Cajun Huguenot

Lewis Quote:

2011-10-16T20:27:00.001-05:00

C.S. Lewis was an atheist for many years. In the late 1920’s the Lord used Lewis’ friends JRR Tolkien (of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings fame) and Hugo Dyson to bring him to faith. Lewis described his conversion to Christianity as a "'...prodigal who is brought in kicking, struggling, resentful, and darting his eyes in every direction for a chance to escape…" Lewis’s writes these words about

A letter from David Greely

2011-03-04T19:30:00.001-06:00

Many thanks from David Greely, (Français suivant) Thank you all very much for all your kind compliments for the work I’ve done with the Mamou Playboys over the last 23 years. For nearly twenty years before I ever met Steve Riley, I played traditional fiddle and dreamed of playing music of my own culture- music that would make me proud, would make a difference, and that would take me all over

2010-09-06T02:06:00.002-05:00

I've finished five chapters in Darwin’s Origin of Species (I only read this book when relaxing in the tube, so if I ever do finish it, it will not be any time soon). If have, for the second time, started reading The Sword of the Prophet: Islam History, Theology, Impact on the World by Serge Trifkovic. I'm also several chapters into Like Father, Like Son: The Trinity Imaged in Our Humanity by Tom

2010-07-26T08:58:00.004-05:00

We worshiped at St. Michael's Anglican Church yesterday evening. After worship Seep the boys and I went to Starbucks to talk and visit with Morgan.My father-in-law has been in the hospital since last week, he is doing much better and will be going home today. Lisa is with him at the hospital now and she will take him home. I have been ignoring this blog, mostly because I have been posting on

2010-06-15T05:45:00.002-05:00

I had another busy set of days off. Thursday, LeLeaux and I went fishing in Lacassine. We caught enough fish for my family to feast on bass Thursday night.Saturday was the birthday for our #2 son and he requested I make pain perdu for breakfast, which I did. To celebrate his birthday, we drove to Lafayette to visit the Rök Haus and do some in door rock climbing. I had not been there in several

Last Weekend

2010-06-07T07:24:00.001-05:00

Thursday evening, after work, I broke down, went to Best Buy and bought a new computer. I then came home and assembled it. Friday evening Lisa, the boys and I went to the movies to see Robin Hood, which was pretty good. Lisa and I had a great weekend. We woke early and she and I went to her parents' house so that she could do her moms hair. Lisa has "done" her mom's hair every Tuesday and

Information regarding "Gonorrhea Lectem"

2010-05-19T17:14:00.001-05:00

Information regarding "Gonorrhea Lectem" The Center for Disease Control has issued a warning about a new virulent strain of this old disease. The disease is called Gonorrhea Lectem. It's pronounced "Gonna re-elect 'em." The disease is contracted through dangerous and high risk behavior involving putting your cranium up your rectum. Many victims contracted it in 2008. but now most people,

Video on Texting while Driving

2010-05-13T05:21:00.001-05:00

Texting while driving...it is not gory, but it is an eye opener!!! http://zerofatalities.s3.amazonaws.com/1085-Echo_TRANSCRIBED.wmv

Today

2010-05-02T13:59:00.001-05:00

I started my day when my alarm went off at 4:00 AM. I got up and got ready for work I read a bit in the Scriptures (Matthew's Gospel). I am at work today, so I was not able to worship with my family, but I was able to listen a lecture by Bishop N.T. Wright while at work. I can do that kind of thing while working in the refinery lab. I am planning on leaving work and heading to St. Michael's

2010-04-22T03:10:00.001-05:00

My son Christian called at 1:30 this morning to inform us his Mom and me that he had arrived in Japan. When we spoke, he was on a train from the airport to the Tokyo train station to catch a fast train to Misawa. It was such a pleasure to have Jessica and Christian here with us last week. It was a fun visit, we ate some great food, visited, went crabbing, played games, kayaked, etc… Lisa and

2010-04-16T14:21:00.002-05:00

It is great to have Christian and Jessica home on leave from the Navy. Last night Morgan and Danny and we had steaks for supper. After supper, Mk and his son came over and we all went to the porch and front yard to visit play ball.We had a good time enjoyed good friends, good food, good wine and beer.Later,Kenith

Retribution: The Battle for Japan, 1944-45

2010-04-12T13:56:00.000-05:00

After a wonderful vacation in the Napa Valley, I returned to work at 5 pm Sunday night (4 April) and worked nights through Thursday morning. I was back at work Friday for this months Rescue Team training and I started my regular day shift on Saturday. The big event Saturday was the arrival of JB and Christian. They are home on leave the Navy. Sunday, I had to work and so I was unable to attend

2010-04-08T12:57:00.002-05:00

I finished a set of graveyard shift this morning. I went to work Sunday evening, which was my first day back to work after Lisa and I returned from the Napa Valley. It was a quiet set of graveyards at the lab.I finished reading Retribution: The Battle for Japan, 1944-45, by Max Hastings. This is the the third book I've read by Hastings. It is a great book.

