Dino - "Somewhere In Christmastime"

Last night I was priviledged to attend Dino's Christmas show here in Branson. I had perfect seating (5th row, left center), with an awesome view of the keyboard on his Austrian-crystal-plate piano. He has a million dollars invested in this show. The music, choreography, costumes, etc are spectactular! I believe it to be one of the best, if not the best show in Branson this time of year. Visit his website www.dinoplayspiano.com.

Hospital Window

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.

Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.

The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by.

Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he could see it. In his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days and weeks passed.

One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside.

He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed.

It faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window

The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.

She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you."

Epilogue:

There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations.

Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled.

If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy.

"Today is a gift, that's why it is called the present."

A Thanksgiving Poem

A Thanksgiving Poem

'Twas the night of Thanksgiving, but I just couldn't sleep.
I tried counting backwards, I tried counting sheep.
The leftovers beckoned--the dark meat and white,
But I fought the temptation with all of my might.
Tossing and turning with anticipation,
The thought of a snack became infatuation.
So I raced to the kitchen, flung open the door,
And gazed at the fridge, full of goodies galore.
I gobbled up turkey and mashed potatoes,
Pickles and carrots, beans and tomatoes.
I felt myself swelling so plump and so round,
'Til all of a sudden I rose off the ground.
I crashed through the ceiling, floating into the sky
With a mouthful of ice cream and a handful of pie.
But I managed to yell as I soared past the trees,
"Happy eating to all .. pass the cranberries, please.
May your stuffing be tasty, may your turkey be plump.
May your potatoes 'n' gravy have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious, may your pies take the prize.
May your Thanksgiving dinner stay off of your thighs."

Highway Cleanup

Today, I joined several of my co-workers in cleaning up our company's adopted mile of the highway. I never knew a person could have fun picking up trash.

Ozark Bird Dogs

$50 Christmas Tree

Yesterday afternoon, here at work, they had a contest. We each had to take an 8"x12" piece of green paper, hold it behind our backs and rip it into the shape of a Christmas tree. Surprisingly, mine turned out the best, and I won a $50 gift card to Wal-Mart. Some of the others' looked more like deformed maple leaves. It was fun.

Only in Branson...

I just got back from a quick ice cream run to McDonald's where I spotted this hideous vehicle in the parking lot. I can't imagine being seen in something like this.

Family

A co-worker of mine sent this to me. Thought I would share...

F A M I L Y
I ran into a stranger as he passed by,
"Oh excuse me please" was my reply.
He said, "Please excuse me too;
I wasn't watching for you."
We were very polite, this stranger and I.
We went on our way and we said goodbye.
But at home a different story is told,
How we treat our loved ones, young and old.
Later that day, cooking the evening meal,
My son stood beside me very still.
When I turned, I nearly knocked him down.
"Move out of the way," I said with a frown.
He walked away, his little heart broken.
I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken.
While I lay awake in bed,
God's still small voice came to me and said,
"While dealing with a stranger,
common courtesy you use,
but the family you love, you seem to abuse.
Go and look on the kitchen floor,
You'll find some flowers there by the door.
Those are the flowers he brought for you.
He picked them himself: pink, yellow and blue.
He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise,
you never saw the tears that filled his little eyes."
By this time, I felt very small,
And now my tears began to fall.
I quietly went and knelt by his bed;
"Wake up, little one, wake up," I said.
"Are these the flowers you picked for me?"
He smiled, "I found 'em, out by the tree.
I picked 'em because they're pretty like you.
I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue."
I said, "Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today;
I shouldn't have yelled at you that way."
He said, "Oh, Mom, that's okay.
I love you anyway."
I said, "Son, I love you too,
and I do like the flowers, especially the! blue."

FAMILY
Are you aware that if we died tomorrow, the company
that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of days.
But the family we left behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives. And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more into work than into our own family, an unwise investment indeed, don't you think?

A Thought for the Day

Some people are like slinkies --
not really good for anything
but they bring a smile to your face
when you push them down a flight of stairs.

Branson Convention Center

Branson Mayor Lou Schaefer, center, shakes hands Tuesday with Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel Manager Mark Hartman after they and several other officials broke ground on a 220,000-square foot, $50 million convention center. BDN photo by Cliff Sain (taken from Branson Daily News)

This is a part of the $300 million master-planned project that will be known as Branson Landing.

FSCH Alumni Banquet

Over the weekend, I journeyed to Fort Scott, KS to attend the Fort Scott Christian Heights Alumni banquet. I had been asked to sing a special song. I sang "My Life Is in Your Hands". It is a beautiful song written and performed by Kathy Troccoli. Courtney and her sister, Marla, sang a special titled "Born To Serve the Lord" (see photo). It was a pleasant evening. It was was also nice to visit friends in the area while there.

Dixie Stampede

Last night 16 of my co-workers and myself attended the Dixie Stampede dinner and show. As usual, it was awesome! Each person was given the pleasure of eating a whole, roasted cornish hen, corn on the cob, broccoli soup, potato wedge, barbecue pork, and an apple turner all with our bare hands. It was delicious! We sat on the north side with all the tour buses, which I think, made us lose in the tournaments. Oh well.... there's always next time.

Hokey Pokey

With all the sadness and trauma going on in the world at the moment, it is worth reflecting on the death of a very important person, which almost went unnoticed last week. Larry LaPrise, the man who wrote "The Hokey Pokey," died peacefully at age 93. The most traumatic part for his family was getting him into the coffin. They put his left leg in and then the trouble started.Shut up. You know it's funny.

A Knight's Tale

For the past 5 years I was in charge of the decorations at the annual benefit, "Country Store", for Fort Scott Christian Heights. I recently found these photos of our medieval theme 3 years ago. I hope you enjoy them. My committee and I had much fun getting everything ready.

Pink Day

Today is "Pink Day" here at Branson Getaways. I have never owned anything pink in my life. So, last night I made a mad dash to the outlet mall to see what I could find, cheap. I made my way around to several stores, such as Banana Republic, Ralph Lauren, Eddie Bauer, and at last, Old Navy, where I found the shirt. I am actually enjoying wearing it.

Michael English Concert

This past Saturday evening I was privileged to see Michael English in concert at the Calvary Baptist Church in Joplin, Missouri. He finished the concert with "I Bowed on My Knees and Cried Holy!" It was awesome! A southern gospel group, Signature Quartet, was also there. They did an excellent job as well.

Weight Problem?

" We all get heavier as we get older because, there's a lot more information in our heads."

A Visit from Friends

Brad and Bethany came to visit in Branson this weekend. We had a great time going out to eat, late, at Denny's, seeing the Hamner Barber show, eating out late, again, at Dominoes (location of the photo shoot), and just hanging out. It was nice having them around.

Branson Shows I Have Seen

Since moving to Branson and starting my new job with Branson Getaways, I have been able to visit several shows here in Branson. Here are just a few of my favorites.
Top to Bottom: Hamner Barber, Celebrate! America, Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, Darren Romeo, Broadway, Red Hot & Blue!.

Magnificent 7

Last night I visited the Magnificent 7 show here in Branson. It is an awesome show! Visit it if you ever get the chance.
(www.bransonwhitehousetheatre.com)