Dim Sum!

For those of you who don't know what Dim Sum is, please see this Wikipedia link.

For those of you who are blessed to know, let me tell you about our Dim Sum experience this weekend in Dallas!

We found the Kirin Court Chinese Restaurant in Richardson.

Sally and I were extremely pleased to see that it is an authentic Hong Kong style restaurant; it is even on the second floor!  They even have push carts!

If you are fortunate to find dim sum in the US, it usually isn't any good.  However, our experience here was worthy to be mentioned on this blog and to be recommended to anyone in the Dallas area. 

Most of the dim sum was comparable to what you'd find in a good restaurant in Hong Kong.  The portions were big and it was all fresh.

Once it got busy, you could close your eyes and imagine that you were enjoying dim sum somewhere in Kowloon.  We were very impressed!

The most interesting thing, however, was that we were offered ice water as soon as we sat down and most, if not all, of the waitresses spoke English.  I was pleased to speak Cantonese with quite a few of them, though, and caused quite a stir doing so.

The Wedding

I was so excited to hear that Tiffany and James were engaged to be married.  I have known them both since they were two years old.

I'll post a couple of pictures here, but here is the link to the photo album I created on Facebook.

Video of Grassy Knoll

Here is a short video of the area around where President Kennedy was shot.

The Grassy Knoll

Saturday morning, before the wedding, I took Sally to Downtown Dallas to see where JFK was assassinated.  Neither of us had ever seen it, but both wanted to.

The "Grassy Knoll"

Texas School Book Depository with shooter's window highlighted

Plaque on the building

(click to enlarge to read)

Location of second shot marked on the street

View of Elm Street looking away from the School Book Depository

Sally and I standing just above the "grassy knoll" with shooter's window visible between our heads.

Fun in Big D

Sally and I took a trip to Dallas this weekend.  The purpose was to go to a wedding of a couple, both of whom I've known since they were two years old.

We found a Middle-Eastern restaurant in Richardson.  It's called Afrah.  I would highly recommend it to anyone who happens to be passing through.

The humus, tabbouleh, and lamb were out of this world. The Shish Tawook (Chicken Kabab) and beef kababs were decent, but not as good as Chez Abou's in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

I also had Baba Ghannouj, but since I really don't care for it, I shouldn't comment too much about whether I liked it or not.

The people were friendly and you were welcomed by the owner at the door.

We ordered WAY too much, but it was really very good!

Fun in Branson

We took a little trip to Branson last week.  We stayed at the Yellow Rose Motel, which I would gladly recommend to anyone.  It was clean, quiet and affordable. 

We arrived before check-in time, so we headed over to Montana Mikes for lunch, then on for a quick round of putt-putt.

We had such a fun time in the motel pool, in fact, we spent the rest of the evening there.

The next day, Friday, we loaded up and headed out to Silver Dollar City.  The crowds weren't bad and it wasn't stiffling hot.  We really enjoyed ourselves.

Sally & Emily rode Wildfire

Sally and I enjoyed our time together.

Good Grief!  Isn't ONE Rick enough?

Christians Arrested at Muslim Festival in Michigan

I didn't think, honestly, that I'd be living to see this in my lifetime, but I am wrong.  Christian preachers have been arrested in Dearborn, MI, for preaching the Gospel at an annual Arab gathering.

Muslims, apparently, comprise nearly one third of the population of Dearborn with calls to prayer broadcast over loud speakers.

For the story, see their website, http://www.answeringmuslims.com/.  You sure won't see it on CNN or CBS.

Video here.

End Times in Action

Well, it looks like religion is becoming one, ushering in a "one world religion" as eluded to in the book of Revelation.

As of today, Claremont Seminary, Claremont, CA, has introduced  clerical training for Muslims and Jews, as part of their regular theological cirriculum.  They hope to add training for Hindus and Buddhists in the near future.  Here is the LA Times article for more detail.

The school is one of thirteen associated with the United Methodist Church.

Considering their rich theological heritage, dating from the 1890's
they should know better!

Jackpot! Update

I received my manuscript back from Dave Scott, my friend who has been editing it.  I drove to Vinita last Tuesday to pick it up.

I was very happy to find that a major re-write wasn't required!  In fact, most of the corrections concerned deleting superfluous words, correcting punctuation, and some minor "clean-up" of ideas for the sake of the story flowing.

The only criticism (constructive) came when he suggested that I add four or five chapters, utilizing an omniscient narrator to further develop some supporting characters that the first person point of view wouldn't be able to accomplish.  We discussed this because Dave said, "as a reader, I really wanted to know more about these characters."

So, with that, I have completed the clean up and the first of four or five additional chapters.

I'm hoping to be in a position to seek literary representation by the end of this month.

In the meantime, please support me and this work by becoming a fan of the main character, Owen Rigsby, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OwenRigsby.  You can also follow Owen on Twitter at www.twitter.com/OwenRigsby.

Thanks for your encouragement; it really means a lot!

June 8, 1974

The eighth day of June in 1974 was a day that started like any other.  I remember it quite well, however, because of what happened later that day.

It was barely a month before my 10th birthday, and we lived in Sapulpa, OK.  Our home was in a fairly new addition, Southern Hills, also called "Ford Hill" because Ellis Easterling, the local Ford dealer, was the developer.

I'm fairly sure it was a Saturday.  Our family had gone to John F. Lahon Furniture in Tulsa to buy some kitchen chairs.

On the way back home, the sky turned green.  I remember being scared of the weather, even though I didn't really know what was going on.

When we arrived home, we hurriedly put the chairs in the house then got in our car and drove to Pleasant Manor Nursing Home, where my grandmother was administrator and part owner.  Only being nearly 10 at the time, I wasn't aware of all that was going on, but we were told we were going to "calm down the residents".

