Well here we are, the last 3 1/2 hours of 2013 and as I do every year I am looking back upon the year looing at where I've come from and how it has set up where I'm heading.
This has been a year of change in the Holloway household as our youngest graduated from high school and is now attending Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Mi. He is doing well and enjoying the experience and challenge of college and already has been stretched intellectually. He has really grown and matured into a young man in the short time he has been gone. He is making strong wise decisions and taking responsibility for his actions both good and bad and I couldn't be prouder of him. This summer I again competed in Scottish Highland Games and had a pretty good year, I set some new PR's in several events and became more consistent in my performance.
Earlier this year my wife had a quilt published in a national quilting magazine and then had a different quilt that was a semi-finalist in a major quilt show in Grand Rapids Mi. It has been fun to watch her develop her skill in quilting and to watch her gain confidence in her abilities as she goes. In December she had the opportunity to go to Chicago and tape a show with Mary Fons and it was pretty neat to watch her tape the show and just chat with Mary who is one of her quilting "heros".
This year I stepped down as an elder of the church we attend, there was no specific season other than the fact that it was just time. I have been in leadership at this church for something like 12 years and I was ready to relinquish that responsibility and look for that next thing that the Lord would have me do. Unbeknownst to me our pastor announced that he was looking to move on at the same meeting. I think the timing of us both announcing our intentions was Gods plan and the church will benefit from this in a way that only God knows.
The BIG NEWS this year however is our daughter Elizabeth and her husband brought into this world our first grand-children. Daughters Eleanor and Amelia were born September 17 in Virginia Beach Va they are beautiful and most importantly healthy. It is still sometimes hard to wrap my mind around the fact that my baby girl now has baby girls of her own. It has been a bit of a trial for Beth and Brad to get the routine down but they are getting a handle on it and they are doing a great job and are going to be great parents. I remember how hard it was with just one new-born in the house now double it WOW.
What lies ahead? Well first up is our 28th anniversary, I can't believe that it's been 28 years that I've had the love of my life walking beside me. Vicki has been my rock through thick and thin and I look forward to the next 28 years with great excitement. In May the Highland Games season starts up with several games planned again this year with all efforts aimed at the Masters World Championships in Inverness Scotland in September. Vicki and I are both looking forward to this trip of a lifetime with much anticipation. For me its the opportunity to throw in the land of my ancestors and to visit the site of the Battle of Culloden in which my ancestor Donald Livingston played a prominent role and do all this with the most important person in my world with me.
Let me wrap this up by wishing you all a very happy, and blessed NEW YEAR. Everyone of you mean so much to me and I don't do a good enough job of letting you know.
Be Blessed,
Jay
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Friday, May 31, 2013
Alma has come and gone and other miscellany
Well Memorial Day weekend brought along with it the first Highland Games of the season and it was a great time. There is nothing better than getting together with friends catching up after the long winter and even longer spring. The Alma games is associated with the Alma Highland Festival held each year at Alma college. The festival includes music, highland dancing, clan row and other things Scottish. I was pretty happy overall with my performance this week considering this was the first game of the year, I actually finished in 2nd place this year, my best @ Alma ever. I even managed to win an event (the stone put which is by far my worst event). I have to give props to JT who won the whole thing but especially his performance in the sheaf. Vicki and I made a weekend of it heading down Friday night and staying at Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort. Neither one of us are gamblers but the room and food were great we enjoyed a fun weekend and staying closer to Alma definitely helped with the fatigue factor. We are already planning to do the same next year.
Tonight my youngest graduates from high school and as I write this I am wondering "where did the time go?" We are well into the post-graduation planning, college is picked, financing acquired, and Monday we will get him enrolled @ GVSU. Tuesday our daughter is flying in to be here for his grad party and as I speak she is finding out the sexes of our first grandchildren. We are pretty excited for her and Brad. I am confidant that they will be great parents and after the stress of figuring out the schedule that is a must with twins their lives will be a joy. I have to take a moment and say to my son, "I am so proud of you and the young man you have become, your sensitivity towards others and sense of right and wrong will serve yourself and others well throughout your life. As you move onto the next phase of your life always remember who you are and where you come from. You are a child of God made in his image, put on this earth for a purpose. Your mom and I are so very proud of you and know you will be successful in all you do."
Well that's it for now time to go get a workout in before Graduation tonight then continue to train for the games, the next one is in 2 weeks in Spring Lake on June 15 time to build on what I started in Alma.
God Bless,
Jay
Tonight my youngest graduates from high school and as I write this I am wondering "where did the time go?" We are well into the post-graduation planning, college is picked, financing acquired, and Monday we will get him enrolled @ GVSU. Tuesday our daughter is flying in to be here for his grad party and as I speak she is finding out the sexes of our first grandchildren. We are pretty excited for her and Brad. I am confidant that they will be great parents and after the stress of figuring out the schedule that is a must with twins their lives will be a joy. I have to take a moment and say to my son, "I am so proud of you and the young man you have become, your sensitivity towards others and sense of right and wrong will serve yourself and others well throughout your life. As you move onto the next phase of your life always remember who you are and where you come from. You are a child of God made in his image, put on this earth for a purpose. Your mom and I are so very proud of you and know you will be successful in all you do."
Well that's it for now time to go get a workout in before Graduation tonight then continue to train for the games, the next one is in 2 weeks in Spring Lake on June 15 time to build on what I started in Alma.
God Bless,
Jay
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Spring At Last Maybe???
Well it's May 15th and there is still a little snow left in the parking lot behind the house and we actually got about 3 inches of snow Saturday night. It's been busy around here getting ready for our youngest graduation including getting the house ready for the grad party, and that's when it all started. Friday my father-in-law came up to help me paint the garage we had a couple of pieces of the exterior wall sheeting that needed to be replaced, as we got into it we realized the entire front needed to be replaced. At 10 am it was bright sunshine and all the old wood was down and we were getting ready to install the new. At around 1 pm it started to rain but we still had to get it covered up and we finally finished it up around 5 pm IN THE SNOW!! We will finish up the trim work and possibly get it painted this weekend. As if that wasn't enough we have been having problems with the main sewer line going to the city system. We live in a house that is about 100 years old and the line needed to be replaced, we were hoping to get it done this fall but it decided it couldn't wait so that was done on Monday. So along with everything else I have to do I now have to level and reseed half of the front yard so much for having a decent looking yard for the graduation celebration.
On a happier and more exciting news. We are getting ready to celebrate our sons graduation from Gaylord High as that time grows closer our Wednesdays are filled with awards banquets, honors convocations etc for the entire month of May. Our daughter is now 18 weeks along in her pregnancy with twins. She sends us a weekly profile picture and she is absolutely glowing. Sean graduates on May 31, on June 3 we take him to GVSU for freshman orientation and to get his classes scheduled, the next day Beth is flying into Detroit so after we are done in Grand Rapids we will head toward D town and get a hotel and spend the next day shopping @ Ikea and some Scottish and Irish stores we like in the area ( Ackroyds Scottish Bakery here we come) We will also hit up Trader Joes and Whole Foods Market as we don't have them at home.
