I've Been Tagged

This is a supplemental blog post for today, as I was recently tagged in a

by Aurora Morealist, one of the many blogs that I follow on a regular basis. I was very humbled by what she said about me, and why she tagged me. “Because Jeff is always Jeff. No matter what. On days when I’m not sure about anything in the world at all anymore, I am sure Jeff will be there, be Jeff, and I will feel better if I read his words.” That may be the nicest thing anyone has ever said about me.

I am attempting to carry on this honor by participating in said “Blogathon.” The rules (which are not obligatory, by any stretch of the imagination…in other words, please don’t feel obligated to do this if you have been tagged here) are as follows:
1. Each person tagged must post 11 things about themselves.
2. They must also answer the 11 questions the “tagger” has set for them.
3. They must create 11 more questions to ask bloggers they have decided to tag.
4. They must then choose 11 bloggers and tag them in their post.
5. These “lucky” bloggers must then be told.
6. No tag backs.

One of the purposes for this is, of course, to spread the word about some of our favorite blogs in hopes that some who read our blogs will venture out and read some that we enjoy.

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Okay, first things first…11 things about me.
1. First, and foremost, I’m a Christian. I love Jesus. I don’t subscribe to a “creed” as such, nor do I follow the teachings of any particular church or denomination (I happen to attend a church that may or not be Baptist, I’m not quite sure about that). I simply try my best to adhere to the teachings of Christ.
2. I love music. I love playing it. I love listening to it. You can see…I’ve got a red Gibson ES-335 in my avatar picture. I also play keyboard and sing. I played trombone all they way through junior high, high school, college, and seminary.
3. I love to read. I read many different genres, from fantasy/science fiction to mystery to horror to theology and devotional books.
4. I LOVE baseball! My two favorite teams are the Boston Red Sox and the Texas Rangers, in that order. And no, I’ve never lived in Boston. I’ve always lived in Texas. The short version of the story is that, in the mid 1960s, when I was learning to love baseball, we didn’t have any Texas Rangers yet. Car Yaztremski was working on the Triple Crown he won in 1967 (he remained the last Triple Crown winner until this year, when Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers finally won one), and the Impossible Dream Team Boston Red Sox were tearing it up. Yaz became my hero and the Red Sox became my team, and thus it has remained ever since. The Texas Rangers came to Arlington in 1972, and I dutifully support them. Except when they play the Red Sox. I swear that was the short version.
5. I’ve been on a healthier journey in 2012, successfully losing 80 pounds thus far since January. Together, the three of us who live in this house have lost over 200 pounds this year!
6. I have an estimated 500 vinyl lps. I still thing vinyl sounds better than digital.
7. My favorite car that I ever had was a 1973 Buick LeSabre. It was a tank. A “land yacht.”
8. My favorite movie is still “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.” It was very nearly unseated this year by “The Avengers.” Also in my top five are “V for Vendetta,” “Serenity,” and “Jurassic Park” (the first one).
9. We have two daughters. One is married and working on a master’s/doctorate in psychology at UNT in Denton. The other is high-functioning autistic and lives at home. She did graduate high school this year, and there was much celebration.
10. I love my wife more than Ron Swanson loves bacon. We have been married 27 years, as of October 12.
11. Our favorite place in the world to go is Paluxy River Bed Cabins, in Glen Rose, Texas.

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Now, for part two. I will answer the questions set by Aurora Morealist for those whom she tagged.

1. All right, so you’re on a cloud up in the sky. What do you see?—I see people getting ruder and ruder as time goes by. I see politics destroying our culture as people bicker and spew hatred toward the “other side,” no matter what else might be going on around them. On the other hand, I do see people who care about each other and go out of their way to help others. So all is not lost.
2. What is that one thing that triggers your admiration for someone? “Realness.” Authenticity. When I see someone who “walks the talk,” even if I don’t agree with their talk, I admire them. But the one thing that makes me admire someone more than anything else is when I see the Spirit of Jesus living through them, completely unhindered by selfishness and pride. Needless to say, I’ve only met a handful of people that fit that description.
3. What is the purpose of your blog? The purpose of my blog is primarily to declare the incomparable grace of God in our lives, and to emphasize the importance of prayer. I will admit that I do also seek to entertain, as a secondary purpose. I enjoy putting out bits of history and humor at the beginning, before I get into the deeper things of devotion to God.
4. What is your dream job? Haha! Being a professional baseball player or a professional musician. Either one. I would love to be the principal trombonist for the Boston Pops Orchestra! I always wanted to be a rock star, too. Hence the red guitar in my avatar picture.
5. What is the song that you just can’t stop listening to at the moment? I’m always listening to music, but the song that I seem to keep returning to, here lately, is “Supernova” by The Echoing Green.

