2011 NPC Teen, Collegiate, & Masters National Championships

"Oh, what sad times are these when passing ruffians can say Ni at will to old ladies. ... Even those who travel to attend physique competitions are under considerable economic stress in this period in history."

Yes, I have had to skip a few bodybuilding shows already this year, and won't be making it to many more.  But, I will be attending the NPC Masters Nationals in Pittsburgh.  And one competitor I will be excited to see onstage again is Sherri Gray.  If her conditioning in this video is any indication, I think she is going to do really well!

A while back, I interviewed Sherri for this blog.  And posted this entry also.

My Daughter's Christian Kitsch Art!

I blogged earlier about the Christian "kitsch" art of a lady named Flo Boatright.

A few months later, I think it was for Father's Day, my daughter made me very happy by crafting a similar piece of art for me.  I couldn't be more pleased with it.  Well, maybe I would be slightly more pleased if she had used more than two dogs.  But I love it; it really captures the spirit of the work of Flo Boatright.  And, thus, I am going to "pull rank" this Christmas, and demand that this be hung on our tree in a prominent location!

The story which inspired this work of art is, of course, found in 2 Kings, the 9th Chapter:

And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window.

And as Jehu entered in at the gate, she said, Had Zimri peace, who slew his master?

And he lifted up his face to the window, and said, Who is on my side? who? And there looked out to him two or three eunuchs.

And he said, Throw her down. So they threw her down: and some of her blood was sprinkled on the wall, and on the horses: and he trode her under foot.

And when he was come in, he did eat and drink, and said, Go, see now this cursed woman, and bury her: for she is a king's daughter.

And they went to bury her: but they found no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of her hands.

Wherefore they came again, and told him. And he said, This is the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, In the portion of Jezreel shall dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel:

Hot Rod Anglican T-Shirt Sale (2011)!!!

*** Not available in stores! ***

Available in Men's Medium-Large-XL sizes (Hanes Beefy-T), and Women's Cap Sleeve T (M-L-XL - see size chart below, because they run small!) ...

 

If you're ready to order, please click on the convenient PayPal button below ...

Style

Hanes Men's T-shirt - M Hanes Men's T-shirt - L Hanes Men's T-shirt - XL Ladies Cap Sleeve - M Ladies Cap Sleeve - L Ladies Cap Sleeve - XL

Here is the sizing chart for the Ladies' T-shirts:



And here is the lovely Tracy, modeling one of these fine shirts!

2011 Avanti Awards - Eliot Erlandson - Summa Cum Laude!

Two years ago, I blogged about my son Eliot's Magna Cum Laude award in the 2009 Avanti Awards.  The Avanti Awards is a competition for young automotive designers.  It is conducted under the auspices of Stellar Scholars (see link for more information).

In some years (such as in 2009) the Avanti Awards is an open competition.  In other years, students who have shown aptitude in automotive design are selected and commissioned to produce a new design.  The designs are to capture the spirit and some of the essence of the Studebaker Avanti, which was an incredible, forward-thinking automobile which premiered in the 1963 model year.

For 2011, my son Eliot Erlandson was offered the Avanti Awards commission, and he accepted eagerly and gratefully.  After his best efforts were turned in, a "star committee" of automotive enthusiasts rated his design in terms of rendering, practicality and function, and originality.  The level of the award is determined by the committee members' ratings.

I am pleased to announce that Eliot's design won the Summa Cum Laude award for the 2011 Avanti Awards!  Here is the write-up at the Stellar Scholars site (click on "Avanti Awards", then scroll to the bottom), and here is the announcment on the Avanti website.

Here are the three views of the design which Eliot submitted.

(background photo credit:  Philip Dattilo)

A brief awards ceremony was held at the Henry Ford Centennial Library in Dearborn.  Ms. Patricia Emery (Stellar Scholars Co-Chair) made the presentation.  The trophy is truly a thing of beauty, and Eliot will treasure it for a lifetime.

Our Visit to St. Gabriel's Anglican Church, Springdale, Arkansas!

On April 3, 2011, the family and I made a visit to St. Gabriel's Anglican Church in Springdale, Arkansas. It was Rose Sunday.

