January 1 - Genesis 1:1-2:25, Matthew 1:1-2:12, Psalm 1:1-6, Proverbs 1:1-6
January 2 - Genesis 3:1-4:26, Matthew 2:13-3:6, Psalm 2:1-12, Proverbs 1:7-9
January 3 - Genesis 5:1-7:24, Matthew 3:7-4:11, Psalm 3:1-8, Proverbs 1:10-19
January 4 - Genesis 8:1-10:32, Matthew 4:12-25, Psalm 4:1-8, Proverbs 1-20-23
January 5 - Genesis 11:1-13:4, Matthew 5:1-26, Psalm 5:1-12, Proverbs 1:24-28
January 6 - Genesis 13:5-15:21, Matthew 5:27-48, Psalm 6:1-10, Proverbs 1:29-33
January 7 - Genesis 16:1-18:15, Matthew 6:1-24, Psalm 7:1-17, Proverbs 2:1-5
January 8 - Genesis 18:16-19:38, Matthew 6:25-7:14, Psalm 8:1-9, Proverbs 2:6-15
January 9 - Genesis 20:1-22:24, Matthew 7:15-29, Psalm 9:1-12, Proverbs 2:16-22
January 10 - Genesis 23:1-24:51, Matthew 8:1-17, Psalm 9:13-20, Proverbs 3:1-6
January 11 - Genesis 24:52-26:16, Matthew 8:18-34, Psalm 10:1-15, Proverbs 3:7-8
January 12 - Genesis 26:17-27:46, Matthew 9:1-17, Psalm 10:16-18, Proverbs 3:9-10
January 13 - Genesis 28:1-29:35, Matthew 9:18-38, Psalm 11:1-7, Proverbs 3:11-12
January 14 - Genesis 30:1-31:16, Matthew 10:1-23, Psalm 12:1-8, Proverbs 3:13-15
January 15 - Genesis 31:17-32:12, Matthew 10:24-11:6, Psalm 13:1-6, Proverbs 3:16-18
January 16 - Genesis 32:13-34:31, Matthew 11:7-30, Psalm 14:1-7, Proverbs 3:19-20
January 17 - Genesis 35:1-36:43, Matthew 12:1-21, Psalm 15:1-5, Proverbs 3:21-26
January 18 - Genesis 37:1-38:30, Matthew 12:22-45, Psalm 16:1-11, Proverbs 3:27-32
January 19 - Genesis 39:1-41:16, Matthew 12:46-13:23, Psalm 17:1-15, Proverbs 3:33-35
January 20 - Genesis 41:17-42:17, Matthew 13:24-46, Psalm 18:1-15, Proverbs 4:1-6
January 21 - Genesis 42:18-43:34, Matthew 13:47-14:12, Psalm 18:16-36, Proverbs 4:7-10
January 22 - Genesis 44:1-25:28, Matthew 14:13-36, Psalm 18:37-50, Proverbs 4:11-13
January 23 - Genesis 46:1-47:31, Matthew 15:1-28, Psalm 19:1-14, Proverbs 4:14-19
January 24 - Genesis 48:1-49:33, Matthew 15:29-16:12, Psalm 20:1-9, Proverbs 4:20-2
January 25 - Genesis 50:1-26, Exodus 1:1-2:10, Matthew 16:13-17:9, Psalm 21:1-13, Proverbs 5:1-6
Thursday, January 25, 2018
Sunday, January 21, 2018
Expect A Miracle; January 21, 2018
My daughter got me a new devotional for Christmas, but I hadn't taken the time to pick it up and get into it.
However, the authors, Scott Whitaker and Nathan Whitaker, positioned on the outside cover that it was "Do-able. Every One Year book is designed for people who live busy, active lives. Just pick one up and start on today's date."
So the devotional of "Impact For Living: Men's Devotional" for January 21 is "Expect A Miracle".
It asked "How was last week for you? Anything special happen in your family? Amy miracles? Did you even notice? Or in the midst of your busyness, would you have even had a chance to notice any?"
I would say, at times, that even life is a miracle, especially given our opportunities to really attempt to mess up what God has planned for our lives.
For example, I'm always so thankful for safe travels.
I drove 806 miles during the work week: Monday evening to early Friday morning when I returned my rental car to Houston Intercontinental Airport.
To be safe that entire time is something we sometimes just take for granted. Actually, I think when we drive we make more decisions as we do that than any other time during the day.
Think about it. We look left, we look right before we go through the intersection. We're judging the speed of the cars coming to a stop at the left of us, exercising faith that they're going to stop.
We see the car coming up behind us and ask God that the driver that is approaching at a fast rate of speed stops in time and doesn't hit us.
Just that entire process that we do over and over is a miracle to me.
