300 x 2 = 600 posts...arghhhh!

X 2

You may not have known this, but I am a huge 300 fan. Probably my all-time favorite movie. So, any time I land on a milestone on Hoosier Happenings, I go back to my faithful 300 collection of pics and try to cleverly work in the milestone.

This marks my 600th post. Unbelievable....especially since my blog-breakdown earlier this year held up 600 for a good couple of months. Blogging for me has endured for almost 3 years now. Many in the cyber world of latest and greatest say that blogging is dead. That may well be. But I like to keep spilling out dribble......and since my doctor recommended starting the blog.....well, I guess it's therapeutic too.

So, in 600 posts we have covered about every topic under the sun. And some topics I should have left well enough alone. We've seen some major changes, including the most significant one, a base-camp move to Sycamore Hill. I have a long list of additional posts I keep working through and I'll continue my musing until Blogger pulls the plug.

But, while we're on the 300 theme....I thought it all too appropriate last week as I traveled Indiana Highway 350 to pass through the burg of Sparta. So without further adieu (and obviously you won't get this if you haven't seen the movie)

THIS IS SPARTA (Indiana) !

Seriously folks, this is pretty much it!

400? Really?

With my blogging slowing to a trickle it's a wonder at all that I could have actually reached the 400 mark for posting. I began this crazy site back in July of 2007, based on the idea I thought it would be therapeutic. Well, it has. It has also gotten me into trouble now and then too.

So after 400 mindless, pointless, navel-gazing dribbles later....I looked back in the archive and selected my top, favorite 12 posts. Why 12? Well, if you take 400 divide it by my age, add my social security number and then divide again by the year I was born, it comes up to 12. Just kidding....I was shooting for 10 and just couldn't whittle it down any further.

Here they are in no particular order:

1. A discussion among our founding fathers about the future

http://hoosierhappenings.blogspot.com/2008/10/in-philly-pub-1776.html

2. A faithful pair of jeans and our goodbye
http://hoosierhappenings.blogspot.com/2008/10/they-dont-just-fade-away.html

3. Describing what I would do as Blueberry Hank
http://hoosierhappenings.blogspot.com/2008/09/if-i-could-be-that-guy.html

4. Breaking free from my job! Geez, call me Nostradomus
http://hoosierhappenings.blogspot.com/2008/07/breaking-free.html

5. Green bean casserole-less reunion
http://hoosierhappenings.blogspot.com/2008/07/did-you-feel-earth-move.html

6. The David Tree....that sparked a huge change in my thinking
http://hoosierhappenings.blogspot.com/2008/05/david-tree.html

7. Rating my massage experience
http://hoosierhappenings.blogspot.com/2008/05/why-hoosiers-dont-get-massages.html

8. Not for the faint at heart-an unhappy deer story
http://hoosierhappenings.blogspot.com/2008/04/shooting-in-river-city.html

9. Half-time locker room chat with God
http://hoosierhappenings.blogspot.com/2008/04/my-conversation-with-god-this-morning.html

10. Love and rejection
http://hoosierhappenings.blogspot.com/2008/02/on-love.html

11. a revelation during my spiritual retreat
http://hoosierhappenings.blogspot.com/2008/02/clearing.html

12. My experience with a carny at a small town fair

http://hoosierhappenings.blogspot.com/2007/09/carny.html

My next post.....when I get to it......will be about finally being responsive to something I felt God put on my heart over a year ago regarding river city. Have an awesome weekend!

in a Philly pub, 1776

"George, John, Ben! Have a seat my comrades!"

"Thanks Tom, old friend!"

"Well, we have our work cut out for us, this sovereign nation business is taxing!"

"Ha, good one Ben!"

"Tom, now tell your friends here what you told me, about these worrisome prophesies in your sleep at night"

"well, John, I don't know how much weight to give to these hauntings....probably a piece of undigested venison"

"tell us Thomas.....what troubles you?"

"well, men, we sit here planning the course for a new nation....creating laws to govern well into the future, as a representative democracy....."

"yes, a democracy! Nothing like that under the crown!"

"George, hush, listen to Tom"

"Thanks Ben....you always were the smart one. Well, suppose 200 years from now the men of this country become desperately ignorant, void of the ability to wisely choose their representation?"

"Tom! We are men of the enlightenment! We shall only see more wisdom and thoughtfulness given to casting a ballot for representation."

"well, maybe, John, maybe. But, let us ponder this: what if men of vast fortune wish to sway voters with continuous, misleading propaganda!"

