Lesson from a Hobit

Thanks Deb & Donna for sharing your trek in the woods

From the Lord of the Rings movie, this is one of my favorite quotes. Bilbo: "It's a dangerous business, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no telling where you might be swept off to." There are surprizes, changes, dangers, and joys we never see coming. Ole Bilbo he's a wise one he is.


One never know what will happen on particular day or what challenges you are going to face. One of the things I am learning is to live in the moment. Deal with what is on the table and don't worry about the things we have no control of. Jesus said, "Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." I may have concerns about the future but each day brings issues we have to deal with.
On the positives side if I walk today, it will help me tomorrow. Day to day practice will lead to my walking next year, and the years ahead. Same is true with medical advice and healthy relationships.

But we don't live in perfect world. Things happen that we didn't count on. The unexpected happens. Things you weren't looking for occur. Bilbo tells us "keep your feet" What does he mean? Hobbits have rather large feet for being only 3 feet tall. Bilbo probably was being literal refering to slipping and falling in dangerous places. He certainly was in places in his adventures where he could have fallen. Hobbits often surprize others in their skills to survive. The Bible uses feet sliping in high ground where falling could be dangerous if not fatal.
In the Bible it says,
Psalm 94:18 If I say, “My foot is slipping,” Your faithful love will support me, LORD.
Psalm 121:3 He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber.
I have walked in the mountains and at night and your footing is very important. Walk in my shoes a minute and do those walks with cerebral palsy. Attempt walking with uncertain balance or never being sure your muscles will cooperate and your foot drops and you trip. When you get older you will experience my world but all of have to keep our feet.

Was Biblo more than the usual hobbit? Gandolf and others thought he was. If we use the Bible metaphor, was Tolkin referring to the thoughts of Scripture? Are you an inkling? You can debate it over a pint. For me Bilbo showed and ability to deal with new and strange things. He certainly was never at a lost of words with men twice his size, dwarfs, or elves. He was resourseful and had qualities of character and physical abilities that served him well. As humans we have abilities and skills to meet the unexpected. We have more than that, we have The God Most High who is faithful  and love and is our protecter.Trust Him when the turns of life go against you. Keep walking all you little hobits


Remembering Jack Ellis, pt 2

 Jack lived life as cheap as possible. In his later years his family and I recollected many funny stories of ways he saved money. When I was younger I would help Jack on a project or two where I would be hammering a used nail in a recycled hard board working three times as hard because I have to straighten out the nails. A friend of mine’s Mike became a professional carpenter because these projects with Jack.

To be or not to be

 Jack always played tennis with an old set of balls. New can of balls sped up the and gave big hitters the advantage. Jack was a dinker and the old flat balls played into his game. We came off the court one beautiful summer day playing doubles and singles and Jack had a good day. I think I lost more that I won that day. I had the can in my hands as we were walking to our vehicles and a truck rolled by. Inspiration came upon me as I threw the can into the back of the truck as it passed by. I still remember the shock and then followed by all of us playing that day roaring in laughter. Jack knew exactly why I did it. He said how could I get rid the can of balls, they had a lot of play left in them. I don’t know how many years Jack played with them but I figured he picked them off a court where somebody left them to begin with. The next time we played we played with new balls and Jack lost. The next time we played Jack had another can of old dead balls.

 Jack was sixty-five and I was forty. We went on a vacation together where we travelled around Lake Michigan stopping at all the light-houses and other interesting attractions. It was with the youth group and others who wanted to come along. Jack talked with my son about baseball and Jack was a non-stop talker but Billy loved baseball and history. Jack was a positive traveler.  We camped along the way and in group camping there is always something that happens. Jack pitched in and made camping for the rest of us easier. He was never lost in the woods. We were up in Lake Superiorfor two days and we were on the beach. I asked Jack if he ever swam in Lake Superior and he said no. It was the first time both of us were at the Lake. I talked into taking a plunge. We both dove into the water and came up faster than we dove. In that moment of time our brains froze and our bodies hit the water in shock. Both of were out of the water in seconds. Jack look at me in a state of shock and disbelief that I talked him into that experience. Years later we would laugh about it but he would shiver thinking of that moment. I may see the Lake again but I won’t go for a swim. Throughout my 40+ years knowing him we would compete and set each other up. We enjoyed the gift of gab and the times we travelled together we were in our favorite sport – conversation. Keep walking! I Know that jack put his faith in the Lord and today he is walking in a far better place.

