Blog Archives

Photos From Today--The Last Day of CFD 2022

7/31/2022

0 Comments

When the Mayor arrives, it is close to starting time.

I had a close-up view of Chute Number 9.

Six folks jumped from a helicopter and landed safely in the arena.

Three landed smoothly. Three landed a little less gracefully.

It has been a couple of great days for me at Cheyenne Frontier Days. I would be lying if I didn't say I was a little on the tired side. I may need to go back to work tomorrow to rest up.

I sported my cowboy hat that I purchased in 1978. It came with me from Old Monroe, Missouri to Powell, Wyoming in 1979 when I accepted a basketball scholarship to Northwest (Community) College. It typically sits in my closet quietly growing old. I thought I would break it out today for the finals.

As we move into the month of August, we know that brings with it a sense of upcoming changes. "Back-to-school" sales let us know that summer vacation is quickly drawing to a close. I hope you have had some chances this summer to make memories.

Blessings and peace!

0 Comments

Enjoy Some Photos From Today's Rodeo at CFD

7/30/2022

0 Comments

Doin' it with style!

Many thanks to Bryan Pedersen for inviting me into his box for the rodeo.

I was able to grab a photo of Bryan Pedersen and Mayor Patrick Collins.

Plenty of fun for all!

0 Comments

Do You Still Dream Of The Possibilities?

7/26/2022

0 Comments

When you were a child, what did you dream of doing or becoming? As you moved through childhood and adolescence, did those dreams take root, or simply fade away?

As I look at this photo, I wonder about the possibilities for her future. Will she be a barrel racer? Does her love for animals lead to a vocation as a veterinarian? Or will she simply scope out a good-looking cowboy? (It had to be asked.)

What about us? Do we still dream? As I get older, I think about running out of time before I accomplish certain things. That is okay. I would rather die pursuing my dreams than simply die with them safely wrapped up only in my mind. (Bucket list--climbing Gros Piton on the island of St. Lucia.)

As our country grows more and more divided, what type of society will we hand on to future generations? Will they have a chance to fulfill their dreams?

My invitation to you is simple. Make your little corner of the world just a little bit brighter today than it was yesterday. Then, continue doing that every day. Let's keep all of our dreams alive by building a world based on the two great commandments. Let us love God with our whole heart, mind, soul, and strength, and love our neighbor as ourselves. That will empower all of us to keep dreaming about the possibilities.

Blessings and peace!

0 Comments

Cheyenne Frontier Days Parade Day # 2

7/26/2022

0 Comments

I was back to being a spectator this year. It was a beautiful morning for a parade.

In case you don't remember my photo from last year when I was in the parade...

I think I am living in the wrong time period.

0 Comments

The Thunderbirds Are Practicing for Wednesday

7/25/2022

0 Comments

I heard a distinct sound outside of my office. Yes, the Thunderbirds are in town. They were a good distance from my location, but I was able to capture this little message.

I had the pleasure of meeting the pilots last year. We'll see if that opportunity arises again this year. The photo below is from last year.

0 Comments

LONG LIVE COWBOYS--Cheyenne Frontier Days

7/23/2022

0 Comments

To all of my friends and readers from the Cheyenne, Wyoming area, I hope you have a safe and prosperous ten days at Cheyenne Frontier Days.

To my readers located in other parts of the world, I will try to get as many photos as possible throughout the week to share the experience with you.

Have a great weekend. Blessings and peace!

0 Comments

Articulate Hope--Spread Joy--Squelch Mediocrity!

7/22/2022

0 Comments

As we wrap up another work week, I simply want to encourage you to continue to strive to be your authentic, amazing self!

Please remember this:

“Never let anyone treat you like regular glue. You are glitter glue.”
~Unknown Origination

Stay enthusiastic!

"There is real magic in enthusiasm. It spells the difference between mediocrity and accomplishment."
~Norman Vincent Peale

Stay motivated!

"People who are unable to motivate themselves must be content with mediocrity, no matter how impressive their other talents."
~Andrew Carnegie

And finally, be grateful!

"It's a sign of mediocrity when you demonstrate gratitude with moderation."
~Roberto Benigni

"Jealousy is the tribute mediocrity pays to genius."
~Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

0 Comments

Oslo, Norway--Anniversary of Attack on July 22, 2011

7/20/2022

0 Comments

"If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden."
~ Frances Hodgson Burnett

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we reached that point where we could view the world in such a magnificent way?

On July 22, 2011 there was a double attack in Oslo, Norway beginning with a car bomb and then a shooting rampage. There were nearly a hundred people killed and hundreds more were injured.

