Henry and Houdini

Houdini was lonely and we decided to let Vincent get a goat since Kenton had gotten one. We drove out to the goat farm and Vincent picked out Henry. Don't ask me where the name came from, but I liked it better than "Thunder".

Henry and Houdini

Tom McCann knows all his goats by name. The old rams are big old babies that come running to get their ears scratched.

Here is Bill - the father of Henry and Houdini.

A hunting friend stopped by...

...complete in his woolworth hunting coat, dreaming of days of yore and just gazing at the walls. Too bad he was camera shy. Stop in anytime Rod!

Restitution Made...

...and I will not say anything more.

The person mailed it from Zanesville, no return address, and a $5.oo bill in it. A late birthday gift? A bothered conscience? A gambling debt? The latter sadly is the story. I was bet that I could not climb to the top of the nearest tree. Should I accept this money? Should I return it? Hmmmm.....

PS. Thanks Holly. I actually owed Dave a couple of bucks when I ran short at the auction. I will buy him a case of birch beer and bring it your way soon.

Men's Prayer Breakfast

We gathered at Tom Rodgers home for a prayer breakfast. Connie helped out by doing the cooking and then disappeared to let the men do their thing. We had sausage bisquits and gravy.

Tom serving up the bisquits.

Clockwise (l to r) Paul Klein, Tom Rodgers, George Randall, Kenton Gurnee, and Blaine Cosner.

George pouring Kenton some Florida sunshine.

We had a good devotional time and then prayer.

I can not stress the importance of christian fellowship!! We need it spiritually as much as our body needs food and drink physically. Thank you Tom and Connie for hosting a much needed spiritual get together.

One Game Behind

GAME 3

Penguins - 3Redwings - 2

Can You Find the Monkey?

PS. Holly you still owe me $5.00!!

Of Fish and Fingers

We caught everything from fish, pollywogs, to fingers. The reflective pictures were great and everyone had a great time.

Little Fish

Big Fish

Finger Fish - caught with a tri-hook.

Generic Entertainment

...and the walls came tumbling down!

On the way home from the funeral, the boys had to stop and watch the house get ripped apart. Unfortunately I was not thinking quick enough to get pictures sooner.

I thought Kenton was trying to ham it up until I heard the crash and turned around and saw that the house had collapsed.

I can think of a few more buildings in Albion that need a visit from this machine!

Full Military Burial

I did not get my camera out in time to show the honor guard firing their guns, but was able to get one of the presentation of the flag to Marcella Mooney.

Tom Mooney Memories..

...are found here: http://gurneejourney.blogspot.com/2008/05/tom-mooney-goes-home.html

Tom Mooney Obituary

http://www.legacy.com/ErieTimesNews/DeathNotices.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=110283283

My Last Trip to Visit Tom...

Tom went to be with the Lord this evening. I feel bad I was not there went he crossed over, but was able to be with the family in his room for awhile afterwards. Pray for Marcella and the family as they plan his Homegoing Celebration.

At the End of the Rainbow...

is the Albion State Correctional Institution. I wonder if there is any gold in there?

What a Relief....

As we anticipate the Calhouns coming to our small parsonage we are greatly relieved to know they have "other arrangements" for sleeping. It is sure crowded in our hut and this will make their visit a little more tolerable. Since Tim does not title his posts, click this link and go to this date:5/20/2008 ready for the road....

General Propane

My friend Wes Black and his boy Brian stopped by last night. He was working on our gas lines for our home. After an hour of work installing new pressure regulators on the new tank and on the house. He showed us how the crane worked on the back of his truck. He showed Kenton how to run it and then gave us all a "lift".

I am not sure if it was the one handed hold or the fact he had put me up 10' in the air and back down and just let me hang that made me nervous. At 4' I held my 275 lbs. onto the hook for dear life. He was trying to figure out my camera and I was hoping he would figure it out very quickly. It was great to have him stop by for some late night entertainment.

Teach Your Pets their Address

I am not bored....I just thought this was interesting!

