Presenting Carson Jacob Epting !

August 7, 2008
4.52 PM
7 lbs 14 oz.
20.5 inches
and a full head of dark hair

That's our boy !!! We waited for a few days on People magazine's 20 million dollar "first exclusive photos" offer to come down but to no avail. Anywho, We'll add more pictures and hopefully a very special video as soon as possible. We would like to thank everyone who prayed for us leading up to this special day and covet your prayers as we continue along this road called parenthood. Amber was just incredible, pushing HARD for almost 4 hours she redefined bravery, courage and for that matter "Wonder Woman" to me. She has quite a recovery ahead of her but I'm glad to report that both mom and son are in excellent health. God is so good and faithful. Amen? Amen!

Leonard Ravenhill....

The GENIUS of Jackie Gleason...

Those of you in my generation might remember this guy from old re-runs of "The Honeymooners" about the piece-mealed life of temperamental New York bus driver Ralph Kramden. It always involved his volatile temper paired against the common sense of his wife and the tenuous friendship with his heart of gold pal Ed Norton.

What has slipped through the cracks over the years is Gleason's performance in the 1962 little know gem "Gigot" in which he portrays a mute janitor in the slums of Paris. It harkens back to the work of Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplain, ground Gleason had covered early in his career when he portrayed a character he called "the poor soul". Gigot is a very similar depiction. Gleason pretty much did everything but direct (Gene Kelly) this film, including composing the score. It's not available on DVD unless you can find a rare bootleg and it RARELY can be seen on TCM or AMC (which no longer shows classics IMHO) BUT, some kind soul has uploaded it to YouTube in 11 consecutive segments. This is physical comedy at it's zenith and it is a shame that it is not more widely exposed today.

Toss some corn in the wave' and allow me to get you started right here....

tick tock, tick tock...

I have nothing but this...

STILL WAITING !!!

So.... This bit of motivational music (pitch problems and all) goes out to the wife, the 80's people (you know who you are) and Dave Maturo.

The waiting is the hardest part...

Well, we burned 7 gallons of precious gas and Amber used up another sick day to find out the Dr. didn't want to induce after all!

ARGHHHHH !!!!!!!

Now the prog. is that she could very well carry Carson to full term... August 4th. Being that he's already well over 7 pounds Amber is understandably itching to take care of this business! God Bless her.

Took these roadside photos yesterday of the local flavor for your enjoyment ....
distant flat tops (click on images for a better view)
yes,that's a full grown Hereford on the left!

Shoofly !!!
"La Casa Grande"... You see a lot of structures like this in the stark wide open spaces out here. I'm sure there is as much or more of these back in Tennessee but they are obscured by brush. One day, long ago someone set out for something, then struck out. Judging by the makeshift roof, someone tried to make this work not too long ago.
Finally, a Bison herd we've been keeping an eye on. Too bad they are back lit by the setting sun in this photo.

The eleventh hour ?

Yesterday we had our weekly Doctor's visit down in yellow (Amarillo) and learned that Amber has dilated to a 2. As low as she has been carrying Carson there is concern that when her contractions step up we won't have time to get to the Hospital. SO, Dr. Castillo has scheduled us to come in tomorrow, Wednesday, for another check up and the PROBABLE inducing of labor.

For the record, I'm completely comfortable with this but Amber is a little nervous. We are still almost 2 weeks from our due date (August 4) but Carson must want to share his birth month with his grandpa? Fortunately he's tippin' in at 7 pounds 3 ounces so he's ready for the long road of life.

The next update could be an introduction!