The Muse is Loose

No one is complaining this morning that Alex only hit us a swiping blow, and that rather gently, as hurricanes go.We have had rain, which we needed in the cities. For the farmers it is a different story. There were reports of tornado activity, but little has surfaced this Thursday morning. The tides are very high which is always anticipated. More rain is forecast for the next couple of days, but overall we got off very lightly. Of course we were hundreds of miles away from the eye. The folks living in Mexico took a hit for sure.

A couple of guys were rescued when their truck got stuck on the beach. They claim they didn't know about the storm. They had geared up for a few days of surf fishing. Instead, they were fished out of the water by a Coast Guard helicopter. I am wondering what their news source might be? It is rather amazing that someone could not have heard about the hurricane. I wonder if they know about the BP spill?

Some hear everything. Not all that is heard are facts. Others hear little or nothing about the happenings about them. That has been the case through the years and centuries. Some simply choose not to hear for they fear the worse. Needed doctor appointments are delayed or simply canceled because of what we fear we might hear. Does not hearing news, good or bad, change anything? Not really. In fact, it can make what we are finally confronted with even worse.

I remember a fellow telling me years ago I had a knot on one of my tires. He said, "You'll need to do something about that real soon.". I had other things more pressing than buying a tire. At least that's what I thought. Minutes after I had heard this word about my tire it came apart. It was not in a convenient place. Then, I had no choice. I had to get another tire.

The Apostle Paul once reminded his hearers: "I tell you now is the time of God's favor. Now is the day of salvation". We may delay changing a tire and get by with it with only a blowout. We can delay our day of salvation and reap eternal consequences.

I went early this morning to walk the loop at Rockport Beach to see how the birds had fared high waters from the hurricane. Going to my left toward the tower everything looked pretty good. This is gull territory. In some places baby gulls by the dozens were all huddled together, having been driven from the grass by high water. I didn't see very many dead chicks, however.

It was a different story as I came to the Black Skimmer nesting place near the channel and Key Allegro. There were young chicks lying everywhere on the paved road, having been crushed by vehicles. The birds had been driven to high ground and careless or mean drivers had gunned them down. I counted thirty-seven dead chicks in the road. Only one adult. That could well be a third of the entire hatch for this summer. It was devastating to see. The road is NOW blocked off. Whether it will stay that way is up to the city. I think it should remain closed for the week-end or until the water is gone from their haunts. If not, there will be few if any chicks left.

The Black Skimmer is one of our more unusual guests. It is black and white and has an enormously long lower mandible that it gently dips or skims in the water while in flight. It picks up the tiny fish and foods in this way. Rockport having skimmers so easily seen is a real treat. Having their newly-hatched little ones scattered along the roadway is an inexcusable massacre.

Tomorrow morning at Taft I plan to have a baptismal service at the beginning. TJ Culp is the daughter of Clint and Leslie Culp. The Culps live in California where Clint is an actor. They attend the Presbyterian Church there. Clint and Leslie were married at the church in Taft. Leslie grew up there and was baptized at the church. That will make it all super special. Later in the service Lester Thorp will give a testimony about serving as a Marine in Korea at Chosin in the awful winter of 50'. Lester is TJ's grandfather. Also sharing a testimony is Patti McLead. Patti and Patrick lost their son in the war in Iraq. If there is time I will bring a few words.

Sunday evening Rockport will have a phenomenal fireworks display! It is out over the water in town and is always spectacular. We don't mind if the rain is gone for now. The Art Festival is happening and there are beautiful white tents and THOUSANDS of people. This is an EVENT!

I went back to the books and re-read this great document this week. It spells out the way a King and his gang saw the Colonists. They had little freedom. The oppression had become too much so brave men took a stand for liberty at the risk of their lives. There had been skirmishes and even battles. The British army's presence was everywhere. Some folks continued to hang on to their loyalty to the King and to their old government.

