Awesome

I saw something for the first time last evening. As I was watching the news yesterday morning, Don the weather guy mentioned that the International Space Station could be seen in the evening. He gave the time and said to look to the northwest where it would appear. I set my alarm and five minutes before the time, Jan and I bundled up and went to the backyard to watch. Suddenly she said, "There it is!" As we looked, there it came, streaking along at what we understand was 17,000 mph. It was as bright as the planet Venus. As it came closer we noticed a second light behind it, matching it's speed. Our suspicion was confirmed today. It was the Space Shuttle Atlantis.  The two streaked across the sky toward the southwest, bright and visible the entire way until it was far enough to the southwest that we could no longer see it. Awesome!! I will remember that forever. And for people in Kansas City, it will be visible again tonight. It will be visible from 6:04 to 6:07, and will enter the sky from the WSW, 33 degrees above the horizon, and exit our sight at the SSW and 11 degrees above the horizon. If you are in Kansas City, this will be well worth your time to find a great place to view it!!!!!

Some time away

As Jan and I anticipate flying to Barcelona the Saturday after Thanksgiving - here is our cruise itinerary: My plan at this point is to blog each day and post at least one picture from our day.

Date           Port                        Arrive        Depart


30-Nov      Barcelona, Spain                          6pm
01- Dec     Cruising
02- Dec     Valetta, Malta          7am              2pm
03- Dec     Cruising
04- Dec     Alexandria, Egypt     7am
05- Dec     Alexandria, Egypt                        7pm
06- Dec     Limassol, Cyprus    10:30am      4pm
07- Dec     Rhodes, Greece        9am             5:30pm
08- Dec     Athens, Greece         9am            6pm
09- Dec     Cruising
10- Dec     Palermo, Italy            9am            6pm
11- Dec     Cruising
12- Dec     Barcelona, Spain        6am

One recent morning

The day started like any other as I walked into my office and dropped my stuff. Deciding that I needed a bit of breakfast, I headed for the cafeteria. On the way there, my pager went off – call surgery. The mother of a brain dead young man wanted a chaplain to be present in the operating room as the organs were retrieved. Gowning up I entered the room where the surgeons and nursing staff worked. Within a sea of blue sterile drapes, the only part of the patient that was visible was the large, open incision. I could see the heart beating and the liver within the hands of the surgeon as it was near ready to be removed. During the next hour I watched, aware that death had already occurred for this young person, but also very aware that what was also present was hope and life. As the heart was stopped and life-giving organs were removed and sent on their way, I knew that at this moment there were recipients who were anticipating a new hope and a new life. And for this grieving family, I also had hope that their decision would in time, lessen their grief. And it was a gift to me to be asked to be present.

The ranch front yard

Here is one more picture taken while on our recent "long weekend" trip to the ranch. This was taken on 10/25 just before heading to Western Nebraska and then home. It is a good thing that we came home when we did, as a large snow storm moved up though Colorado and into the Black Hills.

More Pics

Here are pics we took of the old log house and two possible sites for a new one:

South Dakota trip

I thought I would write just a quick note and see if I can add a picture or two. We had a great trip, got a lot done for the estate, and met with the log home folks to look at some pictures and talk about floor plans. Jan and I also identified two possible places for a cabin. These are the pics I thought I would try to  upload. More later if I accomplish this.

October 21

Okay. it is Wednesday morning about 730am (almost wrote Friday) and it absolutely feels like Friday. Jan and I leave for South Dakota in the morning and will come back Monday. I also have Tuesday off so this feels like a vacation. It is supposed to rain later - who cares? I have a few things to do today here at work besides patient care, then home to get ready. We are driving as far as Hemingford, NE tomorrow (Jan's cousin). After meeting with a lawyer about ranch and Pollard estate issues Friday morning , we will drive on to the ranch on Friday morning. We will talk to the log cabin folks, look at real estate prices as Jan considers increasing the rent on the cabin and the leased ranch land. We may talk to someone about what is involved with digging a well. We are going to go through the Mammoth site and maybe even drive though the Badlands - I have never seen them. I haven't seen Crazy Horse monument up close either, so we may see that, too.  We are not planning to race around the whole time. It has been very busy and we are looking forward to the break. Enough for now - now for another cup of coffee.