Ten Commandments

The idea that the supreme court of the United Stated ban the ten commandments from our nations courtrooms is not suprising. The vote passed in a split decision of 5 to 4, with Sandra Day passing the deciding vote.

"When the government acts with the ostensible and predominant purpose of advancing religion, it violates that central Establishment clause value of official religious neutrality," was a statement from one of the opposing judges.

In a rebuttle to that idea Justice Scalia argued that the Commandments were legitimate tribute to the nations religious and legal history.

What is happening here? Why have people, even our countries leadership gone so overboard to prevent the recognition of the beliefs that have made this country what it is today? Because of the foundation of our Constitution, I'm not against people practicing what they believe. I am a Christian, and because I believe in the Bible and the plan of salvation I would hope to have everyone feel that way. But I know that is not so. But to take away what has brought us this far, is what I believe will be the demise of our country and it's morals. What else keeps people in check? Is it just a natural phenomenon? No. It is the natural will of man to not be tempered. It is our love for Christ and each other and the sacrifice that was made that keeps us all together. It's the faith of our forefathers and the faith that this country has shared that had made us at one time, the greatest nation on earth in a way we could be proud of.

Weekend End

I didn't get much done this weekend. I did audition the guitar player. He's a good rhythm guy, but his singing is not what I was looking for (note to guitar player: if you ever stumble upon this, don't be offended). He's just one of those people that has a C- voice and doesn't realize he's not an A. It was a good get together, didn't last long, I had to go. It's 10:30 Sunday night and I'm about 1/4 the way through the production piece for our congregation. Don't know yet, how I'll get it out by Wednesday.

The Grind

I'm always talking about how busy I am, I know. If you are a regular reader of ole' "5 Strings' blog, I know it gets pretty boring at times. This weekend I'm getting to audition a guitar player from Nashville who had a pretty busy blugrass group before moving to North Texas. So far our communication is good, if our music gels, he may be a match for my ideas. I've also got a one hour video piece I'm working on that has to be out by Tuesday. I'm currently going over about 22 hours of tape and weeding out what I need. It's a big deal. On top of these things I've got to check out another band at the "Homestead" in Plano at around 6 this evening. I'm considering hiring them for the Deer Festival coming up in September. I took the job of setting up the music for the event. So...I gotta go. More to come...

New Site

I will soon be launching a new site. It will feature information about the Dallas and north Texas music scene, musicians resources and more. I'm trying to figure out how I want to publish it. It's an exciting venture for me and should be a valuable resource for acoustic musicians throughout the area.

The Heavyweights Grill Machine

I recieved a George Foreman grill as a FD gift from the Ms. We made Penini's. Man it's cool. And that's a real compliment, as I'm kinda of a ktichen snob!

Fathers Day

What a blessed day. Although I didn't get to spend it with both of my kids (one is at the Indianapolis 500!) I did have a wonderful day. After a thought provolking lesson and song service at church, Ms. and my daughter took me to Mi Cocina in Highland Park Villiage. I really wasn't in the mood for that type of food but I HAD wanted to eat there many times, so today I got my wish. We started with the bean soup. It had a great taste of chilis and cilantro and was piping hot. I'd give it a "A" on the grading scale. The dish I had was chicken, mushrooms and onions, again with chilis. Very good grilled flavor on a plate that was still sizzling. I'd go with a "B+" here. The other dishes at the table were just as good and service was a good "B". All in all I'd recommend the restaurant, especially if you like that type of food that's not your standard Texas TexMex.

After a great meal we strolled the village, bought my daughter a dress, looked at some $155 shirts and then to Jimmy Choo's to shop some $500 ladies shoes and a couple of $5,500 handbags!! From there we stopped at Whole Foods Plano to pick up a couple of things, then over to Jamba Juice and then home. I'm cooking Italian tonight, I know but it's because I want to, and after all it's my day. I wish my Father was still with us. What a GREAT presence he was and still is for that matter. It's been 20 years now, that's what I mean by strong...Happy Fathers Day Daddy, and to all the fathers out there who love and care for their families. Have a blessed day!

Mac and Work

I have A LOT of work ahead of me this next week, starting today! I've been so involved in other things that I have had to make a committment to myself that I WOULD get some work done over the weekend, even if tomorrow is Father's Day.

I'm on OS 10.3.9. I'm having a little anxiety over moving to "Tiger". So far it's not performing flawlessly. In fact, the person I work wih on a freelance basis is using a new dual G5 and hasn't coverted as of yet (the product has been purchased) due to him having trouble on his two Powerbooks after it was installed. Also Final Cut 5 runs only on Tiger. We're currently on FC 4.5 HD. My G4 will not run version 5. Therefore we're kinda stuck! Hopefully I'll get to upgrade THIS machine soon, and allow us to move on with the current software. But for now, I've gotta get to work!

Jackson Jive

So the Michael Jackson trial. Glad it's over? I didn't listen too close to the specifics, so it wouldn't be right for me to make a judgement call here. I do seem to think that there was a strong possiblity that he was guilty, but that's only based on his prone to freakiness. I look at pictures of the guy and can't believe that someone would do something like that to their own face. Then you go with the elephant man purchase, the "Neverland" ranch stuff, blowing through the amounts of money which he has and shazzam! It all seems more than coincidental that he could be guilty.

It's amazing, the way in which the American public and/or the media drive certain stories. Was all of this coverage really that important to our everyday lives? To the person working 8-12 hours per day, cleaning house, paying bills, having the oil changed in their car, preparing dinner? I'll answer that myself..."NO!" No it's not important. We should care to hear what our judicial systems are doing with a case featuring a high profile "star" like this, but a daily dose? No.

