Snowed in over Christmas!

As I write this, snow is falling outside. That has been the case, off and on, for the last 48 hours. Although today for at least ten or so hours we had a break. I don't think that it's supposed to snow much longer, the system is moving on out, as I understand.

Jenny and I came down to Mom and Dad's on Christmas Eve, since they were forecasting a lot of snow and wind, and the blizzard conditions virtually guaranteed that we weren't going to be able to come down on Christmas Day, as we had planned. So we came down in Dad's pickup, with the gifts and our quickly packed suitcase in the back.

Christmas morning dawned in a perfect blizzard. Peter's decided after a quick evaluation that there was no way they could make the trip from Beaver Crossing out to us, and Matt's and Dave's were down in Lincoln since they had to plow snow Saturday morning, and had been afraid to stay home, they didn't think they would be able to get out. They were right, if they had stayed home they still would be there, two days later. We had an unusual Christmas... It's a nice feeling to be inside on Christmas with snow falling outside, it's even okay to be snowed in as long as the family is there. Unfortunately, they weren't and so it felt a little lonely compared to what had been planned. We spent the day playing games and deciding which pies to eat and which to save for Sunday, when we hope the rest of the family can join us.

Saturday morning, Dad, David, and I went out to try to get to town and push snow. We made it about a mile and a half before turning back. The tractor and loader got us through a drift or two, but they weren't very bad drifts (comparatively) and we decided it wasn't worth trying to go further, since it was still blowing snow. David and I went over to Matts (by taking a tractor and shortcutting through the field for a mile or so) and did his chores. They have a really nice eight foot drift over their garden that I know Zerrick will really have fun with. I would guess you'll see pictures of it on Amy's blog soon. We came home and had lunch, and then worked at getting the snow out of the drive. After a while, we decided to try again and see if we could get to any place the snowplow had gone. We got the pickup stuck, dug it out, and decided once again to turn back, when we reached a drift four feet deep, fifteen feet long, and hard as a brick. We heard that the snowplow got stuck on Jenny and I's road, and broke his blade getting out.

Church has been cancelled for tomorrow, as of now no one has managed to even get to the church to try to plow it out. All the county graders are being used strictly to help the power company get to downed lines to fix them. That and other emergencies. We don't know when they'll get to actually trying to clear roads for all of us without emergencies, but they'll do it when they can, I guess.

We planned to leave for Wisconsin today, but that is totally out of the question. Even if we could get to the interstate, it is closed, as are all the major highways. They should be open soon though. We hope to leave Monday, but we don't even know for sure that we'll get out of Mom and Dad's before then. I guess we don't have a lot of choices, so we'll try to enjoy ourselves!

In the back yard here at Dad's is one of the largest drifts I ever remember seeing. David took a shovel and dug into it's side and determined that it's 9' 4 1/2" deep. To see a picture of that, you can click here.

I'll put my slideshow above right to show the Christmas pictures I have, and that should grow as we get more pictures here in Nebraska, and then in Wisconsin.

~GB

I think I'll stick with something substantive

As you all know, it simply doesn't do to not have the best in social networking. So being interested in having the best in social networking I thought that I should check it out. After all, the best in social networking is not anything at which to sneer. Nor should one who wishes to appear up on technology ignore the best in social networking. So after the bandwagon had traversed most of the streets in town and was receding off into the sunset, I hurriedly crawled over the tail gate to explore the glories of the best in social networking.

E'er I go further, may I make something clear? I don't really care if any of you enjoy Facebook. I'm even happy if you find something worthwhile in it. And if you do, please don't take offense at my lack of rapport in its networking capabilities. I don't mean to offend those who use Facebook, if they happen to read my blog, and I hope that they will allow me the courtesy of expressing and holding my own opinions.

Frankly, the best in social networking (if I may jestingly use that description) left me with much to be desired. First, on a technical level I thought the site was poorly designed and it had an annoying habit of telling me that "they're sorry, but what I'm trying to do right now just doesn't work right now, and it probably will later." So I admit to prejudice against it purely on that level. After all, in my opinion the best in social networking should be capable of handling simple web queries.