Another one is “Destroy Everything You Touch,” by Ladytron.

6. How would you spend your very last day on Earth? Wow. That’s a tough one. If I knew it was my last day? I would start out by trying to make right any relationships that were somehow messed up by any fault of mine. I would find people who are close to me that haven’t managed to get right with God yet, and encourage them to find peace with God. What time is left, I would spend with my closest loved ones. Or maybe I would throw a big party with my church family at my house…it should be a celebration because I’d be going Home.
7. It’s my birthday. What gift do you send to me? Hmmm…I would find a book of poems that celebrate your worth as a person and that expresses what a kind soul you are.
8. What are you most afraid of? That something would happen to my wife and me and our autistic daughter would get lost in the world. That and being first in the traffic line when the train derails.
9. Computer/laptop or smartphone? Um…all of the above? Depends on the function. There are many things that I would much rather do on a computer or laptop than my iPhone. Anything that involves typing, for example. Or watching videos. Seriously…who wants to watch videos/movies on a two inch screen??
10. Tell me what you eat for breakfast. Usually, either a snack bar of some kind, Fiber One or Nature Valley, a junior burrito from Sonic, or a Sausage McMuffin with no egg Mickey D’s. Sometimes, if I have time, I’ll stop at Subway and get one of their breakfast muffins. Yum!
11. And finally, give me a nickname! I had to put some thought into this, as I only know you from reading your blog. Canadian Happy Love Flower. Too cheesy?

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Now, here are my eleven bloggers that I’m tagging.

1. Summer Setting A wonderful blog with some beautiful photos, chronicling the travels of this family. I’ve seen stunning images from around the world. For added bonus, most entries close with a Bible verse.
2. Resting In His Grace Sometimes it’s deep theology, and sometimes it’s light humor. But it’s always worth reading. Occasionally, his love for the St. Louis Cardinals comes out. I keep reading anyway.
3. Irish Music, Oceans, and God’s Love Beautiful pictures (I seem to follow quite a few photography blogs), thoughts of Ireland (I wish I lived there), and, well, the other things mentioned in the title. She ends every entry with the word, “Slainte,” which I had to look up. Best I can figure, it’s a wish for health.
4. Revelations in Writing Shannon Elizabeth Moreno writes a daily devotion that is definitely worth reading. Never more than a couple or three paragraphs and always ending with a prayer, I find these entries to be refreshing and inspiring.
5. It’s not really about me… Judi paints during the worship services at her church. Each entry features one of her pieces, along with some scripture and short commentary.
6. Deb’s Blog Every day, Debbie features a scripture verse and a simple poem. Very inspirational and moving.
7. The Laughing Housewife I love this blog. Every day there is a joke, and then there will be a story from her own personal life that is sometimes funny, sometimes touching. Always entertaining, though.
8. Adrian’s Photo Blog “An Inspired Photographer Capturing Earth’s Beauty.” Adrian is a young photographer with Spina Bifida. His work is truly amazing. Please check it out.
9. Living in Graceland No, not Elvis’s house. Here we have a wonderful blog by someone who serves with her husband in the “recovery community.” They minister in “residential rehabilitation program to men who have lost their way in life.” Beautiful stories, always accompanied by beautiful photos.
10. Two Minutes of Grace I have really grown to appreciate Debbie’s brief devotional entries. What a blessed soul!
11. Grace Partakers Another blog with brief devotionals by Carley Evans, who has also written a couple of books, Metal Man Walking, and Annie’s Dream. I’ve read Metal Man Walking and really enjoyed it. I need to order my copy of the second one.

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Oh, dear…I’ve gotten the order wrong. Oh, well. Here are the questions that I would like these eleven bloggers to answer, should they choose to participate. I will in no way be offended or disappointed should they choose not to. Flying monkeys from The Wizard of Oz will, however swoop down on them when they least expect it.

Just kidding.

1. What inspired you to begin blogging?
2. What one thing do you wish you could change about the world?
3. How would you spend your last day on earth?
4. What is the most beautiful thing you have ever seen?
5. What is the thing that you admire most in people?
6. What is the purpose of your blog?
7. What do you like about you?
8. What genre do you most like to read?
9. Who is your favorite author?
10. What is your favorite book?
11. A genie has just popped out of a lamp that you rubbed. He has granted you three wishes. What do you wish for?

A few of these I took from the questions that were left for me.

Okay, have fun!!

Grace and peace, friends.

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