I apologize for not posting as regular as I said I was going to. As it turns out, my computer has been blocking cookies, which has been preventing my ability to get into blogger. Expect a blog today about my new granite patio and building it.
I'm off to take my puppy to the vet. Be back later!
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Great Song Lyrics...
There's more that rises in the morning Than the sun
And more that shines in the night Than just the moon
It's more than just this fire here That keeps me warm
In a shelter that is larger Than this room
And there's a loyalty that's deeper Than mere sentiments
And a music higher than the songs That I can sing
The stuff of Earth competes For the allegiance
I owe only to the giver Of all good things
CHORUS: So if I stand let me stand on the promise
That you will pull me through
And if I can't, let me fall on the grace
That first brought me to You
And if I sing let me sing for the joy
That has born in me these songs
And if I weep let it be as a man
Who is longing for his home
There's more that dances on the prairies Than the wind
More that pulses in the ocean Than the tide
There's a love that is fiercer Than the love between friends
More gentle than a mother's When her baby's at her side
And there's a loyalty that's deeper Than mere sentiments
And a music higher than the songs That I can sing
The stuff of Earth competes For the allegiance
I owe only to the Giver Of all good things
CHORUS: So if I stand let me stand on the promise
That you will pull me through
And if I can't, let me fall on the grace
That first brought me to You
And if I sing let me sing for the joy
That has born in me these songs
And if I weep let it be as a man
Who is longing for his home
Lord Jesus, if I stand, let me stand on the promise that you will pull me through. If I can't, let me fall on the grace that first brought me to you. If I sing let me sing for the joy, that has born in me these songs. And if I weep, let it be as a man who is longing for his home. Amen!
And more that shines in the night Than just the moon
It's more than just this fire here That keeps me warm
In a shelter that is larger Than this room
And there's a loyalty that's deeper Than mere sentiments
And a music higher than the songs That I can sing
The stuff of Earth competes For the allegiance
I owe only to the giver Of all good things
CHORUS: So if I stand let me stand on the promise
That you will pull me through
And if I can't, let me fall on the grace
That first brought me to You
And if I sing let me sing for the joy
That has born in me these songs
And if I weep let it be as a man
Who is longing for his home
There's more that dances on the prairies Than the wind
More that pulses in the ocean Than the tide
There's a love that is fiercer Than the love between friends
More gentle than a mother's When her baby's at her side
And there's a loyalty that's deeper Than mere sentiments
And a music higher than the songs That I can sing
The stuff of Earth competes For the allegiance
I owe only to the Giver Of all good things
CHORUS: So if I stand let me stand on the promise
That you will pull me through
And if I can't, let me fall on the grace
That first brought me to You
And if I sing let me sing for the joy
That has born in me these songs
And if I weep let it be as a man
Who is longing for his home
Lord Jesus, if I stand, let me stand on the promise that you will pull me through. If I can't, let me fall on the grace that first brought me to you. If I sing let me sing for the joy, that has born in me these songs. And if I weep, let it be as a man who is longing for his home. Amen!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
better late than never!
Well folks, it looks like time is getting away from me lately!
My garden is finally starting to grow. It was so cold here in May and early June that the garden was sort of catatonic and not really interested in growing. Now, we've had about 2 weeks of really nice weather. A few days were 'hot' but most were just pleasantly warm. Luckily, it was enough to spur some growth! yay! I have blossoms on my pumpkins and it looks like 2 of my tomato plants are goin to be spitting forth blossoms soon. My strawberries, however, look like they need some emergency help. I'm trusting in God to do so! haha.
What else is new in my life? Well, I visited a friend of mine, Fr. DeWayne Kayser in Britton. He showed me his new patio he made in his backyard with scrap granite. It looks awesome. I'm hoping to do the same in my yard soon. Its free granite from a local granite company that has a 'reject' pile. Its going to be a challenge to get enough granite home, due to its weight, but it will sure be a fun challenge! This is going to replace my ideas for a deck addition. I think it will be a nice space and will add character to the yard. Now the question is, do i do this in the front yard or the back yard? My front yard has more privacy, but my backyard is the typical space for a patio and its a space that is under-used. Time will tell what I do with this space.