I had been a FaceBook friend of the Rector, Fr. John Slavin, for some time, and was glad of the chance to finally meet him in person, as well as to worship at St. Gabriel's.

We dragged the kids out with us for the 9:00 am Adult Education class. It was a great class, nominally centered around a particular icon (the Hodegetria), but with a rich survey of background information including a review of the 5 historic Patriarchal sees (Jerusalem, Constantinople, Antioch, Rome, and Alexandria) and four levels of religion (belief, faith, experience, and transformation). Other interesting points of early church history were brought forward as well. The class was well attended. In my roamings through Anglicanism over the years, I have noticed that a healthy, vibrant Adult Ed program (that is actually attended!) goes hand in hand with robust worship.

Everything about the Holy Communion service was lovely. 1928 BCP, the Hymnal 1940, no funny stuff added, nothing subtracted. I particularly liked the Processional (Jesus, lover of my soul - #415) and Recessional (Lord, who throughout these forty days - #59) hymns!

I hate to harp on this point, but I really appreciate that the service wasn't interrupted by the all-too-common "Seventh Inning Stretch" (by which I mean the Passing of the Peace).  There was plenty of time for me and the family to shake hands with everyone after the service.

I was also very glad that incense was used during the service.  It made me feel right at home.

One thing that seems so simple gave Cindy and me particular joy: All of the readings were read, including the Old Testament lesson, which is not done everywhere.

The worship space was very attractive, and tastefully decorated:

Fr. John's sermon was very lively, to say the least.  Fr. John is a very dynamic person, and a very energetic speaker.  I thought to myself how he had pulled off the impossible:  a Baptist-length sermon delivered in only the time of a typical Anglican homily.  Winning!

The sermon focused on Ephesians 5 and, other than being a bit too personally convicting to me at parts, was great.  Fr. John explained some wrong ways (and then the right way) to look at St. Paul's commands, such as the edict to not associate with unbelievers.

As Providence would have it, we attended on a day when a potluck meal was scheduled after the service, and so we stayed for that, and were thankful for a great meal.  Finally, Fr. John took the time to show me around the grounds.  As he did so, he gave me some of the history of the parish and of his own involvement with it.  This is a cool little chapel they have out back, which has 24-hour access via a keypad on the door.

One thing more needs to be said, and to me it was perhaps the most encouraging thing about the entire visit:  There were plenty of young kids at this parish!  There is much reason to be hopeful for the future!  God is at work at St. Gabriel's.

Bible in Miniature - the Christian Kitsch Art of Flo Boatright

This is the kind of thing you cannot (until now) find by staring into your computer screen.  You have to go out into the vast, wind torn center of Route 66 America to find this stuff.  The artist, Flo Boatright, apparently made her way through life without herself or her art being recorded anywhere on the internet.  Even the museum where we found her art could not find unstained hard copies of these little booklets about her.

Let me say at the outset something that still startles me about this great kitsch art:  these pieces are intended to be Christmas tree ornaments!  It is fun to imagine some young children taking a look around the artist's Christmas tree, and finding this macabre collection.

Little of it seems to have to do with Christmas.

This is always good advice:

Either Flo Boatright was fixated on death, or else maybe the Bible is:

I think that must be Saul of Tarsus at right, consenting to St. Stephen's death: 

Perhaps someone can clue me in as to why a bottle of champagne is a symbol for Moses the lawgiver?

Here are a few more favorites of mine:

The dog licking the sores of Lazarus is a nice touch.

Pink Elephant Antiques - Livingston, Illinois

We happened on this place by accident, while making the return trip to Detroit from a family vacation to Oklahoma.  We only found Pink Elephant Antiques because we missed the turn onto I-70 East, and remained longer than intended on I-55 North.  It is about 35 miles northeast of St. Louis.

When I saw the giant "Muffler Man" in the same lot as a green flying saucer, I knew we had to stop and take a look.  Unfortunately, we arrived after the main building was closed.  So, all I have to share with is photos of the outdoor attractions:

Also, if anyone is planning to make the pilgrimage to this place, PLEASE set aside at least an extra hour to look through the beautiful vintage cars at Country Classic Cars!  It is just 4 miles up the road from Pink Elephant Antiques.