Gwen's last day at Girl Scout Camp

20080703 - Camp Agnes Arnold - Day 4

Gwen's Firt day at camp.

Independence Day vs. Fourth of July

As July approaches, I am again disheartened to see the anniversary of our country’s birth regulated to just another day of the month by so many people who call it the “4th of July” instead of “Independence Day”.

Conversely, no one calls "Christmas" “December 25th”, right? Of course not, because the reason for the season is right there in the name! The name, "Christmas" reinforced the meaning.

If we were to use “Independence Day” we would reinforce to each other that it’s not just a day to have barbecue with friends and watch fireworks.

 
Independence Day becomes a day to remember where we came from and what the founders did. It gives us incentive to talk to our kids about what those fireworks represent and how we are a part of the process. Independence Day can be a constant, teachable moment about America that "4th of July" fails to do.

DDR makes all things good

I wish my library did this. I owe $12 for DVDs I forgot about.

MILFORD – Library users with unpaid fines had a chance to redeem themselves Thursday during the annual Patron Appreciation Day at the Wadleigh Memorial Library.

Instead of a scolding when they arrived, delinquent patrons were received like party guests.

Patrons were invited to make good on unpaid fines by donating canned and packaged foods for the local soup kitchen or by entering a dance competition, “Dance Dance Revolution.”

To sweeten the pot, during most of the day the library served coffee, bagels, pastries and ice cream, donated by area businesses.

By midafternoon, the cans and packages were piling up on a table inside library director Michelle Sampson’s office while circulation assistant Katie Spofford was setting up the video dance game on a PlayStation in a carpeted room upstairs.

Making Roll-up Rolls

Well, the Christmas season is finally upon the Kingwood Klenke family. This weekend I successfully attempted to make my Great Grandmother Rose's traditional Christmas cookie.
The little girls and I had a blast.

This I believe Redux

In 2005, on my birthday, I recompiled my "Today is a good day" post and submitted it to "This I Believe", a series for NPR.

Today I got the following email:

Greetings Mr. Klenke,

As you probably know, 88.7 FM, KUHF-Houston Public Radio is partnering with NPR on many projects. We're now teaming up with NPR to present local segments of "This I Believe".
NPR has forwarded the essay you submitted and I'd like to schedule a time when you can come to the KUHF Studios and record your "This I Believe" essay for our local radio series.

I think your essay is great and believe it would be a great radio piece for our listeners to enjoy.
I'm truly looking forward to meeting you and recording your essay for our listeners.

All the best.

Paul Pendergraft
Senior Producer, News & Public Affairs
88.7 FM, KUHF-Houston Public Radio
4343 Elgin Street
Houston, Texas 77204-0887
www.kuhf.org

How cool is that? "Today is a good day" has changed my life. Maybe it can change more.

Wincustomize Charity / Subscription drive

You'll notice banners on the site today.

A PC customization site I moderate at (wincustomize.com) is having a Subscription/Charity drive.
It's a great charity (Childs Play). Pop on over and take a look.

Thanks

Gwen and Alyssa at the Talent Show

Gwendolyn and her Friend Alyssa choreographed a dance routine and performed it at the Elm Grove Talent Show this past week.

They were so very cute.

Video here:

20071109 - Talent Show

Miriam dances with the stars

Miriam is in dance class. Based on the video here, she might be ready to move up from "shuffle, shuffle, tap, tap".

Dancing With the Stars

Texas Legislator voting needs attention

Time to call my Rep. Joe Crabb, you've been a bad boy. I believe in one person one vote.
All my Texan friends . . maybe you could call too?

New wallpaper posted

I've added a new wallpaper to my gallery at Wincustomize.com. It's a light-hearted attempt at what it would be like if I tried to make a windowblind. The colors work well together I think.

Things to remember as a juror

1. Bring music for the bus ride
2. Bring a pen to take notes on random and not so random thoughts
3. Grab the bus schedule
4. Bring a longer book
5. Get up earlier and make coffee
6. Have breakfast

Today was a good day as a juror. I ended up not being called but I was there to do my part.

God Bless America

Gregorius: NMKY (Finnish YMCA cover)

There are not words to convey how odd this is. I thought the Village people were weird . . but this takes it too a new level. Now . . every time I am at a Y function with the wife or kids . . I'll think of this and be creeped out just a little bit more.

Route of the Summer Trip

I can't believe that I haven't documented ANY of the family's summer trip yet.

I'm still catching up with work and home life is crazy as we prepare for school for everyone.

There is a *lot* to document though. we were gone for three weeks, two days. Below is the route we took. Along with sundry driving here and there . . 5020 miles!


View Larger Map

[Hmm . .the preview shows us going through Oklahoma on the way home . . the large view shows the correct route. Google Map error methinks]

It's My Birthday!!

Big thanks out to my parents for trying creating me, my mother for having me, and my father for not killing me.

More art

Vacation pictures coming soon . . but for now . . some art

Pandora Playlist

My further attempts at being artistic

I hang out at a GUI skinning site. It's all about customizing your Windows PC to suite you better. Mostly I help out with tech issues and use the stuff that others make.

Once in a while though I try to contribute something artistic.

Pop on over and see what's what.

I may be a father, but I'm also a nerd

Last week, on Sunday, the little girls, Susan, and I went to watch the Astros play for Father's day. It was great; the Astros whooped the Marlins and all was well with the world.

But me . . I'm a nerd. There I am looking at the outfield. Noting how they have the distance from home plate painted on the wall. And there, next to 404 feet is a advertisement. An advertisement for a wireless company! I poke my wife with an elbow and point it out to her. I'm all ready to laugh uproariously with her and share the joke.

Nuthin'

Maybe she didn't notice. So I point out the number. And I point out the advert. . . .

Nuthin'

"404. Wireless company. Page cannot be found. PAGE CANNOT BE FOUND!!!" "Get it?"

Nuthin'

Well, *I* found it funny and this house has enough nerds as it is I guess.

Welcome Home Scout

Today we got a dog.
His name is Scout.
He is a poodle/terrier.
He is active.
He is smart.
Some of the kids love him.
Some of the kids are not freaking out when he comes near.
He was saved by a shelter from being whacked.
You can see pictures and video at the link below.

20070530 - Welcome Home Scout

Scout may be the closest thing I ever have to a son.
I wish he looked more like me.