If you’ve listened to the show this week, you probably know that Walt, our producer, is taking some vacation time.  As a result, I’ve been doing my job AND HIS until he gets back on Thursday.  Here’s what I’ve learned:

I’m grateful for all the things that Walt does.

I think of myself as someone who is constantly grateful for the blessings in my life, and I hope that’s true.  I pray that it is.  But during Walt’s absence, I’ve noticed - more than ever - how much he does to make our show sound great!

Monnie took some vacation time a couple of weeks back, and while Stacie Bartro did a great job filling in and putting up with me, the show wasn’t the same without Monnie.  So I’m grateful for all the things Monnie does here.

So I’m really thankful, truly grateful, for the skills and personalities that my team brings to our show every morning.  And it’s probably been too long since I actually SAID SO…

Here’s the thing; I’m writing a quick note to both Monnie and Walt right now, to let them know how much I appreciate all that they do.  And maybe there’s a coworker, a friend, a family member in your life who makes your day easier or more productive? 

Maybe you should write them a quick note, too..?

Quick, but funny. 

Monnie and I were talking about the drought here in the south, and how some areas were having to import water to fill their reservoirs.  Monnie said, “Yeah, water’s the new oil!”

How true.  How sad… but true.

Pray for rain!

We spent an American evening last night. A Fourth of July with our family. We grilled in the back yard and then packed all thirteen of us, along with enough blankets and lawn chairs, to watch the city fireworks display. While we ooh’ed and aah’ed at “bombs bursting in air,” my mind was on the state of our nation.  Something that I had read earlier in the day stuck in my mind, and I hope you’ll allow me to share it with you. 

This comes from an essay by historian Victor David Hanson:

“On this Fourth of July of our discontent — with spiraling fuel prices, a sluggish economy, a weak dollar, mounting foreign and domestic debt, continuing costs in Iraq, a falling stock market, and a mortgage crisis — we should remember two truths about America. First, the United States remains the most free and affluent country in the history of civilization. Second, almost all our problems are lapses of complacency, remain relatively easily correctable, and pale in comparison to past crises.

By almost any barometer, the United States remains the most fortunate country in the world. We continue to be the primary destination of immigrants, who risk their lives to have a chance at what we take for granted. Few in contrast are flocking to China, Russia, or India. The catalyst for immigration is primarily a phenomenon of word of mouth…”

Amen! And, thank God for the blessings I take for granted, that are so obvious to millions who risk so much to come here.

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

A quickie.

Since most of us have a 3-day weekend coming up, odds are many of us will be spending time around the pool or the backyard BBQ. If you do, be sure and wear a sunscreen that works. I read in a local paper out here that most sunscreens we buy DON’T WORK!

Here’s a link to the article. Another link (here) compares some of the best sunscreens.

And so you know, if you’re going to be out in the sun, it’s recommended you apply a sunscreen that’s SPF 30, or higher, a full 30 minutes before you go out in the sun, and you should reapply every two hours . . . or after you go swimming or sweat.

I’ll leave you with that gentle nagging. And this - a random guy we saw riding his bike down the street, smoking a cigarette and carrying a giant boot. I had to stop and ask him for a picture:

Tuesday was “Beach Day”.  Six adults, seven kids, a kayak, surfboard, 3 boogie boards and enough sandwiches, snacks and drinks for the whole day.  We (the adults) were worn out before we got there!

What a great day…

Tyler, Jordan and a cousin hit the surf in a kayak.

Little Mia making starfish sand “pies”

Of course, not everything at Rincon Point was picturesque…

I can’t think of any words for this.  Feel free to write your own caption in the comments below…

Wow.