We are also coming up on the Highland Games season with our first competition is Memorial Day weekend at Alma. Unfortunately my friend and Highland Games mentor Dale will be unable to compete this year due to an injury. I seem to have finally improved my technique in a couple of the events and I am starting to get some distance. I'm hoping for a better year this season I was a bit disappointed in last year. These games mean more than just competition to Vicki and I, we have made some pretty good friends and are part of a group where we are accepted as we are. Sometimes I think we are looked at by some people in a way that I think is unfair because we have interests that are different from most people we know and I think they may even go so far as to disapprove which is really to bad. Well that is enough for now I have probably said too much as it is.
God Bless, Jay
On a happier and more exciting news. We are getting ready to celebrate our sons graduation from Gaylord High as that time grows closer our Wednesdays are filled with awards banquets, honors convocations etc for the entire month of May. Our daughter is now 18 weeks along in her pregnancy with twins. She sends us a weekly profile picture and she is absolutely glowing. Sean graduates on May 31, on June 3 we take him to GVSU for freshman orientation and to get his classes scheduled, the next day Beth is flying into Detroit so after we are done in Grand Rapids we will head toward D town and get a hotel and spend the next day shopping @ Ikea and some Scottish and Irish stores we like in the area ( Ackroyds Scottish Bakery here we come) We will also hit up Trader Joes and Whole Foods Market as we don't have them at home.
We are also coming up on the Highland Games season with our first competition is Memorial Day weekend at Alma. Unfortunately my friend and Highland Games mentor Dale will be unable to compete this year due to an injury. I seem to have finally improved my technique in a couple of the events and I am starting to get some distance. I'm hoping for a better year this season I was a bit disappointed in last year. These games mean more than just competition to Vicki and I, we have made some pretty good friends and are part of a group where we are accepted as we are. Sometimes I think we are looked at by some people in a way that I think is unfair because we have interests that are different from most people we know and I think they may even go so far as to disapprove which is really to bad. Well that is enough for now I have probably said too much as it is.
God Bless, Jay
Friday, April 12, 2013
A Year Of Change Part 2
As I stated in my previous post this is a year of change. I had mentioned Vicki and myself were moving into a different phase of our lives becoming empty-nesters, since I last posted my daughter and son-in-law have informed us we are going to become grandparents this fall not only is there a baby on the way but there are babies on the way. That's right twins!!!! I always teased Beth when she was younger telling her that twins run in the family and they are overdue. I'm pretty sure my daughter will hit me when I see her again lol. Vicki and I are excited and scared for the kids as they are so far away from both families but it will be fine I'm sure. Elizabeth is healthy and physically strong (she runs 5k's and 1/2 marathons) and they are surrounded by a good group of friends from their church. Vicki and I have been making tentative plans to get down there when the time comes I think Vicki is going to fly down a day or two after the babies are born (or as soon as Beth wants her there) and I will follow down a week or so later. I told Vicki I was already looking for kilts for the babies and she just rolled her eyes at me.
I have been spending a lot of time looking at everything in my life from family to my job, hobbies, church etc. I have decided that I want to learn a foreign language and I am really leaning to Scottish Celtic. It would be pretty cool to be able to speak at least some rudimentary Scots when I go to the MWC next year in Inverness so if I can find something on-line I'll probably go that way. This has been a long hard winter and even as I write this we are getting snow. It is the middle of April and it's time to get into Spring and get rid of the snow. My first Highland Games is Memorial Day weekend and I haven't been able to throw since October. All my Highland buddies and I are chomping at the bit to get after it. I wasn't real happy with my season last year so this year I'm looking to improve in all of the events. I don't know if I over trained last year or not but I know I have to improve my technique. Last year I finally put everything together in the weight over bar 1 day and improved my PR by 3 feet and I haven't been able to duplicate it since.
Well I guess that's it for now WINTER GO AWAY!!!!!
God Bless, Jay
I have been spending a lot of time looking at everything in my life from family to my job, hobbies, church etc. I have decided that I want to learn a foreign language and I am really leaning to Scottish Celtic. It would be pretty cool to be able to speak at least some rudimentary Scots when I go to the MWC next year in Inverness so if I can find something on-line I'll probably go that way. This has been a long hard winter and even as I write this we are getting snow. It is the middle of April and it's time to get into Spring and get rid of the snow. My first Highland Games is Memorial Day weekend and I haven't been able to throw since October. All my Highland buddies and I are chomping at the bit to get after it. I wasn't real happy with my season last year so this year I'm looking to improve in all of the events. I don't know if I over trained last year or not but I know I have to improve my technique. Last year I finally put everything together in the weight over bar 1 day and improved my PR by 3 feet and I haven't been able to duplicate it since.
Well I guess that's it for now WINTER GO AWAY!!!!!
God Bless, Jay
Saturday, March 9, 2013
A Year Of Change
The new year is already into it's third month, where has the time gone?
As I do every New Years I evaluate where I am at and where I'm going in all aspects of my life and the theme for this year seems to be "a Year Of Change". How so you may ask, the biggest change is the fact that my youngest is graduating high school in May. With that comes the choosing of colleges, figuring out how to pay for college and all the stuff that goes with that. The choosing has been done, he will be attending Grand Valley State University in Allendale, MI in the fall. He has done really well in high school (time for dad to brag a little he is graduating #14 in a class of around 230 and has a GPA of 4.09). Pretty proud of my son he has worked hard to get where he is at and I know he will continue to do well @ GVSU. Along with him going to GVSU Vicki and I become empty nesters, I'm not really sure how to feel about that. I am excited for Sean as he moves on to the next phase of his life and I am excited for Vicki and myself as we move into a different phase of our life also. No more having to wait on the school schedule to plan vacations or work schedules if we want to do something on the weekend. But, along with the excitement comes a feeling of oh I don't know wistfulness maybe. We have been married for 27 years and for 24.5 of those years we have had children around it's just going to be different I guess.
One of the other changes that is going to happen is the fact that I am stepping out of working with the youth at the church I attend. I have been involved with the youth group basically since it was started when my daughter was in 7th grade something like 12 or 13 years. As much as I enjoy hanging with the kids and I know I will miss working with them it is just time, time to let someone else have the blessing of getting to know and guide that group of young people.
Something that is not going to change is my involvement in the Highland Games, I have a full schedule planned for this year and I'm looking for some improvement in several events. Last year I several of my goals but not all of them so I wasn't really happy with the overall season. I am ready to go right now time to start throwing my body is saying, have you looked outside? my mind says. We still have 3 or 4 feet of snow and it is time for it to leave!! My buddies and myself want to start throwing heavy stuff and flipping trees. Last year we were throwing outside the 2nd week of march and it was 80 degrees, this year so far the best it's been is 42 degrees (today) and way to much snow still on the ground. All I know is Alma is coming and I don't have time for this stupid snow to stick around. Enough of the rant, I enjoy everything about the Highland Games, the training, the people, the gear and the festivals we perform at. Most importantly is the people I have met a group of men and women in this sport (both as competitors and family/fans) that are truly a great big family, we keep in touch in the off season, worry about each other and rejoice with each other. It is truly an honor to take the field and compete with these people.
