Art's Cart

Help Is On The Way

2009-10-30T11:27:00.013-05:00

We recently had dinner at one of our favorite places with a dear friend of ours. Upon leaving the restaurant, we rounded the corner and to our surprise we ran across this vintage ambulance. It was in great shape and made me want one just like it!

In my early years, I worked for a funeral home that also had a transport ambulance service. Although our ambulances were nicer than this, the technology we employed wasn't.

The Great State Fair of Texas

2009-09-26T20:09:00.008-05:00

Big Tex keeping watch and inviting
everyone to the fair.

A huge ferris wheel that offers
a great view of downtown Dallas.

Camer on a zipline between trees.

Elise's (the Borden milk cow) baby.

Hand carved pumpkin art.

Today found us meeting up with my parents and sister for a great day at the State Fair of Texas. We ate all the typical foods including Fletcher's corn dogs, waffle cakes, turkey legs, ice cream, and the most unusual of all...fried butter. Fried butter is a concoction that consists of a ball of butter inside a ball of dough. It is deep fried, thus melting the butter inside, and offers the most wonderful of treats. I understand the same guy came up with this that came up with fried Coke.

Camer got to pet the calf of Elsie, the Borden milk mascot, ride a zipline between two trees, and a ton of other exciting things.

We saw, firsthand, the art of pumpkin carving like never before. The photo above just does not do this artist justice.

If you're around Big D in the next few weeks, do yourself a favor and drop on by the State Fair of Texas!

Can you say "Lipitor" -
Art

Time Does Fly

2009-08-16T09:02:00.016-05:00

Seems like it was just yesterday that Camer was sitting on a footstool reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in the tiny, innocent voice of a toddler. Now, as the relentless heat of summer gives way to more tolerable temps, he has started to spread his wings and try mowing. He has tried it before, but this time he managed most of the backyard without much help.

Moments like this mark the "ticks" of our lives like the tick of a pendulum on an old grandfather clock marks the seconds of the day.

Live in the moment -
Art

Darn Good Coffee for a Darn Good Cause

2009-08-12T17:01:00.008-05:00

I said early on in my blog that from time to time I would be sharing products with you that added to my "cart" experience.

As many of my followers know, I do like a few creature comforters in life from time to time (kinda makes life worth living). My coffee is no exception! I have found that a good cup of joe can make whatever life brings your way a little better.

At any rate, a couple of years ago I found a coffee that can compete with all the big hitters in the game...Mystic Monk Coffee. I have found online orders to be prompt, complete, and accurate. In my opinion, the product offers good value for the price and the money goes to a good cause. My personal favorite is the Breakfast Blend!

Here's mud in your eye -
Art

Here, Fishy Fishy

2009-08-12T16:48:00.007-05:00

I recently was able to enjoy a retirement gift given to me by our oldest and his family. In turn, I invited by dad to join as a Father's Day gift. We traveled to Lake Texoma on the Texas/Oklahoma border for some awesome striper fishing. I hooked the biggest at 10 pounds, followed by dad with a 9-pounder, and Camer with 2-3 fish weighing in at 4-5 pounds each. All in all, we limited out in about 3 hours!

If you are ever near this lake, take the time to enjoy the adventure of your lifetime fishing for freshwater striper. We used Cross Creek Striper Guide and will again!

Heck yeah -
Art

Lordy, Lordy, Look Who's Forty

2009-08-12T16:29:00.002-05:00

We had the great pleasure of joining about 30 other parishioners from our church to celebrate the 80th birthday of our good friend, Ivah.

Our former priest and organist were able to join as we celebrated a blessed lady celebrating her blessed birthday.

May God grant her many more!

An apple a day-
Art

A Little Heat Never Hurt Anyone

2009-08-12T14:39:00.002-05:00

Within a few days of our return home, the Hawaiian contingent arrived on Texas soil. Camer and I traveled to Central Texas to visit in the simmering heat of summer. I highly encourage anyone who hasn't enjoyed a summer in Texas to make plans to visit soon...most highly recommended would be the months of July or August. Upon completing your visit, you should have a greater appreciation of your home climate and might reconsider your plans to relocate.

Bottoms up -
Art

Aloha!

2009-08-12T12:36:00.004-05:00

After a great week in Honolulu, it came time for us to say goodbye and return to the land from whence we came. A wonderful experience, made all the better by spending time with our family, getting away from our daily grind , and seeing new sites.

