Driving back from Angel's parents this weekend we spotted a column of smoke rising from town. As we drove closer we realized that it was only a couple of miles from our house. This is the view from our front porch when we got home.

It turns out that the Baron Woolen Mill started was burning with considerable gusto. I was able to find this news article with links to video that are quite impressive. We were afraid that it was somebodies' home, but so far no injuries have been reported and nearby homes appeared to have escaped the blaze.

Watching the smoke roil and build less than two miles away was sobering. We sat down with Kanga and Tigger and talked about what to do in a fire. We'll be doing more of that tonight for Family Home Evening, complete with fire drill. I take comfort in the fact that we have home insurance for the physical aspects of our lives. There are things that I would miss and things that our be irreplaceable - Angel's ceder chest and its contents, or my mission photographs for instance. But the most important things to us are our kids and ourselves. I would hate to experience a house fire but I feel that we could recover from the physical effects of it. If we lost one of our own in said fire though.... thinking about it certainly puts perspective on things.

Baby Shower and pound cake

This last weekend saw Angel attending a baby shower for her sister Chika. What's interesting is that Chika is due two months before Angel, and their sister-in-law Jessikong, is due two months after that. There are also two cousins expecting within the next six months or so. This is Chika's and Jessikong's first kids, so baby showers are of particular help to them. I asked Angel if someone was planning one for her too. Her mom feels a little bad that the other girls are having showers so she might through one for Angel, but Angel said that she didn't really care. We've got a lot of little boy stuff for Roo. That's an advantage about having an older brother is that they can share some stuff. No they won't share everything as they grow up, but they sure can share baby clothes. They will have to share a room though for a while. We'll see how long we can get them to fit in the same bedroom. I'm not looking forward to when we outgrow our house. I really hate moving and am just glad that we should be able to get another 6 years or so out of our house. Here's hoping the market is better than.

While the "women folk" were at the baby shower my father-in-law took the "men folk" out skeet shooting. It was a lot of fun and I have a small bruise on my shoulder. We had a blast. While Angel is against having a gun in our home and I respect her arguments and wishes we have decided that when our kids are mature enough we make sure they are trained on how to safely handle firearms (pistols and long arms). That way they shouldn't do anything stupid when they cross paths with a firearm. We made it back in time to help clean up from the shower and headed home - rather tired. I dislike how much I don't get done some weekends. At least I got all by one load of laundry folded and put away. I've learned that if I fold and don't put it away that night it doesn't get put away at all. Tonight is the garden and dishes. At least I've found the exciting parts of a couple of books to listen to and I borrowed the first season of Get Smart the 1965 T.V. show. I find it very entertaining, and have even watched a couple of episodes with the kids. They don't get most of it, but find Agent 86's antics funny. I've got a portable DVD player I'll set up by the sink for when I've got a lot of dishes to do.

Tonight we're doing Family Home Evening and I made pound cake for dessert. Angel and I tried a piece of it last night. Whenever I make something new I get anxious about how it tastes and very nervous about it. It tasted like old fashion pound cake which is good because that's what the receipt was for. I'm glad we have some berries and whipped cream to put on it. I always knew what pound cake was, but I don't remember Mom every making it. Instead whenever my father's bread didn't turn out - that is, whenever it didn't rise - we affectionately referred to it as pound cake and would just slather on extra butter before eating it. I had forgotten that pound cake is not inherently sweet. It has some richness to it, but it's not sweet. Angel and I talked about it for a while and I may have a post on my other blog about the evolution of cakes - we'll see. In any event, that's what I'm looking forward to tonight.

Audible Book Review - William Shakespeare's Star Wars: Verily a New Hope and The Empire Striketh Back by Ian Doescher

I put out a call on Facebook looking for some new listens on Audible and a good friend directed me towards William Shakespeare's Star Wars. He prefaced his remarks with, "Hear me out" and while I was a little skeptical I had only to listen to the sample audio to find myself grinning like a madman. Here is the Audible page for Verily a New Hope and the Empire Striketh Back  Listen to them yourself. It's honest to goodness iambic pentameter and Shakespearean language fitted nicely with the Star Wars characters and world. The story is one that many are familiar with. If not, it may be helpful to watch movie prior to listening to the book simply so you can focus on the words and characters instead of trying to figure out why Chewebacca is called a rug and doesn't have many lines. The descriptions are good, they are just insufficient to introduce the characters to a new audience. With that said, I think someone could still enjoy the story regardless of their Star Wars experience. There was a cast of narrators including: Daniel and Jonathan Davis, Ian Doescher, January LaVoy and Marc Thompson and I enjoyed their performance quite a bit. As the production was licensed by George Lucas they used the original score for many scenes as well as a full range of sound effects. It sounded a lot like a classic radio play than an audio book and it was well done.

