A Time for All Seasons - NOT

Ok, ok. You win. We'll keep a blog going - at least for a little while longer - but we're also going to take the advice that we will do it on a random basis - when we actually have something to say.

However, we want to start fresh so we're going to move our thoughts to Dan and Betty's Place. This fits more with the fact that our horses are only a part of our lives. This gives us the opportunity to wander off into other areas which may or may not be interesting to anyone.

If you're really interested you can follow us there. Here's the link to our new blog...

http://danandbettysplace.blogspot.com/

Seriously, thanks for the encouragement.

Dan and Betty

Ecclesiastes 3, verses 1 and 7 say there is a time for all things...

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven.

A time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak.

We especially like the latter half of verse 7, "...a time to be silent and a time to speak." We wish more politicians would take this verse to heart (just a side - snide - comment at this political time of the year).

We started this blog to share our life with horses. Our inspiration was the blog of our good friends Max and Michelle Wade at Galloping Grace Youth Ranch. Their blog is a delight to read and the pictures are wonderful.

From the many comments to their blog we have learned to follow the adventures of Laughing Orca Ranch and 7MSN Ranch - both New Mexico neighbors. We have become good friends with Mark and TJ at The Ranch on Salmon Creek. And, we've enjoyed the adventures of Trailboss and her granddaughter, Papa Joe, and her great dogs and horses.

Life has interfered in many ways both good and bad with keeping our blog going in the way we would like.

On the good side our granddaughter Juliet was born and we have wanted to spend as much time as possible with her and her parents in Fort Collins, Colorado. Also, our church has been blessed with significant growth, going from about 400 on a weekend to almost 1,000 in less than a year after our move to a new facility. This has been wonderful, but it has more than doubled our work as volunteer associate pastors who do pastoral counseling. There are a lot of hurting people out there, but we are blessed to do what we can to help.

On the bad side, 2008 has been a not-so-great year for Betty as she has dealt with recovering from an accident, an emergency appendectomy, and a bacterial infection from the appendectomy.

Our blog has been a good outlet for us at times, but it has been harder and harder to find the time to write and worthy subjects to write about.

We feel this season of our lives as bloggers has come to a close. We have enjoyed it, but we want our time to be used as well as possible - and that includes having more time to read the great blogs mentioned above. At our age, making good use of our time is a high priority.

So, this will be our last post and we will delete this blog in a day or so.

To those of you who have faithfully read our ramblings we appreciate your time and especially the comments you have shared. Who knows? Maybe we'll start another blog in the future on the joys and challenges of getting older.

God's blessings to you all.

Dan & Betty

Lessons from a Cartoon

One of my dreams as a younger man was to be a cartoonist. I was the editorial cartoonist for several years for my college paper - The UT Beacon (that's University of Tennessee) - back in the 1960's. However, I knew that cartoonists had a hard time making a living so I gave that up for more practical means of making a living for me and my family.

I continue to love reading cartoons. I save the cartoon section of our paper and read it last each day as it is the favorite part for me.

My all-time favorite cartoon was Calvin and Hobbes. I was so sorry to see that one come to an end, but fortunately they are rerunning all of his strips so I can still read it every day.

My second all-time favorite is For Better Or For Worse. It's a family cartoon drawn by Lynn Johnston, a Canadian artist. Over the years we've been able to watch the adventures of the Patterson family and watched as kids were born, grown up and married in their own right.

Today's strip is right after the marriage of the daughter, Elizabeth. She and her new husband Anthony have gone to visit her grandfather right after their wedding. He is in the hospital and not doing well. The older woman is his second wife as Elizabeth's birth grandmother died several years ago.

I know the words are hard to read so I'll give you the gist of what is said.

Elizabeth in the second panel is saying that looking after him day after day can't be easy. Her step-grandmother responds...

"It's not easy. But we made a commitment, just as you did today - and although it's not easy, this is all part of loving someone with all your heart - and with all you have to give! It's a promise that should last a lifetime. It defines you as a person and describes your soul. It's a promise to be there, one for the other, no matter what happens, no matter who falls. For better or worse, my dears - for better or for worse."

I love the thought that our promises 'define us as a person and describe our soul.' I grew up believing that a man's word should always be good and his handshake was as good as gold.

