tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-111434292024-03-23T10:48:42.962-07:00GranitepeaksWelcome to the Cryder Family blog.Pilgrim in Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13677552353105416972noreply@blogger.comBlogger169125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11143429.post-48700489028764003962007-12-25T14:21:00.000-07:002007-12-25T14:22:56.120-07:00Merry Christmas from the Cryders<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihmht7Vb5lZwFrm3u9JTvoK7pJ_gBE_tQ0q84Fdt-nbDbB0342kLOZ7TJdM7SFxcCKtjGgAWf96Le0LPpz_Pb5xhJjXzQXGSTT3Pj7yVUaSZNB7rWnwvzse4D7GPeFYTXad_fb5A/s1600-h/IMG_4030-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihmht7Vb5lZwFrm3u9JTvoK7pJ_gBE_tQ0q84Fdt-nbDbB0342kLOZ7TJdM7SFxcCKtjGgAWf96Le0LPpz_Pb5xhJjXzQXGSTT3Pj7yVUaSZNB7rWnwvzse4D7GPeFYTXad_fb5A/s400/IMG_4030-1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Christmas Day, 2007.<br />Merry Christmas from the Cryders.</div>Pilgrim in Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13677552353105416972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11143429.post-55513202419794763772007-10-18T16:03:00.000-07:002007-10-18T16:15:55.798-07:00October Spawning<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh3.google.com/christiancryder2007/RxfnBLv7NfI/AAAAAAAAAJA/fNp87RzLSVY/IMG_3634.JPG?imgmax=512"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://lh3.google.com/christiancryder2007/RxfnBLv7NfI/AAAAAAAAAJA/fNp87RzLSVY/IMG_3634.JPG?imgmax=512" alt="" border="0" /></a>So it's been a while since I've posted anything. Not because we haven't been up to anything, but because we've just been so dang busy. Today the kids had a day off school, so we took all of them for a little fishing trip. Was it worth it? I think so...<br /><br />Rebekah caught a nice little Kokanee too, don't you think?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh3.google.com/christiancryder2007/RxfnYLv7NgI/AAAAAAAAAJI/J-dGS-GvYTE/IMG_3656.JPG?imgmax=512"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://lh3.google.com/christiancryder2007/RxfnYLv7NgI/AAAAAAAAAJI/J-dGS-GvYTE/IMG_3656.JPG?imgmax=512" alt="" border="0" /></a>There's a few more photos available <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/christiancryder2007/AnotherFishingTrip">here</a>.Pilgrim in Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13677552353105416972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11143429.post-42152351041280335102007-05-31T15:03:00.000-07:002007-05-31T15:03:54.679-07:00Gone Fishing (Redux)<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpOvWMuu3d_08fdt6gUQwCOjWinyFNUVHJXUJI4Ro6HCBojPWq1GAJ3-9ZjiL_0J9KtUN_-iHBfFSY7OE2N0TiWnue2JUL5svYM_o226S172BqqcaWwCeay0LQtOVADg-6xHB7GQ/s1600-h/IMG_2882-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpOvWMuu3d_08fdt6gUQwCOjWinyFNUVHJXUJI4Ro6HCBojPWq1GAJ3-9ZjiL_0J9KtUN_-iHBfFSY7OE2N0TiWnue2JUL5svYM_o226S172BqqcaWwCeay0LQtOVADg-6xHB7GQ/s400/IMG_2882-1.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Did I mention we went fishing a second time?<br />This time they were even bigger. And there were more of them. Heh heh heh... :-)</div>Pilgrim in Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13677552353105416972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11143429.post-82995869517301273982007-05-30T10:29:00.000-07:002007-05-31T15:12:17.133-07:00Obligatory Family Photo (Cryders)<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXuwJBUyECQHQSuA2HEdHSuOr_bKMfTFFCuGxpxcK0ymQ-MGzake0gLWLUGx1pOppoJ0roi-To4oRfltku8C2di2SN7cwQrRDTjfy0L5XRXt1jwBcDZ2EqeimqcVyP8VHyZB0Lig/s1600-h/IMG_2185.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXuwJBUyECQHQSuA2HEdHSuOr_bKMfTFFCuGxpxcK0ymQ-MGzake0gLWLUGx1pOppoJ0roi-To4oRfltku8C2di2SN7cwQrRDTjfy0L5XRXt1jwBcDZ2EqeimqcVyP8VHyZB0Lig/s400/IMG_2185.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">The light's not on, and we're not home...<br /><span style="font-size:78%;">(L to R: Malachi, Rebekah, Christian, Micah, Marilyn)</span><br /></div>Pilgrim in Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13677552353105416972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11143429.post-17372145906758449692007-05-02T21:30:00.000-07:002007-05-02T21:51:20.521-07:00Gone FishingSo why do we want to plant a church in Montana? Hmm, I'm sure it has nothing to do with any of this. Honest. Really. I mean, sure I like to fish, but don't you think you can find little minnows like these just about anywhere?<br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXFUQvU0eiob4C_87XhY-J23_35sFpewGH63IG9R0i495gzTnRNvojg5C6E25MSJJotcPiMeoNDGEpenOY8Idk0N9Ip7r0ewegG8WXwCSl5Nha1D4o8mHBMs6N9HYV_9SKZM1tQ/s1600-h/IMG_2804-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXFUQvU0eiob4C_87XhY-J23_35sFpewGH63IG9R0i495gzTnRNvojg5C6E25MSJJotcPiMeoNDGEpenOY8Idk0N9Ip7r0ewegG8WXwCSl5Nha1D4o8mHBMs6N9HYV_9SKZM1tQ/s400/IMG_2804-1.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiodh4ohSgmN_BIH_3foZAZtJ9NpspHqR_bTBlLvBqcGgvBHif7s-vIRpRKHqWOke3GJlo3k_mwfcOcynGsZmBQNOjOPPxm5OtLS4Yd2LPHLAYwauHZwnaiTmpiXhhIO5Cgn5YRzA/s1600-h/IMG_2807.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiodh4ohSgmN_BIH_3foZAZtJ9NpspHqR_bTBlLvBqcGgvBHif7s-vIRpRKHqWOke3GJlo3k_mwfcOcynGsZmBQNOjOPPxm5OtLS4Yd2LPHLAYwauHZwnaiTmpiXhhIO5Cgn5YRzA/s400/IMG_2807.