The "C" WORD

CANCER, the "C" word, affects ALL of us. I lost three of my grand parents to "C". I have friends that battle the disease now, and they are winning. Well, I guess you would call it winning. They are surviving one day at a time. I think that we are just beginning to see the real face of the victims of this terrible disease. That bike riding guy, Lance Armstrong, made a big impact on folks and there are others. I think the media has began to put a human face on those who fight the battle. I've got to share this video with you. It reminds me of some events in my life but also presents a child like understanding of the "C" word.

Special Special

Why is it that we wait till something bad happens for us to say "you are special to me." Seems we all are special to a bunch of folk but most of us don't even know it. Even stronger is the thought that folk don't know that they really are special to us. We've just lived our lives out the way we thought was right and something good happened between "us" and "them." Sometimes it might even be intentional on our part to get next to a person. Why? Cause.

I want to encourage you to do something special today. Not one of those "web" things that you just forward on because they are cute or you think it will change the world but something intentional on your part from start to finish. Write a note, make a phone call, send flowers, build a bird house, send a joke, offer a prayer, just say "you da man" or "girl". Let those that are special to you know it some way some how. Start today, don't wait till tomorrow. Tomorrow will never come, it's a day away.

START TODAY.

EXCEPT THE CHALLENGE?

Who will go with me.

Who will go to the place where few go but all return.

A place that changes a person from the inside.

A place where the heart is bare and vulnerable.

A place that is no accident.

A place that makes a difference.

... because of who you are.

"You may be the only Bible someone will ever see, so be sure to be open all the time showing the GOOD NEWS to all you come in contact with..." Rappings 1:1 (Walden's paraphrase)

JUST ANOTHER BAD KID?

Still a little sad after the situation involving Brad from my last post, but coming into work today I was hoping that things would get my mind off of it. WRONG!

Not here more than 10 minutes when I hear that one of our students was found dead. He had been shot and dumped on the street. No one will ever really know what happened except the one who pulled the trigger and those who watched this senseless action that took another young life. He was one of our kids last year, not a real problem. Only an 8th grader at that time but now he was in the 9th grade.

Who do we blame for this? His mother? Father or lack there of? The people he choose as friends? His teachers who couldn't take the time necessary to help him succeed? Obama?

What could we have done differently? What could I have done differently? Good questions but I have no answers. I don't know any one who does. I know some that think they have an answer and for a price they'll come and train you to save all children.

I think the first thing to helping these kids is to look into their eyes. Look pass the pants hanging down below their butts. Look beyond the hair in knots, the gold in their teeth, and the slang in the voice. Look into their hearts and mostly let them look back into your eyes to see your heart. I mean your real heart, the one that shows your real intentions, your real beliefs, your real desires. Let them see that you care despite their inability to read, write, and compose on grade level. Despite them not following the rules. Despite them having been born to a mother that was on "crack".

This "JOB" sucks the life out of a person or it pumps purpose into every capillary. It just takes one William, one Juston, one Joshua, or one Kesha to reassure that your mission is true and it makes leaving the mission so much harder that just staying in the boat.

Spock puts the eternal question in this way, "The needs of the many out weight the needs of the few or the needs of the few out weight the needs of the many?"

I look at it this way... "Greater love has no man than to lay down his life for another..."

My Heart Hurts.

There have in my years been a few kids that I've been able to spend enough time with that they made a mark on my life. I like to call them "My Boys". Today, March 22nd, 2009, I lost one of them in a car accident.

I'm hurting right now.

It's not for me to question why things happen the way it does but things do happen that causes me to wonder. I believe God is always in control, always. I know that God says, "In this world you will have tribulation." I just have to fight my mortal human being self to wonder where the reasoning is in a young boy with his life ahead of him is taken from those who loved him.

God has lead me to the knowledge that He gets the glory in all things and I believe that, I really do, but I have experienced some things that took a while before I could see Christ in them. I've put my family through some things that I'm sure they couldn't see Christ in, but I assure you that in all things God will get the glory.

