put on later that evening in place of 60 Minutes to honor Cronkite.
In that lack of a special, you can tell that the majority of it was made years ago, as people looked younger had different hair styles. Now I know news organizations always have things like these put together for people they know that are going to pass somewhat soon, like Billy Graham and the senior President Bush, but this one just looked sloppy. For instance, they had old footage of Dan Rather complimenting Rather. Over the weekend, I haven’t heard one thing from the man.
But I do like it when news anchors from competing stations get together and recognize a great one.
Before Cronkite, the evening news was only 15 minutes, I had no idea.
It’s amazing what that man did without a teleprompter.
All of his papers are housed at the University of Texas, and a representative displayed some of his notebooks from the field. His notes were extremely organized and well written. Go figure.
What an honorable title . . . Most Trusted Man in America. Man, that’s just one heck of a compliment.
I was taken aback from an interview that Cronkite did on Letterman. It was just a few days after 9/11, and right before President Bush addressed Congress and the American people. It’s a bit weird watching it now, knowing what all transpired after that speech. Cronkite shows his wisdom, and even though he didn’t make predictions, a lot of what he says actually proves true. It’s almost a bit eerie. It’s below if you want to watch it. But for now, its time for me to take care of my wife.
I was curious about last weeks comments. So I went back and read them. Keith, you should feel good that you (a) sparked such a meaningful conversation and (b) your blog attracts intelligent readers who provided subsantive comments and discussion..
I was also curious about last week's "rant" and had to go and read it. I completely understand, and agree with your position. I have a sister and brother-in-law in the ministry, so I have an insider's view. I believe they should be compensated fairly – my brother-in-law just got his doctorate and I think his pay should be increased; however, just because he has a doctorate doesn't mean he'll be able to make the kind of money my doctorate can earn me in the secular world. There is necessarily a kind of "double-standard" involved. People entering the ministry should recognize it and be willing to live with it. If money is a priority, then being a preacher isn't the best idea.
Your doing a great job taking care of wifegeeding.
Will keep you and the Wife in my Prayers for her surgery
I was curious about last weeks comments. So I went back and read them. Keith, you should feel good that you (a) sparked such a meaningful conversation and (b) your blog attracts intelligent readers who provided subsantive comments and discussion..
You and wifegeeding will be in my prayers..
Gracie –
Thank you so very much for your comments, it made my day.
WifeGeeding is nauseated, but recovering well.
My prayers and thoughts go out to Wifegeeding.
Godspeed.
I was also curious about last week's "rant" and had to go and read it. I completely understand, and agree with your position. I have a sister and brother-in-law in the ministry, so I have an insider's view. I believe they should be compensated fairly – my brother-in-law just got his doctorate and I think his pay should be increased; however, just because he has a doctorate doesn't mean he'll be able to make the kind of money my doctorate can earn me in the secular world. There is necessarily a kind of "double-standard" involved. People entering the ministry should recognize it and be willing to live with it. If money is a priority, then being a preacher isn't the best idea.
Your doing a great job taking care of wifegeeding.