2010-04-03T21:49:00.004-05:00

Lisa gave me a wonderful 50th birthday present, she and I took a trip to San Francisco and the Napa Valley. We had a great time. The day we spent in SF was but we spent most of our holiday in Wine Country. We stayed at a wonderful place just north of Napa-La Residence Inn. This is the best place I've ever stayed at. We received a complementary gourmet breakfast every morning and complementary

2010-03-21T21:50:00.002-05:00

Today was a good day. I fixed breakfast for Lisa and the boys, just eggs and sausage this morning. We then got dressed and attended worship services at Bethel (PCA). After worship we ate dinner at Piccadilly Cafeteria and then came home. The boys had friends come over and the played.I had to work Friday night to Saturday morning, so I slept until noon Saturday. Most of the afternoon was spent

2010-03-19T06:00:00.004-05:00

I worked Rescue Standby at the refinery on the night of the 17th. It was a quiet evening. I started the shift by reviewing the confined space, which was the reason I was on standby. I spent a good portion of the evening at the turnaround observing the work being done.I did take time to cook another batch of pain perdu for some of my co-workers. I worked 13 1/2 hours. After work, I came home and

2010-03-10T07:50:00.002-06:00

Yesterday my day started at 6 AM, when I got up and got the boys up for school. After bring them to school, I returned home and got ready for my day.I've been having some pain in on the right side of my lower back, so Lisa scheduled me for a massage at GiGi's. After my massage, which was great, I picked up a pepperoni pizza from Tony's Pizza and went to visit my grandparents and bring them

2010-03-03T16:02:00.004-06:00

Today, I worked last night (rescue standby) came home and was in bed for 6:30 am. Woke at 9 am to attend Wednesday morning worship at St. Michael's (Anglican Ch) then I met Lisa for lunch at Olive Garden for lunch. After lunch I went to visit my grandparents. My grandfather will be 90 years old tomorrow.PawPaw, as we call him is an old Cajun who learned English after his children started school,

2010-03-01T20:00:00.002-06:00

Last week was a fairly busy one. I worked 56 hours and I also qualified on the first (entry) job for the lab. I am now a lab technician and no longer an operator at the refinery. O did the operations thing for 19 years. and I've worked as top or lead operator more than a quarter of those years.Saturday, was a busy day. First, I worked around the house, then I went to a diaper party in honour of

2010-02-21T22:16:00.002-06:00

Friday morning I worked off graveyards and went to meet Woody and a couple of his friends, all of whom had also finished a stint on the hoot shift, at Waffle House. I got there after they had finished eating, so I got a coupe of coffee. We left WH and went to Bird's house to visit some more.Bird opened a bottle of wine and we all had a glass and discussed the usual things, of course the Christian

Last Week

2010-02-15T04:18:00.001-06:00

Last week, I continued training on my new job as a lab tech for the refinery. It is going well so far, the best part is I am not involved in the latest unscheduled shutdown and unplanned maintenance on one of my old units. Last Friday, Lisa and I met a couple from church, Jason and Heather, at Luna's for Dinner. We had a very enjoyable evening. Saturday morning was spent working around the

2010-02-11T22:22:00.003-06:00

HBO Movie: Temple GrandinThis is a WONDERFUL biographical movie that I watched a few days ago on HBO. It is about Temple Grandin, a successful women who has autism. I can not write a review that will do the movie justice, but I hope you will look for it on HBO and watch it. I highly recommend it.Kenith

2010-02-08T22:09:00.004-06:00

The New Orleans Saints have defeated Peyton Manning and the Colts to win the Super Bowl and become the National Champions. Hell froze over at that point in time. Tens of thousands of Louisiana (and Mississippi) Saints fans have believed for decades that they would go to their graves without ever seeing the Saints reach the Super Bowl, much less win. Down here in Louisiana, the happiest state in

2010-02-07T17:22:00.002-06:00

I am now training to be a lab tech. I have been at the refineries lab for two weeks. I know that this will be a stress free job, unlike the top operator position I just left.I have invited the guys from my old units to come over after work to chill on the porch and have a few beers. It was nice.Today, Lisa, the boys and I worshiped at Bethel. After worship we ate at Casa Manana and then came home

2010-02-04T06:39:00.003-06:00

Pledge of Allegiance to the Saints I pledge allegiance 2 da Saintsand 2 da great city of New Orleansand 2 da Super Bowl,4 which we will win,1 city, B low C level,under God,with Mardi Gras and alcohol 4 all.

