An open letter to the car behind me II

Warning: This article may contain sarcasm.

Dear Car Behind Me:

It happened again as it usually does on my first bike ride of the spring. It doesn't always happen the same exact way. This year, my wife dropped me off at the bike shop where my bike was being tuned up. I hit the bike trail for my first cycling of the year. Now I am not quite the cyclist I once was, but even in my heyday no one was confusing me with Lance Armstrong. Mainly because he was 6 in my hey day. For a 10 year period I cycled 100 or more miles a week. For the last 10-15 years I have biked less and less but for the past couple of years I have been getting back into it.

Now I am not one of these dangerous people. I wear a helmet, I mostly bike on trails and when I do bike on roads, I stay as close to the line as possible and when possible I bike on the shoulder. I use proper signalling techniques. I even stop at all stop signs which is uncommon for many cyclists. At 44, I can use all the rests I can get.

Yet that doesn't stop people like you from honking at me. When you honked at me I was no more than 2 inches off the line. Did you think a loud noise startling me from behind would be prone to keep me at a safe distance from you? If you ever have to take a field sobriety test ask the officer to blow an air horn halfway through your walk and see how you do.

Every year as energy and cost concerns increase, media outlets champion the idea of cycling to work. Who wants to bike to work while people are blaring their displeasure on us? Isn't that what awaits us on the job?

Please dear motorist, cyclists have a right to the road. During the cycling months you will just need to pay more special attention and pass us with caution. I mean, we're cyclists! You won't be behind us long.

Next Time: The Run Around Place

Give-A-Ways Galore

Good Morning and thank you for flying Crazy Dave's give-a-ways a division of Home School Dad. As you keep your seats in an upright position I want to make you aware of the many give-a-ways going on today.

1. We still don't have a winner! Way back at post 75 I tried to give away a book and a c.d. One of my followers declined the prize package of a point of grace c.d. and a book of writings by Michael Kelly Blanchard. I then offered it to another one of my followers and have still not heard a response. So today, I am going to give it away to one of the commenters on that post. The winner is Michelle of Psalm 104:34.

2. I chose the next giveaway in part because Father's Day is soon upon us, in part because I am going to Indianapolis this weekend, But mostly because I have them in my give-a-way pile. I am giving a copy of Tony Dungy's book Quiet Strength as well as a copy of the Quiet Strength New Testament in the New Living Translation.

Quiet Strength is an excellent book about how God can work in your life through great success and great difficulties. Those who know Tony Dungy's story know that he's had both. I love this book, even though his Super Bowl victory came at the expense of my beloved Chicago Bears.

You can enter for a chance to win them both my commenting on this post or at the face book feed for this post. If can earn a second chance by including in your comment something you appreciate about your Dad. You can earn another chance by posting about your Dad on your blog and leaving a link on my comments. I will announce a winner sometime next Thursday.

3. I want to thank the many followers of my blog with a special followers only give-a-way. I am giving a way a copy of the movie, The Second Chance. Michael W. Smith tries out acting in this tale of prejudice, faith and redemption. If you win this let me know what you think of it and I will let you be a guest blogger with a review on these very pages. I'll be right back with the winner. . .

That didn't take too long did it? The winner is Kim @ Forever Wherever.

Next Time: An open letter to the car behind me part II.

The End of Blogging

Don't freak out! In the words of the great Indigo Montoya, "It doesn't mean what you think it means." Besides, if I was going to stop blogging, I would have done so last time on my 100th post; making it a bye centennial.

The end in my title is the one defined at dictionary.com (#7) as the object for which anything exists; purpose. Titling it the purpose of blogging doesn't lend itself readily to my flair for the dramatic.

As I have been nearing 100 post mark, I have often wondered what is the purpose or end of blogging. Specifically what is the end of my blogging? The Westminster Shorter Catechism states that the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Now the chief end of my blogging does not have to be to glorify God. However since my chief end of being is such, I would probably not want to pour much energy into a task that did not.

Blogging is something that I really enjoy doing. My blog really is an extension of myself. My blog like myself is a work in progress, but it is not something meant to define me. Blogging is not who I am. The title of my blog is Home School Dad not Blog Writing Dad.