Never to old to walk the Jesus trail

If I get back to Israel I would love to walk the Jesus trail. It is 40 miles, they forward your luggage recondmended you carry 3 liters of water and provide you a map and book guide. The fellow here is 91  and he walked the 40 mile trail over four days and you can hear his interview in the following link. God to Jesus Trails for more information.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rx0dbjGZwcI&feature=player_embedded

Meet Merrill, Jesus Trail’s Oldest Hiker at 91

Written by Betsy Fisher Rhodes on April 11, 2011



Merrill Olhson 40 mile hke in 4 days

Climbing from the Old City of Nazareth, out over muddy paths, onto Zippori, a group of Jesus Trail hikers straddled rushing water in the path, knocked mud off shoes, stopped for lunch under rain clouds, and kept hiking. But this was no ordinary group of hikers. Among the hikers, Merrill Ohlson walked along at a steady clip. Ninety one years old and hailing from California, USA, Merrill came to walk where Jesus once traveled. Although Jesus was about a third of Merrill’s age when he traveled these dirt paths between villages, Merrill did not keep this fact from deterring him. When encouraged by surprise and admiration from his fellow hikers, Merrill just said, “Praise the Lord!”
As he paced along (in the lead many times when on level ground), I asked Merrill why he came to hike the trail. He simply said that he was interested in Israel; he had good vibes about this place that he believes Jesus had lived in and will return to. Extensive reading on the area led him to the Jesus Trail blog. Because he had come to travel the land in a traditional tour several years ago, he wanted to try something different this time. So, he began hiking around his university town weekly in preparation. While tramping over stones and mud outside of Cana, Merrill explained his weekly regiment: 3-5 miles every Saturday. Of course, he said, this walk took him on paved sidewalks around campus and town, but he didn’t let this training keep him from hitting the backcountry paths of the Galilee, or from completing the 60+ kilometer Jesus Trail from Nazareth to the Sea!
All those who shared the path with Merrill were encouraged by his steady pace, his positive attitude, his fortitude and imagination to live life as it comes. On one occasion, another hiker was wondering about the day to come. Merrill said, “One day at a time.” With a hiking pole in one hand and a water bottle in the other this 91-year-old hiker mentioned that his four-day hike on the Jesus Trail might be the last time he does this, but his positive attitude left even that up for debate.

Remembering my friend Jack Ellis

 Walking with the fatman is all about working on our health even when there are setbacks and problems. You can follow the commercials that tell you if follow their plan you then you will look young again. Usually they show someone who has lost a lot of weight or now they have six pack abs. Weightloss, looking better, feeling better may happen in a healthy plan and often does, but the other side of health is a little more complicated as it deals with emotional and spiritual, mental and social issues that go beyond diet and exercize. We want to improve but we also want to deal things when things don't go are way.

My friend Jack lived 85 years. he knew the Lord  at least from his teen years. He loved sports and played competivily until dementia took away his cognitive abilities. Even with dementia I watched Jack hit the baseball in his early 80's well in the outfields with line drive singles. He was always on the move and was very strong until a fall put him in recovery in a nursing home where he declined and passed.

