A Favorite Useless Souvenir of a Favorite Memory

This stein has never held liquid of any kind. It’s held various items such as pens, pencils and back-scratchers. Most of the time of 34 years it has done nothing but take up space on a shelf. On occasion Cindy will say to me, “You still holding onto this?” I just smile and say “yes.” So . . . what’s so valuable about this stein that is so awkward amongst everything else we possess. Other than some photos, it is my lone souvenir from our honeymoon in Colorado. In August of 1986, we began a drive from the Chicago area to Colorado. I had been out there a few times the previous year looking for job opportunities which never came. But, I was awed by the Rocky Mountains and so Cindy and I went to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park among a few other places along the eastern range of the Rockies. The mug was purchased at the Trail Ridge Store which is at an elevation of something like 12,000 ft. What can I say? The park and so many things about that trip made its mark on me; a wonderful experience and a memorable way to begin my new life with Cindy. When I look at this I see the name Rocky Mountain National Park, nearby Long’s Peak which happens to be a little higher in elevation than Pike’s Peak down in Colorado Springs. I would argue that it’s even prettier. Finally, I see Bear Lake. At the time I purchased the stein, we had not been to Bear Lake. But, our last day at the park we took a trail that took us to Bear Lake and it was the icing on the cake for us. It is a serene and beautiful setting which we’ve talked about ever since and even went back to visit for our 25th anniversary. I’ve learned not to collect a lot of stuff from our trips. But, occasionally things like this are tangible reminders of the blessings that come our way in the course of time.

A Favorite Lesson

Six years ago our family took a trip to Florida. It’s a long story. But, I wasn’t particularly interested in going to Florida. I had been there multiple times before. But, we’d gotten a good deal at a resort and in the end, it was quite a restful and enjoyable trip. One of my requirements on this trip was to take a detour on the way back and visit Andersonville Prison and Prisoner of War Museum in Georgia.

If you’re not aware of Andersonville, it was the most notorious of POW camps in the south. It was a POW camp for fourteen months of the four year long Civil War. During that time, approximately 13,000 prisoners died there. Our visit came during the span of time that was the 150th anniversary of its existence. So, the photo of the included sign shows, for example, that 150 years to the day we were there 105 men died that day.

The primary cause of death was disease and malnutrition/starvation. The photo of the stream is to show you their source of drinking water which was already polluted before the water entered the stockade.

My primary reason for stopping here besides my interest in 19th century American history and Civil War history was that I had a relative who was captured in battle and taken here. He was one of the fortunate ones who survived it and lived until 1928.

A place like this does not evoke “happy thoughts.” In fact, it’s quite humbling to get a glimpse of the horrors of war and to realize what some people endured and sacrificed for the benefits of others. At such a cost, I’d hope that our desires would be for many others to also experience those benefits and liberties as well; that we would not have an “every person for themselves” attitude.

A Favorite Time of Year

At a school, most people's favorite time is graduation. Mine is the very first days of school even though it’s a very difficult time for me work-wise. The reason? I get to meet new students. I get to find out where they’re from and a little bit about them and also to learn about their hopes and ambitions of how this education will serve those dreams in the future. I like to meet new people anyway. But, I have a particular fondness for meeting international students. I learn so much from them. They have travelled far from their homes, their culture, and their families and have sacrificed much. Yet, it seems they are consistently humble, joyful, grateful, . . . Simply put, they just make you want to be around them. This photo is of a man named Keleme. He’s from Ethiopia. He came to the United States for the first time a few years ago to work on a Doctor of Ministry degree and needed a host for a little while. Through some connections we had the privilege of meeting this awesome person and were able to connect with him twice a year for a few weeks each when he came to the US for classes. Looking forward to seeing him receive his doctorate before long.

Favorite reminders

A sunrise is a reminder of the beginning of another day of life. I am grateful for each one. But, today I have a cousin in the hospital from a stroke, a friend who’s going for brain surgery in the morning, and other friends who have very few sunrises left to enjoy. As I am grateful for each sunrise, I am grateful for each person who’s impacted my life in one way or another.

Sunrise over the Gulf of Mexico on Galveston Island

James Taylor may go to Carolina in his mind. But, I go to west Texas

Sam had the privilege of interning at Big Bend National Park a few years ago. I followed him out there and spent a few days at the park. It’s the only national park in the US with an entire mountain range contained within its borders . Off in the distance you can see the Chisos Mountains. It’s an amazing place.

A Favorite Day with a Favorite Person

34 Years ago today (August 9, 1986). As many of my friends at Autumn Leaves like to say, “Dave - You married up.” Indeed I did.

Favorite Eco-system

Cindy and I had an opportunity to relocate to Arizona in 1991 with my job. Sam was born outside of Phoenix. But, we moved to Texas the following year and have been here since. I’ve loved things about every place I live. But the desert was pretty special. We had the opportunity to take our sons there a few years ago and we made a stop at Saguaro National Park. The Saguaros are those huge cacti with arms. They can live around 400 years I’m told.

