Archives for January 2008

I’ve never been to a casino before. Yet another thing I have never done. Shocking. I know. So this experience was pretty high on my list of things I wanted to do on our trip to California. We convinced Grandma Shirley and Grandpa Chuck to accompany us. Let me first state this unequivically…if you find a group of people that you can sit with, in a crowded casino bar, and pass an hour nursing overpriced drinks while having a lengthy conversation about organic agriculture and enjoying yourself immenseley…you need to stick with this group.

Grandpa Chuck had overheard me bragging about my prowess at cellphone blackjack and was determined to get me to a table so I could put my money where my big mouth was. After watching the gentleman in front of us lose 10 grand in about 30 seconds, I decided that, perhaps, the tables were not for me. We found a couple of quasi-poker machines and Grandma Shirley and I proceeded to soak the casino for 7 and 2 dollars, respectively. We cashed out and headed home to eat many, many delicious meatballs. And that, my friends, was a damn good day.

Ok…it wasn’t bad at all. Once we were in the air after takeoff, Kevin asked me how I was doing and I began to laugh hysterically. I said “I feel ok but it’s hard to get past the fact that I am hurtling through the sky in an aluminum tube.” What struck me most about air travel, in general, is the complete lack of glamour. I had always thought of air fare as an expensive proposition reserved for businessmen, wealthy people and those in emergency type “money is no object” situations. I guess that may have been true, at one time, but basically the full spectrum of economic and social class is now fully represented. And they were all sitting very close to me.

I went upstairs this morning to wake the girls for church and found this:

And naturally, I ran back down the steps to get my camera.

The best part was the quizzical look on Katie’s face after she woke up to find her back covered in drool.

“And then I was addicted, baby. I was addicted to saying things and having them matter to someone.”

This is the kind of movie quote that either bypasses you completely or leaves you sobbing in expression of complete joy.

Thank you Jesus.

Amen.