There were "religious" ties as well. For the Church of England In America the King of England was the head of the church! Anglican priests, at their ordination, swore allegiance to the King. The Book of Common Prayer used in their worship prayers beseeching God "to be his defender and keeper, giving him victory over all his enemies". Those enemies in 1776 were American soldiers and neighbors, even family. Who is one to be loyal to? It was a tough call for some. George Washington's mother remained a Loyalist through the war. She would not attend the inauguration of her son for President. At the end of the war in 1783 over 100,000 Loyalists moved to Canada.

I still believe in SEPARATION of church and state. When the two become entangled, be they church of England, or Baptist, something is lost. I plan never to swear allegiance to but one King and that is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Have a joyous fourth!

She hasn't even been birthed yet, this Bonnie who could soon lie over the sea.. She is nothing more than a wave. She could then become a depression and then a storm named Bonnie...and then..... well, we dealt with Alex so we will have to see about Bonnie.

In grade school at Cavanaugh, Arkansas, the fourth through sixth grades were in the same room with the same teacher. I remember Friday afternoons being a fun time when we had spelling bees and such. We also sang out of Golden Books. They had patriotic and even RELIGIOUS songs, (perish
the thought), I am sure that is what warped my personality. We would sing such songs as "My Bonnie lies over the ocean. My Bonnie lies over the sea. My Bonnie lies over the ocean. O Bring back my Bonnie to me. Bring back, bring back (swaying) o bring back my Bonnie to me to me...." (repeat). There was no piano or taped anything. The only tape in the classroom was white and it was for cuts. But we sang and learned all these great old songs. My favorite was "Home On The Range". I wanted to be at that place " where seldom is heard a discouraging word." In Junior High in Fort Smith I discovered at the library, recordings of really great singers; Caruso, John Charles Thomas, and others. Thomas sang a second verse arrangement to "Home On The Range" I dearly loved it and will try to quote it now. I haven't practiced so bear with me.

How often at night when the heavens are bright
With the light of the glittering stars,
That I stood there amazed and asked as I gazed
If their glory exceeds that of ours.

(I'm not going to get this right)

O give me a land where the bright diamond sand
Flows leisurlely down to the sea
Where the graceful white swan
Goes gliding along
Like a maid in a heavenly dream.

Anyway...that was a long time ago! Enjoy your Fifth but be sure it isn't in a bottle.

Yesterday was hot! It was a good afternoon to be in a shade, or pool, or movie. Instead, those nine kids from Rockport, along with four adults chose to walk the streets of Taft, Texas, handing out literally HUNDREDS of fliers inviting kids to Vacation Bible School July 18-23, as well as to the registration Friday evening at 6:30.They came IN tired and sweaty and hungry. The Pizza Hut in Sinton took care of two of those problems. It was buffet night. The Hut definitely lost money!

We had a few snags to break through. Taft has a vendor law we got caught up in. We were grouped in with anyone selling pinatas, or whatever, from door to door! We were selling nothing. It is the old story that innocent, helpful people get punished by the laws protecting folks from door-to-door traveling salesmen. There was an EIGHTY DOLLAR fee to get to invite kids to Bible School! Politics aside, the job was done. This will be the only Vacation Bible School in town this summer so we want the kids to know about it and come. Rockport leaders will make it happen for us. For that we are MOST grateful.

Rains threaten to ruin the prettiest crops of grain, cotton, and corn we have seen for many years.We want no more rain right now but a lot is predicted for the week. If it comes every one will simply deal with it. Oklahoma City is flooded. Who would have imagined that? Tornadoes YES, but not floods.

Tar balls are rolling in along our Texas coast. That is to be expected. BP is doling out billions for their costly mistakes. Money doesn't replace some things lost. Nothing will.

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps" (Proverbs 16:9)

We are always having love/hate relationships with the weather. It often seems to be planning things to disrupt our lives and crops and planned events. The steady downpour this morning is a reminder we are in for a wet, wet time. The weather, however, is one of many ways God shows His way is better than ours. His knowledge is far deeper. He sees beyond today and next week and next year. He sees how it all fits in a pattern a thousand years from now. We can only see how it affects us today. I have to take my car to Corpus in a few minutes for needed work. I will have to drive in the rain. I got wet getting the morning paper. Woe is me! Life is so unfair!