2010-01-25T06:30:00.002-06:00

WoW!!!!The Saints are going to the Super Bowl I never thought I would live to see this day. I worked yesterday until 5:30 pm. I left work and went to Josh and Melissa's to watch the game on their big screen. They had have Lake Charles there with tuns of good food, wine and beer. It was a great game and it was a blast to watch the game with Josh and company.Yesterday, was my last day as a top

21 Jan 2010

2010-01-21T15:56:00.001-06:00

I worked off graveyard shift yesterday morning. Instead of going to sleep, I dosed while watching Fox News. I was in and out of consciousness catching bits and pieces of news on the Massachusetts senate race and the rescue efforts going on in Haiti. I did this for three or four hours, then I fixed myself peanut butter and honey for lunch. I was a grog all of early afternoon. My afternoon was

2010-01-15T18:25:00.002-06:00

Woke at 3 AM, got to work at 4:00 AM. I had Rescue Team training today. but I had to put in 12 hours. Training is over at 4:00 PM so I went in to work early so that I could leave early.After work I went to Morgan and Danny's to get the boys. Morgan picked them up from school for us. Gary J. came over after he finished his work day.We visited on the porch, in the cold, sipping on a Tullamore Dew (

2010-01-13T22:23:00.002-06:00

This morning, after breakfast, I did my two mile walk, got cleaned up, worshiped at St Michael's Anglican Church, then I errands for my in-laws, and other family members. I then came home and did a little repair work at my home, and picked the boys up from school. I also helped math homework. I also spoke on the phone with my son Christian, who is in the Navy, serving in Japan.That's a pretty

2010-01-10T23:58:00.002-06:00

I listened to a lecture from the Von Mises Institute this evening while doing a chores. I found it to be VERY interesting. It is titled, Lincoln's Tariff War. Listen and enjoy.Kenith

2010-01-09T09:12:00.002-06:00

I don't know anything about Brit Hume's faith, he has it right in this clip. Later,Kenith

2010-01-08T23:41:00.002-06:00

I'm up late again. I so much enjoyed the lovely "Global Warming"/"Climate Change" cold weather he are having by wearing a heavy coat while I played fetch with our dog today. I have been enjoying the cold (Louisiana Cold). I always enjoy it when it cools off down here, because we have such long periods of hot, humid weather.Tonight, I am in the living room reading, Retribution: The Battle for

2010-01-08T07:52:00.002-06:00

It is 26 degrees outside and the high temperature today will not reach 40 degrees. Tonight we are supposed to drop into the teens. That is EXTREME cold for this part of the world, in fact all the schools in Calcasieu Parish are closed today because of the cold.This is a good week to be off from work, and I just happened to be on vacation. The refinery does not function very well in this type of

2010-01-03T19:15:00.002-06:00

After LSU's terrible showing against Penn State the weekend did improve. Saturday Lisa and Sheree went to Lafayette on a shopping trip and after lunch the boys and I packed up the kayaks and went to Longville. When we arrived at my parents they made a pot of coffee and we visited over a couple of cups, then my youngest son and I took the Kayaks to my sister's pond. Gary, my nephew met us with his

2010-01-01T13:39:00.005-06:00

I worked the last four nights so I spent most of New Years Eve in the control room at the refinery. We had to finish the start up on our clean fuels unit, but the end of the start up was mostly covered on the unit console, so it was an easy evening for me as top.When I got home this morning I noticed my mailbox was gone. My neighbour informed me that my mailbox was blown up by someone last night.