On a deeper level however, (or perhaps a more shallow one) I wasn't impressed with the content. It seems to work fine for the casual back and forth banter of general friendship, but one always must remember that everything posted will be up for anyone to see.... I don't see the wisdom in that. In contrast, I can carefully monitor who reads my blog if I choose. I can also totally control the content of anyone who posts anything on it. Not so with Facebook.

I guess the chat feature would be something usable, but I just don't need it, having another advanced system by which I chat with my friends. Nor did I need the little message center (which usually wouldn't load correctly), when I have e-mail which handles things much better. So frankly, I couldn't, and can't see the reasons for using the best in social networking. And I came to realize after a short time that the best in social networking, may not actually live up to that name. In fact, if this were an allegory it would receive a much different name from me. Perhaps you Facebook junkies will be tempted to think that I only created an account so that I would have a legitimate excuse for ripping it on my blog. You'd be wrong on that. I actually thought it might be something interesting and/or useful. It didn't work for me on either level.

My status with it right now? I tried to deactivate the account but so far have had a noticeable lack of success. Mainly due to the fact that the site isn't loading correctly.... Hmmm, it's about par for the course. (blame my computer if you like, but it works fine on every other site I visit...)

Well, that's my Facebook experience! I'm sure a good share of you differ with me, but we can disagree and be friends, right?
~GB

Christmas letter frustration

Has anyone had this ever happen? You sit down to write a Christmas letter, tell everyone how you are etc. (you know along the lines of "Junior is graduating at the top of his class, and well, it's almost embarrassing how many compliments we get on our younger childrens beautiful behavior and manners.....") That sort of thing. And you end up with this....

Dear Family and Friends,

Having never written a Christmas letter before, you will all be asked to bear with us as we make this first attempt.

Here’s a brief run-down of our year.

To kick things off, we hurriedly finished wedding plans, which my very organized wife managed to pull off flawlessly.

Following our wedding on Valentines day, we honeymooned on the north shore of lake Superior in Minnesota, at a bed and breakfast.

Then we came home.

Trip to Idaho

Went to Maryland

Then Wisconsin

And Colorado

Just about ready to go to Wisconsin

Then it should be next year.

P.S. Merry Christmas!

.....Maybe I'll keep working on it.

~GB

Hi everybody!
We have had such a beautiful snowstorm, and now I have something inspiring to write about :) We've gotten lots of snow in the last few days, as you can see from the pictures. Last evening, the wind began to blow quite blusteringly and by this morning, we were really, and truly, snowed in. We still are actually :) I am enjoying it very much. This morning we went outside, and while Gabe shoveled snow, I took pictures and admired the drifts that grew during the night. It is still rather blustery and cold outside, and the sun is shining brightly... a beautiful day in Nebraska!
Yesterday Gabe and I braved the elements and made a quick trip to Seward and while we were there got a whole stack of books from the library. So that should help keep us occupied as we enjoy our snowed in state.
Also, I have been enjoying Christmas music and Christmas decorations, and tomorrow we Burkey ladies are going to have our Christmas cookie day...
I hope you all have wonderful day.... I'm planning to!

Thanksgiving in Colorado

Jenny and I got back from our trip on Tuesday morning at about 4:30 am. For those of you who don't know, we took the train to Colorado for Thanksgiving. We went out on Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and stayed through the weekend. We had a very enjoyable time with Hans and Mandy, as well as Richards and Carlins.

Some of our activities included picture taking....

Sightseeing.....
Tractor pulling.....
Clay pigeon shooting.....
And of course, train riding......
We did have a good time, and if you'd like to see more pictures, just go here to go to my picasa, or watch them on my embedded slide show (as soon as I get it changed)! If this gets comments, maybe Jenny will be inspired to post.....

~GB

A lot has happened since I last posted. We've finished harvest, deer season has been going on, it seems like it's been a really busy time. But the biggest change in our lives in the last week or so, has been the passing of F. Dale Hostetler.