Even not having something happen when we get frustrated with a driver around us, such as road rage, which is one of my greatest sins and challenges.
Speaking of sin, one of the most profound things that stuck out to me from attending church this morning was being reminded of "getting back in the game" after asking God for forgiveness and reconciling with him.
Where I attended church this morning is starting a study through the book of Acts.
It was the second week that they were in this Series and they were focusing on verses 12 through 26.
It was after Jesus had ascended to Heaven to be with His heavenly father and the disciples were meeting to select another to join their ranks.
And it was Peter, who denied Christ three times, who was preaching to them and leading them.
It was an encouragement to me that God doesn't want to ever give up on us as a believer and a follower of Him.
When we sin, He wants us to come to Him, seek forgiveness and be reconciled.
I've ever learned recently that I'm thankful that God has chosen to punish me for my sin because it proves to me that He still loves me and has something planned for me, if I'm willing to give it all back over to Him.
So I'm thankful that I made a commitment to get up and be in church this morning.
I received a blessing - and encouragement - from the message.
My prayer is that it I continue to believe each and every day going forward as best I can - and seek His help along the way.
That's the miracle I'm expecting to see in the days and week to come.
However, the authors, Scott Whitaker and Nathan Whitaker, positioned on the outside cover that it was "Do-able. Every One Year book is designed for people who live busy, active lives. Just pick one up and start on today's date."
So the devotional of "Impact For Living: Men's Devotional" for January 21 is "Expect A Miracle".
It asked "How was last week for you? Anything special happen in your family? Amy miracles? Did you even notice? Or in the midst of your busyness, would you have even had a chance to notice any?"
I would say, at times, that even life is a miracle, especially given our opportunities to really attempt to mess up what God has planned for our lives.
For example, I'm always so thankful for safe travels.
I drove 806 miles during the work week: Monday evening to early Friday morning when I returned my rental car to Houston Intercontinental Airport.
To be safe that entire time is something we sometimes just take for granted. Actually, I think when we drive we make more decisions as we do that than any other time during the day.
Think about it. We look left, we look right before we go through the intersection. We're judging the speed of the cars coming to a stop at the left of us, exercising faith that they're going to stop.
We see the car coming up behind us and ask God that the driver that is approaching at a fast rate of speed stops in time and doesn't hit us.
Just that entire process that we do over and over is a miracle to me.
Even not having something happen when we get frustrated with a driver around us, such as road rage, which is one of my greatest sins and challenges.
Speaking of sin, one of the most profound things that stuck out to me from attending church this morning was being reminded of "getting back in the game" after asking God for forgiveness and reconciling with him.
Where I attended church this morning is starting a study through the book of Acts.
It was the second week that they were in this Series and they were focusing on verses 12 through 26.
It was after Jesus had ascended to Heaven to be with His heavenly father and the disciples were meeting to select another to join their ranks.
And it was Peter, who denied Christ three times, who was preaching to them and leading them.
It was an encouragement to me that God doesn't want to ever give up on us as a believer and a follower of Him.
When we sin, He wants us to come to Him, seek forgiveness and be reconciled.
I've ever learned recently that I'm thankful that God has chosen to punish me for my sin because it proves to me that He still loves me and has something planned for me, if I'm willing to give it all back over to Him.
So I'm thankful that I made a commitment to get up and be in church this morning.
I received a blessing - and encouragement - from the message.
My prayer is that it I continue to believe each and every day going forward as best I can - and seek His help along the way.
That's the miracle I'm expecting to see in the days and week to come.