My garden shed is yet to be built. I haven't necessarily had the time, nor the supplies or "Mazaska," which is Dakota language for money. I have some scrap lumber lined up and hopefully that will do wonders for me. I figure I just need to pick a place for the shed and get some railroad ties for base and get started. I have a perfect spot in my mind, but there is one problem... there is an apple tree there! haha. What does a person do?? chop down the apple tree? pick a different location? hmm.. another question to ponder.
I started my Masters during June. I am taking 2 classes, SPED 703 and EDER 761. the SPED class is done July 2nd and the EDER class is done August 1st. Good stuff. Luckily for me, the school is paying for me to get my Master's right now and its great. I really do appreciate their willingness and the efforts put forth by the school. They have been a great community to work with and have given me great opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Well, thats about enough to bother you with for now. I'm off to play organ for a 10 year ordination celebration for Fr. DeWayne Kayser. I wish him many more years as a faithful priest of God! AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAM!
My garden is finally starting to grow. It was so cold here in May and early June that the garden was sort of catatonic and not really interested in growing. Now, we've had about 2 weeks of really nice weather. A few days were 'hot' but most were just pleasantly warm. Luckily, it was enough to spur some growth! yay! I have blossoms on my pumpkins and it looks like 2 of my tomato plants are goin to be spitting forth blossoms soon. My strawberries, however, look like they need some emergency help. I'm trusting in God to do so! haha.
What else is new in my life? Well, I visited a friend of mine, Fr. DeWayne Kayser in Britton. He showed me his new patio he made in his backyard with scrap granite. It looks awesome. I'm hoping to do the same in my yard soon. Its free granite from a local granite company that has a 'reject' pile. Its going to be a challenge to get enough granite home, due to its weight, but it will sure be a fun challenge! This is going to replace my ideas for a deck addition. I think it will be a nice space and will add character to the yard. Now the question is, do i do this in the front yard or the back yard? My front yard has more privacy, but my backyard is the typical space for a patio and its a space that is under-used. Time will tell what I do with this space.
My garden shed is yet to be built. I haven't necessarily had the time, nor the supplies or "Mazaska," which is Dakota language for money. I have some scrap lumber lined up and hopefully that will do wonders for me. I figure I just need to pick a place for the shed and get some railroad ties for base and get started. I have a perfect spot in my mind, but there is one problem... there is an apple tree there! haha. What does a person do?? chop down the apple tree? pick a different location? hmm.. another question to ponder.
I started my Masters during June. I am taking 2 classes, SPED 703 and EDER 761. the SPED class is done July 2nd and the EDER class is done August 1st. Good stuff. Luckily for me, the school is paying for me to get my Master's right now and its great. I really do appreciate their willingness and the efforts put forth by the school. They have been a great community to work with and have given me great opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Well, thats about enough to bother you with for now. I'm off to play organ for a 10 year ordination celebration for Fr. DeWayne Kayser. I wish him many more years as a faithful priest of God! AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAM!
Monday, June 2, 2008
Pictures!
As promised earlier today, here are some garden pictures: 
Here's a view of the whole garden. See the hose and the sprinkler all ready to water!
Here's the north side of the garden with the bird bath and some plants that are wiating to be put in the ground. The larger of the two containers are pumpkins from North Carolina, so i'm wiating for super warm weather to plant it. The smaller container is melons. I'm waiting to see how big the other plants around there get so i know where to put them.
See my pretty lilac bushes? this is what I love about my back yard. I'm hopingt o enjoy them in the summer more and more! They aren't fully bloomed yet, just a bloom here and a bloom there.
Well, more on the placement of the garden shed later. Maybe y'all can vote for your favorite location and make the decision easier for me?
Here's a view of the whole garden. See the hose and the sprinkler all ready to water!
Here's the north side of the garden with the bird bath and some plants that are wiating to be put in the ground. The larger of the two containers are pumpkins from North Carolina, so i'm wiating for super warm weather to plant it. The smaller container is melons. I'm waiting to see how big the other plants around there get so i know where to put them. Here's the existing deck out back of my garage. My plan is to pretty much leave it, except take the railings off the front and add the new part of the deck further out. See that garden cart further out? thats about as far out as I'd go.