I was around 19 when I met Jack who had six kids and was quite involved in helping them walk with the Lord. Talking to Jack we had a lot in common, we were dihard cub fans who both of knew Cub baseball and history. We both loved to talk and play sports. In high school both of played multi sports. Post high school Jack played semi pro baseball and I played college tennis. We both would play any game that came along. Jack played tennis like Bobby Riggs and I played a strong serve and volly game. Jack never looked good in his farmerjeans, white teeshirt, and old beat up cubs hat. He had a dink game with a lot of wierd hits off the racket. He played to my weaknesses and gave no quarter. He always used old beat up balls to slow the game down. All the years I played he won most of the games. Looking back I can only tell you I like to play him one more time and beat him.

We played golf a lot and he taught me alot about that game. I was never as good as he was so we would play and laugh and enjoy walking the course. If you could walk there was no good reason to use a golf cart. Jack played sports into his late seventies. He often would help me with a youth activity if a game was involved. We were different ages but we were two peas in a pod. Our relationship went 40 years.

jack's body was strong until the end. He was involved with people spiritually and socially until dementia limited his interactions. In his life unless I made him mad he always had a twinkle in his eye and smile. Mentally Jack was an independant man. He was very comfortable being him. All who knew him had their own stories. My dad was a better bowler but he remembers Jack had a good game. He told me that Jack was an honest man and my dad respected Jack's faith. That is saying something. Jacks kids took care of him and were close to him at the end. In my book Jack finished well part 2 coming

Thirsty

From Mart Dehahn blog 

Water, H2O, without a doubt is one of things on this planet we have that gives us life.The third rock from the sun happens to be in a good orbit getting renewable energy from the sun. The air we breath suits our bodies very well. The plant world, animal world and our world all fit together in intelligent design to sustain life. There are places in our world where it would be hard to live. At the poles, the Sahara desert or any desert would challenge us to live. In the land of the Bible one thing you can see even today, where there is water there is life. People have escaped to the wilderness for refuge. Some even go there to hide from a life of crime. David and Jesus went into the wilderness for different reasons. David fled to places of safety from his enemies. Jesus went into the wilderness to face extreme conditions to be tempted by the devil, a very powerful angel who rebelled against God.

It doesn't take long in a desert to be in need of water. Your sweat dries before you know you are sweating. I sweat a lot and in the deserts I've been through in Israel and the American Southwest my shirt actually stays dry. One advise I received makes sense, when you have used half your water it is time to head back to your place of safety. That place first better have water.

We were made to drink water. Lots of it. Times in our lives we find our selves in need of water. By the times we think we are thirsty I have been told we are too dehydrated. One walk I carried a half of gallon canteen and drank it all to be filled up at the end of my journey. I stayed hydrated and refilled and drank some more.

Walking I think makes water more appealing. The walkers I know drink water and they appreciate the simplicity of how it meets the bodies need. Enjoy your cup of coffee, I do but trade some of your soft drinks for the simple pleasure of water. Your body will thank you. Keep walking

Natural workout in winter

Bill Watterson was brilliant in his art world of Calvin and Hobbes. There is always two laughs, one at the script and the other the art work. Calvin really enjoyed winter. Who would think of snow sharks? Brilliant

For me today was a 2 hour + workout with my snow blower working on a ten inch snow fall. I took a few breaks but I had a good workout. Walking everyday allows one to do the work of yard care safely. When I was a kid we built snow forts and had snow fights. I remember my cousin Buddy from California visited when it snowed and He and I took on the neighbors rather successfully with our fort and good arms. Play is a great workout. More fun than snow blowing.

Winter can be for hibernation or we can find ways to keep our body in motion. I think tomorrow I will create the scene in the cartoon. Maybe a 59 year old can be a kid again. Thanks Bill Watterson! Keep walking

Winter Fitness

Courtasy of Donna Dawson

When the snow first falls it is pretty. I can remember walking with a wonderful girl when the snow was falling. It was all quite romantic. Looking at freshly fallen snow that sparkles in the night I wasn't concerned about the cold or the work of clearing it. No back then snow was fantastic. I am still the best of friends with that girl after all these years so it is a good memory to recall that walk.