Churches Attended and Visited in 2017
Worship Services
January 1 -- Absent (Working the Texas Marathon, Kingwood)
January 8 -- Attended North Park Baptist Church, Humble, TX (Jerry Thorpe)
January 15 -- Absent (Covering the Chevron Houston Marathon)
January 22 -- Visited First Baptist Church Waco, Waco, TX (Mark Snowden)
January 29 -- Absent (Ran the USA Fit Half Marathon in Sugar Land)
February 5 -- Visited Blue Ridge Community Church, Forest, VA (Woody Torrence)
February 12 -- Absent (Announced the Galveston Marathon)
February 19 -- Visited North Fort Worth Baptist Church, Fort Worth, TX (Dr. Stephen Lowrie)
February 26 -- Visited University Heights Baptist Church, Huntsville, TX (Richard Rogers)
March 5 -- Absent
March 12 -- Absent
March 19 -- Absent (Announced the Seabrook Lucky Trails Marathon)
March 26 -- Absent (Ran the Lookin' Good Shamrock Strut 10K)
April 2 -- Absent
April 9 -- Absent (Ran the Ponchatoula Jaycees Strawberry Strut 10K)
April 16 -- Absent
April 23 -- Absent (Worn out from announcing at Ironman Texas aid station on April 22)
April 30 -- Absent (Attended Texas 10 Sienna, Missouri City)
May 7 -- Absent (Worn out from announcing CB&I Triathlon on May 6)
May 14 -- Absent (Traveling to visit Gom)
May 21 -- Attended North Park Baptist Church, Humble, TX
May 28 -- Absent (Ran the Rogue Trail Series - Reveille Peak Ranch 10K in Burnet)
June 4 -- Absent
June 11 -- Absent (Announcing Sylvan Beach Triathlon)
June 18 -- Attended North Park Baptist Church, Humble, TX (Kirk Godkin)
June 25 -- Visited Catalyst Church, Altoona, PA (Mike Blackie)
July 2 -- Visited Church Project, The Woodlands, TX (Trace Howard)
July 9 -- Absent (Ran Burn Your Half Off Half Marathon, Chattanooga, TN)
July 16 -- Absent
July 23 -- Absent
July 30 -- Visited First Baptist Church of Texarkana, Texarkana, TX (Jeff Schreve)
August 6 -- Absent
August 13 -- Absent
August 20 -- Absent
August 27 -- Absent (Hurricane Harvey)
September 3 - Visited Greater Waco Baptist Church, Waco, TX (Gerald McKelroy)
September 10 - Absent (Ran 10K in Austin, Texas)
September 17 - Absent (Returning from Bismarck, North Dakota)
September 24 - Absent (Returning from Lynchburg, Virginia)
October 1 - Absent
October 8 - Absent (Announced Space City 10-Miler at UH-Clear Lake)
October 15 - Visited Church Project, The Woodlands, TX
October 22 - Absent
October 29 - Absent (Announced Houston Half Marathon)
November 5 - Absent (DNF'd Bowling Green Marathon)
November 12 - Absent
November 19 - Absent (Ran La Porte By The Bay Half Marathon)
November 26 - Absent (Ran HMSA Classical 25K)
December 3 - Absent (Supported Run Girl 13.1)
December 10 - Visited Church Project, The Woodlands, TX (Jason Shepperd)
December 17 - Absent (Ran Santa Hustle Half Marathon)
Church Services Listened To
1/15/17 (2/9/17) - "Purpose Over Popularity", North Park Baptist Church, Humble, TX (Kirk Godkin)
1/22/17 (2/9/17) - "Surrender Over Control", North Park Baptist Church, Humble, TX (Sandy Beard)
8/13/17 (8/22/17) - "Church 101: Purpose - Why Do We Exist?", Southview Baptist Church, Lincoln, NE (Aaron Householder)
January 1 -- Absent (Working the Texas Marathon, Kingwood)
January 8 -- Attended North Park Baptist Church, Humble, TX (Jerry Thorpe)
January 15 -- Absent (Covering the Chevron Houston Marathon)
January 22 -- Visited First Baptist Church Waco, Waco, TX (Mark Snowden)
January 29 -- Absent (Ran the USA Fit Half Marathon in Sugar Land)
February 5 -- Visited Blue Ridge Community Church, Forest, VA (Woody Torrence)
February 12 -- Absent (Announced the Galveston Marathon)
February 19 -- Visited North Fort Worth Baptist Church, Fort Worth, TX (Dr. Stephen Lowrie)
February 26 -- Visited University Heights Baptist Church, Huntsville, TX (Richard Rogers)
March 5 -- Absent
March 12 -- Absent
March 19 -- Absent (Announced the Seabrook Lucky Trails Marathon)
March 26 -- Absent (Ran the Lookin' Good Shamrock Strut 10K)
April 2 -- Absent
April 9 -- Absent (Ran the Ponchatoula Jaycees Strawberry Strut 10K)
April 16 -- Absent
April 23 -- Absent (Worn out from announcing at Ironman Texas aid station on April 22)
April 30 -- Absent (Attended Texas 10 Sienna, Missouri City)