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHH6egSB_PmqC703i5Ny1UG2zw_4KclsGRezgMuKpxl6zCMBW1W6Z-wDfROy-FblUW7lY-JeuRQ-m-UtNRra0Ggpgfcz6_pPJ-VHA07vpWP9U9YF6f0AUZJmPBl254X2X7vxB3vQ/s1600-h/IMG_2815.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHH6egSB_PmqC703i5Ny1UG2zw_4KclsGRezgMuKpxl6zCMBW1W6Z-wDfROy-FblUW7lY-JeuRQ-m-UtNRra0Ggpgfcz6_pPJ-VHA07vpWP9U9YF6f0AUZJmPBl254X2X7vxB3vQ/s400/IMG_2815.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_BfenfM__sL7s2WI4ts7aXToSGUrml-qbzGODeH3gra7Ba6c3j1fPG8tw5b96mQ2n3WFdzaDeHXHXCOe-XIv7h82LbmycsOfa1E49QXy4SyZzCYSeJMVk0emiCCXiKrJTNMefw/s1600-h/IMG_2816.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_BfenfM__sL7s2WI4ts7aXToSGUrml-qbzGODeH3gra7Ba6c3j1fPG8tw5b96mQ2n3WFdzaDeHXHXCOe-XIv7h82LbmycsOfa1E49QXy4SyZzCYSeJMVk0emiCCXiKrJTNMefw/s400/IMG_2816.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGk9Eh3fRdmhh1scN0uS5keiU9wTjf5TNgUSCLJ069Au2yhwYmIzHEeCkPgLqjzNuBR3MeaB_xuFKwFXsxvGMLYZzaI2snBz9K-qiQ4fEF0AtQbPfaoiatIGx_t95yOb8QPwXqQ/s1600-h/IMG_2817-1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGk9Eh3fRdmhh1scN0uS5keiU9wTjf5TNgUSCLJ069Au2yhwYmIzHEeCkPgLqjzNuBR3MeaB_xuFKwFXsxvGMLYZzaI2snBz9K-qiQ4fEF0AtQbPfaoiatIGx_t95yOb8QPwXqQ/s400/IMG_2817-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5060188776973985650" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZsmIV6YF0lMIJ8riXeg8dQKuV8r32rUbRT_YzJT5gTJQ6rGcxpwL3amS4jYH5fZbbG7NXvSqBWXDPfYwrT7NMfUg6pAUo95WngssFiN6CuWBLSnTUSDj-_esy215Wj0mAodwSA/s1600-h/IMG_2821.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZsmIV6YF0lMIJ8riXeg8dQKuV8r32rUbRT_YzJT5gTJQ6rGcxpwL3amS4jYH5fZbbG7NXvSqBWXDPfYwrT7NMfUg6pAUo95WngssFiN6CuWBLSnTUSDj-_esy215Wj0mAodwSA/s400/IMG_2821.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5060188549340718946" border="0" /></a>So today, my friend Marc invited me to go fishing with him. Aren't you glad I went? These shots here are just a representative sample. We had close to 40 hookups, with nearly 20 fish landed. The smallest were between 3.5 and 4 lbs. The largest (landed by Marc) was between 9 and 10 lbs. The biggest one I landed was pushing 7 lbs - my biggest fish ever by quite a bit!Pilgrim in Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13677552353105416972noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11143429.post-47834738417407730342007-04-08T20:55:00.000-07:002007-04-08T20:57:37.640-07:00Easter Sunday In Missoula<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-VOkfLp5Msai4ryyRIuwQ6tKMa8H3k8I3JUAsJlUNRPN7-GclP4k65wq80SKWcAlxHejce9_Sd-gmbXJUikq8QMP16MXrrEhtD1c0w5e-uV80N91OHNHAwQmutF-UzH-Pr9Ix/s1600-h/cottonwood.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-VOkfLp5Msai4ryyRIuwQ6tKMa8H3k8I3JUAsJlUNRPN7-GclP4k65wq80SKWcAlxHejce9_Sd-gmbXJUikq8QMP16MXrrEhtD1c0w5e-uV80N91OHNHAwQmutF-UzH-Pr9Ix/s400/cottonwood.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>So today was our first Easter Sunday in Missoula, and it was beautiful. There are <a href="http://granitepeaks-photos.blogspot.com/2007_04_08_granitepeaks-photos_archive.html">some photos over on the photoblog</a> for your viewing pleasure...Pilgrim in Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13677552353105416972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11143429.post-44564383662907120552007-04-08T20:47:00.000-07:002007-04-08T20:51:26.527-07:00Legion Baseball UpdateSo Malachi made the Mavericks (Missoula's legion baseball team). Pretty cool news, and we're extremely proud of him - looks like two and a half months of winter workouts paid off (the last day of practice, he actually hit an in-the-park home run in scrimmage. Very cool!).<br /><br />Of course, now the fun (and work) really begins, as we have to come up with $400 bucks and he needs to get sponsors for another $700 or so. So if anyone feels like pitching in with some support, let us know... We'll keep you posted.Pilgrim in Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13677552353105416972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11143429.post-73113901484770342472007-04-05T06:38:00.000-07:002007-04-05T20:53:05.444-07:00Marilyn's Sourdough Flapjack<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/img/124/3576/1024/IMG_1789.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/img/124/3576/1024/IMG_1789.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>So Jack is officially "In the market, so to speak." Here's the skinny...<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">AKC Yellow Lab (English style), 5 field champions in line, certified hips (excellent). Jack just turned 6, weighs about 80 lbs, and he's one of the smartest dogs I've ever known - great hunter, laid back personality, awesome w/ kids. Plus he's pretty darn good looking, if I do say so myself (</span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://granitepeaks-photos.blogspot.com/search?q=jack">more pictures available here</a><span style="font-style: italic;">).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Seeks well qualified female in heat (all for the sake of enhancing and extending the noble labrador line, of course).