"what, through courier? through the printed page? Hardly an effective way to reach masses"

"True, but what if technology increases to where information is readily available to all our citizenry?"

"what is technology?"

"Ben, it's like the thing you did with the key & lightning"

"oh, of course George"

"yeah, who's the smart one now?"

"well, but Tom, surely with this tremendous exchange of readily available information, the public will only have their appetite increased for information, to be fully aware of the things that shall affect their life, liberty and pursuit of happiness!"

"you had to throw that in there, didn't you John? I happen to like that phrase! What if the citizenry become apathetic? What if they buy lies spread through propaganda by elitists?

"Tom, you worry for nothing. Good men of good integrity-only those are worthy to serve this democracy.....this government of and by the people.....men with this character would never allow lies to be told"

"Ben, I want to believe that......but it haunts me. The Romans-leisure and apathy brought down their empire.......surely we are not above this!"

"well, they also began to believe that their empire was holy, that what they did in the name of God was perfectly righteous. We don't believe this!"

"No, George, WE do not believe this, but will there come a day when the Almighty is invoked with our actions? Such as a manifest destiny of this nation?"

"hardly possible with the great range of religion we see from commonwealth to commonwealth"

"Men, we have done all that we can do. We must rely on the character of men and the guiding arm of our Creator to lead this nation during transitions. Thoughtful men will see through the magic of deceptive lies."

"I hope that you are right John. Suppose if not, how long do you give this experiment in democracy?"

"200 years......plus or minus. Remember patriotism is the last great hiding place for scoundrels, but no doubt, people will also see through this."

they don't just fade away

Well, I'm faced with a real tragedy right now.

Have you ever had that perfect pair of jeans, or t-shirt, or sweatshirt that you wore until its really just rags held together by a few stubborn strands? Ordinarily I mow in shorts....you know, when it was summer just two weeks ago, but last week it was a bit nippy out and I decided to wear an old pair of jeans I've resisted throwing out. They have been my all-time favorite jeans-perfect fit.

Both knees had blown out two years ago, about the same time the bottom cuff of the legs also had let loose and often got caught between the ground and the heel of my shoe. Then a tear began on one corner of a pocket.....then hit the other corner. Finally that tear worked its way over to the all important center seam up the, er uh, center of the backside this spring. They were rendered unsuitable for public wearings by my wife at that point, since she preferred my Calvins be hidden from view. So, they were occasionally brought out for backyard use......with only the neighbors turning their heads in disgust.

Oh yeah, mowing last week. I pulled my faithful sidekick(s?) out of the closet, pulled them on-bent down to put on my shoes and I heard a slight rip. I figured, aw, nothin'-like an old house settling. I went on about my business of mowing the front yard and our "cottage", came back to mow our back yard, but wanted a drink first. So I kicked off my shoes by our outside step, quenched my thirst....went back out and sat down on the back step to put my shoes back on.

BIG riiiiiiiiiiiipppppppp! I felt the cold of the concrete step now on my cheek. Uh oh. I reached back and yes, the center seam had all opened up. I finished mowing regardless.....sorry neighbors! I came back inside and my wife asked if I had been mowing "like that". I said yes and she rolled her eyes. I took them off and said, what do you think? "Well, I could patch them....maybe."

I put my head down, and said, no, it's probably time to let them go. Farewell-I will always remember you.

if I could be that guy

If I could be that guy in the big blueberry suit, I would strut myself into the festival mob, whistling some kind of crazed tune-jerk the cigarettes out of people's hands by the covered bridge and stomp on them with my giant foot. If I could be that guy I'd push my way to the front of the line on every ride, and at every food booth, particularly the blueberry ice cream booth-to wit I would say "don't you know who I am? why, I'm the mascot of the insanity"

If I could be that guy in the big blueberry suit, I would wreck havoc by bumping into marathon runners I did not like with my big stuffed body and then in fanciful mascot manner, throw my over sized hand over my mouth as if to say....."did I do that?"

If I could be that guy, I would carry a buzzer in the palm of my hand that would give a slight shock to people I'd greet. And put a giant plastic bag full of blueberry jelly between my thighs so that I could squeeze them together and squirt blueberry out my backside when I got excited.

If only they would let me be that guy in the blueberry suit......I would prance around during the parade pants dropping politicians, kicking their hynies if I didn't like them and picking fights with teenagers who taunted me along the way.

Ah, if only they would let me be that guy I'd go into Papa John's and demand free pizza, then to a city council meeting and demand to be treated equally-that all doorways and toilets accommodate my plumpness. And if they refused I'd pile drive the mayor until he relented and said "blueberry king, you rule!"

