JET BLUE had us seeing RED

A week ago today (Monday), Joy and I were driving from New York City to our home. No, we had planned on flying, but JET BLUE didn't cooperate.

On Sunday, I preached three Sunday services for a friend in Connecticut. Following the services we had a meal in a VERY authentic Italian restaurant... exceptional food.

We arrived at JFK airport at 6:30 PM and then the adventure began!

We arrived in good time at the airport for our 8:30 departure, checked our bags in and passed through security.

Upon arriving at our gate, the departure time was delayed to 10PM - "weather problems". No problem, Joy and I had plenty to read and there was plenty of people to watch!

The departure gate was changed and departure time bumped to 10:30…. then to 11:00 PM…. then to 11:30… 12AM and finally 12:15AM.
The plane on which we were scheduled to return had arrived at 10PM and they were preparing the plane for our trip – so they said.

At 12:15 we were informed the flight was canceled (must have run out of flight crews).
Not only our flight, but the earlier flight to Chicago was canceled.

We were told to return to check in and they would rebook us for the next available flight.
I called Jet Blue to try to circumvent the long walk and wait at the checkin counter.

After waiting 20 minutes for a live person, I was told the earliest they could book us was Tuesday PM! To say I was shocked is an understatement. I knew that to find a hotel in NYC would cost a minimum of 250-300 per night!

At that time we were waiting in a line of about 150 people. It was about 1:45 am and they said, we are shutting down the ticket counter. I couldn't believe they were leaving all those people hanging. They said someone would be there to help them at 3AM.

After calculating how much it would cost us to stay two days for a standby seat, calling several airlines (750 to 400 each for a one way ticket) and calling Amtrak – they had nothing available until August 11, I said to "Joy, we can rent a car and drive home in 12 hours." My exceptional wife said, "lets go for it."

We pulled out of Budget Car Rental's parking lot at 3:45AM and arrived home at 6PM.



So that is the latest adventure of Earl and Joy!

I communicated with Jet Blue to see what they had to say and as of one week later, I still have not heard a thing.

The news last night reported that they are in some kind of financial distress. In spite of our latest adventure, I really do like the airline. Mainly because they have much more leg room between the seats.

I just heard that Jet Blue is now going to charge 7.00 for a pillow and blanket on the flight. Hmmmm.......

DUDE, YOUR DELL IS DEAD!

I received word on Friday that my Dell laptop is dead. Well, it actually needs a new motherboard and that repair would cause the entire repair bill to exceed $600.00.

I don't think it is wise to put that kind of money into a 5 year old laptop.

I cannot complain. This laptop has served very well.

It didn't catch fire like some other Dell's did.
But I was given a new battery by Dell.


It did survive an attack by a Fa-La-La-La Latte.

It traveled across most of the USA including Alaska.

It helped me keep up with blogging and emails while in Vietnam.

So................ What kind of replacement should I get?

Suggestions?

Several have already suggested I join the Macbook generation.

Recommendations and donations now being accepted.

Our Home's Anniversary

Nine years ago today, we moved into our home.
Joy did a great job of designing it.
It has a wonderful floor plan and the landscaping is beautiful.
We have about 21 trees - my favorites are my apple tree and the willow tree that my children gave me for Father's Day 7 years ago.












The house is on the market.

Someone is going to be blessed by purchasing this beautiful home.
We have had a wonderful life in this home.



Happy Anniversary to our home.

Life Is Good

"Grandchildren are God's way of compensating us for growing old."

Mary Waldrip

Full of Themselves

Have you ever met people who are just "full of themselves"?
Now, that is a dumb question... because if you have ever been part of a church, attended school, worked at a job... somewhere you have met someone who is just "full of themself."

The Bible describes that as "PRIDE." Also as a "haughty spirit" or a proud look.

A story that came over the news wires this AM proves that this world continues have people that are just..... well, you know.

Angry flier uses emergency slide to leave plane

First-class passenger was upset because others got to leave plane first

updated 2:47 p.m. CT, Sun., July. 6, 2008

GEORGETOWN, Guyana - Authorities in Guyana said a first-class airline passenger was so angry at seeing economy passengers leave a jetliner before him that he yanked open an emergency hatch and slid down the chute.

Police say the Guyanese man appeared to be intoxicated after the Delta Airlines flight from New York. Local police arrested the man, but he was quickly released on bail after the Friday incident.

A spokesman for Delta says the carrier plans to file charges against the man for interfering with flight crew members.

Can you believe it! Mad because he was not first off the plane!
Can you imagine what it was like for the air carriers staff trying to serve that guy on that long trip?
How about giving him someone's backpack, while over the Atlantic and telling him it's a parachute.... "hey buddy, you can be the first off!"

Proverbs 16:4-6 (NIV)

4 The LORD works out everything for his own ends—
even the wicked for a day of disaster.

5 The LORD detests all the proud of heart.
Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.

6 Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for;
through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil.

Proverbs 6 (NIV)

16 There are six things the LORD hates,
seven that are detestable to him:

17 haughty eyes, (Amplified Bibles says - A proud look [the spirit that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others],)
a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,

18 a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil,

19 a false witness who pours out lies
and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.

So when it comes to dealing with the proud, haughty, full of themselves.... just get out of the way and let them "slide" right on by.

Applying The Weed Test

Joy and I were on a trip a couple of weeks ago and stopped by a restaurant chain we remember fondly from our days in North Dakota.

As we pulled into the parking lot, I had a bit of a sense of apprehension...
the landscaping looked pretty rough.

Not only was there trash laying around, there were substantial weeds growing in the mulch and landscaping.

I was really experiencing mixed emotions about walking inside. My thoughts were, "If the manager doesn't care enough, hasn't been paying enough attention to the exterior (weeds, parking lot and landscaping), our dining experience might not be to great."

We walked into the lobby and there was several college age employees standing and sitting around. They jumped up when we walked in and promptly seated us.

Fortunately, the young man who waited on us was a champ. You'll have to check Joy's blog to get more information about his great service. (http://www.joythornton.org). By the way, Joy has been posting some great stuff on her blog.

So, what are the lessons?
Keep the weeds out of your life and relationships.
There are certain things that should not be tolerated.



I remember hearing sometime ago, "the best fertilizer for the soil are the footprints of the gardner."



David Hume said, "The richest genius, like the most fertile soil, when uncultivated, shoots up into the rankest of weeds."

I have seen some that are anxious to plant all kinds of flowers, then do not tend to those flower beds. The beauty is short lived and rather than draw attention to beautiful flowers, instead shows the lack of follow through, discipline, and caring. They want to look good for the moment... but there is no lasting impression.


The applications and implications are replete.

I must stop... I could go on forever... there are so many lessons.

"A man's children and his garden both reflect the amount of weeding done during the growing season."

"Happiness must be cultivated. It is like character. It is not a thing to be safely let alone for a moment, or it will run to weeds."

Elizabeth Stuart Phelps

Great Quote

Life is not about

waiting for the storms to pass by.

Life is about.. Learning to
dance in the rain!