I can't imagine a time writing my own name was difficult. Yet at one point in my life I couldn't even write letters, much less put them together to form my name. Fortunately my family and teachers came together to instruct me in what now is a thoughtless task.

Also, after completing an engineering degree and tutoring physics, I am baffled that there used to be a time that I didn't even know what multiplication was. There used to be a time when I didn't know how to use the kinematics equations...[GASP]. Thankfully, the world of math and science were introduced to me.

Even the colors I now recognize used to be unknown to me. I was taught that a banana is yellow, a fire truck is red, and the sky is blue. Because of these teachings I received I wouldn't make a statement such as, "I just ate a yellow banana." Because I know, as well as most people over the age of three, that bananas are yellow.

Similarly, I would have difficulty making sense of an adult yelling at me "Bananas are Yellow" with a fierce anger and in a mode of debate. Am I supposed to give a rebuttal to that and should I expect to here a conclusion based on this statement?

I think this is comparable to boastful attacks made against the war that are driven by statements such as "People are dying." Is this statement made to be debated? Is the conclusion that follows valid (that this is an unjust war, etc)?

This statement cannot be debated. Unfortunately people are dying. Some of our American brothers and sisters are dying. It is an obvious fact. Undeniable because we are in the midst of a war.

This statement cannot be followed by a valid conclusion, other than the evident one that war is deadly.

There are some lessons that we should be taught when growing up.
War is deadly. A banana is yellow.

PS - Yes, I'm aware that the rotten bananas can be brown and that not-yet-ripe bananas are green. So there can be wars without deaths too. But these lessons are still a fact of life.

Lately I've been noticing a pattern when I think about things. And my responses to these things. You know, things. Such as the Horses' latest improv show, seeking forgiveness from a friend, the dogs eating half of my mom's blueberry muffins, receiving some recognition at work, or my dad's cancer. Things.

I've been evaluating my responses to these and other things. I'm wondering what outcome would cause me to be pleased and what would cause me to be dissatisfied. And I'm contemplating what situations require the same response no matter what the outcome may be.

For example, I would be upset if I couldn't share mom's muffins with some coworkers (and I was). But shouldn't I go into work with the same attitude whether I'm not receiving any recognition or I just received a huge raise?

Regarding my walk with God, it seems reasonable to predetermine how I'll respond to the ups and downs of life. Is my faith in God of any value if I start questioning Him when I face something unpleasant? Does the truth of who God is change if I'm thrown a life blow and I become agree? Since God is constant in His ways shouldn't I attempt the same for my reactions to both trials and triumphs?

I'm having much more thoughts on this subject than I'm able to articulate. But I'll leave with this - a passage from Psalm 13. The psalmist is asking several questions to the Lord, with none of them being answered here. Yet in the end he provides his response. I suspect that it is his response no matter what the outcome may be.

Psalm 13
How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever?
How long will You hide Your face from me?
How long shall I take counsel in my soul,
Having sorrow in my heart daily?
How long will my enemy be exalted over me?
Consider and hear me, O Lord my God;
Enlighten my eyes, Lest I sleep the sleep of death;
Lest my enemy say, "I have prevailed against him";
Lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved.
But I have trusted in Your mercy;
My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord, Because He has dealt bountifully with me.

The Mona Lisa Cover-Up... sounds like it should be a novel paralleling The Da Vinci Code. Well, sorry. It's just a title to catch your attention since this post is about art. But I will get to the Mona Lisa.

I know that comparing the Mona Lisa to the current "modern" art movement is just grossly unfair to today's "modern" artists. But I want to propose that even the greats like Leonardo (the creator of the Mona Lisa) was a strict critic to himself.

Recently I saw an art display consisting of four paintings. At least I think they were paintings, I'm not really sure the medium that was used. These paintings were a blend of dark red and black paint covering the entire surface. That's it. Nothing more. I don't remember the titles of the works, but they were obscure. But I do remember the price - $3000. Hhhmm...

I wondered if the artist of these pieces was truly pleased with their work? Did the pieces live up to any preconceived criteria or standards? Or was there any criteria to begin with? Did the artist think they could do better than this or was this the extent of their artistic capabilities? Maybe it's just some of this modern art that I don't understand. But how much did the artist critique their handiworks and conclude these pieces were successful works of art valued at $3000?

I once heard that art scholars believe another Leonardo painting exists underneath his infamous Mona Lisa. Possibly several paintings. The thoughts are, if a painting didn't sell or he wasn't fond of it, then he would cover it with a base color and begin a new piece. This leads me to believe that one of the greatest artist in history was a critic of himself. Maybe this is what defined him as one of the greats.

I imagine in today's art market he wouldn't have to put much effort in his work. There's no question though that he would not produce great works like the Mona Lisa. But thankfully Leo was tough on himself and realized that some things should be covered-up. And what better way to cover up something, than with the perplexing smile of Mona Lisa.

A few weeks ago, I noticed in my church bulletin that there would be Karate classes offered. I was as thrilled as a boy in elementary school just a few days away from summer break.

Why was I so excited? Well, being the youngest of three boys I think Karate would be of great use in sparring with the bros. But more importantly, my brothers have taught me many things. At 27, I'm still sorting through which of those things are true.But here is a true lesson I learned from my oldest brother: Fighting skills should not be stagnant. They need to be constantly evolving. Here's why...

A few months after my brother left for college and I had just started the 8th grade, be came home for a weekend. Of course we began a wrestling match, but this one was different than all the other ones. Up to this point our 'matches' would consist of running into each other, swing out punches (never to the face though), tackling to the floor, and then endless pinning attempts to get me to "give" while exchanging punches (I never gave in).

But after a few months in college my brother was pulling out some moves I had never come across before. Half way through this I exclaimed "What are you doing?" for he had be able to get me into a compromising position that truly was uncomfortable (something that rarely happen). With a fair amount of cockiness in his voice he said, "How do you like that bad dog? I had a friend teach me some official wrestling moves." I wasn't paying much attention anymore, but he went on about his new college friend going to Nationals or something like that.

It took me a long while to get over the feeling that this wasn't fair. I didn't wrestle him much more after that, because he wasn't playing by the rules we always had. But in fact, we never had 'rules' established. Later I realized that he was just the older brother that was tired of struggling against his little brother. He wasn't winning so he learned a new technique; a new tactic. And it worked. He could finally hold his own against his brother 5 years younger.

My oldest brother has been taking karate lessons since early this year. He's still adapting his fighting and skills. But this time I'll be right behind him. I just wonder if I should let him know or keep it to myself??? But I lament. For Karate is an art of defense. So to honor this ancient fighting art, I won't be able to attack my brother with what I've learned. But with these lovingly brotherly fights that we often have, most of the time it really is hard to tell who started it.

Look at those Razorbacks!!!!

The Razorbacks had an incredible game on Saturday by upsetting #2 Auburn 27-10. Arkansas is now ranked #17 in the AP pole (#23 in the USA Today pole).

I don't think they will be moving up anymore for a while. Their schedule is weak until they get to Tennessee and LSU.

Another good move in the poles this week was that of the OU Sooners. After losing to Texas they plummeted from #14 to #23. Can't wait to see them out of the top 25. Yeah, I know my Cowboys (OSU) aren't doing so hot, but I'm happy to see the Sooners lose any time.