Alas, I don't think they'll ever let me be that guy. Happy Blueberry.

BREAKING FREE

We are free in ways we never should be, sweet release from the grip of these chains

Here we go.....

My last day on the job is Friday, August 1. After 12 years, and the only post-college job I've known (as in started the day after graduation), and the absolute source of my identity in river city, God made it really clear to me.....it's His timing to move on. The obvious question is "move on to what?"

And that's the beauty of it. I don't have the slightest idea. But I couldn't be more confident in the decision. It is a leap of faith, no doubt. Side note: wife is firmly behind this.

We're staying in river city....we see too much potential in areas I believe He is calling us to. I may strike out on my own; it is clear to see God's providing already for this at least in an interim basis. Long term? Well, we'll just follow His lead.

About a year ago I was reading a book entitled "Discover your Destiny" in which the author portrays a mighty elephant tied to a stake to train it into submission. After some time the trainer removes the stake, however, the elephant, still thinking it is chained, remains captive. The author asks......"what are the imaginary stakes in your life?" My immediate response was "my job". Then I thought, no, that's too obvious. But, it is obvious.

There has been much thought spent on this. It began about 2 years ago and has an amusing thread of irony woven into the story-maybe I'll share in the future. I know this: if I do not activate my own pursuits now, then when? It is a strange feeling indeed, both for the remaining days and for what lies ahead come Monday morning. It is as much about spiritual freedom as it is in pursuing the desires God has formed in my heart.

God has been at work on this piece of clay over the last two years. The foggy lake was like a death....a death of my own reason, a death of who I thought God was supposed to be. He's opened my eyes to so much around me, transforming my mind and soul; I recognize now it isn't at all about seeing to the other side!

Another blogger often affectionately calls God "ridiculous" because He is so much bigger and knowing than we allow Him to be in our lives, that when He does move........we're left dumbfounded. I think God's been looking down with a big 'ol smile on His face.........saying, yeah, ok buddy, you think putting on 22 lbs of muscle is an accomplishment.........WATCH THIS!

All that is within me cries, for you alone be glorified....Emmanuel, God with us. My heart sings a brand new song, the debt is paid, these chains are gone....Emmanuel, God with us.

did you feel the earth move?

Something went terribly wrong yesterday. Did you sense that something, somewhere was out of whack in the Hoosier cosmos? That the order of the universe was somehow off-kilter?

I think I know why. It was the green bean casserole-less family reunion I attended yesterday. On our 1 1/2 hour drive to Ockley, Indiana the tantalizing thought of someones great aunt Betty's scrumptious green bean casserole landing on my taste buds was nearly impossible to put aside and concentrate on my driving.

And then, upon arrival in the wooded glen surrounded by corn fields, to find on the tables spread out in the garage...........no green bean casserole. Once I got to the end of the line, I looked back in confusion as to how I could have missed it. But no, it was not there. Leaving with my baked beans & potato salad, like a kid who didn't get what they wanted for Christmas, I looked back once again in bewilderment.....no, no green bean casserole.

How could this be? Everything else was in place. The old people, the masses of kids whom I do not know, the tent for shade, the horse shoe pit, even the flies.

My sad countenance was hardly changed by the dog who kept jumping into the creek and shaking off, getting all those around him wet.

I looked at my wife enjoying her paper plate feast on a blanket in the shade and in my head thought....."how can your family call themselves Hoosiers?"

I bet there will be our official state dish there next year, if not three or four.

the David tree

With all this talk of politics, Kendra's comments, switching parties and future runs for office, and some other big thoughts going through my head I've gotten somewhat retrospective......or melancholy......and maybe it is just the weather.

In general terms I have referenced a turning point in my life at the end of 2006 and how it involved politics and faith. I'm going to put myself out there in this so that folks fresh to the site, maybe even Kendra, can better understand my thoughts on politics.

For about 18 months I planned a campaign to run for mayor of river city. At the time I was a sitting R councilman who admittedly did not toe the party line because of deep personal convictions. I am as conservative if not more conservative than any other R party holder locally, and certainly so in terms of social norms (ie: the purpose christians call themselves R's). I did everything right in creating a campaign-talked to the right people, lined up party support, assuage fears, putting together a team, etc.. But the big guys knew I wasn't going to be a yes man, so, regardless of my republican"ness"......they pulled the rug out from under me a month before I planned to announce and got a member of my team to run. I was furious-and it showed.