Well that's it for now so long ad God Bless, Jay
As I do every New Years I evaluate where I am at and where I'm going in all aspects of my life and the theme for this year seems to be "a Year Of Change". How so you may ask, the biggest change is the fact that my youngest is graduating high school in May. With that comes the choosing of colleges, figuring out how to pay for college and all the stuff that goes with that. The choosing has been done, he will be attending Grand Valley State University in Allendale, MI in the fall. He has done really well in high school (time for dad to brag a little he is graduating #14 in a class of around 230 and has a GPA of 4.09). Pretty proud of my son he has worked hard to get where he is at and I know he will continue to do well @ GVSU. Along with him going to GVSU Vicki and I become empty nesters, I'm not really sure how to feel about that. I am excited for Sean as he moves on to the next phase of his life and I am excited for Vicki and myself as we move into a different phase of our life also. No more having to wait on the school schedule to plan vacations or work schedules if we want to do something on the weekend. But, along with the excitement comes a feeling of oh I don't know wistfulness maybe. We have been married for 27 years and for 24.5 of those years we have had children around it's just going to be different I guess.
One of the other changes that is going to happen is the fact that I am stepping out of working with the youth at the church I attend. I have been involved with the youth group basically since it was started when my daughter was in 7th grade something like 12 or 13 years. As much as I enjoy hanging with the kids and I know I will miss working with them it is just time, time to let someone else have the blessing of getting to know and guide that group of young people.
Something that is not going to change is my involvement in the Highland Games, I have a full schedule planned for this year and I'm looking for some improvement in several events. Last year I several of my goals but not all of them so I wasn't really happy with the overall season. I am ready to go right now time to start throwing my body is saying, have you looked outside? my mind says. We still have 3 or 4 feet of snow and it is time for it to leave!! My buddies and myself want to start throwing heavy stuff and flipping trees. Last year we were throwing outside the 2nd week of march and it was 80 degrees, this year so far the best it's been is 42 degrees (today) and way to much snow still on the ground. All I know is Alma is coming and I don't have time for this stupid snow to stick around. Enough of the rant, I enjoy everything about the Highland Games, the training, the people, the gear and the festivals we perform at. Most importantly is the people I have met a group of men and women in this sport (both as competitors and family/fans) that are truly a great big family, we keep in touch in the off season, worry about each other and rejoice with each other. It is truly an honor to take the field and compete with these people.
Well that's it for now so long ad God Bless, Jay
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Well, It's been months since I last posted. The last time I posted it we were just getting into spring and now we are into fall.
Alot has happened since I was on here last, I've completed my 2nd season of Highland Games competition ans it went pretty well. I didn't reach all the goals I set for myself but I did hit several of them so overall I'm pretty happy with the way the year went. The most important thing about the season was that we got to spend many weekends with some great people. The big news on the Highland Games front is that they have announced that the 2014 Masters World Championships will be held in Inverness Scotland in September. Vicki and I are already making plans to go both so I can compete but also to fulfill a lifelong dream of both of ours to visit where so many of our family came from. The big question is whether or not we should just do Scotland on this trip or combine it with time spent in Ireland also, fortunately we have about 18 months before we have to really start nailing down plans.
On the home front our son Sean has started his senior year of high school so we have started the college visit thing along with all of the regular senior year things. I can't believe he's almost ready to graduate and get on with the next phase of his life which also means Vicki and I will also be moving onto the next phase too. We are getting ready to make the last college visit for the fall next Friday and Grand Valley State University near Grand Rapids. Then it is time for alot of talking with Sean about his goals and help him navigate through all the things he has to consider. He is a really good kid with a good head on his shoulders and he has a pretty good idea of what he wants. I think our role will be more of encouragement as he makes his decision.
It's been almost 2 years since I completed my weight loss journey of 100 lbs and I have done pretty well keeping it off but recently I have allowed a few pounds to creep back on so it's back to the program of really watching what I eat and continued workouts. I have really been exploring eating alot more natural foods and staying away from the processed stuff. I'm struggling a little bit as far as really trying to maintain my weight but still eating enough of the right things to be able to continue to gain strength to improve my performance in the Highland Games. I think it probably of combination of refocusing and realizing that as long as the weight I carry is lean (muscle) versus fat it is OK to weight 235- 240 lbs vs 210 to 220 lbs. You definitely eat differently when you are just trying to lose weight vs trying to gain the strength needed to compete on a high level. That's it for now I'll try to be a little more regular about posting.
Jay
Alot has happened since I was on here last, I've completed my 2nd season of Highland Games competition ans it went pretty well. I didn't reach all the goals I set for myself but I did hit several of them so overall I'm pretty happy with the way the year went. The most important thing about the season was that we got to spend many weekends with some great people. The big news on the Highland Games front is that they have announced that the 2014 Masters World Championships will be held in Inverness Scotland in September. Vicki and I are already making plans to go both so I can compete but also to fulfill a lifelong dream of both of ours to visit where so many of our family came from. The big question is whether or not we should just do Scotland on this trip or combine it with time spent in Ireland also, fortunately we have about 18 months before we have to really start nailing down plans.
On the home front our son Sean has started his senior year of high school so we have started the college visit thing along with all of the regular senior year things. I can't believe he's almost ready to graduate and get on with the next phase of his life which also means Vicki and I will also be moving onto the next phase too. We are getting ready to make the last college visit for the fall next Friday and Grand Valley State University near Grand Rapids. Then it is time for alot of talking with Sean about his goals and help him navigate through all the things he has to consider. He is a really good kid with a good head on his shoulders and he has a pretty good idea of what he wants. I think our role will be more of encouragement as he makes his decision.
It's been almost 2 years since I completed my weight loss journey of 100 lbs and I have done pretty well keeping it off but recently I have allowed a few pounds to creep back on so it's back to the program of really watching what I eat and continued workouts. I have really been exploring eating alot more natural foods and staying away from the processed stuff. I'm struggling a little bit as far as really trying to maintain my weight but still eating enough of the right things to be able to continue to gain strength to improve my performance in the Highland Games. I think it probably of combination of refocusing and realizing that as long as the weight I carry is lean (muscle) versus fat it is OK to weight 235- 240 lbs vs 210 to 220 lbs. You definitely eat differently when you are just trying to lose weight vs trying to gain the strength needed to compete on a high level. That's it for now I'll try to be a little more regular about posting.
Jay
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
The Games are A Comin'
Well it is March 21 and spring has officially sprung even though it feels like it is summer. We have been in the 70's and even some low 80's for a week now. Another sure sign that is spring is here is that I have been able to start training outside for the highland games competitions this summer already. We practiced outside Sunday and had a great time. I was a little rusty but it felt good to actually start throwing heavy stuff. I have been working hard in the off season to get stronger and on my technique. I t seems to have paid off, in the first practice I threw the weight over bar higher than I did at the end of last season and I have added the double spin to my throws in the heavy and light weights for distance. Those still need ALOT of work but at least I'm using 2 spins and I am throwing as far as I did with 1 spin last year. As I refine the technique I'm sure those distances will become greater so I feel pretty good about where they are right now.