May 7 -- Absent (Worn out from announcing CB&I Triathlon on May 6)
May 14 -- Absent (Traveling to visit Gom)
May 21 -- Attended North Park Baptist Church, Humble, TX
May 28 -- Absent (Ran the Rogue Trail Series - Reveille Peak Ranch 10K in Burnet)
June 4 -- Absent
June 11 -- Absent (Announcing Sylvan Beach Triathlon)
June 18 -- Attended North Park Baptist Church, Humble, TX (Kirk Godkin)
June 25 -- Visited Catalyst Church, Altoona, PA (Mike Blackie)
July 2 -- Visited Church Project, The Woodlands, TX (Trace Howard)
July 9 -- Absent (Ran Burn Your Half Off Half Marathon, Chattanooga, TN)
July 16 -- Absent
July 23 -- Absent
July 30 -- Visited First Baptist Church of Texarkana, Texarkana, TX (Jeff Schreve)
August 6 -- Absent
August 13 -- Absent
August 20 -- Absent
August 27 -- Absent (Hurricane Harvey)
September 3 - Visited Greater Waco Baptist Church, Waco, TX (Gerald McKelroy)
September 10 - Absent (Ran 10K in Austin, Texas)
September 17 - Absent (Returning from Bismarck, North Dakota)
September 24 - Absent (Returning from Lynchburg, Virginia)
October 1 - Absent
October 8 - Absent (Announced Space City 10-Miler at UH-Clear Lake)
October 15 - Visited Church Project, The Woodlands, TX
October 22 - Absent
October 29 - Absent (Announced Houston Half Marathon)
November 5 - Absent (DNF'd Bowling Green Marathon)
November 12 - Absent
November 19 - Absent (Ran La Porte By The Bay Half Marathon)
November 26 - Absent (Ran HMSA Classical 25K)
December 3 - Absent (Supported Run Girl 13.1)
December 10 - Visited Church Project, The Woodlands, TX (Jason Shepperd)
December 17 - Absent (Ran Santa Hustle Half Marathon)
December 24 - Visited Church Project, The Woodlands, TX (Jason Shepperd)
December 31 - Visited Church Project, The Woodlands, TX (Jason Shepperd)
December 31 - Visited Church Project, The Woodlands, TX (Jason Shepperd)
Church Services Listened To
1/15/17 (2/9/17) - "Purpose Over Popularity", North Park Baptist Church, Humble, TX (Kirk Godkin)
1/22/17 (2/9/17) - "Surrender Over Control", North Park Baptist Church, Humble, TX (Sandy Beard)
8/13/17 (8/22/17) - "Church 101: Purpose - Why Do We Exist?", Southview Baptist Church, Lincoln, NE (Aaron Householder)
Sunday, December 31, 2017
Books Read in 2017
"Woodlawn: One Hope, One Dream, One Way" by Todd Gerelds, Mark Schlabach
"Finding My Road" by Ino Cantu, Thomas Woltz
"And The Walls Came Tumbling Down" by Frank Fitzpatrick
"Behind The Wall To The Boston Marathon 2016" by Bill O'Shields
"Unsportsmanlike Conduct: College Football and the Politics of Rape" by Jessica Luther
"Living Out Loud: Sports, Cancer, and the Things Worth Fighting For" by Craig Sager with Craig Sager II and Brian Curtis
"The Baseball Whisperer: A Small-Town Coach Who Shaped Big League Dreams" by Michael Tackett
"Son of Bum: Lessons My Dad Taught Me About Football and Life" by Wade Phillips with Vic Carucci
"The Plot To Scapegoat Russia: How The CIA and the Deep State Have Conspired to Villify Russia" by Dan Kovalik
"Crisis Of Character" by Gary J. Byrne
"Big Data Baseball" by Travis Sawchik
"Coach Wooden And Me: Our 50-Year Friendship On and Off The Court" by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
"Mighty, Mighty Matadors: Estacado High School, Integration, and a Championship Season" by Al Pickett
"Finding My Road" by Ino Cantu, Thomas Woltz
"And The Walls Came Tumbling Down" by Frank Fitzpatrick
"Behind The Wall To The Boston Marathon 2016" by Bill O'Shields
"Unsportsmanlike Conduct: College Football and the Politics of Rape" by Jessica Luther
"Living Out Loud: Sports, Cancer, and the Things Worth Fighting For" by Craig Sager with Craig Sager II and Brian Curtis
"The Baseball Whisperer: A Small-Town Coach Who Shaped Big League Dreams" by Michael Tackett
"Son of Bum: Lessons My Dad Taught Me About Football and Life" by Wade Phillips with Vic Carucci
"The Plot To Scapegoat Russia: How The CIA and the Deep State Have Conspired to Villify Russia" by Dan Kovalik
"Crisis Of Character" by Gary J. Byrne
"Big Data Baseball" by Travis Sawchik
"Coach Wooden And Me: Our 50-Year Friendship On and Off The Court" by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
