guts/glory

So, I don't mean to get all Psalm 139 on you, but that's all I've got right now. We went antelope hunting-as is the annual tradition- and it was spiritually uplifting like it normally is. But something different happened this year. You know after you bag your animal you have to-you know-take it apart and stuff? Well, as I was butchering it I realized that I had been thinking about how amazing God is. You know He designed us and built us...but that's too easy to say. I mean we are very, very complex. I don't know if you've ever turned an animal into food before, but: WOW, living creatures are put together really well. -And we are even more complex than antelope! So I was just in a trance...I was all "I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made...even this animal is fearfully and wonderfully made!" So even though I don't know His works full well, I do know full well that His works are WONDERFUL. So from guts to hide and from membranes to tendons...this process will never be the same for me again.
Another thing: my son is so cool. He really is a trooper! He kept his spirits up even after miles and miles of tromping up and down hills and through streams and over fields...He impressed me again this year-maybe even more than last year. -kmf

A Brand New Van

Okay, okay, okay! You and I both know that "Common One" could never actually be replaced -but, look out, Mr. Morrison, here comes David Crowder. I'm serious. You know how "Common One" hits you and carries you and all that other not-describable-with-words kind of stuff? Well, pleased to meet "A Collision"-your next ride into personal-time-in-worship-world. This album is great to enjoy with other people, but before long you'll figure out that you've been lost in some sort of prelude-to-Heaven-land, and that you've left those other people behind. It's not like my 'planet Bowie' (or its equal: 'planet Radiohead') theory. -Because this one is about God, and living to praise Him. You can kind of pick out a few songs, but this is an ALBUM much more than a collection of mere songs. I need to listen to this album more. So do you. So does Van Morrison.

and, Yes, I already DO call this guy a genius!-kmf

Lifelight festival

Just a pic of me and my wife at lifelight...those security guards are really good spontaneous photographers. Also, you can't really see them, but our kids are there, too-getting squashed against the barricade. We got turned away on Friday night because the rain had washed out so much parking, but we made it there in time on Saturday to catch Superchic[k]. I don't know if you can tell in the picture, but they rocked my face off!-kmf

You take my place after all you are my son

It took me forever this time, but it was well worth the wait. I've been reading Absalom, Absalom (Faulkner, of course) for, like, the whole summer. People always think that when I pick up a book, it must be time for them to talk to me. They just won't let me be! But maybe this time it was good-so I could savor every three-page-paragraph. WOW. I'm so serious--this is absolutely my favorite novel. Not to mention(although I am mentioning it) so many songs that the book triggers ("dressed in silk and flavored milk/ bred in bone and finely honed/ to sell what we/always sell what we can't own.")...anyway, read it. And if you've already read it: good, now read it again, but this time with meaning.-kmf

Coincide

So, every day I check the same websites as a sort of ritual, I guess. First and foremost is the weather (because it is the most relevant), then it's on to other things like other blogs, and then a nearby junkyard to check whatever wrecked cars they just got. You know...soothing times on the internet. One more on-line stop I make is: drawn.ca - an illustration blog. Today when I checked it the first image that came up was this SWEET gig poster for one of my all-time-favorite rock bands: Shonen Knife. Wow. That's all I can say...My band was on My site. I know -in particular- My wife is going to love this! -kmf

Pride Doth Swell A Father's Heart

Alright, so maybe you know what 4-H is and maybe you don't. But my son is a member in it and that means that he has to do, like, two demonstrations a year. The time came for him to do his next one and (as anyone with concern for the seasons would) he decided to make fresh salsa. He did his thing, then it was time for Q & A. People commented on how amazing the salsa tasted (of course it does--it's my wife's recipe); they were first concerned about it being too hot for them (our kids are probably jaded to a point on that); they asked him what else he cooks or prepares at home; and so-on and so-forth. Until -here's the good part- they were commenting on how well he handles a knife. When I heard that I nearly bursted at the seams. Someone there said that if they tried to cut like that, they'd probably cut off their fingers. He is my boy, my son. Sure, we do some chopping at home, and we always make him cut his own (and his sisters') food. But what I think is truly the best teaching tool is the hours we've spent watching "Iron Chef" together. My son, the torch is passed. I am still beaming a day later. -kmf