Here's a closer up view of that area. The cart and tree would be just beyond the end of the new deck.
See my pretty lilac bushes? this is what I love about my back yard. I'm hopingt o enjoy them in the summer more and more! They aren't fully bloomed yet, just a bloom here and a bloom there.Well, more on the placement of the garden shed later. Maybe y'all can vote for your favorite location and make the decision easier for me?
Only I would require 3 satellite trucks...
I had dish network satellite installed today. Only I would require 3 vehicles (2 vans and a pickup) to install ONE dish and a 2-tv receiver! haha...
But seriously, it wasn't that bad. Only the orange van was here for my call. The other two vehicles were here to get parts from the orange truck.
Eden, SD is literally in the middle of nowhere, it seems. Ironic that there is a "DISH INSTALLER CONVENTION" in my driveway! haha.
Oh the joy of the day! Oh if it weren't raining, i'd get pictures of the garden. We need the rain, though!
Gardens, Sheds and decks!
Greetings all. I have been absolutely horrible about updating my blog as of late. I've yet to figure out what this blog is going to be all about, other than me. I am a simple country boy who tries to live out his Catholic faith and continue his rodeo'in, ranchin' and country livin' the best I can.
Today's blog entry (obviously the first in many months!) is going to be about the joys of home ownership. My father and I recently signed a Purchase agreement for my grandparent's home. Its a 1977 ranch-style bungalow.
ANYWAYS,
I planted a garden. I don't have pictures as of yet, but I will update as soon as I can.
I'm also working on building a garden shed to keep my mower and everything in. I'm not sure the exact size or anything, but i'm planning on doing it 'green' by using as much recycled items as possible. I'm also going to put some windows in it, so that I don't have to put any lighting in.
There are also future plans to expand my back deck. It shouldn't take too much work, but i'm hoping to have it done soon. I have lilac bush out back and would love the deck to expand near that. I also hope to begin morning time out on that deck. It will be exciting!
Well, stay tuned. I will load pictures of my projects as soon as I can!
Today's blog entry (obviously the first in many months!) is going to be about the joys of home ownership. My father and I recently signed a Purchase agreement for my grandparent's home. Its a 1977 ranch-style bungalow.
ANYWAYS,
I planted a garden. I don't have pictures as of yet, but I will update as soon as I can.
I'm also working on building a garden shed to keep my mower and everything in. I'm not sure the exact size or anything, but i'm planning on doing it 'green' by using as much recycled items as possible. I'm also going to put some windows in it, so that I don't have to put any lighting in.
There are also future plans to expand my back deck. It shouldn't take too much work, but i'm hoping to have it done soon. I have lilac bush out back and would love the deck to expand near that. I also hope to begin morning time out on that deck. It will be exciting!
Well, stay tuned. I will load pictures of my projects as soon as I can!
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Alleluia!
"Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here. He is Risen!"
ALLELUIA! Happy Easter!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Major decisions!
Hello.
I have major decisions in my future. Northern State University has offered me a job in their center for Statewide E-Learning. My school has offered me my contract back as well. I have to decide which job is the one that God wants me to have. I have decided to make a pro/cons list to share with you and see which you decide is worth it:
Northern State University:
PRO:
University Job.
Stable employment
Chances to share faith and such
daily mass/adoration opportunities
My girlfriend lives here
Chance to 'get out on my own' away from my family
I won't have be at this job forever.
more people to spend time with.
Master's classes are right next door to my office.
As is the ability to get other teaching accreditations
Groceries are cheaper, more choices for food, more often.
drive only a few blocks to work, thus saving gas
could go back to my old doctor that recently moved to aberdeen.
CON:
My family isn't there.
Its not teaching.
I'd have to move.
Its virtually the same pay that i'm making now
loans won't be forgiven while working there, thus more of my pay is going to go towards loan payments.
further away from Latin Masses
STAYING IN EDEN:
PRO:
Costs less to live here.
House is already ready for me to buy, no need to find a place.