TOKYO - When Yosuke the parrot flew out of his cage and got lost, he did exactly what he had been taught — recite his name and address to a stranger willing to help. Police rescued the African grey parrot two weeks ago from a neighbor's roof in the city of Nagareyama, near Tokyo. After spending a night at the station, he was transferred to a nearby veterinary hospital while police searched for clues, local policeman Shinjiro Uemura said. He kept mum with the cops, but began chatting after a few days with the vet.
"I'm Mr. Yosuke Nakamura," the bird told the veterinarian, according to Uemura. The parrot also provided his full home address, down to the street number, and even entertained the hospital staff by singing songs.
"We checked the address, and what do you know, a Nakamura family really lived there. So we told them we've found Yosuke," Uemura said.
The Nakamura family told police they had been teaching the bird its name and address for about two years. But Yosuke apparently wasn't keen on opening up to police officials.
"I tried to be friendly and talked to him, but he completely ignored me," Uemura said.

Stanley Cup Playoff Schedule

1. Sat, May 24 – at Det, 8:00 pm EDT (VS., CBC)
2. Mon, May 26 – at Det, 8:00 pm EDT (VS., CBC)
3. Wed, May 28 – at Pit, 8:00 pm EDT (NBC, CBC)
4. Sat, May 31 – at Pit, 8:00 pm EDT (NBC, CBC)
5. Mon, Jun 2 – at Det, 8:00 pm EDT (NBC, CBC)
6. Wed, Jun 4 – at Pit, 8:00 pm EDT (NBC, CBC)
7. Sat, Jun 7 – at Det, 8:00 pm EDT (NBC, CBC)

GO PENS!!!!!!!!

Half of My Alloted Days...

....are already past! Thank you Julia for your post. See here.

Church: When It's Time to Move On

Pastors share their thoughts on when you should leave your church and how to do it in a God-honoring manner.

by Gail B. Houston

Looking for the perfect church? Look no further; it doesn’t exist. The church is made up of people. Until we get to heaven, we can assume churches will have problems.

Regardless of church size, denomination or location, pastors are often troubled by how easily many members leave their church families. When someone leaves, the body is injured. Think of losing a finger or a kidney. You would feel the loss, and so does the church.

Most of us would not leave our biological families, but this doesn’t always translate to our church families. Members frequently leave without a word or with vague answers when contacted by a church staff member who misses them. This is personal for pastors and ministers, evoking emotion, passion, confusion and hurt.

There are both poor reasons and good reasons for leaving a church. Make sure you know the difference.

4 Poor Reasons to Leave

Things in the church are changing, and I don’t like it. Your pastors recognize that the world and the church globally are changing, and they want to stay relevant. As your church adapts, it is critical to realize what is biblical and what is cultural. Your pastors feel they can give on some cultural issues, but they also believe in holding the line on fundamentals.

I don’t like the music anymore. Drums and electric guitars moved into spaces where pianos and organs traditionally ruled. A good way to look at this issue is to realize that, in a church of 400 people, if you have the music the way you want it on one Sunday every 7.7 years, then you have had your turn. Let others enjoy their turn as well. Music style should never be more important than relationships.

An unresolved difference of opinion or hurt feelings. The church is a living parable on forgiveness, mercy and grace for a watching world. How we treat one another speaks loudly. The Bible is clear on dealing with problems: Go first to the person with whom you have the problem and try to resolve it for your own good, his good and the good of the church. Many times the real reason never surfaces. Instead a run around of easily repaired exscuses are given.

Another church has more to offer me and my family. If your church is lacking in an area, pray to be able to fill the space or for God to send someone who is able. Make the shift from consumer to producer.

3 Good Reasons to Make a Move

I feel a clear call from God to begin another work. Starting a new church, going into missions or a new ministry, or changing location are good reasons to consider moving. As we grow in Christ, He is able to use us in different areas. Your pastors would like the opportunity to grieve over losing you and rejoice at your new opportunity.

I have lost confidence in the church leadership. Major doctrinal differences, vastly different values and priorities, unclear direction or compromised leaders may call for a change. Praying for your leaders, pastors and their families is good preventative medicine. If you cannot support your leadership, pastors agree that leaving is better than staying and spreading discontent. Don’t worry about convincing other churchgoers of your need to leave; God is perfectly capable of revealing to others what they need to know and do.

