Let your yes be yes...

Amber and I had a sad revelation today. We are becoming an endangered species, the married couple that stays married. I do not know what the failure rate is for marriages today, but I think it is 60% or higher. That is such a sad statistic. Amber and I have been married for 9 years now and it seems to us like no time at all. The scary thing is that most people would look at us and think we have been together "forever." It just seems to me that when people vow to someone "for better or worse," and "til death do us part," that better than 40% of them would actually MEAN IT. I usually try to stay away from preaching or politics on my blog, but it was a sobering thought that our 9 year marriage would be considered a "long" one. I could really go on and on about taking responsibility and how everything is someone else's fault these days. Let me just finish my preaching by thanking my parents and my in-laws for setting a standard and providing two great examples to their children of taking a vow and meaning it.

Lots to say

So much time and so little to say. Strike that, reverse it. I feel like I have a bunch of stuff to talk about, but I am afraid it will only come out as random anecdotes and ramblings. I am in a musical "mood," if you could call it that. I took my MP3 player to work this weekend and it was eye-opening to hear some tunes again. I listened to some classic rock, contemporary Christian, and of course, The Beatles. Then, Amadeus was on this evening. Although it is not really a documentary, it is a great movie and Mozart had unbelieveable talent. So, after listening to The Beatles, and watching Amadeus, I have been thinking about people who can not only play wonderful music, but about the people who wrote it. Mozart was composing at 4, can you believe that? Lennon and McCartney went from Love Me Do to the epic Abbey Road and even to the sometimes bizarre white album. There was a big evolution in their songs from the early to late 60's, but they still produced some of the best music ever (in my opinion). I just want to interject a word of thanks to my Dad for introducing me to most of the music I have been talking about. Without Dad's album collection or listening to classic rock stations to and from our trips to work, I would have no idea who Edgar Winter is or what the rockin' pneumonia and boogie woogie flu is. Dad's enjoyment became my enjoyment. Then, about when I hit my junior year of high school, I started to have my own music to enjoy. Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots, and some other bands from the Seattle area just really seemed to have the music I liked. When the lead singer of Nirvana died, the drummer, Dave Grohl, went on to make an album of songs he had written. He played drums, guitar, bass, and sang on almost the whole album. Just another example of a really gifted musician and song writer, just in a different package than John Lennon or Paul McCartney. Actually, Dave Grohl recently got up on stage at a Paul McCartney concert and played drums for Band on the Run (one of McCartney's hits with his band Wings), and Grohl's group, the Foo Fighters, did a remake of the song. I feel like I am rambling a little, but as I say, listening to some music has gotten me thinking.

Post-birthday thoughts

Well, Abbie's 3rd birthday has officially ended. Celebrations may now cease. All kidding aside, things went pretty well with the birthday this year. Amber toned down the extravaganza and I think it helped her (Amber) to be able to relax a little and enjoy the party more. Abbie had a good time at Chuckie Cheese with Barney, but really enjoyed the cupcakes and presents at home. The family enjoyed putting together Abbie's blocks (yes, we really did). At my parents house it was fun to see Abbie playing with Rachel, Rosie and Lawrence. I did not take my camera, so I am sorry for no pictures of that. I was glad to have some time off to celebrate, it was a fun time.

It was different to see Mom and Dad's new house. The house at Newkirk was such an icon that I have a tough time thinking of Mom and Dad "at home" anywhere else. Their new home is real nice. It is always fun to get into a home that no one else has been in yet. They both seemed happy with the home and I think being nearer to Jami and the kids is good for Mom and Dad and Jami. They are closer to us, too. It really is not that far for us, but that two lane highway through rural Oklahoma is a little bothersome at times (for some reason, Dueling banjos started playing in my head).

While we were at Mom and Dad's, Jami played the piano. I fancy myself to at least be musically informed, but the piano is just beyond me. I took lessons as a youngster, but of course did not apply myself and they did not take. Now, I would love to be able to sit at a piano, put a sheet of music up and just play. That is a wonderful talent. I suppose I could pick up a tuba and play, but as you know, tubas are not quite as melodious as pianos. It is a little tougher to find one lying around, too. I say all that to say that I am proud and even jealous of my talented sister. I wish I had her talent with the piano.

OK, I am going to see what stinky-britches is up to. Have a good weekend. Oh, by the way, Tiger Woods is one shot off the lead in the US Open after two rounds. It may not sound like much, but it is his first tournament back since having knee surgery, so he is allowed to struggle, isn't he?

Abbie Kay is 3 today!

Three years ago today, Abbie was born. It is hard to believe. I remember some things very vividly, but I am already having trouble remembering how small she was, and what it was like to have a newborn to take home. Three years have passed so quickly, and I am afraid that they are going to pass even quicker now. As the great orator and leader Ferris Bueller once said, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once and a while, you could miss it."


HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SQUIRT, DADDY LOVES YOU!

Horses, horses, horses

I have talked before about Tiger Woods and how dominant he has been in golf. I also talked about this year's New England Patriots and their try for a perfect season. But, the triple crown chase this year in horse racing has had me remembering a horse that dominated before I was even born. This picture is of Secretariat winning the 1973 Belmont stakes in what is possibly the most dominant display by a horse ever. He won by 31 lengths, and ran a time for the mile and 1/2 that has never been matched. I just watched his Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont wins on YouTube (just search Secretariat super horse on YouTube). The video is not the best, but the soundtrack is from the movie "Superman," and it is really something to see the performances this horse put on. I am not a horse racing person. But, I do think horses are very beautiful, graceful, and powerful animals. I do not know if another horse will come along like Secretariat, but I would love to watch if it does.

Pictures

Here are some pictures from Memorial Day weekend at Oilton. There were a ton to choose from. It was good to get Abbie together with her cousins, I am hoping to do more of that in the future.