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There is no way that I am a qualified inspector of horse-flesh or any animal related to this category of animal. Clearly there are those who know these creatures to the finest details of pedigree, potential and track record. I am not even sure if I know what a good animal looks like.
Yet, the love of other humans when it comes to these critters makes them magnificent. The sheer size of a full-grown horse is domineering when we tiny humans stand next to them. They are powerful.
It seems that when they walk, their muscles ripple. While they casually stroll up to the fence, lean over the top rail and smell intently for a treat, they are curious and we humans are cautious. A grazing horse realizes that humans have approached. It comes galloping up to be with the rest of the herd. She does not want to miss out if carrots or apples are being passed out.
Of course if the earthlings are bringing lumps of sugar, that would even be better. We are city boys so we have nothing to offer. The horses seem to realize the disappointment early.
Back in the field, still grazing away unflustered by our visit are the trio of donkeys. They barely look up. One finally does and stares us down, more sizing us up to decide if we are a threat more than if we had brought anything of interest to them.
Curiosity does not seem to distract them from the tender shoots of grass growing in the pasture. The giddy horses we quick to draw to close to people. These very different but somewhat similar animals share the pasture. Maybe they feel more complete with each other hanging out. There is enough pasture to separate, nevertheless they stay within a 
comfortable proximity to each other.
I cannot tell if some are better specimens than others. The best that I can do is separate the horses from the donkeys and the donkeys from the longhorn cattle. I suppose that for a city slicker, that is not a bad distinction.
While the finer details may elude me, I did stand and gaze for a long time. Admiring wonderful creatures is a very good thing to do. Horsepower, after all, is not just the estimated power that crowds under a vehicle’s hood. It is the picture of a powerful animal, just like the one standing before me.
photo credit: brucefong cellphone photography
The weather in Texas has now passed the winter season. The low temperatures no longer visit the 30′s. Instead, they hover in the 70′s for a low. It is a sign that swimming in the neighborhood outdoor pool is a welcomed activity.
When I drove into the parking lot, all was quiet. No one else was swimming. That has been the pattern during my visits last year.
That beats the washing machine pool environment at the YMCA in Michigan that I so often laughed about in the past. There were regularly shared lanes with other aqua lovers. Collisions were common.
Here the only sounds are the birds starting their morning flight. Occasionally, I hear a vehicle drive by the activity center. It was time to slip into the water for my season’s first swim.
Like all swimmers, I dipped my foot in to test the temperatures. It was surprisingly pleasant. Nothing like cold waters to wake you up in the morning.
The outdoor shower was a different story. Rules dictate that all swimmers must shower before entering the water. I am a respecter of rules.
No one will ever convince me that the hot water indicator on the shower faucet is actually connected to any hot water source. It is cold! I jump in, holler, shiver and shake. Once I am layered I jump out and chatter my teeth.
Climbing down the steps into the pool is a welcome warm-up exercise. Then, I fall in just to take the immersion all at once. My goggles fit into place and the world becomes clear again. Prescription lenses make swimming much more enjoyable.
I push-off the wall. My aging body loves the sensation of floating without the pain aggravated by gravity. It has been months since I have swum. Now, like riding a bike, the motions of each stroke come alive as if they had never been dormant for a long winter.
Oddly, I feel strong. The water is parting easily in front of me. Each stroke comes with neither pain nor fatigue. I am liking this sensation.
Slowly, my heart rate is increasing. It will be sustained shortly. My breathing is timed with each of my strokes. The coordination between kicking and stroking does not need any concentration. It is a habit from years of being a water dog.
The laps peel away as the sun rises in the East. Warm rays fill the pool and the temperatures rise noticeably. Finally, it is time to hit the shower. It is a very good beginning to another season in the pool of Cinco Ranch.
Commencement services touch different people in different ways. This was my first Dallas Seminary graduation service since joining as a member of the team. It was overwhelming, electrifying and deeply encouraging all at the same time.
The service is held at the Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, TX. I had been there one time in the past. It is an enormous facility!
Just the lobby is big enough to hold many small churches many times over. It seems fair that ushers need to be posted every 50 yards to redirect lost visitors. At least lighted directories could be a key points just like a shopping mall pointing out clearly “you are here” designations.
The faculty gathered in the Fireside room. All of us were donning our academic regalia and it was a colorful sight of brilliant past academic achievement at world-renown Universities. Styles and colors represented academic disciplines, institutional emphases and traditions unique to specific postgraduate programs.
We were lined up to match the seating predetermined by someone’s gifted administrative details. The music started. Our procession began behind our beloved President.
Just like a well-laid plan we all ended up in seats on the platform and then watched an amazing picture unfold. Nearly 400 graduates filed in to the sounds of celebration. Each one had years of hard work, outstanding performance and lasting relationships buried in their minds. Now it was time to celebrate their diligent achievement.
