Kreuz Strikes Again

Lockhart's best BBQ got a visit from us again on the way to San Antonio.
This is definitely worth the 18 mile drive north of I-10 on Hwy 80.

Aunt Bea's Luau Deer

Uncle Buck has his Summer Gear on now.

Lynchburg Daycation

We took the bike out for a DayCation and wound up crossing the Lynchburg Ferry for the very first time since I have been living in Houston (1975). Nice long 45 minute wait for a 2 minute boat ride.

Waterside Wedding

Christian and Claudia Mora had a beautiful wedding by the lake (and the pools). Congrats

Israeli newspaper publishes Obama's private prayer

I read this on the Yahoo News today: It's a moderate request this Senator wrote - but why would that other voyeuristic person have dared go digging out this private petition! All for a headline. tsk tsk tsk

Israeli newspaper publishes Obama's private prayer - Yahoo! News http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080725/ap_on_re_mi_ea/israel_obama_s_note

"Lord — Protect my family and me. Forgive me my sins, and help me guard against pride and despair. Give me the wisdom to do what is right and just. And make me an instrument of your will,"

I believe right now would be a good time to pray for our President and other national leaders, as well as those of other countries.

East Texas Ride over Lake Houston

Joey and I took a Friday morning scoot out to East Texas and stopped on the Atascosita Causeway for a quick pic. It feels good to spend some time with the boys again... each one is so different! As we say in Spanish, "Cada cabeza es otro mundo!" [Each mind is a different world.]

{and it fits in that helmet!}

Flying Saucer Pies

Dolly and Rose celebrate (post-hurricane) with some of the World Famous Flying Saucer Pies from right here in Houston, Texas (436 W. Crosstimbers).

It's always a joy to celebrate with friends over a good plate of food, and the sweet tooth is always pleased with the fresh Peach Pie and Strawberry Cream Pie.

La Red del Camino

La Red Del Camino - intriguing, insightful, inspirational - with it's feet on the ground.
Testimonies of global import and impact from people who's feet are dusty with real 'on-the-ground' activity. When I sat with a few of the shepherd's from some of these harvest fields last week, I reveled in their phrase "K.B." Kingdom Business. Everything is about Kingdom Business! Not just preaching the Kingdom, but BE-ing the Kingdom. Take a trip down this 'camino' (road) that connects The Net (la red)

Kickin Back

Spent some time with Dolly today on the road, and took a breather at Taco Cabana... she caught me relaxing.

Calm before the storm. This is just a few miles short of the 500 mile break in on the new motor. With all the rain coming in with Hurricane Dolly, I gotta come up with other ways to keep myself busy during these few days of my summer break.

The Two become Man & Wife

Erick and Sylvia Armendariz were wed today in the glorious Houston July weather. Congrats!

The Big Bore is now P.I.F.

Just a little short of selling the bike to get it out of the shop, it was a good feeling to pay the bill today and have the little orange repair tag ripped off today.

The 500 miles to break in the engine is next.  I have not had the experience of seating an engine for several years. My last overhauls were my first automobiles in the early and mid 70's when I wasn't apprehensive of taking an engine apart.  When I saw this V-Twin on the bench, I was struck with the modular design that Harley Davidson has in this new balanced Evolution engine. I have a learning curve to get this type of repair procedure figured out.

Gulp... Maybe Friday

The Majestic 100 year Anniversary Edition Fat Boy is looking lean and not so mean today.  The Limited Power Train warranty is covering the repair for the damaged bearings that were found in the case.  This balanced engine was sweet to ride and nice and quiet until the Father's Day weekend.  The metal-on-metal roar got definitely worse, and upon having the oil changed, the fine people at Mancuso Central dove into the bowels of my ailing 88 c.i.  One of the first comments was to 'please consider upgrading to a bigger bore engine upon completing the repair.'  I have been on pins and needles until today when I became aware that the 'Limited Power Train Warranty' covered 12 months or 12,000 miles.  Since they began to tear the motor apart, they had not been able to find the origin of metal shavings in the main case... until today.  It was definitely the bearings for those shafts that facilitate the fine balanced EVO88B.  THAT WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY!  Otherwise I would have been responsible for the EXTENSIVE work being done.  

The next 48 hours will tell the tale of a successful rebuild to the status of a BigBoreBadBoy!  I will wind up with a lot less 'out-of-pocket' than normal, since they already have the case cracked open.  The pause is what is most disconcerting.  I have grown accustomed to spending much of my daily commute in the grip of the Houston Traffic and in the trust of my God - I miss that from my 2-wheeled view. 