There are those in this world that believe differently than I do and they will spend an eternity in HELL and that makes me hurt too. But as for my boy, Brad Gibson, he is at peace with Christ our savior. Oh, death where is thy sting.

See you some day my boy.

AIG GOOD GRIEF!!!!!!!!!!!!

$1,000,000 bonus for what!!!

Take what is a gift from us guys that work and then give it to some guy as a bonus.!?!?!?!

Please give me a million bucks,PLEASE!!

THIS IS HOW I WOULD SPEND IT!:

1ST: I would give $150,000 to build fresh water wells in Southern Africa. So people would be dying from not having fresh water.

2nd: I would take $200,000 and set up a mission scholarship fund for kids to go on mission trips. Now i don't mean get on the bus and go feed the old guys and then go to "Wally world." I mean go to be trained and go! Like to an undeveloped country and build houses or teach children how to take care of themselves. I mean real missions.

3rd: $150,000 is going to provide supplies for those missions.

4th: Give my Son-in-law and my daughter $100,000.

5th: Give my Katie $100,000.

6th: Give my Libby $100.000.

7th: Keep $100,000 for myself.

8th: Spend $50,000 on my retirement party! OH YEAAAAAAAAA!

Back from B'Ham

OK, back from seeing my baby in B'Ham. It was a good trip. I should get away more often because it is revealing. Revealing in that this trip showed me that I need to get away more often. I enjoy being with my family more than anything else. Although I know that I need to get busy doing stuff around the yard.

Every time we go to B'Ham we have to go to this place call "Pottery Barn." What is it with this place that draws women of all ages to it. It is a torture for men and it forces us to buy candy out of the machine up front. Now I'm not aware of but only two of these stores but it seems to be a Mecca for women to go and spend money. Now don't take me wrong cause you can find some deals but who needs that many picture frames or dishes. This time i hit gold though. I got some clay pots for my garden for a fraction of the cost at a home store of garden place. I mean 5.99 for the same pot at Home Depot for 24.99. good grief! Could pass it up so i loaded down with several, OK, a dozen of various sizes. probably $225 dollars worth for $43.00! Yes,, I will use them too.

I'm trying to loose weight and not having much luck even though I am taking in about 1900-2100 cal a day and exercising 5 times a week. GG! With that in mind i had discovered some most wonderful at O'Charley's. Twisted Chips. MIGHTY FINE curly potato things with chili and sausa on them. YES YES YES!

I grand boy William is a punk! boy crys a lot, but not so much when you put your foot don't. You know that whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! kinda crying that is not really crying. Great kid that is real smart. This kid has so much going for him. Great mom and dad. Great Boompa and LeLe. and of course a great KayKay auntie. When i think of what i had... never mind.

I didn't get to see my friend Bobby Parks. He had a problem of Monday, which is when we were going to try and meet. Delta canceled a flight that one of his mission groups were to fly on. GOOD GRIEF DELTA! DO YOU NOT KNOW THAT WE HAVE A WORLD TO SAVE AND A BUNCH OF MOUTHS TO FIX!! I told him to use my name if he needed to.

Any way glad to be home where I can do some things that I have needed to, you know get it off me.

Adventures in B'Ham

Bears hibernate, cats have climbing gears, fat babies poot, birds fly south, and wet dogs smell. Just a few certainties in life that we live with. Things that help set the biological clocks and give order to the universe. Oops, forgot one...

SPRING BREAK 09!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! I'M OFF IN ABOUT 37 MINUTES AND 42 SECONDS... 38 SECONDS ... 32 seconds ... WELL, YOU GET THE IDEA.