Last year we had a snow fall that was nearly two feet. It was a blizzard with snow thunder, high winds that kept you inside until the storm was finished. Looking out in the night I was awed by the power of the storm. It was beautiful yet I would hate to be out in those conditions. It was quite a bit different from the gentle snow fall where I was out walking the grounds of a local college.

Today I am thankful to have a warm house and a snow blower to help me dig out of a snow. It is like pushing a lawn mower so it gives me a nice workout. I have my walking DVD's to help me get in my 30 minute walks. I have simple equipment set up to get in a strength program or I can use tubing. Tubing and indoor walking with Leslie Sansone takes up very little space. Body exercizes like crunches, pushups, squats, etc. also take little space. Stretching and flexibility can be done while you use weights or tubing. There are a lot of programs you can do inside. It is cold outside but indoors you can move and increase health and fitness. A walk, a workout you feel better and chase away the winter blues.

Barb and my family encourage me. Barb walks with me. She is starting to think about using the tubing. Tubes can come with a devise that you can put in your door jam. You can do every exercise that you can do at a local gym. The tubes come with an exersize plan that is very practical. You can build muscle at 60. Muscle looks better than fat and don't worry about looking 20. By the way did you notice the days are getting longer. Keep walking!

Feel overwhelmed

This last year I have experienced new experiences in stress and feelings of being overwhelmed. In the past I have experienced burnout where it took rest and time to be rejuvenated. I was reading a blog from Mart De Haan of Radio Bible Class titled, What if we Collapsed? http://beenthinking.org/ In it put beside two scriptures that give us a clue why at times we experience burdens that over whelm us. Quotes from the Net Bible:
1 Cor. 10:13 No trial has overtaken you that is not faced by others. And God is faithful: He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear, but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it.
Here we find God puts limits on our trials. Like me you may find you have a burden that over whelms you. In WW2 men who experienced many battles felt any time and every new battle could break you. There is a thin line between being a hero and cowering in fear. Going through the insanity of the evil of war is unpredictable in one's mental health.
Note what Paul says months later in 2 Corinthians 1:8, For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, regarding the affliction that happened to us in the province of Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of living.
Have you ever been in a place where you were so stressed out you were beyond your strength? I can remember two falls I took where I was so beat up I was exhausted. I can recall depression and illness that took what seemed everything out of me. All of us will experience the end of our strength at death. Where do we get to the place of the promise of 1 Cor. 10:13?
Check out 2 Cor. 1:9, Indeed we felt as if the sentence of death had been passed against us, so that we would not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead
God allows burdens so that we put our faith in Him and not our limitations. I want to be strong and I want to overcome and I want health and well being, but in this life things happen all the time we call them trials, burdens, sicknesses, attacks, birth defects, I have had a couple all of my life. Why all this hard stuff? God allows them to get us to trust Him. We only have a short life time to do this. Trusting God He gives us the strength and way to get through it, even the greatest stress, death.
Walk, eat healthy, see your doctor, make friends, make the most of each day. Yes to all of that, but most of all put your faith in God who loves you so much He sent His Son to redeem you and give eternal life so that even through the worse of our limitations death He gives us a way to Him forever. Keep walking!

Snow an opportunity to move -Senior health

Finally snow has come. Working my snow blower for about an hour got a workout. I am looking for a conversion chart it feels like mowing and if it is close I walk nearly 10,000 steps. We don't think of yard work as walking but it is. If the work involves more than the walking muscles you add steps. There are good conversion charts on line. When we include normal activities reaching 10,000 steps a day is very possible. Fitness people tell me 10,000 steps in a day is like a 30 minute workout.

If in those 10,000 steps we get an aerobic walk so much the better.

In the cold my body is burning calories to keep warm. I am not a big fan of yard work but it helps to know it is part of a healthy life. Walking regularly helps us to be able to do the necessary yard work. If you have heart issues then do safe walking first. Follow doctor's advise.

