Fantastic field trip

July 7

I took my son to Fantastic Caverns on a father-son field trip recently. I ask my son if he would like to go spelunking at the caverns and he said "I go in cave daddy." My son is almost four years old, so I thought it was time to enlighten him on the mysteries of subterranean culture.  This was one of my favorite places to go as a kid, so I guess I got something out of it too. At first he was scared to go in, but after we were looking at stalagmites and stalagtites, he was in awe. I forgot how cool the tours are at Fantastic Caverns. My sone kept saying, "Ooh, pretty horns!" He is really into dinosaurs, so I guess every pointy thing looks like a horn to him? I quit trying to explain and just enjoyed the time with him. He's only a little dude, I'll have plenty of time to explain later. When we got out and walked around, he kept trying to tell other people, "I am a dragon and I'll eat you." Ok, this is kind of embarrassing, but you've got to admit that it's pretty darn cute. I guess my son has my imagination. Maybe that is the reason we get along so well? I apologized and all was well. The people were good sports. No matter how well you try to guide your child, they are still "a child." What are you going to do? My son didn't want to leave and ask if we could live there in the cave. I laughed and said that we have moved on from that, and re-directed him with a promise of ice cream. Parenting is 90% bribery. In the end, we made a lasting memory and got our fill of ice cream. I think it is important to make memories that your child will cherish. They are only kids once, enjoy it while it lasts. Unless he's like me, I never grew up.

Music

Music has always been near to my heart and I connect with the emotion that is displayed through it. I have always had a wide variety of music to listen to through my life. It does not matter what emotion or mindset I am in, music always talks to me in a way that soothes my mind.  That what music is for, right? People have been producing music for an untold time putting their thoughts and feelings into it. Think of Mozart or Beethoven producing their beautiful concerto's. Where does all of that music come from? It comes from one's heart and experiences. Music is the perfect avenue to make a statement, sometimes without saying a word. I can feel the anger or the love portrayed in songs. Look at the differences in Metallica's songs compared to George Strait. Different demographics have different types of methods and genres, making different points. I think it is great that the world has music being a soundtrack to people's lives. I have been lucky enough to perform music my whole life. I do not know what I would do without this release. I also play the guitar and piano. Instruments speak through their strings and notes too. I can play a guitar and reflect the mood I am. Every instrument has it's voice and this voice can be used by the player to produce a personal song. I have written music since I was a kid and it has helped me through good and bad times. Music is a friend who is always there if your heart is open. Everyone has a different way of speaking through music and that is what makes it so dynamic. Just the other day I wrote a song for my son that he is still singing days later. There is nothing more heartwarming than thinking that, through music, my son is happy and content.

4th of July

5 July 2015

I think that it is amazing that this country still celebrates making a big deal out of America's Independence Day. This country was founded on freedom from other rule and tyranny. I cannot imagine how our fore fathers would view national fireworks celebrations today. I would like to think that they would be in awe of the importance Independence Day still holds to America. Celebrating our freedom has always been easy for Americans to do. America is the most diverse and accepting nation as a whole. America's diversity is due to the way it's principles were founded. Independence Day is more than just the day the Declaration of Independence was signed, it's about encompasing everything we have accomplished in the name of America. The Statue of Liberty stands in the harbor to show a physical representation of freedom. America has never been shy to make examples of it's beliefs and values. A lot of other countries are threatened and offended by what this country stands for, but that's what makes America who she is. An ever adapting society who only wants to express itself and be free from oppressive actions and mandates. Long live America and God bless her longevity! If this country knows how to do one thing, it's to celebrate.

Florida

Recently my wife, son and I went to Florida. We drove there after work one night and sixteen hours later, there we were. My son is three so we had to stop several times for feeding and potty breaks. All in all it was pretty painless. We rented a condo in Destin, Fl. and the moment I pulled up to it, I was amazed at how close the ocean was. The beach was breathtaking and my son swam in his first ocean. We made sandcastles and felt the water on our toes. I say we, because my wife and son would not go in the water. I guess my wife has watched one too many episodes of "Shark Week"? My wifes grandparents and my family all were at the beach for three days. This is only the third time that I have gone to the ocean. Coincidently, this has been in Florida all three times. We drove out through the city and found many places to shop and eat. I left the shopping to the ladies while I hang out back at the beach. The restaurants were amazing! Two of them were right on the water, permitting an awesome view while eating. I found it relaxing to lay on the beach, close my eyes, and listen to all of those foriegn sounds like seagulls screeching, the wave's anthem steadily sweeping it's tempo to the sand and back again.  I have said since I was a kid that I wanted to live by the ocean. The few chances I have had have been amazing memories for me. My wife and I often joke about moving to live by the ocean and I would just be a beach bum and wax surfboards. Obviously we will have to figure something different out for me before we can do that. Although, one never knows where they will end up. I there's one thing in this life that I know, it is that life is unpredictable.

