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

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 years, and it was good that he could come here from Shreveport to see his cousin. After the visit with Sean and Sarah, JB and Christian went out to eat.

Saturday morning Lisa and I were up a little after 3 AM. Christian and Jessica had to be at the airport at Lafayette for 5, so that they could catch their flights. Christian flew to JFK airport. He spent the night in New York and caught a flight to Tokyo this morning.

JB flew to San Diego. She is stationed on the Nimitz which is home ported at North Island Naval Air Station (which is were I was stationed long ago when I was in the Navy).

Lisa and I were home from the airport a little after 6 AM and went back to bed. Last night we took the boys to see the Star Trek movie.

This morning we worshipped at Bethel. Pastor Steve preached on wine, as a follow up on his sermon on the Lord's Supper last week. It is a sermon that all evangelicals that believe in abstinence needs to hear.

Happy Mother's Day,

Kenith

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.

Kenith

Ps:  Notice my daughter-in-laws shirt. This young lady from a smal town in PA will be a saying Geaux Tigers in no time.

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 to eat and MK came came over with a couple of bottles of wine and a lot of computer stuff. He visited with Lisa and me. I downloaded stuff, we talked and drank wine then Christian and Jessica returned. Neither of the ladies would try the wine, which is good, because both bottles were excellent. MK does not drink mediocre wines, which is good anytime he brings a bottle

 over.

Today, was a good day. I mostly hung around the house and finished Max Hastings' Overlord. I also went to the gym to watch Christian and Paul S. spar a few rounds. I took photographs, so I will post some tomorrow or the next day.

Christian, JB and my youngest son played Risk until it was his bed time. Then Woody came over with a bottle of Makers Mark and we sat around the table talked and sipped a little bourbon. Now everyone has gone home or to bed, and I am going to do the same.

In Christ,

Kenith

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 second book by Hastings that I've read and is very good. MK resently read Hasting's is Retribution: The Battle for Japan, 1944-45 and he raved about it. The firt of Hasting books that I read was Armageddon: The Battle for Germany 1944-45. It is one of the best books on WWII that I've ever read.

JB, Morgan, Christian and I may go to Longville shortly. I don't know. We will see how the day progresses.

Later,

Kenith

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 good sermon on worship. I preached on the sacrament of the Lord's Supper.

This inspired me to write on the subject on my As I See It blog. It is a bit tongue-in-check.

After church we went to eat and then came home. Lisa took a nap, the kids did their thing and I went to the porch with a book, read for a while and took a nap there myself.

Now I'm going to bed and watching the Military Channel.

Coram Deo,
Kenith

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 went to meet Paul. They plan to spare for real. Lisa, Mo and JB went for a ladies outing, that is a pedicure and supper (or the other way around). I threw the football with boys in the yard for a while, and we ate left over gumbo this evening. Now, they are back on the Wii and I am watching the President's news conference and writing on the blog.

Later,
Kenith

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 tonight, a number of Christian's cousins and their spouses came to eat and visit.

We have the Jessica and Christian here for a more than a week.

Later,
Kenith

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 late, so that she can be off when Jessica and Christian arrive on Tuesday.

Walt boiled crawfish and crabs. It was all SOOO good. I had Same Adam's Summer Brew to go with the food. There was a good turnout. A good number of my friends from work were at Walt's. A number of the guys brought their wife and kids.

After a few hours of feasting I came home, having eaten my fill of crabs and crawfish.

Later,
Kenith

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 we had to get around. The third station was one were we put a patient on a miller board, packaged him in a basket, and then raised and lowered him on ropes using mechanical advantage.

For lunch the team went to Chamblee's Buffet in Sulphur. I had ocra, mustard greens, yellow squash, chicken and fried fish. It was all sooooo good.

Later,
Kenith

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 afternoon, Lisa and I went to a crawfish boil at Big Woody and Marys house. Woody cooked them perfectly and had the spices just right (smokin hot). There was a abundance of cold beer (a must with crawfish.

*****Our son Christian has returned from the Middle East. He is in Pennsylvania with his wife's people. We are very excited because he and Jess will be here next Tuesday.*****

Coram Deo,

Kenith

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. He was one of the people responsible for starting Bethel Presbyterian Church (PCA). Billy was also a Ruling Elder Bethel for many years.

Last night the boys and I started a game of Risk on the porch. We were not able to finish last night, so we left it set up and finished it this afternoon. We could not finish it this morning, because I went to another funeral. This time it was for family.

Later,
Kenith

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 with the baby (Woody had to wrk). After worship services we cam home, Morgan and Danny joined us.

