Dumping Ground for Random Thoughts

My ex-wife started taking flying lessons about the time our divorce started and she got her license shortly before our divorce was final, later that same year.

Yesterday afternoon, she narrowly escaped injury in the aircraft she was piloting when she was forced to make an emergency landing in Western Iowa because of bad weather. Thank God our kids were with me at the cabin this weekend.

The NTSB issued a preliminary report, citing pilot error: She was flying a single engine aircraft in IFR (instrument flight rating) conditions while only having obtained a VFR (visual flight rating) rating.

The absence of a post-crash fire was likely due to insufficient fuel on board. No one on the ground was injured.

Photographs below were taken at the scene show the extent of damage to her aircraft.

She was very lucky.

The following was posted as a comment on a recent article in our local paper about Planned Parenthood now performing abortions:

Interesting how the same people who want to control what light bulbs you use, what kind of car you drive, what you do with land you own, how cool you keep your thermostat, where you drive your boat suddenly are so concerned about choice.

Scott Raymond Lindstam 43, of Tarpon Springs, passed away on July 14, 2009, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Born in Newport, RI, he moved to Florida in 1966. He was Founder & President of Hi-Tech Assembly. Scott was an avid bass fisherman & in his youth, traveled the country as a factory sponsored BMX bike rider. He is survived by his wife Teri, children Scott Jr., Ashley & Kayla, parents Patricia & Roy Lindstam of Pinellas Park, grandfather Norman Arsenault of New Bedford, MA, sister Kimberly Starling of Maryville, TN & brothers Eric Lindstam of Washington, NC & Fred Lindstam of Bridgetown, NC. He was preceded in death by his grandmother Nana Arsenault & brother Bruce Lindstam. A Celebration of Life will be held for Scott on Saturday, July 25 from 2-4 pm at The Conway Center at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 750 San Salvador, Dunedin, FL. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Suncoast Hospice Foundation, 5771 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater, FL 33760.

Today is my “little” girl’s birthday. We had a special father-daughter moment this morning. As I usually do, I went in and kissed her goodbye. This morning I did something different. After kissing her, I softly sang Happy Birthday to her. She slowly woke up, rolled over and gave her “Dattie” a hug.

1…2…3…Aaaaawwwwwww!!!!

I know, she has me wrapped right around her little finger and I LOVE IT!!

A son asked his father, ‘Dad, will you take part in a marathon with me?’

The father who, despite having a heart condition, says ‘Yes’.

They went on to complete the marathon together.

Father and son went on to join other marathons, the father always saying ‘Yes’ to his son’s request of going through the race together.

One day, the son asked his father, ‘Dad, let’s join the Ironman together.’

To which, his father said ‘Yes’.

For those who don’t know, Ironman is the toughest triathlon ever. The race encompasses three endurance events of a 2.4 mile (3.86 kilometer) ocean swim, followed by a 112 mile (180 .2 kilometer) bike ride, and ending with a 26.2 mile (42.195 kilometer) marathon along the coast of the Big Island.

Father and son went on to complete the race together.

A FATHER IS A SOURCE OF STRENGTH

A father is a source of strength,
A teacher and a guide,
The one his family looks up to
With loving trust and pride…
A father is a helper
With a willing hand to lend,
A partner, an adviser,
And the finest kind of friend

A FATHER…

A father is respected because
He gives his children leadership…
Appreciated because
He gives his children care…
Valued because
He gives his children time…
Loved because
He gives his children the one thing
They treasure most, himself.

The righteous man walks in his integrity;
His children are blessed after him.
–PROVERBS 20:7