Unknown "Faves"

You’re familiar with the expression, “I didn’t know how good I had it.” I have said that numerous times in my adult years. As one gets older, you learn things about people, places, and events that played a role in shaping who you are. This photo was taken years ago of our sons standing in front of the Chautauqua building in the center of the city park in my hometown. If you’re not familiar with the history of the Chautauqua festivals, I’d encourage you to read up on that. History happened in this building. But, more importantly, this building is iconic of our beautiful city park where I spent many hours during my childhood fishing in the lagoon, swimming in the park pool, playing baseball, riding my bike hanging out with friends, and so much more. The park was a center of community. It was a place you could enjoy nature, enjoy healthy activity, and enjoy other people. it seems to me like we need more of that. We need to be enjoying the company and presence of other people. In a time of “social-distancing,” be sensible but don’t push it too far. Get out and get together.

Favorite "Home Security"

Some people have guard dogs for home security. What do ministers have? Praying Mantis of course. ;)

A favorite memory with my mom

I’m processing some old photos and came across this. It captures one of my opportunities to visit my hometown, my roots. More importantly, it was one of those opportunities for our sons to visit their Grandma Largent. Stephen wasn’t born for over a year after cancer took my dad. My mom would be with us for only six more years before cancer would have its ultimate effect on her. Make the moments when you can.

A Favorite Tradition Within a Tradition

After i graduated from seminary in 2005, we discovered that one thing we all enjoyed as a family was to go to baseball games. We could often get tickets to Texas Rangers games free or very cheap. In other words, in was in our budget. They had various activities such as Autograph Wednesdays, Dollar Dog Nights, etc.. We would make the most out of each visit when possible. One tradition we formed in our trips to the Ballpark was to occasionally slip away from our seats in the fourth inning or so and go up to the air conditioned Diamond Club where we could watch the game through a large glass window, as well as on the TV in the club. We’d sit there and eat a “Diamond Indulgence.” It was a large dish with ice cream, cookies, and other goodies. Great times with our kids!

The ice cream is out of here!

The "Little Faves" of Life

In the midst of large manmade structures on or near our campus, a group of little plants and flowers will grab my attention and make me stop in my tracks. Notice the beauty of the collective group of this diverse group of plants. I love this!

Combining cultural experiences - A couple of my faves together at one time.

My favorite rootbeer from a midwestern drive-in chain. It’s even better from a frosted mug.

I’ve had the pleasure of living in the country and a few big cities. With each change of scenery, there are new things to experience; especially with regard to food. Sometimes you have the opportunity to bring those experiences and tastes together.

A Muffaletta from Jimmy’s Italian Market in east Dallas.

A favorite first

Fifteen years ago was the summer of 2005 had many special moments. My maternal grandmother turned 100 years old. She had still been living in her own home and driving up to that point. Almost six years after our dad died, my mom remarried a great guy who provided her companionship and an extra grandpa to my sons. But, early that summer I was earnestly trying to finish my final requirement for a Master of Theology degree that had taken me eight years; a masters thesis. I finished it in mid-July and I was toast.

For the eight years we’d lived in Dallas, people would ask me if I’d been to a Texas Rangers game. I politely replied that I hadn’t because I’d been too busy working full-time, pursuing my 122 hour degree, being married and raising two young boys. What I didn’t say, was “Texans don’t do baseball. We (midwesterners) do baseball.” I grew up a Saint Louis Cardinals fan.

But, a few days after I handed in the final edition of my thesis, a neighbor friend offered me the opportunity to purchase a few tickets to a Rangers game and I thought it was good opportunity to take Sam to his first pro game. He was a Little Leaguer and had fallen in love with the game. I was out of excuses. I must admit that I’d anticipated lots of traffic and dealing with obnoxious and intoxicated people at the game and it wasn’t something I was particularly excited about. But, I was on my way. It turned out to be one of the best things I could have done for myself and for my family. While it was a typically warm, summer evening, we were in the upper deck with a breeze and being back in a ballpark watching a game was so therapeutic coming off the completion of that degree. For the next few years, going to Ranger games became a regular family activity for us. They were not very good for a few more years. So, tickets were cheap (often free even) and available. The most important thing about it was that we discovered something that we all enjoyed doing together that fit our budget and time. This photo was Sam outside the gate right before we entered the field that night. A favorite first for me.

Hillsboro Texas - Another county seat, courthouse, and town square

There are numerous counties in the state of Texas in which the counties in the late 1800s seemed to have had a competition for who could build the most awesome courthouse. Many of them are on a square with shops and restaurants surrounding the area. Of course, a century plus of time can take its toll on buildings. Fortunately, the state of Texas has grants they award every year for the restoration of these courthouses. This often brings a restoration to the town square and the economy. The courthouse in this photo is about a 45 minute drive south of my house. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve driven through the town on I-35, but have never stopped in downtown. Well, all this quarantine and shelter-in-place stuff can get a little old and I needed to go somewhere and so I took a few hours to go visit the Hill County courthouse in Hillsboro and a paleontology museum called Texas Through Time. The museum is not large. But, they have some fascinating acquisitions and models. It’s very kid accessible and it’s free admission. The town also has a museum called Roadside America which is near the town square. It looks interesting. But, I’m saving that one for a little road trip with Cindy when she can go.