Plot: A long time ago, in a galaxy far far way the Galactic Empire is in the process of tracking down the Rebel Alliance which has recently stolen plans to their soon to be completed space station - the Death Star. With the power to destroy an entire planet the Death Star will ensure compliance and security for the Empire. There search takes to them to the planet Tatooine where a young farmer is dreaming of adventure. What happens, though, when the adventure is over and the consequences come looking for you.

My personal favorites: As a lover of Shakespeare I know that lots of people have adapted Shakespeare for different settings. My sister saw a version of Macbeth set in Japan. My cousin played in Much Ado about Nothing that was post WWII, and we won't even start on the Romeo and Juliet adaptations. Why can't Star Wars be adapted? Ian Doescher does a great job of giving us Star Wars as read by Elizabethans. The exceptional aspect of the production was that the story is written in context with the other stories of the original trilogy. For example, Obi-Wan Kenobi gives the audience an aside where he debates how much to tell Luke of his father. The tradition of soliloquies and asides gives us a deeper understanding of the characters, especially R2-D2 and Lando Calrissian . All in all it was a lot of fun.

Considerations: The only considerations I can mention are ones that people already think of when they hear the title of these books i.e. "What the Heck!" I did not find any offensive content or anything I would object to my children listening to.

Both stories were well done with afterwards explaining nuances drawing attention to some of the things the author did to adapt the story. I look forward to listening to this like an old radio play with my kids when they are old enough to appreciate it. I'm also looking out for The Jedi Doth Return due to come out next month. While I do have other books ahead of it in my cue I look forward to finishing out the trilogy. The length of both stories was the length of an average Shakespearean play, that is 3 and half hours.

Father's Day (as a father)

My Dad's Superpowers are: (as answered by Tigger)

My Dad can run faster than a: car

He can lift: a train

He is really good at: running games

He makes the best: food

He is funny when: he laughs

He likes to: play running games

He is a SUPERHERO because: he lifts tables.

My Dad's Superpowers are: (as answered by Kanga)

My Dad can run faster than a: Cow

He can lift: can
He is really good at runing (running)

He makes the best: close (clothes?)

He is funny when: he macs a funny face (makes)

He likes to: Smile

He is a SUPERHERO because: He is cll (cool)

Tigger obviously had some help with his worksheet - I'm curious who drew the picture of me lifting a table. The kids got these in their church class and brought them to me at the end of church. They made laugh. I was also wondering when they ever saw me running. As I think about it they do watch me play Portal 2 on the computer and that might be considered a running game. Maybe? I'm just glad that my daughter thinks I'm cool and my son likes my food.

This weekend Angel is helping with a baby shower for her younger sister, the first of at least three this summer. I told her that I would take the kids for her so she could focus on making sure the shower went well. Since then I've gotten invitations to go airsofting and trap and skeet shooting for that same time. As much as I would enjoy doing those things with people I honestly enjoy being with I can't because I'll have the kids. But I'm very okay with that. With both Angel and I working we don't get to spend much time with the kids during the week. They are still young enough that there are many things that they can't do (such as airsoft and skeet shooting) that I want to share with them. But given the choice of spending time with my children and going airsofting or skeet shooting my ultimate choice is to spend it with my kids.

My kids are what made me a father and they are the reason I enjoy being one. Yes, they can drive me absolutely crazy at times. Tigger has some challenges and I hat to admit that losing patience with him is very easy. Kanga is full of attitude and while it is usually good attitude it has an ugly side as well. I've screamed at, spanked, put in time out, chewed out, set to bet early, lectured, and many of those other parental discipline dos and don't. When accused of "making everything boring" - one of the worst sins in my kids' minds - I reply, "that's my job." They scare me, age me, and make me wonder who decided that I was mature, capable, or intelligent enough to be a father. Shortly after Tigger was born I called me father and told him how much I appreciated him. He laughed. A lot. I'm sure it was because he has felt the same way himself.

With all that said, with the terror, frustration, and anxiety that I feel because of my kids they are more than worth it. I love reading with them. I love learning with them. I love playing games with them and sharing my passions. When Angel asked what I wanted for Father's Day I told her I wanted to take the kids to the zoo. I believe that to fully appreciate a zoo or museum you need to go there with a child. Kanga has been the zoo before and Tigger has too but he was quite young. For him it was a first to see sea lions and seals swimming underwater through the viewing windows. Kanga wanted to see the zebras and lions. I saw my kids watch in awe as hawks, owls, doves, parrots, and even eagles swooped inches over their heads at the bird show. Kids have the ability to project their wonder and amazement onto others. It's infectious. It's part of what makes them so much fun.

I love my kids very much and am so humbled to be their father. I barely feel adequate at times and feel plenty inadequate at many other times. Yet somehow they are doing a good job at being kids and they tell me that I'm a good father. 