Do you remember that preacher who visited our church and paraded the aisle? He told the story about Paul and the poisonous snake that latched on to him. Paul got the snake loose and it didn't even make him sick. The people were amazed and thought he was a god! The preacher kept saying as he spoke of the troubles of life, "shake it off", as he flung an imaginary snake from his hand. "Shake it off!".

That's what we have to do as it rains on our parade and whatever. "Shake it off!"

and nobody comes! I guess we can have any flavor snow cone we want! Friday evening on the lawn at the Baptist Church in Taft we are having a registration party for Vacation Bible School. Since we have almost no children to start with, we do not know if or who will come. It will be interesting. We still have NINE DAYS before the Bible School is scheduled to start. Registration will help us know how much more we need to do to get the word out. The Chamber will advertise it on their big sign next week. That is great! It is being announced at Scouts, Library, and Head Start. Let's pray the rains will go away and there will be loads of SUNSHINE. That will help everyone, especially the beleaguered farmers seeing their once grand crops go bad.

Tomorrow evening we will make a little noise and hand out some cones, hoping to see a group of kids and parents. We shall see.

I could not believe all the Rockport people who came to Taft. They were everywhere! We also enrolled TWENTY kids for VBS. That doesn't sound like a lot but this was pre- registration. It is looking good for an exciting school starting Sunday evening, July 18 at 6:00 PM.

The rain, hopefully, has moved on and we are in for several dry days. That would be a great blessing at this point.

So, it was a "fun" Friday night in Taft with kids and parents and others there to do what they could to get VBS started off on a great adventure. Thanks to all!

That's where we are. The middle of summer where we are starting to look forward a little more than back. Our week in Rockport is predicted to be weather free. That's okay by me. Our kids are in a moving week. It is no fun to move in the rain. The fields need a drying out. It is six days until Vacation Bible School. The Astros will have a better week. They are off for the all-star break. The Hooks win one after sixteen losses. How could these franchises get so bad so fast?

On another note, Spain became the soccer champion of the world! Lance Armstrong has finally seen the writing on the wall. Too old and beat up and tired. He is doing the smart thing and retiring from the bike riding he dominated for years. LeBron James is leaving his home town in the lurch and is off to Miami to see more fortune. Almost ten million people watched a show that only was about his announcement! Not much on TV worth watching these days....including that. Pro golf limps along without the big heroes of the past. A guy named Steve Stricker who has earned his way to the top broke records this week as he won the John Deere Classic. He shot the lowest 54 hole total in PGA history of 188! See, others can play this game, contrary to what the TV and magazine eds think who feature only the Tiger. The Astros hired Jeff Bagwell as hitting coach. I think they need him hitting. This team is terrible. They are NOT, however, the worst team in baseball. Arizona, Seattle, Cleveland, Baltimore, and Pittsburg are fighting for that title. Pitt is out in front with a 30-58 record. The Astros have won 36.

Over in the DFW area the Rangers hang on to FIRST PLACE with a 50-38 record. The Yankees are at the top in the American League. Paula Creamer, the woman in pink, won the US Women's Open in Oakmont, PA. She was playing with a thumb so sore she couldn't grip her club right. Maybe she will play that way all the time.

That's it, sports fans. Tide is going down and fishing should be great. It will be blazing hot and the heat index today is 106. Bring on the Sahara!

Taxi Driver: "Where to Mac?". Customer: " Take me to IBC Bank down here on Staples. I need you to wait for me. I won't be long.". Taxi Driver: "No problem! You makin' a big deposit? Glad someone's making some cash." Customer: "As a matter of fact, I am thinking of withdrawing a considerable sum." Taxi Driver: "Well, you'll be safe with me. I have never had a robber in my cab, and if I did he would get a piece of this!" (Shows pistol under seat). Customer:" Good to feel safe. Now, don't go away for another call. There will be a nice tip in it for you." Taxi Driver: "I will be right here. Take your time."

The cabbie stepped out of his hack and lit up. He didn't even get to finish and his customer was back. He gave an address by a housing project. When he got out the fare was $6.45. The man gave him two fives and said, "Keep the change!". Nice tip. Now the police want a tip or two that can lead them to this innovative taxi-riding bandit. Only in Corpus Christi, Texas in summer.You see, the man went inside while his taxi awaited, and robbed the bank!