We had a Resurrection Day feast. Lisa had prepared a roast and gravy, mash potatos, rice, greenbeans with bacon, corn, garlic bread, candied apples and fudge. I opened a nice Pinot Noir to go with the meal. YUMM.

After feasting we went out on the porch, played fetch with the dog, drank wine and played pâque with boiled eggs. Pâques is the French name for Easter, but the game paque is a traditional game played played by Cajuns on Pâques (Easter) were we tap pointy end of two eggs. If your eg cracks you loose.

It's been a good, though stormy, day.

Coram Deo,
Kenith

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 home Thursday evening. Most of the others stayed to attend the events on Friday. In my group, I drove home, and we arrived back at the refinery a little before 11 pm.

Yesterday, I stayed home and helped with things around the house. That is what I plan to do again today.

Later,
Kenith

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 relax for a few hours.

Tomorrow I start a new workweek and it will be a 40 hour week, because I'm on special assignment. I will be on vacation the week after this one.

On my days off I hope to bring the boys fishing a a couple of times and do some outside activities with them, on top of the honey-do's that Lisa has lined up for me. I've worked a lot these last couple of months, so the honey-do's are beginning to pile up.

I also plan to read my North Louisiana blog friend, Opinionated Catholic's, anti-secession post on his blog and (hopefully) write a response to it.

I'm about finished with a beer. I am going to close out this post finish my beer open another and chill.

Coram Deo,
Kenith

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

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,

Kenith

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 from Bethel's websight.

I have a headache (from lack of sleep) so I will shut this down.

Later,
Kenith

This morning the boys and I went to Iowa, La for the annual Rabbit Festival. We got the at 10:00, just in time for the parade. The boys and I got a good bit of candy.

(Note: In South Louisiana if you have a parade you have to throw candy, beads or other trinkets).

After the parade we went to the festival for a couple of hours. The boys road a few rides, I rode the Ferris Wheel with them. We listend to some Zydico, at some rabbit sauce picante and a funnel cake befor leaving.

On the way home we took a detoured through Moss Bluff to get some boudin from Peto's. I also picked up some Hog Head Cheese. We then meet Morgan and Elisabeth at the library, before returning to the house.

This evening I grilled some very nice steaks that Lisa picked up. It was so good.

Night-night,
Kenith

Twentysix years ago TODAY Lisa and I went on our first date. We had a great time, even though several things went wrong from the beginning.

We did not know one another. I had recently left the navy and decided that I was partied out and was not interested in going out with anyone just then. Lisa had just returned home after spending the week in Florida. She was both tired and sunburned.

My brother Terry pestered me for a the previous week, and I finally caved in and agreed to go on a date with him and his girlfriend. Terry's girlfriend called Lisa and told her that she had a date that night.

Lisa, was not happy, theugh she reluctantly agreed to go out. She is just a little shorter than Terry and assumed I was about his height, so she wore high heels to make herself taller than me. She was going on a date that she did not want, with a guy she did not know, so why make it easy on him.

The four of us went out to eat. The service was terrible and we were all served the wrong food. After a bad meal we went dancing. Lisa and I spent much of the evening sitting, talking over the music. Terry and his girlfriend broke up as Lisa and I hit it off.

That was the beginning of our light speed relationship. We married 5 1/2 months later. Lisa is my favourite person in the whole world. She is a great wife and an awesome mother to our four children.

I am most blessed by God,
Kenith

I'm tired. I've worked 12 hours each day for the past 14 days (actually the first 4 were nights) straight. I've been getting up a 4:40 each morning, getting to work a 5:30 and leaving for home 12+ hours later.

I'm sipping on a beer. I plan to tell Lisa and the boys good night and then go to bed. I will not set an alarm.

Coram Deo,
Kenith

I worked yesterday, got home around 6 pm. Lisa had made chili, which was good since it was both cold and wet. Lisa and I went to the Isle for 9, which is when the band starts, we danced for a couple of hours and came home, because I had to go to work this morning.

My alarm went off a 4:30 this morning. I got ready for work, went to Walmart, where I picked up four 16" pizzas for work, because it was my turn to provide lunch for the guys.

After a twelve hour day I came home. I will rest a couple of hours, then Lisa and I are going to go dancing for a little while again tonight. I have to get up for work early again tomorrow, so it will be an early evening.

So far this week I've worked 72 hours. Tomorrow will give me 84 hours for this week's pay period. I work off Wednesday evening.

Later,
Kenith

I finished my 14 days of work. They were all 12 hour days/nights, except for one issed church6 (uugghh). Of course I missed church for a couple of Sundays, but I was able to make Wednesday worship at St. Michael's. For Ash Wednesday I got off work just in time to make their 6PM services.