"Mighty, Mighty Matadors: Estacado High School, Integration, and a Championship Season" by Al Pickett
Thursday, December 28, 2017
New Restaurants in 2017 - 54
Across The Street Diner, Corsicana, TX (May 27, 2017)
Babe's Chicken Dinner House, Sanger, TX (October 11, 2017)
Bakers Ribs, Inc., Weatherford, TX (April 27, 2017) +
Beer 88, Lynchburg, VA (February 4, 2017) +
Blue Baker, College Station, TX (September 3, 2017)
Bodacious Bar-B-Que, Tyler, TX (August 12, 2017)
Bolivar Street BBQ, Sanger, TX (October 4, 2017)
Bone Daddy's House of Smoke, Denton, TX (November/December 2017)
Burger Time Machine, Denton, TX (July 12, 2017)
Casa Torres Mexican Restaurant, Decatur, TX (July 25, 2017)
Cowboy Chicken, Waxahachie, TX (September 28, 2017)+
Dix Coney Island, Denton, TX (May 24, 2017) +
Dos Chiles Grandes, Bridgeport, TX (July 11, 2017)
El Fenix, Denton, TX (November/December 2017)
Five Boys Ranch, Bridgeport, TX (April 18, 2017) +
Grumps Burgers, Cleburne, TX (May 10, 2017) +
Hamburger Depot, Lumberton, TX (June 19, 2017) +
Home D Pizzeria, State College, PA (June 24, 2017)
Joe's Pizza & Pasta, Decatur, TX (May 3, 2017)
Julio's Mexican Restaurant, Chico, TX (May 23, 2017)
Keller's Newberry Diner, Newberry, PA (June 24, 2017) +
Kincaid's Hamburgers, Weatherford, TX (June 22, 2017) +
Koffee Kup Family Restaurant, Hico, TX (July 22, 2017)
Kroll's Diner, Bismarck, ND (September 16, 2017)
Leeper Creek BBQ, Decatur, TX (September 26, 2017)
Little Frilly's Tex-Mex, Decatur, TX (October 3, 2017)
Luigi's Italian Restaurant, Denton, TX (October 17, 2017)
Lupi's Pizza Pies, Chattanooga, TN (July 8, 2017)
Mama Juanita's Mexican Restaurant, Huntsville, TX (May 29, 2017) +
McKenzie's Barbeque, Huntsville, TX (January 12, 2017)
Meyer's Elgin Smokehouse, Elgin, TX (May 28, 2017) +
Mi Casita Mexican Food, Waco, TX (January 21, 2017)
Mighty Fine Burgers, Round Rock, TX (May 27, 2017) +
MOD Pizza, Spring, TX (October 6, 2017)
MOOHYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes, Denton, TX (August 1, 2017)
O'Charley's, Lynchburg, VA (May 11, 2017)
Old Chicago Pizza and Taproom, Waco, TX (June 1, 2017) +
Oscar's Mexican Restaurant, Abilene, TX (December 27, 2017)
Pancheros Mexican Grill, Bismarck, ND (September 16, 2017)
Pastafina Italian Ristorante, Weatherford, TX (May 31, 2017) +
Plaza Mexican Bar & Grill, Goodlettsville, TN (November 5, 2017)
Ray's Drive In, Lufkin, TX (January 9, 2017) +
Richie's Grill, Hawkins, TX (February 10, 2017)
Rio Mambo, Weatherford, TX (June 21, 2017) +
Rock City Burger Company, Bridgeport, TX (April 26, 2017)
Rooster's Roadhouse, Decatur, TX (June 6, 2017)
Slovacek's, West, TX (May 18, 2017) +
Stillwater Barbecue, Abilene, TX (December 28, 2017)
Sweet Boy's Diner, Bowie, TX (May 16, 2017) +
Verona Pizza & Italian Restaurant, Decatur, TX (Spring 2017)
Village Kitchen Restaurant, Jacksboro, TX (May 17, 2017)
Waverly House Restaraunt, New Waverly, TX (October 28, 2017)
The Woodhouse Restaurant, Bismarck, ND (September 15, 2017)
Yesterday's Diner, Bridgeport, TX (September 20, 2017)
Babe's Chicken Dinner House, Sanger, TX (October 11, 2017)
Bakers Ribs, Inc., Weatherford, TX (April 27, 2017) +
Beer 88, Lynchburg, VA (February 4, 2017) +
Blue Baker, College Station, TX (September 3, 2017)
Bodacious Bar-B-Que, Tyler, TX (August 12, 2017)
Bolivar Street BBQ, Sanger, TX (October 4, 2017)
Bone Daddy's House of Smoke, Denton, TX (November/December 2017)
Burger Time Machine, Denton, TX (July 12, 2017)
Casa Torres Mexican Restaurant, Decatur, TX (July 25, 2017)
Cowboy Chicken, Waxahachie, TX (September 28, 2017)+
Dix Coney Island, Denton, TX (May 24, 2017) +
Dos Chiles Grandes, Bridgeport, TX (July 11, 2017)
El Fenix, Denton, TX (November/December 2017)
Five Boys Ranch, Bridgeport, TX (April 18, 2017) +
Grumps Burgers, Cleburne, TX (May 10, 2017) +
Hamburger Depot, Lumberton, TX (June 19, 2017) +
Home D Pizzeria, State College, PA (June 24, 2017)
Joe's Pizza & Pasta, Decatur, TX (May 3, 2017)
Julio's Mexican Restaurant, Chico, TX (May 23, 2017)
Keller's Newberry Diner, Newberry, PA (June 24, 2017) +
Kincaid's Hamburgers, Weatherford, TX (June 22, 2017) +
