Thursday, November 24, 2016

Thanksgiving 2016 Thoughts: Finish Strong...

Hello everyone and welcome to Keil's Comments: The Written Blog.

As I am writing this, I have been enjoying a great week with Sharon and her family.  I got to meet Sharon's brother Joe and his family from Colorado.  They are terrific people to be around and get to know.

As I sit here and reflect on the good things that have happened this year and I've mentioned them at least a few times either on the podcast or on here or the many posts on FB so I don't need to go over them again, I realize that there are people whose 2016 wasn't very good at all to put it nicely.  If I can make one request to those people, it would be this and you'd probably guess by the title what it is.

There are 36 days left in 2016 as I am writing this. In those 36 days, make it a point to finish this year strong. What do I mean by that?  Well, for one do something you probably haven't done all year...take a friend out to lunch/coffee/whatever if funds allow.  Call your parents if they are still with us, tell them you love them. Finish that project you've been putting off all year.  Take in some sights around town...our parks in Yukon are totally lit up for Christmas. And if I can put in a couple of plugs here...support my brother Jeremy's Patreon for his Casual Mode gaming channel on YouTube and get some items from our Wedding Registry at WalMart and Target -- we'll also take gift cards.

I do hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving with their friends and family...and let's finish 2016 strong!!!

Until next time...I'll see you either on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram at rjkeilok






Wednesday, July 20, 2016

It Ain't Braggin' If It's the Truth...


Welcome to Keil's Comments:  The Written Blog!!!  Don't worry...I am still doing the podcast, just going to do it every other week for right now at least until school starts back.  Which leads me to what I want to do this post on...

As you may know if you've followed my timeline over the past few months, I am dating a wonderful, precious woman named
Sharon and her mom Wanda
Sharon Ricks and have been since April.  Words can hardly express how much she means to me...which is something since I'm a trained broadcaster.  How do I love her?  Let me count the ways...


First and foremost, she loves me for what I am as a man who trusts God in anything and everything.  She loves that I have a tender heart and a heart for worship.

Secondly, she is appreciative of me with what I try to do with the podcast.  She's been trying to help me create a new logo for the podcast so I can get a better reach on iTunes....we're still working on that part.

Third, unlike past relationships she doesn't speak negatively to or about me.  She's even stated that she wants to find whoever had been speaking negative words over me over the years and tell them a thing or two about a thing or two among other things.  I'm sure I can point her in the direction of a couple of people if they're in the area I'm thinking of.  Anyway, I'm working on better communicating with her and not be afraid of having that used against me.

Fourth, she loves that I am very understanding as far as her line of work is concerned.  She is a teacher (she'll be teaching 2nd grade this year in Moore) and if you have friends or family members or are the spouse of someone that teaches in a public school system in the State of Oklahoma, you know how much hell and funds they go through just to give their students the tools they need in getting a good education -- no thanks to Madam Governor and the Legislature.  I am learning that first hand...and I'm sure those of you who fit into one of the above categories (the spouse/family member/friend part) can give me some advice on being a longsuffering significant other to an Oklahoma public school educator.

Lastly, she is understanding what I am going through health wise...when she's not "shaping the minds of America's youth" to quote a sports talk host here in OKC, she is having to help take care of her mother (pictured above). When I told her what all was going on as far as lymphedema and everything, she understood what I was up against -- she even stayed with me at the hospital when I was there a few months ago (after she got out of class of course).  Also, unlike a past relationship she is not nagging at me about losing so many pounds or going into Santa's description from "The Night Before Christmas" or singing "Jolly Ol' St. Nicholas" or anything like that.  Yes, I'm not exactly Mr. Olympia or do Crossfit or have the look of somebody like The Rock but that's okay. She loves me for me and that's all I ask.

Along the same reasoning...besides loving her for being what she is as far as being a teacher and what all that entails, I love her for the fact that she is striving to be the Proverbs 31 Woman that I've always wanted. I love her for being her and that's all she asks of me.  I am understanding of what all she is going through in her health, love that she has firm roots in the Gospel thanks to her father (he was a Baptist pastor for years) and that we can both overlook our flaws and love each other regardless.   

There's a lot more about her that I love and appreciate...what I've listed above is just the main ones.

That's about it for now.  Until next time...

Sunday, June 12, 2016

Election 2016 Thoughts...

Welcome to Keil's Comments -- The Written Blog.  While I am taking a break from the podcast, I do have some thoughts I want to share.  These thoughts are my own...

I have been trying to purposely steer clear of the coverage today of the mass shooting in Orlando (except for what pops up on my Facebook feed which I try to hide and on my Twitter feed).  Yes I can give the more dignified "I send my thoughts and prayers to the families and to the City of Orlando" and leave it at that....but then I want to tell my brain to shut up because it wants to go about 55 different directions -- none of which are representative of me.

Yes, the shooting was senseless -- any time a person loses their life prematurely due to gunfire or any kind of violent act, it is senseless.

Yes, it took place at a club that the LGBT community frequent -- would it be any less significant if it was at a "honky tonk" or a biker bar or a "Gentlemen's Club"? Probably not -- you probably wouldn't see continuous coverage on a national scale like there was today.