Branson Missouri

July 3rd 2015

Branson Missouri is the town I grew up in. I have seen the town prosper and recently digress into a struggling music city. The lakes and the landing are bringing in the dough, but the shows are suffering. I think the reason is a changing economy and different generations wants. We have changed our show, but shows in Branson are a dime a dozen. People do not know the good shows from the bad. It all boils down to the cheapest tickets. People come to our show that know the history and appreciate what we stand for. That does not make up for the new generation's views on Branson as a whole. It is harder to market to the younger generations now. Being the first show in Branson does not pack the house like it used to. Do not get me wrong, we still hold our own. The problem is that there are over 100 shows now in Branson. Many who sell tickets through outlets who price them at half the cost of other shows. The ticket outlets have had a huge impact on the situation in the town. People are going to go to a show that they can get the whole family in for the price of 2 people at others. Are you really making more money letting 2 people in for the price of 1? No, but it takes people away from the quality shows in my view. I do not know how to fix it. Branson has changed in the last 10 years exponentially. The key is to advertise while maintaining the reputation of value for the show. It is a tricky problem indeed. The Baldknobbers just need to produce a quality show that makes memories for the whole family. So they will come back over and over again while educating the public on the importance of shows that make quality product. I am sure Branson will change in the future and we just need to push through this problem.

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Juggling college, work and family

July 2nd, 2015

Juggling college, work and family is not always easy. I have found that it is possible though. Management of time is the key. I work nights so I find it productive to do homework after I get home from work. This way I have time with my family in the afternoon. I have a few hours to do work in the day, but when everyone is sleeping at night seems to be the best time for me to concentrate. I have some friends that have different schedules and different study patterns. I guess it is whatever works best for your situation. Sometimes it is tough to stay up after work, but I always seem to complete my assignments on time. I do not know what I would do if I was sick or my son did not sleep well through the night. I guess I would just do as much as I could while taking care of him. I have only started college and have not had to go physically to college. I guess I will figure that out and manage my time accordingly. My cousin is going to her school while trying to be a mom and work. She is not being able to get all of her work done and struggling with the whole concept. It really does just come down to evaluating your time and proceeding accordingly. I have found college fun and challenging to this point. I just hope that I can keep the pace in the rest of my courses. Things like doctors appointments and special work functions are coming up, so we'll see what happens? I guess I should just take it a day at a time while doing my best to keep up. I have an optimistic view on life, so I think I will do fine. I wish I could go back to my younger self and say "you have really got it easy, enjoy yourself." I think I would also tell myself to get college done so I would already have accomplished my degree. Man, that would be nice. Oh well, hindsight is 20\20. Everything happens for a reason, and all in it's  own time. All I can do is move forward, I cannot go back.

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Writers Workbench

In researching the Writers Workbench I was refreshed on tools I need to write well. I have been out of shcool for 13 years and definitely needed the help. Some things started coming back to me that I learned in school, but many more I didn't know or remember. Taking out un-needed adverbs is a tool I need to work on. I am always using exceedingly, absolutely, and other repedititive words in my writing. It's amazing how much one can forget when not applying it to their daily lives. What is the saying, "If you don't use it, you lose it?" This has been the case with me. Another key element of writing that I need to work on is cutting out the fat in my work. I agree with mr. Clark on the fact that we fall in love with our writing and can put our whole thinking process into our writing instead of just putting in the needed content. I could go on all day long writing about every thought that crosses my mind, but this isn't necessary. It's all about editing all of that out and then putting the little bit needed to sustain your view or point. I'm sure I just did it there. Oh well. I'm freewriting. I can do that. One topic that interested me was using a powerful verb to give your character's actions depth. That makes complete sense to me. I just did the adverb thing again. Dang it. At least I'm noticing it now. I am baffled by the intricacies of writing, but I feel I have a better understanding of writing well. I'm going to refer to mr. Clark's Writers workbench from now on, or at least until I feel I am progressing well in my writing I really enjoy Ian Flemming's James Bond books, maybe I'll just read more of them to acuire a better verb writing stance. They call me Mabe, Denton Mabe.

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