Why Don't You Go For a Ride?

"I have some errands to run so why don't you go for a ride?" Vicki really said that, she's not a normal wife .... unless maybe her boyfriend was coming over and she had to get rid of me. Anyway it was the perfect way to end the year. I had been cooped up with some lousy cold for several days and it was clear but chilly out.

It started normally enough, north to Carefree on the KLR but then east to the Verde River and up some sand washes that meandered on and on. Next through Fountain Hills, northwest on 87 to the Saguaro Lake turn off, around the lake and along the river to Usury Pass, Brown Road, and the Apache Trail past Canyon Lake (which was nearly dry, repairing the dam I guess), Tortilla Flat and on to the dirt road into Fish Creek Canyon. I decided to go all the way to Apache Lake but found the turn-off to the Reavis Ranch trail head. The road up the mountain was worse than I remembered but passable, then back down and on to the lake.

After a quick turn-around at the lake I took the turn left from Usury Pass on to the Red Mountain Freeway (202) and then Scottsdale Road north to Lincoln and on home by way of 7th Ave. It was as close to a perfect ride as I have had in a long time. (A little over 225 miles)

Life in the People's Republic of Disneyland

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. I love America. Our way of life provides a framework to make possible the attainment of all the good that life has to offer and way more than any one lifetime can accomplish. That's the challenge, what is of value and what amounts to an enjoyable distraction?

Maybe it is just a personal problem to have a concern for what is "the good" or "the right". But I can't help feeling that as we lay on our deathbeds there will be thoughts of what could have been or should have been. Not so much a fear and dread as a sorrow. The thought of having lived a life in Disneyland is how I visualize the issue.

I have no desire to live in some primitive land where "life is simple" and uncluttered by modernity. Having suffered a broken leg in a remote area of Arizona as a youngster I learned early that there are some very good things about "civilization". It's just the number and beauty of so many things that seems to crowd out the ability to discover life.

Some people believe that life consists of collecting experiences so trying everything imaginable becomes the goal. Others see altruism as the reason for life and are constantly helping others and feeling good about themselves. Some are convinced that education is the path and some that riches give peace. Sometimes I feel like Solomon and am convinced that "all is vanity". When a person's time is up, my time, what will be the defining evidence that I have lived?

Have a Happy XXXXXXXXXXXXX

It's that time of the year when we all celebrate XXXXXXXXX. Being a public school teacher the last 17 years I've seen the change. When I began teaching in 1991 we had Christmas parties and the student or two who didn't celebrate either had a day off or just put up with it. Now, of course, we can't have any party because someone somewhere might be offended no matter what the party may be for. It's really ok with me because what's the point of celebrating some generic holiday I don't believe in?

Today is a special day. It's XXXXXXXXXXX, as you all know, so we need to sing special songs, make decorations, do a special dance, and remember the importance of this new tradition. The school, luckily for us, is the state missionary outreach where we get all of our needs met. So please remember to visit the clinic, save the planet, conserve, recycle, feed the poor (or more likely, get fed), and don't forget to remind your parents to vote in the bond election to increase the money for all the good things we do.

But I will choose to celebrate the day that God did the one thing He could to make make us acceptable, bring His Son into the world to become the payment for our sins .... CHRISTMAS.