I fasted and prayed like never before, but I was just numb and angry at God for putting a desire in my heart I thought was a "calling" and then had unethical men sabotage it. Why would God let that happen? The answer came in a book called "Tale of Three Kings" in which I saw a humble and broken David, while a calling on his life to be king, allowed God to work it in His time.

I've touched on this before, but I've never mentioned "the David tree". I don't believe in searching for signs, I really don't. I believe God gives us wisdom to make decisions. But, in the midst of reading this book and fasting and trying to make a decision on whether or not to still run knowing what kind of campaign would be had, I found myself on my folks' property in the "circle of trees" as we called it.........searching for God. After about an hour on a cold November Saturday, the 11th, as I sat on a stump and listened to the wind blow through the reed grass and watching it bob up and down.......something caught my attention.

At the east side of the circle I noticed a strange formation in a tree. Keep in mind, in nearly 35 years of playing and camping in this small wooded circle, I had never noticed this. I walked over to it and realized two large branches on this oak grew together. I only thought it strange I hadn't noticed it before. I went back and spent another hour thinking and praying. As I left the circle, the path took me passed the tree again and this time I looked up and saw the sun shining directly through the form created by the branches. It formed a perfect D.

And that got me thinking.....hmmmmmm......"Do run"? "Don't run"? I was amusing myself with the D possibilities when I finally landed on "Democrat"? God, you want me to run as a Democrat? I highly doubted that at the time. I got back to my folks and was pouring a cup of coffee when it struck me......"David".......God, you want me to be like David. And so I decided not to run for mayor-because what I had become politically could not bring honor to God.

And once I made that decision, my eyes began to open to the world of politics around me. There are unethical men who run our local R party. Winning elections for them has nothing to do with being conservative, being moral or having integrity. I'm not saying it is any better on the other side, but since I call myself Republican-it is my own party I have to resolve myself to. I'm not even suggesting that they should have the ethics I adhere to, for them it is politics and "all is fair in love and war". I can't operate like that.

This is what I believe. I don't care if you call yourself an R or a D. But, if you call yourself a Christian, you had better have a good grasp of who you are voting for and why. In the YEARS I listened to Rush Limbaugh, I cannot think of anytime in his dialogue I ever, EVER, saw the person of Christ being modeled. I'm not saying he should-but don't confuse a calling to live for Christ with a responsibility to vote republican. I could write a book on this, and this is already too long, but, I tell you from personal experience to live for Christ, if that is your goal, is to embrace the teachings of Christ which you will find contradict planks in both parties.

So, a future run or switching parties.....I don't know what awaits. My deepest desire, even after losing my primary to stay on council, has been to help people. I believe my gifts and abilities lend themselves to do that in the public arena.....but, I have to do that in loving my neighbor first and foremost.

why Hoosiers don't get massages

I have a terrible habit of holding the telephone between my head and shoulder while at work, because usually someone needs me to pull something up on the computer and I must have two hands free. This has resulted in reoccurring neck and shoulder pain that usually goes away in a day or two. But Monday night, after I did my workout, I realized I aggravated something and it never went away. So, given that we are going away this weekend and my wife didn't want me irritable, she said go get a massage.

In my nearly 40 years I've never had one. I left that up to the sissy's and metro-male guys. Hoosier men do not get massages......the hair on our backs and our inability to lie flat on the table due to the battle of the bulge alone should be a deterrent. However, I offer to share my experience with you so that based on my rating scale, you can decide if the massage experience is for you.

I got to my appointment 10 minutes early. Upon entry I realized the place had a relaxing metropolitan feel (+5) which I liked at first then realized this decor seemed out of place in river city (-3). The receptionist was attractive and friendly (+5) and I only waited five minutes before being taken to the consultation room (+3). I waited a long time in the consultation room (-3) before the doctor, a man I assumed would be doing the massage, (-5) walked in the room and with a double-take on my personal forms said "39? you look like you're 20" (+8).

He explained the procedure which he thought should also include acupuncture (-5) then had the receptionist explain the bill and payment method (-8). But, being in pain, I agreed and was escorted to the first room for x-rays. Then I was escorted to a large second room lined with tables for electro-stimulation-creepy-(-3), but it felt good (+5). It was a little awkward with other people going in and out and particularly with the old guy next to me talking about his hernia (-8). Then I was escorted to another room for the massage.

This is when a stocky guy named Brent took over (-8). Oh man, did it feel good (+10) but the small talk was awkward (-1).....can attractive women not exert enough force for an effective massage? Regardless, Brent asked if I wanted soothing ointment on my muscles after he was done......."sure". It felt good (+2) but I still smell like peppermint (-2).