Like clockwork someone’s plan to flow from detail to detail actually occurred. It was an amazing synchronization of many details. All of the pomp and circumstance has a reason and it fit together like a well-oiled machine.
On cue from our Academic Vice President, he gave the signal for all friends and family to cheer on their favorite graduate. The entire auditorium erupted. It was exhilarating. Then, the grads in turn expressed their appreciation for their family and friends. Smaller in number by comparison was almost insignificant when it came to measuring decibel levels.
The commencement speaker was spot on. Special music was wonderful. Every little piece of the event was stunning.
Then came the climax. We all sang the seminary hymn, All Hail the Power of Jesus Name. This is the version that is sung to the diadem tune. Check out this version at http://youtu.be/i3-SwidavfU. It stirs the soul.
Each time that I sing this version I feel the commitment to this wonderful institution. Now, as a faculty member I am touched by the faithful lives that have gone ahead of me in the legacy of DTS. What an honor to serve here!
photo credit: brucefong cellphone photography
Dutifully I have told the stories of our new home to our family who live in the West. They think that I am exaggerating. Of course I send pictures to verify my yarns.
Still they shake their heads. I can not see them shake but somehow with family you can always feel the gyrations. Decades of experience gives you an extra sense with relatives, right? Without hearing, we have learned to know.
To help the belief system I post pictures for them to examine. Still, doubt is a very strong human reaction. Personal experience can overcome the swells of doubt in the minds of others.
My sister and her husband were prime applicants to our new world of Texas living. They are world travelers but that weird idea that her brother lives with alligators in his neighborhood is a little far-fetched. This would take some personal experience for them.
All of us like bicycle riding. That made it an easy option for them on their road trip to the South. Once they were settled into our home, we made plans for a bicycle road trip.
That Friday was a crisp beautiful day. We did a spot check on our bicycles and found them all roadworthy. The pavement in our neighborhood invited our peddle machines to roll freely.
A few miles into our ride I led our trio of cyclers on to the Buffalo Bayou trail. It is scenic and free of motorized vehicles. Birds of all different kinds landed near the water’s edge to fish for their morning breakfast. These cranes, egrets and black birds were entertaining.
We paused at a viewpoint platform and enjoyed the water in a pond. It had terrapins, bass and frogs to entertain us. Nothing very large dominated the view.
Along a lengthy stretch of the paved trail a sign was posted. I had seen it many times on my own. Now, it was time for a “photo-op”.
My sister and brother-in-law came rolling into view. I waved them down. Curiously, they looked a bit bewildered. That is when I pointed out the sign. It’s time for a picture!
They parked their bicycles and positioned themselves by the sign. It was a great proof of the clash between the West and the South. Now, they have biked the terrain. They have seen the habitat. Finally, they have seen the sign that bears witness to the roaming of these reptiles in my neighborhood.
photo credit: brucefong cellphone photography
Slowly but excitedly, guests began to arrive. This was a very special day for our graduates. Today was the day of their Graduation Chapel. Something in my chest felt odd; it was a bit of pressure.
Their official commencement takes place in Dallas. But, here in Houston is where families reside, their friends are here and their church family is here. Most of their support team will not be able to make the trek to the main campus. This is our purpose: to give families and friends a reason to celebrate together.
I love graduation events. There is such a celebration of the human effort and the counting of blessings from the Lord. When graduates gather to commemorate their achievements there is everlasting relief. But, besides relief there is an unmistakable note of rejoicing. Those two features are joined by an intense resolve to enter into their new life of ministry and discover all that God wants them to do. That chest feeling was still there and seemingly growing.
There were times when students thought it was too hard. They were demoralized. It would have been easy to quit and they almost signed the papers to end their enrollment. However, their presence at the graduation chapel proved that they stuck it out. Now, there is a huge smile on their faces. It was genuine.
This was an informal chapel. We had cheering. Laughter was encouraged. No spontaneous eruption for a loved ones was frowned upon. In fact it was encouraged. A spike inside of my chest reminded me that it was there.
The music was angelic. Each spoken word was challenging. The awards were stimulating. People were enjoying themselves.
Applause was common. Agreement from special people reverberated throughout the auditorium. Prayers went beyond the rafters and reached the throne of God.
After the program was over the fun was about ready to commence. People followed the wonderful fragrance. Caters were putting the final touches on the table fare. The barbeque meatballs were smelling very good and making us all very hungry.
Now, the real party let everyone be a part of the celebration. Old and young, locals and relatives from afar joined in the rousing sounds of a room filled with people all talking at once. It was electrifying. Kudos to Dr. Bailey, Willie, Evetta, Leonetta, Sherry and a host of student volunteers!