</span><br /><br />If you have a lady dog that might be interested in getting acquainted, please contact Christian @ 406-529-5568 (we're in Missoula).Pilgrim in Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13677552353105416972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11143429.post-9155799575258160812007-03-21T21:14:00.000-07:002007-03-21T21:15:50.273-07:00Sunset Tonight<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRKDfagioykeJo7d3kvX8V9lfPIDqmJFWEDrkRcI8r1XfucNhemBrx9duCGoD1ck4cfjCRHP6Jc9NHm-oinDkbCxfeoUYQNnu4dGUIiQYLUm9W9DgG5Edc0uoaiRBQbiFl6ddr-w/s1600-h/IMG_2720.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRKDfagioykeJo7d3kvX8V9lfPIDqmJFWEDrkRcI8r1XfucNhemBrx9duCGoD1ck4cfjCRHP6Jc9NHm-oinDkbCxfeoUYQNnu4dGUIiQYLUm9W9DgG5Edc0uoaiRBQbiFl6ddr-w/s400/IMG_2720.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div>Sunset was beautiful in Missoula tonight. Looking to the north, towards SnowBowl.Pilgrim in Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13677552353105416972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11143429.post-70262743203672418802007-03-21T21:03:00.000-07:002007-03-30T21:58:06.638-07:00Robinson Crusoe (MCT)<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3O3NLttcSgtKNAyqmsqBBxYVmdWOfGZagw8nMr4pzeA7Of_MKZurDUW-idkK42fdtcGdv2FKTpqTJCs8d40_X1EMG7zm_lzqy-h9ajjDyhhEkomGKcHJm0pupwlV1MjLQV1TP/s1600-h/IMG_2602.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3O3NLttcSgtKNAyqmsqBBxYVmdWOfGZagw8nMr4pzeA7Of_MKZurDUW-idkK42fdtcGdv2FKTpqTJCs8d40_X1EMG7zm_lzqy-h9ajjDyhhEkomGKcHJm0pupwlV1MjLQV1TP/s400/IMG_2602.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div>So <a href="http://granitepeaks-photos.blogspot.com/2007_03_21_granitepeaks-photos_archive.html">pictures</a> of Rebekah's world premiere as Oscar Octopus in the MCT production of <span style="font-style: italic;">The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe</span> are now up and online. Give it a look and tell her what you think...<br /><br />[NOTE: the link was broken - it's fixed now (3/30/07)]Pilgrim in Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13677552353105416972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11143429.post-59129487303280328502007-03-21T19:35:00.000-07:002007-03-21T19:40:13.099-07:00Harrison Ford at 60So I'm sitting at the breakfast table the other morning, when the conversation turns to Harrison Ford and the upcoming Indiana Jones movie:<br /><blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold;">Marilyn:</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">So I hear that they're considering Kate Blanchett for the new Indiana Jones movie...</span> (Marilyn digs Indie).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me:</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">So honey, would YOU actually kiss a 60 year old?</span> (I mean, the thought of it sounds kind of creepy to me - sweet young Kate, sucking face with a 60 year old, even if he is Harrison Ford...)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rebekah:</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">But Dad, you're 37!</span></blockquote>Wow. I had no idea how to respond. Nuff said.Pilgrim in Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13677552353105416972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11143429.post-79519258658434954182007-02-22T15:14:00.000-07:002007-02-22T15:23:27.753-07:00Catching UpAhem. I see that I haven't exactly been posting to beat the band, lately (Aside: Christy the Wordsmith, should you ever read this blog - where the heck did that phrase 'beat the band' come from anyway? Inquiring minds (well, MY mind anyway) want to know).<br /><br />So here's what's happening in a nutshell. Ryan and I are still planting a church here in Missoula (I know, you knew that). Marilyn is busy helping out at C. S. Porter middle school. Rebekah is starring in <a href="http://www.missoulaevents.net/index.php/ID/6213e0ca8b0e1a67443262049cdb67b6/fuseaction/events.detail.htm">MCT's world premiere of Robinson Crusoe</a> this coming Saturday - well, maybe not 'starring', but she's playing the role of Oscar Octopus, which is a living critter, which means you're moving up the 'ol totem pole in MCT acting land. Malachi is busy with winter workouts for Maverick baseball, hoping he'll make the cuts when tryouts roll around in April. Micah is busy with art club. Everyone's looking forward to fishing when Spring rolls around (speaking of fishing - we've got a couple of Orvis rods on the way, for real this time - I'll say more about that once they show up).<br /><br />Did I mention that I've been blogging about coffee? You can read a little blurb which got accepted over on the New West site, all about <a href="http://www.newwest.net/index.php/topic/main/C40/L40">Coffee Shops in Missoula</a>. Cool.<br /><br />That pretty much covers it for now - we're meeting lots of people, having them over for dinner, getting to know the community. If you happen to be in the neighborhood Friday afternoon at 5, swing by the Kettlehouse and get a taste of what makes Missoula such a cool community.