Potato Gun

The potato gun that Son#1 built was active this weekend. It appears that 3 bags of potatoes met their demise as they were launched into fields, buildings, hog lots, yards, and anywhere else their trajectory carried them. The duds would dribble out, but the good shots would carry out of sight(1/8 mile?). The preferred propellant is AquaNet hairspray, so now our house smells like a hair salon for older women. The barrel gets sprayed with Pam for lubrication, and the potato must fit tightly to provide a good seal. After the chamber is filled with propellant and tightly capped, a spark igniter takes care of the detonation.
And potatoes fly.


And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong.
2 Chronicles 26:15

Trips

I was supposed to work the 6:00 shift at the Mennonite Relief Sale last night, but I didn't get in from a busy day of work until 6:45, so I didn't make it to Bloomington. My wife brought home the traditional homemade donuts for my Saturday morning breakfast, so all was not lost. I did miss out on Uncle Bob's ice cream.
The cold weather moved back in today, after several days of warmth and sun. Snow is predicted, but so far just some rain and ice.
Yesterday, Son #1 left for Gridley/Lamont for an invite-a-guest weekend. He had spent the previous evening building an imposing looking potato gun from plans he found on the Internet. Son#2 left with the U of I young group for their spring break work team trip to Reynosa, Mexico. Everyone is a little worried about the instability down there right now because of the border drug wars going on. The group (and parents) would appreciate prayers.
Daughter #1 stopped by today to pick up some dead cow for their freezer. We bought a side of beef from "Barn Again Beef" to add to the pork and venison in our freezer.
A very tired but very excited Daughter #2 just got back from her spring break World Relief work team trip to Bastrop, Texas. She spent the week rebuilding wildfire damaged homes, learning all kinds of new skills ( tiling ,grouting, painting, caulking, etc.). Unfortunately she would like to try some of them out in our house. I think that there are a lot of people in Texas that found out she isn't as quiet and refined as they thought! She brought home lots of funny stories and dirty laundry. It sure was a quiet week while she was gone (and the house stayed clean).
Its getting harder for this old farmer to keep track of where everyone is and what all is happening around here these days. But life is still good and we are still blessed.

The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.
Ruth 2:12

Edison

Another of my childhood heroes was Thomas A. Edison. He invented an amazing variety of products that are indispensable to us today. An inventor, scientist, and businessman, he invented the phonograph, motion picture camera, electric light bulb, many telecommunications advancements, and electric power generation and distribution. One of the most prolific inventors in history, he holds 1093 U.S. patents in his name. One of the companies he founded became General Electric (GE), the largest publicly traded company in the world.
When we were in Florida we visited his winter home and laboratory in Ft. Meyers. There he tried to find a domestic source of natural rubber. He planted all kinds of exotic plants on his estate to experiment with. He worked with his good friend Harvey Firestone and his winter neighbor Henry Ford.

Some Quotes from Mr. Edison:

"Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration!"

"Everything comes to him who hustles while he waits."

"You will have many opportunities in life to keep your mouth shut: You should take advantage of every one of them."

"To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk."

"Time is really the only capital that any human being has, and the only thing he can't afford to lose."

"Life's most soothing things are a child's goodnight and sweet music."

"Great ideas originate in the muscles."

"Opportunity is missed by most people because it comes dressed in overalls and looks like work."

Shawshank

The Menard Correctional Center is Illinois' largest maximum security prison. It was opened in 1878 and expanded in the early 1900's. It is a large, old, formidable looking place that houses about 3500 inmates, most of who are repeat offenders, gang members, and hardened criminals. This is no country club prison!
Saturday a carload of us drove down to southern Illinois to visit a friend imprisoned there. We waited in line, had a background check, showed 2 forms of picture ID, had to leave all personal items behind (handkerchief, mints, change, comb, billfold, keys), walked though a metal detector, got patted down, were escorted by guards through 7 or 8 locked doors, and finally ended up in the visiting room across the table from Phil. He shared his trials and struggles. He shared with us his routine and stories of life inside a maximum security prison. Visions of Shawshank Redemption flashed through my mind. What an awful life. But, I enjoyed the hour and a half visit and hope that we lifted Phil's spirits a little and were an encouragement to him.
After the reverse process to get out, I, as a free man, could walk outside into a beautiful sunny day and return to my comfortable life. I was reminded of the freedom and liberty we have in Christ when his shed blood released us from the bondage of sin.
And I accept the responsibility to submit to and obey God's laws and commandments.

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Galatians 5:1

Dichotomy

The old farmer and his wife just returned home from a week in Florida. We spent the week with my snowbird parents in the condo they rent each year. The first Sunday there, we were in Sarasota church and as I looked around at a couple hundred hoary heads and realized I was one of the few people there below the age of 55, I felt very young! And yet, as the week went on and we spent our time going to buffets for breakfast and supper each day and fellowshipping and hanging out with the elderly, I started feeling old! One night after supper, we even walked the mall for exercise!
But we did enjoy meeting and fellowshipping with all of the snowbirds and eating out everyday at all of their favorite restaurants. They typically eat out mid morning for breakfast, and then just have a light snack for lunch. Then they go out for supper early so they can get the early bird specials and beat the crowds. I'm used to 3 squares a day at 6:45, noon, and 6:00, and snacks in between. So we would sneak out for fast food midday to tide us over.

We spent a lot of time walking beaches(it was too cold to swim!), including Siesta Key, Lido Key, and Long Boat Key beaches. We even picked up some nice shells!

I was very surprised to see a large concentration of Amish, Beachy Amish, and Mennonites in Sarasota. My wife didn't feel at all conspicuous with her hair up and a skirt on. Many live there, and many are snowbirds. There are several good restaurants operated and patronized by the Amish. They ride bicycles (and tricycles) around town. Their bikes all have baskets for carrying their groceries and stuff home. You really have to watch out for them if you are driving after dark. During the day, they would take the bus to the beach and walk the beach with the rest of us.

On our way home we stopped in Atlanta for church on Sunday. They have to have the narrowest sanctuary of all the A. C. Churches. There is one row of benches on each side of the narrow center aisle with each bench wide enough for two adults to sit on. For lunch they served grilled hot dogs, chili dogs, and cheesecake. We enjoyed the day of fellowship there.

At Chattanooga Tennessee, I-24 was closed for several hours because of an accident and they dumped the traffic into the downtown area without any info on detours (which seem to be non existent anyway). So we made our own detour through the hills of Tennessee, seeing territory that I have never seen before. And all the while the nice GPS lady was telling us we were on the wrong route, and we needed to make a U turn.

All in all it was a fun, relaxing trip.

The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
Proverbs 16:31