We had some harrowing weather the past couple of evenings. Someone a mile away from us took these great photos of a storm that literally came crashing down on us like a tidal wave Sunday night! AMAZING that no damage was reported here in Burlington!!!
I have another visitation to go to this evening. This time it is for my former co-worker Frank Meder who I worked with back in 1993 when I served as Batavia Township's zoning administrator. I was still fresh out of college and got that job as a one-man operation. Soon, it was becoming obvious that with the growth in the area that we'd need to hire some help. Frank was the guy and what a choice he was! He was retired from an engineering firm (I think) and he brought a high level of professionalism to the office. I always enjoyed our morning meeting over coffee as we plotted out our day. He would hit the field and report back later with what went wrong and what went right. During the summer of 1993 we were operating like a well-oiled machine (along with the help of Township Clerk Ruth Ann). Frank passed away this week at the age of 71. I will miss our occasional calls where he would keep me informed to the latest happenings in Batavia as well as with his family.
During the Summer of 1987 Amy called me and told me that her parents had 2 tickets that they weren't going to use for an upcoming concert at Riverbend and wondered if I'd want to go see The Monkees with "Weird Al" Yankovic opening for them. Of course I said yes! I grew up with those clowns. So, we hopped in my ultra-cool (not) Dodge Dart Swinger and headed down to the show. "Weird Al" was hilarious! Then the Monkees took the stage and the real fun began. During one of their songs there was a part where they asked for the audience to sing along with a refrain. Amy and I were just standing there about 12 rows from the stage when all of a sudden they started yelling in our direction, pointing, and saying that some guy wearing a tux wasn't singing. One of them said that maybe I didn't know the words (there were no words other than a bunch of "la la la's"). I had no idea they were about and to me. I was the guy in the "tux" they were yelling at. I had forgotten that I was wearing a bright yellow t-shirt with a tux printed on the front (see photo). Then Amy slapped me and said that they were talking to me!!! A brush with greatness that we nearly didn't even recognize. The Monkees were talking to ME and I didn't even realize it... We had a great time.
John and I got to spend the weekend in Owensborough, KY for a baseball tournament. It was a blast. 2 days of baseball games in the rain and sun. Hanging out by the pool during down time. Pizza party after the first day of games. It was all good. The team did pretty well winning 2 and losing 2. Still one tourney left this coming weekend. I made a bet with the boys that if they won either of these 2 tourneys that I would dress up in the uniform of the smallest boy on the team. THAT would be quite a site to see. I hope I lose the bet but I have no idea how on earth I would pull it off.
After 5 1/2 years of being held hostage in a Colombian jungle, 3 Americans have been rescued in a daring mission that took place this past week! The 3 were captured by the far left terrorist group FARC when their anti-drug plane went down in hostile territory back in February of 2003. A 'proof of life' video was permitted to be made by the terrorists and it became a documentary DVD (shown at left). I saw this film about 4 years ago and have been in constant prayer for their safe release. I've even been corresponding from time to time with the mother of one of the men who had become so bitter and full of hate for the Bush administration for not negotiating for her son. Unfortunately, we learned during the early Reagan years that negotiating with kidnappers only encourages more kidnappings (ie. Beruit). Hollywood thought they could make a difference last year by cooperating with extreme leftist/Communist Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez only to be let down by the reality that you can't deal with terrorists.
This past week the FARC was tricked this week into what they thought was a hostage location move. U.S. and Colombian officials worked out the detailed plan that was carried out by under cover Colombians. These "moles" arranged to have the prisoners moved in a helicopter similar to the one used by Chavez in a recent unsuccessful attempt to negotiate a trade of hostages for prisoners. The FARC on the ground apparently bought the ruse hook, line, and sinker. The 3 Americans, Ingrid Betancourt, and a dozen other prisoners were rescued right under the FARC's nose without a shot being fired. With their bargaining chips now gone it will be interesting to see what the FARC does next. They will likely continue to be a very dangerous group in that country. For now, I will enjoy the knowledge that the prayers of millions around the country and globe seem to have made a difference.
Yesterday I not only lost a step-father, but I lost someone who was so very kind and giving to all he came in contact with. You would always see a smile on his face even when he was exhausted from working those long hours. He did however enjoy his 5 months of retirement as his pets Bootsie and Freckles can attest to. His primary purpose in life seemed to be finding ways to spoil my mom. He and Mom were able to see our John play baseball this year. That meant so much to our son. Katie Grace always got his name wrong calling him Grappaw...which was always good for a laugh. Melinda and I will miss him. Please pray for my mom as she begins to try to understand this loss and as she begins to move on in strength without her husband of over 20 years.