I am more comfortable reaching people for Christ who are from my own generation or culture, and I need to be in a church more like me in order to be effective. As long as you are reaching the lost, encouraging new believers and continuing to grow and mature in your own spiritual life, most pastors would want you to be where you will best use your gifts and abilities.

Leaving?

If you do decide to leave the church, continue to pray for your former church. In the meantime, be cautious of what you say to others about the congregation you left; the Enemy will happily use whatever we say to cause harm. Use wisdom and discretion about any information you pass on to friends.

Last, but not least, please know that your pastors are only human. They will err, misspeak and otherwise blunder from time to time. The church is one of the best places to find mercy and grace and to extend it to others.

You are an important, valued part of the church on a mission to transform the world.

Determine not to be tripped up by trivial matters.

This article first appeared in the May, 2008 issue of Focus on the Family magazine. Copyright © 2008 Gail B. Houston. All rights reserved. Gail B. Houston has worked in church administration for 14 years. She lives in Tucson, Ariz.

GO PENS....

....TO THE STANLEY CUP!!

I can not say to much about the Cleveland team, but at least Pittsburgh is in the Championship game!! Will it be the Dallas Stars or the Detroit Red Wings???

Penguins win series 4-1
Game 1: at PIT
PHI 2, PIT 4 - Final
Game 2: at PIT
PHI 2, PIT 4 - Final
Game 3: at PHI
PIT 4, PHI 1 - Final
Game 4: at PHI
PIT 2, PHI 4 - Final
Game 5: at PIT
PHI 0, PIT 6 - Final

Cherokee Indian Legend

Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youth's rite of passage? His father takes him into the forest, blindfolds him and leaves him alone. He is required to sit on a stump the whole night and not remove the blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it. He cannot cry out for help to anyone. Once he survives the night, he is a MAN. He cannot tell the other boys of this experience because each lad must come into manhood on his own.

The boy is naturally terrified. He can hear all kinds of noises. Wild beasts must surely be all around him. Maybe even some human might do him harm. The wind blew the grass and earth, and shook his stump, but he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold. It would be the only way he could become a man! Finally, after a horrific night, the sun appeared and he removed his blindfold. It was then that he discovered his father sitting on the stump next to him. He had been at watch the entire night, protecting his son from harm.

We, too, are never alone. Even when we don't know it, our Heavenly Father is watching over us, sitting beside us. When trouble comes, all we have to do is reach out to Him for comfort.

Moral of the Story:

Just because you can't see God, doesn't mean He is not there.

Thanks to my buddy John "The Dragonslayer" Payne for emiling this to me.

Moving the Propane Tank

Guns in School

I am the guilty culprit. I took a gun to school, but I had permission from the principal. The day before the students learned military dress and drill, today I gave a PowerPoint Presentation on ammunition development during the Civil War. I enjoyed it immensely and only had a couple of the girls fall asleep.

I only took a very small sampling of cartridges in.

Mostly those developed during the Civil War.

The guys loved it especially all of the 2mm ammo.

Panoramic Pics...

Thanks to Jon Plank, I realized another capability of my Samsung Flipshot.

A friend stopped by...

John Rausch, one of our old timer neighbors stopped by to catch me up on the neighborhood this evening. News, weather, chiropractors, tractors, history, Orsen Wells's War of the World, planting oats, liquid fertilizer, getting tractors stuck, man landing on the moon, hunting, moose, elk, Jeff's new tractor and new backhoe, 80 lb hail stones, prophecy, Nebuchadnezzar, Alzheimer's, Russian winters affect on Hitlers assault, more germans died from frezzing than were shot, Siberia, Japan, WWII, Dictators, Right to bear arms, Himler, Stalin, Bin Ladin, Jews, Steelers, Russian Jews, German Jew, Poor Jews, Rich Jews, Penguins, dying of wounds in the civil war, body height shrinkage, Tom Mooney, fall scenery, leaves, siblings, Case tractor dealership on route 322 and route 6, Ray Anthony farmer south Meadville...