Koffee Kup Family Restaurant, Hico, TX (July 22, 2017)
Kroll's Diner, Bismarck, ND (September 16, 2017)
Leeper Creek BBQ, Decatur, TX (September 26, 2017)
Little Frilly's Tex-Mex, Decatur, TX (October 3, 2017)
Luigi's Italian Restaurant, Denton, TX (October 17, 2017)
Lupi's Pizza Pies, Chattanooga, TN (July 8, 2017)
Mama Juanita's Mexican Restaurant, Huntsville, TX (May 29, 2017) +
McKenzie's Barbeque, Huntsville, TX (January 12, 2017)
Meyer's Elgin Smokehouse, Elgin, TX (May 28, 2017) +
Mi Casita Mexican Food, Waco, TX (January 21, 2017)
Mighty Fine Burgers, Round Rock, TX (May 27, 2017) +
MOD Pizza, Spring, TX (October 6, 2017)
MOOHYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes, Denton, TX (August 1, 2017)
O'Charley's, Lynchburg, VA (May 11, 2017)
Old Chicago Pizza and Taproom, Waco, TX (June 1, 2017) +
Oscar's Mexican Restaurant, Abilene, TX (December 27, 2017)
Pancheros Mexican Grill, Bismarck, ND (September 16, 2017)
Pastafina Italian Ristorante, Weatherford, TX (May 31, 2017) +
Plaza Mexican Bar & Grill, Goodlettsville, TN (November 5, 2017)
Ray's Drive In, Lufkin, TX (January 9, 2017) +
Richie's Grill, Hawkins, TX (February 10, 2017)
Rio Mambo, Weatherford, TX (June 21, 2017) +
Rock City Burger Company, Bridgeport, TX (April 26, 2017)
Rooster's Roadhouse, Decatur, TX (June 6, 2017)
Slovacek's, West, TX (May 18, 2017) +
Stillwater Barbecue, Abilene, TX (December 28, 2017)
Sweet Boy's Diner, Bowie, TX (May 16, 2017) +
Verona Pizza & Italian Restaurant, Decatur, TX (Spring 2017)
Village Kitchen Restaurant, Jacksboro, TX (May 17, 2017)
Waverly House Restaraunt, New Waverly, TX (October 28, 2017)
The Woodhouse Restaurant, Bismarck, ND (September 15, 2017)
Yesterday's Diner, Bridgeport, TX (September 20, 2017)
Sunday, December 10, 2017
A Good Day; December 10, 2017
I figured it out.
Yes, I figured out what I did today -- sometime between 4 and 7:30 a.m. this morning, that is.
Perhaps my best friend, Bill, was going to the B-CS Marathon in College Station to support the approximately ten runners in his training group that were running the marathon or half marathon.
I always enjoy the time that I get to spend with him.
And was possibly looking forward to hanging out with him earlier today.
Meanwhile, the 30K in Sugar Land is a race that I announced a couple of years for race director Andy Stewart.
I haven't continued just because I didn't have fun as there were a number of impediments - and absolutely nothing negative on Andy - for me doing the things I do well.
The biggest is Sugar Land's noise ordinance and no amplified sound prior to 7 a.m.
There's a rhythm that eminates from making pre-race announcements into the rest of the day and without being able to do that, it takes a lot of the good feel out of the job that I was doing.
I was meeting and exceeding Andy's expectations, but I didn't enjoy the process with the site logistics.
I had a friend that was participating in it and, of course, I knew many people that were running it.
To be in College Station for the 7 a.m. start, I would had to have been up and leaving shortly after 4 a.m.
And the time logistics were similar for the 30K and its 6:30 a.m. start.
As each half hour passed laying in bed, while still needing more sleep to recover from Friday evening and Saturday's adventures, the goals for the day changed.
At about 7:20 a.m., I realized that I could get up, get showered and make it to The Church Project for their 9 a.m. service.
I texted my friend Leanne and asked if she and her husband Jim were going to be there and she affirmed that they were.
I arrived just before the service started and a few minutes later, a mutual friend, Dawn, showed up.
While I have always enjoyed being in church - and sitting - with my family, especially my daughter, there was a different comfort in worshipping God together with my friends.
Even though I have visited there two or three times before, I had never heard their Pastor speak before and his message didn't disappoint.
It was from John 1 and spoke about how darkness is real, being without Jesus is being in darkness and that our entire life is darkness unless we let Jesus into it.
