Video of the Northern Lights

I've always wanted to go see the northern lights (Aurora Borealis). White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad might have a special someday. Or maybe I could form an expedition to go find the Rio Grande's lost Mikado locomotives not seen since WWII. Maybe I should set the intermediate goal of recovering my mobility and energy from Arthritis and Fibromyalgia. Baby steps, right?

Until then, this video will serve as inspiration.



Isn't that just the coolest? I think I know how they did most of the shots too. Such amazing camera work!

Tapping The Wallet For A New Set Of Keys

I haven't posted a great deal in a great while. It has been difficult, to say the least--ha!--to not write so much. Part--no, most of it has been due to the wonderful disabilities I live with. I've also been on a bit of an introspective where God has been speaking and I've been taking notes. I'm not sure where this latest leg of the journey is going, but it's been a healthy trip so far I think. My identity and its impact on others has been a lot of it.

What have I been doing lately? Most of the time, I've been coping with aforesaid disabilities, specifically Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Other than that, I've been blogging on my railroad blog as a hobby. I've been coping as my family transitions to a new family business, helping my children manage the transition and offering as much moral support as one dad in a chair can.

More recently, I've been adjusting to life with a new keyboard. I don't normally buy things so expensive, but this was an absolute necessity. For years, it has hurt to type. Really, I've needed this keyboard since 2003 or so. For a long time, I knew what I needed, but I didn't know who made it, or where to get it. Now that I have it, the knots and spasms in my upper back have had much less to complain about. They still make a fuss, but it's just not made nearly as bad as when I was using the old keyboard.


Winters are hard to endure when you have certain arthritic conditions. It's painful, and most folks don't discuss it because it's something non-arthritics can't relate to. Pain, it seems, makes more people than just the sufferer uncomfortable. What can I do, though? Ignore it? That's hard to do when you don't want to get out of bed or, worse, can't make it to bed from the chair. Still, I've opted not to blog exclusively about pain this winter because it's not all that beneficial for everyone. On the other hand, having a keyboard that helps that pain is a positive worth noticing.

Thanks for hanging in there with me, friends. I hope this keyboard lets me post more often with less pain. That, or I'll want my money back.

Messiah In the Mall

The Messiah, and the story of G. F. Handel, is an amazing testimony to God. Its "Hallelujah Chorus" has become one of the most well known classical pieces in the world. The message of the Messiah is obvious, but it consists of scripture alone. The most well-known parts are the Old Testament prophecies about Him. What an amazing work!

Organizers in Philadelphia brought this piece to life recently by staging a "random act of culture" in a department store gearing up for the Christmas rush. Complete with a pipe organ, the sound of the praises of our King, especially in a temple of materialism, is music to my ears!

Thanksgiving Special

My family has enjoyed Focus on the Family Radio Theater for years. The Chronicles of Narnia and A Christmas Carol are often listened to, almost as much as the Adventures in Odyssey, also from Focus. Radio Theater engages your mind much more than TV or movies. Your mind creates the stage for the performers, and the drama is perhaps even more real as adventures and drama unfold.

So, I'm thrilled to tell you that today, Focua on the Family Radio Theater is offering the Thanksgiving story of Squanto for FREE! I really love this story! Visit CBD to complete the download. You will need to complete a CBD order (and obtain an account if you don't have one), and you will likely need to download and install a player from Akamai to play the content on Quicktime.

It's a neat way to bring the story of Thanksgiving home tomorrow!

Teething Bling?

Having child care in your home provides an opportunity to come across new and unusual products. A friend recommends this for moms of newborns to 24 months. I was fairly impressed by how simple an idea it is. Beats the real keys and other stuff some folks hand to their kids. Speaking of, graphite's not toxic, is it?

Dads, this might be a good "just because" gift for your wife if you have a teether. Can you believe we survived without this stuff? And no, I haven't tried this product personally, from either the mom or baby side.