I worked for Mardi Gras, so I was unable to bring the boy's to the parades. I finished my 14 straight on Friday afternoon. Lisa left for Dallas earlier in afternoon for training, so the boys and I were on our own.


MK and his son came over to visit. He and I opened a bottle of and visited on the porch, while the boys played. On Satuturday, the boys and I went Longville to visit my family. We did a little fishing (they weren't biting very well) and we did broke out some pistles and shot a couple hundred rounds of target shooting.

We arrived home before 8 PM and Lisa drove in from Dallas and hour latter. She and I then went dancing for a couple of hours at the Isle of Capri's Caribbean Cove Lounge. The band last night was LA Express. We passed a good time for a couple of hours, and managed to be home and ready for bed before midnight.

I woke this morning went out and picked up donuts for the family. Now I need to finish up and start getting ready worship at Bethel PCA.

Coram Deo,
Kenith

Work, work work. This last week I worked 88 hours and I'm scheduled for 60 hours for the up coming week. Lisa and I went out to eat last night and then dancing at a Mardi Gras dance at the Isle of Capri. Barry Badon and the Bayou Boys were playing, they are one of our favourite bands in the area. Lisa and I danced for a couple of hours and "passed a good time" but we had to head home early, because I had to get up before five so I could go to work this morning.

I'm not doing much with this amount of work, but I have been doing a little reading. I finished To Kill a Mocking Bird. I had never read it before and it is a GREAT novel about the old segregated South, just awesome. I'm still reading St. Clement of Alexandria. I loved reading his Exhortation to the Heathen and I'm now on the second book of his The Instructor. The first volume of The Instructor was very interesting and this second is also proving to be very good.

My favourite of the Church Fathers has, for some time, been St. Cyprian, the Bishop of Carthage. Cyprian will keep his first place slot, but I really like St. Clement too.

I've also been reading Max Hastings' book OVERLORD: D-Day and the Battle of Normandy. I've finished the first couple of chapters. Hastings is a great writer of history.

My daughter, Morgan, insists that I consume more fiction and she has loaded my iPod with a number of audiobooks. I've recently finished a couple of books by Neil Gaiman and I'm now on a third. I've finished Mirrormask and Coraline and I'm now listening to Stardust. I've been enjoying Gaiman's books. The're a lot of fun.

Gotta go.
Kenith

I am trying to stay awake until nightfall. I've been awake for 24 hours, worked a 16 hour shift last night. I got to work at 5:30 last night and worked until 10:30 AM. I have to be at work again at 5:30 tomorrow morning. I do not want to sleep today, so that I will be able to sleep tonight.

After leaving work, I went to Starbucks to see my daughter and get a coffee, I then went to St. Michael's for their 10:15 worship service. I then came home did some work around the house and bathed. Now I am just trying to stay awake, so I gotta keep moving.

It's going to be a VERRRRY long afternoon.

Coram Deo,
Kenith

Last week I was the sick one. Starting last weekend one of the boys got sick and ran fever from Saturday evening until Tuesday. He missed church and two days of school. When he was on the mind, our youngest son became ill. Today is his second day at home from school with a fever.

My day yesterday was spent waiting on my son, running errands, and cooking spaghetti. I did take time out to attend Eucharistic services at St. Michael's Episcopal Church.

Later,
Kenith

Health wise, I am not well at the moment. After work yesterday evening, I went to the emergency room. I've had a swollen spot on my upper thigh for about a week, which I have been taken antibiotics for. The antibiotics have not helped and this weekend I began running fever, over 101 degrees, and yesterday my body began to ache as though I had the flue.

Because of all that, I went to the emergency room after I got out of work last night. They ran a bunch of tests and said that I should see my od Dr. this morning. I nsaw my Dr. and he is sending me to gat some more tests run this afternoon.

Coram Deo,
Kenith

Last night LP and I planned to go dancing, but our daughter came over and brought the first season of Heroes with here. Instead of dancing, we watched Heroes. The shows were good. I had never seen it before last night.

This morning I woke, went to the kitchen and worked on breakfast. I cooked pain predu (lost bread-French toast) which is my signature cooking event. I cooked pain perdu because Morgan requested it; she slept here last night because her husband was out of town. Breakfast was a big hit. Pain perdu has always been a special treat for our kids.

After breakfast, we got ready and went to worship service. Pastor Steve preached through Psalm 50 this morning. It was a good sermon on worship.

After worship services we came home and put a pizza in the oven for dinner. I had pizza and a beer for lunch. I think I will go for a walk, Lisa is going to work out and the boys are playing in their room.