<br /><br />Until then...Pilgrim in Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13677552353105416972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11143429.post-91577088657897854552007-02-06T11:05:00.000-07:002007-02-06T11:21:43.499-07:00Valentine's Day and Public SchoolSo Micah (our 8th grader) brings home a permission we are supposed to sign, for the upcoming "Valentine's Day" thingy at his school. This isn't actually for the big day itself - instead, it happens a couple of days before - they pull the kids out of school for a half day to take them to a nearby elementary school where they will help little munchkins make valentines.<br /><blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me:</span> "What the heck??? What's THAT have to do with education?"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Micah:</span> "Well, it's kind of like 'Pumpkin Day' - we did the same thing right before Halloween, went and helped the elementary kids carve pumpkins. And if I don't go I get in-school suspension...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me:</span> (incredulously) "Pumpkin Day???"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Micah:</span> "Yeah, Connor's kid threw up on him."<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me:</span> "Threw up on him? You mean, like all over him?"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Micah:</span> "Nah, just all over the table right in front of him. Connor had just cut open the pumpkin to clean out the guts and he said, 'Hey, I'll give you a quarter to stick your hand in the pumpkin.' The the kid said 'Ok!' and stuck his hand right into the pumpkin and then just barfed all over."<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Marilyn:</span> "Did Connor get in trouble?"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Micah:</span> "Nah. I mean, how could he have known the kid was going to throw up when he stuck his hand in the pumpkin?"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me:</span> "Hey, you could help some little squirt come up with a really good valentine, like<span style="font-style: italic;"> 'Will you be my girl from Nordakota?'</span> (with <a href="http://brittlecrazyglass.blogspot.com/2007/02/ole-buys-milk-cow.html">Molly's joke</a> on the back of it)."<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Micah:</span> (turning beet red) "DAD!!! That's just WRONG! Now can I go or not?"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me:</span> "Ok, ok, just tell me where to sign..."</blockquote>Wow. I had no idea public school could be so much fun.Pilgrim in Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13677552353105416972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11143429.post-80360933755884176942007-02-03T12:21:00.000-07:002007-02-03T12:23:06.387-07:00Winter Walk in Missoula<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3YqkG4LPUc_rgYAlT-c8_spjMWSfQ_39173aDnnVGodsAyI4wpttGFnxSkTYMntRl-al1W-PmXHh90hu0i4LjL3FsI8O_vBvzq5a3e6uIg7SpBm6tQUxwo6Pm-1nR6HhDOvf/s1600-h/IMG_2457.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3YqkG4LPUc_rgYAlT-c8_spjMWSfQ_39173aDnnVGodsAyI4wpttGFnxSkTYMntRl-al1W-PmXHh90hu0i4LjL3FsI8O_vBvzq5a3e6uIg7SpBm6tQUxwo6Pm-1nR6HhDOvf/s400/IMG_2457.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div>There's some <a href="http://granitepeaks-photos.blogspot.com/2007_02_03_granitepeaks-photos_archive.html">photos from yesterday afternoon</a> over on the photoblog, if you're interested.Pilgrim in Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13677552353105416972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11143429.post-46049195044787781052007-02-01T22:07:00.000-07:002007-02-01T22:10:00.582-07:00Rebekah on a Sled<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6PHt7mcP7uT6PTXX3v9xuMqtfLkv_Bmk-ayzEXEMYS1Pyn7rMKxun8DaO0vmbulAy70JvoTlM3_4bvmiiEq-c8bheF1LzX5o6vL-qvlNAxFGRAXuyiWaGSWYMOWP0eivcBo5QVg/s1600-h/IMG_2450.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6PHt7mcP7uT6PTXX3v9xuMqtfLkv_Bmk-ayzEXEMYS1Pyn7rMKxun8DaO0vmbulAy70JvoTlM3_4bvmiiEq-c8bheF1LzX5o6vL-qvlNAxFGRAXuyiWaGSWYMOWP0eivcBo5QVg/s400/IMG_2450.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div>This was one of those "blink and you miss it shots" (and I just about did!) - but I kind of like the way it turned out, even the composition. Kind of reminds me of a penguin... :-)<a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><br /></a>Pilgrim in Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13677552353105416972noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11143429.post-34327815125492105072007-02-01T22:02:00.000-07:002007-02-03T12:27:21.778-07:00Moonrise over Missoula (II)<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfujwsK6AleQc-7qqsCJfjNyDMogt1tBRSyNhPWVUkIiAPKUld0wH52w1IvaeAAMZ5XqLfa-Ns1AM2vKeHeGGS9HglZGzF39dhw0yXbHmHMej_Vv2SxOCSHATPRvP542S2Ceoccg/s1600-h/IMG_2448.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfujwsK6AleQc-7qqsCJfjNyDMogt1tBRSyNhPWVUkIiAPKUld0wH52w1IvaeAAMZ5XqLfa-Ns1AM2vKeHeGGS9HglZGzF39dhw0yXbHmHMej_Vv2SxOCSHATPRvP542S2Ceoccg/s400/IMG_2448.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And a closer shot of that very fine moon...<br />(zoomed in as close as I can get w/ my Canon - I took this shot freehand, just leaning across the top of a neighbor's car to try and keep it as still as possible. There's a fair amount of noise in the photo, but overall I still like the way it turned out)</div>Pilgrim in Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13677552353105416972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11143429.post-68670730255481696382007-02-01T18:16:00.000-07:002007-02-03T12:27:08.410-07:00Moonrise over Missoula<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVf1Pd24vz54lFwVMUdGZT27T1wFcRrhrY-jc3EKT2i4b9jB7lHK2FSRENkIh5MLu0BK1CJ50R5UEoddf2sN_7bac26V2aN0E9sSpkzIVglxvSD6a2tADYSKDs8t_c293oisnPg/s1600-h/IMG_2446.