Last night we had the wrestling banquet for the high school wrestling team and Sean recieved his varsity letter. I'm so happy for him you don't just get your letter in wrestling you really have to work hard for and achieve certain goals. He has worked through illness and some minor injuries to achieve those goals and he is already in the gym lifting to get stronger for next year. He was able to wrestle varsity a few times this season and was able to get a key win for the team in team districts this year. I don't know who was more excited him or me. Well have to get to work more later.
God Bless, Jay
Last night we had the wrestling banquet for the high school wrestling team and Sean recieved his varsity letter. I'm so happy for him you don't just get your letter in wrestling you really have to work hard for and achieve certain goals. He has worked through illness and some minor injuries to achieve those goals and he is already in the gym lifting to get stronger for next year. He was able to wrestle varsity a few times this season and was able to get a key win for the team in team districts this year. I don't know who was more excited him or me. Well have to get to work more later.
God Bless, Jay
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Happy Birthday Robert Burns Scotlands National Poet
Today is the 253rd birthday of Robert Burns Scotlands National Poet. Here is one of his pieces I'll try to post more later.
A Bard's Epitaph
1786
Is there a whim-inspired fool,
Owre fast for thought, owre hot for rule,
Owre blate to seek, owre proud to snool,
Let him draw near;
And owre this grassy heap sing dool,
And drap a tear.
Is there a bard of rustic song,
Who, noteless, steals the crowds among,
That weekly this area throng,
O, pass not by!
But, with a frater-feeling strong,
Here, heave a sigh.
Is there a man, whose judgment clear
Can others teach the course to steer,
Yet runs, himself, life's mad career,
Wild as the wave,
Here pause-and, thro' the starting tear,
Survey this grave.
The poor inhabitant below
Was quick to learn the wise to know,
And keenly felt the friendly glow,
And softer flame;
But thoughtless follies laid him low,
And stain'd his name!
Reader, attend! whether thy soul
Soars fancy's flights beyond the pole,
Or darkling grubs this earthly hole,
In low pursuit:
Know, prudent, cautious, self-control
Is wisdom's root.
A Bard's Epitaph
1786
Is there a whim-inspired fool,
Owre fast for thought, owre hot for rule,
Owre blate to seek, owre proud to snool,
Let him draw near;
And owre this grassy heap sing dool,
And drap a tear.
Is there a bard of rustic song,
Who, noteless, steals the crowds among,
That weekly this area throng,
O, pass not by!
But, with a frater-feeling strong,
Here, heave a sigh.
Is there a man, whose judgment clear
Can others teach the course to steer,
Yet runs, himself, life's mad career,
Wild as the wave,
Here pause-and, thro' the starting tear,
Survey this grave.
The poor inhabitant below
Was quick to learn the wise to know,
And keenly felt the friendly glow,
And softer flame;
But thoughtless follies laid him low,
And stain'd his name!
Reader, attend! whether thy soul
Soars fancy's flights beyond the pole,
Or darkling grubs this earthly hole,
In low pursuit:
Know, prudent, cautious, self-control
Is wisdom's root.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
A Lazy Sunday
This week has been a busy week, the weather was lousy most of the week to the point that Tuesday I was stuck in the middle of the road in Roscommon in a semi. I couldn't move forward or backward and after using 50 lbs of salt (to no avail) I had to get a wrecker to get me moving.In almost 20 years of driving it is only the second time I have needed a wrecker and if I can't get it moving with 50 lbs of salt you know it is bad out. Sean had a wrestling tournament on Friday and he wound up 2-2. I don't think he was very happy with the way he wrestled he seemed pretty frustrated afterwards. He did some things really well and in one match the kid he was wrestling just wound up with a fluke win sometimes that happens in wrestling when you are doing everything right and the kid you are wrestling just happens to get a quick pin call from a ref. The coaches and I still can't figure out how the kid reversed Sean the way he did. I'm not sure who was more surprised Sean or the kid he wrestled. The other thing he had going against him is that he was wrestling kids bigger than him ( in a round robin tourney they match the kids up in groups of 4 or 5 according to weight and Sean wound up in a group where 2 of the kids outweighed by about 25 lbs and that makes a huge difference. overall this has been his best year yet.
In other news on the 25th of this month it is Robert Burns 253rd birthday he was the national poet of Scotland and in honor of his birth I will post some of his poetry on here Wed even if you haven't read Burns you have heard his poetry before he wrote Auld Lang Syne along with many other great poems. Other than that I have started to prepare for the Highland Games season that is coming up I am already signed up for Alma this year over Memorial Day weekend. That is the same weekend as the Masters World Championships in Greenville SC. I feel a special affinity for Alma as it was my first games ever last year and I appreciate Holly taking a chance on me. I am looking forward improving my finish this year I'm hoping for a top 5 finish but with the Masters Worlds that same weekend I don't really know who is going to be there. I do know several of the guys I normally throw against are planning to go to MWC so I may be throwing against a whole different group of people than I normally do. As for training I am going to cut back on my Wed workouts and just do light weight training and focus more on cardio and flexibility and get prepared to start throwing as soon as the snow is gone. Well that's it for now gotta get ready for the AFC and NFC championship games. My picks are New England and San Francisco. I would love Jim Harbaugh to get to the Superbowl in his first year as an NFL head coach.
God Bless, Jay
In other news on the 25th of this month it is Robert Burns 253rd birthday he was the national poet of Scotland and in honor of his birth I will post some of his poetry on here Wed even if you haven't read Burns you have heard his poetry before he wrote Auld Lang Syne along with many other great poems. Other than that I have started to prepare for the Highland Games season that is coming up I am already signed up for Alma this year over Memorial Day weekend. That is the same weekend as the Masters World Championships in Greenville SC. I feel a special affinity for Alma as it was my first games ever last year and I appreciate Holly taking a chance on me. I am looking forward improving my finish this year I'm hoping for a top 5 finish but with the Masters Worlds that same weekend I don't really know who is going to be there. I do know several of the guys I normally throw against are planning to go to MWC so I may be throwing against a whole different group of people than I normally do. As for training I am going to cut back on my Wed workouts and just do light weight training and focus more on cardio and flexibility and get prepared to start throwing as soon as the snow is gone. Well that's it for now gotta get ready for the AFC and NFC championship games. My picks are New England and San Francisco. I would love Jim Harbaugh to get to the Superbowl in his first year as an NFL head coach.