Kenith

Yesterday, after Tommy K. and Gary G. came over to the house after work. Tommy's favourite beer is a Belgian beer (no not Budweisers). It is Chimay, a truly great beer, and Lisa went by Kroger and picked up some Chimay (Rouge) for us.

Tommy and I have been on different shifts for a number of years and have not had a chance to visit much over the years. This year we are both on both on the same shift. He arrived at the house a few minutes before I did, and Lisa and the boys showed him the changes that we've made to the house since the last time he and his wife, Kelly, have been over here.

Lisa poured two frozen mugs with Chimay and gave them to us. A couple of minutes later Gary joined us. We had a talk; it was like old times.

Today I got off work early for a doctor's appointment. I went to see Dr. Cohen for my shoulder. He has prescribed physical therapy. I hope that fixs my problem.

Christian called us from the Persian Gulf on Monday. It was so good to here from him. Yesterday, Lisa also spoke with Jessica, our daughter-in-law. She is doing well.

Later,

Kenith

I had a very quiet days this weekend at work this weekend. I am reading a couple of items these days. I'm reading To Kill a Mocking Bird and I've started reading Clement of Alexandria.

After I finished Theophilus of Antioch, I returned to Athenagorus and read his book on the Resurrection. I found both authors to be very interesting.

I love reading the Early Church Fathers and my good friend MK has great fun, at my expense, making jokes about my reading habits. It is all in fun and we love to laugh about this. The truth be truth, MK has no room to make fun of my reading, because his reading is just as strange as mine are.

Later,
Kenith

Yesterday, I started my day by bringing the boys to school. I then headed to see Dr. Cohen, and orthopedic doctor for my shoulder. Eight months ago, while swimming a breast stroke, my shoulder popped, that hurt and on the next stroke it popped again. Again it hurt, so I headed to the side of the pool and quit swimming.

Lisa tried to talk me into going to the doctor then, but I wanted to give my shoulder a chance to heal up, hoping it would fix itself. I gave it plenty of time, and my shoulder still hurts, so after eight months of Lisa fussing at me, trying to get me to see a doctor, I finally did.

Dr. Cohen sent me to get an MRI yesterday afternoon. I had never had an MRI before, but I did have a little bit of a nap while in that MRI tube. I go back to Dr. Cohen next week.

Last night my MK came over for a visit. We opened a Hungarian, meritage wine and visited in the living room. We spoke about nerdy things like the Church Fathers, Puritans, recession, medicine, unions, etc...

Morgan closed at Starbucks last night and after they closed she came over and visited with MK and me for a little while.

Today, Mk, Morgan and I met at Cracker Barrel for an early lunch. After that Morgan and I went to Moss Bluff library to pick up her check (she is holding down two jobs). We visited with my niece Elizabeth, who works at the library. Then we got a drink at Sonic and Morgan brought me home.

I spent much of the afternoon (in a near panic) looking for my wallet throughout the house. It was found thes evening in Morgan's car. where I left it after paying for our drinks at Sonic.

Right now I'm enjoying a glass of wine and watching news about a New York plane crash in the Hudson River. Miraculously no one on board the plane was killed.

BTW: The weather hear has been awesome, near freezing at night and in the 50's each day.

It is time for me to go to sleep, so I will sign off of the blog, finish my glass of wine and get ready for bed

Coram Deo,

Kenith

I've decided to add to today's post. After my union meeting I walked home and spent some time with Lisa and the boys. I had to go over spelling with our youngest son. His brother was sick and stayed home today. It was, I believe the same 24 hour bug that the rest of us have had, and he is all better now.

Now, it is a bit ofter 10 PM. I am enjoying a Sam Adams Cream Stout and watching the military channel. As soon as I finish my beer I will take a bath, get ready for bed, read for a while and go to sleep.

Yesterday, Lisa boiled shrimp and that is what I had for supper. They were sooooo good. After eating I took my camera out on the front porch and took pictures of the beautiful full moon that was rising in the early evening.

Tonight, I have a union meeting to attend. Lisa cooked another of my favourites-red beans and rice. I helped by cutting up the sausage and adding it to the pot.

Coram Deo,

Kenith

I worked off of Graveyard shift this morning. The first night of the shift was a bit busy, but the rest of the nights at work were very non-eventful, which is what I like. I cooked Pain Perdu (i.e. lost bread or French toast) along with bacon and sausage for the crew one evening. It was very good.

When I got off work this morning it was freezing here in SW Louisiana. We hit 31 degrees. All the yards and roofs of houses were white with frost. I enjoy this kind of weather, but I dress for it and we only experiance it a hand full of days in any given winter.