Betty and I believe that, after our personal commitments to God, our marriage commitments to each other are the most important words we will ever say in our lives. And, Lynn's comic strip today perfectly illustrates how we feel. We want our promises to each other to define us as people and describe our souls.

You never know what you'll find in the comics.

Today is August 30 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Andy Roddick (pro tennis player), Cameron Diaz (actress - "Shrek" and "Charlies Angels"), Peggy Lipton (actress - "The Mod Squad"), Frank "Tug" McGraw (professional baseball player and father of singer Tim McGraw), Jean-Claude Killy (French Olympic gold medal skier), Warren Buffett (incredibly rich man), Ted Williams (one of the best ever baseball players), Fred MacMurray (actor - "Flubber" and "My Three Sons"), and Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (author - "Frankenstein").

On this day in 1862 the Union was defeated by the Confederates at Bull Run. In 1967 the Senate confirmed Thurgood Marshall as the first Black Supreme Court Justice. And, in 1993 the "Late Show with David Letterman" premiered on CBS.

A Good Day at the Ranch

I won't steal Michelle Wade's thunder as she'll probably write about the day at Galloping Grace Youth Ranch today. I got to go out after a long absence because of us being gone and Betty's bacterial infection battle (which hopefully should be over soon). We're believing in God's healing power over these little @$&!##*.

It was a good day and truly illustrated the purpose of the ranch - to bring joy to children through horses - and that happened today.

Plus I got to work with kids and horses and that adds up to a good day in my book.

Today is August 29 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: John McCain (presidential candidate and authentic war hero), Robin Leach (host of "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous"), William Friedkin (director - "The Exorcist"), Elliott Gould (actor - "M.A.S.H."), Richard Attenborough (director - "Ghandi"), Isabel Sanford (actress - "The Jeffersons"), Ingrid Bergman (actress - "Casablanca") and John Locke (English philosopher).

On this day in 1966 the Beatles played their last concert in Candlestick Park in San Francisco. In 2005 hurricane Katrina made landfall in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Anger, Fear and Impatience

I ran across the following quote from "Horse Smarts for the Busy Rider" by Rick Lamb and realized that it not only applies to our relationship with horses, but also to our friends and family.

Anger, Fear, Impatience

There are three human emotions most of us feel every day that will sabotage communication with a horse.
It's normal to feel angry when a horse misbehaves, afraid when you think you're in danger, or impatient when training takes longer than expected. But in every case, responding emotionally makes the situation worse. Since we can't simply turn off our emotions, Dr. Robert M. Miller offers this suggestion.

"We have to discipline ourselves that when that occurs - not if, because it will occur - we're human beings, we're going to get angry sometimes, we're going to be afraid sometimes, and we're going to be impatient sometimes. And what you do is stop right there and walk away from that horse, because you have lost the ability to communicate with a horse when you are impatient or angry or afraid."

Walking away may require swallowing your pride. But that's one more emotion you can't allow to rule you.

That's not a bad rule for our interactions with other folks.

Today is August 28 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: LeAnn Rimes (country singer), Jack Black (actor - "School of Rock" and "King Kong"), Jason Priestly (actor - "Beverly Hills 90210), Shania Twain (country singer), Billy Boyd (actor - "Lord of the Rings"), Scott Hamilton (Olympic gold medal ice skater), Daniel Stern (actor - "City Slickers"), David Soul (actor - "Starsky and Hutch"), Donald O'Connor (singer/dancer), Charles Boyer (French actor), Leo Tolstoy (author - "War and Peace"), and Elizabeth Ann Seaton (first American Catholic saint).

On this day in 1922 the first radio commerical aired on WEAF in New York City. It was a 10-minute ad for Queensboro Realty Co. who paid $100 for the ad time. In 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King made his famous "I Have a Dream" speech at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. And, in 1996 Britain's Prince Charles and Princess Diana were divorced after 15 years of marriage.

Nothing Much Today

Today was one of those days where I did things, but didn't really get anything accomplished or do anything special or fun.

Originally, Betty and I hoped that we could take the horses out for a walk to give us and them a little exercise, but Betty's battle with the bacterial infection kept her from doing what she wanted. My number one priority is her so I don't want to do anything with the horses - ride or take a walk - when she's not feeling well.

I did go out and get some groceries and messed with a computer problem, but, other than taking care of the horses that was it.