God Bless, Jay
Friday, January 13, 2012
Life In January
Well we got the first storm of the new year last night. We got about 8 inches of snow in the driveway and the temps have plummeted from the mid 40's Wednesday to the low teens today, oh well welcome to northern Michigan. Things have been pretty quiet round here this past week just the usual stuff. Wednesday Vicki and I travelled to Petoskey to watch a 3 way wrestling meet between Gaylord, Petoskey and Traverse City Central. Gaylord wrestled Petoskey first. This was a big match with not only conference standings on the line but Petoskey is also in our district along with Ogemaw Heights so district seedings were at stake. I glad to say the kids wrestled well and beat the Northmen 44-21. This always a big match for both schools as for many years Gaylord and Petoskey have had the premier wrestling programs in northern Michigan. Both teams are extremely young this year so we weren't really sure what to expect. Next Gaylord wrestled TC Central and Gaylord totally dominated them a perfect team score in wrestling is 84 points ( 14 pins) we beat Central 83-0 with the one match being a technical fall (when winning by fifteen points or more the match is stopped kinda like the mercy rule in baseball.) The team seems to be starting to peak at just the right time. Sean also turned 17 on Wed. He was pretty bummed that he had an away match that day but he gave himself a pretty nice birthday present by pinning a kid from Petoskey. I am so proud of my son he has grown up into quite the young man he is a very good student, he cares for others and he is developing into a pretty good athlete. He struggled with asthma until just a couple of years ago he wasn't able to do so much of what the other kids were able to, but now he has learned to cope with it and has come to realize that he can be involved in physical stuff and excel. Now he talks about getting stronger for next year and what he can do to improve going into next season.
Cabin fever is starting to set in for my highland games buddies and myself, we haven't competed since Oct and we are all getting the itch to throw sticks and stones. We are all getting together for a "kilted dinner" in Feb. That's right, all of us big burly men put on our kilts and along with our significant others go out to dinner and just have a blast visiting with each other. On the games front we are starting to get things organized for the coming summer the Alma games is Memorial Day weekend and I am already signed up. This will be my second year competing and I have set my goals pretty high. We did find out this week that Midland isn't having a games this year and we were all pretty disappointed however, we did hear of a possible new festival in Petoskey and I know a friend of mine is putting one on in Spring Lake so there are some new possibilities. Along with the turning of the year and games schedules coming out the trash talk is starting up again. Maybe starting up isn't the right phrase perhaps ramping up is better as the talk never really stops it just slows down a little. This is a great bunch of guys I throw with and I am honored they accepted me into their group. Well that's it for now.
God Bless, Jay
Cabin fever is starting to set in for my highland games buddies and myself, we haven't competed since Oct and we are all getting the itch to throw sticks and stones. We are all getting together for a "kilted dinner" in Feb. That's right, all of us big burly men put on our kilts and along with our significant others go out to dinner and just have a blast visiting with each other. On the games front we are starting to get things organized for the coming summer the Alma games is Memorial Day weekend and I am already signed up. This will be my second year competing and I have set my goals pretty high. We did find out this week that Midland isn't having a games this year and we were all pretty disappointed however, we did hear of a possible new festival in Petoskey and I know a friend of mine is putting one on in Spring Lake so there are some new possibilities. Along with the turning of the year and games schedules coming out the trash talk is starting up again. Maybe starting up isn't the right phrase perhaps ramping up is better as the talk never really stops it just slows down a little. This is a great bunch of guys I throw with and I am honored they accepted me into their group. Well that's it for now.
God Bless, Jay
Monday, January 2, 2012
New Years Resolution
Well I've been horrible about posting this past year so my resolution for 2012 is to be More consistent in blogging this year. Since I last posted anything I have completed my first year of Highland Games competitions. I competed in 7 games in 2011 learned alot, made great new friends and had a blast. My first competition was Memorial Day weekend at the Alma Highland Festival, I was amazed I was able to get in there on my first attempt. My goals in this games was to 1) not embarrass myself and 2) learn what I could from the other competitors. I succeeded in both. I finished last in my age group but I acquitted myself well. I didn't finish last in every event and picked a caber in competition for the first time. I didn't turn it but I picked it. ( For those of you that don't know a caber is literally a tree that is usually 17 to 20 feet long and weighs 90 to 120 lbs. You pick it up from the top and balance it in your hands, run with it and try to flip it end over end.) Picking it was a big deal because I had only picked a much smaller caber in practice and never a full sized one. I 4 more competitions in June and July and I finally started to come into my own at the Gaylord games on July 23. I would up taking second in my age group and turned the caber for the first time in competition. It was really a close competition for second coming down to the last event Weight over bar. I wound up taking 2nd by one point over my buddy Ken. In Kalamazoo I actually won my first event in the sheaf toss clearing 22 feet. (where that came from I don't know I haven't cleared that in a comp since and in practice a hand full of times since then.) I struggled in a couple of events I don't normally struggle in and wound up 4th that day. The final games of the year was Oct 1 at the Red Flannel Games. I had a pretty good day setting a Personal best in the hammer and taking 3rd overall I missed 2nd by a point. Over all I was very pleased with my first year of competition. As I said I had fun and learned alot but most importantly I made some great new friends, Highland competitions are the only contests I've been in where your competitors help you to improve your game often to the detriment of themselves. It is really more like family than competition.and every time we get together it is like a family reunion. I want to thank everyone that has helped me this year particularly Dale and Jason who pushed me in practice 2 days a week and encouraged me when I would get discouraged and Mark, Ken, JT and all the other geezers out there throwing big heavy things because we can you have all become like brothers to me and I can't wait for next season to start.
On the family front Vicki is right there with me at all the competitions and has even become involved with score keeping and has developed some great relationships with the other wives and girlfriends. My son has helped out at games shagging weights and setting cabers and all the guys really appreciate him helping and ask if he is going to throw someday. Vick is busy with her quilting and Sean is almost 17 and really starting to develop his own life (ie: friends, girlfriends, sports etc.) Well that's it for now I'll try to keep up on this this year.
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| Kalamazoo Weight Over Bar |
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| Kalamazoo Caber |
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| Saline Hammer PR 65 Ft |
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| The crew who threw at Gaylord great people. |
Monday, April 18, 2011
Got Kilt?? Yes I Do
Wow it's been a month since my last post, where does the time go? Not alot has been happening here spring is trying to spring but mother nature seems to have a stranglehold and won't leave. I have my seeds for planting the garden but the weather isn't cooperating so I haven't been able to get out there and get the boxes ready for planting.
With spring approaching a mans fancy turns to other things namely, Highland games. I haven't been able to train yet because again the weather isn't cooperating. This is my first year competing and I'm pretty excited. I am confirmed for 5 games this year, Kalamazoo in Aug, Fife Lake in June, Gaylord in July, Canterbury Village in July, and last but not least and a little surprising I was notified last week that I'm in at Alma memorial day weekend. The Alma games is surprising because it usually takes a year or two to get in. I am still waiting to hear back on a couple of other games this year Midland in June and Saline in July.
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| My Kilt Pin |
To participate in the games you are required to wear a kilt so I recently took delivery on mine. I am going to be wearing the tartan of my clan in Scotland ( my great-great-great grandmother was a Livingston born in Scotland.) I chose to have my kilt made in the Livingston muted tartan and it is absolutely beautiful. I had the kilt made by Linda Lee of A Stitch In Time in Lake Orion, MI. She did a fantastic job!!!! I told her when I picked up the kilt that I was very pleasantly surprised, I felt that I was getting much more in quality than I paid for. Linda really is more of an artist than a seamstress she has a passion for what she does and it shows in her work. I have decided that the drive to Lake Orion is well worth it for her work and I will use her again for anything I need. Thanks again Linda. I have posted some pictures of the kilt here in the blog and on my facebook page check them out. Other than that it has been pretty quiet up here in the north country. Today I did take my youngest to get his drivers license. It seems like this one stung a little more than it did with my daughter. I don't know if it's because he's getting older or because I am. Well that's it for now I will be posting more as the games get going this summer.
