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.

On Being A Good Sport

Okay, so the past three years I've helped my church's pastor write the Christmas play for the teens to perform. This year was probably the funniest one to date-even the actors got most of the jokes (does that mean we're slipping?). This morning-the DAY of the play-the mother of a teen actor called to say that their whole family was shouting at their shoes (or unswallowing-whichever euphamism you prefer) and-well-long story short: I agreed to fill the role. Note: This is out of my league! I mean, I can hardly handle it when I get acknowledged for writing some of it. So anyway, I've been really trying to be a good sport lately, so I guess I played the part of chef (Sous Chef?) Jacques Gasstove. And it was pretty fun...I didn't really have time to memorize my lines, so I taped them to the back of my giant meat cleaver for a cheat sheet. Not that many people came out and told me they noticed, so I guess it worked! What a long, strange trip it's been.-kmf

You think THAT'S bad!

I heard a national radio news spot about our 'big blizzard' and at first, listening, I was all proud of it. They spoke of snowdrifts eight feet deep and windgusts up to 70mph. (that's when I was proud) Then the next thing they said was that the Dakotas "had temperatures down in the lower teens"...good grief! that blew the whole thing! That's not even freezing (hardly). You know, it sounded so impressive until they announced the (almost) tropical temp. we had to endure. C'mon...save us our airplay for colder times! Don't try to make us out to be newcomers-to-winter-weather!

Show

For the month of November, some of my work will be at the coffee shop, Coffee 'n Clay, (12th and Phillips) in Sioux Falls, SD.

~KMF~

Check me out!!!

I guess I'm ten times cooler than I thought...I figured I'd be an uruk-or at least an orc!-kmf

tenting it and loving it

We went camping last weekend with some of the homeschool group (but without our most-fun-friends-of-the-bunch) and it was a blast. I wonder: do teenagers who play guitar think that everyone near them wants to hear them a-singin' and a-strummin'? Like, "that's great, kid, but can't you find your own campfire...we're trying to talk here." And when the people in the adjacent spot (you know, the ones with the Excursion and the ginormous pull-behind [not pop-up, mind you]camper)say "oh, I remember when WE used to sleep in a tent" I bit my tongue SO HARD to not say "oh, back when you were happy?" ...Other than those few tiny things, we had a total bast. Which is cool because we almost didn't go because of financial reasons (food usually costs us WAY too much). But my smart wife was making a huge pot of stuffed green pepper, and when we dropped off our big, unfriendly-to-strangers-and-even-some-friends dog at my in-laws' house, they gave us a bunch of leftovers and snacks and stuff, too. So all we had to do was trust that God would somehow provide, and He did. Our trip only cost us $13 for the campsite. How awesome is that?!-kmf

Something's got to give

I know...having-this-blog is about the same as not-having-this-blog. And I suppose that reading-this-blog is about the same as not-reading-it. Since it never changes, it's got to be terribly boring. But things have been changing in my world. God is on the move. I don't know when it started, but it's been building slowly-even snowballing without me even knowing it. The first giant step that I realize now was when I agreed to leave the warm confines of my comfort zone and perform 'live drawing' while a friend read a story I wrote in front of loads of local kids. Then I had that art show. Then I talked to a manager at a different coffeeshop and she asked me to set up a show there as well. (So I guess in November I'm having a show at Coffee -n- Clay.) Since my first show someone has contacted me about buying a piece and possibly commissioning a personal portrait; various people have 'been dropping out of nowhere' with helpful advice and encouragement; God had put me in the right place at the right time to meet up with another guy who I'd heard was interested in buying a piece; and the local newspaper editor stopped at my house to say she'd heard I'd had a show and ask if she could run a story about my stuff. I hope I can present my case well "blaming" everything on God-who dragged me out of my shell to show what He can do. What an orchestrator! He's doing WAY more than we can see. All I can do is agree and hang on tight and try to enjoy the ride. It's so subtle and it comes in such waves and it's so invigorating and it's so keith-altering. Strange stuff...can I have some more? -kmf

I guess I'm an exhibitionist...?

So now I have my art in public viewing. -not that the coffee shop is really all that public. It's pretty strange for me to have so much of my stuff somewhere-not-in-my-house. I'm really not that crazy about it. And I feel like not going there for coffee for the next three weeks. Except I need to go there with Darrin while he's here. I think I'll be glad when it's over and I can bring them home again. So, everyone, head on down there and check out my stuff-chances are you won't see me there! This is my first exhibition and it feels like my last!-kmf