In yard work you use more muscles in your entire body. As we age we can actually add muscle to our bodies. Look into strength training for seniors. There are alot of options. It should not surprise you it is good for the heart. Forget looking like fitness models. If you are like me you probably never did.

Good news my eyes have stabilized and my doctor wants to see me in a year. My Fuchs's Dystrophy awaits me sometime as I age but for now things have stabilized. I can see with glasses at 20 -15 and that is the best in my life. The arthritis in my shoulders and neck is controlled by resistant bands and medication. We have problems but I am a big fan of physical therapy. Keep walking

Alone? alone but not alone mental health

http://www.nightsoundsradio.org/

For many of you the above link you may not be aware of. Bill Pierce's Nightsounds was a perfect late night radio program. I have always been a night owl when ever I could choose to be. Nightsounds was a perfect companion. I can recall reading great Christian books and when it was time for the program I would tune in.

Last year I found the program on the Internet and at my choosing there are five programs to choose from. The recordings are timeless. I was sadden to hear Bill had passed but he did so after a long fruitful life. I think that is how we are to live. Using what God has given us and being faithful at it to the end.

Tonight my thoughts are about being alone. Maybe you are out there alone. I was writing earlier about Jesus being alone in the wilderness. It was a place where evil people hid and robbed and killed. The story of the Good Samaritan takes place on a road that boarders the wilderness. Jesus would have to brave the cold desert nights with just His clothes to protect Him from the harsh environment. Wild men and beasts and all the dangers of being alone. If we careful examine the event we will find that Jesus was not alone. (Matt. 4:11)

There is one who never sleeps nor slumbers. I know that is one of the reasons I like the stillness of the night. You are not alone. As I write this I can hear the sound of the horn of the barge floating down the river. Nightsounds like the furnace running can have its own comfort. But the One who is with me in the night watch I know I am never alone. Get a chance visit Night Sound. 

Had a few weeks where we could walk outside. Usually it is too cold for us. Cold is coming so I will have that cup of hot chocolate. Keep walking

Aging has many angles - senior health laugh

The older I get the funnier I see things

George Burns once said, “Tennis is a game for young people. Until age 25, you can play singles. From there until age 35, you should play doubles. I won’t tell you my age, but when I played, there were 28 people on the court -- just on my side of the net.

I was watching mothers with their toddlers and they were smelling them checking for a diaper change. Now to me that is funny. I bet when those girls were younger they would never think of smelling another's backside. Every mother does it and father if he changes the kid.

When we age we do alot of things we thought we never do when we were younger. I think it is good and look at what we do and laugh about it because it is funny. Remember the routine of Billy

Crystal in City Slickers. He watched older people and things he himself was experiencing and said,

"Value this time in your life, kids, because this is the time in your life when you still have your choices. It goes by fast.

When you're a teenager, you think you can do anything and you do. Your twenties are a blur.
Thirties you raise your family, you make a little money, and you think to yourself, "What happened to my twenties"'
Forties, you grow a little pot belly, you grow another chin. The music starts to get too loud, one of your old girlfriends from high school becomes a grandmother.
Fifties, you have a minor surgery-you'll call it a procedure, but it's a surgery.
Sixties, you'll have a major surgery, the music is still loud, but it doesn't matter because you can't hear it anyway.
Seventies, you and the wife retire to Fort Lauderdale. You start eating dinner at 2:00 in the afternoon, you have lunch around 10:00, breakfast the night before, spend most of your time wandering around malls looking for the ultimate soft yogurt and muttering, "How come the kids don't call? How come the kids don't call"'
The eighties, you'll have a major stroke, and you end up babbling with some Jamaican nurse who your wife can't stand, but who you call mama."
Any questions'

I actually like eating earlier. I also have found myself eating a breakfast later. I went to an Imax movie the other day and the sound was as loud or louder than an jet. I liked it because no one was telling me to turn the TV down.