Today is August 27 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Alexa Vega (actress - big sister in "Spy Kids"), Alex Lifeson (lead guitarist for "Rush"), Paul 'Pee Wee' Herman (not sure what he is), Barbara Bach (actress - married Ringo Starr), Drayl Dragon (Captain in "Captain and Tennille"), Martha Raye (comedian), and Lyndon Johnson (36th US President).

On this day in 1859 Edwin Drake drilled the first successful oil well in Titusville, PA; in 1883 the volcano on the island of Krakatoa erupted, and in 1962 the US launched the Mariner Space Probe that flew past Venus.

Tuesday - Trip to the MVD

Today was an errand day.

It started off with me going to exercise first thing this morning. Normally, Betty would go too, but she's still working to get rid of this bacterial infection. As soon as it's gone, she'll get back into the exercise habit.

Then I went to the place that I hate almost as going to the dentist - the Motor Vehicles Department. My driver's license expires on September 16 so I figured I better get it done now. New Mexico has gone to a new 'secure' driver's license. It supposedly has a slew of security features. Initially, they give you a temporary license then you receive your permanent license in the mail.

I showed up at the entrance to the MVD about 9:30 AM and it surprised me to see no one at the check in desk. Usually there's a line. I got my number - 59 - and waited first to get my picture made - you know - the one you hate most of all - the one that makes you always look like a dork. Then I took my seat among the masses and waited for my number to be called. They were calling number 40 when I sat down so only 19 people ahead of me.

Fortunately I remembered to bring a book with me and I got several chapters read before I heard them call for number 57. Good, I'm getting close.

I heard them call for number 58 to go to desk number 5. In a few minutes they called my number, 59, to go to desk number 5. Oh, I figured whomever had number 58 either left of went to the bathroom - their bad luck.

As I walked toward desk 5 a little old lady walked in front of me to desk 5 - she was number 58. She had gone to the wrong desk and was confused about where to go. The MVD lady asked me to take a seat and she would get to me next.

The little old lady had a hard time with the instructions she was given - how to use the eye test machine, what forms to fill out, was she taking any diabetes medicine, etc., - so it was taking a little time. Naturally, I heard number 60, 61, 62, and 63 called for other desks as I sat there waiting.

Finally, she got everything finished and I went up to get my license renewal. The young lady who worked there apologized and, you know what, it was OK. It was no big deal.

God has always been working on me to learn how to be content in all circumstances and this was just another object lesson for me to learn, I guess.

Finally, I went to Comcast to turn in some equipment that I no longer needed and that went smoothly. The rest of the day was regular chores around the place. Hopefully, we'll get some rain tonight.

Today is August 26 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Keke Palmer (actress - "Akeelah and the Bee" - great movie by the way), Cassie Ventura (R&B singer), Macauley Caulkin (actor - "Home Alone"), Brandford Marsalis (jazz saxophonist), Geraldine Ferraro (VP candidate), Mother Teresa (Catholic nun), Chris Burke (actor - "Life Goes On"), and Albert Sabin (developer of the polio vaccine).

On this day in 1920 the Constitutional Amendment to allow women to vote went into effect and in 1939 the first Major League baseball game, between the Cincinnati Reds and the Brooklyn Dodgers played at Ebbetts Field, was broadcast by the experimental station W2XBS.

A Friend

I want to talk briefly today about a friend (and perhaps embarrass him a little) because he is someone who I admire and from whom I learn much about what it means to be a man - especially a man of faith.

His name is Max Wade and he and his lovely wife Michelle run Galloping Grace Youth Ranch.

This is a picture of Max at a horse event held yesterday in Corrales. You can read more about the event and what Max was doing there in Michelle's blog for Sunday, August 24 - "Horsing Around". The two boys are Max and Michelle's sons - Grant (the smaller one with the balloons) and Garrett. They also have two neat daughters, Claire and Brooke.

This is a picture of Max and me at the event yesterday. (Thanks, Michelle, I stole it from your blog.)

Max is first and foremost a man of faith. His relationship with God comes before everything else and motivates everything he does in his life.

Next, he is a good husband and father. After God, it is clear that his family comes first in his life before all else.

He has a great sense of humor and is a lot of fun to be around. The kids who come to the ranch love him and he makes each one feel special. He has the ability to quickly evaluate each kid and match them with the right horse. He's also not afraid to let them stretch themselves a little and discover that they can do things they didn't think would be possible.