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVf1Pd24vz54lFwVMUdGZT27T1wFcRrhrY-jc3EKT2i4b9jB7lHK2FSRENkIh5MLu0BK1CJ50R5UEoddf2sN_7bac26V2aN0E9sSpkzIVglxvSD6a2tADYSKDs8t_c293oisnPg/s400/IMG_2446.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027391153172798674" border="0" /></a>Moonrise over Missoula (beautiful w/ the fresh snow we had today...)</div>Pilgrim in Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13677552353105416972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11143429.post-88630582834630145972007-01-19T17:39:00.000-07:002007-02-03T12:26:46.888-07:00Crazy Mountains in Winter<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGygz8kbRNgPVK6lQk1-XcT7VfqdX9JIbg8kuXD5lm9rMIal2H5hv2m2XXiHMyUMcl08WBFv8g6dmfi8w7u75gBS6y9683m52gz2jYs4CJLy8BM9jHKDwZe9_uXb9JQwK7mZP-g/s1600-h/IMG_2395.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGygz8kbRNgPVK6lQk1-XcT7VfqdX9JIbg8kuXD5lm9rMIal2H5hv2m2XXiHMyUMcl08WBFv8g6dmfi8w7u75gBS6y9683m52gz2jYs4CJLy8BM9jHKDwZe9_uXb9JQwK7mZP-g/s400/IMG_2395.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5022662651877940210" border="0" /></a>Crazy Mountains, heading west from Billings back to Missoula this past Monday.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Montana sure is beautiful (and yes, cold) in the winter.</div>Pilgrim in Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13677552353105416972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11143429.post-44666151165409001612007-01-12T16:06:00.000-07:002007-01-12T16:08:45.953-07:00Childhood Photos #2<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtRPYoYrJSdv_u7X-OEVC4heCjywWL268d9UyeiKFRMPcwq-Ll2c_PiN2fv-3PtW_HGRVmVR8LkH0NzY3QccfFPeooJ_-pgBt92Ip3akqBuCfBiqaqLXpDwTcEvQs4-h0iRU0/s1600-h/27240023.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtRPYoYrJSdv_u7X-OEVC4heCjywWL268d9UyeiKFRMPcwq-Ll2c_PiN2fv-3PtW_HGRVmVR8LkH0NzY3QccfFPeooJ_-pgBt92Ip3akqBuCfBiqaqLXpDwTcEvQs4-h0iRU0/s400/27240023.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>Well, I've gone and put up <a href="http://granitepeaks-photos.blogspot.com/2007_01_12_granitepeaks-photos_archive.html">Childhood Photos #2</a>. If you're interested, just click the link and head on over to the photoblog...Pilgrim in Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13677552353105416972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11143429.post-64991778756375529312007-01-12T07:56:00.000-07:002007-01-12T08:02:10.433-07:00Brrrr.... Cold!3 below this morning. Brrrr. Not exactly "biking weather" (I know, I know... call me a wimp). Of course, it could be much worse - as the Missoulian notes this morning, <a href="http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2007/01/12/news/top/news01.txt">Butte hit 33 below last night!</a> Ah, life in the bananna belt! :-)Pilgrim in Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13677552353105416972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11143429.post-41851459716165747602007-01-10T14:26:00.000-07:002007-01-10T21:16:31.298-07:00Looking Back on 2006<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeSqCSXdbFhZ0bOTlayMmI690vpE34wof-Xp87ErgTcjDYVIOAg2-XaHzWyU5OFRDCo0oiHpdAXtzrwBpuCh4UwrQ03mkz4cmO8p25P8yirwkA1gE60frRPiuTCdatJm51ITDB6w/s1600-h/IMG_2174.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeSqCSXdbFhZ0bOTlayMmI690vpE34wof-Xp87ErgTcjDYVIOAg2-XaHzWyU5OFRDCo0oiHpdAXtzrwBpuCh4UwrQ03mkz4cmO8p25P8yirwkA1gE60frRPiuTCdatJm51ITDB6w/s320/IMG_2174.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5018552093297760418" border="0" /></a>So here we are are, just now finally getting around to writing a Christmas Letter (I know, it's a little late - but hey, better late than never, right?). So now that we've weathered the annual storm that is the holiday season, I thought it might be appropriate to pause for a few minutes and look back on 2006. After all, there's been a LOT of water under the bridge since this time last year.<br /><br />SO... here are some highlights of 2006!<br /><br />For those of you who'd rather just browse the photos, here's the appropriate set of links from 2006 from over on the <a href="http://granitepeaks-photos.blogspot.com/">photoblog</a> (most recent first).