My Cup Bearer

If Kenton had been born long ago he would have made a great cup bearer for a king. The reason? Well he always takes a sip to make sure it tastes good like all cup bearer do. It is funny when you can tell he has taken a sip and it was just a little to hot for him. Look closely in this pic and you will notice he had just taken a sip of a "too hot" cup of Choffee. He brings them to me at all hours of the day or night. Most of the time he and make faces at each other when he pops in. The last time he caught me with a crazy face and I fear it will be posted on his blog.

I-79 Meadville Interchange

For about 40 years these bridges have done their job. Now they are getting an overhaul. Dad helped pour concrete on the northern side of the bridges when they were going in. He has a neat story about getting his job doing it. He was at the job office and out of a room of about a dozen guys he was the smallest, but he was also the only on that knew his Social Security number. He got the job.

A Hat for My Dad

The hat says it all.

Since he borrowed my chainsaw the other day....

PS. I love you Dad!! :)

Bark sells Mulch

The kids helped me get some mulch to beautify the church and parsonage yards and flower beds. Julia went to town and the kids hopped in the trailer and we went about 2 miles to get mulch. I am not sure how I managed with out this tractor. It sure makes life easier.

Waiting for the loader.

Steve Duda gave us the mulch at half price.

The rug rats enjoying the warm mulch ride.

Kenton Scores on a Frog

Kenton made his own slingshot and it is too hard for him to shoot so we got him a wristrocket slingshot. He has been practicing....on frogs.

http://bullsbucksbullets.blogspot.com/2008/05/frog-hunting.html

12' is too long....

I picked up some material in my van the other day and drove home with my back hatch up. I wonder if they thought I was from West Virginia or Ohio. My license plate was up out of view. I am guessing they figured I was heading over the line to Conneaut. It got the job done.

PS. Sorry for all of those over in the 44030 zip area. :)

Marie McAdoo

One of our members has suffered a couple of strokes and is in St. Vincent hospital. We are praying for her and her family as they help her thorugh this difficult time. She will be in the hospital for about 2 weeks to recuperate and get rested so she can get back home.

Advanced Biology

This is what happens to students at Linesville High School that do not do their homework. That is an actual human skull.

Some kind of African frog.


How many mice can run in a wheel?

If you watch closely you will see one get run over by it.

Proof of my MIL's Eating Habits

You see the proof....she had the whole bowl right in front of her the whole time!

Bored Meeting

The Northwestern Youth Community Center board meeting to discuss the need for a new director. Anyone need a job? I serve as VP of the board and would love to talk with you!

Last Session

Andy Crouch and Becky Grate are getting married the middle of June and were finishing up their last counseling session. I was to perform the ceremony, but a changed wedding date put me out of range for it. At least I had the opportunity to be part of their getting together and a part of their premarital counseling.

P.S. They will be my next door neighbor....I will be able to keep an eye on them.

2-0 on the Road to the Stanley Cup

GAME 1: FLYERS 2 @ PENGUINS 4 FINAL
GAME 2: FLYERS 2 @ PENGUINS 4 FINAL

GAME 3: PENGUINS @ FLYERS TUE 7:30 PM

GAME 4: PENGUINS @ FLYERS THU 7:30 PM
GAME 5: FLYERS @ PENGUINS SUN 3:00 PM

GAME 6: PENGUINS @ FLYERS TUE 7:30 PM

GAME 7: FLYERS @ PENGUINS THU 7:30 PM

Joel Byers, doesn't it seems pretty odd that it is all U.S. teams in the playoffs and no Canadian teams? Not too mention that two are from......PENNSYLVANIA!!!!!! :)

DALLAS Vs. DETROIT

PITTSBURGH Vs. PHILADELPHIA

Special Mother's Day Service

Giving our oldest attending member her flowers for "Oldest Mother".

Marie McAdoo is 88 years old and is our Church Building Fund Treasurer. Marie is one of the main reasons why our church is in existance today.

