To Carb Or Not To Carb?

I've got to lose some serious poundage. In the past three decades I have lost weight through a myriad of programs. Recently I found myself caught in the vortex of uncertainty until I made my final decision.

Lately I have have been a bread-eating machine after we found an ample supply of killer sourdough from our local market---I have stuffed my face with it daily. That was just the tip of the iceberg...

After falling off the wagon of my 2010 weight loss, I ended up in a deadly "eat whatever I see" behavior pattern. It wasn't like I was literally eating furniture or small animals on a whim, it was just a lack of discipline and ignoring the cost of irresponsible eating. So I wrestled with which weight loss method to use. I believe in the Weight Watcher's philosophy of counting calories, but I also had to make a big change with my love affair with starch.

I lost 60 pounds in '04 with a low carb approach, so that's what I have been doing for two weeks now. I do miss my starches, but a thinner "me" is much more attractive! Please pray for me as I attempt to create a more healthy lifestyle. I feel for you guys out there who are doing the same!

Tennessee Crossroads and California's Gold

I'm looking forward to visiting friends and family on our next trip to California in June. As a native of southern California, I have always been curious about it's history, people, geography and interesting places to visit.

While on a visit to my old stomping grounds in Orange County a few years ago, I told my cousin about a show I love back home on our Nashville PBS station called "Tennessee Crossroads." My cousin suggested I check out their local show called "California's Gold, " one that sounded very similar to "Crossroads." I immediately went to the internet and found listings for "Gold's" current showtimes, along with a bio of it's host, Huell Howser.

It's obvious that Howser isn't from California at all (it's not difficult to figure out after hearing his Southern drawl). According to the bio, his television career began here in Nashville at WSM-TV.  While a reporter for WSM, he began a series of "human interest" stories presented during daily news broadcasts. His segments highlighted interesting people and places in and around middle Tennessee; he became extremely popular.

Howser  later moved from his native Tennessee to join WCBS-TV in New York City. He migrated to Los Angeles in 1981 to work as a reporter for KCBS-TV. Then in 1987 he joined the public television station KCET/Los Angeles to produce a series of short programs featuring the stories of people from all walks of life throughout "The Golden State." The show morphed into "California's Gold" and has been going strong ever since.

It all makes sense now. "Tennessee Crossroads," one of my favorite weekly shows, has sort of a connection to my home state. As a fairly new resident of middle Tennessee (going on 11 years), I want to learn all about this area. In fact, my family on both sides originated from middle Tennessee. My Great Grandmother was born in the very county where I live today. Like Howser, "Tennessee Crossroads" host Joe Elmore has a folksy demeanor and skillfully draws the viewer into each week's show.

I never plan on leaving Tennessee. But when I visit California, I know I'll be tuning into "California's Gold" every chance I get.

Aha Moment

Creative people like myself tend to see the big picture. A weakness that goes along with creativity is many times failing to break-down the facts before we set out on a journey. Questions like: "how much time will this take?" and "what will it cost?" seem to be eclipsed by our excitement.

I watched a special on Oprah Winfrey's network the other day. Morgan Freeman gave his life story in what is entitled, "Master Class." I believe Freeman's journey is a lesson in listening closely to the messages God gives us through our everyday circumstances.

One of the most important things he said was that while all of his actor friends seemed to pull out ahead of him in their own careers, he learned that his career was moving at it's own pace; that even though it seemed slow to him, his career was moving in the right direction and at the right speed. How many of those actor friends ended up earning an Academy Award, or have been honored with a Cecil B. De Mille Lifetime Achievement Award--as he was this past week at the 2012  Golden Globes award ceremony?   

I feel that Morgan Freeman's "testimony," while not religious, per se, is worth watching. If you are able to catch this extraordinary life story, full of important lessons, please take the time to hunt it down on your T.V. listings and watch it in it's entirety. Below is a promotional segment--poignant none the less.

Strawberry Shakes

I've got a new favorite: strawberry shakes from Sonic. I got home from church Sunday and knew that by day's end,  I'd have to take a trip to my favorite Spring Hill ice cream place.

I know...shakes are full of calories; full of bad stuff that I shouldn't allow in my presence--let alone in my belly. But that sweet, creamy, cold concoction can make a gloomy day bright. So I seized the opportunity and, after his nap, invited my dad as an accomplice in my little ice cream scheme.

Pop and I pulled up to Sonic. I leaned out, ordered him a chocolate malt and a strawberry shake for me. After the car hop brought the treats, dad and I sat there listening to the 40s channel on my Sirius XM radio, and promptly finished the drinks.