<br /><ul id="recently"><li><a href="http://granitepeaks-photos.blogspot.com/2006_11_25_granitepeaks-photos_archive.html" title="(Nov 20-25, 2006)">Thanksgiving in Manhattan</a></li><li><a href="http://granitepeaks-photos.blogspot.com/2006_11_18_granitepeaks-photos_archive.html" title="(Nov 18, 2006)">Elk Hunting in Iowa</a></li><li><a href="http://granitepeaks-photos.blogspot.com/2006_10_30_granitepeaks-photos_archive.html" title="(Oct 30, 2006)">One Dark and Stormy Night</a></li><li><a href="http://granitepeaks-photos.blogspot.com/2006_10_23_granitepeaks-photos_archive.html" title="(Oct 20-22, 2006)">Hunting with the Kids</a></li><li><a href="http://granitepeaks-photos.blogspot.com/2006_10_16_granitepeaks-photos_archive.html#116103538433376319" title="(Oct 16, 2006)">Sunday Snapshots</a></li><li><a href="http://granitepeaks-photos.blogspot.com/2006_10_16_granitepeaks-photos_archive.html#116103389273750432" title="(Oct 12, 2006)">More Big Sky Football</a></li><li><a href="http://granitepeaks-photos.blogspot.com/2006_10_08_granitepeaks-photos_archive.html" title="(Oct 5, 2006)">Big Sky Football</a></li><li><a href="http://granitepeaks-photos.blogspot.com/2006_08_26_granitepeaks-photos_archive.html#115665111627605152" title="(August 19, 2006)">It never Rains in August (Day 4)</a></li><li><a href="http://granitepeaks-photos.blogspot.com/2006_08_26_granitepeaks-photos_archive.html#115665085604356006" title="(August 18, 2006)">It never Rains in August (Day 3)</a></li><li><a href="http://granitepeaks-photos.blogspot.com/2006_08_25_granitepeaks-photos_archive.html#115654872547290796" title="(August 17, 2006)">It never Rains in August (Day 2)</a></li><li><a href="http://granitepeaks-photos.blogspot.com/2006_08_25_granitepeaks-photos_archive.html#115654674113652652" title="(August 16, 2006)">It never Rains in August (Day 1)</a></li><li><a href="http://granitepeaks-photos.blogspot.com/2006_08_13_granitepeaks-photos_archive.html#115552972746029995" title="(August 12, 2006)">House Hunting in Missoula (part 3)</a></li><li><a href="http://granitepeaks-photos.blogspot.com/2006_08_13_granitepeaks-photos_archive.html#115552783016179305" title="(July 31, 2006)">House Hunting in Missoula (part 2)</a></li><li><a href="http://granitepeaks-photos.blogspot.com/2006_07_15_granitepeaks-photos_archive.html" title="(July 15, 2006)">Nicholas' Birthday</a></li><li><a href="http://granitepeaks-photos.blogspot.com/2006_07_02_granitepeaks-photos_archive.html" title="(July 1, 2006)">House Hunting in Missoula</a></li><li><a href="http://granitepeaks-photos.blogspot.com/2006_06_22_granitepeaks-photos_archive.html" title="(June 22, 2006)">Thunderstorm Rising</a></li><li><a href="http://granitepeaks-photos.blogspot.com/2006_06_01_granitepeaks-photos_archive.html" title="(June 1, 2006)">Westminster Milestones</a></li><li><a href="http://granitepeaks-photos.blogspot.com/2006_04_30_granitepeaks-photos_archive.html" title="(Apr 30, 2006)">Cupcakes</a></li><li><a href="http://granitepeaks-photos.blogspot.com/2006_02_12_granitepeaks-photos_archive.html" title="(Feb 12, 2006)">Fisher Park Snowfall</a></li><li><a href="http://granitepeaks-photos.blogspot.com/2006_01_20_granitepeaks-photos_archive.html" title="(Jan 20, 2006)">Childhood Photos #1</a></li></ul>For those of you who'd rather read have a summary, along with links to key posts, etc, here's that perspective...<br /><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">January</span> - waaay back in January (seems like years ago now) we stepped gingerly over a cliff and started raising funds to plant a church in Missoula. Very scary, to send a <a href="http://granitepeaks.blogspot.com/2006/01/letter-to-friends.html">letter to friends</a> asking them to support you financially. Yet very encouraging (and humbling) to see how all of you responded. It's also done wonders for our family to see how <a href="http://missoula-project.blogspot.com/2006/04/why-fundraising-is-beautiful_05.html">fundraising is actually a beautiful thing</a>. And right in the middle of all this, there was a <a href="http://seelifedifferently.blogspot.com/2006/01/saturday-night-gale.html">Saturday night gale</a> which will stay with me forever.<br /><br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">February</span> - ah yes, the month of images: the <a href="http://granitepeaks-photos.blogspot.com/2006_02_12_granitepeaks-photos_archive.html">big snowstorm in Fischer Park</a>, the great shot of <a href="http://granitepeaks.blogspot.com/2006/02/daydreaming.html">Rebekah daydreaming by the window</a>, and then that <a href="http://granitepeaks-photos.blogspot.com/2006_01_20_granitepeaks-photos_archive.html">disc of childhood photos</a>. Isn't it amazing how pictures play such an important role in our lives. Maybe its because they <a href="http://seelifedifferently.blogspot.com/2006/02/masters-of-imagination.html">nourish our imagination</a>, something vitally important for the fostering of faith.<br /><br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">March </span>- yep, March was a month of reflection on some really important things, like <a href="http://seelifedifferently.blogspot.com/2006/03/preaching-gospel-to-yourself-daily.html">preaching the gospel to myself daily</a>, <a href="http://seelifedifferently.blogspot.com/2006/03/getting-naked-relationally.html">getting naked relationally</a>, and realizing that <a href="http://seelifedifferently.blogspot.com/2006/03/jesus-is-not-glue.html">Jesus is not glue</a>. It was also the first time in a long time that I picked up my guitar and wrote a song (called <a href="http://seelifedifferently.blogspot.com/2006/03/18-years.html">18 years</a>).