I am not even going to give the shooter any more publicity than what was mentioned today.  It doesn't matter what his name is or what his MO was.  All that matters is the families of 50 individuals are grieving the loss of their loved one and the families of however many there are that were injured are praying for their healing.  Not to mention those who were witnesses -- you know that they are traumatized by what occurred.

And yes, you'll have those wackos on either side of the political spectrum (including the two major Presidential candidates) use this as some kind of campaign plank for gun reform.  Which leads me to what I really wanted to say in this post...

I really don't know who to vote for come November -- when it comes to the lesser of the two evils, I'm tempted to sit this one out but I know I can't because there are some issues on state questions here in Oklahoma I want to give my voice on, one of which pertains to my friends who are farmers and ranchers and another one that I have a personal investment in and that's education.

At any rate, my mute button has been getting a workout because of all the news stories about whatever topic DJT decided to pull out of his butt to talk about that day...and Lord knows what's going through Hillary's mind.  All I know is between now and November, we as Christians first and Americans second need to do some serious praying and seeking God about this election.  I am at the stage of the game now where I'm concerned about where the US is going as a nation.  Personally, I don't want to be standing in front of any cooling devices when fecal matter makes a collision course for it, if you know what I mean.

That's all I have for now...you can respond either below, on Facebook or Twitter.  I'm still working to get the podcast to where it can be loaded on iTunes.  Until next time...

Monday, May 9, 2016

Brotherly Bonding

Hello everyone...Rob here with another KC: TWB post (Keil's Comments: The Written Blog).  A little bit of business before I get to what I want to post on here:  I will do an episode this week (Episode 31).  I'll address my weekend at the Deaconess Bed and Breakfast and a couple of side trails to the weekend.

What I wanted to write about today is basically some thoughts that popped in my head.  I haven't really gotten into very much detail about how Jeremy and I are doing living out on our own here in Yukon...we're doing well in making sure we keep a roof over our heads, food in our bellies, the electricity on so we could run our gadgets and internet connection and everything.  Also we're doing very well to have our new vehicle "The Highway Star".  We have some pretty good conversations mainly as I'm taking him to work or when we're on our way to Clinton.

One particular conversation I'll share here...

We somehow got to talking about Batman's villains and who was the best at playing them -- in both the TV show and the Animated Series. Here's what I came up with (and yes, this will get updated and edited once I jog Jeremy's memory or he jogs mine whichever comes first)

Penguin -- Burgess Meredith hands down

Joker -- Cesar Romero followed by Mark Hamill in the AS (yes, Mr. Skywalker himself voiced the Joker in the Animated Series)

Catwoman -- Sorry Halle, but that honor goes to Julie Newmar. Eartha Kitt gets honorable mention

Riddler -- Frank Gorshin. Jim Carrey tried to emulate it to varying degree of success.

Mr Freeze -- Otto Preminger (sp?)

Bookworm (TV show only) -- Roddy McDowell. No doubt about it.

Egghead (TV show) -- Vincent Price

King Tut (TV show) -- Victor Buono (thank you IMDB)

I'm sure there's a lot more, but again my brain could only think of so many and IMDB helped  me with at least one.

That is it for now... catch you either on the podcast or on FB or Twitter.

Friday, April 29, 2016

What to do, what to do...

Hello everyone, and welcome to Keil's Comments:  The Written Blog.

As you know if you have listened to my podcast (you are listening to the podcast, aren't you?), I mention this in my contact info section as well as my e-mail and my social media pages.  But I've been wondering something as of late...

I hardly ever get on here unless there is a little bit of news that can't wait until I record the podcast -- which is usually a 5 or 6 day wait in between posting on Podcast Machine and recording the fresh episode on Wednesdays or Thursdays depending on what material I want to cover.

I'm wondering and I am asking for your input on this -- should I keep this and have for any big news or comments that can't wait until I record the new episode or just drop this altogether.

You can let me know...
on e-mail at rjkeilok@gmail.com
on Facebook
and on Twitter

I'm not going to set a deadline (as in "I need to hear from you by such-and-such date and time") but at least let me know through the week if you can.

Thanks!!!

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Lent 2016 Thoughts

Another Lenten season is upon us and you know what that means...people making like modern day Pharisees and announcing what they are giving up beginning today all the way through Easter.  Well, time for me to bring back one of my posts I did last year...and yes it is still relevant.

As we start the Lenten season, you see posts on Facebook and Twitter of people announcing what they are giving up.  I say this every year...is it our business what you are announcing you are giving up?  Not really...it's really between you and the Lord.  And it doesn't always have to be anything physical (if that makes sense) like meat, sodas, sweets, etc.  It could be something like giving up an hour of TV or computer time or whatever is hindering your walk with God.

I always hearken back to Hebrews 12:1,2 (New Living Translation)

1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
We don't all have to walk around like modern-day Pharisees and proclaim what we are giving up for 40 days. Pray that during this season God will strengthen your walk with Him...and if it means going without a Dr. Pepper or a Braum's hamburger, so be it!!!

