Cat Scratch Fever

Here's some additional info about working with animals. But the thing that made me laugh the most was at the very end. Y'see, Meredith has been working on this new reality show idea and she revealed the name towards the end of the clip.

Rewarding Work

Ever wondered what it's like to work at a veterinary hospital? Meredith gives you a taste of what she does all day long.

Cone Head

Our dog, Duke, injured himself and required surgery. After the surgery, he kept scratching and licking the wound. So Meredith bought an Elizabethan collar to prevent him from aggravating the injury. I told her that I didn't think the cone would fit Duke. She put it on to prove that it would. The result is a funny video.

The Pause

As you may have noticed, the Cutting Edge has been slowing down. I looked back and I really haven't written many personal blogs since I celebrated the anniversary back in January '09. I think the one year anniversary was similar to a finish line for me. Could I write consistently for one year? I proved to myself that I could, but more importantly, I proved (again to myself) that I possessed an inking of what my father had.

But lately, I haven't felt the urgency to write. I have plenty of story ideas, but I didn't sense a growing audience. And plain and simple, I didn't want to "play to an empty house." I know my creativity should not be tied to whether or not someone is reading. But I'm pragmatic in some things. I tell myself to major in major things, and minor in minor things. Writing is a major thing. It requires time, effort, and vulnerability. For the time being, I don't think I am willing to give those precious items away any more.

My dad wrote 3 books. I hope if you haven't already purchased one, you will soon. I think you'll like his sense of humor and his outlook on life. He ended each book with "the pause." He never liked saying "the end." It was too final. And trust me, he was never through telling stories. He was never through making people happy. So...tonight I offer "the pause" to those of you who have grown to enjoy the Cutting Edge. I'm not through, but I'm going to take a break...a pause. When the time is right, I'll be back. Thanks for coming along on this part of the journey.

John's Last Day @ NMBC

Trip To John's New Apartment

I've made a micro-video of our trip to Vicksburg on Saturday. I didn't have to do too much work over there because my beast of a wife had already done the heavy lifting on Friday. If you're wondering why it seems that I'm talking to myself when we enter John's apartment, I'm not. My bride wanted to hear my first impression of every room.

The last segment shows John sleeping. I could have filmed that portion for an hour because that's how long he slept. I just figured it would have opened up a nasty betting game if I showed too much, though. Y'know, people would have been betting when the drool was going to reach his shirt.

The Serpentine

Months ago, I showed how Duke likes to run to the right side of the telephone pole in my yard while chasing balls. (See link below.) Today, the meandering dog is back with a new trick.

Duke still goes around the pole, but if the ball travels down the middle of the street, he will run into a neighbor's yard on the other side of the street before he retrieves the ball...99 times out of 100!



http://pard1959.blogspot.com/2008/09/when-you-come-to-fork-in-road.html

Talking Dogese

Our dog, Madeline, is the alpha dog around here. But if she ever reads this blog, she's gonna be fussing at me. Y'see, Maddy doesn't think she's a dog.

Here's a video of her in Angie's lap...talking to John. The funniest part is when John asks her if she wants to "go outside and settle this?". She audibly says, "no." If I'm lying, I'm dying.

Ever Had One of Those Days?

Things could always be worse. Take a look below and see what I mean.

By the way...somehow, it's still alive.

I would really hate to be the one to try and rescue him. I am pretty sure this qualifies as one of the things that really pisses a badger off.

Brown Bagging It

Angie and I took advantage of the favorable weather Wednesday. She's been going through an orientation at St. Francis for a 2nd (part-time) job. So, it made sense for us to be downtown for the picnic.

And as luck would have it, the Brown Bag series was featuring Johnny O'Neal as entertainment. Right there in the park adjacent to St. Francis! Woohoo! PB&J never tasted so good on a pretty day.

Johnny started off his set with a blues song...so you know I was a happy camper.

MT2M

Back in 2003, I was really focused on writing contemporary Christian music and leading worship in small churches. The plan was to involve John and Meredith, and eventually Daniel. I wanted us to be akin to a traveling gospel group. If you saw "Smoke On The Water," you already have the picture in your mind.

