Speaking of Scotch...oh oh ..one more thing!

This has become my favourite Scotch and it isnt even a single malt! This is a blend (shut my mouth) really..Its fabulous. Here is the write up.

Smooth and slightly peated from its west coast origins, this is a connoisseur’s unchilfiltered whisky. It has a high malt content including some rich, old whiskies, with a hint of sherry from the carefully selected casks in which it is matured. Té Bheag Unchilfiltered blend earned an undisputed reputation for quality, and in 1997 it was awarded a Gold Label in the International Spirits Challenge Competition, followed by a Gold Medal from Selection Mondiale in Canada in 1998.

This is Dons Scotch pick for 2009. I welcome anyone out there to buy me a bottle...teehee

New Years Eve

Planning fondue with Ron and daughter Rebecca at Geri and daughter Erika's house. Planning low key and quiet and Sue wants to be home around 12:30. My buddy Mike is coming down from Northern Ontario and is partying soemwhere he doesnt want to sleep. SO..I will be his Designated Driver. He shall have the freedom to drink as much as he wants without worrying about driving. I will maintain complete sobriety so that when we get pulled over by the Cops I can smile and keep my license. Once I am at home, I shall have a nice double scotch. mmmmm single malt. My favourite Scotch is Islay from the west coast of Scotland. I prefer it over highland or lowland scotch. It usually has a strong peat and smoke flavour. I recon its an aquired taste. When we did a Scotland tour we were amazed at how wet it was. We asked a local...how long has it been raining? He said well...a few weeks now. You could see the mist rise to the sky and fall to the hills and roll down the hills and back up to the sky. It was a perpetual cycle. I guess that makes for great peat! anyway...enough about scotch. Oh by the way ...God Bless Scotland!

Have a Great New Year and hug someone you love. If you dont have someone to hug, then think fondly about someone you love. If that is difficult then rest in the knowledge that soneone loves you.

PLastic Guitar????

I dreamed my whole life about getting a Martin guitar. Finally I had my opportunity and went to my favourite town music store. Village Music carries a good line of Martin guitars. I spent around 6 months playing and visiting my choices until I finally decided on the studio model. I chose that model because it had a great pickup system and the instrument felt great. While trying these instruments, I picked up a DX1 and I fell in love with it too. My problem was I couldnt bring myself to buy a plastic guitar when I had been waiting my whole life for a Martin. Even so, in the back of my mind, I still loved that guitar. Now fast forward a few years and I went to the Village Music store to get a guitar that I could play around a camp fire, in the dew, outside in the hot, cold,....whatever. I needed an instrument that I hadnt so much money invested in. This instrument would probably take a beating. I noticed the plastic guitar and remarked how he still had it. He said he had sold it and the person traded it in a couple years later. I picked it up and it was like renewing an old friendship. She was exactly as I remembered her. The price was considerably lower so I bought her. When I say plastic, I dont really mean plastic. Its come sort of arborite or poly something. Its clearly not wood. They were marketing it as ECO friendly. She will do well at the camp. Once again.....I am blessed. How could life be any better?

Why?

December 25, 2008

Dear Mr. & Mrs. Wright,

Thank you for your life-changing gifts of 2 Hens and a Rooster, 2 Rabbits, and Protein Fortified Foods from World Vision's Gift Catalogue! Your gifts will be a blessing to children and families in need, and a truly meaningful way to celebrate the promise of hope and new life.

I have posted this, not for recognition but as an idea and a challenge to you. I need to tell you the joy we had in giving these gifts and the blessing we felt for having given to someone in need. We were sitting around and trying to remember some of the great things that we had received under the Christmas tree over the years. We came to the realization that we didnt really remember "things". Rather, we remember "times". We didnt really remember the "toy" but remembered the "person". We debated Santa and Christmas and came to the conclusion that the only thing of lasting value was the fellowship, joy and love felt and expressed amongst ourselves and to others.