And in the meantime, I'll continue trying to work on me.

Until next time...

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Rob's Recommendation -- Two Hots and a Cot


Two Hots and a Cot


This installment of Rob's Recommendation comes after an amusing conversation that I had.  I had invited a couple of my First Christian Church friends Nancy Jackson and Kathy Brinkley to see and perhaps like Christ Church of Yukon (CCY)'s Facebook page.  Anyway, one of them noticed that one of the Sunday School classes was on the Prison Epistles (Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians) and the series was titled interestingly enough "Three Hots and a Cot". For about a minute Nancy thought we were doing a study on her book.  I don't think our Sunday School teacher knows about her book, but I will make a recommendation to him as I am now to you about Nancy's book.  I have put the link to where you can get it above but in case you can't get to the link...the description is below.

"No one understands addiction," she said. "It is like loving someone who doesn't love you back. You do it until you don't. Or until you die." After Nancy Jackson was arrested for DUI-not one, not twice, but five times- she got behind the wheel of her car, intoxicated, and was arrested. Incarcerated at the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, she spent a year behind bars, living with people she couldn't tolerate and wouldn't have associated with anywhere else. She often wondered what it was that made her give up everything that meant anything to her. And finally she learned the answer: a disease called alcoholism. Two Hots and a Cot is a brutally honest and compelling day-by-day account of her journey on the road to recovery through the Oklahoma justice system. Living through nightmares in the dark and nightmares in the light of day, she learned to survive in the unknown and the unexpected. She learned to deal with despair, anger, and frustration, and turn it to hope. She found wisdom in the words of women who were incarcerated for drugs, alcohol, crimes against humanity and themselves; women who were mothers, daughters, grandmothers, and sisters. She found friendship, faith, and healing in the most unlikely place, behind bars. And she found God.

I personally know Nancy...she is one of the most beautiful women you will ever meet both on the outside and on the inside.  She has such a heart for missions, not just for the families of those who have members who are incarcerated.  The trials and tribulations that she went through have made her into the great woman of God that she is today.  I am proud to recommend this book to you.

That is all I have for now...until next time.

 

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Rob's Recommendation -- The Edge of Nowhere

IN BOOKSTORES AND ONLINE TODAY!

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SYNOPSIS

The year is 1992 and Victoria Hastings Harrison Greene—reviled matriarch of a sprawling family—is dying. After surviving the Oklahoma Dust Bowl and the Great Depression, Victoria refuses to leave this earth before revealing the secrets she’s carried for decades. Once the child of a loving family during peaceful times, a shocking death shattered her life. Victoria came face to face with the harshness of the world. As the warm days of childhood receded to distant memory, Victoria learns to survive. No matter what it takes. To keep her family alive in an Oklahoma blighted by dust storms and poverty, Victoria makes choices—harsh ones, desperate ones. Ones that eventually made her into the woman her grandchildren fear and whisper about. Ones that kept them all alive. Hers is a tale of tragedy, love, murder, and above all, the conviction to never stop fighting.

OFFICIAL VIDEO TRAILER FOR THE EDGE OF NOWHERE


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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C.H. Armstrong is an Oklahoma native transplanted in Minnesota. A 1992 graduate of the University of Oklahoma, "Cathie"is a life-long lover of books, and staunchly outspoken on subject of banned and challenged books. The Edge of Nowhere is her first novel and was inspired by her own family's experiences during the 1930s Oklahoma Dust Bowl and The Great Depression.

PURCHASE A COPY OF THE EDGE OF NOWHERE ONLINE NOW

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Monday, January 11, 2016

Thank you David Bowie...

yes I am writing this at 2:25a because my brain won't shut up...and as I am writing this news came down from England that legendary musician David Bowie has passed on due to cancer.

I wanted to title this "Cancer Sucks" -- which it does because it's taken far too many great people over the years like Lemmy from Motorhead, Jim Valvano, Stuart Scott, my Grandma Keil just to name a few.  But for every one that we lose to cancer, we have one who kicks cancer's butt...my cousin Kim being one of them.  I just saw an interesting stat as I was getting ready to write this...

According to the American Cancer Society...there are 14.5 Million cancer survivors in the US today. Like I said, for every one that loses their fight to cancer, there's one that says "nope, you're not taking me down...not without a fight!!!".  For every Lemmy, there's a Chuck Pagano.

I'm thankful for organizations like St. Jude's in Memphis, who's leading the fight for the kids; the V Foundation for Cancer Research, constantly looking for ways to cure this awful disease, and all the organizations that help people enjoy life while the fight continues.

Getting back to the title of the post for a minute, thank you David Bowie:

-- for telling us that we can be heroes if not for just one day;
-- for encouraging us to put on our red shoes and dance the Blues
-- for your zaniness and your musical genius

As somebody pointed out...you know there's going to be one memorable reunion performance of "Under Pressure" with Freddie Mercury.

I had several different things that I wanted to write down, but I think this covers the majority of it. Again, thank you David Bowie!!! We'll rock it for you!!!