God Bless, Jay
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| Front |
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| Back |
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| My Belt |
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| My Belt Buckle |
Thursday, March 17, 2011
In Honor of St Patricks Day
In honor St Patricks Day and the Irish side of my family (My mother is a Collins) her is a biography of Irelands poet William Butler Yeats and one of his poems.
From Dublin, the family moved to London. Yeats was initially educated at home, but in 1877, he was able to enter the Godolphin School. He studied there for four years but was considered by his masters as a mediocre student. The family returned to Dublin in 1880 and in 1881, Yeats continued his education at the Erasmus Smith High School until he left in 1883.
He started writing poetry between these periods and in 1885, his first poems were published in the Dublin University Review. His earlier works include Irish Fairy Tales (1892), The Celtic Twilight (1893), and The Wanderings Of Oisin And Other Poems (1889).
Yeats returned to Ireland in 1896 and reformed, first the Irish Literary Society; followed by the National Literary Society. In1897, he co-founded the Irish Literary Theater. He met and married Georgie Hyde-Lee in 1917, and together, they collaborated on a book on marriage entitled, A Vision (1925).
In 1923, Yeats was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature, and in 1934, he and Rudyard Kipling received the Gothenburg Prize for Poetry. His autobiography, Autobiographies of William Butler Yeats was published in 1938.
Yeats suffered from several illnesses in his old age, and on 28 January 1939, Yeats was laid to rest. He was 73.
When You Are Old
When you are old and grey and full of sleep,
And nodding by the fire, take down this book,
And slowly read, and dream of the soft look
Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep;
How many loved your moments of glad grace,
And loved your beauty with love false or true,
But one man loved the pilgrim Soul in you,
And loved the sorrows of your changing face;
And bending down beside the glowing bars,
Murmur, a little sadly, how Love fled
And paced upon the mountains overhead
And hid his face amid a crowd of stars.
Here is another one.
HE REMEMBERS FORGOTTEN BEAUTY
by: William Butler Yeats (1865-1939)
William Butler Yeats biography :
The 13th of June 1865 marked the entry of Irish poet, dramatist, mystic and civil servant, William Butler Yeats into the world. Yeats’ father was John Butler Yeats, and his mother was Susan Mary Pollexfen. Their family was very artistically inclined. His brother was a well-known painter, and both his sisters were actively involved in the Arts & Crafts movement.From Dublin, the family moved to London. Yeats was initially educated at home, but in 1877, he was able to enter the Godolphin School. He studied there for four years but was considered by his masters as a mediocre student. The family returned to Dublin in 1880 and in 1881, Yeats continued his education at the Erasmus Smith High School until he left in 1883.
He started writing poetry between these periods and in 1885, his first poems were published in the Dublin University Review. His earlier works include Irish Fairy Tales (1892), The Celtic Twilight (1893), and The Wanderings Of Oisin And Other Poems (1889).
Yeats returned to Ireland in 1896 and reformed, first the Irish Literary Society; followed by the National Literary Society. In1897, he co-founded the Irish Literary Theater. He met and married Georgie Hyde-Lee in 1917, and together, they collaborated on a book on marriage entitled, A Vision (1925).
In 1923, Yeats was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature, and in 1934, he and Rudyard Kipling received the Gothenburg Prize for Poetry. His autobiography, Autobiographies of William Butler Yeats was published in 1938.
Yeats suffered from several illnesses in his old age, and on 28 January 1939, Yeats was laid to rest. He was 73.
When You Are Old
by William Butler Yeats
When you are old and grey and full of sleep,
And nodding by the fire, take down this book,
And slowly read, and dream of the soft look
Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep;
How many loved your moments of glad grace,
And loved your beauty with love false or true,
But one man loved the pilgrim Soul in you,
And loved the sorrows of your changing face;
And bending down beside the glowing bars,
Murmur, a little sadly, how Love fled
And paced upon the mountains overhead
And hid his face amid a crowd of stars.
Here is another one.
HE REMEMBERS FORGOTTEN BEAUTY
by: William Butler Yeats (1865-1939)
HEN my arms wrap you round I press
- My heart upon the loveliness
- That has long faded from the world;
- The jewelled crowns that kings have hurled
- In shadowy pools, when armies fled;
- The love-tales wrought with silken thread
- By dreaming ladies upon cloth
- That has made fat the murderous moth;
- The roses that of old time were
- Woven by ladies in their hair,
- The dew-cold lilies ladies bore
- Through many a sacred corridor
- Where such grey clouds of incense rose
- That only God's eyes did not close:
- For that pale breast and lingering hand
- Come from a more dream-heavy land,
- A more dream-heavy hour than this;
- And when you sigh from kiss to kiss
- I hear white Beauty sighing, too,
- For hours when all must fade like dew,
- But flame on flame, and deep on deep,
- Throne over throne where in half sleep,
- Their swords upon their iron knees,
- Brood her high lonely mysteries.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Wow It's Been Almost A Month
Wow where does the time go!! I got looking at the blog today and realized that it has been nearly a month since I last posted anything. Let me bring you up to date as to what has been going on in my life. Since I last posted I have been leading a study in Sunday school on Revelations 2-3. I have been leading our adult Sunday school class about 10 years now I guess and I have always said I won't lead a study on the Book of Revelation, I don't feel that I have the credentials to lead a study on the book especially since there are so many ways to interpret the book and I don't like getting caught up chasing rabbits. My personal interpretation of this book is pretty simple, JUST BE READY. If we live our lives according to what the Lord has laid out for us in scripture there is nothing to worry about. I sometimes think that people get so worked up trying to look for the signs in this book so that they can do what they want right up to the last moment. Anyway, let me come down off of my soapbox now and continue with what I wanted to say. As I was saying, after much thought and prayer and as much as it hurts to admit it wrestling, and arguing with God we broke down the letters to the 7 churches. I can only say I was an idiot for trying to avoid this for so long, when I look at scripture I always try to find what the Lord is saying to me personally and what he had to say this time was truly eye-opening. One of the many things out there about the letters is that they each represent a time in church history I'm not arguing that but as I said I like taking it down to a more personal level so over the next few posts I will show what I have learned.
Now on to other things. I just found out that my kilt should be ready in about 2 weeks, I'm pretty excited to get it as it means that the highland games season is just around the corner. This will be the first year I have participated in the games and it should be a blast. I'm not looking to break any records or even win any events but I do expect to at least make a good showing. I am tentatively set up for at least 4 games this year and I am on the waiting list for the Alma games. I probably won't participate in that one because it will probably be filled with past competitors but I'll be ready just in case. I will post a picture when I get my kilt, it is in the traditional tartan of my clan (Livingston). My Great-Great-Great Grandmother was a Livingston born in Scotland.
