California Dream'in

 

 

Sifting through boxes in the garage the other day, I came across this old license plate.  A long time ago we bought a new 1976 - red Ford Fiesta, back when we lived in California.  We moved to Texas in 1981 and took this old plate off and replaced it with the new Texas plate. 

 

So then I was California Dream’in.  Growing up, I lived on both coasts, and in another country.  Depending on who asks, and my mood – I’ll tell someone either that I grew up in New Jersey, Kenya, or California (because I did).  They each have their own intrigue, but I admit – I like to use the California line.  Invariably, someone will ask: “did you surf a lot there?” – to which I always say “Yes” – even though I really only did it a few times – in my mind, I was a legendary surfer from Southern California.  If it wasn’t for school and work I probably would have advanced to the professional level, traveling back and forth from Hawaii, Costa Rica and Indonesia – the Endless Summer (in my dreams).

 

When I wasn’t surfing, I was skiing the powder on Big Bear Mountain, Mammoth and Snow Valley.  That’s a true story. 

 

When I wasn’t surfing or skiing, I was driving my car - up and down the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway 1, 101, 5), listening to the radio – the best music decade of all time – the ‘70’s.

 

• The Eagles
• The Bee Gees
• The Commodores
• John Denver
• Rod Stewart
• Neil Diamond
• Gordon Lightfoot
• The Doobie Brothers
• Simon and Garfunkel
• Glen Campbell
• Bread
• The Carpenters
• Stevie Wonder
• Elton John
• The Rolling Stones
• Bob Dylan
• James Taylor
• Chicago
• Jim Croce
• Marvin Gaye
• America
• Neil Young
• Fleetwood Mac
   

That’s what I remember most about California – driving in the car, radio on - - and how it all seemed to sync to the surroundings: the beaches, the surf, the mountains, the palm trees, the desert. 

California Dream’in . . . Great times..  Now, with the proliferation of Christian Contemporary music on the radio - that's all I listen to.  I wish it existed in the 1970's.  There's nothing better or more uplifting than worship music. 
 
"Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always."  Ps 105:4

  

What's in your garage?

 

 

 

4 Beach Chairs

I was looking through some pictures I had taken in 2017, and found this one of four empty beach chairs sitting on the sand, facing the vast ocean in the early morning, in Pensacola, Florida.  While we were there, early each day, a guy named ‘Larry’ would setup 4 chairs with umbrellas for us.  At the end of the day, he would take it all away.  He prepared a place for us. 

It got me to thinking.  The beauty is what got me to thinking.  The peace, the sound of the surf, the feeling of sand between the toes, the rising sun, the soft breeze, and the enjoyment of company that happens in those chairs each day.

For me – that would-be HEAVEN – a bunch of beach chairs, setup each morning, facing the water and the sun (Son).  But now, I see 4 significant people in my life, in those 4 chairs: 1) Dallas Bateman, 2) Cynthia, 3) Tom, and 4) Dad.    

Just as I’m writing this, I’m listening to Bethel Music – Kristene DiMarco – "It is Well" - - and it rings true:

“Through it all, my eyes are on you.  This mountain that’s in front of me, will be thrown into the mist of sea.  The waves and wind still know His name.  So, let go, my soul, and trust in Him. Through it all, my eyes are on you, and it is well.  It is well with my soul.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNqo4Un2uZI