However, in my grand scheme, we were going to be hip...with it...playing cutting edge contemporary music. Unfortunately, the family band didn't make it much further than a few lunch groups, but I was glad that God placed the thought in my head. You see, after we played at a few luncheons, John and Meredith gained enough confidence to create a band with kids their own age. They both were recruited to play in a band called Water, which led a local church in worship one Sunday. Then, the youth minister at our church decided to put together a youth worship band, and John and Meredith were recruited to be members. John played bass and Meredith sang lead vocals. Meredith eventually dropped out, but John stayed with it. The band became known as Silas and played at various churches around town...and even in a few out-of-town churches. In their prime, which only lasted about 1.5 years, they were as good as any local band. I used to joke that only two of the six members had driver's licenses, but it was true. Those kids were jamming for Jesus.

I tell you this to explain the title of this blog...MT2M. Back when the family band was still a seed in my mind, I came up with a cool name for a Christian band: MT2M...empty (MT) tomb (2M). Get it? It symbolizes why we celebrate Easter. There was no dead body in the tomb on Sunday morning! Jesus defeated death! All Christians celebrate!

The family band was just a stepping stone for other things. John has now played in various bands. He played bass for First West's Portico band several years ago. He and several friends had a band called Halieus, which played in Battle of the Bands in Lafayette. He now plays rhythm guitar in one of the contemporary bands that leads worship at North Monroe. Plus he's in another band called Second Day Jeans...a Jesus band. I'm very proud of him. Meredith chose to take another path. Although she sings beautifully, you'll probably never hear her. She doesn't like singing publically anymore, but I'm proud of her too.

Finally, I leave you with this video. The band, Downhere, wrote this song and it's on their third album. It really gets to the heart of what Jesus did for us. I hope you enjoy it. I met this band a couple of years ago, and I can attest that they are straight-up guys...very talented...very committed to their "family" band.

If anyone is interested, I still have a few baseball caps with MT2M printed on them. I had some printed in an effort to "sell" the family on my wonderful plan. Yeah, I was disappointed that our band never took off, but God had other plans. And since He's in control, I'm okay with that.

Cat-Like Reflexes...Nah...Dog-Like

Duke has the most incredible focus. The other day, while we were doing our usual routine of throwing and fetching, I had an idea. I placed both balls between my boots and turned on my camera to film his response. He never lost focus. He stayed on task.

Eventually, I bent down and picked up one of the balls and acted like I was about to throw it. He never left his position until the ball left my hand. But it's fun to watch him fake to the left and right getting ready for the release.

I love this dog!

How To Define Beauty

Today is my wife's birthday. No, I'm not gonna tell you how old she is, 'cause age doesn't matter. At least, it doesn't seem to affect Angie. Y'see, Angie hasn't aged...much.

Well, yeah, she's a year older than last year...and a little wiser. But if you were to look at photos of Angie from 20 years ago, you'd be hard pressed to notice any differences in today's version. She has what I call "timeless" beauty. So, I thought I'd take a minute to talk about what is "timeless" beauty.

Before I was married, I could look at a supermodel and think, "Wow! That girl is drop-dead gorgeous." Funny thing happens though. Later in life, you see the effects that aging has taken upon that beautiful model. And sometimes, the results aren't very pretty. Maybe it's fast living, not eating properly, not exercising, all of the above...I dunno. But some of those poor ladies let themselves go and it's not a pretty sight.

Sometimes I think that an actress is stunningly good looking. But then, I've seen too many on televised interviews that changed my opinion. Y'know, they open their mouths and prove without a shadow of doubt that they are dumb as a box of hammers. I don't know about you, but I think beauty has to have a brain too. If you're not smart enough to pour pea soup out of a boot without instructions on the heel, you're not pretty.

Another pet peeve of mine is language. My dad used to correct girls if they used profane language. He'd tell them, "It's so sad to see someone as beautiful as you...have an open cesspool on your face." I agree. There's nothing that destroys a woman's beauty quicker than foul language. It cheapens her presence.

