M. O. B.!!!!!!!!!

One of the most irreverent institutions around is the Marching Owl Band, from Rice University in Houston. Rice is one of the elite academic schools in the country, and it is relatively small compared to the other schools against whom it competes in sports.

In 1970 the band transformed itself from a traditional marching band to an unconventional group of performers. They wear black business suits and fedora hats rather than the traditional band uniforms. And there half time presentations have music, but there is almost always some social or political commentary too. I have seen them spoof the Governor, the Olympics and the big universities, especially the University of Texas.

Last night in the pre-game performance for the Texas Bowl, the M.O.B tweaked their opponents, Western Michigan University (it had been hoped that Notre Dame would be the Owls opponent). They thanked WMU for coming to Houston, for, "making their existence known". They said that Rice was pleased to have them as opponents, despite the fact that many would rather have played someone more familiar. They then asked if WMU would mind " putting bags on their heads and pretend they were Irish!"

Outrageous fun!




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Timeless Pieces!

Though I have not bought any, I have always liked special watches. My grandparents gave me a Gruen with day and date features for my graduation in 1966. I still have it. I was given a Pulsar 100m as a token of appreciation for a seminar I conducted for some teens back in 1989. I still wear it. I just learned about Polar watches, that not only provide the time, but also information about your body, like how many steps taken on a hike, gauging calories, and much more. Sounds like fun!




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Fun at the Texas Bowl!

My family went to the Texas Bowl last night, the first bowl game I have attended in many years, since a Bluebonnet Bowl in the Astrodome. We went to support the Rice Owls who were trying to win a bowl game for the first time in 55 years, and a tenth win in the season for the first time in 59 years.

The Owls scored the first 38 points in the game and cruised to a 38-14 win. Chase Clement, the Rice quarterback, was the MVP and the Owls really played well. We had a good time, maybe setting up an annual trip to the bowl while the boys are here with us.





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New Year, Less Me!

One of my favorite bloggers has challenged a bunch of us to join her in a goal to lose at least 27 pounds in the New Year. As I have a need to drop far more pounds than the 27, I agree to accept the challenge. So beginning on the first of January my wife will begin more healthy cooking and we will walk together. That will do both of us a lot of good.




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The Shack, by William P. Young

A few months ago I was urged to read the book The Shack by William p> Young. It is of the theological fiction genre, so it is right up my alley. I got a copy of the book and placed it in my To Be Read stack. I picked it up last week and finished it in only a few days. It was a compelling read!




The story centers on the life of Mackenzie Phillips and how he deals with the loss of a daughter to a serial child killer. One can easily identify with the kinds of emotions that Mack struggle with, including anger and distrust of God. Mack's journey to the shack where the crime ended is not unlike one most of us have to make at some time in our lives.






I do not think I have ever read or heard such a revealing depiction of the triune God, Father, Son and Spirit as the one Young painted in his story. The powerful appeal of the relationship between the persons of the Trinity generates a deep desire to enter into such a relationship with God.






Some of the theology presented in the book, I cannot embrace. I would urge all readers of the book not to allow emotions that grow out of reading the story to cloud their spiritual discernment, but to trust on the revealed Will of God in the Bible for the final authority in their faith and practice.






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Letter to Santa

Dear Santa,
I have been a really good boy, I have taken care of my wife and grandkids as best I can and made sure the dog got plenty of exercise! I have not been naughty and I do not say bad words. I know you are aware that I eat a little too much from time to time, but I think you enjoy a few extra cookies yourself, so I hope you will understand. For Christmas I would like a new suit to wear to church. Or maybe it would be less expensive if you just bring me a supply of Decaslim so I can get into my old one!
Yours, Truly,
Errolllevant





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In South Texas?

Can you believe it? Last night we had a significant, for us, snowfall. I covered the ground for a few hours. This is only the 7th time in my 60 years that it has snowed here enough to blanket things. My grandsons were ecstatic! They had a snowball fight before bedtime!

I was glad when it melted away by noon today!



Subscribe in a readerCan you believe it? Last night we had a significant, for us, snowfall. I covered the ground for a few hours. This is only the 7th time in my 60 years that it has snowed here enough to blanket things. My grandsons were ecstatic! They had a snowball fight before bedtime!

I was glad when it melted away by noon today!

Holiday Sweets

I was hoping to control my intake of calories over the Thanksgiving weekend, so that I would not put on too many extra pounds. I did pretty well; we had a pumpkin pie in the fridge that took more than a week to disappear completely. I have heard of such a pie disappearing in one night! Now it is Christmas time. We went to a school concert for the grandkids last night and I had two Christmas cookies. That’s not bad. Maybe I will not have to buy myself any diet supplements with my Christmas money!




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Finally!

I have been sick for ten days, head and chest congestion and lots of coughing, little sleep at night. But today I am feeling well enough to think that recovery is possible. A couple of days ago I thought death more likely and much more desirable!




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Indian Meal Moths

I went to the Monday Night Football game this week with my friend who is an exterminator. I took him a little bug I had caught that afternoon in the kitchen. It was the second one I had seen in a couple of days. My buddy gave me a couple of Indian meal moth traps and told me to get rid of any opened boxes of cereal or dried beans and such from our pantry. He told me not to worry, that they do not live long and if we will store the dried things in sealable containers we won't have any more problem.



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New Tree

We have been artificial Christmas tree users for many years. We originally made the switch for the safety issues, when our girls were little. We did not want to become one of those stories of house fires involving real trees. We also came to like the savings. This year we bought an new tree, retiring the fifteen year old model. The new one is hinged and pre-lit, saving a lot of time in assembly and decoration! It is a seven and an half foot Spruce. It looks nice and the boys are excited!





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Discovery Green

Discovery Green is a new park in downtown Houston, Texas. It is surrounded by Toyota Center, where the Rockets play; Minute Maid Park, where the Astros play, and George R. Brown Convention Center. It has been well received and is constantly filled with floks having a good time. This holiday season it is lit up like the las vegas strip, with lights and attractions to promote the holiday spirit, and no doubt to stimulate the economy!




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