Vexillology

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Since I’ve moved into Mom’s old house, I’ve really started taking an interest in flag flying. Dad had a flag pole installed a few years back. It’s a telescoping model; there is no halyard or anything to raise the flag. Instead, you lower the pole.  So when we moved in, I started flying a flag. Mom bought me a nylon flag for Christmas, so I’ve been flying the American flag since then.

Back in May, I was trying to think of something special for Susan’s birthday. She’s really gotten into politics the last few years, and somehow I stumbled onto a Sons of Liberty flag. Their message seemed to be what Susan is really passionate about: freedom, liberty, and limited government. So, I ordered her one. Ironically, I get more pride (I think) out of flying it than she does.

A few weeks ago, I decided to buy some more flags. I bought a Franklin “Join or Die” flag, a Maine state flag, and a Texas “Come and Take It” flag. I’ve decided to fly certain flags to suit my mood, or to fly  certain flags on certain days. (For example, I fly the “Sons of Liberty” flag on April 15th. If there’s a certain 2nd amendment issue in the news, I’ll fly the “Come and Take It” flag.

After those flags arrived, I realized that I didn’t order a flag I had intended to order: a Christian flag. So I ordered one of those today, in addition to a “Betsy Ross” flag (perfect for July 4th) and a Gadsden flag for Susan.

So as you pass by the house, take a look at the flag pole and see what’s flying. See if you can guess my mood based on the colors.

Friday Fill In #188

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1. Life is moving along pretty fast right now; after all, it is summertime in Maine.

2. I’ve got a couple of cars, both over 10 years old, both with 150,000 miles, and both with lots of creeks, squeaks, and rattles. I’m not sure how long they’re going to keep going.

3. My last text message (or IM) ended in these three words: Umm, I have no idea. I don’t use IM much, and I’ve never sent a text message in my life. Honest. I’ve only received (excepting spam text to but more Tracfone minutes) less then 10, and those have all been from Pastor Dave or my friend Mike.

4. Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and roasted broccoli with red pepper flakes is what I’m thinking about for dinner sometime soon. (And that sometime soon is tonight!)

5. On the 1st day of August my true love sent to me a Tama bell brass snare drum from the ’80s and all the Hostess cupcakes I could eat.

6. Hang out with my twin boys for the afternoon and they’ll give you the definition of lively and energetic.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to a super supper cooked by my favorite laddies, tomorrow my plans include working at the office and playing a gig at the Lobster Festival, and Sunday, I want to mow the lawn after church is over!

What a man should and shouldn’t do

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Charlie over at Another Think shared this site which lists 50 things a man should be able to do, and also 50 things a man should never do. I thought they were nice lists, and got a chuckle out of a few of them. My one thought would be that yes, a man SHOULD be able to make a good scrambled egg. Those eggs, however, need not include tomatoes, mushrooms, or creme fraiche. Hey, I like all those things, and have got nothing against them in scrambled eggs. But to make a good scrambled egg, those things are all superfluous.

Friday Fill In #187

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1. I’m going to have to turn down your request to take the entire summer of 2011 off.

2. There have been times when I turned making Jello into a task of adventure and daring.

3. Perhaps today you can make it a point to not get yourself killed by falling into a giant tub of hot dog emulsion.

4. This one time I spent the entire night in a soft bed under warm covers with the lights off; you gotta admit that’s true adventurer’s spirit.

5. Compassion is a word made from two Latin words: “com” meaning “with,” and “passare” meaning “no shoes on.”

6. I’m going to think up silly answers to this FFI, no matter how difficult.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to a comedy show with Tim Sample, tomorrow my plans include watching the boys so Susan and Julia can help a friend, and Sunday, I want to ride my scooter like the wind!

Give Thanks in All Things

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“In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
~1 Thess. 5:18

On Saturday night, I was about to head out to a gig. My mom was visiting the house, and she asked if she had left a weed trimmer down in the basement. I said she had, that I knew right where it was, and I’d go get it for her. When I turned the corner on the stairwell landing, I could see quite a flood on the floor. I said to Susan who was right behind me “I’m screwed.” You see, I had two vintage drum sets sitting on the floor. I had my most expensive Tama Starclassic kit down there. I had all kinds of speakers, microphones, PA equipment, you name whatever expensive musical thing you can think of, and it was probably on that floor. And, I was due at gig.

But the Lord was gracious to me. Two of the three drumsets were a little moist on the bottom, but nothing major. The expensive Starclassic kit wasn’t wet at all. A cardboard box of records was soaked, but inside, all the good records were at the other end–a dry end! The stuff that got wet was all easily replaceable. A bag of cymbals got wet, and got some green oxidation that could be polished off. Susan was able to dry the wet records, and laid the dust jackets out in our sunroom. So what really was lost? An hour or so of my time spent wet-vac-ing the basement. I was able to get to my gig on time, and still had time to eat supper. (A supper provided by the gig’s management, so thanks for that too!)

So, I’ve decided to start a new category of postings: Give Thanks in All Things. I hope this will help me remember where my focus really needs to be.