Farewell To A Friend

On Monday of this week, we said farewell to our fierce dragon and protector of the realm. Sparky crossed over the Rainbow Bridge.I hadn't had a dog this long since Peanut, the dog of my childhood. Thanks to the invention of the camera phone, he was the most photographed pet we ever had. Here are some pics of my little buddy:

He was always the protector of the weaker or smaller. My MIL's therapist didn't like him because Sparky thought that he was trying to hurt her during rehab for a shoulder injury. Kids were safe from bigger kids & parental reprimands. He also patrolled the back yard and played :Nanny Dog" when the kids were in it

All of the furniture belonged to him. If you didn't want dog hair on you. Too bad. Any blanket or pillow was a comfy spot to take a snooze (especially if there was a sunbeam involved). He even had us trained to lay out his big stuffed platypus on the floor so he could be with us while we watched movies.

Sparky was always willing to pose for us. What a photogenic pup. I'm glad I have all the happy memories with him. He really was a great dog. I'm going to miss you. You were a good boy.

I Can't Believe They Stole The Church Van

This morning, as we were gathering at church for our Sunday school teachers meeting at 9AM, the morning van driver asked if I had seen the turtle top van. Our turtle top van is an older handicap van that has a wheelchair lift. It has body and mechanical issues, but it's the only way for some to get to church. It wasn't on the church grounds. He thought that another driver may have taken it out, so he picked up our two Sunday morning handicapped folks in his car.

As the morning progressed, our pastor had asked everyone who drives a van, Sunday or Wednesday, if they had taken the van out. Nobody had. He then called the police. He then asked, over the pulpit, if anyone spotted it (it stands out like a sore thumb), to let him know.

As church was letting out, and folks were going home, one of our members spotted it at the seediest motel in town. Pastor called the police and met them over there. When the police arrived, they looked at the van, and started laughing. "They stole THAT!" was there exclamation.




Whoever had stolen it had busted out the ignition switch and forced a screwdriver into the opening and drove off with it. It was fortunate that the Wednesday driver hadn't put gas in it before or after his route. The gas gage was on "EMPTY" when it was found. I know how much gas was in there when I left it Sunday night. If nothing was put in it, it wouldn't have had much left in the tank when it was stolen on Saturday.



Is nothing sacred anymore?

Never Forget

Unless you were in a coma or living under a rock, you know exactly where you were 10 years ago today.

Where Did She Go?

If there is anyone out there who is used to reading my wife's blog, and now you can't find it, send me an e-mail. Due to unforeseen circumstances, she had to take the old blog down and create a new one.

Terror In A Small Town

Normally, this blog deals with the funny side of life. There is absolutely nothing funny about this post. Anyone who hasn't been living under a rock has heard of the family in Central Ohio who have been missing since last Wednesday.

Sunday morning, the 13 year old girl was found bound & gagged in a house that is a two minute drive from my grandson's school. Security measures have been stepped up dramatically at his school. A nearby park with a pond (actually a former gravel quarry) has been searched extensively. One of the teachers said that the frequent fly-overs by search helicopters keep the windows rattling constantly

The home owner is currently being held on a kidnapping charge. As of yesterday he was not cooperating with authorities. A couple of former service members from my church have volunteered to "assist" the sheriff's office in the questioning of this man.

This morning volunteers met at the Sheriff's office to help in the search for the remaining three missing persons. The searches were to concentrate on wooded areas, of which our county has many. The other day, the Sheriff stated that the longer the remaining family members are missing, the hope of finding them alive diminishes. Today, the worst was confirmed.

According to the news conference, the kidnapping suspect told the Sheriff where to search. The Sheriff said they probably wouldn't have found them without this information. Homicide charges are pending. Currently here are no other suspects according to the Sheriff.

You don't expect something like this to happen in a small town like ours. (Actually it is a city, the county seat, but it's not all that big). Things like this happen in Columbus, Cincinnati or Cleveland, not here. One lady at my church put it best,"This is a sleepy little town. How could something like this happen here?".

Several prayer vigils are being held in the next several days. Please pray for the families of those involved with this tragedy.

Sad News

Many of my long time Flashback Friday readers remember "The Butcher Boys". I heard Monday of a fatal boat wreck on Alum Creek Reservoir. I heard the name of the victim, but held out hope that it wasn't the same person who I grew up with. Those of you in central Ohio know that it wasn't Doug Butcher who perished in that wreck, but I don't use real names to protect privacy. I learned today that it was the same person I grew up with. Please remember his family in your prayers.