Me and my girl are taking one of my girls to see the other girl and William-grand-boy Johnson is coming along. Going to B'Ham Alabama USA. HOW EXCITING! I will be taking pictures to show you of the big events, which I'm sure will include a trip to "Pottery Heaven" where the girls will spend money on all kinds of crap for the house, opps, decorations for the home. I plan to look for several megarocks for the garden and see an old friend, Bobby Parks. I spoke of him in a blog one time. Fear not I wilt take the computer with me and maybe even write an entry. (Remember Walden's Law of Blogging.)

We are out of here!

Far from the law.

The law is the law, right? Well, it really depends on what kind of law we're talking about. Physical laws govern the physical universe and spiritual laws govern the spiritual universe? Yes and yes. Gravity, sorry, the law of gravity is one we don't test, sorry, shouldn't test. Jump from a bridge and you better have one of those "bunnygie chords" or you're going to get a law lesson. Rebell against God and you're going to ...well, have an unhappy result. And then there are laws that shouldn't happen but it seems that given all possible end results these occur. these are the "Murphy's Laws."

Well here are some other laws that are maybe unexplainable but they seem to be factual. (YEP! another list)

1. Law of Mechanical Repair - After your hands become coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch and you'll have to pee .

2.Law of Gravity - Any tool, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner .

3. Law of Probability - The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act .

4. Law of Random Numbers - If you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal and someone always answers .

5. Law of the Alibi - If you tell the boss you were late for work because you had a flat tire, the very next morning you will have a flat tire .

6. Variation Law - If you change lines (or traffic lanes), the one you were in will always move faster than the one you are in now (works every time) .

7.Law of the Bath - When the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone rings .

8. Law of Close Encounters - The probability of meeting someone you know increases dramatically when you are with someone you don't want to be seen with .

9. Law of the Result - When you try to prove to someone that a machine won't work, it will .

10. Law of Biomechanics - The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the reach .

11. Law of the Theater - At any event, the people whose seats are furthest from the aisle arrive last .

12.The Starbucks Law - As soon as you sit down to a cup of hot coffee, your boss will ask you to do something which will l last until the coffee is cold .

13. Murphy's Law of Lockers - If there are only two people in a locker room, they will have adjacent lockers .

14. Law of Physical Surfaces - The chances of an open-faced jelly sandwich landing face down on a floor covering are directly correlated to the newness and cost of the carpet/rug .

15. Law of Logical Argument - Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about .

16. Brown's Law - of Physical Appearance If the shoe fits, it's ugly .

17. Wilson's Law - of Commercial Marketing Strategy As soon as you find a product that you really like, they will stop making it .

18. Doctors' Law - If you don't feel well, make an appointment to go to the doctor, by the time you get there you'll feel better . Don't make an appointment and you'll stay sick .

19. Walden's Law of Blogging -If you write in a blog it makes no difference what it is about cause nobody really reads it anyway. So say what you want to. "POOT"! See.

Good for another year.

Today is a special day in Walden World, My 32nd Anniversary. 32 years ago I marriage the most wonderful woman I have ever met. It is clear that God provided me the best of the best. Eat your hearts out guys, she is mine. Of course when I say she is mine I mean we are "one." One because that is God's plan for his children of which we are two. Jane Elizabeth Libby Stone Song-bird Sunshine Walden is the complete package. My best friend, the one that is always there for me in all situations. The kind of woman I want my girls to be. I want my girls to be the kind of mother that she is and the kind of wife she is to the man that God has for them. The Christian sister that will listen but will tell you the truth because it is what needs to be said.

Happy Anniversary My Darling!!!!!

What's next and does it really matter?

I find that one of the big problems that little people face is they are focused on "right now" and don't care about tomorrow. Seems that they do so many things that are for the moment with no thought of consequence.

Steal a lap top? Why? "I could sale it." For how much? "Don't know? What ever." Was it worth it? "No sir." I have conversations like this all the time.

I find that one of the big problems that big people face is they are focused on tomorrow and don't care about today. Not to long ago I found myself in a situation where all I could think about was tomorow and what I couldn't continue with, put up with, or live with.