My challenge is not that you run out and match my gift. Trust me, I gave much less than I should have. My challenge is that you stop and consider your reason or purpose at Christmas time. Is it about Santa? Christmas Trees? Tinsel? Presents? Food? or is Christmas kinda like the World Vision thankyou card when it says "a way to celebrate the promise of hope and new life."

I see signs all around the place saying "Put Christ Back In Christmas" and "Jesus is the Reason for the Season" and it makes me wonder. I wonder why once a year, suddenly we care. I think we should change the signs a bit."Save Christ from Christmas" and "Jesus is the Reason for the Seasons".

Christmas Part Two

Enjoyed Christmas with my mom, brother, sister and family. I most especially enjoyed eating WaiKiKI Meatballs for breakfast out of a desert bowl. It made my ma cringe, as she slaved over those meatballs and I suppose didnt expect such meatball irreverance. At any rate, they were delicious and exactly as I remembered them.

My mom has the most amazing meatball recipe. I know, everyone syas that, but there can only be one greatest and that postion is taken. All other meatballs are merely replicas compared to my moms. I used her recipe and took some to a dinner party one time. Everyone ranted and raved and yes, admitted that they were the best they have ever had. One friend insisted I give her the recipe. I told her I would under one condition......That whenever we get together at dinner parties, I am the one who brings the meatballs. Well I was visiting another friend a few weeks later and she said...oh you missed Trish's dinner party. She served the most amazing meatballs....doh. Such treachery!

I told the story to mom and she suggested that whenver you give out a recipe, you accidently leave out one key ingredient or instruction..talk about treachery.!!! and my mom is Christian even.!!! haha we laughed about that. BUT not as much as we laughed at the YouTube Talking Cat link Brenda sent! If you have a really bad sense of humour like my mom and I, then go to youtube and look up talking cat...or follow the link that Brenda left on my Sorry Santa post. I am not really sure why it is so funny, but mom and I were splitting our sides....oh and Yes John, that means I fixed the sound on ma's PC.

Instead of Christmas gifts, we sent some money to some orphans in Kyrgyzstan so that they could have a party. We enjoyed each others company and renewed our love for each other and shared with some kids that need to experience joyful occassions.

We are so blessed.

dw

Creepy...

I think my brotherinlaw Pete found my blogspot to be a little bit wierd. When I look over my blog I can see how one might perhaps find it creepy. Well its my diary, what can I say? Its also my meeting place where I explore my spiritual side. My blog has been shaped and morphed by time and circumstance and by people who I have come to know.

I speak openly about my faith here because I think it is important for me to have a place to express my feelings. Given the fact that I beleive there is a God, it has lead me to try and understand what that means. Through this journey, I have come to know Jesus Christ and I beleive that I have been filled with the Holy Spirit. So what do I do with that knowledge or perceived knowledge?

I go to bed, thats what I do because its now 2:10 am and I said I was going to bed half an hour ago!

goodnight john boy, goodnight mary ellen

Two Days of Christmas

We have spent the last two evenings over at Sue's brothers place with the cousins..well my neices and nephews on Sues side. I must say we had a great time. These are good kids. I am really proud of them. The boys are handsome and the girls are beautiful. The yearly Christmas Highlight is a walk to "Soakerville" There is a swampy area out back and every year they go there to be silly and get soakers. My brother inlaw, my nephew and myself all play guitar so we jammed and sang. Oh and brother in law Peter brought the most amazing cheesecake. I would post pictures except I forgot my camera.

This year we decided not to give gifts. We elected to give to a charity instead. My sister in law had a world vision catalog of ways to give. We went through the book and picked out some neat stuff. We paid for 1 rooster and 2 hens, A male and female rabbit, and we stocked a medicine chest somewhere. These are pretty neat gifts. I chose the chickens because I used to raise chickens as a boy. Sue wanted to give the rabbits because she raised rabbits. Oh and they can really multiply! Gord and Elaine wanted to stock the medicine chest.