Here in South Louisiana, we are moving toward Mardi Gras so the King Cakes are everywhere. I brought the first King Cake to work this year and two more have followed. These cakes are so good.

The boys started back to school last week and Lisa is doing her regular job and teaching a Pilates class several days a week.

I finally finished reading Ivan's War: Life and Death in the Red Army, 1939-1945. It is a book I started a long time back, read a bit, put it down for a time before picking it up again. It is a good book, even though I picked it up an set it down several times before finishing it. I also finished reading second century bishop of Antioch, St. Theophilus' three letters to Autolycus.

I've started listening to Murry Rothbard's America's Great Depression on audibook.

My buddy TK, who works at the refinery dock, is on the same shift with me for 2009. He and I met at a Waffle House after work this morning, to visit and eat breakfast before heading to our homes.

That's about it for now.

Kenith

I have nothing against Alabama fans, BUT...
Before tonight, I had never before pulled for a non-SEC team when they played an SEC team in a bowl game. I did so tonight. I wanted Utah to beat Saban sooooooo badly. I did not think it would happen but it was so good to see Saban loose.

LSU ended the season on a high note and saban went down in flames. It was not so bad a football season after all.

Sorry Bama, nothing personal, but saban sucks. He is not fit to smell the Bear's dirty socks.

Go Gators, beat Oklahoma.

Coram Deo,
Kenith

New Year's Eve, Lisa and I went dancing. We "passed a good time"(that's an old Cajun phrase), danced until midnight and returned home 30 minutes into the New year. The boys were excited because they had permission to stay up all night (or as long as they could make it).

I also watched LSU beat up on Georgia Tech. I was so glad to see that the LSU's football team showed up ready to play for the game. They didn't show up for a bunch of the games in the regular season.

New Years Day, Lisa got up early and met some of her friends/co-workers for excercise and breakfast. I got up, ate a toasted English muffin with butter and homemade fig preserves and drank tea for breakfast.

After breakfast, I got a volume of the Church Fathers, poured another cup of tea and went to the porch and read for a while. I also had my book Wine, by André Dominé, which Lisa gave me for Christmas and I'm very excited about.

After Lisa returned home, we began taking down Christmas decorations. That took a while after that Ispent some time with the boys and the dog in the yard.

Later,
Kenith

The Lost bayou Ramblers Is one of my favourite Cajun Bands. Here is a sample of their music:



Kenith

Yesterday, I put a couple of packages in the mail for our son who is in the Persian Gulf. The packages contain treats (homemade and store bought) and a few gifts and requested needs.

After I got that done, my younger sons and I went to my sister's house to pop fireworks. We left home a little after noon, stopped and picked up some boudin at Peto's Meat Market in Moss Bluff.

After we ate the boudin, we bought fireworks at one of the multitude of firework tents are, this time of year, set up, all around the area. After that we headed North to Sandy and Brian's. We visited with with Sandy and her dogs for a while, before going to the pond to shoot off the fireworks.


View Larger Map

Sandy has a new dog (given to her), the dog is a beautiful American Bulldog, less than a year old. As it was giving dark, The boys and I went out to the pond to shot off bottle rockets and the other fireworks.

When we finished a couple of hours of shooting off fire works (the boys had a good time) we went back to the house and visited with Brian and Sandy for a couple more hours and then came home.

We arrived home about 10:00 pm.

Coram Deo,
Kenith

This morning my alarm went off at 7:15 but I hit the snooze until 7:30. I then got up and woke the family. We got got ready and headed off to Bethel for Sunday School and and worship. MK is teaching through the Puritan, Jeremiah Burroughs' book, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment.

Our Pastor, Steven Wright and his family are out of town so Rev. Mark Duncan lead the service in his place. It was good to have pastor Mark here. He and I used to visit on my front porch when he and his family lived just around the corner from here. Now they live in Texarkana, TX. I miss those visits.

Worshipping the true and living God, in an assembly of His saints, is good.

After worship services Lisa, the boys and I went to Arby's for lunch and we were joined by Rhonda and Morgan and Danny. After lunch we came home and have had a quiet day.

Coram Deo,
Kenith

Ps. Pastor Steven's sermons are online HERE.

I'm getting ready to head off to bed, but before I do so I did want to add a little note to this blog. My friend MK came over today. He had been on call during Christmas and we were unable to get together for Christmas before today.

We exchanged wines for Christmas. While he was here we opened one of the wines he gave to me. It was a very good blended wine. The wine, from Ventana Vineyards, was a 2005 Due Amici. Which is a 50-50 blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. It was wonderful.

MK and I sat on my porch, talked and enjoyed this very good wine. Lisa joined us for a little while, but she does not drink red wine. This of course left more of this excellent wine for MK and me.