He's also a good horseman. When he rides, it looks as if he put super glue on the seat of his pants before planting himself into the saddle. He and the horse are one. It is my dream to be able to ride like that some day.

But, what intrigues me the most about Max is he's the most honest and humble man I know.

When I say humble I don't mean he thinks of himself as weak or he puts himself down. That's not an accurate understanding of humility.

Max is humble because he sees himself as God sees him - no more and no less.

He recognizes his strengths and realizes that he can take credit for them just about as much as he can take credit for the color of his eyes. He knows his strengths are gifts from God to be used in his service. He also recognizes his weaknesses and finds compensating strengths for those weakness from Michelle and his friends - and from his faith in God.

Betty and I are truly blessed to have Max and Michelle in our lives and, hopefully, we have been able to share a little of our lives with them.

Enough embarrassment for Max for one day.

Today is August 25 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Claudia Schiffer (supermodel), Rachael Ray (TV cooking show host), Billy Ray Cyrus (country singer and Dad to Hannah Montana), Tim Burton (slightly twisted director - "Beetlejuice" and "Edward Scissorhands"), Elvis Costello (punk rocker), Gene Simmons (singer - "KISS"), Regis Philbin (TV host - "Live with Regis and... whomever"), Sean Connery (actor - James Bond and Indian Jones father), and Walt Kelly (my favorite cartoonist of all time - "Pogo").

Today in history the National Park Service was established as a part of the Department of Interior in 1916.

Sunday in Corrales

Corrales is a nice place to live. A lot goes on in the Spring, Summer and Fall. One of the highlights on Sunday mornings is the Corrales Growers Market. It's held every Sunday in the parking lot of the recreation center. The vendors come from all over the area, but the requirement is everything they sell must be grown or made locally - no buying boxes of fruit and produce from a distributor. So, most of the vendors are local people with small truck gardens. It's a popular place to be on Sunday morning.

Enterting the market with shopping bags in hand.

Stylish hats are always in style on a sunny morning (and most are) and there are always plenty of dogs.

More dogs after encountering each other.

The line for the breakfast burritos (with green chile of course) - they're delicious. I like the guy with the long, gray pony tail wearing shorts and knee boots.

Late in the Summer, roasting green chiles bring a special aroma to the air that we all know and love (more on that in a later post).

A nice way to spend a Sunday morning before heading for church.

And, for my friend, Michelle, who asked to see the flowers I bought for Betty, here they are. I buy fresh flowers and Betty enjoys arranging them.





Today is August 24 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Rupert Grint (actor - Ron Weasley in "Harry Potter"), Dave Chappelle (comedian), Marlee Matlin (actress - "Children of a Lesser God"), Craig Kilborn (commentator/actor), Cal Ripken, Jr. (baseball player - most consecutive games played), Steve Guttenberg (actor - "Police Academy"), Yasser Arafat (Palestinian leader - known liar), and Duke Kahanamoku (Hawaiian surfer).

Kids Will Be Kids - Even Birds

For those of us who have children, we know they can be the greatest of blessings - and the greatest of pains. We have a resident Roadrunner, Simone, who lived in our stable all winter. Then she stopped coming and we speculated whether she had gone off to have a baby Roadrunner.

Normally, Roadrunners are like pigeons - you rarely, if ever, see young Roadrunners.

We were just about to go out to feed the horses their lunch today when we saw an adult Roadrunner (Simone?) with an obvious youngster following her around.

Here are some pictures to show that kids are kids... (double click on any picture to enlarge)

"Hey, Mom, don't you think it's time for lunch? Feed me!"

"Come on, Ma. Don't turn away from me. Feed me!"


"Maybe if I act like a baby horse and nudge underneath your belly, something will happen. Feed me!"

"Ma. Ma. Don't run away! There's no where you can go that I can't follow. Feed me!"

On second thought, it's most likely a teenager.

Today is August 23 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Kobe Bryant (NBA superstar and Olympic player), Nicole Bobek (Olympic figure skater), River Pheonix (actor - "Stand By Me"), Shelly Long (actress - "Cheers"), Rick Springfield (singer), Keith Moon (drummer - "The Who"), Barbara Eden (actress - "I Dream of Jeanie"), Vera Miles (actress - "Psycho"), and Edgar Lee Masters (American poet).

Another Day

All I did today is set up a new cable modem and wireless router for our computers. Oh, I bought some flowers for Betty since she's still a little under the weather.