Audible Book Review - Lockwood & Co.: The Screaming Staircase (Book 1) by Jonathan Stroud

Between Relic and Lockwood & Co. I've certainly gotten my suspense/horror kick for the year. Jonathan Stroud does a really good job in this young adult suspense, giving thrills, chills, and downright terror on occasion. I've been a fan of Stroud since The Bartimaeus Trilogy and I'm looking forward to another great run with Lockwood & Co. I am not normally a fan of horror or scary stories, and this book involves various kinds of haunts, but I found the book compelling and fascinating. There was twice while listening to it that I turned to find somebody beside/behind me which caused me to jump. Once was even while mowing my lawn under a very bright noonday sun. The story drew you in and let you feel the anxiety and apprehension of the characters. It is written very YA friendly with no gore, language, sensuality, or gratuitous violence and demonstrates how you don't need any of that in order to build a story that will make your heart beat faster. Here is a link to the Audible page for the book. It was narrated by Miranda Raison who did a great job of bringing out the character of Lucy. It was a wild ride.

Plot: 50 years ago "The Problem" arose. And with it the dead of England. Specters, poltergeists, haunts, spirits, hazes, and spooks - all specters, all dangerous, all practically invisible to adults. Only the psychically sensitive minds of preteens and teens can detect, experience, and eradicate these visitors. Many simply exist, tied to a source of high emotion or trauma, unable to leave the local. Others are vindictive and angry towards the living and finds way to harm them. Over the years eradication agencies have formed to deal with these often terrifying manifestations and to consult the general public on ways to safely avoid them. Lockwood & Co. is one of the most aggressive and aspiring. It is also the smallest. Consisting of the charismatic and energetic Anthony Lockwood, the book worm researcher George Cubbins, and the newest addition and super sensitive Lucy Carlyle. All of them have their faults, but they do great work together. However, not all their cases have ended as well as they would have liked. There latest case results in a similar half-success, most failure when they burn down a sizable portion of their client's house. However, they have uncovered a 39 year old murder case and intend to see it through to the end. That is if an even bigger story doesn't land in their lap first. By the time their done they will have set foot in what may be the most haunted place in all of England - Combe Carey Hall. Most think that they won't set foot out of it.

My personal favorites: The characters were great. Believable in thoughts and emotions, acting like train professions, but retaining their teen limitations, instincts, and faults. Lockwood, George, and Lucy were all delightful in their own way and added to the tension of the story. The world was well developed and had both a modern and medieval feel to it. The science of ghost hunting was well described and Stroud did a great job of "show don't tell." The horror elements in the story were intense but not over the top or gratuitous. It reminded me of when I read Dracula by Bram Stoker - one of my favorite novels.

Considerations: This book is intense and does have some scenes that active imaginations might find disturbing or evocative. Ghosts are never friendly, even when someone may be trying to helping them. It is also important to keep in mind that this book is written by a Brit and takes place in Britain and so units, terms, and expressions are such as well. George "sitting in a chair in his pants" is a bigger deal in the UK than in the US. I do not have any problem recommending this book to anyone who likes scary stories and even many who may enjoy scary but likes suspense.

My wife was surprised at how well I handled and enjoyed this book. She knows from first hand experience how much I don't like "scary" stories. But I found the writing wonderful and look forward to the next installment and seeing where Stroud takes us with his characters. The total length (including glossary of terms) is just over ten hours.

Audible Book review - Relic by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

I have a couple of friends that I like to talk books with. While discussing favorite characters my friend Kevin mentioned his favorites was Special Agent Aloysius X.L. Pendergast featured in books by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. I wasn't sure what to listen to next on Audible, so I figured I would give Relic, the first book featuring Pendergast, a try. I was not disappointed in the book or by Pendergast. I was expecting Pendergast to feature as the main character, but was a little surprised to find him as a mid book addition to the cast. With that said the character was a compelling one who didn't overshadow the main characters of Margo Green, Bill Smithback, or Vincent D'Agosta. He didn't take anything away from them and brought a lot himself. Wikipedia calls the book a "techno-thriller." I would describe it as a sci-fi mystery/horror with the authors not pulling any punches when it comes to the consequences of having a natural killer loose. The book does feel dated in some of its references to technology, but holds up well in other areas. Here's a link to the Audible page for the book. It was narrated by David Colacci who did a great job. Not only were the characters individually distinguishable but effects were used for when characters were speaking via radio or in a cavernous space.