This was a joyous exultation of sheer happiness. We were all glad to be here. We were especially glad for our graduates who deserved the occasion to honor their years of faithful work.
photo credit: brucefong cellphone photography
The sun was just right. It was peaking around some cumulus clouds, giving us just the right amount of light to enjoy our road trip. An apron of clouds eased the temperatures from spiking too high. Add a gentle breeze and it was a perfect day to enjoy the Texas out-of-doors.
We entered the gate, navigated the gravel road through the piney woods and turned right along the edge of a well-groomed pasture. That was the last turn until we arrived at the cabin. It is a quaint and charming log cabin in the middle of the Texas woods. I loved it. It was so relaxing. This is the kind of place that makes doing nothing a favorite event.
What captured my attention was off at the edge of the woods on the other side of the pasture. My friends promised that 
we would go an explore the joy of their ranch that was clearly taken by. We climbed into their 4×4 and slowly drove over to this magnet of human attention.
Gently we made our way close to the fence. These critters were fifty yards away. Then, they were only twenty yards ahead of us.ends promised that we would go and see the delight of their ranch. I have been wanting to capture this symbol of Texas for months. Several times in our travels we zipped passed fields with this Texas highlight. Now, I would be able to feast my eyes on this objective.
All three stood up. Curiously, they looked for their mother. Then, they looked at me. Finally, they ignored me, likely hoping that I would go away and leave them alone. In the distance the mother mooed and they headed toward her call.
We went around the woods to the other side. When we arrived at the split rail fence, the herd of Texas Longhorn cattle were already grazing on the green grasses. God created a special animal here.
While they moved slowly, you could see the muscles in their body rippling with every step. They were clearly powerful beasts and if they wanted to they were also very swift animals as well. There were no bulls among the herd. They were all cows with their calves. Some had one and others had two.
Their massive horns spanned the area around their body as if every normal axis of their presence was covered by muscle and sinew or powerful horns that could do some serious damage with the power of their bodies controlling that thrust. Yet, these powerful bovines were gentle, serene and tranquil. They represent Texas well.
photo credit: brucefong photography
Air travel tests the creative resolve of all who live part of their lives in the air. There are forces that seek to drain every brain cell from your cranium as soon as you schedule a flight into your smart phone. As remarkable as efficiency experts have arranged parking, mass transportation, check-in, food courts, shopping options and even airline travel clubs, the waiting, the lines and the loading do very little to advance the human spirit.
I enter a travel mode and bring several tools to make a trip productive. My laptop is always with me. If I can find a desk, then I pour in a couple of hours of writing.
Then, I bring my e-book. It is loaded with several reading options. Some are recreational, like great fiction. My favorites are Westerns or espionage.
Of course I bring my list of e-books on Leadership, History, Bible and Biographies. I try to make sure that my Kindle is powered up to last the entire trip and back. The many miles of travel is matched by the many pages that have been read.
My ancient i-pod still makes trips with me. It has my music. I sprung for a folding noise cancelling headset. Once I turn it on the drum of the loud jet engines is nullified. It is so relaxing.
Nothing beats the mind that God the creator gave to us. The observations of the unique and the curious abound in air travel. If we let the numbness of travel wear us down, we miss some fascinating visions for the sponge features of our brain.
My gait was focused. I was on my way to catch the train that took all of us passengers to the terminals where our waiting jetliners were being serviced. Other passengers were crowded around the corner in front of closed doors.
I paused at the wall that they had all passed. It had a window that looked down the track of the rail system that scores of travelers were waiting to board. The train was not there yet. I then was in no hurry.
Instead, the light played on the glass. Designers seemed have known that this would happen so they added a simple piece of artwork with two concentric circles. Soon the perfectly balanced vision of man-made etching on glass and the sun’s presence was engulfed by a robot train arriving to pick us up. It was a fun moment of a routine picture, tunnel vision.
photo credit: brucefong cellphone photography
My special place for surprises is the grocery store. When I have a low-level of expectations, something surprises me in one of the departments or inside of one of the many aisles. This last trip to the store was no exception.
Again my duties as chief buggy pusher were being fulfilled with splendid skill. Deftly I followed my bride through the aisles and expertly dodging other shoppers and displays. Casually, I would be observing things around me.
Suddenly the great disappointment of November 2012 had an amazing resurgence. Do your remember the historic sadness that gripped our nation? It was a loss of enormous impact on the American people. Even the world would feel the reverberations of this catastrophic failure.
Hostess shut down and the Twinkie was no more. This creme filled delight for decades was now a museum piece. In a flash across the screens of American TV, this icon of children’s lunches was no longer an option
In my childhood I remember my mother buying the quantity box with individually wrapped Twinkies. When I received one of those treats in my sack lunch, I saved it for dessert. When it was time, I tore open the cellophane wrapper.