According to Wikipedia, "It was the deadliest attack in Oslo, Norway since World War II, and a survey found that on average, 1 in 4 Norwegians knew 'someone affected by the attacks.'"

The amount of violence that is exhibited all across the world is astounding. It grips us in a more profound manner when the attacks hit close to home, but the devastation is still real even when it happens half way around the world from where we are.

Let us pray for all the Norwegians who lost loved ones in these attacks. The anniversary of this attack (Friday) is sure to be a difficult day for all those who lost loved ones. May they continue to find strength to carry on.

Let us also remember in prayer all those who were physically injured. Some of these injuries were very serious and so we pray for continued healing and restoration of physical abilities.

Finally, we pray for all those who are struggling with the emotional and spiritual turmoil that is left behind in the wake of such a tragic event.

Matthew 5:9
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."

John 14:27
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let you hearts be troubled or afraid."

John 16:33
"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

0 Comments

My Computer May Be Asleep--But I Am Awake

7/19/2022

0 Comments

“Do something wonderful. People may imitate it.” ~ Albert Schweitzer

It has been an interesting couple of days in regard to comments I have received. I stopped at a fast food joint yesterday to grab lunch after taking my wife to a medical appointment. (My wife was prudent and brought her own "healthy" lunch, so I dropped her off back at work and went to lunch without her.) A person greeted me just as I was walking out the door after finishing my lunch. It was someone I knew but had not seen in a few years. We exchanged a few pleasantries and then came the question. "Why did you stop doing what you were doing? You were really good at it."

First of all, that question could be interpreted in a wide variety of ways. Second of all, I am still doing some of what I was doing. I am just doing it in a different locale. Unless you specifically want to narrow down exactly what I should be doing, then it will be a bit of a challenge to have this conversation.

Although I share quite a bit of my personal life in the public arena, every detail is not needed in all cases. There are misperceptions that I have tried to correct from time to time, but it is okay if people do not fully understand me. Why did we move? Why did I leave my job at the chancery? A number of people have asked me why I left my job at the cathedral? I am not now, nor have I ever, been an employee of the Cathedral of St. Mary. I was assigned there as a deacon. I was not a paid employee. My paid position was with the Diocese of Cheyenne as the Director of Pastoral Ministries and Superintendent of Catholic Schools. That was how I earned a living.

I think I know what the person was referring to. The individual wanted to know why I stopped preaching and teaching. It did not stop. It has just moved to a different diocese. I am assigned as a deacon in the Archdiocese of Denver. That is where my domicile is located and that is the jurisdiction in which I am assigned to function as a deacon.

With that being said, I was just asked by someone this past Sunday in the Archdiocese of Denver whether or not I would consider preaching a parish mission this fall. I was also contacted recently by someone in the Diocese of Charleston, South Carolina asking if I would come and lead a three-day women's retreat this fall. Another request came from Quincy, Illinois as well.

It would be a great privilege to accept all of these requests to preach and teach at these events. The challenge is fitting them into my schedule. I am not as young as I used to be, and working seven days a week on a continual basis is not on my agenda.

I want to be very clear about one thing. I do not charge to preach and teach the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. I ask people and organizations to cover my travel expenses, but I do not charge a fee to speak. I trust in their generosity. If I bring something of value to them, I hope they will enable me to continue to grow my ministry. Eventually, I hope to be able to leave full-time employment (retire) and just teach and preach. I am not at that point yet.

The pandemic shut down all of my scheduled public gatherings for 2020. I have been reluctant to start filling my calendar again. I could explain why I feel that way, but then I would get comments about my conspiracy theories. (Are they really theories when they keep coming true?)

Anyway, regardless of where you are, or what you are doing,
"Do something wonderful. People may imitate it."

0 Comments

"All The World Is A Stage!"

7/18/2022

0 Comments

What masterpiece are you creating today?
--
The Liturgy of the Hours this morning included Psalm 90. This is one of my favorite psalms, and I sat quietly for a while this morning just pondering and reflecting upon a couple of lines.

"Life is seventy years, or eighty for those who are strong. And most of these are emptiness and pain."

There are many days that I can definitely relate to the psalmist. However, there are also times where I am energized and I want to make the most of these seventy or eighty years. Today is one of those days when I want to go at it with gusto. What are we going to accomplish today? What can we create?

My invitation to you today: Let's get out there and create some masterpieces. You have been blessed with certain skills and talents. Don't be afraid to let them shine! You are a performer of one kind or another. I give the stage and the spotlight to you. Let today be your shining moment!

Have a great start to your week

0 Comments

<<Previous

Archives

Author