Some "Fave" music

This young alto saxophonist is the daughter of some friends of ours. She wrote this. Check it out!

I hope this song brings u the peace it brought me‬ 🎶 It's an affirmation. That...‬ ‪...I am enough ‬ ‪...everything I need is within me‬ ‪...our existence ha...

My County Courthouse - Ellis County

One of my “faves” about Texas are the many beautiful courthouses. Texas has a program in place that makes money available for restoration of these old courthouses. This has led to economic renewal in many of these communities because coffee shops, restaurants, art stores, antique shops, and festivals have drawn tourists in the renewed old town centers. Here are just a few photos I took of the restored Ellis County Courthouse in Waxahachie, Texas, a few miles from my home. I love this building. NOTE: There are three images here in a “carousel” format.

Cookie Baking Tips

Hey Folks! As part of this blogging and podcasting journey that I’m on, I decided to create a YouTube site to post some videos. My intent is to ultimately upload some video of how we make tamales, some of my meat smoking tips. But, this video is about some things I discovered baking cookies. Watch the video at:

This video highlights a few things I've learned that help streamline the cookie baking process and may result in a better cookie. These cookies are gluten-fr...

Social-"Un-Distancing"

I enjoy solitude and quiet as much as anyone can. I need it every now and then to clear the noise out of my head from the busy activities and challenges of life. But, community, fellowship, and friends are fuel for living. The photo here was taken 10 years ago on a nearby farm of some friends. It’s of one of our sons and twin daughters of our friends looking at the blooming wild flowers of Texas. We hadn’t even known this family for very long and it wouldn’t be much longer when a job change would take them to a different state and for a few years to a different county. In other words, we haven’t been able to spend much time with these friends in quite some time. But, that doesn’t matter because we are still friends and that relationship has marked us. Just knowing them, sharing similar values and desires for our children and for society at large makes that bond indelible. It encourages us and gives us joy simply in the knowledge of that relationship and the memories of the times we did have together.

Friends Together

One of my favorite things about Texas

There’s a joke that Texans love to tell and it goes as follows:

Never ask a man where he’s from. If he’s not from Texas, you don’t want to embarrass him. If he is from Texas, he’ll tell you anyway.

Well . . .if the truth be told, I’m not from Texas. But, given that I’ve learned a lot about this state and its people over the 22.5 years I’ve lived here, the natives have not run me out. Texas is the third state where I’ve lived for a while (more than five years). I’ve lived in Illinois, Arizona, and Texas. A few more years here and I will have lived here longer than I’ve lived anywhere in my life and that’s just fine with me. The irony in my tenure here is that there’s never been a place that I’ve disliked living more than my first three years here. So, what caused the big turnaround?

We moved here for me to go back to school for a Master’s degree and we lived in Dallas proper. That’s not particularly bad in and of itself. But, the reality was that I was working full-time, going to school, and we had a one-year-old son. My life was a constant mix of concrete, computers, books, and family stuff. We had little time to get out and when we did, it was to local destinations such as the zoo or a park. But, being in such a limited area provides little opportunity and time to get out and get a feel for the region and state as a whole. To add to this challenge was the fact that I’d driven through various parts of the state on the Interstate highways and they appeared to me to be the most God-forsaken areas on earth. I just didn’t understand why Texans were so infatuated with their state. What was so great about it?

Well, for me the turnaround came after we moved out of the city to a remote suburb south of Dallas and we took a trip to south Texas via the “Hill Country.” All of a sudden, I felt like I’d entered a whole new world. The strange thing about it is that is was different, but so familiar in a good way. I felt “home” in a number of places I’d never been before. I’ve joined numerous Facebook pages with a Texas theme and I see questions from new transplants to the state that are essentially asking for everything they need to know to “be Texan.” The problem is that you can’t read a book and get it. You can’t even ask a fifth-generation Texan and expect an answer that will be remotely helpful. One has to get around a bit. Drive through the Piney Woods, spend a night in the Hill Country, explore the wildlife preserves along the gulf coast, go visit Palo Duro Canyon near Amarillo (the second largest canyon in the United States), or go marvel at the wonders of Big Bend National Park in west Texas; the only national park with an entire mountain range enclosed within its borders. Wherever you go, never be in such a hurry to not take time and meet the local citizens. The people and the small towns are where “the gold is.” That’s not a knock against the cities. They have virtues all their own.

Lastly, come to Texas in April and check out the wildflowers. In the photos below are bluebonnets (state flower) and Paintbrushes. I took these photos just today. I’d be happy living here the rest of my life just to see these bloom every Spring.

Click the photo to see more Texas wildflowers. Photos taken by David Largent. April 4, 2020