Giving Tribute: After a setback with a fire in 1985, she and 3 other ladies kept the church open despite the Allegheny Connections efforts to close it down and sell the properties. The other ladies include Esther Brooks, Isabelle Hemstreet, and Margaret Beery. She has fully supportive of our building fund project and has been very helpful in keeping track of the finances for the project.

Tiffany Mooney recived the "Mother with the Youngest Child" award.

The ladies finally gave me a smile while saying "fuzzy pickles".

Papa the Farm Visits

While the women were doing there womanly things, the men were doing there manly things. Papa the Farm as my FIL is called by his grandkids spent allot of time driving my tractor around, giving rides, and helping me build on the back of my barn.

If you look closely you will see his hair flowing in the wind.

Kenton was to busy making sure that his dirt bike was still working.

Sir Loin is growing fat. He layed around enjoying the sun and seemed amused at all the activity.

Did anyone know that Tom knew how to use an air-nailer?

Vince Learns to Mow

He has been iching to drive my tractor, mower, and especially the go-cart I am building him. Saturday I gave him a mowing lesson and cut out an acre for him to mow. He got to mow all by himself for the first time, and he says he loves it. With Julia, Kenton , and Vincent mowing....well I guess I am getting crowded out. :)

My Granny

Ruby Mae Gurnee

On September 2, 1920 the 4th of 5 children of Brady Myers and Nettie Keener Myers was born in the downstairs bedroom of a 2 story house in Plumville, PA. She had 2 brothers and 2 sisters.

After graduating from Plumville High School, she married Dick Gurnee on April 6th, 1941. He passed away in 1982. They had 3 children: Ruby Louise, Jim and Tamara Sue. After Ruby Louise was born, Ruby attended Transylvania Bible College.

Their daughter, Ruby Louise, and her husband, Keith Mattocks, live in Oklahoma; their son, Jim, and his wife, Mary Lou, live in Meadville, PA; and the youngest daughter, Tamara Sue, and her husband, Marc Cohen, live in Texas. Ruby has many grandchildren and great-grandchildren (Beth, Byron). She also has several nieces and nephews, one niece and her husband are here today – Roberta Floch (FLAW) and her husband, Raymond.

Embarrassing and yet humorous happening: Ruby twice had a learner’s permit. She was a good driver, but had an accident each time. The first time, the other driver was at fault. The second time, her husband, Dick, was insisting that she park between a big truck and her sister and brother-in-law’s car. Her sister and brother-in-law had just returned from vacation and had the trunk of the car full of personal belongings. She, under stress, panicked and hit the gas pedal instead of the brake. The car quickly accelerated and rammed into the back of her sister and brother-in-law’s car crunching the trunk lid and the stuff inside! It was possibly a good thing that she didn’t get a driver’s license because it has been said that she was a very fast driver.

In December of 1952 or 53 she stayed home from church on a Wednesday night because both of her children were sick. She got a frantic phone call from Dave Durfee telling her that Mark was badly burned and asked her to go to the church and tell his parents, Otis and Katherine Durfee to hurry home. She ran 2 blocks, up hill, in the cold winter air to the church. She was so winded when she got there that she couldn’t even talk. They knew something had to be wrong at home and left immediately. Otis said to her “Is it Mark?” and she nodded yes. Mark Durfee, was 10 years old and was experimenting with gasoline. Something apparently went wrong and he caught on fire. He ran out of the basement and Dave, who was down in the barn, saw flames, ran out, grabbed Mark, threw him down in the snow and put the fire out. Mark had 2nd and 3rd degree burns over 80% of his body.

Ruby and Dick moved many times in their married life. Before 1946 they moved frequently –very frequently. Between 1946 and 1967, they never stayed anywhere more than 4 years.

Ruby started wearing glasses when she was 19. After having surgery a couple of years ago on both eyes, she now can see well without glasses except to read small print.

She loves to travel – to ride in a vehicle. Before Dick passed away they would start out early in the morning and drive all day – just to ride around. She sure misses being able to do this.

Ruby is not afraid of snakes, but is deathly afraid of mice and ANYTHING that resembles one, even a cloth mouse.