"O Taxi?"

They have changed the official name of the YMCA to the "Y". Seems that is what it has been called for years. How in the world could those guys who sang that song about the Y M C A have a song just singing the Y? It doesn't have the right rhythm.

Let's face it: The word "young" was not a problem. "Men" certainly wasn't anything to warrant a name change. I doubt that "association" brought about the new name. Could it be the part of the name that says "Christian"? I have a strong feeling that's it. It sounds exclusive, and leaves out all other religious groups. Actually, methinks it is the other way around: The "other" groups have habitated "Y"s across the country for years. They have been gathering places for those of other "persuasions" if you please. I planned to stay in the "Y" many years ago in Little Rock because a room was less expensive. It didn't take me very long to see I would gladly pay the extra few dollars to live elsewhere. Why? Because the "Y" was Christian in name only, even way back then.

So, I vote for the name change. Save the name Christian for a more befitting organization. In the meantime I will be trying to figure out how those guys are ever going to be able to sing that YMCA song. I guess it will bite the dust also.

One thing happening is that it the MIDDLE of July. Halfway through a wickedly hot summer. The best news would be to hear the BP oil flow into the Gulf of Mexico has stopped. We haven't heard that yet. It is the opening day of shrimp season. The prices are sure to be much higher for this gulf treat.

It is MOVING DAY for Laura and James Duprie. They are to CLOSE on their new house at 3:00 and unload as soon as that is done. That is in Midlothian. Tomorrow we become guardians again of Calvin and Emily. Dempsey will return home from youth camp and quickly prepare to go to a computer camp in California, compliments of his grandparents Duprie. It will be a terrific time for Dempsey. Laura and James go to coaching school in San Antonio. There is a slight possibility some GOLF will be played and some shopping by Laura.

Vacation Bible School begins Sunday evening at 6:00. We have no idea how many to expect. Rockport will be ready. We will be ready. Bring on the kids!

The Taxi riding bank robber is in the clink. He tried to rob another bank up the highway at Victoria. He was nailed rather easily. Had a record a mile long.

The big reward for the person/persons who slaughtered our little skimmers is looking like it is going to bring some results. Hopefully, that matter will be soon settled.

So, that's July 15 from Rockport, Texas USA. What's in your wallet?

Where are mission opportunities? They are most everywhere. We who are Believers are to be missionaries in our daily walk. Too often we focus on self or circles of Christian friends, missing the mandate of our Lord which sends us to Jerusalem, Judea and the uttermost parts of the Earth.

First Baptist Rockport folks are extending arms of love and care to the uttermost parts. We have members in China today. We will soon have members in Connecticut. Sunday, members will be in the neighboring town of Taft having Vacation Bible School for the entire community! All of these responses come from folks who love the Lord and want to serve Him.

I will be closest to what is happening in Taft. We really have NO IDEA how many kids will respond. There may be a small number or we may be overwhelmed. Whatever, it will be God's doing and not our own. Folks have tried in various ways to spread the word in this largely Hispanic setting. The population of the city is about 90% Hispanic in the schools. Of that number many of them have little or no contact with a Bible teaching setting. Our folks have an exciting way of presenting it. Please join me in saturating their effort with our prayers. Some of the workers will come directly from work to go to Taft for Bible school. They won't even see their homes until after nine each evening. Sunday through Friday evening will be very busy for them.

So that is mission outreach. It is happening around us. Join the effort, if you haven't already.

There were SIXTY kids at VBS yesterday evening at 6:00. It was great! The Rockport folks were there in force. Some of them had been at the church since 10:00 yesterday morning. The Taft folks were there serving food and helping in whatever ways they could. We are now expecting even more this second night. Rain is in the forecast. We don't want it. The grain cutters don't want it either. That is all out of our hands.

Laura and James are in San Antonio for the coaching clinic. They were introduced to city crime in a harsh way. Having just arrived and still getting unloaded they had their car broken into and a computer and GPS was stolen. The car was locked but an expert at his trade of taking things not belonging to him made entry with a tool and left with some irreplaceable pictures of over four years, plus a story Emily was writing. Anyway, such is life. "He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need." (Ephesians 4:28) I guess this guy missed that at Bible school.