F. Dale was the one person that I would have chosen as my second grandpa, and perhaps that's at least partly because he was a first cousin of my grandpa. He died peacefully in his sleep last Friday night. It's hard to put into words just what I'm thinking, but F. Dale was to me a fixture of stability and godliness that will be greatly missed.

F. Dale was one of my dad's landlords as well as a minister in West Fairview, and as such I knew him from a young age. He always raised quality quarter horses, and it was through him and his generosity that we boys were able to have horses of our own. He taught us a lot about them, and I'll always remember that. Many of my favorite memories of F. Dale come from being around horses with him. I remember the time he took me (I'm not sure why it was only me) with him to a horse sale in Grand Island. I must have taken the day off of school, and I think it shows how he took time for others that he bothered to take along a schoolboy who didn't really have much to offer in the long drive out and back. I remember us and others going with Dale to the famed Pitzer ranch sale in Ericson, Ne. I'll never forget F. Dale helping us 'break' Princess. (No one there will forget that time :) I'll always remember the annual "going out to eat with the landlord" at Pizza Kitchen in Milford, going to their house afterward, looking at old pictures of horses, and hearing stories from Dale. I and others from church could always count on F. Dale for good humor, stability, good counsel, and a godly example. His life will continue to be an encouragement to me to faithfulness, and an inspiration to godliness.

I could go on about who F. Dale was, and things I remember, but I don't think I will. To those who knew him, you have your own memories, and to those who didn't I don't want to risk boring you about the life of a man who meant a lot to me. Perhaps this in some small way reflects the feelings of our church at this time:

A place in church is empty
A brother whom we've known,
Has gone to his eternal rest
For he has been called home.

A husband, father, brother
a grandpa and a friend,
Whose days on earth are over
His life work reached its end

But in the lives around us
And in our hearts a place
Where he has been a blessing
Our tears cannot erase.

For he has been a lighthouse
For all of us to see,
Pointing us to Calvary
To life eternally.

And though in grief and sorrow
We know and understand
That Jesus who he served and loved
Will hold us in his hand.

And now we can remember
That empty place once more
Knowing we who love the Lord
Will meet at Heavens' door.


Dedicated to F.D.H.

Still Here....

Hi all, I just wanted to let you know that we are still here and we are still busy even though our revivals ended Sunday night. We had a good time of meetings, many people made new commitments and renewed old commitments. We are blessed once again to have the Spirit of the Lord move among us, instilling in us a new desire to serve him faithfully.

As fall continues here on the plains we are hoping to wind up harvest in the next week or two, assuming the weather cooperates. So, our lives are still busy! Jenny and I look forward to a trip to Colorado to see my cousins over Thanksgiving. Other than that I've no news to tell that I can think of, so I better get off to work!

~GB

Busy times in Nebraska

Here in the "Good life" state of Nebraska, we find ourselves rather busy this week. There are several reasons for that, but the two most important are the fact that we have revival meetings this week, and the weather has cleared up enough for harvest to resume again. Both of these things are very good, and we're quite thankful for them.

As you may have gathered from my past blogs, the weather has been quite unsatisfactory for harvest this season, as it seems to rain about every three days. The damp weather has contributed greatly to the grain not drying down properly in the fields, but with sunny weather predicted this week, we have hopes of that changing quickly. I helped Dad with harvest this afternoon for awhile, the soybeans are dry enough, but at a few places he was going through standing water with the combine. Oh well, at least we're about done with them.

Paul Shirk from Macon, Mississippi is here preaching revival meetings for us. We've had two very good sermons so far, tonights was on the 10'th chapter of Mark, regarding the "one thing" that we can have lacking in our lives, as the rich young ruler. He spoke also about other "one things" in the chapter, such as marital relationships, family relationships, fear of the future, or attitudes such as pride. As a side note, I think he gave the best intellectual argument that I've heard for not calling your children "kids". I shall attempt to paraphrase what he said, as I cannot recall well enough for a perfect quote. "Kids are the offspring of goats. There is coming a time when the Judge of all the earth will separate the sheep from the goats. We want our children to be among the sheep not the goats, therefore let us raise them as sheep, not goats, and not refer to them as "kids"." He said it with a smile, and I don't think I was the only one smiling in return. I don't think that's probably a point on which to base doctrine, but.....