2009-12-26T18:47:00.002-06:00

This past week was spent at family gatherings - feasting and celebrating our Lord's birth. Wine flowed and the food was great. The food was not traditional stuff, we ate gumbo, and other South Louisiana. On Christmas Eve we enjoyed family time at home. Sean, our nephew in the Air Force, spent much of the day visiting with us. Lisa and I cooked tenderloins with red wine reduction sauce and

2009-12-23T06:08:00.002-06:00

We've had two Christmas parties so for this week. The first was at our house. This one was with our family and the family of Lisa's sister. Lisa did a great job planning and getting everything ready. I provided wine and helped Lisa, who did most of the work.Last night we were at my sister's house in Longville for my families Christmas party. We had a great time. The big event was my daughter

2009-12-20T18:32:00.002-06:00

I am, as of 5:30 this evening, on Christmas vacation. Hallelujah!!!!!! It will be a VERY busy week, but I will be busy away from the refinery and with my wife and family. I recently bought a case of good California red wine, so I'm set for wine wise. Merry CHRISTmas,Kenith

2009-12-13T05:51:00.002-06:00

Spent much of the night before last at work, outside in the cold and rain starting one of our units. We got wet and got a good bit accomplished. Last night was much better, it was mostly quiet. This should be my last unit start up as an operator. Now I'm off to bed.Kenith

2009-12-11T13:30:00.002-06:00

At work yesterday, we had a big feast. One of the guys brought in a deer roast (from a resent kill) a pork roast and deer sausage. It slow roasted all together. Of course, this being South Louisiana, we served it with rice. We also had beans, corn, hot rolls as well. We have some great cooks at work and the meal was great!!!!I have no days off next week. I work every day until I start vacation on

2009-12-06T22:50:00.003-06:00

Last night I built a fire in the fire pot on the back deck and simply relaxed and washed the fire with my son. A bit later Woody joined us. He and I sipped on a little Irish Whiskey (Tullamore Dew) and talked for a while in the cold near a warm fire.T woke this morning about 7:30, got the family up. We attended Sunday School at Bethel. My good friend MK started a new series this morning on Church

2009-12-05T19:13:00.002-06:00

Yesterday was a big day. I took the test at the Refinery to go to the lab. I passed the test, so starting in January I will cease to be a top operator and begin training to be a Lab Tech. I'm excited about the change. It will mean less overtime so my pay will go down, but I want more time off and I can make it with out the overtime.The other big thing yesterday, was it snowed here in SW Louisiana

2009-12-02T18:09:00.002-06:00

Working straight days this week. Friday is Rescue team training. It is going to be in the 30's tonight. That is cold if you live this for south. I love it. Before global warming (i.e. the Ice Age) it froze regularly down here. :-)Coram Deo,Kenith

2009-11-26T17:28:00.003-06:00

I'm on vacation this week. Monday, Lisa and I went to Ship to Shore in Lake Charles and I bought a used kayak. I did not take it home because we had promised to take the boys bowling. The four of us are all TERRIBLE bowlers, but we don't bowl but once a decade, so I guess we never will be good.Tuesday morning, the boys and I got up early, jumped in the truck and headed east on I-10. We traveled

2009-11-22T18:55:00.002-06:00

I worked off this morning at 6:00 AM and slept until 11:00 AM. I got up ate a Wasa cracker, peanut butter and honey, then I went for a 2 mile walk to wake up.I did not attend Bethel this morning because I worked last night, so I attended St.Michael's Anglican Church this evening.Lisa cooked chicken and sausage gumbo for supper. It was great. Her brother Troy came home for Thanksgiving Holiday and

Liturgia Expurgata

2009-11-21T23:27:00.001-06:00

I like and prefer to worship in a more liturgical manner. I was born and raised Roman Catholic for a time, then (with my parents) switched to being Baptist and as a young person I attended some Pentecostal and charismatic churches as well. I’ve also experienced worship at Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, Church of Christ, and Eastern Orthodox churches as well. These churches have a great

2009-11-19T22:25:00.003-06:00

Yesterday, I worked a normal 12 hour shift and came home. Several guys came over to visit. Lisa and the boys had already set the fire pit on the back patio. Gary J., M.K., and Woody came over. We opened a bottle of old vine Zinfandel that Woody brought with him. It was great and while sipping on red wine, we sat near the fire, presented definitive ways to accomplish world peace and also sure

Wish I Was Hunting

2009-11-17T13:18:00.001-06:00

This morning as I stepped outside to come to work the air was cool and crisp. The heat and humidity was gone, driven out by yesterday’s cold front. I noticed, as I walked to my truck, that there was no wind. It was a perfect morning to be in the woods on a deer stand or squirrel hunting. I wished that I was leaving the house with my guns going hunting, but instead I was off to the refinery and

Bad calls at Bama

2009-11-10T18:29:00.000-06:00

Check out these pictures and video from the LSU/Bama game. A conspiracy or are these just HORRIBLY incompetent referees? Send the link home and check it out. http://www.tigerdroppings.com/rant/messagetopic.asp?p=16213392