So, I wait - maybe, Friday. 

Prayer Request for Evelyn!

I just spoke with a co-worker who made an emergency trip to Orlando to be with a friend who was just diagnosed with Acute Leukemia yesterday and is barely hanging on for life today.  Lourdes took her guitar with her and the hospital has allowed her to sing at Evelyn's bedside.  Lourdes was expressing her trust that we would be able to generate a true cloud of Prayer Warriors to intercede on her behalf.

Look Deep Inside Yourself - don't be skerd!

Look Deep Inside Yourself
Originally uploaded by rmaxtorres.

FatBoy Saga Continues: The Mancuso mechanics have been looking for the source of a bad sound... no luck so far. The next step is to crack the case open for a deeper look.... nice!  Only concern is how deep I will have to dig to get it outta hock.

Deeper Chrome

                            

This v-rod has some killer detail: custom paint, chrome and ostrich leather - Deep Paint!

Trail of Hope Report

From: Chuck Harper <cncharper@msn.com>

Date: July 7, 2008 8:10:13 AM CDT

Trail of Hope - Durango CO       Greetings! Thanks so much for praying - and for making this year's Trail of Hope Conference such a success.  Your prayers were heard, and God did answer.   We are so grateful for the many who prayed, many who gave financially,  all those who helped that couldn't come,  and the incredible army of volunteers who came and served so graciously at the event.   It couldn't have happened without you!!!   We are basking in the afterglow, and counting many blessings.   It is most encouraging to continue to hear so many wonderful stories and testimonies about how God was and still is at work.  The facts:  We had 186 people registered for the conference.  At least 20 others were day commuters from nearby reservations;   and at least 200 more come to the evangelistic outreach on Sunday night.   They represented at least 20 Native American Nations, many came from Canada, and we were honored with a special delegation from Australia.    We know of at least 50 commitments that were made at the event.   Some were first time commitments to Christ- others were for re-dedications,   many responded to the closing challenge to be available for world missions.     Our theme came from Deuteronomy 10:12 - where God's people were told what God expects- to FEAR, FOLLOW, LOVE, and SERVE Him.   We were so encouraged that so many told us that they never looked at a verse in so much detail and that understood what God wants us to do.  Only eternity will tell if our objectives for the conference were met.   But from our evaluation forms, and the stories we hear,  YES - it was an overwhelming success!!!  -          This provided an opportunity for corporate worship for students to know and embrace Jesus! -          This provided the platform for fellowship, unity, and ministry development among youth leaders in Native America - so that more Native Kids would embrace Jesus! -          Students and leaders would understand their identity is in Jesus! -          Barriers of isolation were broken   Here are a few most memorable moments and stories we have heard: ·          One parent called the day after - telling us that she sent a boy - and a young man came home.  In her words, "the Holy Spirit was glowing all about him.   He is changed!   Thank you for Trail of Hope!   I know that our son is in better touch with God and with who he is as a native person". ·         Another e mail today says, "Thanks for trail of hope.   My life has been changed.  I will remember to Fear, Follow, Love, and Serve God all my life". ·         A youth leader says, "This conference has brought life back into these old bones". ·         A youth leader says, "I was ready to quit- and I am going home with renewed energy to keep going with my youth ministry". ·         A youth leader said, "I learned so much from the time with Monte at the Youth Leader breakfast,   I can't wait to get started with all the new ideas I learned."   Thank you again for helping make TRAIL of HOPE a reality.  Please keep us in prayer as we do all the follow-up with the students and youth leaders.    We are also still finalizing our finance report and paying the last bills.   We don't know exactly just yet where we stand until later this week,  but we know that it appears that God has provided for all our needs.  AMEN!!!!   Thanks so much for walking this journey with us!!!     On the trail together, Chuck and Cindy Harper   If you would like to see some pictures - hit reply - and watch for some on the trailofhope.us web site later this week.

Christ for Native Youth Network | PO Box 67677 | Albuqerque | NM | 87193

Behind the chrome:

I hope I don't have to see this sight too often!  At least not for a while.  I have always enjoyed doing mechanical work, and I have been fairly successful over the last 40 years or so since my dad first asked me to hand him a 'crescent wrench.'  That was a true learning experience.  Not many 12 year old kids know what a crescent wrench is, and I was definitely in that majority. 