There have been times when blogging has gotten the best of me. There was the NaBloPoMo debacle to begin with. You may have noticed that I no longer use playlist.com on my blog. I was trying to change music each week, which got a little cumbersome for me. cutting down to once a month or so, was so freeing that I decided to stop it altogether for a time.

Being way into numbers and patterns and having the love language of giving gifts I decided that I would host a give-a-way every 25 posts. I still want to continue the practice of give-a-ways, I just don't want to be so dogmatic about when I do them. So, I am switching from every 25 to semi-whenever. The next one is going to be relatively soon.

I like posting in Blog events like Works for me Wednesday, and Three Things Thursday. I think I do some of my best work in these venues. But that doesn't mean I have to participate in them on a weekly basis. The past few weeks have been super busy in my families life and as a result I cut down on my posts. This is one of the main reasons why I have not tried to launch s meme of my own. Believe me I have several ideas for them. But the bottom line is that I know that would take more time and energy than what I am willing to put into this blog.

The majority of my posts have not had much of a spiritual flavor to them. This will stay about the same. I do have a few planned in the near future that will have more of a spiritual emphasis to them. I hope everyone will enjoy the one coming in the next week or so entitled "How Heaven is a lot like going to the bathroom." Maybe there's a reason why my blogs don't have more of a spiritual flavor to them!

So there it ism my state of the blog address. Blogging as an extension of my self, not as an end in itself works for me. To see what works for other (perhaps less philosophical) bloggers out there, go to Works For Me Wednesday at We Are That Family.

Next Time: Give-a-ways galore (I told you it would be soon!)

Centennial Celebration

I tell my kids on a regular basis that people are more important than things. I tell them this, because I believe it is true. Like most true things that I tell my kids, I also try to model them. This post marks the 100th here at Home School Dad. I have noticed many bloggers make a list of 100 things about them as their 100th post. Since I believe that people are more important than things I present for you . . .

100 People who have made an impact on my life

A few quick ground rules ...

A. This is not a ranking of the 100 people who most influenced my life.

B. These people are all people that I have met. These are not authors, artists, fly fisherman etc. who I have never interacted with personally.

C I am listing each person by first name, last initial and one piece of identifying information. This piece of information is not necessarily an explanation of their impact on me.

D. In cases where I know more than one person with the same first name and last initial I will not differentiate any further. SO, I don't want any comments like hey you said John S in # 27 and # 47. You only put 99 people not 100!

E. Finally, if you are reading this, know me personally and do not appear on this list. That does not mean you have had no impact on my life. I mean really Amy, maybe when I get to my 200th post you'll get a mention. Just Kidding! My lovely wife definitely made the list. If I would have made a list like this on my first post, She would make the list (of 1)!

No further explanation is needed (This much explanation was probably not needed) So without further adieu here is the list ...

1. Paul L - Who said opposites attract and then they grind.

2. Dave O. - Who was kind to me, when he didn't have to be, and most people weren't.

3. Geoff W. Who taught me that Turtle Soap really is best.

4. Jerome H. - Who showed me that people are worth the time.

5. Lisa B - With whom I discovered how giraffe's poop.

6. Carrie L. - Who may be the kindest person I know.

7. Sheryl R. who I used to listen to Lisa Whelchel records with.

8. Amy R. - Who said sure and meant it.

9. Dave I - Who taught me random.

10. Mark M -Who knows everybody.

11. Bob H - Who knows everyone else.

12. Chris H - Who hosted a weather talk show with me, in the dinner line at camp.

13. Steve K - who noticed I rode a 5 speed in a 10 speed world.

14 Dave R - Who took me to my first White Sox game.

15 Izola R- who knew me from the many.

16. Charlie R. who will invent so many things that people will say Thomas Alva who?

17. Melissa C. - Who plans her spontaneity.

18 Vladimir L. - who says I have the ministry of bad ideas (and is right).

19 Craig M - Who makes me seem normal.

20. Paul F. - Who was one of my first singing partners.

21. Mark M. - Who warned me against onus shifters.

22. Jeanne R - Who writes ourfamily history to the tunes of Christmas carols.

23 Bert F. - Who sold me my first car.

24. Emma R. Who will someday run a bunny farm.

25 Dominick A - Who showed me that life does not end when you lose your job.

26 Kathy A. - Who home schools her kids.

27. John S. - Who looked at a sports stadium and saw a field of souls.

28. Keith R. - Who never earned that 100 dollars but now has so much more!

29 Gordy J . - Who first called me Stroll.

30. Jon C. - who had a fellowship of the travelling pants moment with me, except the pants were a Ford Taurus.

31. Dan B. Who I will ask to write the foreword for the first book I ever write.

32. Terry N. - Who taught me that people who are a lot alike often dislike each other; then, when they are becoming friends one of them moves to Alaska (Okay, not all of them.)