Sometimes I take little times like this for granted, but not last night. Dad and I had a great time together. He told me of the days, back in the 30s and 40s, when he would order a double-decker hamburger and a malt at the original Bob's Big Boy restaurant for under a dollar. It's always fun to catch my dad when the memories flow freely.

There we were in my car, emptying a strawberry shake and a chocolate malt--listening to Billie Holiday, Artie Shaw and the Mills Brothers--watching the rain roll through Spring Hill, Tennessee, on a Sunday evening. Money can't buy that.

Speed Bumps

Speed bumps can be a hassle. You've got to slow down and take it easy going over them or driving too fast could cause your car to fall apart right there in the roadway.  That's one way to look at it.

My dad and I were talking about the speed bumps that God allows in our lives. They're not placed haphazardly or randomly; they come in all sizes and are placed in the roadway of our lives to help us.

Most of the time we rush through life without noticing the scenery, smelling the roses or pondering the many blessings around us. Sometimes a speed bump comes in a variety of "difficulties" like  health problems or financial challenges. Whatever the situation, we are forced to slow down and pay attention to our bodies, spending habits, relationships and especially our relationship with God.

Most of the time life's speed bumps pop up while everything seems to be going well. The warning might be a blessing in disguise as God gives us the opportunity to stop, look and listen. Sometimes potential dangers are up ahead and we have no clue.

So when something interrupts our lives, God may be trying to get our attention. We may never know when it'll happen, but if a speed bump appears up ahead, it's better to slow down and make adjustments. Thank God for those pesky things--they save lives!

Gamaliel's Wisdom

I just finished Chuck Smith's 2003 book, The Man God Uses: 14 Characteristics of a Godly Man. Chuck referenced Acts 5 in one of the chapters, and reminded me of the wisdom Gamaliel spoke to his fellow Pharisees following the death and resurrection of Jesus. 

Acts 5:27-28 states:

"The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 'We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,' he said. 'Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.'"

Ironically, when Jesus was on trial, this same group of Jewish leaders asked that Pilot put Jesus' blood on their heads, demanding He be killed--now they are working to avoid blame.
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The plot thickens as the Apostles, now on trial themselves, insist:

"The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins." Acts 5:30-31 (NIV)

Then in verses 33 through 39 we read:

"When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God. (NIV)”

In reading this, I am reminded that it's wise to "consider carefully what you (or we) intend to do." Rash decisions usually lead to failure. When we follow Jesus and obey His Word, we are certain to succeed. It may not be an easy path, but we can count on the Holy Spirit to see us through. If what we do and say "is of human origin, it will fail." If what we do is of God, no one will be able to stop us!

Thank God for Gamaliel, his wisdom, and his courage to step of of the crowd to deliver it.

AM Radio: L.A. in the 60s and 70s

KHJ, "Boss Radio,"  was "the" AM radio station for me to listen to while growing up in southern California in the 60s. Disc Jockey legends like Robert W. Morgan, Charlie Tuna and The Real Don Steele worked their way to L.A. to hold some of the nation's ultimate radio gigs. KEZY was another favorite. In my youth I was entertained by KEZY DJs like Bruce Chandler, Paul Freeman, Mike Wagner, Dave Sebastian and Rick Carroll.

The DJs were as important to us as the music they played. Little did I know growing up there that some of the classic music of the last half of the 20th Century was broadcast for the first time from those tiny radio control booths--making an initial impression on Los Angeles and eventually, the world. Some producers in Hollywood were known to finish a mix in the recording studio, run to one of these radio stations and beg the DJs to give it a spin. I was so blessed to have grown up in the midst of all that.

I recently read a great book about the formative years of radio called, The Hits Just Keep on Coming: The History of Top 40 Radio, by Ben Fong Torres. For those like me, who's life has been deeply touched and affected by AM radio, you will find this a very interesting read. It was fascinating to learn how radio would evolve, even to survive competition from the broadcasting behemoth--television.

These days I listen to Sirius XM. But even they use DJs on my beloved "70s on 7" channel,  just like KHJ and KEZY did back in the day. The following is an exerpt from an upcoming tribute film to the L.A. studio musicians of AM radio's golden age: The Wrecking Crew. In it, you'll hear some cool anecdotes from folks who were part of, or associated with, the Wrecking Crew. They specifically talk about Todd Storz and Gordon McLendon, from the birth of Top 40 radio to the homogenous nature of  radio today.