Why I like living on the island...

No. 4: Island History

Galveston has a fantastic story to tell. Were it not for the 1900 storm Galveston would probably occupy the place that Houston occupies today. It was THE place to be in the late 1800's but the oil boom happened at a time when people worried about the results of the storm and what that would mean to the oil industry as a whole if it happened again. Ike was no cakewalk but the 1900 storm took the lives of over 6000 people and reshaped the Gulf Coast forever. The pic is of the 1900 storm memorial placed on the seawall. You might remember seeing it in a more dramatic photo during Hurricane Ike.

That memorial is about five blocks from my house and the surf behind it is running about three feet right now so as so as the alarm guy finishes installing our security system and I get done digging holes for the fence I'm going to jump on No. 3 and head down for some No. 1.

Why I like living on the island...

No. 3: Island transportation
MPG = "no worries, mon!" We've opted to get rid of our TV for a while so morning and/or evening rides through town have been great times for conversation with my wife, exercise, and cultural growth. This morning we rode about 5 miles down to the Strand/Historical district (They took some of the fiercest hits from Hurricane Ike last year -- up to 10 feet of water in some of the blgs. -- to see what's happening. Good things! Probably 80% of the businesses are back on line. That's another "why I like..." that I've spoken of earlier.

Why I like living on the island:

No 2: Island Footwear

Shoes are optional in many of the places I frequent but, as you can see, I am well-prepared for those places where they are required (From left to right) -- beach casual...snappy casual...winter time (Check out the flannel).

I've just got to make sure I frequent the "not required" places enough to not get flip-flop tan lines!

Why I like living on the island...

(Photo by Billy Hill -- our realtor who helped us begin to live our island dream -- and operator of g-town surf. He and his wife, Ruthi, take some amazing pictures of the island every morning and keep us up-to-date with what the surf is doing through their surf reports and surf cam views).

No. 1: Island Recreation
I've always wanted to live on the beach and have kicked myself many times for not buying a beach house when I bought my first home. I could have had a beach house for $9000 (1975) but chose - for only God knows why -- to by a trailer house (manufactured home, mobile home - whatever you want to call it...it's a tin can attached to a trailer!) for $5500 and live in a trailer park 30 miles from the beach. Stupid is as stupid does I guess.

So last week we moved into our new home 5 blocks off of the seawall in Galveston. Don't need a gym membership or my Total Gym anymore. Just get my arse out in the water and surf!

Well now that I'm not "The Preacher" anymore not only am I trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up but I'm also trying to find out what this Christianity thing is all about not that all the "smoke and mirrors, bells and whistles, and unrealistic expectations placed upon me by myself and others" are gone. I've been attracted to Celtic Christianity and a more monastic way of living -- Chris Marshal calls it "monking in the real world" -- for some time. As of late I've started reading The Sacred Way by Tony Jones.


Two quotes from Part One stood out:

"In the spiritual life, the word "discipline" means "the effort to create some space in which God can act." Discipline means to prevent everything in your life from being filled up. Discipline means that somewhere you are not occupied and certainly not preoccupied. In the spiritual life, discipline means to create that space in which something can happen that you hadn't planned or counted on." (Henri Nouwen)


"Abba Lot went to see Abba Joseph and said to him, "Abba,as far as I can, I say my little office, I fast a little, I pray and meditate, I live in peace, and, as far as I can, I purify my thoughts. What else can I do? Then the old man stood up and stretched his hands toward heaven. His fingers became like lamps of fire and he said to him. "If you will, you can become all aflame."


Needless to say I am inspired that there is more to this that keeping the budget met and the PowerPoint slides in the right order!


BTW: We closed on our house in Alvin yesterday and, barring complications, should close on our new house in Galveston next week-- where the back door (Out of themaster bedroom) opens to the sound of the waves breaking on the beach. Needless to say I am inspired to go wax my surfboard and, hopefully, lose a few pounds with those sunrise surf sessions and runs along the beach. Don't hate!


PS: They probably wouldn't be considered as one of the great worship bands of the 70's and 80's but, in light of my words above related to a more simplistic approach to Christianity, it would behoove you to go down to my jukebox and listen to some Skynrd -- Simple Man or The Ballad of Curtis Lowe will do just fine. (#65 & 67 I think)

Nate Update -- Caution: Tear Zone Ahead

Some of you know my friend Nate -- See Pray for Nate in the links on the right -- and his story. Well, here's the next chapter (Get kleenex box close)...

How they met

The opening of the wedding & the "I Dos"

The vows they wrote for each other and the rest of the ceremony:


Props to Bronson Hilliard for the videos.
Bronson Hilliard
Core Creative LLC
corecreativellc.com
281 733 8060

Why I like the word Simple

Enjoy the Ride

I love me some good street music

Thursday Morning Grove time