This past weekend we took the youth group from the church to Springhill camp for a weekend retreat. Unfortunately Sean couldn't go because he came down with bronchitis friday. It was a great time of time with God and fun. I was most impressed with how some of the older kids took to mentoring the younger ones ( our group goes from 7th-12th grades). It is always a worry when you do things like this that God will get lost in the shuffle but Springhill goes out of their way to make sure that doesn't happen and you could see the kids get something out of the weekend other than just a fun time. Well I need to head to the gym talk to you later.
God Bless, Jay
Now on to other things. I just found out that my kilt should be ready in about 2 weeks, I'm pretty excited to get it as it means that the highland games season is just around the corner. This will be the first year I have participated in the games and it should be a blast. I'm not looking to break any records or even win any events but I do expect to at least make a good showing. I am tentatively set up for at least 4 games this year and I am on the waiting list for the Alma games. I probably won't participate in that one because it will probably be filled with past competitors but I'll be ready just in case. I will post a picture when I get my kilt, it is in the traditional tartan of my clan (Livingston). My Great-Great-Great Grandmother was a Livingston born in Scotland.
This past weekend we took the youth group from the church to Springhill camp for a weekend retreat. Unfortunately Sean couldn't go because he came down with bronchitis friday. It was a great time of time with God and fun. I was most impressed with how some of the older kids took to mentoring the younger ones ( our group goes from 7th-12th grades). It is always a worry when you do things like this that God will get lost in the shuffle but Springhill goes out of their way to make sure that doesn't happen and you could see the kids get something out of the weekend other than just a fun time. Well I need to head to the gym talk to you later.
God Bless, Jay
Sunday, February 20, 2011
The Weekend In A Nutshell
What a great weekend!!! Saturday my wife spent the afternoon and evening together and went out to dinner to celebrate our 25th anniversary. First we drove to petoskey and went to what is fast becoming one of our favorite stores, County Emmet Celtic Shop. There we purchased a small book of Irish quotations. It is full of quotations from famous Irish folks such as Oscar Wilde, George Bernard Shaw, Jonathan Swift, etc. In reading some of these quotes particularly Oscar Wilde you get a sense of not only the wit but also the wisdom of some of Ireland's best. I think one of the ones I liked the best was this one from Oscar Wilde poet/playwright.
Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that
nothing that is worth knowing can be taught"
Is this wit or wisdom?? you decide. In one way this is a cynical remark about education but in another way it is a wise statement in the fact that what we learn in books is important but what we learn from experience can be so much more useful in our lives.
Anyway after we left the store we drove down to the waterfront. This place holds a special place in our hearts as it is the place of our first kiss and the place where we made it known to each other that this relationship was moving on from just dating to possible marriage. It was then that I popped the question! What question you may ask, I asked her if after 25 years she would do it again. She said yes!!! and more importantly she didn't hesitate even a little bit. I think I was more nervous and excited than the first time around. I told her the same thing it's good to know that after all this time you both feel the same way today as you did back then. After we sat there awhile talking and laughing we drove to Elk Rapids to what is becoming one of our favorite restaurants Pearls New Orleans Kitchen . This place has great Cajun and creole food and the atmosphere is fantastic. If you are ever in northern Michigan and have a hankerin' for Cajun this is the place to go. These people also own the Red Mesa Grill in Traverse City and Boyne City their speciality in these restaurants is Caribbean food once again it is great food. This was just a great day spent with my wife and I hope we many more days like this in the future. Anyway that's it for now until next time
God Bless,
Jay
Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that
nothing that is worth knowing can be taught"
Is this wit or wisdom?? you decide. In one way this is a cynical remark about education but in another way it is a wise statement in the fact that what we learn in books is important but what we learn from experience can be so much more useful in our lives.
Anyway after we left the store we drove down to the waterfront. This place holds a special place in our hearts as it is the place of our first kiss and the place where we made it known to each other that this relationship was moving on from just dating to possible marriage. It was then that I popped the question! What question you may ask, I asked her if after 25 years she would do it again. She said yes!!! and more importantly she didn't hesitate even a little bit. I think I was more nervous and excited than the first time around. I told her the same thing it's good to know that after all this time you both feel the same way today as you did back then. After we sat there awhile talking and laughing we drove to Elk Rapids to what is becoming one of our favorite restaurants Pearls New Orleans Kitchen . This place has great Cajun and creole food and the atmosphere is fantastic. If you are ever in northern Michigan and have a hankerin' for Cajun this is the place to go. These people also own the Red Mesa Grill in Traverse City and Boyne City their speciality in these restaurants is Caribbean food once again it is great food. This was just a great day spent with my wife and I hope we many more days like this in the future. Anyway that's it for now until next time
God Bless,
Jay
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Today Is The Day
25 years ago today my wife and I were married. Looking back it doesn't seem like it's been that long. My wife has been my biggest cheerleader, my confidante, and best friend. She has stuck with me when I have given up on myself and been there to help me pick up the pieces when I have wrecked. Without Vicki in my life there is no telling where I have ended up, I do know it wouldn't have been where I am now. She has lifted me up when I needed it and held me back when I needed it also. I guess the best way I can describe my wife is using scripture.
Proverbs 31:10-31
Proverbs 31:10-31
10 jWho 3can find a 4virtuous wife?
For her worth is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax,
And willingly works with her hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
She brings her food from afar.
15 kShe also rises while it is yet night,
And lprovides food for her household,
And a portion for her maidservants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
From 5her profits she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength,
And strengthens her arms.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is good,
And her lamp does not go out by night.
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hand holds the spindle.
20 mShe extends her hand to the poor,
Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
22 She makes tapestry for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 nHer husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies sashes for the merchants.
25 Strength and honor are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates.
So here it is Happy Anniversary to my Proverbs 31 wife you complete me in to many to list here so I will just say I LOVE YOU and I wouldn't trade any day of the last 25 years if I had to go through them again without you by my side. Heres to another 25 years until we are old and gray.
God Bless, Jay
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Wednesday Mental Wanderings
Last night we found out Sean will be getting bumped up to varsity for the District wrestling tournament tonight. This is a good opportunity for him to help his team and have some success, he should be wrestling a kid from Ogemaw Heights. IF he is wrestling the person I think he will be he can beat him. In other news we found out that Adams cancer hasn't spread beyond the tumor location, this is great news as far as it starts giving them a game plan on treatment and is an answer to prayer. As a person who has walked through cancer with my wife I think that initial time of not knowing the facts is the hardest. Once you have that plan of treatment it seems to make things a little easier. Adam still has along road to go down but at least he can now start the journey with plan and more importantly with the confidence of Christ. Last sunday in sunday school we looked at the letter to the church at Ephesus in Revelation 2. The Lord pointed out all the good things that they were doing but, he did tell them that they had lost their first love HIM. This served as a reminder to us all that we can't become so involved in DOING things that we forget the reason we are doing them. We are called by the Lord to do good works but we are never supposed to take our eyes off of him and allow the "things" to replace him. Gotta head to work.