Plot: The Museum of Natural History in New York is opening its biggest, most impressive, and most important exhibition in a week and nothing is going to stop it. Not even a trail of bodies. Margo Green, a Ph.D candidate working at the museum, watches as the police try to solve these murders without success. But as more and more clues about the murder weapon and the state of the bodies comes to light Margo is forced to acknowledge that the killer may not be human. Drafted by her mentor, Dr. Frock, and with the help of a resourceful, if slightly egotistical journalist Margo dives deep into the history of a failed expedition, evolutionary biology, and the museum's sub-basement to find and end the killer. Meanwhile, Lt. Vincent D'Agosta, a NYPD officer, and Special Agent Aloysius Pendergast of the FBI (Baton Rouge office), regardless of what their superiors are doing, are trying to keep everyone safe from what may be humanities only natural predator.

My personal favorites: The characters were great. Both the ones I was cheering for and the ones I despised. The narration brought them to life and the writing made them real. Pendergast, like my friend said, was a lot of fun even thought he shows up towards the middle. I really like Lt. D'Agosta, a cop who is dead set on doing the right thing for people and who still cares enough that he struggles watching an autopsy. The creature itself was terrifying and a great work of plausible science and motivations. I was also impressed with the consequences that resulted when things came apart. While a review or two might say that the museum would never have launched the exhibition with the deaths the results of what happen when they launch it are very believable and rather well thought out. It was an exciting read and made for some good suspense.

Considerations: This book does feature gruesome murder: evisceration, decapitation, and other grisly motis operandi. There is very little description of the events occurring, but the aftermath is described. The level of description tends to vary on the character and with a journalist and a police officer being two of the POV characters they tend to keep the descriptions objective. There is an autopsy scene were the injuries are described in detail but in a purely clinical fashion. There is also strong language in the book, used appropriately and only by certain characters. There is no sensual or sexual content.

My wife makes fun of me for my inability to sit quietly though horror films, but I do like good suspense. At times this felt like horror - a gruesome killer loose in a public place - but it was a well written suspense and I found it quite enjoyable. The total length was just over 13 hours.

Fathers

This last Saturday had a couple of father moments that were good.

Saturday morning found my family over at Angel's Grandfather's house helping in yard and house cleanup. Her aunts, uncles, and several cousins were there, with her parents and siblings contributing of course. We mowed, line trimmed, fixed a fence, and generally cleaned up. It was hot and dirty, but very satisfying. I love my in-laws and enjoy working with them. There were several father/son teams working on various projects together. Even one uncle working with his current and future son-in-laws. There were stories told and reminiscences experienced. Angel's family is a very hard working family it's clear that the sons learn it from their fathers, with her grandfather being the clear originator. I remember learning hard work from my father - unfortunately the lesson often required him to propel me into the work as I didn't always like to seek it. Lesson learned, I try to teach it to my son and need to make a conscious effort to. We were dirty, smelling, but happy when we came home and I was happy to get some things down around our house and yard upon returning.

That afternoon, it was clear that Tigger was in need of a nap. He has an violent temper as it is not stable and you don't know what might trigger it. He rarely hits his sister, but will occasionally take a swing at us, but this was just his usual yelling. Angel informed him that he was, "too ornery to be allowed" and told him to lie down for a nap. I had just finished showering from the morning's and my own cleaning efforts and had changed for a LAN party that night when I found him playing in the hall way while Angel was herself having a lie down. Being 26 weeks pregnant will wear a woman out and she was half gone already. I thought about sending him back to his room, but he was looking pretty wired and I knew he would stay down. However, I knew his weak spot. Tigger is a consummate snuggler. He will happy climb up on a lap or lie down on the couch with anyone who wants to snuggle. He recently got a twin sized bed, so there is room for him and an adult to lie down on his bed, so I led him in and we lie down together. He was a bit restless and kept asking me questions. I was wearing a shirt with big letters on it so we went over the letters. He finally started to settle down and eventually we both dozed off. I woke up twenty minutes later (my arm staring to tingle from him lying on it), and I looked up to see this Little Critter Poster that we have on his wall.

I couldn't help but think, "I'm not doing half bad." I extracted myself and let him finish his nap.

Like I mentioned, I went to a LAN party that night with Leeroy Jenkins, Angel's next younger brother. We've always gotten a long well and share a lot of the same interests. He had some old friends in town and so we got together for some good old fashion computer gaming. Leeroy knows quite a few people who like to game and sent out invitations to a dozen or so friends. I was glad he invited me, but also glad that he invited my father. His own father was invited and Leeroy was really hoping to have him come. Unfortunately that morning's activities had worn him out and he wasn't feeling up to a late night. Despite having, "many irons in the fire," we talked my dad to coming and were so glad to have him. We were playing a game he had never played, and half of the people were unknown to him. Not to mention that I was the next oldest person in the room and he was old enough to be my father. But Dad came, enjoyed himself and helped everybody else enjoy themselves. He has the ability to almost seamlessly enter a group of people, put them at ease, and help them to enjoy themselves. Not to mention I feel immense pride in a father that can relatively hold his own at computer games.

Yeah. I'm proud of my Dad and prouder still that he's proud of me.