Another cartoon that could have many "moral of the story" lines to it. I am going to use it for a hyper-local post.While you shouldn't eat the date on your calendar your children will be fed at our one day Vacation Bible School.Our church, Grace Evangelical Lutheran (a Wisconsin Lutheran Synod) Church. Grace is a new church and this is only our second VBS but I assure you that it will be well run and a lot of fun for your kids. The WELS is the third largest Lutheran church body and is over 100 years old.Save the date, Saturday August 18th 2022.The Titus and Philemon comic strip is copyrighted and used with the permission of the author/artist Timmothy N. Timm. Books and products by Timmothy N. Timm are available by contacting the author at timmtimmothy@gmail.com or through the Titus & Ph... 07/18/2022

It has been a while since I've woke up to a foggy Summer morning but that was the case this morning. It was beautiful to see from the porch but not so wonderful to drive to work in.Funny how some things are so ingrained into us that we assume we know exactly what we are talking about. As soon as I saw this I thought "just like London" yet I've never been to London and only rely on stories and Hollywood to believe it to be true... as if everything out of Hollywood is accurate.I think I could take that thought all kinds of directions BUT I am going to choose to let it lye. 07/15/2022

The list of events on the 4th of July in Minot ND is shortBUTTHE QUALITY OF THE EVENTS ARE EVCELLENT!Celebrate Independence Day at Roosevelt Park!This is an old fashion celebration and one of my personal favorites. I do not know the exact plan but I assure you that The Minot City Band will be there playing patriotic songs, there will be speaches by the commanders from the Minot Airforce Base (as well as some blowhard political folks like or Mayor), there will be food trucks and plenty of yard games. This is the best event for small children as there are no fireworks allowed that would scare them.There will be plenty of noise and excitement however at the Nodak Speedway on the 4th of July and after the races (usually sometime between 11:00PM and Midnight) the sky will light up with firew... 06/29/2022

Yesterday was our first "Summer" walk through the Woodland Trails Park in Southwest Minot North Dakota.We did see some wildlife like the turtle sunning himself but the best animal life was tame.George (L) looks just like my old dog Jack. Cain (R) is a very young PitLab. I had never heard of this combination before and I wonder what kind of temperament he will have being Pit-bulls can be very aggressive and Labs are usually mello.PoppyI was taken by how clear the water was as this is a "Dead Loop" (Swamp) so I took two pictures showing the submerged wood in the water.Tina and TimmothyCarol and Bob  06/27/2022

This part got me doing my part.After work yesterday I got in my car to drive home and as soon as I shifted it was obvious my shifter was no longer connected to the transmission. Bummer.Due to some other activities I had going on I didn't get a chance to call my auto club, Good Sam, until 6PM. The auto club said they would do their best best to get someone there yet (last night) . A half hour later a tow truck showed up and two polite young men jumped into action and had it loaded on the truck in minutes. These guys knew exactly what was wrong and assured me it was not a major fix.Off went the Yukon to my favorite mechanic and I knew he would have me back on the road tomorrow (today).First thing this morning I did "my part" and got on Google to give those young men a good review.We all l... 06/24/2022

Perhaps I should say my Two Flags.To the left of "Old Glory" is the North Dakota Medal Of Honor Memorial and the flag to the right is the official flag of North Dakota.Another flag in my neighborhood that I appreciate although I can not say it is beautiful, actually kind of ugly, I like what it stands for... The American Zoological Association. Here it is, also flown next to Old Glory.This post is an entry into Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho Active Rain June Challenge, 'Ole Glory Coast to Coast' - June Active Rain Challenge 06/18/2022

