Happy Halloween!

Wondering...

I saw this headline in the South Bend Tribune this morning and laughed out loud:

Potato Creek goose hunt set

Isn't "goose hunt" an oxymoron? I mean, seriously, is it necessary to hunt a goose? From what I've seen they kind of just waddle around. They barely move from in front of my car even if I honk the horn at them. How much stealth would be required to take out a goose?

Just wondering...

Creator

I'm reading The Case for A Creator by Lee Strobel and while much of it it way over my head parts of it ring a bell deep in my soul. Like this passage:

"...the fine-tuning for simplicity, beauty, and elegance does make sense under the God hypothesis. Think of the classical conception of God - he is the greatest possible being, and therefore a being with perfect aesthetic sensibility. It wouldn't be surprising at all for God to want to create a world of great subtlety and beauty at its most fundamental level."


For me, nature remains one of the strongest pathways for my interaction with God. My response to the beauty of creation is complete and utter gratitude for the love he demonstrates by the giving of this gift. Whether I'm standing at the edge of the ocean or flying over a lake with the power of the wind in the sails or standing on my backyard deck, my soul vibrates with joy in response to the glory of his work.

SpiderBoy

We had fun at Jollay Orchard in Coloma today. The highlights for Aidan included having a spider painted on his face...


...fishing for mutants using Niblets corn for bait...


...visiting with witches...


...petting a less than enthusiastic sheep...


...and "push me HIGHER Grandpa"!!!

Thanks to Jeanna and Linz for the tip on this fun place!

Wondering...

As Jim and I finished our delicious Mexican food at La Esperanza this evening he interrupted whatever it was I was blathering about and asked most seriously "what is it about ethnic restaurants and accordian music"? I was shocked for a moment and then had to laugh as I realized that the music playing low in the background was indeed accompanied by an accordian. The same is true in some of the Italian restaurants we visit. Just wait till the Germans open a restaurant! More accordian music.

Happy Birthday Shelley!

So hard to believe I didn't even know this incredible woman 5 years ago and now I feel like I've known her all my life. She can see through roadblocks to the beauty beyond. She has boundless compassion and I can't imagine life without her! She's my friend and I love her.

Friend or Enemy?

These 88 cent plastic Walmart creatures are some of Aidan's favorite toys. He has a game that we've played over and over again. He never gets tired of it. He calls it the dinosaur game in spite of the fact that many of the animals are not dinosaurs. It goes like this: I am the Raptor (that mean looking guy in front). Aidan lines up all of the other animals on the floor. One by one, they climb up my leg and are confronted by the snarling Raptor who asks, in a mean growly voice,

"Are you a friend or an enemy"?

The response is always the same: "I'm a friend".

Then the Raptor says "Ok, you can stay".

The welcomed animal then rests in my lap until all of the animals have been welcomed. No script ad libs allowed. Changing the sequence or the words is grounds for a tantrum. I can't figure out why this game is so engaging for him. He'd play it forever if I'd agree. I'm good for about three rounds. Anyone have ideas?