Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Tonight, I rubbed Jeb's head and back until he fell fast asleep.

I didn't read to him tonight. But when I do, sometimes I find myself rushing. To slow down and savor, I take three breaths after reading the last words before turning the page. He looks. I can see him move his head slightly as he looks at individual faces, certain details. Sometimes I think that I could take many breaths before he would turn his face up or say, "Dad."

Tuesday, May 30, 2006

So, we went to Garden Ridge Pottery. As a family. A family outing. The purpose was to get a pot for a plant, a topiary. Oh, were there pots.

I told a friend that I was going to Garden Ridge, and he was sad for me for he was going to his abode to recline and watch a game, any game.

There was so much there. So much decor. So many pots, and harvest candles, and statues of saints, and bird cages made of grapevine, and incense with accompanying burners. There was also a collection of SpongeBob Squarepants Spin Pops. This is a candy sucker affixed to the top of the Spongebob character that has a battery or some such in it that spins the candy sucker in your mouth when a button is depressed. I have nothing more to say about Garden Ridge Pottery.

So, I am home from taking Caleb to basketball practice. Soon, I will be sitting watching the Mavericks game that is well underway and not nearly in the Mavericks favor on a couch that sinks way down when sat upon holding a bowl of homemade vanilla ice cream that Leslie and the kids made today.

Nice.

Sunday, May 28, 2006

From the land of Entitlement

Two Washington Wizards arrested in Miami. One, reportedly, says to the police officers that he can't be arrested because he plays for the Wizards.

Mother of Lebron James is arrested for driving drunk and kicking the window of the police officers car, among other things.

From the land of Enchantment

Three kids. Playing upstairs. The sound of the pounding feet on the floor from above as two boys, 12 and 5, play basketball of an indoor goal. Some yelps and screams. "I want to dunk." The girl plays with her dollhouse somehow peacefully amidst the play.

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It is hard to beat Life cereal. Not the cinnamon, just the plain. Also, Lucky Charms which I know has more marshmallow charms now than it did when I was a kid. Golden Grahams but eat them quick because they get soggy. Captain K/Crunch, but eat just one bowl or the roof of your mouth will be ripped up. Also, Sugar Smacks, Frosted Flakes, and Sugar Pops.

Monday, May 22, 2006



Erin Miller

Writer, jump-roper, artist, reader

Daughter of Brian and Leslie Miller

Who cares about God and my family

Who feels wonderful that I have a great family

Who needs food, water and love to survive

Who gives love and cheerfulness

Who fears getting lost

Who would like to see Jesus

Resident of Keller, Texas

Erin Miller


I really, really need a baby kangaroo. One reason I need it is because there are not that many baby kangaroos in America, and I bet he'd like to be one of the first kangaroos to step foot into America. Another reason is I need to have something to love and care for. I would certainly not complain about having to feed it everyday, and I would give it tons of attention. I need to learn to be even more responsible than I already am. I can assure you you won't find him in the refridgerator or cabinets after you've taken me to school. I'll do little jobs for people so that I can earn money to feed him. We could jump on the trampoline and have sack races. I won't let him track mud in the house. Oh! How I wish I had one. The kangaroo would love me and I would love him. I really, really REALLY need a baby kangaroo.

by Erin Miller

Sunday, May 21, 2006

Thursday evening - John Corbett Band in downtown Ft. Worth.

Friday evening - bbq at home of FWC family, score Colonial tickets.

Saturday day - Colonial with friend. Like golf somewhat better. Eat in CBS Hospitality room.

Saturday evening - eat at Babe's Chicken House in Roanoke, Texas. Waitress approaches table with one question. Fried chicken or chicken fried steak. We chose a little of both. Sides are standard and they are biscuits, cream corn, mashed potatoes, salad.

Sunday day - church and mexican food with friends from here and from College Station, nap.

Sunday evening - Baccaulaureate and laying on the couch eating Vanilla Wafers with a Diet Coke with my wife watching C.S.I.