The second night of Vacation Bible School brought EIGHTY-FIVE kids! The excitement and work of this team from Rockport is amazing. It is also contagious! SIXTY-EIGHT of those children are from Taft! That is about DOUBLE the number enrolled last year. More to come!

Trucks with huge trailers are hauling grain from the fields from about ten in the morning until after dark in the evening. The clouds will appear threatening and some small showers have erupted, but for the most part, the fields of milo are becoming fields of stalks. Out through the fields are these ghost-like tubes and blades as another row of the Taft windfarm gets ready to happen. One cannot imagine how huge these machines are until up close. They have full-sized doors and stairways going up the inner parts. Giant cranes are needed to hoist the blades into place. I am still amazed by it all each day I pass them on the way to Taft.

So, we await night three. It is fun to see those old hallways crowded with kids, workers, and parents. Thanks be to God, and thanks be to First Baptist Church, Rockport. Thanks also to the greatest birder I know.

Tuesday night at Taft was another great event at VBS. We were only down ONE from the day before. Many kids are experiencing the Bible stories for the very first time. Some are finding the great gift of salvation through the influence and guidance of their teachers. We look forward to this Wednesday evening as being another highlight.

This morning our kids and grandkids left for Midlothian. Emily and Calvin had been here almost a week. They were happy to see Momma and Daddy. Dempsey is still in California. Saturday I will deliver "Jet", Emily's young black lab, to the other Grandpa, Jim Duprie. Jim will then pass "Jet" on to the kids somehow.

Have you ever suffered from foot in mouth disease? If you speak at any length the wrong thing will come out sooner or later. I had a good chuckle this morning from a goof I received: "The word "genius" isn't applicable in football. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein." Joe Theisman, former NFL quarterback and sports analyst. (Is Norman Albert's brother?)

The kids have been great at Bible School! Yesterday was another productive evening . Fourteen kids indicated in a personal way they want to become Christians! These are not little kids but the older ones who really know what they are doing. Plans are being made for a children's church during the morning worship so the ones new to church can be taught. Today the rains are going to come in torrents. We hope they will be gone by SIX. It will mean more trouble for the farmers.

On a lighter note....somehow facebook pictures have surfaced from Bible School. Some of them involve me as I am counseling little Buckaroo Barbie, the only real "problem" child we have. She is from Rockport. Pastor Jones had counseled her at the Rockport VBS. Obviously, she has resented all efforts for her to shape up. I met with Barbie in the office yesterday. She had little to say but showed signs of contrition. Being a full-size Barbie is not easy in the world we live in. She has been used and abused, so has little trust. I did feel she trusted me. We talked about sports and how being active in one, like girl's softball, could possibly help her make more friends. In a
photo snapped I was showing her a softball bat and trying to explain how easy it is to swing and hit the ball. The picture is being used on FACEBOOK to give unfair impressions to those viewers.
They could almost get the idea I was threatening the little girl. Please understand, if you see this picture that that was not the case at all!

We are all getting a bit nutty at this point. Do you know some folks have been at Taft every evening, or day, since last Friday? It is amazing. They are still joyful and full of energy. It is helping we Taft folks a great deal.

The Apostle Paul said it beautifully: " I thank my God every time I remember you.". That will be my prayer as long as I am able to remember: The week when Taft folks and Rockport folks joined hands and hearts and skills to produce a fantastic, fun-filled, spiritually enriching week through Vacation Bible School. Kids came from everywhere and all kinds of settings. They came walking or riding to each day's events. Their laughter filled the church yard and fellowship hall. Their singing echoed through the auditorium. Their hearts were softened for the message, "Jesus loves you". In all my years associated with this church and City I have not had a week more uplifting and encouraging.

This evening we have the program, when parents are to come with their kids. Following that, the carnival will " happen " on the church parking lot. It is much more than a carnival. It is a time when we mingle with parents and show them we care, and have a place for them at church. God is not through with this " Happening." Fourteen new lives in Christ make it impossible for it to end.