Do you want to see the latest in our remodeling of "George's" bedroom?



We think that we like it, what do you think? ~GB



P.S. For those of you who like to read what Jenny has to say, I might mention that it is an encouragement to post comments......

Friends

Well, lest you all think that Gabe was the only one who noticed that we had a bunch of girls at our house last weekend, I shall say a bit about it myself.
Five of my dear friends from Wisconsin, and Minnesota, all piled in a car and drove down to see me. We had a wonderful weekend... talking , laughing, eating, scrap booking, playing volleyball... oh, and taking pictures :) I feel very privileged that they were all able to make the trip to see me. It was great fun having them here, I assure you!
I thank God that He blessed us with this time together. Our times of slumber(less) and scrap booking parties seem to be nearing an end as each of us heads into the great unknown, so we cherish these friend moments. Thanks again, girls, for coming! Keep Smiling :)
~ Jenny

I made it

Having made it through the past weekend with minimal lasting side effects, I shall attempt to elucidate my thoughts. I should have let you all know that I'm okay before now, but as with all deep emotional and psychological struggles (supposedly), I had to allow some time (for healing, of course) to pass before being able to fully open myself up about the events of the weekend. Plus I had to work other evenings and it's raining now so I don't have good enough reasons to be outside.

It was an emotionally traumatizing time for me, as increasing by five persons (of the opposite gender!) the number of occupants in a house the size of mine made me feel like the only rose in a window box of crabgrass. Rather conspicuous. Maybe that's not the right analogy. I'm not saying they're crabgrass really, I'm just using it as a comparative term. Hmmm, I'm sure if they read this they'll be able to take it in the spirit it's given......

Fortunately, Matt and Amy were gracious enough to allow the girls to stay at their house (except Abbey, who wasn't much trouble). If it weren't for that, we'd have made my rose and crabgrass analogy more applicable. Another thing that helped me to get through the weekend was the fact that I was able to spend Saturday working at Rache and Millie's house.

All joking aside, they really behaved pretty well, and as far as I know didn't break things or cause any problems, so I'd say it was a success. I think Jenny even feels like they would be allowed to come again should they ever desire.

Here's me signing off... ~GB

What's a fellow to do?

I'm about to be invaded. Not by aliens of course. Not quite, anyway. Jenny is going to be visited by five friends in a few short minutes. All female. Well, I guess I don't really have a lot more to say..... That pretty well sums it up.

Oh, it quit raining today! That was a nice thing. We've received exactly 2 1/2" of rain in the last three days, by my record. It's been a little dreary and wet, and with temperatures in the lower forties and upper thirties at night, it makes the fire feel very nice. Harvest has been put on hold... again.

So today the sun started to shine. Well, this afternoon it did. Actually, it had been shining all along. At least we think so. It's just that the visibility was too poor for us to see the ninety three million miles to know for sure that our light source was still the sun. But we suspect it was anyway. This afternoon, however, it broke through the clouds and began scattering sunbeams among the falling leaves and onto the mud puddles. They are beginning to dry, at least in theory. So I took the opportunity to take a few pictures of the leaves, since with the wind we have they won't last long. So here's a picture of our house and the big Silver Maple, and then I'll go find my hole. I should be crawling back out on Monday!

Pulling up Carpets and Painting

Hi, my name is Jenny and this is what I do for fun! I rip out carpets and paint walls!* Here are before and after pictures... the before picture is from soon after we were married, and this room was my "store room". I'm sorry the after picture is so dark, I don't know how to adjust the intricate settings on Gabe's beloved camera.
Last Saturday, I was suddenly struck with a great urge to start painting.I convinced Gabe that it was a good idea and got him to go down the basement with me to see what there happened to be down there for paint. After some mixing of paint, I came up with a light tan color and began to paint. Oh yes, we had to take the wallpaper border down first, but that wasn't too hard really. This room is quite small... 11 1/2 ft by 6 1/2 approximately, with one door and one window to work around. So in a couple hours I had the first coat on. It looked great! On Monday, Amy came over and helped me finish up... I did some sponge painting with a lighter shade too... I'm not sure if you can see that on the picture.