Small town living at its finest.
Ranch is here.
I will be working with kids full-time.
I can get a Master's for virtually free
I have some student loans getting paid off while teaching up here.
I really enjoy my job!
closer to Latin Masses and the Interstate
CONS:
My girlfriend isn't here.
Not many people to visit with here.
Very little faith sharing/support
No daily Mass on a regular basis here.
gets lonely
Dont' get to TLM's anyways because no one to go with.
drive 30 miles to work a day already, thus wasting gas and $$.
still looking for a new primary care doctor.
So there. there are a lot of decisions to make and choices to decide upon. I'm going to offer them up to God and let it be done according to his will.
Amen, so be it.
I have major decisions in my future. Northern State University has offered me a job in their center for Statewide E-Learning. My school has offered me my contract back as well. I have to decide which job is the one that God wants me to have. I have decided to make a pro/cons list to share with you and see which you decide is worth it:
Northern State University:
PRO:
University Job.
Stable employment
Chances to share faith and such
daily mass/adoration opportunities
My girlfriend lives here
Chance to 'get out on my own' away from my family
I won't have be at this job forever.
more people to spend time with.
Master's classes are right next door to my office.
As is the ability to get other teaching accreditations
Groceries are cheaper, more choices for food, more often.
drive only a few blocks to work, thus saving gas
could go back to my old doctor that recently moved to aberdeen.
CON:
My family isn't there.
Its not teaching.
I'd have to move.
Its virtually the same pay that i'm making now
loans won't be forgiven while working there, thus more of my pay is going to go towards loan payments.
further away from Latin Masses
STAYING IN EDEN:
PRO:
Costs less to live here.
House is already ready for me to buy, no need to find a place.
Small town living at its finest.
Ranch is here.
I will be working with kids full-time.
I can get a Master's for virtually free
I have some student loans getting paid off while teaching up here.
I really enjoy my job!
closer to Latin Masses and the Interstate
CONS:
My girlfriend isn't here.
Not many people to visit with here.
Very little faith sharing/support
No daily Mass on a regular basis here.
gets lonely
Dont' get to TLM's anyways because no one to go with.
drive 30 miles to work a day already, thus wasting gas and $$.
still looking for a new primary care doctor.
So there. there are a lot of decisions to make and choices to decide upon. I'm going to offer them up to God and let it be done according to his will.
Amen, so be it.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Palm Sunday
Hello once again. Today is Palm Sunday, the day that begins Holy Week. At Mass today, we will hear two Gospels and recount at the first one Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem on a Donkey, with the crowds waving palm branches and praising him saying, "Hosanna to the Son of David, the King of Israel!" and then not 15 minutes later, we will have a Gospel reading about Jesus' suffering and death. It is definitely a Sunday of mixed emotions. First we celebrate our Lord, then we suffer with him.
Anyways, before I go, I want to share this parody picture with you, courtesy of the Curt Jester.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Time gets away from a person!
Hello again from the Country boy!
It has been since Ash Wednesday that I have posted. Thats nearly 40 days! Have I been out in the desert? No, not exactly. Have I been out on the ranch? As time allows, yes. Have I been entirely away from technology and the way of the computer? no. I have been very busy with my school year, that is all.
As a special education teacher, it is the time of year that paperwork is inundating lives, especailly with IEP's coming due for renewal and other meetings and such. It is also the time of year teachers are referring kids for services like crazy. This is all good stuff, though. It means we are meeting the needs of children and attempting to do our best to serve them as they need to be served... even if the paperwork is crazy!
I have also been a Destination Imagination coach at our school (see www.idodi.org) My group of girls (5 3rd graders, 1 4th grader and 1 5th grader) competed at the regional competition on March 8th in Aberdeen, SD. We received first place for our performance and are heading on to state competition April 5th in Pierre, SD. This is definitely good news! I'm proud of my girls. There will be a picture of their acheivements in the Sota Iya Ye Yapi, the newspaper of the Sisseton- Wahpeton Oyate. If I haven't told you, I teach at a tribal school on the Lake Traverse Dakota Indian Reservation in northeastern South Dakota.