It supported his point that in this Christmas season that we as believers and followers of Jesus Christ have the light that the world needs - and that we need to share it more than we ever have in the past.
Leanne was adamant about me getting to meet their Pastor and I enjoyed the exchange.
They invited me to go to lunch with them at Cilantro's and as always, we had a great visit. Like Bill, Leanne and Jim are among my very best friends.
I made it home, visited with my daughter for a little bit and then went to a pair of women's college basketball games.
First, I saw East Tennessee State University take on the University of Houston at Texas Southern University's gymnasium as Hofheinz Pavilion is undergoing renovations.
Then I went over to Houston Baptist University to watch them host Huston-Tillotson University, which is located in Austin.
The trip in for ETSU was so that Montgomery HS star Malloree Schurr was able to play in front of family and friends.
That's one of the college basketball traditions that I love.
It was really no contest as UH, which is pretty good this year, easily won a physical 88-69 contest with the Buccaneers.
Over at HBU, the Huskies struggled against Huston-Tillotson, which is a member of the Red River Athletic Conference. (Prior to returning to NCAA Division I athletics, HBU was an RRAC member.)
Huston-Tillotson held the lead early in the third quarter and then later tied it at 70-all before dropping a 76-72 decision to the Huskies.
I then made stops at Barnes & Noble - to pick up a new book after finishing my most recent purchase, "Coach Wooden And Me: Our 50-Year Friendship On and Off The Court", written by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - and HEB before making it home.
I had dinner, helped Waverly with some HR forms that she needed to complete (more on that in a week or two) and sat down to punch out the content here.
I'm glad I made it to church. I need to be there more often.
If you're willing to allow God to feed your soul, it is a place to be fed, spiritually.
Yes, I figured out what I did today -- sometime between 4 and 7:30 a.m. this morning, that is.
Perhaps my best friend, Bill, was going to the B-CS Marathon in College Station to support the approximately ten runners in his training group that were running the marathon or half marathon.
I always enjoy the time that I get to spend with him.
And was possibly looking forward to hanging out with him earlier today.
Meanwhile, the 30K in Sugar Land is a race that I announced a couple of years for race director Andy Stewart.
I haven't continued just because I didn't have fun as there were a number of impediments - and absolutely nothing negative on Andy - for me doing the things I do well.
The biggest is Sugar Land's noise ordinance and no amplified sound prior to 7 a.m.
There's a rhythm that eminates from making pre-race announcements into the rest of the day and without being able to do that, it takes a lot of the good feel out of the job that I was doing.
I was meeting and exceeding Andy's expectations, but I didn't enjoy the process with the site logistics.
I had a friend that was participating in it and, of course, I knew many people that were running it.
To be in College Station for the 7 a.m. start, I would had to have been up and leaving shortly after 4 a.m.
And the time logistics were similar for the 30K and its 6:30 a.m. start.
As each half hour passed laying in bed, while still needing more sleep to recover from Friday evening and Saturday's adventures, the goals for the day changed.
At about 7:20 a.m., I realized that I could get up, get showered and make it to The Church Project for their 9 a.m. service.
I texted my friend Leanne and asked if she and her husband Jim were going to be there and she affirmed that they were.
I arrived just before the service started and a few minutes later, a mutual friend, Dawn, showed up.
While I have always enjoyed being in church - and sitting - with my family, especially my daughter, there was a different comfort in worshipping God together with my friends.
Even though I have visited there two or three times before, I had never heard their Pastor speak before and his message didn't disappoint.
It was from John 1 and spoke about how darkness is real, being without Jesus is being in darkness and that our entire life is darkness unless we let Jesus into it.
It supported his point that in this Christmas season that we as believers and followers of Jesus Christ have the light that the world needs - and that we need to share it more than we ever have in the past.
Leanne was adamant about me getting to meet their Pastor and I enjoyed the exchange.
They invited me to go to lunch with them at Cilantro's and as always, we had a great visit. Like Bill, Leanne and Jim are among my very best friends.
I made it home, visited with my daughter for a little bit and then went to a pair of women's college basketball games.
First, I saw East Tennessee State University take on the University of Houston at Texas Southern University's gymnasium as Hofheinz Pavilion is undergoing renovations.
Then I went over to Houston Baptist University to watch them host Huston-Tillotson University, which is located in Austin.
The trip in for ETSU was so that Montgomery HS star Malloree Schurr was able to play in front of family and friends.
That's one of the college basketball traditions that I love.
It was really no contest as UH, which is pretty good this year, easily won a physical 88-69 contest with the Buccaneers.
Over at HBU, the Huskies struggled against Huston-Tillotson, which is a member of the Red River Athletic Conference. (Prior to returning to NCAA Division I athletics, HBU was an RRAC member.)