Today is August 22 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Howie Dorough (singer - "Backstreet Boys"), Tori Amos (singer - "Little Earthquakes"), Cindy Williams (comedian - "The Laverne & Shirley Show"), Valerie Harper (comedian - "Rhoda"), Carl Yastrzemski (first baseman - Boston Red Sox), Ray Bradbury (author - "The Martian Chronicles"), Norman Schwarzkopf (Army General - Desert Storm), John Lee Hooker (jazz quitarist), Deng Xiaoping (Chinese Prime Minister), Dorothy Parker (author), Claude Debussy (French composer - "Claire de Lune"), Honor Blackman (actress - "Goldinger"), and Milan I (King of Serbia).

Bad Days for Birds While We Were Gone

We are home and Betty is still up and down with this bacterial infection. It definitely was the right decision to cancel the rest of our trip and come home.

While we were gone, our horse sitter said two weird things happened - both in Gletta's stall.

First, she found a dead quail in Gletta's stall and a couple of wall boards broken - obviously by Gletta's kick.

Her best guess was the quail ran/flew into her stall while Gletta was eating. This startled her and she kicked out resulting in one dead quail and two broken boards.

The other weird thing is the Roadrunner (Simone?) had a run in with one of our fly strips.


None of us have any idea how that happened, but we know it did.

Weird.

Today is August 21 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Kim Cattrall (actress - "Sex and the City"), Kenny Rogers (singer - "The Gambler"), Wilt Chamberlain (NBA superstar), Jack Weston (stage and screen actor), Chris Schenkel (ABC sportscaster), Count Basie (bandleader), Archie Griffin (Ohio State All-American running back), Princess Margaret (British royalty), and Alfonso VI (King of Portugal).

Driving Home

This morning, Wednesday, August 20, we'll leave Raton, New Mexico and drive South to home in Corrales, New Mexico.

We're disappointed that we're not making our trip to Montana and Canada to visit with friends, but we know we're making the right decision.

Today is August 20 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Amy Adams (actress - "Enchanted"), Fred Durst (rapper - "Limp Bizkit"), Al Roker (Today Show weatherman), Robert Plant (singer - "Led Zeppelin"), Connie Chung (TV journalist), Isaac Hayes (composer - "Shaft"), Jacqueline Susann (author - "Valley of the Dolls"), Benjamin Harrison (23rd US President), Shirley Booth (actress - "Poseidon Adventure"), and Bernardo Bittoni (composer).

Driving to Raton, New Mexico

We left Fort Collins this morning and drove South to Raton, New Mexico - the first town in Northern New Mexico - on our way home.

Today is August 19 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Lil' Romeo (rap singer), Matthew Perry (actor - "Friends"), LeAnn Womack (country singer), Adam Arking (actor - son of Alan Arkin), John Deacon (bass player - "Queen"), Tipper Gore (wife of Climate Warming King, Al Gore), Bill Clinton (42 President), Willie Shoemaker (jockey), Gene Roddenberry (creator of "Star Trek"), Malcolm Forbes (publisher), and Orville Wright (inventor of first powered airplane and lost luggage).

Last Day in Fort Collins, Colorado

It's a beautiful day in Fort Collins, Colorado. We have watched the Olympics until we are suffering from terminal "Michael Phelps disease." We had a nice lunch today with our son, daughter-in-law and precious granddaughter.

We're heading home tomorrow. Due to a relapse of the bacterial infection in Betty, we decided the wisest decision was to cancel our trip to Montana and Canada and return home where she can be close to the doctor. Normally, we drive it all in one day - about 8 1/2 hours, but to keep it from being too tiring for Betty we're going to do it over two days. We'll spend the night in Raton, New Mexico.

So, this last Colorado post will be full of our favorite subject - Juliet.

Juliet with her Daddy, Wade Daniel.

Enjoying a bottle with her Nana.

Playing peek-a-boo with both of her grandmothers - Nana and Grandma.

Just enjoying the world.

Hey, I'm close to crawling so watch out world. Here I come!

Say, what?

Trying to get my Daddy's glasses.

There's nothing better than being with family.

