Crohns Visits Again

Well, I'm two weeks out from my next Remicade treatment and my Crohns is starting to flare up. It's amazing to think that I lived in this flared up state for years, with no hope in sight of it getting any better. But, with the miracle of Remicade, I get continued respite every three months.

The last two weeks are usually the least pleasant. Add my Crohns to my wife overcoming a flu and two eye infections... well it's been a lot of fun in our house!

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

Beyond Gay Marriage

There is an interesting article by Ryan T. Anderson on the Weekly Standard website about the end goal of some of those in the gay marriage debate. Quoting from the statements of members of the movement, the end goal is to redefine marriage far beyond the scope of just same sex.

"Their statement, "Beyond Gay Marriage," was released recently as a full-page ad in the New York Times. Full of candor, the statement's mission is "to offer friends and colleagues everywhere a new vision for securing governmental and private institutional recognition of diverse kinds of partnerships, households, kinship relationships and families."

The statement lists several examples of such relationships, among them "committed, loving households in which there is more than one conjugal partner"--that is, polygamy and polyamory. But this is mild compared to what follows: demand for the legal recognition of "queer couples who decide to jointly create and raise a child with another queer person or couple, in two households." The language is breathtaking. Queer couples (plural) who jointly create a child? And intentionally raise the child in two (queer) households? Of course, no reference is made to the child's interests or welfare under such an arrangement--only to the fulfillment of adult desires by suitable "creations."

Put simply, the logic of "Beyond Gay Marriage" would result in the abolition of marriage as we know it. The authors tellingly write:

Marriage is not the only worthy form of family or relationship, and it should not be legally and economically privileged above all others. While we honor those for whom marriage is the most meaningful personal--for some, also a deeply spiritual--choice, we believe that many other kinds of kinship relationships, households, and families must also be accorded recognition.

The stated goal of these prominent gay activists is no longer merely the freedom to live as they want. Rather, it is to force you, your family, and the state to recognize and respect their myriad choices."

The article warns not to take this lightly as being presented by extreme fringe elements, as it lists the signatories...

"The people putting out this statement are not fringe figures. The more than 300 signatories include feminist icon Gloria Steinem, NYU sociologist Judith Stacey, Columbia University anthropologist Elizabeth Povinelli, Georgetown law professors Robin West and Chai Feldblum, the Rev. Cecil Charles Prescod of Love Makes a Family, Inc., Yale law professor Kenji Yoshino, Princeton religion professor Cornel West, writer Barbara Ehrenreich, and Pat Clark, former executive director of the Fellowship of Reconciliation."

So, be aware of the full potential impact of such a social change could mean on our society and our way of life as a country. Just more food for thought.

I suggest reading the entire article when you can.

Vacation - Savannah... Again

We continued our trek in Savannah. We finished up at the Cathedral and continued down to the Riverfront. Growing up in Florida, it was nice to visit a city with buildings that hold tremendous American history.

The family in the Cathedral.

Gabe in the Cathedral.

Historic police station.

The historic Riverfront in Savannah.

DC, Pete and Gabe on the Riverfront.

DC and Gabe on 250 year old steps. Think of how many
people have walked down these same steps.

DC and Dea in the City Market.

One of the old cemetaries filled with people
who suffered from a flu epidemic.

A real Pirate House that has been converted into
a unique restaurant.

Vacation - Savannah

We left NC and went to Savannah, GA. The first day we braved the oppressive heat and took a guided tour of the wonderful, historic city, spending a lot of time at the breath takingly beautiful St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Church's like that make you appreciate the awe of the greatness of God.

The grand mural at the Savannah Visitors Center.

The capital of Savannah with real gold covering the dome.

The outside of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.

Candles and prayers a plenty.

The confessional, with pews roped off to visitors, had an
elaborate and stunning etched glass enclosure.

The tabernacle behind the altar.

Gabe says a quick prayer for Gramma and Grampa.

The amazing arched columns in the cathedral.

More tomorrow...

Happy Blog Birthday

I am consistently looking for new ways to challenge myself. A year ago today I challenged myself to write a blog entry everyday for a year.

Well, I did it. On August 15, 2005 I started this little experiment to help restart my writing and have successfully accomplished my goal. During this experiment I was able to capture my humorous experiences with Crohns Disease, I was able to finally put pen to paper and write my Memoir on my trip to California in 1988 and I was able to complete a draft of a Christian action film called Severed. So, the initial reason for the challenge, to get my writing juices flowing again, has been a smashing success.

Through this process I have been surprised at how many people actually visit this site and, beyond that, actually enjoy dropping by. There's my most loyal followers, my parents. My Mom's friend Priscilla. Various brothers and sisters and in-laws and nieces and nephews and other extended family. There are new friends and strangers. And old friends, such as Bill and Mike Beckett as well as George Higby have all recently stumbled across this humble blog.

What an amazing thing. What a wonderful thing.

Now, I am left wondering how to continue. I have had some say to continue to write daily, some to write periodically and, fortunately, no one has yet told me to stop writing all together.

So, I will try to continue to write daily, but I won't make any promises. I have new challenges ahead of me to which I need to focus my time. I need to write three more screenplays in the next year... that's a LOT of writing. I need to shoot a film of some sort... I need my cinematic fix. So, I don't know how consistently I will write here, but I will attempt to do it as close to daily as I can muster.

But I do enjoy the community we've created here. I love the feedback and the conversations and that my simple, humble words have somehow brought a smile or inspired a thought to some of the visitors here.

So, thank you for participating in this experiment. Thank you for your support, your words of encouragement and your continued interaction.

Let's continue to ride this baby for as long as we can.

Vacation - Smores

The last night in North Carolina we had a fire down by the lake and enjoyed some home made smores. Later that evening, when we returned to Mom and Dad's cabin, Mom had pulled out Dad's freshman year high school cheerleading uniform. To our amazement, Gabe was almost a perfect fit. That means that Gabe is big for being nine, or Dad was very short for being 13 at the time... I think it's the latter.

Jack and Mom at the camp fire.

Pete escorting Dad down the uneven terrain.

Dad, Mom and Terese sit while chatting with Katie and Luke.

Christina and Dea.

Pete and Dea.

Sarah and DC.

DC and Elizabeth on the Life Guard post.

DC leaves the docks distrubed while Elizabeth looks on.

Gabe with Grampa's cheerleading uniform.

Gabe in Cheer Pose #1.

Gabe, with the help of Grampa, in Cheer Pose #2.

Pete helping Gabe remove the delicate uniform.

Sunny Sunday

This morning, Gabe and I spent the early hours at the ball field. Having had the last two months off, he was very impressive at switch hitting and pitching. The kid has more physical talent in his little finger than I have in my whole body... and I'm no slouch.

We're now trying to figure out if playing in fall ball will benefit him more or if we should spend the money on individual training. We're still looking into it.

Afterwards we got ready and headed over to our friend Hester's house to celebrate getting her Masters in Education. Hester's husband, Bill, is very good friend of mine and helped me construct my movie room. It was good to see them. Unfortunately they have dogs and within an hour DC's alergies kicked in so we had to leave early.

Now we're getting ready for Lifeteen and bible study. I guess that's why you only get to relax in retirement. :)