<br /><br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">April</span> - we started things off with a <a href="http://granitepeaks.blogspot.com/2006/04/family-photo.html">family photo</a>, sang our first ever <a href="http://seelifedifferently.blogspot.com/2006/04/camelback-trout-sighting.html">Song of the Camelback Trout</a> (huge fun w/ my buddy Jeff McRobbie!), and then took Malachi back out to Billings for baseball while I flew all over the country to work on fundraising. Oh yeah, there was that couple on the plane doing <a href="http://seelifedifferently.blogspot.com/2006/04/zero-to-sixty.html">zero to sixty</a> at 36,000 feet. And then there was that phone call, "<a href="http://seelifedifferently.blogspot.com/2006/04/hello-pastor.html">Hello Pastor...</a>"<br /><br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">May </span>- May was the month where I finally finished up 4 years of seminary and actually <a href="http://granitepeaks-photos.blogspot.com/2006_06_01_granitepeaks-photos_archive.html">graduated</a>, which was a great opportunity to decompress and reflect - on <a href="http://seelifedifferently.blogspot.com/2006/05/rethinking-womens-issues.html">women's issues</a>, on <a href="http://seelifedifferently.blogspot.com/2006/05/decompressing.html">"Christian" music</a>. I also wrote a couple of interesting papers, one on <a href="http://wayfaring-pilgrim.blogspot.com/2006/05/song-of-songs-role-of-sex-in-biblical.html">Sex in the Song of Songs</a>, the other on <a href="http://wayfaring-pilgrim.blogspot.com/2006/05/1-tim-28-15-women-teachingauthority.html">Women in Ministry</a>. And then it was time to throw <a href="http://granitepeaks.blogspot.com/2006/05/packing-in-earnest.html">one last party</a>, pack all our belongings in a U-Haul and head for <a href="http://granitepeaks.blogspot.com/2006/05/home.html">home</a>.<br /><br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">June</span> - Malachi <a href="http://granitepeaks.blogspot.com/2006/06/game-ball-krispy-kremes_19.html">pitched his best game ever</a>, Christian lost his best camera ever when he should have been at home studying for ordination, and we met new friends <a href="http://granitepeaks.blogspot.com/2006/06/saturday-night-in-missoula.html">Daniel & Jen</a> and our awesome realtor <a href="http://granitepeaks-photos.blogspot.com/2006/07/and-here-is-mindy-palmer-our-fearless.html">Mindy</a> as we started <a href="http://granitepeaks-photos.blogspot.com/2006_07_02_granitepeaks-photos_archive.html">house-hunting in Missoula</a>.<br /><br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">July</span> - we saw <a href="http://seelifedifferently.blogspot.com/2006/07/pirate-in-us-all.html">Pirates of the Carribean 2</a> for the first time, went <a href="http://granitepeaks.blogspot.com/2006/07/4th-of-july-fishing.html">fishing on the 4th</a>, and Christian kept studying.<br /><br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">August</span> - then in August, all the written exams were finally done. We took a couple of days to head for the mountains (since, after all, <a href="http://granitepeaks.blogspot.com/2006/08/it-never-rains-in-august.html">it never rains in August</a>), we finally found a <a href="http://granitepeaks.blogspot.com/2006/08/were-moving.html">house in Missoula</a>, and before you know it, we were moving to a <a href="http://granitepeaks.blogspot.com/2006/09/so-this-afternoon-we-drove-up-to.html">whole new part of the Last Best Place</a>.<br /><br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">September</span> - of course, as soon as we got there, Christian had to start studying again, this time for oral exams. (Gee, I wonder why there are no links for this month? Hmmm... ;-)<br /><br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">October</span> - then, just when it seemed as if we could hold our breath, God exhaled for us, and Christian was <a href="http://granitepeaks.blogspot.com/2006/10/monday-in-missoula.html">ordained</a>. Wow. Only then could we finally start <a href="http://granitepeaks.blogspot.com/2006/10/more-house-photos.html">working on the house</a>, and taking in the <a href="http://granitepeaks.blogspot.com/2006/10/missoula-last-thursday.html">view</a>(<a href="http://missoula-project.blogspot.com/2006/10/north-from-missoula.html">s</a>). We also got to <a href="http://missoula-project.blogspot.com/2006/10/of-herbs-good-coffee.html">start talking to people</a>, and boy did it get interesting quick (be sure to read the comments). Oh yes, we also went <a href="http://granitepeaks.blogspot.com/2006/10/hunting-with-kids.html">antelope hunting</a> and <a href="http://granitepeaks.blogspot.com/2006/10/twas-night-before-halloween.html">carved pumpkins.</a><br /><br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">November</span> - <a href="http://granitepeaks-photos.blogspot.com/2006_11_25_granitepeaks-photos_archive.html">Thanksgiving in Manhattan</a> (Micah got his first deer!), and lots of work on the basement.<br /><br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">December</span> - and then came Christmas, w/ a whole lot more work on the basement. We managed to get the boys moved into their new room on Christmas eve, we finished flooring, painting, and electrical by New Years. And now there's just some finish work remaining. In the middle of all this, we took a trip out to Washington to surprise my mom for her 60th birthday, and we had Jake and Jen and my folks up for Christmas day.<br /></li></ul>Holy cow a lot has happened this past year. No wonder I feel dizzy at times. But God has been good and we are extremely gratefull.