I was taken from there to another room where the doctor man was waiting with my x-rays. He felt like there was no cause for alarm, but pain could be improved with a few sessions (+3). Then he asked if I had ever been adjusted....."no". Lie down and get ready for some pops he said (-5). But, oh my word.........(+8). When he wrapped up I asked if he was related to someone I know because he looked familiar. He was their son.........huh. That was pretty cool. (+5)

Total score: +3

You Hoosiers out there decide if it's worth it. Our pappy never got a massage when he was kicked by a horse and he lived to be 83.

Shooting in River City!

A stroll down the railroad tracks ended in a violent death for one river city resident last night.

Approximately 6:55 p.m. last night police were called to the 300 block near the viaduct to investigate what appeared to be an accident with the victim still twitching. Witnesses told the police that they saw the victim leap from the railroad viaduct. Traces of hair were found on a temporary construction sign near the railroad bridge. It was determined that the victim leaped from the bridge, landed on the construction sign, possibly breaking its neck, then fell to the ground.

Police made a determination that the victim was without hope for improvement and consequently put the river city resident down. The incident had a circus-like atmosphere as dozens of neighbors, including many children, witnessed the officer pull his weapon and fire the fatal shot.

Police replayed the incident for those who gathered, at one point all three officers simultaneously pointing to the bridge, then to the sign, then at the victim now laying motionless on the sidewalk. This incident, while similar, still does not compare to the great train derailment and subsequent mercy killings of several bovine on the grounds of a nearby elementary school during the 1960's with horrified children watching out their classroom windows.

The victim was placed on a rear mounted rack on the back of a jeep and taken away.

my conversation with God this morning

God & I had a little chat this morning. He sat me down around 6:00 and gave me this half-time locker room get your butt in gear talk:

HR?

Oh, now what God?

13 "HR, don’t you know that I’ve chosen you to be the salt of your community? If you lose your flavor, how is river city going to be seasoned? You'll be good for nothing except to be tossed aside and trampled under by those who choose to do harm."

You've gotten my attention, Sir.

14 "HR, let me tell you something, you are the light of this town; just like a city set on a hill can’t be hidden. 15 You wouldn’t turn on a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a table, to give light to everyone in your home. 16 You also, son, must let your light shine in river city, that folks will see the good work I’ve called you to and in it, recognize Me."

If you didn't recognize it, the passage above is out of Matthew 5. I landed in the Sermon on the Mount a couple months ago and have stayed there. I've picked up little insights here and there, but, for some reason, this morning went a little differently. I must admit, I've never read scripture before with putting myself into Christ's directives. It became very personal, very humbling.....and very encouraging.

I want to encourage you to go up and reread the passage putting yourself and your town in my place. Maybe God will show up in your locker room too.

on Love....

I will admit that I was the inconsiderate husband this year in forgetting Valentines Day. In my defense.....I was spiking a fever every 4-6 hours from February 13-15, home on the couch. So, to show I'm not an unloving jerk I'm posting an entry on the topic of love.

I am in desperate love with my beautiful wife. In 9 years of marriage we've had ups and downs-but things are the best they've ever been and I can legitimately say I can't imagine being with or loving anyone else. The thought never crosses my mind. She holds my heart in her hands and her breath is my life...........those words from my vows 9 years ago and still true today.

Guys-let's talk about love, but let's do so in our very primal beginning, as God created it to be understood. In order to do this, we need to understand how God created us to be. I recently finished another short book by John Eldridge called "Epic", that goes to the heart of this.

I dare say we've heard a bit about original sin (he's making an intentional understatement here), but not nearly enough about original glory, which comes before sin and is deeper to our nature. We were crowned with glory and honor. Why does a woman long to be beautiful? Why does a man hope to be found brave? Because we remember, if only faintly, that we were once more than we are now.

God creates us in His image, with powers like unto His own-the ability to reason, create, to share intimacy, to know joy. He gives us laughter and wonder and imagination. And above all else, He endows us with that one quality for which He is most known.

He enables us to Love.

He gives us the greatest gift of all creation-a Heart. Just as we've lost our wonder at the world around us (more to come on this), we have forgotten what a treasure the human heart is. All the happiness we have ever found or ever hope to find is unreachable without a heart. You could not live or laugh or love or cry had God not given you a heart.

And with that heart comes something that staggers me. God gives us the freedom to reject Him.