After we were done painting, it looked so good in there that Amy and I had the brainy idea to just go ahead and pull the carpet out while we were at it. We began to claw around at the edges of the carpet, got a good grab, and pulled. We discover that there was another piece of carpeting under that one, that was really a lot prettier than the top layer :) We pulled that out too. As were doing this, we made a lovely discovery. Underneath all the lovely carpet, is a beautiful, oak floor! So Gabe and I don't think we'll be getting a new piece of carpet after all.
I think the "North Bedroom" is my favorite room in the house right now :).... Now.... I wonder what is under the other carpets in my house??

On a side note, fall in Nebraska actually does make at least some nice leaves, and here is one I found on my window!* He just peeked in to say hi to me I guess, so I took his picture.

Until Later....
Jenny Marie Burkey

* PS Gabe gets the credit for a couple of the sentences in this post, since he started it for me. I think that is his way of getting me to post something sometimes :)

This Old House

 In the year 1836, Marcus Whitman and his wife, along with their party, traveled west. They were the trailblazers of a westward route that would become the famed Oregon Trail. Mass migration did not start until the year 1843. By then, the route used differed from the trail the Whitmans took, being shortened by taking a more direct route across Nebraska to Fort Kearny, instead of following the Missouri river north and the looping Platte river west. Seventeen years later, in 1860, a newer route was established that left the Missouri river at Nebraska City. It cut off about 40 miles from the trip to Fort Kearny, and was a nicer trail, as it primarily followed ridgetops, making the best use of the natural terrain. Across these trails cumulatively went nearly half a million people, seeking new homes, new lives, a new beginning. They met with many hardships and are now famous to us, as the pioneers of the west.

Situated about five miles due east of Beaver Crossing, NE, our house sits within about 100 yards of the Nebraska City Cut-Off of the Oregon Trail. If our house would have been in existence at that time, it would have seen wagons and wagon loads of people and goods heading westward. They would go past our house, continue west until they disappeared over the ridge of the Walnut Creek Valley. After crossing Walnut creek they would continue on westward to the town of Beaver Crossing, named for Beaver Creek, at which crossing the original town site stood. (The town is also purported to have derived its name from the abundance of beaver in the area) That crossing is located about six or seven miles west of our house.

Our house has been in existence in some form or degree, almost since the dust of the passing wagons subsided. No one that we know of can tell us when it was built, but all guess that it was toward the end of the nineteenth century. Originally a two room frame house about 22' by 34' it was added on to several times, to provide modern amenities such as indoor plumbing. It entered into my family (as far as I know) when purchased by my Great-Grandpa, John Burkey. The first family story I'm familiar with about our house, is one my Grandpa told me.

The house was in disrepair, an old falling down house in which no one lived. My Great Grandpa doubted anyone ever again would live in it. The year was probably either late 1930's or early 1940's, when they had some grain that was spoiling because it was too wet. My Grandpa was told by his Dad to shovel that grain (I think it was wheat) into the now-living room of our home, and spread it around on the floor so it would dry. It was later shoveled out the same window into which it had come.

Sometime after that, the house was repaired to the point that a portion of it could be lived in. As I understand it, it was at that point that the kitchen was added, and maybe the bathroom too. A basement (cellar, really) was dug under the newer part, the which is now in pretty bad shape and houses too many rodents. Now I will relate as best I can, the chronology of homes in this house from that time on. I can't provide all the dates, but will try to give some idea of the time each spent here.

My Grandparents, newlywed, began housekeeping in this house in 1945, and spent their first year here, before switching houses with my Grandpa's parents, who lived one mile down the road. It was in this house that they lost their first baby, Sherril Jean Burkey, at birth.