<br /><br />If you're still reading, you obviously have an iron butt or care deeply about our family! We appreciate your interest, and look forward to hearing from you (and hopefully seeing you as well!) this coming year.Pilgrim in Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13677552353105416972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11143429.post-41306448354987439582006-12-14T08:50:00.000-07:002006-12-14T09:02:48.374-07:00MarjorieSo last night, my daughter Rebekah hands me a copy of a another poem she wrote in school (her first one was <a href="http://seelifedifferently.blogspot.com/2006/10/girl-who-loves-horses.html">Girl Who Loves Horses</a>) - this one is about her great-grandmother, Marjorie Lauson. And I thought it was cool enough to share with all of you.<br /><blockquote style="font-style: italic;"><div style="text-align: center;">Marjorie (Portrait poem for school)<br /></div>I remember your frail hands<br />they held me tight on Christmas day<br />I remember the joy in your eyes<br />I hugged the little doll tight<br />she was beautiful<br />with a red suit, blue eyes, and blond hair<br /><br />I can see the little bird in your hat<br />your green shawl wrapped tightly around your shoulders<br /><br />I hugged you tight<br />but not tight enough<br />why did you ever leave me?<br />why didn't you wait to say good bye?<br />Did you even love me?<br /><br />If I could have one wish granted<br />I would wish you back<br /><br />I can still see your smile as you held the purple boguet<br />As I look back on the few years we spent together<br />I wish that there had been more.<br /></blockquote>Well done, sweet daughter!Pilgrim in Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13677552353105416972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11143429.post-1164519012547607202006-11-25T22:24:00.000-07:002006-11-25T22:31:04.296-07:00Thanksgiving in Manhattan<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4205/829/1024/249005/IMG_1898.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4205/829/400/175817/IMG_1898.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>So we spent most of Thanksgiving week down in Manhattan, with my brother Jake and his family. As you can see from the photo above, Micah was successful in his quest to bag his first deer! If you'd want to know what else went on, <a href="http://granitepeaks-photos.blogspot.com/2006_11_25_granitepeaks-photos_archive.html">bop on over to the photoblog</a> for all the juicy details (and the photos to prove it!)...Pilgrim in Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13677552353105416972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11143429.post-1163911853730010652006-11-18T21:46:00.000-07:002006-11-18T21:50:53.743-07:00Hunting in the Homeland<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4205/829/1024/IMG_1847.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4205/829/1024/IMG_1847.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>So today the kids and I went hunting - we didn't get anything (other than a grouse), but we sure did have a good time. I love spending time in the mountains, and the only thing better is to be there with my kids, teaching them the things my dad taught me. SO... if you're interested in deer and elk and mountain sheep and grouse, <a href="http://granitepeaks-photos.blogspot.com/2006_11_18_granitepeaks-photos_archive.html">click on over to the photoblog</a> to see what happened today!Pilgrim in Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13677552353105416972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11143429.post-1163300327438681792006-11-11T19:53:00.000-07:002006-11-11T20:00:14.320-07:00Thoughts on BloggingScot McKnight has written an <a href="http://www.jesuscreed.org/?p=1659">excellent post</a> over on Jesus Creed about his philosophy of blogging -how he manages to write so much. Here's a snippet...<br /><blockquote style="font-style: italic;">My explanation is simple: writing <em style="font-weight: bold;">can’t </em>be done on the side because, as James Vanoosting says it, “Writing is not pedagogy but an epistemology” (160).<br /><br />In other words, writing is a lifestyle, a way of life, a way of being, a modus operandi, a way of breathing and eating and drinking. Better yet, writing is a way of learning, a way of coming to know what someone wants to know, a way of discovering.<br /><br />Writing is not something to do when everything else is cleared off the desk; no, it is something that makes order of the desk. I don’t get up wondering what I will write about, but I write about what I’m wondering. (That’s almost Chestertonian.) In other words, as Augustine spoke of “faith seeking understanding,” so writing is a pen seeking understanding.</blockquote>I really appreciated his response here, because it expresses (much better than I've ever done) much of my own feelings about the whole blogging phenomenon. So for those of you who wonder why I'm such a fan of this particular genre, well, <a href="http://www.jesuscreed.org/?p=1659">read Scot's post</a> and see if it shed's any light on the subject...Pilgrim in Progresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13677552353105416972noreply@blogger.com0