Sunday - 8 November 2009

2009-11-08T04:21:00.001-06:00

I will not be able to attend formal worship services today, because today is a workday for me. I will here God’s word preached, which is an important aspect of worship, because I have many hours of lectures and sermons on audio. Today I will hear Dr. R.C. Sproul teaching on the book of Genesis. I have already listened to the first four of lectures/sermons of Sproul’s 12 part series. R.C. Sproul

2009-11-06T20:12:00.002-06:00

Thursday evening was spent on our front porch with several friends. It was cool outside, I had a fire going in the fire pit and we sat by the fire, talked and drank wine. The kids were playing in the yard with friends.Today was good. I just rented a movie and hope to start watching it shortly.Later,Kenith

2009-10-29T23:35:00.005-05:00

I have days off (thank God). Yesterday I worshiped at St. Michael's Anglican Parish Church. They have a 10:15 AM Eucharistic service. I miss Sunday worship at Bethel Presbyterian, our home church, so very often, because of shift work and overtime, it was good to find St. Michael's Wednesday morning service.This evening I worked with my brother-in-law and my wives parents home. We were working on

Great yard sign

2009-10-24T06:20:00.001-05:00

Work, Work and More Work

2009-10-15T22:25:00.001-05:00

The last couple of weeks I have worked a lot of overtime. I worked 85 hours one week and 90 hours the following week. This week I’m scheduled to work 48 hours, but next week I am scheduled to work 92 hours (12 hours for five days and 16 hours for the other two days). With all this time at work I’m not getting much anywhere else. These long hours will continue for several more weeks. I will

2009-09-28T03:39:00.001-05:00

The Past Several Weeks In the last three weeks I’ve been off shift planning a shutdown of a “Reformer” unit, I was off work four days sick with a fever and body aches and I’ve come back to work the shutdown that I was planning. It was a rough three weeks. During our shutdown we had an incident that could have gotten a couple of guys hurt, but thankfully no one was injured. Shutdowns are

2009-09-08T17:04:00.002-05:00

After worship on Wednesday I grilled chicken and sausage for supper. LP's parents came ove to eat and visit. Sunday evening there was a wonderful lightning display to the north. It was a great show that I enjoyed for about an hour.I worked at the Refinery for Labor Day, after work came home. Lisa had invited Monica and Dan over for supper. We had salad, 2" tenderloin steaks, Steamed Veges with a

2009-09-05T23:12:00.002-05:00

This morning, I got up at 7:00. Lisa was already up and had started making gumbo chicken and sausage) for supper. After the gumbo, rice and potato salad were mostly done she went to her parents and then to the shop. I did some chores and then "cut the grass" (that is the way we say "mow the lawn" in South Louisiana.Lisa got home about 11. We loaded up the truck with food. Lisa the boys and I

2009-09-03T22:04:00.002-05:00

At work I've been planning on a shutdown for one of our units, so I'm off my normal shift. This weekend will be my last days of for a couple of weeks. This is not a "normal" shutdown and the work scope is pretty narrow, so it should be fairly easy.Today I got off work in time to pick the boys up from school. We came home, they did their homework and I helped when it was needed. For supper, I

2009-09-01T16:16:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, we attended the funeral of Jon McCrary's funeral. The service for Jon was held at Bethel Presbyterian Church and was officiated by our pastor, Rev. Steve Wright. After the service, the procession drove an hour to the McCrary home. Jon was laid to rest in the McCrary family cemetery.After words were said at the cemetery, Jon's friends lowered his casket into the ground placed the dirt

2009-08-28T16:46:00.003-05:00

Jon McCrary, a good friend and a godly man died last night. Jon and his wife Donna were visiting our pastor and his wife. At one point in their conversation Jon closed his eyes and died. CPR and AED were all used, but to no avail, the LORD had called him home.I found out when my daughter called to tell us. She was crying terribly and it was hard for her to get it out. She has known "Mr. Jon" all

Wednesday

2009-08-20T04:21:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, I woke at 6 AM and got the boys up so that they could get ready for school. Lisa has them well trained, so they don’t need supervision and I just stay out of the way. After they headed off to school and Lisa left for work, I went on my two mile walk in the neighbourhood. When I finished my walk I got cleaned up and went to St. Michael’s Church for worship service. After worship I

2009-08-18T09:35:00.002-05:00

The boy's started back to school this morning. I got up with Lisa and the boys, but I stayed out of the way and only gave moral support. Lisa got them off to school and went to run a couple of errands before work.After they left, I started a load of laundry, and went for a brisk two mile walk (with lunges thrown in). When I got back to the house I started the iRobot vacuum and worked on the