What's Up With That Truck

2009-08-12T11:21:00.018-05:00

Just outside Honolulu, we were introduced to a unique dining experience that proved to be one of the best items to fill our "cart" with...the ever enticing shrimp trucks.

There are only six different ways to have your shrimp prepared, but they are the most rewarding six ways you can imagine. Just like the movie "Forest Gump", there is coconut shrimp, garlic shrimp, lemon-pepper shrimp, BBQ shrimp, peeled and ready-to-eat shrimp, and spicy shrimp. Each plate comes with a hearty helping of rice, a salad, and a slice of Hawaiian pineapple.

We were seated at a wooden picnic table with a view that would earn any maitre d' a handsome tip!

Bon appetit -
Art

Getting On With It

2009-08-12T09:15:00.033-05:00

As we started our 6th day in Honolulu, we took an early morning trip to Waikiki beach. The water and sand were absolutely beautiful...all that stuff you read about in travel magazines really does exist.

The kids, both young and old, had a great time on this white sand beach. As the morning wore on, we had to abandon our beachfront property before we took on the characteristics of bacon. But, what a great adventure!

In Memorial...

A tribute to our fallen heroes at Pearl Harbor was a "must do" on our list. It restores my faith in mankind to see the reverence that is observed by visitors to this historic grave site.

After all these years, an oil droplet periodically rises to the surface as it escapes it bondage in the hull of the Arizona. Various scientific data supports the deteriorating condition of the ship as the reason behind this. I prefer to think of it as something more profound...maybe a ship mourning her inability to protect her crew from unexpected danger. In any event, may God rest their souls!

Never Give Up!

2009-08-03T10:10:00.004-05:00

I hate to break the continuity of this blog, but this post represents one of the most important items in my "cart".

I humbly invite you to click on this Dallas Morning News article at the bottom of the post to see one of my friends and his life changing accomplishment.

There are so many lessons about life hidden in this story that there is no way to do them justice here. I assure you that it goes beyond a person not being able to read. It has more to do with endurance, purpose, caring for others more than yourself, and faith. Arnie came to me for help at a time that I was struggling with my own issues of faith. Through me helping him, I was able to regain my footing and my purpose.

No matter how old, how young, how poor, how rich, how uneducated, how smart, or how challenged...NEVER GIVE UP and never lose faith!

Collin County man who hid his illiteracy writes a new chapter News for Dallas, Texas Dallas Morning News Latest News

Arnie, I salute you-
Art

Day Three, Four, & Five...Still Alive

2009-07-31T14:44:00.016-05:00

Well, what can I say? Chris, our oldest, and I went on day 3 to play a little round of golf on one of the most beautifully maintained par 3 courses that I've ever seen. The course is Ke'Alohi Golf Course on Hickam AFB. The greens were super fast so needless to say we had a little difficulty making par (not that we would have anyway).

Chris claimed an easy victory due to my inability to adequately adjust to the high humidity levels. Yes, I'm blaming the humidity! Sweat beads the size of marbles would form on my forehead, rush down my brow, and splash into my eyes...like a wild Six Flags thrill ride...and render my ability to accurately judge distance useless. Need I say more?!? Humidity! That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

Later in the day, he and I watched the kidos while the ladies got a Chocolate Swiss pedicure. Strangest thing, the aroma made me think of Willie Wonka. The ladies were pleased and Tammy, my wife, commented it might have been the best pedicure she'd had in sometime. I think she added that to her "cart".

Turn the page, we're now on day 4.

Day 4 found us out with Captain Sonny again. This time everybody went except Carson and Kailee. Most likely a good thing they stayed behind with my distant cousin, April, because the seas were a tossin'.

We went out shallow bottom fishing. I'm still working on how 300+ feet of water can be considered shallow, but whatever. I do think where we actually dropped a line was more like 40-50 feet of water. Everybody had a good time despite the challenge to gain our sea legs. I think this may have been Kirsten's favorite activity during our stay. Maybe that's something for her "cart".

If you have the time, click on some
of the pics above (which enlarges the
picture) and check out the teeth on
the fish!

Day five...July 4th...Independence Day

All I can say is that if you ever have the opportunity to celebrate our country's Independence Day at a military base in Hawaii, don't be a goof by not taking advantage of this outstanding "cart" moment in life!