Jim doesn’t mind the amount of discipline that she gave, even the many spankings with a heavy yardstick or belt, but thinks that a month a time of NO bicycle was abusive punishment!

She keeps the doctors and hospital in business - in past year she has been in the hospital 3 times. She loves to visit doctors. Just ask her.

Ruby worked many places: Flickinger’s nursing home, Westinghouse, Masons, Conser Petroleum Products, plus many more. When she went to Texas she was the manager of Graham Self Storage in Arlington for 5 years. She was given free housing, free utilities, a nice salary and a bonus depending on the occupancy percentage. While there she brought the occupancy rate from somewhere in the 20% range up to the high 90s range and, therefore, the bonus each quarter was a nice amount. While there she got to know many narcotic agents. She had a keen sense of smell and could tell them what storage units had drugs and drug paraphernalia in them. One time she called the narcotics unit and they told her she had to call the police first. She told them that would take too much time and that they better get there quick! They did and later told her that the chemicals in the storage unit could have blown up any minute with the high temperature in the unit. They were glad she called them directly. She was given permission to call any time.

Ruby loves to read. She many times gets 15 to 20 books out of the library.

She is now working part time at Meadville’s Free Clinic at the age of 87. By the way, she plans to live to be 100!

She was honored today at her church and I thought I would just share.

Blogger Tip of the Day

I am sure you have been to blogs where you click on a picture and it will not expand like it should. When loading in pictures, prepare ahead of time the order they need to be. If you have to move a picture, do it in the Edit Html mode. If you move it in compose you will lose this ability. You simply figure which code is for what picture and then highlight the code and use Control X (to cut) move the cursor to the desired spot and then use Control V (to paste). If you have any questions e-mail me.

Wanna Get Away?

For All You WWII History Buffs

I like it when I get sent interesting e-mails. I will share this one with you. Thanks to KC Newcome.

World War II-Lockheed Burbank Aircraft Plant Camouflage. During World War II the Army Corps of Engineers needed to hide the Lockheed Burbank Aircraft Plant to protect it from a Japanese air attack. They covered it with camouflage netting and to make it look like a rural subdivision from the air. The first photo is "Before" the other photos are the "After" shots

Society is Judged .....

Quite often I teach in life skills class. I have always had a heart for the underdog and this story made me cry. Yes believe it or not a tear formed and ran down my cheek.

At a fund raising dinner for a school that serves learning-disabled children, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question: "When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do.Where is the natural order of things in my son?"

The audience was stilled by the query. The father continued. "I believe that when a child like Shay, physically and mentally handicapped comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child."

Then he told the following story: Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, 'Do you think they'll let me play?'

Shay's father knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but the father also understood that if his son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps. Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, 'We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning.'

Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with abroad smile, put on a team shirt. His Father watched with a small tear in his eye and warmth in his heart. The boys saw the father's joy at his son being accepted. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat. At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball. However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact. The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.The game would now be over. The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game. Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all team mates.

Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, 'Shay, run to first! Run to first!'

Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled. Everyone yelled, 'Run to second, run to second!'Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base. By the time Shay rounded towards second base,the right fielder had the ball ... the smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team. He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head. Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home. All were screaming, 'Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay'

Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, 'Run to third! Shay, run to third!'As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, 'Shay, run home! Run home!' Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team.'

"That day" said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, "the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world".

Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making his father so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!

A wise man once said every society is judged by how it treats it's least fortunate amongst them.

Talladaga Goes to Camboro

The pictures say it all. It started two hours before we left for the vet that Tally rolled in a dead snapping tutrle. I do believe she thought I would not haul her stinking hide in my van. Well Julia was gone and in the bathtub Talladaga went. Every kind of shampoo and other things were bubbled and sprayed on her. By the time she got to the vets in her first car ride she was very scared to say the least. The slippery floor at the vets must have reminded her of the slippery tub. She wanted to crawl every where...under tables, chairs and even tried to go under some people. Every one kept asking "Is she normally like this?"

Fishing Success...

.....found here!

The Say Blind Squirrels...