Now, Its bed time. I have to get up for Sunday school in the morning.

Never forget that wine is a great gift that God has given to man, but like all gifts, it must be used wisely. (Read Kenneth Gentry's book God Gave Wine: What the Bible Says About Alcohol)

Coram Deo,
Kenith

Lisa's brother, Troy, drove in from Ohio for a Christmas visit. He and his son Sean (who is in the Air Force) came over to visit on Christmas day as did other family members. We had plenty of good food and wine to celebrate the birth of Christ.

Friday started by driving Jessica to the airport in Houston, I got back home a little after 7 that morning and I went back to bed and slept for about four hours. I hung around the house with the boys for much of the day, then the three of use went to the movies to see Bedtime Stories. It was cute (mostly) and the boys enjoyed it.

After we got home, I got cleaned up. Lisa had made arrangements so that she and I could go dancing. My wife looked beautiful, as usual. We then went to Caribbean Cove, which is at the Isle of Capri Casino. Lisa and I are always one of the younger couples when we go dancing there. My wife jokingly refers to it as the geriatrics lounge. The band playing last night was Zydacane. They played Cajun, Swamp Pop, Country music and some old time Rock and Roll as well. We danced a lot, had a great time and were home by midnight.

This morning we slept in and did not get up until 9:30. It was great.

Here is a video of a favourite slow dance (i.e. belly rubbing), Swamp Pop song -- Mathilda




Coram Deo,
Kenith

Jessica, my lovely daughter-in-law, had to catch a plane this morning to return to San Diego. Jessica, Morgan and I climbed into my truck and headed for G.H.W. Bush international at about 1:30 this morning. I listened to an audio book, the girls slept while I made the 2 hour drive to the Houston airport.

It was foggy and rained a little bit for the drive, but other than that the drive was uneventful. We arrived at terminal A about 3:30 this morning. Hugged Jessica and said our goodbyes at about 4:40 this morning drove back to Louisiana.


When I go to the GHWB airport, I prefer taking I-10 to Beaumont, than I get off the interstate and take Highways 90 and 1960 the rest of the way. The drive is a bit shorter following this route and there is a lot less traffic.

Coram Deo,
Kenith

It is Christmas Day. It has been a very nice day. We opened gifts this morning and family has been dropping by through out the day.

(NOTE: Our son Christian is in the Persian Gulf area serving with the U.S. Navy. He couldn't be here for Christmas, but as you can see in the pictures, he is with us in spirit.)

Morgan and Jessica (Christian's lovely wife) with Christian

Christian and his brother

Christian and his other brother


Christian and his Mom (My wife for 25+ years!!)

Christian with his dog, oakly and me

Merry Christ-mass,
Kenith

A Cajun Classic

The big news for yesterday is Jessica, my lovely daughter-in-law, arrived last night. She flew in from San Diego by way of Denver. There were several delays on the way. But when she arrived in Houston Lisa and Morgan were there to greet her.

I had stayed home with the boys instead of making the trip to Houston. Woody called an invited the boys and me over for Pizza. He and Elizabeth had been painting were finishing up. I grabbed a magnum of Merlot and the boys and I headed down the road for Pizza.

After Pizza, Woody pulled out his Risk board game. The boys, Woody and I played the game and Woody and I enjoyed wine as we played. When Lisa and the girls arrived back from Houston, we were still playing, though one of the boys had been eliminated.

We left the game set up, we will finish it today, and headed home to visit with the Jessica, Morgan and Lisa. After a good visit, The girls, worn out from traveling, headed off to bed.

Later,

Kenith

Wednesday, James G. and I spent the day in the New Orleans area visiting a sister refinery, looking at their VPP stuff. At the end of the day we headed back west. In order to avoid the traffic in Baton Rouge, we headed south to Houma and Morgan City via Highway 90. We still ran into some traffic in Lafayette. We stopped in Jennings at a local Mexican Restaurant for a bite to eat and headed out. I got home a little after 9PM.

Thursday and Friday were spent either on union/company related business or running errands and taking the boys Christmas shopping for their mom. The shopping wasn't to bad because I had asked Lisa what she wanted and where I could get it. Life would have been much more difficult if I had had to figure those things out for my self. :-)

Saturday, Lisa was supposed to got to Houston to pick up Jessica, our lovely daughter-in-law, but Jessica was not able to make it to Houston and Lisa became ill, so it worked out for the best.

I took the boys to Longville for a family Christmas party. My daughter Morgan meet us at my sisters place. Morgan's been wanting to do some shooting, so I bought 50 rounds of .22 long-rifle rounds and brought my .22 revolver with me. ( I was supposed to bring my 30-30 to my dad, but I forgot it at home).

