Turtles and the Mexican Drug Cartel

So, I know you're wondering what these two things have in common. Well, I'll get to that. First let me preface that I really dislike the Today Show. I'll let weather man Al's silly comments and misplaced references slide and I'll even dismiss Matt Lauer's vain attempts at matching the appropriate emotional response to the appropriate news topic, but what really kills me about that show is their "Top News Story" items. Today a whole fifteen minutes was devoted to how a turtle was kicked off a Trans Air flight. How they made this family discard the turtle (didn't get all the details - was in too much shock that this was considered a top news story item) and how some Trans Air employee got it back and flew it across the country back to the family. They even brought in the family for the news story and questioned them about the whole ordeal. Let me take a minute to lift my jaw back up off the floor and wipe the look of disgust off my face. I am all for people against turtle cruelty, but come on, a top news story?!!? Has America gone insane!?!? It blows my mind that out of all the news stories around the entire world, this is the one that they believe America needs to see most. Not like I need to ask this out loud, but what have we become?

I was flipping channels the other day, and with our converter box assisted antenna, we now enjoy a whopping 25 channels on our TV - visibility is questionable - about ten of which are Spanish channels. I landed on one of the said Spanish channels and a news story was airing. I really couldn't believe my eyes, but before me on non-cable television, the news mind you, I was looking at bodies with decapitated heads, people laying on the streets half charred, faces practically torn off the heads, mutilations, and other absolutely shocking sights I'd never seen even on the worst horror movie. This was on their NEWS, and probably not even the top news story of the day. I'm assuming it was some Mexican drug cartel story but don't know for sure as I don't speak Spanish, but I can't imagine what else would cause such a massacre.

Both stories left me with my jaw wide open. One in absolute shock, horror, and sadness at what was happening to these people over there, and the other in disgust that while heads are being decapitated in Mexico, over here in the land of lollipops we find a discarded turtle to be the most upsetting news of the country, worthy of Top News Story status. Both of them made me long even more for our Lord to return and set thing right in this world. I am grateful for the Holy Spirit he left us, to guide our hearts and give us peace in times of turmoil (John 14:25-27; 16:33), the promise of his return that brings me joy in the midst of such difficult times (John 14:1-4), and the hope of the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15).

Our Little Strawberry

Sittin' pretty.

Practicing a little air guitar. Her Daddy would be happy for her channeling The Edge.

I think this is the look she practices in her crib when she's up at four in the morning.

Wanna Play?

Revisionist Family History Photo #10

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore on Lake Michigan (Summer of 1994) - Uncle Pat always knew how to make a fashion statement.

Revisionist Family History Photo #9

London, UK (1931-1936) - While living abroad in Brooklyn NY, my brother in law, Erich, cherished the Broadway musical Cats! so much so that he traveled back in time to meet the famed tuxedo cat behind Mr. Mistoffelees (sometimes written as "Mistoffolees" derived from the demon named Mephistopheles) - one of the felines in T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats. By the way, Cats! the musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber was based on this collection of poems. Mr. Mistoffelees is depicted as a magician in the musical version which fascinated Erich.

Revisionist Family History Photo #8

Somewhere in West Virginia (1995) - The only way my father didn't go was straight. Photo opportunities were always the priority on family excursions. The passive passengers needed all the luck they could get.

Revisionist Family History Photo #7

Japan? (circa 2003) - Steve went missing a few times in his early twenties. This photo is our only clue to one of these absences. My guess: Steve ("feeling the strength of ten men") really wanted to be Little Mac from Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!! and this was his best chance to take on King Hippo (pictured below).

Revisionist Family History Photo #6

Fort Wayne IN (Late December 1995) - Cousins, Matt, Peter, Andy, Josh, and "Stevie" took their Grandpa Smith to a hockey game in Fort Wayne for his Christmas gift. They all had a blast. There were two hockey fights and one in the stands. I guess that's what happens when the local minor league team hosts the nearby Detroit Vipers. Grandpa called the one in the stands "more for our money!" Also observed was this sign (pictured above). Grandpa was the brains behind this operation and his grandsons were willing accomplices.

Good Bye 75243

July 2002 marked my entrance into Texas. Ever since, I've lived in 3 different dwellings in the same vicinity of one another. I never changed my grocery store... even though my grocery store changed (aisles updated). Met a lot of pretty nice neighbors. I must say it is a good zip code to live in. It's a city of Dallas area but a Richardson ISD. I can get anywhere on the northern half of Dallas (from down town to Plano, from Mesquite to Carrolton in about 15 minutes. That's awesome for urban traveling these days.

Since I've arrived the High Five was built. I've seen fires decimate apartments. I've been to weddings. I've been to funerals of friends. Good bye 75243.

Here's to hoping 75287 is good to my family and I.