This week I was able to enjoy the first fruits of my fig tree (though Debra thinks it is hers, since Becky gave it to her). Prior last year I had only eaten figs in Fig Newtons. I didn't realize how delicious they are until I had the first fresh one from the tree. So much different from a fig newton. Here is what they look like growing:

It turns out I am not the only one who enjoys figs. The birds have been enjoying the figs more than I. This means war!
It is mostly mocking birds. Lots of them. As I was considering what I would do to these little beasts, I was reminded of “To Kill a Mockingbird”. The father in that story tells his daughter that mockingbirds never do any harm. Well I have news for him.
I tried stringing fishing line in the tree. I read somewhere on the internet that that would keep them away, but it is not true. They were not deterred. I turned the sprinkler on the tree to keep them at bay while I considered my next move.

I went to Academy and bought some mosquito netting which I hung all over the tree.

The birds still gathered down at the bottom of the tree; however when I went out to the tree some of them flew up into the netting and got caught. Here is one such poor creature.

Not to worry. He found his way out, but hopefully learned a lesson.
Score: Rick – 2, Birds - 1

Debra and I went to see Les Misérable last night. The music was quite beautiful. The entire script was sung. There were some objectionable elements, but overall it was a good story that made you think - the kind I like. Debra cried afterwards.

There is a lesson about making choices. Do you choose to show mercy to someone else, when it puts you at risk? Earlier this month an employee at work posted on a job in another state. It was a good move for him that would help his career. He had also been told that with layoffs looming in the future and his current work assignment coming to an end, it would be best to transfer to a new job. He was accepted for the position, but then he sent an e-mail declining the offer. I talked to him about why he had turned down a good opportunity.

He told me that he really wanted to take it and thought that he would until he broke the news to his parents. His parents live nearby, and though he didn't think he provided that much help to them, he found out that they felt their ability to live independently depended on him being close by. His father is legally blind and his mother has difficulty getting around. They felt they would be forced to go into a nursing home.

Ultimately, he said he kept remembering the commandment "Honor your father and mother" and he couldn't reconcile taking the job with that, even though it meant missing a good career move and possibly losing his job.

He was a good example to me.

I thought the occasion was worth updating by weblog. Thanks, Debra, for everything so far. I'm enjoying 50.

I know I have been away a long time. Here is a quick update.

We have an exchange student from Greece staying with us now. He's been here about a week and a great guy. He mowed my grass on Monday and then cleaned up and reorganized my whole garage (wow!).

I am wanting to take in rafting on the Guadalupe next Friday, August 8. Anyone else interested in going?

I saw this on someone else's blog and loved it. Beaker was always one of my favorite Muppet characters. Enjoy.

I met Rose in 1996 in Shanghai. We were both at English Corner in People's Park one Sunday morning. I was impressed by this 12 year old girl. She gave me her card with contact information and after I got home from China I wrote. Thus began long friendship.

I saw her again on a subsequent trip and visited in her home. But because of her youth I chose not to share the gospel with her. Several years passed. We continued to write each other letters, then e-mail, and send birthday cards each year (our birthdays are a day apart). I was convinced by the things that she wrote that she had a good and honest heart, but time would tell.

Last September I took the opportunity to stop in Shanghai for 4 days on my way to Malaysia. I determined that I would see Rose, now an adult, and plant the seed. She was not like the wayside soil, because she took the word in and marveled at the story. She was not like the rocky soil either; she spent 6 months contemplating her decision.

Yesterday afternoon, March 30, Rose was baptized into Christ. She can now bloom like never before. Praise God.