I thank my God for each one of you who helped, from the kitchen to the classroom. A special thanks to Patti and Johnny Carver, Gayle Rozacky, and Rhonda Barnes. Patti and Johnny saw a need for help. Rhonda's SERVE team picked up the ball. Gayle's VBS crew responded to her call for having another week as a mission project. Then others came from Taft and Rockport to fill it all out, What a beautiful experience in the Lord!

In 1970 we moved from Center to Wharton Texas. That is from deep East Texas to South Texas, and across Houston. We had accumulated TWO children and TWENTY plus cats. It seems the two mamma cats we had, decided it was birthing time.Each provided a huge litter. The kids couldn't think of leaving these precious little kittens in Center. I dutifully loaded them in boxes with air holes, etc. and loaded them into my 14 foot Ouachita aluminum boat, which was also getting ready for a new experience - salt water!

Not having ever ridden in a boat on the highway the cats went crazy! All of them! They were tearing at the boxes. I became afraid to get close to the boat. Stopping for gasoline was scary. When they arrived at their new home in the countryside of Wharton they tore off in all directions. Unfortunately, they all came back. There are two other stories I won't tell right now. We began our ministry there, repopulating the cat crowd.

James and Laura, plus kids, just moved their old cat Frodo to Midlothian. She did not like the move and promptly headed back to Goliad, they guess. Frodo was a pretty good cat. Not great. Pretty good. She was unpredictable.Frodo would bite you for no good reason. She may yet come back to their new home. I hope so.

In the meantime it became my duty to move their black lab, "Jet" , to meet another unfortuate grandfather who would finish the cycle to Midlothian. Jim and I historically met for the battle of Yorktown with this overly large and overly friendly animal.(That is Yorktown, Texas, history fans). The exchange was made without incident.

Moving animals is no fun...for them or us. Just imagine if the tables were reversed: "Get in that box you no good persons. We are going for a long boat ride and not in water!". (Are they going to....I can even say it....the D word!!! What is that rope for? And those rocks!!! They are!!!!).Over at a truck this dutiful human crawls, or is part thrown, into a fiberglass cell not begin enough to turn around in. The wind whistles through the bars! Huge eighteen wheelers run up on him in the back of that pickup, surely planning to wipe him out. One has the face and open mouth of a monstrous bulldog painted on the radiator. We arrive starving, dehydrated, and half out of our wits, and our dog owners say, "Did you have a nice ride, big boy? Wasn't that fun???"

Deliver me from any more animal hauls. "Good grief! Is that a cat scratching at the back door? Not Frodo!!!!"

I drove today to see a family whose child came to Bible School. It was not in the city limits but close. I had never been on the street. It was poverty row. A dead dog lay swelling in the heat of the sun. Vintage cars were everywhere. None of them having run for years. Dogs ran freely. The houses looked unlivable but they weren't. Now, I could understand a bit better how the hot dogs and sandwiches served were so popular. I could understand why the cakewalk was the number one event Friday night. We had seventy-five home made cakes. They were all gone. I could also understand why most of the kids walked to VBS. If they were a three or four car family, for sure only one ran, and it was used to get someone to a place of work. I came back home and thought of the chicken we were throwing in the trash because no one ate it and it was now "too old". It is so very easy to look the other way or simply stay off of streets like the one I was on today. I am going back. A neat little boy of nine, living in one of those places gave his life to the Lord. I am going to see him on his turf.

No, I haven't forsaken the Faith of our fathers. My agnosticism is directed toward those who watch the skies and instruments, then tell us when it will rain and how much or how little. Yesterday is a good example of their pitiful attempts to call the shots from our skies. We were forecast to receive four or more inches of rain here in Rockport. It caused me to reschedule some of the day's activities. I think we may have gotten one hundredth of an inch. It was a solid MISS by the weather guys. Nothing new. One thing about them.... they plow on ahead, never mentioning the bad call of a previous day. That's not too bad an idea.

