The Long Slow Line

Rachel and I went to an annual children’s Halloween event called Spookview which is held at the park district building by our house.  I’m relatively certain this event is specifically designed to provide kids with some Halloween fun and to cause me pain and a mild degree of torture.  At the event we got into a very long line that was advancing at a snail’s pace while waiting for what basically amounts to a short ride around the park district property on a golf cart.

(Yes, I’m known as something of a thrill-seeker!)

At one point, I told Rachel, “Stay in line.  I’m going to run to the bathroom.  Don’t lose our place in this long, slow line.”

She nodded her head and said, “Alright.”

When I returned to the line I did not see Rachel.  I looked around in every direction thinking, “What’s going on?  Where is she?!?”

Then I heard her walking up behind me.

I turned and, pointing to some picnic tables, she said, “I was just sitting over there until you came back.”

I sighed deeply and we got back into the long, slow line again… at the very end of the line.

I’m happy to report that we spent forty-five minutes standing in line for a 3 and a half minute ride on a golf cart involving an outstanding view of my backyard.

Thrill seeking.

A Fall Harvest Adventure

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Fun At Bengston's With Rachel and Megan -- Video

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A Trip To The Pumpkin Farm - Video

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Why Is Trunk Or Treat So Much Fun? - Video

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E-Flash From Dan -- Costume Edition

Dear E-Flash Friends;

Tonight, Rachel gave Nadia and I permission to buy her a new Trunk or Treat costume.  That sure was nice of her, wasn’t it?

So after supper, we drove to the local Walmart and checked out the Halloween department.  It was crowded.  I guess that’s bound to be the case on the week of Halloween.  In fact, at one point, a couple of kids began chasing each other around with some kind of spray-on Halloween make up and I was almost caught in the crossfire.  I barely escaped with my usual lustrous hue.

In the meantime, Nadia and Rachel soberly considered several different costumes.  Rachel has gotten a little too big for the “girls” costumes but many of the “women’s” costumes are…well… they’re a bit racy.  (The “racy” ones were NOT up for consideration.)  So, some time was spent looking and deliberating. 

To be properly outfitted for Trunk or Treat requires careful analysis, you know.  But it finally came down to a decision between some Fairy-type character and a clown outfit.  The fairy costume included wings and that’s a definite attraction.  But there’s a costume spray that temporarily turns your hair a bright red color and I think that may have helped cinch it for the clown outfit.

Come on, when it comes to making an impact with an outfit, bright red hair is hard to resist!  We all know that, right?

As we walked to the check out counter, I told Rachel, “Hey, I might use some of the red hair coloring, myself.  That would be fun, huh?”

She said, “No.”

I said, “Just for a joke.  You know, just to get a few laughs.  It washes out.”

Now Rachel…AND Nadia both said, “No!”

I said, “People have a good time with that kind of joking around.”

Then they pointed off behind me and acted like they saw someone we know.  I turned around and no one was there.  When I turned back, they were gone.

This happens two or three times a week.  I always find them…after I walk home.

Sheesh, why can’t a guy have a little fun, once in a while?

(*NOTE to readers:  Shhh, don’t mention this, but I’m usually out the door early on Sunday mornings before they can stop me, so, you never know.  Imagine the spiritual impact that can be had when a guy is preaching with bright red hair.  To be honest, I’m surprised Billy Graham never tried it.)

So folks…don’t forget: Friday night, 7pm, Trunk or Treat!  It’s going to be a ball!  (It’s fun, even if you have your regular hair color.)

Also, don’t forget:  Sunday morning 9 and 11 am.  The message is titled:  “Rescued From The Kingdom of Darkness” (I didn’t even think about the fact that Sunday is Halloween day when I came up with the title of the message a couple of months ago.)  It’s based on Colossians 1:13&14.

See you then.  Hope you have a great week!

Blessings,

Dan Marler

* To have the "E-Flash" sent directly to your e-mail, send an e-mail message to:  cog111st@aol.com and type:  "Send me the E-Flash" in the "subject" field.

What Is That Strange Growth?

Nadia has an unusual practice of throwing all kinds of food outside for the squirrels and rabbits and other creatures—like that gnome—that inhabit our yard.  I’ve told her many times that this is unnecessary.

“They’re wild animals,” I’ve explained.  “They don’t need you to provide food.  In fact, it’s better for them if you don’t provide food.  That makes them lazy.”  To prove my point, I’ve shown her the small, crudely assembled hammocks that the rabbits have set up in the back yard.

But she continues to do it.

About 3 weeks ago, Nadia said, “Hey, you know how I’m throwing food out in the yard all the time?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, something’s growing,” she said.

For a minute, I thought she was looking at my stomach, but no, she meant something was growing in our yard.  A force was at work.  Without our knowledge or consent something had begun the mysterious process of cellular replication right in our midst.

Shooting up in the middle of one of our bushes, by the house, is a pumpkin plant.  It was not intentionally planted and cultivated.  The seeds must have just taken root and, without any attention from us, the plant is thriving.

In fact, we have a pumpkin that’s growing on the plant.  And it’s getting pretty big.  It’s that time of year where it is growing rapidly.  Two weeks ago it was about the size of an apple.  Now, it’s already larger than a basketball.  If it continues at this rate, next week my plan is to put wheels on it, install an engine, and begin driving it around town.  (Hey, Cinderella has proven that it can be done.)

We’re actually getting kind of excited about our big, homegrown pumpkin.  (I’ve named him “Wilson”…It’s not a volleyball, but the concept of a spherical friend is similar.)  We normally get a pumpkin or two every year for Rachel, anyhow.  So, this year we don’t have to buy one.  We’ll have our own that we’ve grown.

Someone said to me, recently, “That Nadia seems to have an ability to cultivate plants without even trying.” 

I thought, “Hmm, that’s true.”

So, I’ve given her a few dollar bills to crumple up and throw out into the back yard.  Hey, it’s worth a shot.  Let’s see if she can grow a money tree.  That way we can buy all new hammocks for the rabbits.

                 Here's a photo of Nadia with "Wilson".