God Bless,
Jay
God Bless,
Jay
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Thursday Morning
Well after snowpocalypse 2011 I am getting ready to head into work. Due to the storm they shut down the freight system Tuesday night and Wednesday. Good news is because I didn't work yesterday I was able to go watch the wrestling team capture their 5th or 6th straight conference wrestling title against Traverse City West High School. Sean had a tough day yesterday but Tuesday night he had a great night beating a kid from Mancelona and pinning a kid from Elk Rapids. His matches are done for the season unless he winds up bumping up to varsity for a match during team districts next week. He improved so much over the season, he is technically a better wrestler than I ever was and that killer instinct and confidence in his own abilities is starting to show itself. I think he will be very successful on the mat over the next couple of years. Even if he isn't I couldn't have asked for a better son. He is smart, thoughtful and kind to others what more can a dad ask for?
On another note we are going to be studying the letters to the churches in chapters 2 and 3 of the Book of Revelation in Sunday school over the next couple of weeks. Once again God has proven one of my favorite sayings "You want to make God laugh, tell him your plans." Just 2 weeks ago I said to the adult Sunday school class I lead that I didn't feel comfortable leading a study on that book of the Bible. Well apparently God thought that this would be a good time to take me out of my comfort zone so here we go. I know with prayer and study he will lead me through it and I will be all the better for it and he will get the glory.
Gotta go God Bless,
Jay
On another note we are going to be studying the letters to the churches in chapters 2 and 3 of the Book of Revelation in Sunday school over the next couple of weeks. Once again God has proven one of my favorite sayings "You want to make God laugh, tell him your plans." Just 2 weeks ago I said to the adult Sunday school class I lead that I didn't feel comfortable leading a study on that book of the Bible. Well apparently God thought that this would be a good time to take me out of my comfort zone so here we go. I know with prayer and study he will lead me through it and I will be all the better for it and he will get the glory.
Gotta go God Bless,
Jay
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Saturday Wrestling
Getting ready to head up to Gaylord High School for the Northern Michigan Wrestling Championships. 29 teams from all over the northern lower peninsula and as far west as Iron Mountain in the upper peninsula. This is one of the largest 1 day tournaments in the state of Michigan, the only tournaments bigger are Macomb and Oakland counties down in the Detroit area and the MHSAA state tournament held at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills Mi. These tournaments are two day tournaments. Some of the best wrestlers in the state of Michigan will be there.
Being a former wrestler myself and having a son who wrestles for Gaylord High School makes this one of my favorite days of the year. Literally 100's of matches at all weight classes this will be a great time. Watching young men (and more and more often young women) give their all and leave the mat totally spent just to get that final takedown or pin makes me realize that sometimes we sell our younger generation short and stereotype them to much. These kids have what it takes. Talk to you later.
God Bless, Jay
Being a former wrestler myself and having a son who wrestles for Gaylord High School makes this one of my favorite days of the year. Literally 100's of matches at all weight classes this will be a great time. Watching young men (and more and more often young women) give their all and leave the mat totally spent just to get that final takedown or pin makes me realize that sometimes we sell our younger generation short and stereotype them to much. These kids have what it takes. Talk to you later.
God Bless, Jay
Friday, January 28, 2011
Address To The Haggis by Robert Burns
Address to the haggis
Fair is your honest happy face
Great chieftain of the pudding race
Above them all you take your place
Stomach, tripe or guts
Well are you worthy of a grace
As long as my arm
The groaning platter there you fill
Your buttocks like a distant hill
Your skewer would help to repair a mill
In time of need
While through your pores the juices emerge
Like amber beads
His knife having seen hard labour wipes
And cuts you up with great skill
Digging into your gushing insides bright
Like any ditch
And then oh what a glorious sight
Warm steaming, rich
Then spoon for spoon
They stretch and strive
Devil take the last man, on they drive
Until all their well swollen bellies
Are bent like drums
Then, the old gent most likely to rift (burp)
Be thanked, mumbles
Is there that over his French Ragout
Or olio that would sicken a pig
Or fricassee would make her vomit
With perfect disgust
Looks down with a sneering scornful opinion
On such a dinner
Poor devil, see him over his trash
As week as a withered rush (reed)
His spindle-shank a good whiplash
His clenched fist…the size of a nut.
Through a bloody flood and battle field to dash
Oh how unfit
But take note of the strong haggis fed Scot
The trembling earth resounds his tread
Clasped in his large fist a blade
He'll make it whistle
And legs and arms and heads he will cut off
Like the tops of thistles
You powers who make mankind your care
And dish them out their meals
Old Scotland wants no watery food
That splashes in dishes
But if you wish her grateful prayer
Give her a haggis!
In a future post I will tell you what a haggis is. I will say that it is a food and it is delicious. This poem really takes something that is truly uniquely Scottish and uses it in a way to describe and pay homage to Scottish nationalism. This poem was written shortly after the Jacobite rebellion. I must say that I have never really been one for poetry now Robbie Burns ( or Rabbie Burns as they say in Scotland) is rapidly becoming a poet that I like to read. Well off to the gym for weights and 2.5 to 3 miles.
God Bless, Jay
Fair is your honest happy face
Great chieftain of the pudding race
Above them all you take your place
Stomach, tripe or guts
Well are you worthy of a grace
As long as my arm
The groaning platter there you fill
Your buttocks like a distant hill
Your skewer would help to repair a mill
In time of need
While through your pores the juices emerge
Like amber beads
His knife having seen hard labour wipes
And cuts you up with great skill
Digging into your gushing insides bright
Like any ditch
And then oh what a glorious sight
Warm steaming, rich
Then spoon for spoon
They stretch and strive
Devil take the last man, on they drive
Until all their well swollen bellies
Are bent like drums
Then, the old gent most likely to rift (burp)
Be thanked, mumbles
Is there that over his French Ragout
Or olio that would sicken a pig
Or fricassee would make her vomit
With perfect disgust
Looks down with a sneering scornful opinion
On such a dinner
Poor devil, see him over his trash
As week as a withered rush (reed)
His spindle-shank a good whiplash
His clenched fist…the size of a nut.
Through a bloody flood and battle field to dash
Oh how unfit
But take note of the strong haggis fed Scot
The trembling earth resounds his tread
Clasped in his large fist a blade
He'll make it whistle
And legs and arms and heads he will cut off
Like the tops of thistles
You powers who make mankind your care
And dish them out their meals
Old Scotland wants no watery food
That splashes in dishes
But if you wish her grateful prayer
Give her a haggis!
In a future post I will tell you what a haggis is. I will say that it is a food and it is delicious. This poem really takes something that is truly uniquely Scottish and uses it in a way to describe and pay homage to Scottish nationalism. This poem was written shortly after the Jacobite rebellion. I must say that I have never really been one for poetry now Robbie Burns ( or Rabbie Burns as they say in Scotland) is rapidly becoming a poet that I like to read. Well off to the gym for weights and 2.5 to 3 miles.
God Bless, Jay
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