# 95 Finish Line

Sometimes you have to kick, scream, cry and claw your way to the finish line. The picture above is my son and his friend doing the Battlefrog Obstacle Course. A brutal event designed by Navy Seals. 

Another battle is also being waged in Florida by my brother in law Charles. 

He is in the last week of chemo and radiation treatment. 

I remember well the obstacles involved with these cancer treatments.

As I reflect on these two family members the word determination seems to fit . We must all, at many points in our life look at the road ahead, set your jaw, put your head down and go THROUGH IT.

Not around it; not, lets just figure a way out of it; just determine that you are going to do it.

Then do it.

Whatever finish line lies in front of you today remember that God is always with you. Keep fighting! We are praying for you Charles!

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and loving kindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

# 94 April Showers!

April showers remind us its time to "jump" up and get outside to look at all the new growth and a fresh spring! Happy Easter to all of you. I hope you enjoyed the lovely weekend and are reminded that Easter is a time of new beginnings. We can not change our past but we can start today wil a whole new beginning. You get this weeks post early because I am headed out for a few days of vacation with two of my sons. I hope to have some great pictures for you next week! I have placed the Woodcrafting for Birds and Wildlife in two retail stores locally Community Hardware and Knox Feed. If you are close by you can get your copy this week!

John 11

21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

# 93 Hatching

In the south It is getting that time of year. Rain and bright sunshine have all the trees blooming! The birds are all interested in finding homes and nesting. The eagles are scheduled to hatch this week in Decorah Iowa. If you have not checked them out you should! Its great fun to watch them feed the chicks from the live feed. http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles

They got a big snow this week so the nest is covered!

I did an interview abut the book this week for the Galveston Daily News. It will be a feature story in this sunday's paper. I will send a link next week.

Next weekend I will be at the TPWD Woodlands Expo promoting my book. Plenty to do!

Ecclesiastics 1

All streams flow into the sea,
    yet the sea is never full.
To the place the streams come from,
    there they return again.
8 All things are wearisome,
    more than one can say.
The eye never has enough of seeing,
    nor the ear its fill of hearing.
9 What has been will be again,
    what has been done will be done again;
    there is nothing new under the sun.
10 Is there anything of which one can say,
    “Look! This is something new”?
It was here already, long ago;
    it was here before our time.

# 92 Catch Up

This week was a kind of catch your breath week. I did get a chance to look over and edit a full copy of "101 Freshwater Kayak Launches" the second book I have been working on. I do think this one will also be very successful, because there is nothing else like it on the market. I am looking forward  to a little kayak work in the very near future. Spring is right around the corner here in Texas!

Psalm 46:4-6, 10

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

    the holy place where the Most High dwells.

5 

God is within her, she will not fall;

    God will help her at break of day.

6 

Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;

    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;

    I will be exalted among the nations,

    I will be exalted in the earth.”

#91 No End In Sight!

I said to myself that this year I was going to slow down, so far it has not happened. I am behind on my blog posts but not on my activities. In the last days of February I did a wedding photography shoot over two days, and spent the following four days in post processing! I did a real estate shoot and also a initial review of my kayak book, anybody board? I do have lots of other projects that I want to attempt but for now I will work on what is in front of me. Mainly marketing the Woodcrafting for Birds and Wildlife book. Sales have been very good so far. Thank you to all who supported  me by purchasing a book. I have plenty left! I hope to work on getting it placed in some stores in the next few weeks.

Colossians 3

 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

# 90 Book It!!

If you build it they will come....

I am very pleased to announce that my first book is now available.

Our mission is to help you provide safe accessible housing for birds and other wildlife.

  Whether you are building or buying a birdhouse, Woodcrafting for Birds and Wildlife, provides the most detailed information on a safe home environment.  The continuing loss of habitat has created a nesting bird crisis including other wildlife.  If you are serious about helping nature, birds and wildlife - this book is for you.

We believe there is not another book on the market that provides as much expert research and helpful details as found in the Woodcrafting for Birds and Wildlife.

        Our book includes breeding and nesting information for over 40 species of birds and wildlife.

         All of these species will nest in man made structures.

·         This book gives house placement recommendations so you will achieve maximum occupancy rates in the homes you provide.

        This book has been written with the best interest of the birds and wildlife in mind.

         No fancy hard to follow plans, just solid, safe, and practical information.

         A beautiful full color photo section is included to aid your bird and wildlife identification.

         Our 28 detailed construction plans cover the specifics on which house plan works best for each species.  Easy to follow construction plans will make a great family project.

The joy and excitement of watching a new family grow in shelter you provided is priceless.  The birds and wildlife will thank you in their own special way, by showing off their new families.

You can call or email me if you would like a copy and I will get it to you.

$18.50 each

If you prefer it is also available on amazon.com

Woodcrafting for Birds and Wildlife is the completion of the efforts of many people. My sincere thanks to all of you who have helped to make this book a reality.

With this book you will learn how to create a backyard outdoor environment that will attract birds and provide them with a safe nesting option.

Mathew 6 :25-26
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

# 89 Think Spring!

Here in Texas we have had a relatively warm winter...so far. They say if you don't like the weather here just wait a few minutes. With the warm weather the birds have been active.

 Photography has been a passion of mine for quite a few years and the more I "shoot" the more I enjoy it. As I was getting ready for work one morning last week I spied these eastern bluebirds in the back yard checking out the free housing. With my camera sitting on  my desk I headed out the back door on a dead run! I did manage a few good shots in the process. Like a lot of things in life when you see an opportunity you had better grab at it. Photography is like that. The moment passes, the smile or giggle is gone, the hug or kiss lasts but a moment. The bird flies away or the deer runs off. Enjoy the moment and take it in. Fisherman say you never step in the same river twice, things are always moving. The bluebird only sits on the house for a few seconds.

You and I are her for such a short time. Enjoy the small things life!

 Genesis 3-19
19 By the sweat of your brow
    you will eat your food
until you return to the ground,
    since from it you were taken;
for dust you are
    and to dust you will return.”