Let me share a few pearls of wisdom with you all, like that was a lot of folk.

Oh yea, it's another list.

1. Dust waits. Don't be obsessed with the mind set that thins "gots" to be clear and organized all the time. Lighten up, clean it up, straighten up some times but don't miss out on some fun by spending time on the cleaning and straightening up of stuff.

2. There is nothing possible to make tomorrow come sooner or later than it will. So what is is. Live with it because you can't not live with it.

3. Be excited about the posibility of tomorrow. Good grief, you could find a penny on the ground tomorrow and it might be worth more than just 1 cent. You might meet your future husband or wife. Make a new friend who loves the same things you do. That wart might just far off on its own.

4. God is in control. No matter what happens good, bad or ugly, God is absolutely in control and determines your role in it all.

5. Don't worry about anything. SEE #4.

Whether you are focused on today or tomorrow, focus on what is good and remember ...

"God is God and you are not."

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD,... plans to give you hope and a future... you will seek me and find me when you seek with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11,13

What did you expect?

How's your day going? I hope good. I thought I would share a bit of my day with you. This is a conversation I had with Phillip, a 7th grade special ed student today. Phillip is 4 foot 5 inches maybe, and weights 87 pounds which is more that his older sister or so he says. Nice eyes, soft voice, and a smile that says me pick me first in all situations.

"Hello, Phillip," me.

"Hello, Mr. Walden," Phillip.

"Didn't I see you yesterday Phillip?"

"Yes sir."

"What did you do yesterday."

"Told that boy that he was going to hell for lying."

"And what did I tell you about that?"

"Jesus saves."

"What else did you do?"

"I was out of my seat because there was a rat in the fan."

"But was there a rat in the fan?"

"No sir."

"Ms. Jones didn't like what you did, did she?"

"Well, no."

"You like me don't you Phillip?"

"Yes sir."

"If I treat you mean will you stay in class instead of my office?"

"You won't treat me mean, will you?"

"No, but tell me why you let me down each day and get in trouble by disrupting class, making up stories, and calling your teachers ugly names?"

"They deserve it. They treat me mean."

"Do you think they really treat you mean?"

"Yes they do."

"How?"

"They call me names and and talk about my momma."

"What names do they call you?"

"Pimp, Shorty, and BUG."

"BUG huh?"

"Yes, because I'm little."

"Do they really call you BUG?"

"Well, they call me roach."

"I'll see what I can do about that. What do they say about your momma?"

"They say she is a hoe and sales drugs."

"Phillip, do you know what a hoe is?"

"Yes, I'm not a kid."

"How old are you?"

"13"

"Does your mother sale drugs?"

"Not any more."

"Not any more?"

"My momma is dead."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"It's OK. That's what happens to you when you are a hoe and sale drugs."

And so it goes at the J.O.B. I hope your day goes better now.

Rave 2 for march 5th, 2009.

This is a continuation of "Rave 1" when I share a few friend and influential people.

11. Kenneth Quinn - my first and bestest art teacher ever. A man that taught me more than he will ever know. Self discipline, caring for others, fun with "different medias" and "dry brushing". He had a way of letting you know that class was almost over, I'll never forget. "T minus 10 and counting, T minus 10." So well organized. Big impact on me. I had the privilege of working beside him as a co-worker years after I was in his class. I was still learning from him in those years. I once told him after a funeral we both attended that what ever I gained, what ever success I would experience, he would have to take some blame or credit for it. I meant it. Outstanding artist, outstanding!

12. Pogo - my really first dog and best friend. Fox Terrier, big long nose. When we got him he had "seed ticks" covering his face. I treated him and his hair fell out. Later it grew back and he was beautiful black and brown with a touch of white. He was my boy. He would attack my dad when he would slap me on the arm. Poggi died of cancer 1971. My best friend.

13. Marcellus Gilmore Edson of Montreal, Quebec. "Marci Marc", the guy that invented Peanut Butter. Makes my life a little better each day.