Morgan, the boys and my grandniece all did a little target shooting. Then we went into Sandy's house for the party. There was tons of food and sweets (of which I at more than I should have). I feasted on chicken and sausage gumbo, potato salad and dessert.

As things were getting started, we learned that a nephew had just killed a dear down the road, so Paul went to help him skin and dress the deer. When they arrived (cleaned up) the party got going.

This morning, Lisa and Morgan headed to Bush International Airport to pick up Jessica, who's flight, I just learned, is delayed at Denver.

I went to worship services alone this morning, so I took I took the opportunity to visit the local Orthodox Church. Saint John the Divine is affiliated with the Antiochian Orthodox Church. It was very interesting. I did not know what to expect because I had never visited an Orthodox Church before this morning.

Coram Deo,

Kenith

Tonight, I'm on the West Bank of the Mississippi River, just across the river from New Orleans. James and I are here on refinery business. We are here to look a a sister refinery on health and safety issues. We are working on getting our work place up to be as safe as possible, part of that is getting the company, workers and OSHA working together in VPP.



We are the Holiday Inn Gretna. Tomorrow will be spent at a local refinery we will then head west and home. We just ate at De-No Seafood in Gretna. It is a small local restaurant. As an appetizer I had a cup of shrimp and corn bisque. It was very good. My Red Fish was good as well and it was a more than I could eat. With the meal I had a couple of Abita Ambers with my meal and a strong cup of black coffee after the meal. At this moment Lou Dobb is on the TV. After I post this I will open my book and read until I am ready to sleep.



Coram Deo,

Kenith

I started working days Thursday and finished today. On good weekends at work operators, like me, are mostly babysitters. On such weekends the units we are over run good. The outside and console operators have fairly leisure days (or nights) at work. We have rounds to make and equipment and processes to keep our eyes on, but on good weekends supervisors, engineers and mechanical folk are home or at least somewhere else.

On not so good weekends, there are problems, operational or mechanical, and these make for busy, hard and tiresome weekends at work. This last weekend was on the problem side of the equation. I am glad it and my Monday (which is almost always brutal) is over.

I had hoped to be finished with everyting about work until after Christmas, but I may go to New Orleans on business and then I am going to have union work to do on Thursday and Friday. This should go quickly (I hope).

Lisa and the boys are ok, although one of them is a bit under the weather. Tonight when I got home, my cousine Chris and one of his sons, Brandon came over to visit. It was good to visit with them for a while.

Later,
Kenith

Today was the first time in about twenty years that we had snow that actually stayed on the ground for even a little while. I awoke at 4:40 AM at 5:am I saw on the news that it was snowing so I went outside to see. I saw that the snow was sticking in the yard so I came in and woke the boys. Before today, they had never seen snow and they were pretty excited by it.

I had to leave for work before light. Lisa got the boys dressed and when it got light they went outside to play. They played in the snow and threw snowballs at each other and our neighbours. Then they came in got their things and went to school.

I spent the day at the refinery. It was a typical hectic day.

Kenith

Sunday night I picked up MK in my truck and we went to Josh's house to watch football, drink a little wine and talk sports, politics and theology. We opened a few impressive bottles of wine, ate good food, watched the Baltimore/Washington game and visited. The three of us are all Reformed in theology so we had lots to talk about, especialy since Josh has spent much of the last year or so in Southern Alabama.

On Monday I took up painting the house again. As I painted the house I had my iPod and listened (for the second time) Garth Nix's Abhorsen trilogy. These books are a very interesting work of fantasy. I highly recommend them. My dauther talked me into listening to them. She thinks I don't read fiction so she loaded these books on my iPod. I am so glad she baggered e into checking them out.

I finished with the primer so the next clear day that I am off from work I will add the finish coat.

It's now passed my bed time.

Coram Deo,

Kenith

The other night I spent several hours talking with Christian via Windows Live Messenger. He is at an undisclosed spot in the Middle East. He is well and says the food is good.

While I wrote notes back and forth with him he was also speaking to his wife, Jessica, and to his sister, Morgan, I don't no how to speak with him over the web (yet).

I was ill much of yesterday, but fill much better today. Today it is Lisa who is not feeling good.

Morgan spent the night here last night and she, the boys and I went to Sunday school worship services at Bethel. MK will be teaching Sunday school for the next several months. He will be going through the Puritan pastor, Jeremiah Burrough's book Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment.

Today, the Second Sunday of Advent, Pastor Wright preached a second sermon on Ruth. The sermon was based on the Ruth chapter two. It was very good.