We are heading to my moms tomorrow to see ma, bro and sis and families. Deb and my 2 neices get along famously. I am looking forward to seeing everyone again. I am bringing my guitars hoping and anticipating to jam with my nephew Ben. He is quite accomplished and we both play out of the same songbook.

Well its1:30 and I should probably crawl into bed.

goodnight

Dear God

Dear God

I am constantly amazed at your greatness. As I ponder of Your creation, I am in complete awe. You are so incredibly………incredible! As I consider all You have given us, and all we have destroyed I am left with utter shame. You have continuously shown us mercy and grace…exercised such great faithfulness, and wisdom and love. Lord God, I have come to understand that the only thing I could possibly give You of any value would be myself; after all, it was You who created me and breathed Your breath of life in me. It is You Lord, that gives me hope. It is You Lord that has given me forgiveness and acceptance. Lord God, my life belongs in You, for it is there that I feel You are calling me. It is there Lord that You call us all. Again I ponder Your greatness and my weakness. It’s a battle Lord. It seams I am at constant odds with myself. I have to continually measure myself to Your Word otherwise I feel like I return to my vomit. Why is that Lord? I know Your Word and I know Your statutes, yet there is this nature in me that pulls me to make the wrong decisions. Lord God, I believe that I am a righteous man, yet I know that I could never be good enough to merit Your favor. I try to be good and I guess to a large extent I am good and to an even greater extent You have made me good. I have much to be thankful for. You have blessed me with so many ways. Lord god, as I consider my journey of life, I am so grateful that You are there. I am so grateful that You called me to follow You. I give You glory, honor and praise. Today, as we celebrate Your rebirth in us, let us do so with great joy and introspection. Help me Lord to walk the path You have chosen for me. Help me Lord to follow You yet forgive me because I get lost a lot. Of course You already know that. You are God.

Your boy,
don

Sorry Santa

I wanted to take a moment and comment on my poor taste. I have poor taste and often times use bad judgement. I make fun of people at their expense and I need to repent. So Santa, if I have offended you I appologize. Just because I beleive you are the spawn of Satan, it doesnt mean that I should post pictures of you in comprimising situations. Santa, it doesnt have to be this way. I could erase the questionable things I have said about you, and you could repent. but before I finish that thought I have been suddenly disrupted......

The song"I am a rock" just came on the radio and I instantly remembered a friend of mine. Its a sad song. "If I never loved I would never have cried" "I am sealed in my armour" "I touch no one and no one touches me" It is sad that people get hurt by relationships and people that should love them properly. There is much sadness and lovenessness in this world. HHHMMM...am I contributing to this lovelessness. Santa...what do you think? OK fine, Im gonna remove the worst picture, But Santa, I'm doin it for Jesus, not you, you snake rump....oh there I go again....doh.

Revised Santa Photo Collection

Here are a few pics from my Satan Clause collection..

Ezekiel 37 Part One

When I mentioned that I got a new Bible and I was interested in reading it again, anonymous suggested I read it like it was the first time. Anonymous went on to suggest a few passages to help crease the spine. I had actually intended to start from Genesis and got a few chapters in but I couldn’t shake the suggestion from anonymous. Part of me said, stick with your plan but the other feeling I had was curiosity. I believed in my mind that anonymous must have some sort of agenda…. hhhmmm, I wonder what that agenda was? …hhhhm.

Well I couldn’t stand wondering so I decided I would follow the outline graciously provided by anonymous. Through that journey, I would see what the agenda was. Was it favourite passages? Was it proof to a particular view ? was it a riddle of prophesy? Was it a kind person wanting me to experience the joy the same way anonymous did? Is anonymous a wierdo cult guy/gal wanting to brain wash me?….. stop it Don. It was a gift!

Anyway here is the first suggested passage. I have broken the chapter into 2 sections. Well actually, I didn’t, the ESV study bible people did. Read this if you will and give me your comments.