ANYWAYS... contracts were renewed last week at school and I am hired on for another year! I just wish I knew what next year would bring for me. This year I started out teaching Kindergarten, and then was asked to move to special education. It has been a great learning experience, but I really wish I could be in a regular education classroom again in the fall. I do miss the children and the daily grind. Not that special education is boring! haha
ANYWAYS... calving has begun on the ranch and we have lost a couple. Yesterday I was at the ranch and my brother had taken a calf into the basement of the house because the mother hadn't claimed it yet. The poor calf didn't make it. I'm sure there will be several late nights creeping upon me where I will have the pleasure of checking cattle at 11:00pm with Pa and brother and hauling calves in by the sled full with the 4-wheeler.
I'm dealing on a cutting horse, so that I can help with moving/sorting cattle. Little do brother and Pa know that I'm doing this. I think having a good horse around again will be beneficial. I hate 4-wheelers with a passion. Let the record show that.
Holy Week is upon us starting tomorrow with Palm Sunday. It is definitely going to be a busy and interesting week. I'm not sure exactly what I will be doing and where, but I pray that it will be a good time for me and for all. I need to get deeper into my relationship with Jesus again. I'm sure Jesus keeps saying to me, "I'm right here!!" and I need to listen to that voice more often.
Well, I tried to get the bolt off of my oil pan so I could change the oil in my jeep, and I was very unsuccessful. I'll just take it into the shop on Monday, I guess... maybe I will give it another try tomorrow. We'll see.
Until then!
It has been since Ash Wednesday that I have posted. Thats nearly 40 days! Have I been out in the desert? No, not exactly. Have I been out on the ranch? As time allows, yes. Have I been entirely away from technology and the way of the computer? no. I have been very busy with my school year, that is all.
As a special education teacher, it is the time of year that paperwork is inundating lives, especailly with IEP's coming due for renewal and other meetings and such. It is also the time of year teachers are referring kids for services like crazy. This is all good stuff, though. It means we are meeting the needs of children and attempting to do our best to serve them as they need to be served... even if the paperwork is crazy!
I have also been a Destination Imagination coach at our school (see www.idodi.org) My group of girls (5 3rd graders, 1 4th grader and 1 5th grader) competed at the regional competition on March 8th in Aberdeen, SD. We received first place for our performance and are heading on to state competition April 5th in Pierre, SD. This is definitely good news! I'm proud of my girls. There will be a picture of their acheivements in the Sota Iya Ye Yapi, the newspaper of the Sisseton- Wahpeton Oyate. If I haven't told you, I teach at a tribal school on the Lake Traverse Dakota Indian Reservation in northeastern South Dakota.
ANYWAYS... contracts were renewed last week at school and I am hired on for another year! I just wish I knew what next year would bring for me. This year I started out teaching Kindergarten, and then was asked to move to special education. It has been a great learning experience, but I really wish I could be in a regular education classroom again in the fall. I do miss the children and the daily grind. Not that special education is boring! haha
ANYWAYS... calving has begun on the ranch and we have lost a couple. Yesterday I was at the ranch and my brother had taken a calf into the basement of the house because the mother hadn't claimed it yet. The poor calf didn't make it. I'm sure there will be several late nights creeping upon me where I will have the pleasure of checking cattle at 11:00pm with Pa and brother and hauling calves in by the sled full with the 4-wheeler.
I'm dealing on a cutting horse, so that I can help with moving/sorting cattle. Little do brother and Pa know that I'm doing this. I think having a good horse around again will be beneficial. I hate 4-wheelers with a passion. Let the record show that.
Holy Week is upon us starting tomorrow with Palm Sunday. It is definitely going to be a busy and interesting week. I'm not sure exactly what I will be doing and where, but I pray that it will be a good time for me and for all. I need to get deeper into my relationship with Jesus again. I'm sure Jesus keeps saying to me, "I'm right here!!" and I need to listen to that voice more often.
Well, I tried to get the bolt off of my oil pan so I could change the oil in my jeep, and I was very unsuccessful. I'll just take it into the shop on Monday, I guess... maybe I will give it another try tomorrow. We'll see.
Until then!
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