So, tonight I hear on the news there will be meteor showers.  These are events I absolutely love for some absolutely unknown reason.  I'll pull a lawn chair into the middle of the backyard and stare at the sky in anticipation of the occasional streak of light zipping across the night sky.  I'll sit tensely scanning always feeling that the really good ones are occurring while I'm looking the other way. 

It seems like the best meteor showers are in the middle winter during a really cold night.  This must be God testing my true dedication to the cause.  Long ago God create the dust and debris that is now cascading into our atmosphere and even at the time he was wondering, "Will Dalen really have the guts to sit out there watching?"

Maybe watching for those streaks of light makes me feel connected with eternity - I don't know and I don't want to get too philosophical about it either.  I just know I like it.  Always have.  When the kids were home, we'd sit out under the stars together.  "There goes one, Daddy."  Now, I watch alone, but knowing they have those fond memories too.

I do have one suggest, God, sir. I think it would be exceptionally cool if the meteors were accompanied with sound as they shot past.  A roar, whiz, zing or tinkle, any will do from my perspective.  

 

We made our usual trek to the Baltimore airport to pick up our son from college for the Thanksgiving holiday.  As we entered the terminal, we heard a cheer echoing down the hallway. We were in a bit of a rush so we decided that we would have to check that out later.

So, once we had our son safely in tow, we made our way down the hall toward the source of the noise.  We were surprised to find several hundred people lined up, three and four people deep, outside of the international arrival gate.  Suddenly, the doors opened and a wild cheer roared as a man carrying his gear stepped out; a young man, a soldier, returning home. Cameras flashed, a troop of girl scouts handed him a box of cookies, mothers handed him snacks, high-fives from the crowd as he passed, and slaps on the back came from old men wearing their memories from service years long ago.

This same scene happened again and again as men and women warriors were welcomed home for the Holidays. It made me proud, it made me thankful, and it made me sad as I thought of those people that only had the memories of the one they had lost. 

I was changed by this experience and I will always remember it. I'm glad I could be there to welcome home just a few of these brave heros.

I have a devotion in The Upper Room today.  I'm also their quest blogger.  Check it out -

http://devotional.upperroom.org/devotionals/2011-11-22

    As usual, I came home and emptied my pockets of the spare change I had gathered during the course of the day.  Half went into my rainy day fund while the other half went into my bank that will eventually go to my church.  Something looked different as I sorted through the coins.  There was an old quarter lurking the group.  Not just "kind-of-old" either.  This quarter was dated 1942.  Wow - 1942!  
    This quarter had seen World War II, Roosevelt, Kennedy and Martin Luther King. It had seen a time before cell phones and color TV.  This quarter had seen the birth of microwaves, Sponge Bob and disposable diapers.  This quarter had bought several cups of coffee in 1942 and now needed to be combined with many more to do the same.  This quarter had seen Benny Goodman, Elvis, the Beatles.  This quarter had seen the dropping of the nuclear bomb and it had seen terrorism as the Twin Towers fell.  This quarter saw the first jets, the first computers and the first AIDS victims.  
    And yet, even though it was nearly 70 years old, it was still a quarter.  Maybe it wasn't as valuable as it originally was, but It was still doing it's job as best it could - even now. It was willing to go wherever it was needed.  It was still dignified, even though it was worn.  The memories had not made it cynical and bitter.
    I realize that I'm not trailing that far behind this quarter.  I'm not 70 yet, but it looms in the near future.  When I reach that age, will I be able to retain my value and stand proudly; even dignified.  Or, will I sit back and rest in my golden years and let others step up.
    I guess when I'm dropped into the special place where old currency goes to rest, I hope I can be looked at as someone that delivered good things for mankind and be respected sharing all that I've learned and seen.

I am pleased to announce the release of The Mess - my new children's picture book.  The Mess is the sequel to Just A Quilt?  Again, it's been an eventful release again - this time being celebrated with an unexpected early snowstorm (my previous book, The Sacred Mountain, was celebrated with an earthquake).  I have to admit, I'm very pleased with the innovative genious of my publicity firm, Moving Heaven and Earth Agency, in arranging these unique and special book releases.





Description:

"Can a messy bedroom and a cluttered sewing room produce something beautiful?  Find beauty in unexpected places through the eyes of six-year-old Tiffany in this heartfelt and fun story.  Spiders, hedgehogs, and dark jungles await Tiffany on her adventures in Mommy’s sewing room.  This tale explores the magic of quilting and the amazing beauty that comes out of the web of activities in everyday life.  Enjoy this delightful book and its vibrant illustrations with your child."

The Mess is available on my web store (use coupon code "release-of-the-mess1" for free shipping through the end of November), on Amazon or contact me directly at dkeystone@comcast.net (I'm offering the book through me for $11.00 + $3.00 shipping through the end of November).

