Notes from the Trail

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Tim Challies’ first book will be released in December! The Principle of Discernment is going to be a wonderful addition to any Christian leader’s bookshelf, and I believe will be an important must-read for the general Christian public as well. It addresses an issue sadly lacking in today’s church - the ability to evaluate truth from falsehood. So much of what we listen to, read, and watch on TV in the area of Christendom these days is dross. In the excerpts I’ve seen and the reading I’ve done regularly on Tim’s site, I am hopeful that the book will be a powerful addition to presenting people mature in Christ.Buy me and yourself an autographed copy here! 

I first read The Short Fat Kid’s commentary on the Getting Sh-t Done method of productivity. I don’t know why that caught my eye, but perhaps it’s because I need to get st-ff done. As I linked over to utilware’s blog, I was mesmerized. The simple design and delightful navigation of the site kept me there longer than I would have been otherwise. Each click brought me to a new page whose clean, graceful lines and look drew me into its content. 

So bravo, Bill Westerman, whoever you are! I’ve now got blog envy. Great work and happy blogging!

Michael Hyatt, grand poobah of Christian publishing giant Thomas Nelson, has a must-read article for all bloggers about thinking twice before you blog or email when you’re angry. I think it applies to a lot of misguided communication in our day. Although it’s easier to hide behind a screen or keyboard and fire verbal missiles, it’s not kind nor healthy for relationships.In brief, Hyatt’s points are:

• Cool down.
• Talk it out.
• Write a response.
• Do your homework.
• Schedule a meeting.
• Admit your mistakes.

The Princes of Ireland: The Dublin Saga

by Edward Rutherfurd

It’s really good, but slow and also ponderous. The characters just weren’t compelling, and the same characters aren’t continued throughout the book, as it’s divided into historical segments. I just couldn’t justify plowing through it (I got about 250 pages into it).

See more about The Princes of Ireland: The Dublin Saga

We have a chihuahua that I can’t stand.

We have a fish that appeared over night.

There is a bird in Sam’s room that bites me.

We finally got rid of a hamster whose roll wheel kept me up at night squeaking.

The cat that stays outside is the only animal I remotely like at our house.

And I’ve always wanted a pet squirrel…

Carolyn yelled at me on Tuesday from her office to “come here quick!!!!” I jumped up and ran back there. To my horror, the cat had a baby squirrel, and was preparing it for dinner. Carolyn was just watching.”What are you doing, you sicko!?” I exclaimed and ran out the back door.

Apparently the door slamming startled the cat and allowed the squirrel to leap onto the nearest tree. It was barking/squeaking. And it was cute.

My photoset at Flickr probably tells the story best.

What happened next was a tragedy. I allowed Carolyn to talk me out of keeping it. I envisioned putting it in the chihuahua’s kennel and raising it with TLC&A (tender loving care & acorns). Carolyn didn’t think that was fair to the chihuahua. Mind you, this is the same demon (the dog, not Caro) that bit through my fingernail last month when I was trying to put her in her kennel.With regret, I placed the squirrel back on the tree, and watched it slowly climb up a ways.

As I entered the house, a surge of determination overcame. I will have the squirrel for a pet. This is nuts, I thought. I hurried back outside, to see to my dismay that the squirrel was higher than I could reach. I ran and got a ladder and placed it clumsily against the tree. The wobbly climb began.Little did I know that Squirrel Hater (previously known as my wife) was laughing her head off as I delicately climbed the ladder - and taking pictures.

I got the top run and for a brief moment, grasped the squirrel’s tail, but was unable to dislodge it from the tree without also dislodging myself. It was then that I realized that I was dangerously close to falling. I had a death hug on a pine tree. And here came SH - the photographer I live with…

Anyway, I think I’m over it today… But I still wish I had a pet squirrel. Its parents (or two larger squirrels) found it, and they were building a nest in the pine tree out back on Wednesday. Buddy (as I have now named him) could be seen watching from about 20 feet up.