Today is August 18 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Malcolm Jamal-Warner (actor - Theo on "The Cosby Show"), Edward Norton (actor - "The Fight Club"), Christian Slater (actor - "Heathers"), Patrick Swayze (actor - "Ghost"), Martin Mull (comedian), Robert Redford (actor - "Horse Whisperer"), Rosalyn Carter (wife of President Jimmy Carter), and Meriwether Lewis (explorer - Lewis & Clark).

Pooch Plunge

We're in Fort Collins, Colorado visiting our son, Wade Daniel, daughter-in-law, Marie, and granddaughter, Juliet. The family also has a great dog named Kona - a mixed breed - most likely Golden Retriever and Australian Shepherd.

Fort Collins is a very family-oriented city with great activities and great parks. At the end of each summer they hold a "Pooch Plunge" at one of the city pools. It's the last activity before the pool is closed and cleaned for the Winter.

Tickets are sold in advance and lots of people bring their dog to this pool and it's turned over to the dogs. There are hundreds of dogs running around both in the pool and out. It's a ton of fun for the dogs and for the spectators.

Here are some pictures from this afternoon.

Waiting in line for the gates to open at 5:30 PM. We were the second in line.


Kona heading for the pool before it gets crowded.

Wade Daniel throwing a ball for Kona to retrieve while Marie, Betty and Juliet look on.

Kona bringing the ball back in.

Chasing the ball down with another dog in chase.

Kona being very gracious - "Na, na. na, na. I beat you to it."

Beating another dog to the ball by just a hair.

Heading into the water for another retrieval.

Hey, folks, look at me.

Look out. I'm coming out.

Another dog enjoying jumping up into a column of water.

Marie, Juliet and Betty enjoying the shade.

Heading home after a fun, fun afternoon.


Today is August 17 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Jim Courier (top-ranked pro tennis player), Donnie Wahlberg (actor - started with "New Kids on the Block"), Sean Penn (actor and blazing liberal), Maureen O'Hara (actress - "The Quiet Man"), Mae West (actress - "Come Up and See Me Some Time"), and Davy Crockett (frontiersman and US Senator who wore a dead animal on his head).

Back in 1945 On This Day

On August 16, 1945, the US was digesting the news of the fact that the war in the Pacific was finally coming to an end and would be officially over in early September. At St. Thomas hospital in Nashville, Tennessee, Dorothy Erwin Cooksey gave birth to a bouncing baby boy. She, and her husband, Clyde Daniel Cooksey, decided to name him Junior and Clyde Daniel Cooksey, Jr. came into the world.

I grew up listening to the adults in my life talk about their WWII experiences, playing soldier and Cowboys and Indians.

From 8 years old to 16 years we lived in Birmingham, Alabama when it was still a steel town. I can remember watching the glow when they did a steel pour at night. It was also famous for it's statue of Vulcan, the god of the steelmakers.

When I was 16 we moved back to Nashville where I met my love and future wife, Betty, when we were both Juniors at John Overton High School. We both went to the University of Tennessee and, for you Texas folks, it was the original UT.

After college, I joined the Navy - it was either that or be drafted - and became an Ensign on the USS WILLIAM H. STANDLEY DLG-32. Originally, I was the Gunnery Officer, but I stayed on the STANDLEY and became the Navigator. We did two tours in Vietnam and both of our sons were born while I was in the Navy. I still hold the commission of Lieutenant in the Navy Reserve.

After the Navy I went back to the University of Tennessee to get my MBA and then went to work for Procter & Gamble. I had a 27 year career before retiring in 2000. We moved to New Mexico in 2004.

Sixty three years later, I'm celebrating my Birthday with my wonderful wife, Betty, my older son, Wade Daniel, my very neat daughter-in-law, Marie, and the one and only grand daughter, Juliet, to whom I am Papa.


Today is August 16 and if your Birthday is today then you share your day with: Yours Truly, Steve Carell (actor - "The Office" and "Get Smart"), Timothy Hutton (actor - "Ordinary People"), Madonna (singer - "Material Girl"), James Cameron (director - "Titanic"), Kathie Lee Gifford (TV host), Lesley Ann Warren (actress - "In Plain Sight"), Robert Culp (actor - "I Spy"), and Fess Parker (actor - "Davy Crockett").

Feeding the Wild Baby in Her Natural Habitat

For those of you who have encountered the baby of our species, you know that feeding time can be an adventure for all concerned. Here is a 'typical' feeding of the granddaughter baby known as Juliet.