2009-08-15T21:13:00.004-05:00

Just got home after spending a week in Philadelphia. Half of the refinery's rescue team went to Philly for our annual 40 hour rescue training. It was a lot of hard work, but very challenging and enjoyable. We practiced high angle rope rescue, confined space rescue and swift water rescue. The water rescue portion was a new challenge for our team, and it was great training.We stayed a Embassy

2009-08-08T06:37:00.003-05:00

I've been very busy since my last post. Working lots of overtime and when I did have time off, much of that time was spent with helping my wife deal with my father-in-law who was in the hospital for a week and a half.We have several turnarounds between now and thanksgiving, so I will likely be working lots of overtime between now and then. I will also be going to Philadelphia soon for rescue

Weekend In Gulf Shores

2009-07-14T20:00:00.000-05:00

Friday morning, Lisa, the boys and I piled into our Nissan truck and drove 400 miles to Gulf Shores, Alabama for a little mini vacation. We rented a condo at Beach Club. We had a ground floor condo which opened to the pool. Past the pool was a boardwalk and beyond that was the beach. Lisa and the boys loved the place, and I was also impressed. The boys went from beach to pool and back to the

2009-07-08T21:35:00.002-05:00

Today was my Friday. I finished this weeks shift and I've taken a day's vacation next week, so I don't go back to work until Tuesday. I plan to spend a long weekend with my family.We finally got rain in South Louisiana. Of course when the rains came they came in massive sheets, high winds and a great lighting show. I did get to enjoy some of the storm from the front porch.Later,Kenith

2009-07-02T22:17:00.003-05:00

An Afternoon at S.P.A.R.

Remembering Gerry

2009-06-30T22:06:00.001-05:00

Today is the 48th birthday of my brother Gerry. Gerry died almost six years ago, after succumbing to a three year battle with colon and liver cancer. My sister and two brothers were all born close together. Gerry was the closest of my siblings to me in age. He was born less than 15 months after me and we grew up close. Of course, being boys close in age, he and I had our share of fist fights

2009-06-28T23:43:00.000-05:00

This past week I took the boys and Morgan to the Sulphur water park one afternoon. We had a good time. My shift started nights on Wednesday evening. I worked the first one but was taken off the schedule the next two nights so that I could attend the refineries Joint Health and Safety Committee (whose membership is half management and half union). Saturday evening I returned to my shift. It

2009-06-22T09:31:00.002-05:00

Friday, was the day for our monthly Rescue Team training. I've been on the team for about 15 years. I enjoy doing this sort of thing. As a young man I was a Navy helicopter aircrewman and rescue rescue swimmer. Then I jumped out of helicopters in a wetsuit with fins and goggles to rescue downed pilots ( trained but never had to do an actual pilot rescue), now train rescue injured industrial works

2009-06-19T02:29:00.002-05:00

I worked off graveyard shift yesterday morning. My friend Gary and I carpooled the last week. After work, we had a drink, Jameson Irish Whiskey. Whiskey a 5:45 AM is OK if you have worked 1 nights in a row and day is now night and night is now day. After a small whiskey, I came home visited with Lisa and stayed up until about eight, I then slept to 1:30. After I woke, I made myself a cup of

Shift work

2009-06-16T03:49:00.000-05:00

I work sift work. I work from 5:30 AM to 5:30 PM and from 5:30 PM to 5:30 AM. This kind of shift work tends to mess with a persons normal internal clock. I know that very well. My sleep patterns are not normal even when I’m on my days off. I find it more difficult to switch from nights to days. Staying up all night must shift our normal evening fatigue

Back to Normal

2009-06-14T23:32:00.001-05:00

I went back on shift last week, working graveyards. I worked 85 hours last week, all nights. Nights are good because the bosses, mechanical and engineers are (for the most part) not at the refinery. Because of this, things are quieter on nights and weekends also. If all is running ok you can have a little down time. I did manage to finish reading Michael

2009-06-09T15:52:00.002-05:00

This morning, as I stepped out of the air conditioning, I was hit by the humid out of doors and my glasses fogged up immediately. South Louisiana's summer has arrived and will hang around for many months to come.I'm back working at the refinery this week and I'm scheduled to work 84 hours (i.e. seven twelve hour days in a row). Yuck. Oh well, we will make the best of it.Later,Kenith

2009-06-04T18:03:00.004-05:00

I'm on the porch, I just finished supper, there is a cool breeze, it's overcast with gray clouds and I can hear birds and watch bumble bees, which are attracted by the Texas Lilacs at the porch's edge. I have my book with me and I will pick it up when I set the computer down. I spent my day, like most days for the past few weeks, in a meeting with union and company officials as the negotiate

2009-06-01T21:08:00.003-05:00

Below are some pictures taken in the last week.