I read this passage a few times and I have my own comments and questions to follow. I will say that I feel like I was nothing but a bag of dry bones before God breathed his life into me.

The Valley of Dry Bones
37 The hand of the Lord was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones. 2 And he led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry. 3 And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord God, you know.” 4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. 5 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. 6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord.”
7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. 8 And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them. But there was no breath in them. 9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.
11 Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off.’ 12 Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. 13 And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. 14 And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the Lord.”

HoHoHo

Merry Christmas Brenda!

Thanks for the well wishes for Christmas and the comment on my new study bible. I am glad you still have the bible I gave to you. Brenda, it was one of the happiest times I had to do that, most especially when I learned that you had given yours away to someone who needed it. What goes around comes around as now I have been presented with a new bible. So much joy and wisdom has been shared through this book, and yet so much pain and suffering in the name of this book. Humanity has made it an oxymoron. Let us both read our Bibles with the full measure of love that was intended.
Stay sweet for Jesus, Brenda.
dw

My New Bible!

My nephew was talking about his excitement to get the new ESV study bible. I joined his excitement and my mom caught wind and got it for me for my birthday. Mom made arrangements for me to pick it up in Guelph. My only trouble was getting there during store hours. I phoned a friend out of the blue on Saturday and he was standing in the store. I asked if he could pass his phone to the clerk. I explained that my buddy would pickup the bible for me. He brought it to church on Sunday. I love it when a plan (non plan) comes together.

I cracked it open last night and its a beauty. I am excited to read it again and told my wife that I am going to read every night before bed. Sounds like a new years resolution doesnt it? Is it merely wishful thinking? ....empty promise?.....I hope not. I really think I need to read this book again. Its been a year since read this book with committment.....and frankly...I miss it.

Thank You Lord God for Your Word and how it breathes life into my soul. Lord teach my heart and my mind and my spirit to live by Your Word. Lord God would You write it on my heart and cause me to share it with others. IN Your Holy Name I pray. amen

Zen and the Art of Rubber Dog Shit

I got to thinking about about my comment about how the auto workers should go out and buy a car they themselves manufacture.

I got to thinking about my brother in law. He works for Chrysler. He drives a Chrysler Caliber and his wife drives a Chrysler mini van. His father has a Dodge Ram truck and recently purchased a Chryler Jeep. He loved it so much, He just bought a second one exactly the same to keep at his winter location in Arizona. I drive a Chrysler Sebring and My wife drives a Chrysler mini van.My sister in law drives a Chrysler product as well. My brother has 2 Chrysler mini vans. My sister drives a Chrylser product and so does her husband. My mom drives a GM and so does my other brotherinlaw. My son drives a GM.

I was watching the news and people were commenting on how the Big Three make crappy vehicles. Comment after comment talked about arrogance and poor workmanship. This does not measure up to my experience.

My friend Ron was quick to comment on how Toyota, Honda and Suzuki all have plants here in Ontario producing fine vehicles with Canadian labour. He was also quick to comment on how the big three all have stakes in the very overseas plants that are killing us.

I guess its going to come down to cost, efficiency and quality. As long as we have a love afair with shipping our manufacturing overseas so that we can by cheaper rubber dog shit, then we shall suffer. As we send all our jobs to Mexico and China so that we as the consumer can pay unrealistic low prices,we will get the crap, and we will lose our livelihoods doing it.

If I was to buy the product that is grown on my neighbours land, then I pay more than having it grown in China underneath some polluted nuclear plant, and it will be shipped in container ships so that I can consume the very poison that is ruining their land...all at a cheaper price? Or what is the cost of putting my produce on a truck and shipping it from Mexico or Arizona. I get cheap produce and then my tax dollars repair the roads and the infrustructure required for me to buy food outside of my community.

