For the new year ahead...

Philippians 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;  11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.  12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.  13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,  14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

mind your pipes...

We got a little winter coming up again.  33 consecutive hours of below freezing in the forecast.  65,78,38,0,B

a friday night film

time for some new input...

A Christmas present for my computer.  50,65,35,0,C

last purchase of the year...

Been on the lookout for a pre order deal on a roll of twenty 2018 silver eagles with free shipping.  This one is the best I found at $19.19 per coin. ($2.50 over the spot price of silver which was $16.69 at the time of my order)  They should arrive by the end of January.  36,45,39,0,W

Figi's

Every Christmas, my Aunt Mary Lou in Colorado sends me one of these Figi's samplers.  Takes me back to the time when I got one right after I broke my leg.  It was great comfort food.  64,77,35,0,C

Christmas 2017

Pascal's Wager...

I really hate to see these kinds of in your face "christian" shares on Facebook (especially this time of year) that try to use some kind of convoluted logic to suggest why a belief in God is a good idea and then throw in a little denial shaming.  To use the failed argument that, " I would rather live my life believing in God and serving Him, and find out I was right, than not believe in Him and not serve Him, and find out I was wrong" is not a very effective debate tactic because it assumes you yourself are not sure but it is better to be safe than sorry.  I also have a problem with the phrase "belief in God".  After all...people say they "believe" things for any number of reasons - many of which may not in reality be true, but they continue on regardless.  The word "belief" has a certain connotation which leads people to assume that you merely choose to think something is true because you prefer to.  When it comes to a debate about the existence of God, using words like "belief" and "faith" won't get you very far.

If you want the ever illusive "empirical evidence" to back up your belief in God, you won't find it in scientific or philosophy textbooks.  Just open yourself up to Jesus Christ and personally experience the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in your daily life.  Faith is not about stretching your imagination - it is about coming to know that He will keep all His promises to you.

Romans 12I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to this world: but be yer transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

prop guards...

A little close proximity rehearsal for the next 

monday (Christmas) matinee...

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a friday night film

a few grams of flesh...

Last trip to Alpine for the year...followup with Dr. Butt Jabber in Alpine today.  Good news - no sign of any bugaboos in the tiny polyp he removed.  Stocked up and hunkering down till 2018.  Slight chance of rain tonight.  68,77,35,0,B 

the legal drone...

64,72,32,0,C

Drone Tax

Well...the drone tax is back.  When the FAA lost a case for mandatory registration of all RC aircraft over 250 grams (including recreational drones) earlier this year, the plan was shelved for the time being.  Rather that fight another legal battle, the FAA managed to get the mandate lumped into H.R.2801 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 that was just signed into law last week.  It is buried deep in the bill under section 1092 part(d) - Collaboration Between Federal Aviation Administration And Department Of Defense On Unmanned Aircraft Systems.

I really don't have too much of a problem being forced to register my DJI Mavic Pro for five bucks, but I'm not so sure I trust the motive by including the requirement in a defense bill.  While this is being instituted to provide some level of accountability for the huge amount of unmanned aerial vehicles being operated in the US (especially with recent skyrocketing drone sales), there have never been any major problems with them and it is doubtful that a terrorist is going to bother with the registration process if he is planning on using an RC plane or a drone for an attack.  Funny thing is...I own 8 guns and not a single one of them is required to be registered with the Federal Government. If only our forefathers had the foresight to add this to the bill of rights - "A well regulated bunch of YouTubers, being necessary to the enhancement of their creative content, the right of the people to keep and fly drones, shall not be infringed."  60,69,44,0,W

a monday matinee...

beware of fleshy things...

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.  

fuel

All stocked up to make it through 2 months of "winter".  

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a friday night film

last look of Alpine...

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in'n'out...

Prep wasn't so bad and the procedure was a breeze.  It sure was clean in there.  No complications...nothing out of the ordinary...one tiny polyp removed.  The bottom right photo is the ileocecal valve - the valve between the ileum of the small intestine and the cecum of the large intestine; prevents material from flowing back from the large to the small intestine.  No special diet requirements after the procedure today and won't have to enjoy this experience again for 5 years.

It's what's for dinner...

52,62,28,0,B

a monday matinee...

religion...

Having a personal relationship with God begins the moment we realize our need for Him, admit we are sinners, and in faith receive Jesus Christ as Savior and know the truth that is The Holy Spirit. God, our heavenly Father, has always desired to be close to us, to have a relationship with us. Before Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden (Genesis chapter 3), both he and Eve knew God on an intimate, personal level. They walked with Him in the garden and talked directly to Him. Due to the sin of man, we became separated and disconnected from God.  Joining a church will not necessarily enhance that relationship.  Don't rely on a self worshiping cult...skip "playing church"...just Jesus in the environment He has created is all you need.
James 1:5  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.   

stuck

A friend got stuck in the mud yesterday.  Did a drone survey this morning.  Rescue tomorrow when the road is dried out.  44,55,27,0,B

a friday night film

On this day 10 years ago...

After spending 2 weeks in Alpine planning, McCoys dropped off my first load of building supplies on December 7, 2007.  I was camped on a spot 7 miles from my property where I began building the panels for my house.   Bottom photo is the virgin spot where TFL emerged.  

33,36,32, .03",W

3 years ago

34,45,45, .64",B

the butt doc

Met my colonoscopist today...former New Yorker so we exchanged big city stories.  I told him I bet he didn't expect to see another a**hole from NY since he moved to Texas.  Procedure is scheduled for next Wednesday.  Stocked up on supplies and now hunkering down for 2 really crappy days with a slight chance of snow on Thursday.  47,58,46,0,B

a monday matinee...

I pray about my path daily...

Jeremiah 6:16  Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.

Really...they are friends

As for Ben vs the drone.  I used to see this kind of horn action a lot when there were wild longhorns loose around my property.  I find it particularly interesting that Ben instinctively knows how to use his horns without being taught by a herd.  Among other uses, their horns allow them to attain a stature beyond the compactness of their bodies to serve as a warning.  They are not used as weapons - but instead they are used in a species specific manner to push (not poke) and to hold or deflect an attack.  They are frequently used to hold their heads together preventing them from slipping off during a head to head trial of strength - the means by which they establish their place in the herd. (I established my place with Ben a long time ago.)  Horned cattle also exhibit quite specific grooming behavior - using them to scratch their backs or using the tip of another cow to scratch and clean their own eyes.  Each animal is acutely aware of the size and form of its horns and where they end.  Benita took it to the next level by using her horns to scrape the fruit off of prickly pear cactus, making them easier to eat without getting a nose full of spikes.  64,76,45,0,C

a friday night film