Well, I could go on and on. (You're thinking, "No Mark, enough already!") Timeless beauty is a combination of many things and I've only covered a select few. But I'm here to tell you, my wife has timeless beauty. She is prettier to me today than she was when we first got married. I really don't know how she does it; but, somehow, she has found a way to make the hands of time stand still.

Happy birthday, Angie!

A Night To Remember

In 1993, Angie and I joined with some other folks to have a "neighborhood" float in the Krewe of Janus Mardi Gras Parade. Back then, the entry fee was nominal and just about anybody could put together a rinky-dink float and be a part of the parade.

Angie grew up in Mobile, Alabama. Most people don't know this, but Mobile...not New Orleans...is the birthplace for Mardi Gras here in the United States. Granted, New Orleans made it bigger and became the "official" host over time. But Mobile has Mardi Gras parades that rival any city. Well, Angie grew up with big, lavish parades. And in Mobile, the big prize was to catch a Moon Pie. Do you remember the chocolate and marshmallow treat?

For our maiden voyage, we had plenty of Moon Pies, beads, and other seasonal trinkets. Everything was tucked safely away in a large box located at my feet. (By the way, I don't believe they allow food items to be thrown during Mardi Gras here in Monroe, so I'm pretty sure we were breaking the rules. What gets me, though, is I've never seen anyone get in trouble for throwing candy during the Christmas parade.) At any rate, the parade that year began at the corner of Washington and Louisville, next to Super 1 and Michael's, and we were located about mid-way in the parade procession.

Angie stood by John and I stood by Meredith, who was about six years old and needed constant supervision. Well, the funniest thing happened before we turned the corner at Washington and Louisville. I was talking to somebody on our float, not paying any attention to Mere-Monkey. The float turned onto the route and we all hooped and hollered. I looked down at Meredith and I almost had a heart attack. She had bent down, lifted the large box with all her might, and had it teetering on the edge of the float. Everything that we had available to throw that night was about to go crashing down on Louisville within the first five feet of the parade. I lunged and grabbed the box right at the perfect moment. I pulled everything back into the box and set it down. I'll never forget the look on two young kids who were standing there at the corner. Their eyes were as big as saucers because they were about to receive the mother-lode of souvenirs. Instead, they received nothing.

The rest of the parade in Monroe was uneventful. I'll say this though...it's a different sensation to be a bead thrower instead of a bead catcher. I tried to throw the big stuff to kids. I was amazed at how many drunken idiots would snatch beads away from kids. They would act like nuts shoving kids out of the way...for a dollar's worth of beads. I guess I'll never understand.

By the time we reached the bridge, the crowd had thinned. I remember thinking, "Great, we still have a few things left for downtown West Monroe." What I didn't know was the most raucous crowd was waiting for us there. We turned left after the bridge and I saw a huge group of people filling in Trenton Street. I literally could not see a path for our float to pass through. As we inched closer and closer to the crowd, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. And for good reason...we were entering the most dangerous part of the route. You do the math. The folks there had been partying longer because they were at the end of the parade. At the same time, most of the floats had thrown their best trinkets in Monroe. Not exactly a winning combination.

Several things were thrown at us. I pushed Meredith down and Angie shoved John under the side panels. But there were only a few places we could take refuge on the home-made float. I kept thinking, "Why didn't we buy some chicken wire?" Had the crowd wanted to, they could have overturned our float without much effort. We were clearly outnumbered. But we ran the gauntlet...slowly. It seemed like forever. Drunks screaming at us...throwing souvenirs back at us...scary! I'll never forget how we all went "WHEW!!!" after the parade was over.

That was the only time I've been in a Mardi Gras parade. It'll probably be my last. Y'know, some things can last a lifetime and that experience is still a vivid memory for me. Ironic as it may be, our home-made float was the one that was featured on the front page of the News Star the next day. Believe me, there were tons of nicer looking floats to feature in the news paper, but they chose ours. Perhaps that's the reason the Krewe of Janus doesn't allow neighborhood floats any more.

Here's a copy of the front page the next day. You can't see any of my family in the photo because we were on the other side of the float. Imagine yourself tucked under the side panels as trinkets go whizzing by your head. I can...and I still have nightmares to prove it.