Dirkmonster

The passing of Dana Kaye

Dana Kaye, longtime NewsChannel 5 reporter, a personal friend and former colleague died early Friday morning at the age of 50.  To us, Dana will always be remembered for the love she had for her daughter Alden and for the courageous way she lived.  NewsChannel 5 is airing a story today that sums this up.  You'll be touched by watching it: View the story here.

Funeral arrangements are still being made. Instead of flowers the family asks that you make a donation to the American Cancer Society. Or you can contribute to a scholarship fund that's been set up for Dana's 16-year old daughter, Alden.

All you have to do is go to any SunTrust Bank and tell them you want to make a donation to the Dana Kaye Memorial Fund.

Tell someone today you care about what they mean to you.  We're here so briefly and the love we share is what matters most.   

Authorized to Fish in TN

I now posess a TWRA fishing license having easily purchasing my permit online at Tennessee's Wildlife Resources Agency web site.

Does anyone know any good spots on the Harpeth River for a Dad and his 3 year old?

A 5 Step P.E.A.C.E. Plan

From Fosteringhope.com, Dave offers:

Recently I gave a talk entitled, "Is there anything we can do to stop the war in Iraq?" Oftentimes we feel helpless, caught up in the stream of global events, feeling as though little we do day-to-day contributes to or subtracts from the violence erupting all around us. Nothing could be further from the truth because in the real world, governments don't change. Societies don't change. Families don't change. People change.  <more>

Read the rest - it's worth it. Dave Foster is my Pastor and founder of Bellevue Community Church.

Fireworks Photography

I was thinking I would prefer to celebrate this 4th of July close to some nice air conditioning.  Maybe even watch the fireworks on TV.  Well, that wasn't going to happen anyway given the thrill my three year old gets out of it.

But now I've got a reason to get excited too.  I may try following this brilliant (pun intended) how-to guide to fireworks photography.  It was the combination of the simple instructions and incredible photographs that has me thinking I can capture some great shots.

Anyone know of a good spot to set-up where there will room to operate with a tripod?

Outpouring of love for Kelsie

There's more good news to share about Kelsie, a 16 year old Greenbrier girl seriously injured in a car accident almost 2 weeks ago.  With steady progress, Kelsie is regaining consciousness as her body heals.  Although I don't know Kelsie, a family friend has kept me up to date:

Vanderbilt has decided to keep Kelsie (instead of sending her to a rehab facility) since she is so close to waking up - yesterday, her dad held his hand out and up in front of her and asked her to grab his hand (her eyes are slightly open, just slits, really) and she did!  She reached right up and grabbed it!  He had to go back to work today (he is a manager at Tennessee Speed Sport) and he stopped in to see Rheanne at her work and give her an update - she is doing well today.

There are various cans and jars all over Greenbrier and R'gate Mall for them - contributions are coming in towards her care!  I love how God works!

Thanks for keeping the prayer line going - I feel the love from all over Nashville for this girl!  We can't wait to see her fully open her eyes and crack us a great big smile.

You make a difference when you pray for God to bless a child.  She is LIVING proof.

Answered prayer for 16 year old Kelsie

Last week I posted about a traffic accident that seriously injured a 16 year old girl named Kelsie.  Friends fired up the prayer network and as always God responds with blessings of hope.  Here's an update on this young lady's recovery:

First of all, thank you all for your continued prayers for Kelsie.  They are making such a difference in her family's life and in her recovery.

Kelsie has been moved from the Trauma Center at Vanderbilt to the 11th floor (Burn Unit - the only place they had a bed for her in that part of the hospital) where she is resting until they can find her a bed at NHC in Springfield.  She will hopefully go there in the next day or two. 

Kelsie has not yet awakened, but there is considerable progress.  Rheanne visited her on Saturday and Sunday (and will go today and tomorrow as well).  Kelsie can snap her fingers when you ask her too.  Rheanne and Cody asked her to snap her fingers and when she did, Cody challenged her by saying he could do better than that.  Kelsie started snapping like crazy!  Rheanne asked her to give her some "spirit fingers" (Kelsie is a Varsity Cheerleader) and Kelsie did.  She also asked Kelsie to touch her nose, and Kelsie tried her best, but apparently got a little lost on the way and couldn't find her nose - her brain doesn't quite make every connection yet!  She can flutter her eyes, and she also cried (when she gets a breathing treatment, they have to put in some medicine through her trach tube to make her cough to keep her lungs clear, and that hurts her, so she cries), so she is responding appropriately to everything they're doing.  But, she has not had a bad day in the last few days and has continued to make progress and improve each day, so we are hopeful she will wake up this week.  She has lots of visitors and the doctors have talked to her family and lots of kids about what they can do to help her (move her legs and arms, stimulate her brain by talking, giving her commands, etc.) and they're all pitching in!