In my hands was the fluffy yellow cake. It had a fragrance unique to this Hostess morsel. Who knew that some day nutritionists would tell about color chemicals and dyes that would cause us to worry about poisoning our bodies for an early demise.
Now, as a child, the smile on my face was real. The first bite was just as my expectations had recalled. Flavor was unmistakably sweet, soft and highlighted by the cream-filling. Most importantly, the treat was all mine.
When the news of Hostess shutting down and the inevitable demise of the famous Twinkie, I felt a twinge of sadness like all of America. There were jokes about it, legends about special moments and of course the all time favorite satire skits on TV. This was a brand that everyone knew but it was going extinct.
That’s the surprise! Right there in the store I abruptly stopped. On a prominent display, Sara Lee was introducing their individually wrapped yellow cakes with a cream center. Also, they were advertising their chocolate cupcake as well.
Someone in this company had better receive a bonus. Maybe they should get a promotion. Someone had the brilliant idea to take what was a treasure now up for grabs.
photo credit: brucefong cellphone photography
Whoever is building the city of Orlando has a very good idea and it is clearly working. I landed in the town of theme parks for work but was captivated by the endless visual feasts and attractions. My host was driving and I was trying to pay attention to our conversation but I kept getting distracted by the fun outside the car windows.
Every time we passed by a pond or bayou or inlet of water, I was straining my eyes to spot an alligator. Some how seeing wild creatures in the wild gets me very enthused. When the environment is concrete, plastic and milled lumber, it is amazing to think that animals could possibly be roaming free.
I snap back into our conversation. He never noticed that I was gazing out the windows hunting with my eyes. My tourist activities were done with great stealth.
Our travels took us through the city freeways and byways for about 12 miles. Eventually, we were headed to the CoCo Key Hotel and Water Park. There was plenty to see during that short commute from the busy Orlando Airport.
Eager families were pouring out of the terminal into shuttles. Their enthusiasm for their vacation was on their sleeves or I guess I should say, sandals. Parents were trying to contain their rambunctious legacy minions.
Families who were heading home sported some sort of attire that frequently had Mickey Mouse ears, some Disney character or accessory that was held tightly in their clutches. This is really a happy place.
One of the oddities that I stared at unashamed was an upside down building. Not on was the building resting on its roof but the landscape was hanging upside down too. Yep, palm trees growing from the sky toward the ground. It was funny!
Once we arrived at the hotel the visuals were constant. Children were mostly wet. They giggled and squealed down slides, through tubes, racing through showers and sliding into pools of water.
Giant water cannon added to the activity. Music was piped in at decibel suite to this younger generation. Teenagers flooded into the elevator. Politely they pushed each other aside with a welcome gesture for me to join them, “Going up? Come on, Mister, you can get in to this elevator too.”
Comfortably settling into my room, I spied an amazing piece of artwork. It was like origami but the artist used towels. It was shaped into a little stingray. What a cool place to be, full of visual treats that make a face smile.
photo credit: brucefong cellphone photography
The night was interrupted by the howling wind. Darkness shrouded our neighborhood. That was normal, but it was too early.
We were snug in our home. Out of our home the powerful gusts were shaking trees, rattling our windows and whistling through the air.
A storm was passing through Texas. It engulfed our city like a small blip on a massive meteorological doppler radar screen. The thought of assessing property damage in the morning was on my list of things to-do.
Through the night I slept soundly. There was nothing that felt dangerous for us. We were well protected. Even our emergency supplies were in order.
When the sun rose and roused us from our sleep, I chose to scan out of our windows and see if the neighborhood was in good shape. Our street was littered with leaves, branches and few outdoor items from the neighbors. Nothing stood out as major damage.
My bride called me to look into our backyard. The wooden fence between us and our neighbor was hanging by a few bent nails. A slight residual wind rocked the structure back and forth.
I pulled on my boots, donned a jacket and settled a hat on my head. Then, I stepped into the morning air to inspect the damage up close. It was time to call up the repairman.
One of the fence posts had snapped at the base. Finish boards were lying strewn on our lawn. Large gaps were now open and our neighbors dog was eager to explore his new boundaries.
Our neighbor held back her rambunctious canine friend. He squirted out of her grasp and he squeezed through an opening and romped in our yard, thrilled at the availability of the new pasture. It was short-lived; his master grabbed him and tied him up at home.
Just as a temporary fix, she reattached boards to cover up the holes. Her dog whimpered. The boundaries were reset.
My call to the fence company was short. They were inundated with calls. The mighty wind had done a lot of damage in the neighborhood and in our city. This company would be very busy for a long time.
It has been a long time. We have been patient just like the company had asked us to be. Our picture of our fence had drawn their interest. They want to help. For us it is time to bring them in and mend a broken fence.
photo credit: brucefong cellphone photography