2009-05-28T21:30:00.002-05:00

I'm still doing union business this week. I do like shift work, but it's good to be home in the evenings. The boys and I have been able to throw the football in the yard al most every night.Christian is no longer in Misawa, Japan. He is now in Okinawa, Japan which is much further south.I will be off this weekend.Later,Keith

2009-05-24T21:57:00.003-05:00

Lisa and I started the day by getting up early enough to spend a little morning time on the porch. I had my cup of coffee and Lisa had her diet Coke. It was a nice morning with plenty of doves, mocking birds and other types of birds serenading us. After Lisa headed inside I stayed on the porch with a book. After a little while we all headed to worship services at Bethel.Worship was good. After

2009-05-22T21:45:00.003-05:00

I spent this week on doing union business, so I've been out of the refinery. Any time I am off my normal shift work, I loose money, but this is important business and I hope it pays off.It's been a long week, and I'm glad to make it to the weekend. My son and I went to the movie this evening. We saw Terminator. It was good. Now I'm home and ready to go to bed.Later,Kenith

2009-05-18T22:35:00.002-05:00

I'm off my shift this week on union business. I am not sure how long I will be off-shift, but for now I am working Monday-Friday and will be off weekends. I do like my shift work, so I hope this assignment will be complete in short order.Kenith

2009-05-17T22:18:00.004-05:00

This morning we went to worship at Bethel. The Lord has blessed Bethel with a wonderful pastor, Steve Wright. He is not a man with a very out going personality. He is, by nature a bit shy, but he is a talented preacher and a caring and loving pastor who is truly concerned about the flock that God has placed him over.His sermon today was a continuation of a series that he has been going through

2009-05-17T10:00:00.002-05:00

We had a good week. I was off from work on Thursday and Friday and my Paw-in-law and I went fishing at my Sister's pond on Friday . I caught a 6 or 7 small bass, and he mopped up on bluegill. I through my fish back, but I cleaned the perch and fried them for supper on Friday evening.On Saturday the boys and I retuned to Longville to visit my folks. My brother, Terry, my bro-in-law, Brian, and my

2009-05-14T12:01:00.003-05:00

Here are some pictures from last week when Christian and Jessica were home on leave from the Navy.

2009-05-10T17:56:00.003-05:00

Friday was JB and Christian's last day in Louisianan, so Lisa and I checked the boys out of school a little early, and we all went to Sam Houston Jones State Park for the day. We hung out, fed the ducks, played chase and just enjoyed nature.Friday evening Sean and his girlfriend, Sarah, came over to see Christian and Jessica. Sean, who is in the Air Force, has not seen Christian in a couple of

2009-05-08T08:59:00.004-05:00

Yesterday, was spent around the house with family. Lisa cooked a couple of shrimp dishes. We had some nice size boiled shrimp, which were Cajun spicy (Zatarains) and very good. She also cooked shrimp scampi and angel hair pasta. JB, Christian and our youngest son played Risk for a few hours. Morgan and Danny came over and ate with us. Just a normal day at the house.KenithPs: Notice my

2009-05-06T21:34:00.003-05:00

Christian, Jessica, Morgan and I went to Longville yesterday. I fished they did some fishing and visiting with my sister. After spending a few hours in Longville, we brought Morgan to her in-laws in DeQuincy. Her in-laws have miniature donkeys, one of which just had a colt. It was cute. They have a number of birds, a horse, dogs and a dozen or more donkeys. That evening Christian and JB went out

2009-05-05T11:06:00.003-05:00

Woke this morning, watched a little news and ate breakfast, then I went to the porch with coffee and my book (Overlord: D-Day and the Battle for Normandy, 1944 ). I read, and drank coffee while the birds sang their morning songs for me. I wish I could start every morning this way.I've been reading Overlord (by Max Hastings) off and on, along with a number of other books, for a while. It's the

2009-05-03T22:37:00.003-05:00

I worked graveyards last night and when my shift was over I then started vacation at 5:30 this morning when I walked out of the refinery. I then went to bed and slept until 9:30. I then got up and got ready to attend worship services at Bethel.It was great, because our whole family was there this morning. Morgan and Danny, Jessica and Christian along with Lisa, the boys and me. Pastor Steve had a