14. Joseph C. Gayetty, "Joey C", the inventor of packaged toilet paper in America. Makes my life a bit more comfortable and yours too I'm sure.

15. Floyd Franklin Smith, Coach Smith - my first football coach. Taught me so much about life and caring at a time in my life that I REALLY needed someone to care. Not the greatest teacher but a good man. I patterned a several parts of my life after him. He got me a summer college job as a life guard/custodian at a country club (I think it was more custodian/pool boy). This later lead to me working with the YMCA and training my own life guards and running the pools. A real special time when I was able to help some young folk with summer jobs that needed them and help a few that had some other needs. Glory.

16. Larry Thompson - Room mate in college. Larry was a wild man in high school. We had gone to Jr. High together. No way I was going to room with that guy because he was to wild but it turned out that God got Larry and it was for real. He was a Churchman All-American two years (not much to get excited about) but he got the honor not me. He played offense but wouldn't have been able to cut it with us defense folk. Anyway, Larry got married his Junior year To Debbie (a most wonderful girl, pretty too) and after graduation went on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ. He ended up in Europe behind the Iron Curtain raising God's army and eventually was the director over there. I love Larry, the kind man I wanted to be.

17. Uncle Windell Anglin - my mom's brother who fought in WWII and drove a truck for Rider. A real hero to me. Reminded me of Walter Mattheau because he was so laid back and did his thing. Told great stories, but most of all was a great encourager. Very special to me. Dead now.

18. "Lucky" Lloyd Knott - The trainer while I was at State. He used several miles of tape on my ankles, knees, and other body parts. A good friend of small statue and big heart. Smarter than he ever thought but I knew better. If you ever needed someone he was there. I always thought Lucky would go into politics, he just had "it."

Who the real idiot here?

Every day I hear something about fixing education, blaming the school systems for the kids not getting their "free" education, or hope we need more money to start new programs to save the education world. If I may, but of course I may it's my blog, GOOD GRIEF! HOW SLOW ARE YOU FOLKS. Most of the cases I see daily are with a "person" that acts like they are the guardian of the student. Some sit quietly while others rant and rave about what educators are supposed to do.

Now, I have worked with parents and students for over 35 years (more as an administrator than in the classroom). Today the parents, and I use the term loosely, expect the teachers to learn for the students, instead of instructing them or helping them to think for themselves. The students' minds are infested with crap that simply takes away from the learning process. Rapp songs with mean spirited lyrics about women and killing, promises from people who have no knowledge or preys upon their ignorants. But most of all parents that brought them into the world but didn't take care of them for the early part of their lives and certainly don't now. The apple don't fall to far from the tree!

Get a grip out there. You're trying to hold educators responsible for kids that have no respect for any educator and parent that don't do anything to insure that kids come to school and not hold classes hostage because they get away with anything at home. You let them stay out of the house till 2:00 am. They flunk all their classes but your buy them $150.00 shoes or video games instead of the computer that they use for an excuse for not doing home work.

HELLO ALL YOU SMART LEGISLATORS, GOVERNORS, CONGRESSMEN, MR. PRESIDENT, HOW BOUT THEM THERE PARENTS. WHAT YOU GONNA DO WITH THAT?????

Hudson miracle landing.

Scope this out. It is the Plane landing in the Hudson in animation. VERY COOL.

Smart body parts.

HOW SMART IS YOUR RIGHT FOOT?
You have to try this. It is absolutely true. I guess there are some things that the brain cannot handle. You have to try this please, it takes 2 seconds. I could not believe it!!!
It is from an orthopedic surgeon and will boggle your mind. You will keep you trying over and over again to see if you can outsmart your foot, but you can't. It's pre-programmed in your brain!
Here goes:
1. Without anyone watching you (they will think you are "shey GOOFY") and lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles.
2. Now, while doing that, draw the number '6' in the air with your right hand. Your foot will change direction.
I told you so!!! And there's nothing you can do about it!
You and I both know it is stupid , but before the day is done you are going to try it again, if you've not already done so.