One more set of Titus and Philemon cartoon strips to end  your day. I just decided to pick three that are plain old funny (no theme here). Enjoy and have a good evening.To see the other Titus & Philemon comic strips I posted today click here.Timmothy is my 20 year old son. He was diagnosed as having high functioning autism at the age of 3. He would/will struggle to carry on a conversation with you yet be is a great communicator through his art. He has two comic strip books out (like Garfield or Peanuts) that we sell over the internet and he is involved in the arts at Minot State University.Every day I thank God for entrusting this brilliant, sensitive young man to me.You can visit the Timmothy Timm Art Studio and the Titus & Philemon Art Gallery at 201 Main Street South in Downtown Mino... 06/02/2022

Today is the day that I send in Timmothy's comic strip to the Newspaper for print for the upcoming month. I marvel at his daily creativity and his sense of humor. I wanted to share the strip above and the two below with you today.Timmothy is my 20 year old son. He was diagnosed as having high functioning autism at the age of 3. He would/will struggle to carry on a conversation with you yet be is a great communicator through his art. He has two comic strip books out (like Garfield or Peanuts) that we sell over the internet and he is involved in the arts at Minot State University.Every day I thank God for entrusting this brilliant, sensitive young man to me.You can visit the Timmothy Timm Art Studio and the Titus & Philemon Art Gallery at 201 Main Street South in Downtown Minot Monday thr... 06/02/2022

Although the sun never broke through the thick cloud cover and it was a bit windier than the norm there were plenty of blessings to be thankful for.First and foremost it was a day of prayers of thanksgiving for those who gave their lives for our freedoms (all freedoms including the 2nd amendment). As you surely know we also thanked God for all who have served as well as those currently serving. Even though the weather was less than one would wish for I did get out and did my favorite thing... tinkered. This included a little construction. I got a little unexpected, unlikely help.And then more help flew in (see the Robin in the top photograph). They keep my spirits bright even though I was already on a bit of a relaxing high for the day.And then there was the food!Lunch was at Slim Chick... 05/30/2022

Over the past 4 years I've written several posts about the collegiate baseball team that plays across the street from my home, The Sabre Dogs.We have really enjoyed having the Sabre Dogs as our neighbors and we are hopeful that another collegiate league will come in behind them. Last year the Sabre Dogs won top spot for their league and it looks really good for them this year and we wish the best for them. 05/29/2022

It seems like gradual changes can happen suddenly.The GOOD!When I walked by this tree yesterday the buds looked like little pearls. That caught me eye because the pearls looked good. Today many of the "pearls" have fully opened and it looks even better. It also is releasing it's beautiful aroma.The Ugly!Even though we have only had a few day with temperatures above 50 degrees the street repairs have begun in earnest. This is the 2nd downtown project on our block alone this Spring. No wonder people are apprehensive about coming downtown.The Good news about this project that is going on across the street from me is that it is part of a renovation leading to The City Of Minot City Hall being moved to the downtown area. Hopefully this will bring more traffic and notoriety to my son's busine... 05/26/2022

I am donating my mornings May 11th - 17th to a cause close to my heart. It is not a vacation but it is very enjoyable to me as I know I am contributing to my faith.The picture above is of Roy Leavitt (L) and Bill Schwartz (R) broadcasting on the AM radio side. The picture below is Chad Olson broadcasting on the FM radio side.I was able to work on both the AM and FM side on the air today. Like I said, it's not a vacation BUT what could be better then to be around like minded individuals, lifting up a cause you believe in, AND get a free lunch catered by some of Minot's best restaurants?   05/12/2022

At least once a year, and more often twice a year, I tell you about KHRT Radio's Sharathon. It happens every fall and every Spring.This years Spring Sharathon starts on Wednesday the 11th and ends on Tuesday the 17th. Join us for good music, cool stories, and great testimonies on 106.9KHRT and Solid Gospel 1320KHRT.As usual I will be answering the phone several mornings when callers call in to pledge support for our local Christian radio station.The two Sharathons are held as a way to make up for the money we refuse from establishment who would advertise from us if we were not a family friendly venue.I love volunteering my time because of what Christian radio means to me. I donate money as well because I firmly believe in the message and I buy advertising on KHRT because I love the loya... 05/09/2022