The Way That Young Lovers Do

So...last weekend the greatest thing happened. The air-conditioner's drain tube in our friends' car got clogged. It was pretty hot on the night we had planned to go into town, so we had to have our windows down. We had an incredible dinner at Sushi Masa; then went for coffee; then to 'Falls Park' to watch some goofy light/history show-terribly corny--but extremely fun; then to McDonald's (we needed ice cream and it was on the way out of town). By then it was dark out. So that's the setting--I'd thought the dinner would be the climax of the evening. We opted not to take the interstate home. So many things added up to create the best-experience-I've-had-in-a-long-time. Our friends were in the front seat (of a sweet, mid-ninties Accord-if you must know [I know I'd want to know]) and my wife and I were in the back. They were showing us how cool their new XM radio was, the a/c was un-usable, the windows were down, it was dark. We were boyfriend and girlfriend in the backseat. It was perfect enough just to sit with eachother in the dark wind and music. It filled something in my soul. Some giant part of our past that we hadn't noticed was anything-much less that it could be gone-was unexpectedly unleashed on us. It was great...it was mutual. It was exactly what our marriage needed. So thanks to Darrin and April for their part; and thanks to God for orchestrating so many things so well! -kmf

A New Twist

Twenty-one years ago I heard an idea suggested. Carrying it out required far more courage than I could spare. The idea nestled itself in my psyche as unsurmountable, but it still demanded reckoning...it might have been my Everest. So the other day at the pool I was doing my own thing-all the tricks I keep in my repetoire-and I was kind of goofing around with this Native teenager...you know: dares, bets, swapping of tips. Then suddenly I saw him atop my Everest. That's right-he did a gainer. He looked like (almost exactly like)coffee being poured from a carafe. Then he got out of the water and told me matter-of-factly that he knows that I could do it if I would try. I realized that-at the very worst-I would flop ( back or belly, who knows...who cares)and it would hurt only for a few seconds. Wait a minute: a few seconds of stinging has held me back for twenty-one years!? This was inspiring, this was embarassing...Plus, the kid looked like coffee--what could be more obvious?! This was my time. So I did it. Well, that's over simplified. I barely eeked out a half gainer, but my second was much stronger-albeit still a half. The third one, however, is when I accidentally tucked further...resulting in my very first full gainer. This was big news!!! So big that I even called my brother to tell him--we had shared it as a goal; I have no idea if he ever achieved it or not.(I just left a message.) A week has passed since that fateful day and the movment feels totally natural now. I'm trying to smooth out the stylistic end of it now and actually a gainer takes less breath than my-old-standby: the One-and-a-half. "I'm hooked, I'm cooked, I'm smitten, I'm bitten, I'm stuck like glue." By the way, now I've inspired that kid to try to tuck when he does his gainer. What comes around goes around. So, reader, don't be scared "you got to get up, and climb that hill again". -k

that's a certain text

You know who's good at making Sonic Youth albums? I mean, a lot of musicians try to do it, but they only try (some even try hard), they just can't make it. They can't nail the exhortations, or the dreamy urgency. There's no undercurrent or push. I think Sonic Youth doesn't try to make great Sonic Youth albums...they just make music. -and the natural end result is (often enough)-you guessed it-great Sonic Youth albums. This new "Rather Ripped" is just as awesome as "Washing Machine" -which, by the way, is the album that first made me realize that Sonic Youth is really good at making Sonic Youth albums. So...thanks, Darrin, for taking better care of me than I would-by buying it for me!-kmf

Saying "nay" to the naysayers

OK so my third child--you know, the one who is (pretty much) a carbon copy of me -except she's an adorable girl-saved her money long enough (a feat which none of my others have ever even attempted), and waited patiently enough--sent her ziploc full of bills and coins with me to work on the 4th so that I could buy her "the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe". We watched it as soon as possible (Tuesday night at about 7:00)and I realized that we don't need to make any comments or comparisons...It is a great movie that can stand on its own. I truly believe that when Lucy first steps into Narnia, that it is The Greatest Moment in Movie History. I'm so glad my Popie saved her hard-earned cash and coaxed me with such passion to get this movie on its first day out. -what a testimony to its quality! -kmf

Where are they now?