One of the funniest TV situations was Men of a Certain Age going for a colonoscopy thinking they were going to have fun. Having your colon cleansed pretty much ends that fantasy but I found myself laughing so hard because I have been through it. I never thought as a young man I would give myself uncontrollable diarrhea, but there I go, not once but several times. Now that is funny. Sometimes it is good just to laugh. Keep walking

Happy New Year

Happy New Year, we made it to 2012. I have been listening to fireworks and thinking about one of my childhood heroes, Ron Santo. Ron passed on December 3, 2010. I missed his broadcasting with Pat Hughes. Baseball is the greatest sport for broadcasting. In what other sport do you see wit and a sense of humor? Where do you see and hear the fan like you do in the baseball booth? Don Meredith and John Madden come to mind in football. It is baseball that gives us a laugh and conversation that is not so tightly scripted. Ron and Pat were often at their best when they weren’t talking about baseball. Baseball is a great sport for excitement and relaxation. It is a sport you can talk with your friends while watching the game. Like card games or board games the playing is more important than the game at hand.  Ronnie I loved you as a player but I’ll miss you as a broadcaster.

 At the end of the year we think back at those we lost. Ron’s death late in 2010 rolls over to 2011 and the boys of summer and I recalled the devastation his disease had on his body. Ron was baseball. When you remembered how he played and the skill and effort he gave each moment he played it was a no brainer that he should be in the Hall of Fame. He had the glove, power and average to be there. We all remember that he was slow on the bases but in 1964 he led the league in triples. What that tells me is he hustled. I watched him play and you could see his passion with every swing. In the booth you could hear his passion. He actually cared. So when his body was failing the hall should have shown class and voted him in. What were they waiting for? An aging player should get his dues. It is good for the game to see to the old-timers to be remembered. Thanks for the Cubs to honor Ron while he was with us.

 I remember going up to Wrigley and seeing Ernie, Billy and Ronnie hit home runs, RBI’s, big hits. Ron running the bases seemed slow, but at third he was quick as a cat. Ernie it never seemed to miss a throw in the dirt. Ernie had the softest hands. Ron played third in an era of great third basemen.  Ken and Clete Boyer, Brooks Robinson, Harmon Killebrew, Eddie Mathews were known for power or their gloves or both. Ron’s glove was golden. Ron’s talent will always be mentioned with great third basemen. Baseball is unique in the regard of history.

 After his playing days baseball was good for Ron and Ron for the game. He loved the game so he knew about it. He lived the game so he could relate the great play of the past with the present. He was upbeat and enjoyed great play he was watching. If the play wasn't so great he let you know it. He passed his love for the game on to his listeners. He had type 1 diabetes and he fought to live to the end. He raised money to help many with the disease. What usually make a great baseball story are the things that go beyond the game. Ron was all about baseball there is no denying, but he went beyond the game to help those who diabetes touched. His enthusiasm for baseball was his enthusiasm for life.  Unable to walk for health he would bike. One day the Cubs will win the World Series and maybe I will live to see it. But what Ron and the Cubs (baseball) teaches me, watch, play and talk the game, embrace it, live life.

Ron was not perfect. For me that was his endearing quality. He wore his emotions on his sleeves. He played professionally with a disease against the odds. He was part of a fantasy in the summer of 69 that had it come through he would have been in the Hall 30 years ago. The "Miracle Mets" are loved by New Yorkers not because they were the most skilled but because they embrace the hope and magic of baseball. Ron's team loved by Cub fans everywhere hold that feeling and it has been 43 years and it is still the season to remember. Yes I remember what Sosa and Mcguire did for baseball. 2003 brought us close, but July in 69 there was nothing like it. Yes we have our battles but there is hope with each walk for people not so perfect. Thanks Ron for your courageous example. Keep walking!