The fireworks were splendid, the band "Kansas" brought back high school memories for me, and it was a kick to watch Cameron, Carson. and Kailee. Absolutely great weather, blessings of being with our family, and celebrating our country's hard fought freedoms...now that goes in the "cart"!

Day Two: Something New

2009-07-27T14:24:00.038-05:00

Our second full day on Oahu brought something new...deep sea fishing! An adventure I had always wanted to experience was unfolding right before my eyes. The early morning air was warm as the sun began to peek over the horizon in a breathtaking splendor. It is truly amazing to watch God's hand at work in our world!

Chris, the "professional" according to Cameron due to his commercial fishing experience in Alaska, kept a watchful eye as we charted our course for deeper water.

The sights of the island from the boat escape description as the wind streams through your hair and the mist of the Pacific cools your skin. Of course, the conversation between a winning team of deckhands and guests negates the fact that 5 hours of fishing hasn't produced a single fish.

Suddenly, the line on one of the rods snaps to attention as the deckhands and guests rush to their predetermined stations. Lines must be brought in ASAP to avoid entanglement. I am proud to say that we all functioned as a well-oiled machine, cleared the lines, and fish on!

Chris began his fight with nature as I turned his chair to face the task at hand. When all was said and done he had produced a 20lb Ono (OH NO...where's mine).

Congrats to Chris!!

We thank the crew, and especially Captain Sonny Rivera, of the Kekali for helping us fill our "cart". Life-long dreams do come true!

P.S. - If you are in Honolulu and want to experience a deep sea fishing adventure to help fill your own "cart", please consider Aikane Sportfishing, LLC. I truly believe they will work every bit as hard for you as they did for us to put fish on. As a matter of fact, I believe that so much, I have placed a permanent link to their site at the top of the blog for your future reference.

Hold your rod tip up -
Art

Move It, Move It

2009-07-27T11:02:00.015-05:00

We got movin' bright and early on our first full day in Honolulu which provided an opportunity to visit Sea Life Park and fulfill Tammy's life-long dream of swimming with a dolphin.

Our daughter-in-law, Kirsten,
gets a kiss from her new "boyfin".

It also served as an opportunity for me to celebrate my birthday (wow! the past 29 years sure pasted fast, lol).

Not a bad venue to enjoy beautiful sea life, and spend some precious moments with our family!

Are We There Yet?!?

2009-07-27T09:46:00.016-05:00

Our flight from DFW to Honolulu was delayed about 1 1/2 hours due to some paperwork issues pertaining to cargo in the hull, but once we got off the flight was wonderful. The flight took about 8 hours, non-stop.

FYI, take snacks because the food service onboard is expensive and lacking in choice. Also, for those of you who don't fly very often, AA only takes debit/credit cards for in-flight food service.

We were met by our son, Chris, at the airport where he presented all of us with a customary lei. The aroma of the flowers that were used to make the leis was heavenly!

Aloha!

2009-07-25T10:23:00.019-05:00

My wife, youngest son, and I recently traveled to the island of Oahu to visit our oldest son, daughter-in-law, grandson and grand-
daughter in Honolulu, HI.

The trip was flawless from start to finish!

An answered prayer for us all as we had time to swim with the dolphins, deep sea fish, play a round of golf, honor our country's Independence on the 4th of July, twinkle our toes in the sand, eat at a shrimp truck, pay tribute at the Pearl Harbor Memorial, visit the Dole Plantation (pictured here; and by the way, click the picture for a larger view), meet a distant cousin, make new friends, and so much more!

We had a great time gathering memories to put in our "cart".

I invite you to return to the blog often as more postings of the trip, and other happenings, will be coming soon!

Mahalo -
Art

Treasure

2009-07-25T07:02:00.015-05:00

\'trezh-er, 'trazh-\ n
(1) wealth (money, jewels, precious metals) stored up
(2) a store of money in reserve
(3) something of great worth or value
(4) a person esteemed as rare or precious

That pretty much defines the purpose of this blog...a place where some of my life's treasures can be shared with others.

We often forget how important the small things in life can be to our joy, health, and sense of being. I don't intend to preach to anyone, but I do intend to remind myself...and maybe you...of how important it is to give thanks for what we have rather than yearning for what we don't. Along the way you will see photos of people and events, read articles, or link to websites and products that have some worth or value to me: my treasures. Feel free to follow along, click through, and comment as I enthusiastically search for life's little treasures with which to fill my cart..."Art's Cart".

Be safe, happy, and healthy -
Art