Please keep praying.

Happy Friday!

A couple days away from the office can be a refreshing change of pace. But then again, the first day back can be a bit hectic.

Prayer needed for 16 year old Kelsie

A friend of mine sent this to me today and I am posting it with her permission.  Lives can change so fast.

Most of you know I seldom send a lot of e-mails, and seldom request your favors for anything, but I am sending out a request to my praying friends.  One of Rheanne's dearest friends, Kelsie, age 16, was in a serious wreck Friday on her way to work.  She hit a telephone pole on Mt. Pleasant Road between White House and Greenbrier.  They had to Life Flight her to Vanderbilt.  Initial reports were that both legs, one arm, all the ribs on her left side, were broken, and that she had a punctured left lung and a ruptured spleen, which we have since discovered is only partially true.  She did break all the ribs on her left side, her left lung was punctured and collapsed, and she had a ruptured spleen, which they have removed.  In addition, she has multiple contusions and cuts all over her body, and some serious bruising on an area in her brain that they cannot shunt.  Her brain, and in fact, most of her body, is swollen, and Kelsie is unconscious.  She has not regained consciousness since the wreck. 

We were able to see her at the trauma center last night (where I am happy to report she is making some "purpose" movements) and two MRI's and two CT scans show she has no more fractures and no spinal damage.  She can move her legs and arms.  However, the area of her brain that is bruised is not improving - it is not worsening, but it is not improving yet either.  Kelsie's mom, Connie, asked Larry and I to go in and talk to Kelsie last night (Rheanne is in Florida) and we did, and when I talked about Rheanne, Kelsie did squeeze my hand, so we were heartened that she could hear us.  Before I left, I asked Kelsie to give me a sign that she knew I was there, and to tell me something I could take back to Rheanne, and she squeezed my hand so tight, I could hardly let go of hers.  So I know she hears all of us when we speak to her.

Kelsie is a very tiny little thing - about 5'1" and about 100 lbs soaking wet, and she has never been injured.  They thought Sunday she should have awakened by then, and they thought perhaps the heavy medications she was under were keeping her so sedated she couldn't wake up, so they removed her from the medication - it may take 4-5 days for it to all get out of her system.   I know that none of you know Kelsie at all - but I think you should know about who I am asking you to pray for.  Kelsie is young, and strong, and healthy, and very vibrant and energetic, always bouncing around, smiling and laughing.  A bundle of energy and always happy-go-lucky.  She was on her way to work when it happened (she works with Rheanne).  The best anyone can tell, she was in a hurry (which was her way, Kelsie doesn't do anyting slowly!) when her cell phone rang and she reached for it.  She hit the shoulder of the road, and overcompensated to get back on the road, and she ran into a telephone pole.  Her youth and strength are in her favor, but she has a long road ahead of her. 

If you could add her to your prayer list, this little girl we love so much, and her mom and dad, Connie and Mike, I would be humbled by your prayers for her.   They are going through what no parent should ever have to go through right now.

Thank you all for praying for them.

May the Lord bless Kelsie and her family, guide the doctors treating her and comfort them with His love.

New FIFA Needed

You know how the NHL took a season off and when they came back we had the "new NHL"? After watching a lot of soccer this weekend, I think FIFA should amend the rulebook as follows:

1. If a foul is committed, send the player to a penalty box for 5 minutes.
2. And then call EVERYTHING
3. But checking a guy off the ball is not a foul.
4. Allow picks.
5. If you boot the ball 60 yards down the field to escape the pressure, bring it back for a free kick.
6. Allow fighting. These guys roll around on the ground acting like they're hurt too much.  Soccer needs to have enforcers and it makes better TV.

Then at least we'd have some 2 man advantages and maybe some scoring.  I can admire the athleticism, but have something happen every couple minutes.  It's freakin' tedious.

Now - I will say that I like the deal where the clock doesn't stop so there are no commercials. That they should keep and export to real football.

For Sale: Chevy Tahoe Third Row Seats

These grey leather seats came out of a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe. They have never been used and stored in a garage since the truck was purchased. So they are in "like new" condition.

Contact daplantinga@yahoo.com or comment here with your questions.  Click here to bid on eBay.

Take delivery in Nashville area to avoid big shipping charge (approx $150).

See photos of grey leather
Chevrolet Tahoe third row seats.