My days of tinkering in my 'non-American' brand name motorcycles has expanded into the HD world now.  That hefty V-Twin looked intimidating, but give me a little time to build up my tool box again - and we'll be back into it.  I just have to hold my breath for that phone call from Mancuso's. . .  then I will drain the rest of the bank for that next ransom payment. [click on picture for higher resolution]

Father's Day 2008

My photostream http://www.flickr.com/photos/rmaxt/ Some of my recent uploads from my trip to San Antonio for Father's Day.  We had a great time and took Dad to Pico de Gallo for a great meal with Liz, Jonathon and Mom. Ben and his family had just left for their long drive back to Ogden, Utah.  It is so good to see my Hero doing so much on his own.  And he looks really 'classic' in front of this mural.  Viva Pops!  Father's Day   June 15, 2008 Flickr is almost certainly the best photo management and sharing application in the world. If you'd like to see what I use it for you can check out my profile page or browse my photostream.

Flores Family Reunion

Flores Family Reunion http://www.flickr.com/photos/rmaxt/sets/72157606015579842 About the set 171 items | 0 views On July 5, 2008 the Flores Family swarmed Pavilion #4 at McArthur Park in San Antonio, TX.  These are the first set of pictures I have taken since I got contacts.  MY AIM IS OFF!  There are a lot of blurry shots, and I have no one to blame but myself.  Oh well, please take the time to view, and take a shot at identifying the set of pictures I took of the back of several heads.  See how you do.  I hope your 4th of July Holiday was a time of celebrating the freedoms we enjoy in this country.  As my Pops told me in 1976 when I returned from my first trip out of country, "To Love America - Leave It!"    You're still right, Pops.   A selection of things from the set (By the way, if the set link doesn't work, try copying and pasting it from this email into your browser's address bar.) Flickr is almost certainly the best photo management and sharing application in the world. If you'd like to see what I use it for you can check out my profile page or browse my photostream.

Egg toss champions

Nickii and Sean came on gangbusters by winning the raw-egg toss.  They had to have been at least 40 feet apart in the winning toss, and definitely had some fantastic coordination and teamwork... then the waterballoons started and it all went downhill.  Afterwards, we had a brief interview with these Olympic-bound Champions (i'm sure there will soon be egg-toss at that level of competition - nudge, nudge. wink, wink.)

That was a great way for more of Dahlia's side of the family to meet our new daughter.  T.C. (Nickii's cousin) even showed up to join in the celebration and festivities - like fun on the swings and climbing equipment!

There is a higher quality version of the Winner's Circle video on my media site if you want to check it out. 

Dont ask!

Caption: Now, Bernice has a moment to relax after the months and months of planning and execution has resulted in a great Flores Family Reunion - and her patriotic toenails still shine red, white and blue after a brief cool down.

"Love Hurts" -San Antonio style

A South American musical group was playing in the Mercado Courtyard outside of Mi Tierra in San Antonio, complete with flutes and requintos (or some little bitty guitarish thing).  There was a pretty nice crowd of tourists, and they all seemed to be spending money on something.  This must have been a good weekend for the locals.  Viva San Antonio!

Independence - the Land of the Free

One of the gripping realities in the U.S. is the glaring oversight of the First Nations People and all the issues they have faced with European Encroachment.  The Trail of Hope Conference for First Nations youth was this week in Durango, Colorado.   It was a heavy heart that surrendered my notice of absence for this event.  I love gathering with the heritage of my Great Fathers.  

Visiting Jeremy Del Rio's site, I picked up this article on the day before Independence Day.  Please visit Jeremy's site and dig deep.

Away with Words - On Independence Day

I believe in the Great Mystery because I am a follower of Jesus.
I read the scriptures and help build the community of the Creator as an ambassador,
sharing the good news of healing to the unversed.
I tell them they can turn around from failing
and to follow Jesus because of Creator’s great love for them.

Dallas DJ goes wack on our 'baby girl'

K[Don't roll your eyes at her Nickii! Aww, go ahead!]


If you go to Kidd Kraddick's blog and scroll to the bottom of his July 2, 2008 story - you will read about how my son and my daughter-in-love were treated to dinner for the alleged antics of a one "Shannon." If you check out my Tumblr back a few posts ago I said, "Don't mess with Nickii" This girl's got FAVOR!!!