The media has become so different than it was in the 60's and 70's. All driven by the shock factor. All driven by what the same people that watch reality shows consider compelling. What's happening to us as a people? Do you think about it often?

VBS

There has been a great opportunity bestowed upon me these past few days. The kind of opportunity that sneaks up on you before you even realize the hidden blessings inside. I watch little children and adolecents in a kind of celebration of understanding. I hear belly laughs from the littlest ones that remind me of my own kids when they were of that age. There have been times when for just a few seconds those little laughs have stopped me at my work. And truthfully, if I were alone, the overwhelming reminiscence would definately squeeze out a tear or even two. I see adults so committed to doing this work of teaching and setting examples, all done with the energy of any younger person who didn't have the chores and worries of raising a family or being a provider. These adults, they have an understanding of the goal, they are focused on the job. I see new faces, some searching and seeming relieved to be there, to have their children there. I would like for everyone to experience what I am experiencing and to feel it the way that I do. This Vacation Bible School makes me so proud to be in the Lords army. I am blessed.

Blueberries

Blueberries
Originally uploaded by banj.

I know I've gotten way off of politics and technology (what my site is claimed to be about), but I really want to post these images.

This organic blueberry bush is of the "Collins" variety. The understanding that I have is that it is one of the sweeter varieties. The Ms. and I picked over 10 pounds of these little treats in about an hour. I snapped this photo from one of the rows I was picking from, in fact I probably cleaned off a lot of the blue bounty just after the photo was taken.

We got to the farm last Monday morning around 11:30. It was a beautiful day with only few other visitors. We were preparing to simply buy pre picked, but with the harvest having only began on Saturday the only berries for the taking were the ones you had to labor over. The birds sang in every direction throughout the Ozarks and the bumble bees buzzed your head as if you were invading their territory. Ms. even changed rows because of one pesky bee. I have to admit, I ate as I picked and sweated and ate and picked.

We also brought home 2 lbs. of shitake mushrooms grown there at the farm. They run about 25% of the cost of the dehydrated type found at any Dallas supermarket, and they are grown in their own "laying yard" right there at Persimmon Hill!

She's a bute, Clark!

She's a bute, Clark!
Originally uploaded by banj.

Last weekends weather in the Missouri Ozarks was unbelievable! This was taken just north of Shell Knob, Mo. If you don't know the hill term "knob," that is it in the background to the left. See the lone peak? And...Isn't SHE sweet? I couldn't resist posting this one. More photos to come.

Challenger

Challenger
Originally uploaded by banj.

Man I want this car! 1973 Dodge Challenger. It's in Oklahoma just south of McAlester. It should sell for 2 to 3 times the price in Texas. It's just a matter of cash.

Mazurah

After three days of traveling the hills we're safely home. I can say that at least some of the trip was relaxing. We didn't get to eat at the Bavarian or at Ermelios, as we just ran out of time. But the rehearsal on Saturday night was worth the whole trip.

We arrived around 8:45 with most of the guests who then numbered around 50 or so still there. The house on the private lake surrounded by the natural beauty of Ozark foliage was the same as it was last time we visited, breathtaking. Around 11:30 we had noticed quite a bit of storm activity through a break in the trees to our west. As it neared midnight, the winds came up and caused us to have to fold it up for the evening. We drove from Greenland to Eureka Springs in a rash of rain storms. Ms. slept most of the way as I monitored a Harrison radio station that was breaking in every 3-5 minutes to reiderate the counties under storm warnings. We got back to the motel an hour and a half later. I ended up watching the rain from the upper deck until about 3 a.m.

Sunday was a day of travel through 'Mazurah" to Kimberling City to check out the boat we have leased for the 4th of July weekend. It should be a blast!

Yesterday morning after checkout, we drove to Persimmon Hill to pick blueberries. The berry harvest had just began on Saturday, so there were no "pre picked" berries. We had to do all of the labor ourselves. That turned out to be a blessing as at one time we were the only two in the 4 acres of blueberry bushes. The farm is located in a holler with the hills surrounding you in most all directions. The berries although not at their peak are ripe for eating and the Collins variety of berries are the sweetest. The buzz of the bumble bee around our heads and the sound of the birds churping throughout the farm made for some great pondering while fillling our buckets with these Ozark jewels. It once again will make for memories.

We also brought back 2 1/4 pounds of shitake mushrooms that are grown in the "laying" area there on the farm. We'll put some of them in the dehydrator for later dishes and use some of them now, on the grill and in a couple of favorite pasta and fresh herb dishes.

So back to reality. We're back in north Texas now and trying to make life decisions. Those hills are such a long way from this rat race...

Ozark Mountain Hoedown

We're heading out to Eureka Springs. Actually staying there and rehearsing with the "Sausage Kings" in Fayetteville. The weather should cooperate and give us some sun for a good slow burn in the pool. It's a friends birthday party. We play on her wrap around porch till wee hours of the morning. She lives on a horse ranch with a private lake a stones throw from her two story custom house with barn wood as siding. It's probably the most picturesque setting I've seen in an acreage. There no pasture land. It's all trees and cross fences surrounded by the Ozarks. Oh yes...it does make the banjo ring throughout the holler!

June

The first day of June! I'm liking it! So much to post but no time really this morning. Off to TV land after burning a couple of DVD's to be couriered to Plano this morning. It rained last night. I checked the radar around 9:30 and could see the line near Muenster. I think it hit here about 2 a.m. or so.