No doubt you've all been wondering, "what has he done since his riveting portrayal of Jacques Gasstove in the Annual Trent Christmas Play?" Well, here is the short answer: I've let it go to my head. Indeed, I've joined the ranks of The Very Blinginest.--Being the red-blooded subcompact-enthusiast that I am...I've aquired a vintage Festiva. Oh, yes-I have gone so far over the edge of stardom. I decided to post some photos of it-not to inspire jealousy, but to (quite likely) rouse the aficianado in all of you. So, if you will, please note the subtle, yet aggresive styling; the ruthless efficiency of space; the use of the highest-quality materials; and the harmony with which it was all brought together.

First I'd like to outline some of the high-end options...
Not only does it have rear defrost,
but also rear wiper, and-of course-rear washer fluid sprayer.

I know it's hard to capture in the photo, but,
YES, those are blue headlights.
(Which make such a smug look very excusable)

And what custom ride is complete without:
stickers advertising some special equipment

Not pictured items include: short throw shifter, new sport suspension,
sporty exhaust note, electric side mirrors--and the list goes on...


W.O.W.
My pride and joy:
Body color rims
(up-sized from 12's to 13's for that "pimped-out" look)

I've since added speakers that say "X-Bass" on them
the "X" probably is Roman for "Ten"
which would suggest that they are "maxed out".

I'll -most likely- be getting an ostrich-leather Recaro racing seat
(with the four point harness);
and I'm thinking about upgrading my brakes to 13 inch cross-drilled,
four-caliper Brembos;
and I already have a new clutch plate waiting for install -
on its box it specifies 'performance'

I'm toying with giving it some body mods, but I don't want to ruin
its raw, aggressive styling--I just can't decide if I should mess with
perfection.
So now you know what Jacques Gasstove has been up to!
And remember the tenth commandment:
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's ride.
-kmf

"Feels Like The First Time"

So...I've never done this before: a blog survey (thanks, wife!)


Four jobs you have had in your life

1.Printshop helper
2.Janitor
3.Assistant cook at a steakhouse
4.Antique auto body restoration

4 Movies You Could (or have) Watch Over and Over

1.Big Fish
2.Lord of the Rings (anyone or all three)
3.Bottle Rocket
4.North by Northwest (or any Hitchcock film from that era)

4 Places You Have Lived

1. My brother's basement
2. My first apartment (in Flandreau)
3. A rinky-dink apartment in Brookings
4. My beautiful house that I don't foresee leaving-ever


4 TV Shows You Love To Watch

1. IRON CHEF
2. Twilight Zone (although I don't even know if it's on anymore)
3.HOCKEY
4.umm...either hockey or iron chef?

4 Places You Have Been On Vacation

1. Eugene, Oregon
2. Cass Lake, MN
3. Harding County, SD
4. Custer, SD

4 Websites You Visit Daily

1. keloland ('gotta check that weather!')
2. lemsauto ('gotta check for good rebuilders!')
3. SgF
4. novocosmos

4 Of Your Favorite Foods

1.Coffee- especially from Africa--not roasted too dark
2.Borshch, nalisniki
3.George's Pizza Calzones: spinach, green pepper, gyros, and feta
4.Sushi Masa's Sashimi, California rolls, soup, pork ginger, and Squid
5.Sweets: cakes, cookies, pies, chocolates... ....
6.Whatever my wife makes for me


4 Places You Would Rather Be Right Now

1. Picnic Springs Campground, Harding County, SD
2. Oregon coast
3. at the top of a wind tower (preferably one that I worked on)
4. Laying on the floor under my kids

4 Bloggers You Are Tagging

1. the Jackhammer
2. I guess I don't really know what it means: to tag
3.
4.