After Worship we came home at gumbo Danny and Morgan at dined with us. We had gumbo (I can never have too much gumbo). The boys and I tossed a football for a while as well.

Now I am sitting on the porch writing this blog enjoying a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

Coram Deo,
Kenith

Tim Tebow and Florida have defeated Alabama and Nick Satan in the SEC Championship!!!

Alabama 20 - Florida 31

Go Tebow!!!!

Looks like Saban and Bama are going to the Sugar Bowl. I've always pulled for SEC teams when playing non-SEC teams but I can't pull for Saban.

This is a first for me: Go Utah, beat Nick Satan and Bama.

Kenith

I worked last night. We had a little trouble because of cold weather. The temperature dropped to 30 degrees during the night. That is COLD for deep south Louisiana. I was out side from 2:30 am to almost 4:00 AM. I love this weather, when I am properly dressed for it.

Yesterday was a non-event. I had stayed up late Sunday so that I could sleep in on Monday, to get ready for the hoot (i.e. Night) shift. I woke early, but went back to bed after Lisa and the boys left for the day, and I slept to almost noon. Because I had plenty of sleep and the crisp cold air, I had no trouble staying awake last night.

Here is a picture of the type of aircraft that Christian flies in:

It is now time for bed.

Coram Deo,
Kenith

On Thanksgiving Day, Lisa asked Sean if he would like her to cook for him while he was on leave. Sean the second son of one of Lisa's older brothers and he is in the Air Force. Sean jumped at the opportunity, because Lisa is an excellent cook and she really works hard to make such meals enjoyable.

Sean requested seafood gumbo. There was no way that Lisa could turn down that request even though we had just had seafood gumbo so recently. Again Lisa did a great job and the food was excellent and everyone ate plenty. Sean and his Air Force buddy (also Sean, but from upstate New York) both seemed to enjoy the gumbo. Sean's mom Lynn came over as did Elisabeth.

We had some Coors Light and I opened a bottle of wine to go with the food. It was all good.

Besides preparing a great meal Lisa also wanted to start decorating for Christmas. So I joined her and we got a good start on the tree and other decorations.


This morning, after we spoke with Christian, we got ready for church. We worshipped at Bethel. Pastor Steve started a series of sermons from Ruth. We are now celebrating advent before each service. The service was very good.


Now I plan to take a Sunday afternoon nap.

Coram Deo,
Kenith

Lisa and I just got off the phone with our son Christian. He is in the Gulf of Arabia (Persian Gulf). To get there he flew from Misawa, Japan to Tokyo, from Tokyo to Chicago, from Chicago to London and from London to where he is now. That is the LONG way to get there.

It is time to get ready for worship services, so I have to go. I will write again later today.

Kenith

Yesterday, Mark brought the cabinets that are going in our (will be) living/TV room. It will have two built in desks, for home work, bills and computer and a place for our wide screen television, which is presently in our bed room.

I worked with Mark installing things. Morgan came over for a little while. While I helped Mark, Morgan helped her mother with her new laptop. Lisa has been anti-computer for years, but now she is needing one for her job, plus she will use it to keep in touch the boy's teachers and it is a must to communicate with Christian. Because of these things, she bought a the laptop and is determined to learn how to use it.

After Morgan left here she went to get things ready at her place. She and Danny and Recie and Paul are going to the Texas Renaissance Festival for the weekend.

After Mark left, Lisa started working on Christmas decorations and I assisted her in that. We got a good bit done but we have more work to do.

The big news from yesterday has to do with Christian. He left Japan yesterday and is headed to an undisclosed (to us) some place in the Middle East. He will be there for some time so his safety is high on our prayer list.

Coram Deo,

Kenith

Yesterday, I called Lisa as I left work. She was in town and suggested that I pick up the boys and meet her and get something to eat. We met at Starbucks, where our daughter was working. I picked up Lisa and we went to get supper.

After eating, the boys joined a couple of their friends and one dad and went with them to see Bolt. Lisa and I went to Best Buy and Sam's to find her a laptop. She bought an HP at Best Buy. She then headed back to the house to meet the boys. I returned to Starbucks, drank a coffee. I hung around until they closed. I helped Morgan and her co-workers by putting out the garbage and sweeping. Then I went to my truck and read while they finished closing.

After they finished closing, Morgan and I went to IHOP. We had a nice chat as she ate. I made it home just before 1:00 AM.

We all slept in this morning. It was so nice. (Me with a glass of wine)

For Thanksgiving Day dinner we went down the road to Woody and Elisabeth. Most of Lisa's family headed there as well. We had a great meal and a good visit.
(Morgan and her cousin Kim with their grandfather.)


Later,
Kenith