33. Jeff C. - who never tried to be popular, and succeeded.

34. Brian M. - Who gave Amy and me great advice when he married us.

35. Chuck F. Who once made my wife the same kind of gift basket he made for Patti Labelle.

36 Tom M. - who never met a "quotation mark" he didn't like.

37 Dave H. Who lived with me and still likes me.

38. Bonnie R. - Who is much more capable than anyone thinks (including her.)

39. Rebecca C. - Who is as good of a friend there is.

40. Angela R. - Who introduced me to one of my favorite places (Stone Mountain),

41. Leanne P. - Who showed me that there are few things better than farm fresh boiled peanuts.

42 Harold H. Who knows everyone in Missouri.

43. Scott P. - Who taught me that a reputation is very difficult to lose.

44. Kim W. - Who made an eye emergency seem hilarious in retrospect.

45 Cynthia F. - Who missed a Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire game at Wrigley in '98 to visit with Amy and Me.

46. Alan J. - Who reminded me that life is an adventure.

47. John S. who took his passion and made it happen.

48. Kathy W. Who let me tag along.

49. Alec M. - Who showed me incredible kindness.

50. Lindy S. - Who showed me that politics and Christianity can mix.

51. Pat G - Who has given me new found appreciation for the Stevenson Expressway.

52 Don W. - Who writes just like he preaches.

53. Jeanette M - Who cared enough to knock.

54. Tab H. Who asked me what was wrong.

55. Diane I - Who taught me that p.k.'s are people too.

56 Phil B. - Who knows everyone in Mcdonough County.

57. Mary Jane W- Who is related to everyone in McDonough County (and outlying)

58 - Chris R. - Who is not my older brother, okay? Can we get together on this?, I am 18 months older!!!!!

Oh excuse me, I got a little carried away. Let's try 58 again:

58 - Chris R - Who is co-inventor of the best sport ever, garbage ball. Garbage ball season is any time you are supposed to be cleaning your room.

59. Lucy R - Who woke me up to play puppy on the floor.

60. Millard P. - Who taught me about valuing life, family and ministry.

61. Lisken S. - Whose dad is right, I am weird!

62. Laura R - Who kept my kids in vegetables.

63. Mike O - Who takes his Pinochle seriously.

64. Cassandra O - Who along with Mike and the rest of Roberts Road gave us an amazing Christmas gift.

65. Anna K - Who blesses my socks off.

66. - Pat G. Who takes scrabble as seriously as one should.

67. Gerald W. - Who continues family traditions.

68 John R. - Who taught me the power of a label maker.

69 Matthew M - Whose friendship I value more than his Dr. Who collection (He has every episode.)

70. Allen L. - Who made my 40th birthday party a musical event to be cherished always. (Thanks again Amy!!!!)

71. Donn A. - Who has held every job, except President ( and maybe that under an assumed name.)

72. Ed C. - Who's made our house, a gallery.

73. Sara C. - Who lets us watch their kids!

74. B. C. - Who sends us money on our birthdays and showers us with love the rest of the time.

75. Katie S. - Who gave a nine year old a shirt and then let me know where she bought it. Thanks for letting me do my own stunts!