I remember talking with them and playing the piano for them.  I remember the storm being quite severe outside.

Finally, calm returned and so did we. 

At home, we found our boat and playhouse both turned over.  The trash cans had been blown into the street.  Mother had a fake tree on our front porch (a "poodle" tree) and it was blown over as well.

A tornado had gone through.  We were very fortunate.  Less than a mile from our house was my elementary school, Lone Star.  It took a direct hit from the tornado and completely destroyed part of it, especially the gym and cafeteria.  The classroom in which I was to have sought shelter had been completely destroyed, with the heavy cement blocks all falling inward where my entire class would have been hunkered down.

Repairs went on all summer and school started a little late that fall.  I remember waiting in line for the cafeteria.  The line stretched into the gymnasium.  The floor was still buckled and twisted, rising more than 10 feet in the air.

In October or November of that year, I found one of the letters of "Lone Star" that detached during the storm.  It was all the way out by the road, in the edge of the fence.  I remember taking it to our principal with an air of accomplishment.  He thanked me and told me that it would save them having to completely re-do and re-order the words for the name of the school.

So, for 36 years now, June 8th has been a significant date for me.  I'll always remember it as the day the tornado destroyed my school.

Aunt Jessie

On this Memorial Day, I choose to remember Jessie Yerian.  Aunt Jessie was my mother's mother's mother's sister.  She and her other sisters, specifically, Aunt Mabel and Aunt Hazel and my grandmother spent lots of time together.

Aunt Jessie lived alone in Grove at Grand Lake.  She was widowed for the second time in the 1970's  and never remarried.  As an older teenager, I would go and spend a few days with her in the summer time.

 Max, Carolyn, Judy, Mary Neal, Ted, Audrey, Bill, Don

with Aunt Jessie at the table, June 1997.

Aunt Jessie loved to laugh.  She could tell the funniest stories and always had a smile on her face.  She made the best carrot cake I've ever eaten and had some pear preserves that were to die for.  I've never had any other pear preserves that even comes close.

She was one of the sweetest persons I've ever known.  She passed away about 15 years ago or so, but I have the assurance that I will see her again because of her faith in Jesus Christ.  She trusted Him and received eternal life.  While I miss her greatly, her life impacted me intensely. 

Aunt Jessie, thanks for teaching me how to love God and love others!

Memorial Day Fun

Today, we went to the Tulsa Zoo.  We had a great time.  The weather was with us and it was absolutely beautiful.  I took this picture of the girls at the lion's head water fountain.  This is the same lion's head that my sister and I drank from when we were kids.  It is really cool that my kids get to share the same thing.

At the tiger exhibit, there were two youngish tigers.  They actually played like kittens.  One was lounging in the grass and rubbing its head when the other one snuck up on it and "attacked" it.  It then chased it around the entire arena.  They calmed down and one got in the water to cool off.  The other one laid down at the edge of the water and the one in the water started sneaking up on it.  The one outside, saw it coming and backed up, with its ears lowered.  The one in the water sprung from the pool and chased it around.  It was the single best  tiger experience I've ever witnessed.  It was truly great!

After the zoo, we went to Schlotzsky's for lunch and to another shop or two to get some stuff we needed.  We had a great day!

Book Progress Report

I heard from my friend who is editing my manuscript that he is on target to return it to me by the end of this month.

I am very excited about receiving it and evaluating the recommended adjustments and making it presentable for marketing.

Since this is my first one, I have no idea how long it will take me to finalize this process, but I hope no more than a month.

As soon as I finish my corrections, I'll begin seeking literary representation.

Basically, I have to find an agent who believes in my work and thinks they can sell the idea to a publisher.

It doesn't stop there.  They have to have marketing meetings, sales meetings and more before they actually accept it for publishing.

It could very well be a year from now before we see it on the shelves.

In the meantime, in my attempt at pre-publication publicity, I have created a Facebook Fan Page, www.facebook.com/OwenRigsby and a Twitter feed, www.twitter.com/OwenRigsby.  Owen has 172 fans on FB and 248 followers on Twitter, as of the writing of this post.

I find it interesting the number of people who have mis-understood the intent and think that Owen is a real person.  I have had several very interesting conversations with people and in some cases, had to tell them that he is a fictional character.

In any case, I would appreciate your supporting my work by becoming a Facebook fan or following Owen on Twitter.

Thanks in advance!

Thailand's Thaksin

From HotSpots:

Thailand's Criminal Court ordered the arrest of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on terrorism charges. Authorities allege that Thaksin provided funding, weapons and Cambodian fighters to fuel the protests against Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's government. Bangkok will now seek Thaksin's extradition. Thaksin has denied the charges.

Trouble in Morocco

From HOTSPOTS:

Morocco (Country threat level - 3): Moroccan government sources reported on 21 May 2010 that authorities have notified another group of foreigners in Morocco of their impending removal from the country for alleged Christian evangelizing activity; an offense punishable under Moroccan law. The 23 notified foreign nationals are predominantly Westerners, including at least one U.S. national. U.S. Embassy officials indicated that they are concerned about the second wave of deportations and are questioning the basis of the removal. The recent notifications follow a similar expulsion of Westerners in early March 2010. Local missionary and Christian groups in the country stated that many Christians are now worried about a perceived low-level government crackdown on Christians in the country.

ASI Comment: Although Morocco maintains good relations with most Western nations, and especially the U.S., diplomatic tensions have increased recently following Morocco’s recent refusal to abide by the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act. International watchdog groups have noted that the recent moves are not only in response to increasing international criticism, but also the government's efforts to deter Muslim conversions to Christianity in the country. Although the situation is not expected to result in violent targeting of Westerners or Christians in the country, rising tensions could include other politically motivated, official acts as well as further deportations of foreigners from the country.