Smarty foot, who finds out these things. Got to be a guy from Ole Miss.

APHORISM?

APHORISM: A SHORT, POINTED SENTENCE EXPRESSING A WISE OR CLEVER OBSERVATION OR A GENERAL TRUTH

1. The nicest thing about the future is that it always starts tomorrow.

2. Money will buy a fine dog, but only kindness will make him wag his tail.

3. If you don't have a sense of humor, you probably don't have any sense at all.

4. Seat belts are not as confining as wheelchairs.

5. A good time to keep your mouth shut is when you're in deep water.

6. How come it takes so little time for a child who is afraid of the dark to become a teenager who wants to stay out all night?

7. Business conventions are important because they demonstrate how many people a company can operate without.

8. Why is it that at class reunions you feel younger than everyone else looks?

9. Scratch a cat and you will have a permanent job.

10. No one has more driving ambition than the boy who wants to buy a car.

11. There are no new sins; the old ones just get more publicity.

12. There are worse things than getting a call for a wrong number at 4 AM.. It could be a right number.

13. No one ever says 'It's only a game.' when their team is winning.

14. I've reached the age where the happy hour is a nap.

15. Be careful reading the fine print. There's no way you're going to like it.

16. The trouble with bucket seats is that not everybody has the same size bucket.

17. Do you realize that in about 40 years, we'll have thousands of old ladies running around with tattoos? (And rap music will be the Golden Oldies!)

18. Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Corvette than in a Yugo.

19. After 50, if you don't wake up aching in every joint, you are probably dead!!

20. Always be yourself because the people that matter don't mind, and the ones who mind, don't matter.

Soon and very soon.

I love this old song that says "soon and very soon we are going to be with God." It kinda matches with a lot of other things besides Jesus, like leaving one profession for another.

I loved coaching 7th & 8th graders. Now that was a group that were so confused they didn't have time to think about the near or far future. Everything was possible with those guys. They could see themselves catching a touchdown pass by diving over a horse drawn carriage with one hand with their wearing a red and black golf glove that their dad gave them when it got to small for him. Once you show them that you love them they will do all they can for you. Great times.

I loved working with high school students and young college men and women during the summers at the YMCA pools. Lots of work but great kids. These guys needed a job to help go to college and I meant for them to earn their money as well as get some unexpected education on life while with me. I'm so proud of those guys and girls.

I've loved most of what I have done during my life as a profession, and now that I'm at a point to "maybe" start another career I'm really puzzled. I decided to list things that I enjoy doing and see which one would be the best for me to pursue.

Top 6 (I've been into the listing lately haven't I.) I like to do.
1. Eating - NOPE
2. Playing with Randi - NOPE
3. Being with my family - NOPE
4. Building stuff - MAYBE
5. Talking and sharing about the LORD - MAYBE
6. Sitting in the tub with the bubble machine blowing while I read. - NOPE

Top 6 things I don't like to do.
1. Cut grass
2. Paint
3. Vacuum
4. Exercise
5. Sing in front of folk
6. Study stuff that is boringgggggg

Top 6 professions I might like to do.
1. Pilot
2. Deep sea diver
3. Radio talk show host
4. Butcher
5. General in the army
6. Preacher

So where do I go from here?? (If you have a suggestion please comment so I can take another step.) OK, one more list today.

Top 12 professions I'm not going to do. (doubled because there are lots of things I ain't gonna do)
1. Salesman of any kind
2. Principal
3. Social worker
4. Music director
5. Truck driver
6. Sex therapist (had to put something in to embarrass my children and wife)
7. Fruit picker (maybe nose picker, sorry remember the family?)
8. Cable guy
9. Actor
10.Ole Miss Coach
11.Banker
12.Night watchman

OK the search is on for the next career for an old fat guy with lots of little people experience and a bunch of big people experience.