My great Grandparents, John and Sarah Burkey, lived out their final days in this house.

My great uncle Willius Burkey and his wife Elaine, lived here for about a year, caring for my great Grandmother until the time of her death.

My own parents, newlywed, started in this house in 1973, and lived here until 1983, the time that I was one.

After my parents, my uncle Richard and his wife Jane lived here with their family for several years.

Following that time, Keith and Julie Schweitzer (my cousin), newlywed, started their home in 1993 in this house, living here at least a couple of years.

After Keiths', the Nelson family lived in this house for a time (maybe a year), as well as another family, the Craigs, who spent one summer I believe.

David and Beth Burkey, my brother and sister-in-law, newlywed, began living here in 1999 and lived here until about two years ago.

Following that, Justin and Abbie Troyer, newlywed, lived in this honeymoon house for the course of one year.

Jenny and I, newlywed, began living here in February of 2009, and we couldn't be more happy. As I look over the list I've just compiled of eleven different families who've lived here in the last 65 years (I know I've probably missed some), seven of which were newlyweds beginning their homes, I wonder just what's to become of this old house. How many more people will have the opportunity to call it home? This house was an old house when my Great Grandparents lived in it. It was thought so old and run down then as to be not worth saving, but look how many families have called it home. Perhaps it's a matter of how long people will work to improve and fix a landmark they don't want to see removed.

This old house of ours has a lot of "old house" issues. The windows leak and are hard to clean, the basement and foundation cause raised eyebrows, the insulation isn't great at all, and the floors slope and wave like a gentle ocean swells..... But as poor as this house is in so many ways, it has an incredibly rich history of happy families, godly homes, and warm friendships.

As Jenny and I begin our home and family here, we're blessed with the wealth of good memories so many hold from this house, the common thread that we share. A link that connects so many or our relatives and friends together, a link we would not have without the rich history of This Old House.

**EDIT** This was originally posted in 2009, and currently we are moving a new house in beside this old house.   We will demolish this house in the spring of 2014.

A Post From The Chef

For the benefit of my Mother in law. The chicken nugget recipe I used the other night was pretty subjective. I took about two chicken breasts and cut them into strips about a half inch square. Then I cracked two eggs into a bowl (although one would have been enough for as little as I did), and added milk. Not sure how much, I just dumped. Then I took a half a cup or so of flour and added the following seasonings. Lawry's seasoning salt, Cajun seasoning, and black pepper. Again, no specific amount, just season to taste. Dip chicken in egg/milk mix, then in the seasoned flour and fry in oil. I know that's not much of a recipe, but that's what we did. ~GB

The Chef

You would think that since I am "newly" married and have no

little children to take care of, that I would be able to always keep my kitchen spotless and have the laundry folded and supper ready by the time Gabe gets home from work. Well, it doesn't always work that way, and this particular evening my dear husband made supper for us.

He made fried potatoes (fresh from our garden by the way... well fresh about two months ago anyway), and chicken nuggets. He asked me how I do the chicken nuggets, and when I told him about the dipping them in egg part, he looked kinda grossed out :) Gabe doesn't like eggs. They turned out very well, I think Gabe has a knack with seasonings. We had a very nice supper... kinda like eating at a restaurant only in a less than presentable kitchen.

So now you all know what a wonderful husband I have and you also know that I do know how to blog.

The Not-Swine-Flu

As the cold, damp weather of the last two weeks or so has dragged on, effectively stopping harvest and setting records such as "coldest first 11 days of October on record for Nebraska", I've come to realize that global warming isn't such a bad thing. Were it not for the fact that global warming peaked in 1998 and cooling has ensued since on a global scale, I would feel a bit more encouraged that this cold snap is merely winter making its dying inroads on our new tropical climate.....