First, if you're slow with your feeding, the baby in question will take things into her own hands, or in this case, mouth - and chew the furniture.

Most feeders of this breed of baby will try to keep her occupied with a substitute - such as Cheerios.

Finally, the baby gets the real food that she's looking for.

And, all's right with the world.


Today is August 15 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Joe Jonas (singer - "The Jonas Brothers"), Ben Affleck (actor - "Good Will Hunting" and "Pearl Harbor"), Jimmy Webb (composer - "Wichita Lineman" and "MacArthur Park"), Mike Connors (actor - "Mannix"), Rose Marie - (comedian - "The Dick Van Dyke Show"), Huntz Hall (actor - "The Bowry Boys"), Julia Child (chef and OSS spy during WWII), Ehtel Barrymore (actress - sister to John and Lionel Barrymore), and Napolean Bonaparte (French emperor and noted itch scratcher).

Driving to Fort Collins, Colorado

We're heading North in our Toyota Tundra truck to visit with our son, Wade Daniel, daughter-in-law, Marie, and granddaughter, Juliet, who live in Fort Collins, Colorado. It's a long drive - 8 1/2 hours - but the scenery up through Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado is beautiful. We're taking our truck so we can take our saddles and hopefully use them on the horses we'll ride in Canada.

We love to look at the Pronghorn Antelope that graze in the prairies along I-25.


For the next five days, most of the posts will be just updates on our visit in Fort Collins.

Today is August 14 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Halle Berry (actress - "Catwoman," "Monster's Ball"), Magic Johnson (pro basketball player), Gary Larson (cartoonist - "The Far Side"), Danielle Steel (author - romance novels), Susan Saint James (actress - "MacMillan & Wife"), Steve Martin (comedian/actor - "Roxanne," "Father of the Bride"), Lynne Cheney (wife of VP Dick Cheney), David Crosby (musician - "Crosby, Stills and Nash"), Russell Baker (writer - NY Times), and H. C. Oersted (scientist - discovered magnetic effects from electricity).

Happy Birthday Wade Daniel

Today, August 13, is our oldest son's Birthday - Wade Daniel Cooksey. His due date was very close to my Birthday, August 16, so when he came early I was still with my ship in Jacksonville, Florida. We had just come back from our first Vietnam deployment and Betty was living in Brentwood, Tennessee with her family. When I got the word that she had gone into labor I got a quick flight to Nashville (it was a lot easier in those days). I missed Wade Daniel being born by an hour, but in those days I couldn't be in the delivery room - just wasn't done.

He's been a joy and blessing to us in many ways - both as a child and now as an adult.

To celebrate his Birthday, here are a few pictures from his life.

Wade Daniel enjoying the sun through the patio door.

The older brother being really nice to his younger brother, Chris.

Enjoying his first real Halloween - this time as a Bunny.


Enjoying his favorite free-time activity - fly fishing - and he's quite good.

Like his brother, Wade Daniel is not a horse person, but he wanted to ride Morgunn while visiting us for the Balloon Fiesta.


Watching a balloon (What Would Jesus Do?) land behind our house during the Fiesta.

Sporting his Blue Man Group t-shirt. During their performance he was one of the lucky few called up onto the stage with them where they created this shirt by spitting paint balls at it while he wore it.

Wade Daniel is now a great father to Juliet as well as a good husband to his wife, Marie. Here he is with Juliet and both are wearing matching "fish" shirts.

A family picture of all of us during a recent visit at their home in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Wade Daniel, you are a good husband, great father and a very good man. Your Mom and I are proud of you and wish you a very happy Birthday!


Today is August 13 and if today is your Birthday then you share your day with: Our oldest son, Wade Daniel Cooksey (an all-around good guy), Dan Fogelberg (singer/songwriter), Don Ho (Hawaiian singer - "Tiny Bubbles"), Pat Harrington, Jr. (comedian - superintendent Dwayne Schneider on "One Day at a Time"), Fidel Castro (Cuban dictator), George Shearing (blind jazz pianist), Alfred Hitchcock (director - "The Birds"), Bert Lahr (actor - Cowardly Lion in "The Wizard of Oz"), Annie Oakley (sharpshooter in "Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show"), Danny Bonaduce (Danny on "The Partridge Family"), Scott Hamilton (Olympic gold medalist ice skater), Richard Basehart (actor - "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea"), and William Caxton (first English printer).