Yesterdays photo walk was a challenge for my aches and pains as well as subject matter. The good news (for me) was that it was relatively pain free and I think I have some interesting photos... let me know.First of all I stopped over the zoo pond and looked down at last years leaves drifting around. Unbeknownst to me the camera was set to movie mode so I hope you enjoy this 4 second video. 😎Here are some other shots from yesterday.I like this one because of the "layers" involved with the leaves on top of the water, the water, and the stuff on the bottom of the pond.And then there were these love birds on the bridge over the river. You can see the love the female has for here mate just in the way she is looking at him.This final picture was something that provoked the question of why.The... 05/03/2022

Nina Hollander, Broker posts about it every year as do many other bloggers and it always makes my mouth water. Now it's finally Minot's turn to have a restaurant week.I may try all eight listed above just to see how they stack up to my two current favorites which are:A special note about my featured picture at the top of the post.I once did a 15 minute radio interview with Christine Daily who started Magic City Hoagies a few years back. Christine is a joy to visit with. In the interview she said she and her husband moved here to get away from the heat of FL. She has been a FANTASTIC supporter of Minot. Last year she opened a new place next door to my office that serves great ice-cream.  Business has been great and just this week she has announced that she is adding to that shop Magic Ci... 04/30/2022

First of all you may be asking "Why would you be driving in a blizzard?". It was Easter Sunday. We just received 36" of snow with a reprieve on Saturday (no snow) and round two had just started. In the end the official snowfall total by Sunday afternoon was 48".With many of the responses to earlier posts on my blog activerain.com I realized that a lot of people have never driven on snow much less have drove during a blizzard. Here is a little snippet of what it is like. This video is from my dashcam while driving West on Business loop 52 (the main E to W arterial) and then North on Hwy 83. Hwy 83  is also known as Broadway and is the largest/busiest street in Minot. The section this is filmed in is 4 lanes with an additional  middle lane so in effect there is supposed to be 5 lanes of t... 04/19/2022

Mothers Day is coming up May 8th this year. Why not get Mom a book or art work from a local artist. May I suggest stopping by The Titus & Philemon art gallery at 201 Main Street South, Suite 100 (just inside the front door) Downtown Minot North Dakota.Timmothy's books will give mom 50 pages of laughs... and who doesn't want to hear Mom laugh?    04/18/2022

While waiting for The Dollar Tree to open we noticed this  little robin sitting on the parking lot looking as to say "what am I to do? We have seen many spring/summer birds over the past month and they have been building nests to start thier families. BAM! 32" of snow in a record setting spring storm and now we are being told to expect 5" to 8" of snow on Easter Sunday (tomorrow). Like the little robin, many of us are saying "What am I to do?". 04/16/2022

Grace Lutheran Church will joyfully recall the victory of Jesus' resurrection with our Easter Sunday service at 10am on Sunday, April 17th.  (We will also have our annual Easter brunch and egg hunt after our Easter Sunday service.  If you're able to stay, consider bringing a brunch dish to share!)There is no better time during the church year to invite friends and family to church, so consider who in your life needs the good news of Jesus, and invite them to come celebrate this "holy week holiday" with us! 04/07/2022

Last week, Mar. 22, 2022 Zoya, an endangered Amur Tiger at the Roosevelt Park Zoo  gave birth to three cubs over the weekend.The zoo said Zoya began giving birth early Saturday morning, with the first cub arriving shortly before 6:30 a.m., and the last shortly after 10:30 a.m.The zoo said Zoya is taking good care of the cubs, and they will leave her to care for them for a few weeks before the zoo’s vets perform physicals and provide vaccinations. After that, the zoo said they will reintroduce Zoya to the cubs.I literally see Zoya and the male tiger every day as I live less than 1,000 feet away from their zoo enclosure. It's really fun to see them and I'm sure I could easily did up a dozen pictures I have taken of them just in the last year.  04/05/2022