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Ted Jackson is a photojournalist for the New Orleans Times-Picayune. A few years back he was part of a team who won the Pulitzer Prize.

My high school years were spent in McComb, Mississippi. Graduated from McComb High School. The green and gold tigers.

Ted and his family were a part of the church there in McComb.

One of the best meals I have ever had was at his home in Covington/Mandeville, Louisiana. While on a road trip, Leslie and I, stopped over to spend the evening at Ted and Nancy's home. Ted, that day had been out on the gulf of Mexico shooting pictures for what would become part of the Pulitzer Prize winning work. The four of us sat at their table and talked and ate. Fresh shrimp, boiled in a pot with corn on the cob and new potatoes. The shrimp were given to him that day from some of the fishermen on whose boats he had gained a ride from which to take pictures. Leslie, being more of a Texas steak and potato type eater was at first hesitant to eat the strange sea specimens. However, she quickly overcame her hesitation and worked like a thrasher. Plenty of food, plenty of chat, and plenty of memories made.

Ted has been an integral part of the coverage of the aftermath of Katrina. Seems that he has gained a bit of notice due to his pictures and his ordeal in the gathering of said pictures.

"The Ordeal of Ted Jackson and the New Orleans Times-Picayune" can be found at www.digitaljournalist.org/issue0512/jackson_intro.html. Sorry that I am not savvy enough to make a direct link. You will have to type it in. At the bottom of the page there is a link to a slideshow of some of his photos and commentary. I have not been to New Orleans since then, but I know some who have. They seem to be unable to describe it.

Take a look.

Sunday, May 07, 2006

This past Friday I spent the day at Sea World, San Antonio, with 6th graders, including my son, Caleb.

It had been sometime since my last visit. Before, Caleb was about six, and now he is twelve. Then I had two children and now I have three. Then, I don't remember as many rides, rollercoasters, things that get you wet, etc.

One thing that was the same was Shamu. I am 44 years old, and I cried when I saw Shamu. Why?

One reason is because of the passing of time. Sitting three seats down from me in the arena was Caleb. Now twelve, I still remember his first visit. When he was young, some of you might remember, he carried an animal around with him everywhere, all of the time. A toy elephant for a while, a tiger, a lion, sometimes a whale. There was that one time he carried a spatula with him to church, but that was an anomaly. He picked up on animals quickly and knew quite a lot about them.

We had told him about Shamu, the whale. When we arrived at Sea World those years ago, we went directly to the arena for the Shamu show. The build up by us and by the staff with the music, the video, all of the anticipation made us anxious for the whale's arrival. And when he did arrive, breech the water, falling back in with a monstrous splash, we looked at Caleb, and he stood there with an animal in his hand, a glow and a smile on his face, and tears in his eyes. It seemed that he couldn't believe what he was seeing.

So, time has passed. He didn't cry this time. I did. But he clapped and enjoyed it.

Another reason was that I was glad that he was enjoying the show. Some in our group began asking how long the show was almost immediately because they wanted to get back to the roller coasters, and I was thankful that Caleb was not asking that. I want him to keep the sense of wonder.

Man makes roller coasters.

Only God makes whales.

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

So, it is a Toyota Avalon then. 1997 XLS package which means that is has leather and a moon roof, two items I would not normally seek out. They just happen to be a part of this car along with the 128,000+ miles. Cars have always been for me simply a way to get to work. The last one, the one with the new back windshield and the bad engine, had no working tape player, no cd player, three power windows that worked, flashed "Change Oil Now" constantly on the dashboard, often would not go in reverse unless the engine warmed up for about five minutes, and no a.c. It took me to work and home.

I suppose that no one can escape the feeling that the used car that was just purchased might very possibly break down the first day you drive it home. Particularly, if purchased at AJ's Nice Cars from a Lebanese man with pictures of Mohammed posted all over what used to be a gas station on a road in Arlington, Texas, that has one used car dealership after another.