So last week I realized the truth to those goofy old cliches. "Don't spend it all in one place." And even (albeit loosely translated) "a rolling stone gathers no moss". Yeah...so if you know anything about anything you'd know that I had the week off from work last week. (With the holiday Monday I actually only missed [I wouldn't exactly say I ~missed~] four days of work.) I believe I had the greatest vacation I've ever had. And I give the credit to its (lack of) planning. Truth be told: I was always under the impression that a good vacation involves going somewhere for a week or so and seeing all the sights that place has to offer and "all that jazz". But this time, instead of going to one place for a long time, we went many places for short times. We didn't put all our hopes and dreams (eggs) into going on some trip(basket) that would fulfill all our vacating desires. We didn't spend it (our time) all in one place. It was awesome. We didn't even tell our kids that we were going to Omaha to the zoo until we woke them up really early on Wednesday and each one asked why they had to get up. It was SO fun. We stopped at an old fashioned soda fountain and the Jerk gave us each these goofy paper soda jerk hats. Anyway...there were WAY too many things that we did to tell in one post -so y'all just have to imagine the great fun we had all over our little chunk of the midwest (not gathering any moss, mind you).-kmf

Today something unusual happened that I never could have anticipated. I mean: who (other than Darrin- somehow)in my life would have guessed that it would be possible for me to enjoy something so ...not-of-my-world/bubble. My heart was racing. My attention was thoroughly engrossed. My muscles were taut. It was like how you get a good hockey game. But it wasn't hockey. It wasn't skateboarding. It was America's favorite pasttime! What a surprise! I came home early from work to make it to my kid's game. It was against Madison's Blue Jays-a notorious bunch (I'd even bet that the kids' parents actually watch baseball on tv with their young-uns). This team had creamed us every time last season. But (after winning the first two games) our team seems to have gained some confidence since last year. This third-in-a-row win even inspired the coach to treat the kids to some impromptu ice cream at 'the Spot'. I couldn't believe that baseball was moving me! Our team had fallen behind at the end of the game (8 to 11) when, instead of ending the game, the other team (out of pride and self-assuredness, no doubt) asked if we wanted to play one more inning. They probably planned to sink us even further. But, wait a second, something familiar just got kicked in the shorts! We beat THEM (12 to 11). WOOOHOOOOO! Like if you've followed SF59's albums: something familiar just got kicked in the shorts! Wham! 12 to 11...I AM the Portuguese Blues! So eat my dust!-kmf

Darrin and Ellie

Back in 1991 our friend Lisa found a song of Miles Davis with the New York Philharmonic-probably from 1969. It was incredible. -And it also sparked a tiny interest of jazz in me. Not too long after that I saw something on TV about Wynton Marsalis and his three volume set of 'Soul Gestures in Southern Blue' (I think is the right name). My friends had all graduated and left me (always the younger one) alone at school. I had planned to become anonymous and invisible--but it didn't happen. Instead-and I'm not sure how- I met this dude who owned these Wynton Marsalis albums. It was strange, because our school had thick lines between the cliques. Just how a freak hooked up with a geek is beyond me. (Maybe it's because his geeky friends had also graduated to become geeky college kids. [Whereas my freaky friends graduated to become freaky burnouts, inmates, and college/votech um...freaks.] ) So here we were, in a brave new world and all we had in common was good ol' Wynton. It didn't take long to become affiliated with other freaky geeks, PCs, and other non-popular doofs. But I had no closer bond with any of them than I had with my new friend, Darrin. Darrin, later, went off to college. We wrote to eachother a lot, and he came up to visit quite a bit. He got engaged and, when that dissolved, he came to crash at our place. We were honored to be his 'safe haven'. He would always come to stay with us for a week or so when he had some time. We loved it. Our kids have grown up with him coming and going. He is a permanent fixture in our family. The kids keep asking when Darrin is going to come again. -And we sadly have to tell them that he has a job now and it's not as easy for him to come over. We all miss him. We even named our dog after him. So, anyway, here's to Darrin on his thirtieth birthday! We love you, man!!!-kmf

Today was such a trip! On my way to work I saw a coyote run across the hi-way in front of me, then it crossed the ditch and jumped the fence. You should've seen it jump...it was so smooth and easy...so graceful. -like those wolves on those wolf documentaries! Then, like a half mile later, there was this pheasant rooster totally strutting his stuff on top of a big rock. After another short distance, there was a big, fluffy dog playing with something I couldn't see and he was wagging his ginormous tail like a madman. --but wait, there's more! As if that wasn't enough...tonight we were at home and my wife asked me what kind of bird was making this obnoxious noise. I knew I'd heard it before and just guessed it was a starling. So I got curious and started scanning the big maple in the back yard, and suddenly the bird flew out of the tree and perched on my electric line to my house. You know what kind of bird it was? It was my all-time-fave bird in all of God's creation: the KINGFISHER! It was in MY yard...on MY wire! I was just freaking out. I've never seen one perched anywhere other than over water! My wife was on the phone and hung up on whomever after shouting "it's a kingfisher!" into the poor person's ear. My entire family shared my excitement. They care about me enough to care about my (silly, old) favorite bird. What a family! What a moment -with us all standing like statues depicting 'awe' in our back window! -kmf