On the sports scene it is becoming news for the Cowboys what Dez does. Do we really care all that much whether he carried Williams' shoulder pads to the locker room? I am amazed that any of them carry their equipment. I figured they have caddies who follow them around, picking up each glove and elbow pad or whatever. I hope to goodness he isn't going to be another mouth like T.O..I am kinda' afraid we are heading that way. By the way, Cincinnati signed T.O. to bring his circus there. They are desperate for entertainment for sure.

The Lord willing, this time next week we will be on our way to the cool breezes of Arizona! Some have thought we were kidding when we spoke of an Arizona vacation. We are going to the mountains of AZ. At Portal our elevation will be one mile. We are going birding. Portal is only a few miles from the Mexican border so there will be other birds to look out for. The Box and Edwards families are going with us. I have looked forward to this trip for months. Hummingbirds of all kinds descend on this area. Owls will be there. More next time.

Chances are you've never heard of Portal, Arizona. It is a tiny place with only ONE store and a small Post Office. The store sells the basics but no gasoline. They do have a restaurant there. It is not bad. No linen napkins as I remember. So why would anyone want to spend six days in a place like this? The answer is simple. Birds! Portal is a birder's mecca. It attracts birders from around the world, especially in August. They come to see the great variety of hummingbirds that will drop in. The BIG DRAW is the Elegant Trogon that comes over the border from Mexico. Look it up. I can't send you a picture. There are also owls of all kinds there. Other animals inhabit the area in and around Portal. Javelina parade through the town when they wish. Cougars are sometimes seen. Quail, including the elusive Montezuma can be there.

We will be at 4760 elevation. I had us a bit higher yesterday. We can easily drive to 8500 in the nearby mountains. Other "towns" nearby are Apache and Rodeo. Rodeo has a gas pump. Portal does not. The place we are staying has no TV, etc. We will be lost to the rest of the world for a few days. One can bird from the front porch or get out and hike. I failed to mention; Portal has a library! I want to find out more about that. It is in Cochise County. This was the great Chief's land until it was taken from him. It is in Mountain Standard Time Zone. Portal, AZ.

Since Portal, Arizona, our destination next week, only has a population of 75 we will have to run into the largest town in the area when we need to shop or hit a Wal- Mart. That town will have to be Rodeo, and it is in New Mexico. It doesn't have a Wal- Mart. Not even a Wal. Rodeo is about 200, counting those in the surrounding area. As the name implies, this is true cowboy country. In 1902 the railroad brought about Rodeo's birth. You can't miss the Rodeo Mission Church coming in to town. It has a gleaming white exterior and a sign saying, "Cowboy Ministry". (What else out there?) If it is still open, there will be the Chiricahua Art Gallery and Guild. If you dare, one can stop off at the Rodeo Tavern and enjoy green enchiladas and iced tea. Back down the road away is Granite Gap Ghost Mining Camp. You can collect some ore specimens and ride a burro if you like. You are now only eleven miles from Road Forks. I wonder how they ever came up with that name?
All over this area Geronimo roamed with his Apache warriors. One can almost imagine a line of indians in full battle dress up on a rocky ridge line readying for an attack. I wonder if he could believe that thousands have leaped from the heavens calling out his name.....GERONIMO!!!!!!!!

The ghost town of Paradise, Arizona, is only five miles down the road from Portal, our birding destination next week. Don't block a lot of time to see Paradise. There is only a single building still standing. It hasn't always been so. The town once sported thirteen saloons! Can you imagine such a place on a Saturday night? Maybe they simply killed off the town. The Post Office came in 1901 and closed in 1943.

Let me tell you about the Paradise jail. It was called an "open" jail. The doors weren't open, for there were none. It was an open jail because any prisoners were chained around a tree OR chained between two trees. It was a sort of chain run where several prisoners could be chained along a single strand of links. These folks were mostly miners, cowboys, or rustlers. I don't know who cared for them or what they did when it snowed or rained. The mines closed in 1907 and the folks faded out of Paradise.

I cannot possibly imagine how someone came up with the name Paradise for such a place. It was far from the one Jesus spoke about on the cross. That Paradise I really want to see. In fact, I would like to live there at some future time. Paradise, Arizona I hope to see ONE DAY and one day only! Let's cut that to one hour. Anyway, next week we plan to be in Paradise. Either one will do.