I've struggled with this last statement recently. Because I've seen people I love walk away from a God who I know is reaching out to their heart. And I think to myself.......as much as God loves each one of us, and knowing how I love my wife.........how it would kill me if she walked away from me. But, in any relationship, be it marriage or friendship-we know it has to be mutual-hence, the freedom to reject.

So, from here I say allow your heart to love. Rediscover the passion once found in your wife by opening your heart to her. Be man enough to admit to yourself you have friends that you love-and if it makes sense and won't result in a black eye, admit it to them. Truly applying your heart to love is reflecting that greatest quality found in God's image, an image we were created in.

the Clearing

Remember that sweet little cabin on the fishing lake I wrote about not that long ago? I'd been inspired to take a "personal spiritual retreat" a few months ago and did so over the weekend. Just some down time to clear the head and think about the road ahead.

So, I got a cabin at Whitewater Memorial State Park by Richmond. I don't believe anyone else was there this past weekend. It was perfect......secluded, quiet and was a beautiful setting-just at the top of a wooded bluff overlooking the lake. I took a buddy with me, who also needed some time to put things in perspective, and the camaraderie was needed to break up the perfect silence after 30 hours or so.

To say I had an eventful last 12-18 months is an understatement. I've never done this retreat thing before, so I figured why not-there's a lot to think about. Being the type of guy I am-I was well prepared. I had been focusing on thought-provoking questions over the last several weeks and had planned out a schedule and some expectations. I had a few pertinent questions I had thought would have answers "revealed" to me for some decisions that will need to be made for the future.

But, by the end of the weekend........I really didn't have any revelation to clear the path for the future ahead. Instead, I realized that for once in my life.........I'm talking about the very first time in my life since college..........God led me into a clearing. I know the path continues on and He and I will be deep in the woods again soon, but for right now I think He's saying just stop and enjoy the view. It's a heck of a gift to be given and I'd be a dang fool to pass this up. I think there's a passage somewhere about not being anxious for tomorrow...it will take care of itself.

So.....friends and family out there.......you guys are on my "to do list" this year. My tag line for the year ahead, "Breathe Deep - 2008".

the Carny

The wife was out of town last weekend, so I braved it and took the kids to a small town festival, about an hour away, our family had never had the pleasure of visiting before. This is always an adventure. Now, I don't want to seem to be picking on this little town, but, boy, talk about a small town festival! There were four or five food booths set up on main street and about the same number of craft booths. I will admit, I was impressed with the enormous turn-out for the mud volley ball tournament and the tractor pull. Tractor pulls are done right, here in the Hoosier state.

But, it was the carnival rides that the kids wanted to experience. Their eyes both immediately landed on this streamlined mini train.......which, I could imagine my dad riding in the 1940's. No, I'm being quite serious. So I paid the outrageous sum for the two kids to climb into the engine and second car and the carny (fella who stopped and started the train) sounded the whistle, which appeared to be a siren scavenged from another ride, and off they went. They had the train all to themselves.

While I was waiting for the kids to finish their adventure, the carny struck up a conversation with me about where the rides were going next in Indiana, then their circuit through the Michigan festivals and how they should be done by the end of October. Then he gave me the low-down on what had happened at the festival the night before and how he and two of his buddies "went lookin' for a troublesome young buck" who threatened a girl with a knife. Having nothing more to say to him, than "hmmm, wow." he continued to tell his great tale of finding the kid in the alley and threatened to drag his sorry butt (I cleaned this up) to the sheriff and they'd give him "a good beatin'". Hmmm....wow. I said again.

Meanwhile, I had noticed the kids' adventure seemed to be declining, the magic had now gone from their eyes-I mean, it had been about 10 minutes at this point going in circles. The carny noticed this too, so he thought to reignite the joy by sounding the siren again. He turned to me and continued his fantastic tale from the dark alleys of this town of about 600 Hoosiers.

Soon I began to feel a little sorry for the troublesome buck. I'm not so sure that I'd want to have a run-in with three carnys in a dark alley-although I saw no sign of the bearded woman or yak girl in and among the carnival grounds. I did notice that my little girl had her arms stretched out wanting out of the little train. My son sat with his chin in his hands-at this point the carny rung the little bell on the front of the engine and said "whoo who!"

Finally, the carny's story ended. And so did the magic train ride........about 12 minutes, I'd guess. The next little girl got on, her ride lasted about 2 minutes. I wish the carny well...and I hope the young buck learned a lesson, never mess with a carny, or dare to engage in a conversation with him for that matter.