As I was saying, the weather lately has been not only the cause for farmers worrying over corn and beans still standing in the field, but it has also made fertile ground among us for the flu to take root and spread. And it seems to have done so. Through a lack of sleep on my part, and exposure (I suppose, though I know not where) I have managed to find myself with a sore throat, plugged sinuses, and that squeaky bass voice so unnatural to me, my voice typically being a squeaky tenor. I don’t know if it’s the Not-Swine-Flu or not, but whatever the case is, my wife has decided that Vitamin C's are the cure-all.

I think it's due to me making her take her vitamins so regularly (even if I did have to have make a daily reminder pop up on the computer to do it) that she so happily shoves two or three 500mg's of vitamin C down my throat daily. They are the wonderful, chewable "Multiple Fruit Flavors" kind, which make a person quite believe that chalk would be, if not a desirable alternative, at least an acceptable one. I think I'll take the whole bottle of them and try to hide them somewhere, when she's not looking. ~GB


Hi this Jenny.... I thought I should clarify a few things... "two or three" Vitamin C's is somewhat of an exaggeration on my husband's part. I was lucky to get him to eat one yesterday and have yet to shove any down his throat today. Also, I nobly partake in the Vitamin C's as well, even though I also find them rather untasty.
By the way, I do plan to write occasionally as well, I just haven't felt very inspired yet. Maybe I'll be inspired tomorrow, who knows. So far the only inspiring thing I can think of to write about are rats.

My Niece and I

This last week has been mostly dominated (harvest being on hold due to wet weather) as far as Jenny and I are concerned, by the activities surrounding my brother in law and sisters move to a new house. Okay, so moving isn't the activity, but cleaning is. I will try on my newly established blog to only say things that are my business and acceptable to air online, so let us suffice it to say that within another several weeks of cleaning, remodeling, painting, etc, they will likely be ready to move in.

I said the background above to get us to the topic at hand. My niece Rebecca. She was here last night spending time with Jenny, and when I came home from helping David and Rachel (before they did) we occupied ourselves with recording ourselves singing together. Rebecca found it quite hilarious to hear herself and I played back after we had sung and recorded on my computer. She found it enjoyable as well to blow into the mic....... It kept us both awake and happy until Rachel came to pick her up. So, if you like, you may listen in on us singing assuming I can figure out a way to make it available to you. We have "Jesus Loves Me" and "The B-I-B-L-E". You may need to install a plugin to hear the audio, go here to do that.

Why Have a Blog, Anyway?

In answering the question first posed above, my response has always been an emphatic, "good question!". In spite of the previous biases I've held towards bloggers as people with way too much time on their hands, (and keyboards under them) I decided to jump into the mix. Not with any ideas of being a key ingredient in the mix, you understand, but simply that myself and my wife may become persons who have the option of pontificating ponderously and with all sorts of pompous presumption about the various portentous subjects upon which we ponder daily in our little abode on the prairie. I don't know either. And yes, prairie is spelled with that annoying little extra i right after the a. I know that now. But since spelling is such a shortcomig of mine (see?), I didn't find it out until the clever little spell checker told me so. There, see how far we wandered in one mere paragraph? Back to my portentous ramblings......

As a blogger (wow, I feel strangely famous, even if it is an oxymoron), I shall do my best to update at least annually, if not bi-annually. I do hope that's often enough to keep up an ardent following.

My wife, just walking up and commenting that I haven't really said anything yet, brings me to the real reason for this post. Why have a blog? Well, aside from the reason above (and the fact that everyone's doing it and I want to be cool too....), it's mainly an antidote for long winter evenings. What will become of that? I've no idea. We'll just have to wait and see. As for what you can expect to see here, let me just tell you right off the bat that all postings by myself (can't say for my wife) will not likely be either too serious, or too searching. I will likely not post much, and when I do it may very well be about the mundane things that only my wife, myself, and my family will find even remotely interesting.

So, why have a blog?
1. To let folks know what we're up to in our little frame house.
2. To discuss seriously (or not) whatever is on my mind.
3. Something to do on long winter evenings.
4. A way to show my favorite pictures.
5. Hey, every-bodies doin' it!

And thus ends my answer to "why have a blog?"..... I wonder what Jenny will post? Until next time ~GB