2009-04-29T19:06:00.002-05:00

I spent most of the day hanging out with Christian, JB (i.e. Jessica) and Mo (i.e. Morgan). Christian and Jessica bought the boys a Wii. He said it was for Christmas and both their birthdays.I Wii boxed with him. It is interesting. He won the bout in the second round by KO. I will have to do some training and then ask for a re-match. After Wii boxing, I had to pick the boys up at school.Christian

2009-04-28T21:43:00.002-05:00

Lisa, Morgan and I drove Lafayette to pickup Christian and Jessica at the airport. On the way there the three of us had a sing-a-long with Marty Robbins' songs all the way from Lake Charles to Lafayette (I have marty Robbins on my iPod, which was plugged into my truck radio).We picked up Jessica and Christian. They look great and it is awesome to have them both here. Lisa's gumbo is awesome

2009-04-25T21:40:00.004-05:00

Last night MK came over and we opened a couple of nice wines. The first was a meritage and the second a zinfandel. The meritage was good, but the zinfandel was awesome.Today the boys and I went to Longville to visit with my family. We had to head back home early because we were invited to a crawfish boil at my co-worker Walt's house. I was the only one to go to Walt's, mostly because Lisa worked

2009-04-24T16:35:00.002-05:00

I worked days shift since Monday. It was not a busy set of daylights, but I am glad that its over.Today was a very good day. It was our monthly Rescue Team Training day and we had a good day of training. We set up three stations. Two were for repelling. One repel station was a straight repelling with no obstacles. The second station was more of an obstacle course with pipes and other items that

2009-04-20T20:57:00.002-05:00

My vacation ended today, a day early. My own shift begins tomorrow.Yesterday, we worshipped at Bethel. We had a missionary from Peru Mission, Wes Baker. During Sunday School he gave us an overview of what they are doing in Peru. Wes preached the sermon and after dinner he spoke on St. Augustine's City of God. It was all very good and quiet fascinating. I was very glad I could attend.Sunday

2009-04-15T20:12:00.002-05:00

Monday, the boys, my Paw-in-law and I went to Longville. A took one of the boys to my parents house then the rest of us went fishing. My brother Terry told em before we started that I always picked the worse days to try and fish.He was right. I caught one bass and we all missed a few more, but that is it. I'm planning to try again tomorrow.I started Tuesday by going to the funeral of Billy Clark.

2009-04-12T17:08:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was spent around the house. We worked on projects and cleaned some. We played in the yard with the boys and the dog. Lisa and went dancing for about an a little while. We made it home before 11.This morning Lisa and I got up early and fixed Eggs Benedict for breakfast. After breakfast we got ready for church. Then we went to Bethel where we met Morgan and Danny and Elisabeth was there

2009-04-11T08:24:00.002-05:00

I drove to Grapevine, Tx (near Dallas/Fort Worth airport) on Tuesday. The refinery sent eight people (four salaried and four hourly) to the region VI VPPPA annual conference. The conference was held at the Gaylord Texan. The conference was good. I heard and some some things that I believe we can take back to the refinery.On the way up there, I drove a rental and two guys road with me. We left for

2009-04-05T18:17:00.004-05:00

I worked another 84 hour work week at the refinery this last week. I hope this will be my last week of seven, twelve hour day week for a while. It makes for a nice check, but it is hard on the family and it is hard on me as well.On my way home, I passed by Popeye's and picked up some chicken for supper. I just finished eating. I am going to pop the top on one or two on some Abita Amber beers and

2009-03-29T18:49:00.002-05:00

I had another long work week. 72 hours at the refinery, plus Lisa and went out to eat (Kyoto Japanese Steakhouse) with some friends Friday night, then last night we went to see Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys. Thank goodness we had a quiet weekend at work.I scheduled to work 84 hours this up coming week, so I'm planning to go to bed early.Later,Kenith

2009-03-28T23:08:00.002-05:00

Lisa and went to see Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys at McNeese Bulber Auditorium. They were, as I expected, GREAT. They put on a good show and are loaded with talent. The Auditorium does not have a dance floor. So, even though the band played some terrific dance tunes, we couldn't dance. My friend David, Gumbo Filé gave us the tickets. This was part of McNeese's Banner Series. Coram Deo,

2009-03-26T16:53:00.002-05:00

I worked three graveyards. I won't work the last night of my shift, because I have training with the refinery rescue team tomorrow. I woke up early this morning, and have stayed up today so I can sleep tonight.This should be a weekend off work form me, but I'm working overtime instead. This means that I will miss worship services, but I recently learned how to down load Pastor Wright's sermons