.....find a nut every once in awhile. Congratulations Joel Byers! Check out this cool post of some very neat guitar picking. I am doing this for my friends Ben McHugh and Mark Fultz

A Need for a Sanctified Life...

Talk about a dumb move.....this equates with the bank robber that filled out a bank employment application and then left his drivers licence while waiting to hold up a bank.

May 4, 1:34 pm EDT
CLEVELAND (AP)—Kansas City Royals left-hander John Bale, already on the disabled list due to a tight shoulder, broke his pitching hand punching a door at the team’s hotel Friday night. A club spokesman said Bale informed team officials he had pain in his hand after arriving at Progressive Field for Saturday night’s game against Cleveland. X-rays were taken during the game, revealing the fracture on the side of his hand. Bale returned to Kansas City Sunday morning. He will be examined by team doctors, possibly as early as Monday.

Ironically, Bale was making progress with his shoulder problem and it was hoped he would come off the DL in the next few days. He threw a simulated game Friday and was due to throw live batting practice early in the week. Following Friday’s throwing session, manager Trey Hillman was optimistic Bale was close to being activated.

The 33-year-old Bale began the season in the rotation. He was 0-3 with a 7.63 earned run average, allowing 13 earned runs and 25 hits in 15 1-3 innings. The Royals planned to move Bale to the bullpen when he returned.

The Royals signed Bale following the 2006 season. He spent the 2004-2006 seasons pitching in Japan. Bale has also pitched for Toronto, Baltimore and Cincinnati. He is 3-6 with a 4.84 ERA in 56 career appearances.

Go Pens!!!!

The Penguins are on a roll. It brings back memories of my high school and college days. Stanley Cup here we come. It is great to have a team that had a player and now an owner such as Mario Lemieux. The greatest hockey player ever! JB knows this as a fact as well! :)

GO PITTSBURGH!!!

I am the Minister......

A t-shirt that I saw on our trip.

Just in time for pastoral voting...

Road Trip to Holmes County Part Two

Tom and Connie Rodgers took us on a bus trip to Holmes County. It is a beautiful are that is inundated with the Amish and their buggies. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed every minute of it.

I saw this and could not resist posting it. It had a propeller on it and when the wind blew it made Uncle Sam "milk" the taxpayers.

I stayed in the bus for this stop....

...but I got this picture.

At Hieni's Cheese Factory. I just about had a meal by sampling the cheese.

We ate supper at the Carlisle Inn.
Our food was served family style.

Some good old music.
Uhhh....I don't think we need any more of those...even if the price is great.

Trying out some contraption that simulates running 8 miles in 30 minutes. All I had to do was lay there. I was not impressed, especially after the $500.00 price tag.

My sweetheart!!

Still in love after all these years.

Those old love birds were at it again.

Some beautiful countryside photos.

A bad accident happened just a minute or two before we arrived.

Betty our tour guide.

Golden Corral

I suppose the Apostle Paul had this restaurant in mind when he wrote to the church in Galatia. We certainly enjoyed our visit with Larry and Betty Miller. They are fine people and we are glad that they are apart of our church. He is the one that keeps T-Bone for us.


This was my bad move. I still felt a little hungry. By the time I made this up and sat down I was beginning to feel satisfied. By the time I finished my concoction I was feeling like I could be served up for Thanksgiving - I was stuffed. I need to read again the words of the Apostle Paul and have some better self control.

I.V. Lines

Tom Mooney had more monitor, IV and PICC lines than anyone I had ever seen. I made a count of the number of bags hanging on poles and feeding him either liquid food, medicine, or pain medicine - 8. He had many monitoring patches all over, 3 drain lines and at least 3 tubes into his stomach or lungs. I am glad to report that he is doing well and asked what the day and date it was. He is finally starting to come through his ordeal from near death. Thank the Lord for answering prayer.

Send him cards from all over the United States and let him know you are praying for him. Tell him Pastor Byron said so!

Tom Mooney

c/o St. Vincent Hospital 4th Floor ICU

232 West 25th Street

Erie, Pennsylvania 16544