Huston-Tillotson held the lead early in the third quarter and then later tied it at 70-all before dropping a 76-72 decision to the Huskies.
I then made stops at Barnes & Noble - to pick up a new book after finishing my most recent purchase, "Coach Wooden And Me: Our 50-Year Friendship On and Off The Court", written by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - and HEB before making it home.
I had dinner, helped Waverly with some HR forms that she needed to complete (more on that in a week or two) and sat down to punch out the content here.
I'm glad I made it to church. I need to be there more often.
If you're willing to allow God to feed your soul, it is a place to be fed, spiritually.
Saturday, December 9, 2017
What Am I Going To Do Tomorrow?; December 9, 2017
How do you solve the "What do I want to do?" problem?
Or "What makes me happy?" dilemma.
I struggle with these two constantly it seems, but I'm not unhappy or depressed.
It is just that I don't have the same type of drive that others do.
I'm around endurance athletes alot.
I did what I originally set out to do and that was run a marathon. I'd like to get one more in, but I'm thinking that it might not happen in January.
I can live with that. I will support my daughter's effort to do her first completely.
I've finished 54. That's more than some people who would like to finish one have done.
I'm thankful for the resources that I've been given to do those.
But it just doesn't mean anything to me to do an Ironman or qualify for Boston.
I think a large part of it is that in doing some of the things that I enjoy - writing, announcing, promoting others, etc. - my skill set is as strong as there is (when I want to do those things).
Meaning I'm in a higher percentile of those with my same interests.
Again, I'm thankful for those abilities and opportunities to use those skills.
Yet I sit here at 8:30 p.m. and ask myself, "What am I going to do tomorrow?"
Plenty of options, but I can't say that one is going to make me any more happy than the other.
Thus the dilemma.
Today was good. I ran a 5K last night in La Porte, then drove to Lake Charles before the roads possibly froze (not that there was any precipitation or anything).
I ran the Swamp Stomp Half Marathon. I ran OK. I've got some issues I'm trying to figure out.
I was disappointed with the visibility or existence of mile markers on the course.
Never saw three of them before mile 7 (the only one with a sign).
Never saw eight or nine. Time between seven and 10 seemed acceptable, but 15 minutes between 10 and 11? I wasn't walking, which would have produced that.
And 2:31 for the last tenth of a mile? No way.
Drive home was brutal coming across FM 1960 from Atascosita all the way to Cypresswood where I turn to go to my parents.
My grandmother was there. She's 92 and got cleared to travel after some of her recent health challenges. It was great to see her.
My cousin and his wife and their two girls were there.
Waverly came over and spent time playing with Aubree and then we had a good dinner at MOD Pizza over here by the house.
I have nothing to complain about.
I have much, much more than many people.
And with everything, I'm really, really thankful.
Or "What makes me happy?" dilemma.
I struggle with these two constantly it seems, but I'm not unhappy or depressed.
It is just that I don't have the same type of drive that others do.
I'm around endurance athletes alot.
I did what I originally set out to do and that was run a marathon. I'd like to get one more in, but I'm thinking that it might not happen in January.
I can live with that. I will support my daughter's effort to do her first completely.
I've finished 54. That's more than some people who would like to finish one have done.
I'm thankful for the resources that I've been given to do those.
But it just doesn't mean anything to me to do an Ironman or qualify for Boston.
I think a large part of it is that in doing some of the things that I enjoy - writing, announcing, promoting others, etc. - my skill set is as strong as there is (when I want to do those things).
Meaning I'm in a higher percentile of those with my same interests.
Again, I'm thankful for those abilities and opportunities to use those skills.
Yet I sit here at 8:30 p.m. and ask myself, "What am I going to do tomorrow?"
Plenty of options, but I can't say that one is going to make me any more happy than the other.
Thus the dilemma.
Today was good. I ran a 5K last night in La Porte, then drove to Lake Charles before the roads possibly froze (not that there was any precipitation or anything).
I ran the Swamp Stomp Half Marathon. I ran OK. I've got some issues I'm trying to figure out.
I was disappointed with the visibility or existence of mile markers on the course.
Never saw three of them before mile 7 (the only one with a sign).
Never saw eight or nine. Time between seven and 10 seemed acceptable, but 15 minutes between 10 and 11? I wasn't walking, which would have produced that.
And 2:31 for the last tenth of a mile? No way.
Drive home was brutal coming across FM 1960 from Atascosita all the way to Cypresswood where I turn to go to my parents.
My grandmother was there. She's 92 and got cleared to travel after some of her recent health challenges. It was great to see her.
My cousin and his wife and their two girls were there.
Waverly came over and spent time playing with Aubree and then we had a good dinner at MOD Pizza over here by the house.
I have nothing to complain about.
I have much, much more than many people.
And with everything, I'm really, really thankful.
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