Conversations with Daddy's Girls

Yesterday, Daphne was jumping on and off my chair and chattering (two favorite activities). Sara heard her say, "Daddy is nice to me. I love him."

*****

Last night, Addie came up and began patting my stomach.

"Daddy, I think you need to start doing some exercising."

"Yes, Addie, that's why I've started taking karate again."

"Yes, but I think you should do some exercises at home. Maybe you should add some yoga or some push-ups and sit-ups. Or perhaps you could do a Tae-Bo video."

*****

On a completely unrelated note, I did push-ups and sit-ups this morning before getting dressed.

--DJ

7 Quick Takes

Sara being uninspired, it falls to Darren (who has not blogged in far too long) to do the 7 Quick Takes today.

1. One of my favorite takes on evangelism is found in cartoon form here. I think perhaps Professor Greg Smith could give Theo a run for his money :)

2. When I was out in Arizona doing depositions in early September, it was blazing hot. Our client told me, “Everyone endures summer in Arizona because of the other 8 months.” Having just gotten back from another trip out there, where I walked around in short sleeves outside on December 3, I am seriously contemplating the benefits of moving to Phoenix. (Just kidding, Sara!)

3. “It is never wise to make assumptions. Assumptions cause cracks in the fragile stucco of reality, and then goblins get in.” Robin McKinley, author of one of my “comfort books,” The Blue Sword.

4. If someone ever asks you to be treasurer of a political action committee (PAC), refuse unless you can extort a substantial amount of money. It’s more stress than it’s worth. Stupid campaign finance laws…

5. I read “A Princess of Mars” by Edgar Rice Burroughs on my recent trip and enjoyed it very much. In fact, the last line made me cry. It’s not nearly so badly over-written as his Tarzan books, and his hero John Carter is a pretty cool guy, handy with both a sword and a hovercar.

6. I’m currently listening to “Passion: Hymns Ancient and Modern” on my computer. I like it, but “How Great You Are” just can’t match up to “How Great Thou Art.” (Especially when pronounced “How grate chew are.”

7. Don’t forget to have your kids leave their shoes outside their door tomorrow night. It’s St. Nicholas Day!

--DJ

Randomness

I can't vouch for anything else on the blog, but this post made me crack up.

Here's a good article showing why I won't vote for Rudy Giuliani.

One reason I love the internet, and especially the blogosphere, is the new things I keep coming across. I recently found a blog of an old friend who I haven't seen in over 10 years, but who was a great help and inspiration to me when I was in Bible School.

And now a request: does anyone have any good worship websites to recommend? It can be from any perspective: I've got everything from Vineyard to the Church Music Association on my favorites bookmark, but I'd like more.

Happy Feast of Ss. Peter and Paul!

--DJ

Quotables

Proper Terminology

My brother Matt and his family took our nieces, Camie and Felicity, along with my mother (got all that?) to see Thomas the Tank Engine. Mom pointed out that Thomas was actually a diesel engine made up to look like a steam engine, complete with dry ice to simulate steam. (Very ironic, considering that the diesel engines are the villains in the Thomas series.)

Mom said it was a cross-dresser. After pondering the subject, I called her back.

"That diesel dressed up to be steam engine? It was a trainsvestite."

***

Overheard at the DMV:

(A young teenage girl looking at her young teenage boyfriend's new license):

"Man! You look horrible! You look like a thirty-year-old man!"

Won't they be surprised to find out that thirty isn't as old as they think it is?

-- SJ