Man, I'm ranting again. I sound protectionist dont I? The thing is, EVERYTHING has a cost.We are fooling ourselves when we think we are buying cheaper. Maybe its time to truly count the costs. Oh and the Big Three Unions will have to reduce the wages of their workers so that they can be competative with the nations that produce vehicles with next to slave labour and no care for the environment.

As I look around I have come to the conclusion that even though rubber dog shit has just reached an all time low, I cant afford to buy any, because all the Canadian Rubber Dog Shit manufacturers have all moved their plants to China and now there is no one here who can afford to buy what I sell.. China is now the undisputed champion of rubber dog shit and they have lots of other neat stuff as well. Dont belive me.....just check our dumps and garbage piles and Walmart.

Baffled....

We had to let 9 people go at work due to very poor sales. I made about 30% less this year than last year because of slumping sales. Companies all around me are declaring bancrupty, while others are on the brink of collapse. In case you didnt notice, there is a little financial melt down happening.

I noticed that Canda Post was on strike. Whats that all about? Didnt anyone tell them about internet? I question peoples timing and motives sometimes.

The big three auto giants are up shits creek and they are expecting us to bail them out. I heard on the news that the unions were not prepared to make any concessions. OK, so I'm going to reach into my pocket that is 30% smaller than it was last year and hand over money to people who make far more than I do? Forgive me, but NO! If we cared about our auto industry then we would buy their product.

I own 2 chryslers and my son owns a GM. The reason I bought my American/Canadian car is that I beleive in buying local. I am a loyal guy. I beleive in buying local as I beleive that is the way to protect our jobs. I buy my musical instruments from the guy in town even though I pay 20% more. His children went to the same school as my kids and he is an important member of our community. He gives to local charity. He is a freind.

I beleive the way to help the big three auto makers is to buy their cars. I was astonished to see how many Japaneese cars are in the parking lot at Chrysler. Do the Chrysler workers not even care enough about their jobs to buy the products they build? Should my tax payers dollars subsidize the manufacturing of items that no one wants? NO!!! I have a plan. Its stupidly simple. Every auto worker should immedietely go and buy one of the cars they produce at their plant.
Consider it a small gesture to support the company that provides them their very lucrative livlihoods. Consider it a small vote of confidence.
My brother in law works for Chrysler and I hope and pray that they can pull through. I want him to have a good job. I want him to have a secure job. I dont belive however, that money should be taken out of my pocket to prop up the manufacture of items that no one wants. The auto union has done nothing for me when I lost 30% of my wage yet they believe I should pay for them while they make no concessions???????

I say no money without concessions. If I had a blank chq, I would fill my furnace tank with fuel and my freezer with food right now instead of worrying about how I'm going to keep my family fed and warm this winter.

One more piece of advice.

IF YOU WANT OUR AUTO INDUSTRY TO SURVIVE, THEN YOU MUST BUY THEIR PRODUCT!

I do......
I am VERY pleased with my Chrysler vehicles.

Banana Phone Collection

Here are a few pictures from my babana phone collection. Come on....eveyone has a banana phone collection dont they?

Beauty and Pain

Absence makes the heart grow fonder?
I have found that beauty and pain instead
Are two things that make the heart beat Stronger
Longer

The laugh and the cry
The weep and the smile
The ups and the downs

and
The heart breaks and mends
with the heartbeat

of these two things

Her beauty takes away my pain
Yet it visits me

again

and again
Was I not to be so richly blessed
That I could leave pain to the rest
And revel in the beauty

that I have gained?

No

for without one

I cant appreciate the other.

If there were no pain,
then beauty would have no meaning.
It would be vain.
If there were no beauty,
then pain would overtake me
It would break me

Her beauty is a gift

it keeps me dreaming
It keeps me singing and indeed
Like a fine wine
Gets better with age
Better with each passing day
Better with each tear.

And as I struggle
With Beauty
And pain
Many things change
Many things stay the same.
and Beauty

and Pain
They remain
As lovers and friends