The Sacred Mountain is now available in my online store.  You can visit it at www.dalenkeys.com and open the "online store" tab.  I am celcbrating the release of the book with a special offer.  Use the coupon code the "thesacredmtnrelease1" and receive $5.00 off your purchase.

Today was a surprising and great day!  I arrived home to find a pallet of my new book in the garage.  It's a youth/teen Christian fiction adventure titled "The Sacred Mountain."  It will be available on my web store soon, but it should also be available local stores.  Ask for it or let me know if you want one.

Too often I am caught up by the rush of life.  It's hard for me to slow down and enjoy things going on around me.  But, this week I had the absolute pleasure of spending time in Nevada (pronounced Nev-aid-duh), Missouri at the Bushwacker Days activities.  This is small town USA at its best.  Sitting in front of the court house in the town square while listening to Sober as a Judge (some older guys and gals of which one is a judge) play pop music on the main stage with town folks surrounding me on their lawn chairs let me take a couple of deep breaths and I could feel myself relax.  I was able to slow down just a bit and watch the kids play.  I even enjoyed watching the gathering storm clouds and lightening flashing on the horizon.  It was great!

Quilters, when you come to Nevada, visit Nine Patch Quilt Shop and enjoy some time talking to Erica.  It's a small shop but Erica brings it alive with stories of people and her exciting projects. 

Try to visit on the third Thursday on the month and attend with the Buchwackers Quilt Guild meeting.  There's only about 25 people there on a good meeting night.  But, it's a fun group and the refreshments were yummie!  Tell them Dalen sent you.

Better yet, visit Nevada in June during Bushwackers Days and bring a lawn chair.  Sit under the trees in front of the court house and enjoy being part of a community again where the pace of life is a bit slower and the people really enjoy being around each other.

While in Nevada,

- stay at the Country Inn and Suites - very clean and a great breakfast is included,
- eat at Iguana Azul Mexican Restaurant.  It is one of the best I have ever been at - my wife agrees.  We don't say this lightly either - we love Mexican food.
- get a snow cone or ice cream at the place near down town (I can't remember the name of it).  It was about a thousand degrees in the shade when we were in Nevada and the snow cone was the best thing I ever tasted.

Thanks, Nevada!
Thanks, Erica!
Thanks Bushwacker Quilt Guild! You're in my heart.

I found this on Amazon today.  I'm excited!  This is a substantial departure from my first book.  This is an exciting adventure set on an Indian Reservation in Arizona.  Will, Kate and Jake find answers to ancient mysteries while finding God's purpose for their lives.  The book should be great for 9 to 14 year olds. 

Spread the word - please!


http://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Mountain-Dalen-Keys/dp/1935265881/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1307063914&sr=8-4

January 5, 2011

Quilters Crossing
108 Commerce Street
Tomball, TX 77375

It was such a relief to get a break from the cold winter weather.  I stood in front of Quilters Crossing Quilt Store in Tomball, TX with my face turned upward toward the deliciously warm Texas sun.  I wondered why I live in the frigid northeast when it's almost 70 degrees on this beautiful January day.  

My wife and I pulled our gear to the workshop along a rustic brick pathway toward the classroom building set back from the main store.  The classroom building was wonderful - beautifully lighted with plenty of space and electricity.  Ask Deb to show you the classroom while you are there.  She always seems to have classes, demos and groups using this space, but she won't mind if you peek in.

The shop itself is in an old house one block off the main street; just watch for the quilts hung from the railing on the front porch.  Park along the street and go on in, or just relax for a bit on the front porch.  The shop is not large but Deb and her daughter, Mandy, are fun to talk with. Nose around the four rooms of fabrics to see what you can find.  They carry oodles of non-mainline fabrics with lots of fun fabrics for the young at heart.  The back room is mostly dedicated to a collection of solids.  There's a wonderful assortment of Fairy Frost fabrics in a section of another room.  They also try to carry patterns that you might not see too often; so, be sure to pay attention and be sure to check out the projects hanging on the walls.

It is sometimes the unusual and small things that attract you to a shop.  I enjoyed the occasional Pecan banging on the roof from the large tree standing beside the shop.  I also enjoyed the stray kitty that lurked outside the shop. It often peaked in the front door.  This kitty was certainly not suffering as the tender-hearted owners keep food and water in dishes on the front porch.

WHERE TO EAT?

The Whistle Stop Tea Room is just across the street from Quilters Crossing.  Get there early because it is jam-packed by 11:30 am. I highly recommend the Tortilla Soup and the heavenly Bread Pudding that absolutely melts in your mouth. It is to die for (I think I embarrassed my wife when I picked up my plate to lick every last drop of the yummy rum sauce).  Be sure to reserve your dessert when you order because they do sell out quickly.  The locally homemade bread is terrific too - thick, soft and squishy.