76. Beth M - Who finally took my relationship advice.

77 Jimmy S - Who did the same.

78. Eileen F. - Who always spoke her mind.

79. Joe H. - Who called to say thanks.

80. Jeff W. - Who helped me through an emotional roller coaster with a story about roller coasters.

81. Dawny Jo C. - Who like many on this list disprove the notion that all of the good ones are taken.

82. Frank R. - Who knew me for our likenesses rather than our differences.

83. Joel A. - Who deftly mixes stand up comedy with biblical exposition (without a 2 drink minimum)

84. Vladimir L - Who made me feel like part of his family when I needed family the most.

85. Linda B - My first LTR, who introduced me to my First Love.

86. Jeff S. - Who put music to my lyrics.

87. Dale C - Who one mistook a grocery store for a jewelery store.

88. Kayrene A - Who knows more than any college could have taught her.

89. Roger J. - Who gave me my start in radio (if you call recording onto 8 tracks, radio).

90. Don B. - Who remembers W.H.E.N.

91. Mayn S. - Who provided for his family.

92. Jack C. - Who has the whole town talking about the Webb boys.

93. Dave D. Who I taught a Sunday school lesson on dating to and then gave him an exam when I double dated with him to his H.S. Homecoming dance.

94. Julie G. - Who was part of the trio "Just the Two of Us."

95. Beth G. - Who like my brother, left much too soon.

96. Judy M. - Who has the spiritual gift of Hospitality/Librarian.

97. Greg O. - Who is a kind sir.

98 Roy B - Who introduced me to my first LTR and equally as important brats boiled in beer.

99 Ray H. - Who shared a need, that God let me meet.

100. Steven W. - Who once asked my wife if I was funny. When my wife answered yes, he inquired about how often. Amy said about every 20 minutes.

So it took me a couple hours to write this, so I hope you laughed at leat 6 times. Some of you may recall that I promised give-a-ways galore in behalf of my 100th post. In short, I lied. If you expected sinless perfection you came to the wrong blog. I do have loads of stuff to give a way and will be doing so in subsequent posts. 100 has been awesome. I look forward to at least 6 or 7 more.

Next Time: The End of Blogging?

But Dad, You're not a girl!

Blog Insider - A look at the widgets, gadgets, and what nots of Home School Dad.

Tonight's Episode: Library Thing

A blog is a beautiful thing. What I especially like about blogs are all the cool little gimmicks and features around the posts. Early on in my career as blogger/crime fighter I discovered a cool little thing called Library Thing.

I originally saw it at one of my favorite blogs A Place Beneath. (I am not just saying that because she watched my kids yesterday when I went to the home school convention, but thanks!)

Library Thing is essentially a way to catalog your books and they can run a sidebar on your blog that always shows five random books from your library. The basic service is free. For cataloging over 100 books there is a fee.

But what does this have to do with me not being a girl? Excellent Question. The best thing about Library Thing is they give away new books! Cool, huh! It is a program called Early Reviewers. Each month several copies of soon to be released books are made available to Library Thing Members. As long as the book is available in your country, you can register for it. Sometimes there are 1,000 people vying for 20 books. What you are supposed to do if you win a book is read it and then review it. You can post the review at Library Thing or post it at your blog and link it at Library Thing. I have been trying since the January Bonus Batch to snag a book. No book in January nor in February but in March after registering for about 25 books, I won one!

It was this one. This prompted my three year old to speak this post's title when she saw me reading it last week.

Let me live up to my end of the bargain. Kathy's book is actually a pretty good starting point for Busy Moms trying to simplify their lives. Much of her advice is practical, and fairly solid. Much of this advice is not new and there is very little that seems revolutionary in her approach.

The chapters each have the same format. She will spend the first half of a chapter talking about the topic (money matters, happiness, safety etc.) She then presents general problems that Busy Moms would have within the topic and her solutions. I found this question and answer format initially engaging. As the book continued the format began to grate on me.

Another thing that grated on me was how she tries to pass herself off as a just like you mom when she constantly name drops through the entire book. Okay I appreciate how having a paper route taught you valuable life lessons. I had a paper route and it taught me the same. But not everybody gets insight from life at parties hosted by Erik Estrada with music provided by one of the Pointer Sisters.

Over all I did like this book. Since I am not a busy Mom I can't tell you how it's target audience feels about it. I am married to a busy Mom, who is going to provide her own review in a future post.

I also like Library Thing and would encourage anyone who has not yet joined to give it a try. I won a book in April as well (it can take 4-8 weeks to receive a book that you've won.) It is a book for single men. At least it's the right gender this time!

Next Time: A Centennial Celebration