I vanished while exploring a remote Florida swamp a few days ago—or was it a few minutes ago? It seemed to swallow my reality and identity as I plunged deeper and deeper into her boggy moistness. And this was no bad thing. As the shadows grew longer and the trail fainter, I realized there was [...]
Why We Feel So Alone In A Crowded World
by randy on January 31, 2012 in Influence
When we say “we seek the ultimate truth,” we are really saying that we seek to know the full extent of how all of our relationships fit together in the grand scheme. Our search of the truth is the search for how we belong to the larger picture and why. The truth of our existence [...]
Why Play Is Better Than Fantasy (For Adults Only)
by randy on January 25, 2012 in Influence
Fantasy is something we do by ourselves. Play, however, is an activity we engage in with others. As adults living in a sexualized Western civilization, we fantasize often, but how long has it been since you played? Let’s take a look at benefits of adult play. — Play is inherently open and accepting. Although there [...]
They LOOK Like Christians, They TALK Like Christians, But They Are Actually Killers
by randy on January 24, 2012 in Influence
Shame kills. Guilt and shame are often thought of interchangeably, when in fact they are quite different. Guilt can trigger the desire to reach out and make amends, while shame makes a person feel worthless and inhuman. To be shamed is to be rejected. Shame is a way of isolating a person from the “collective [...]
“A New Day” — My Latest Watercolor
by randy on January 23, 2012 in Influence
A New Day 27″ x 37″ Unframed Original Watercolor on Arches Handmade Paper $850. Special prices on prints also available: 8.5″ x 11″ $85. $35. 11″ x 14″ $95. $45. plus S&H $4.95 (Other print sizes available on request) Perfect for bedroom or bath. Options Original 27" x 37" $850.00 USD Print 8.5" x 11" $35.00 USD Print 11" [...]
My Vietnamese Chicken Pho Recipe—Easy as 1.2.3.—Yum!
by randy on January 20, 2012 in Influence
My Vietnamese Chicken Pho (pronounced fu—as in, well, you know) Ingredients 4 ounces dry Thai Rice noodles 6 cups chicken stock 2 tablespoons fish sauce 4 cloves garlic, minced 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger root 1 tablespoon minced lemon grass 5 green onions, chopped 2 breasts thinly sliced on bias cooked chicken 1 cup bean [...]
My Top Five Movies of 2011
by randy on January 19, 2012 in Influence
In no particular order… 1. Super 8 — This movie was magical and grabbed me on many levels. An instant classic! 2. Midnight in Paris — Woody Allen’s finest movie and Owen Wilson’s finest performance. This movie is now in my top 5 all-time!! I was spellbound and it transcended time and space. 3. Moneyball — [...]
My Top Ten Books That Almost No One Knows About
by randy on January 18, 2012 in Influence
In no particular order, here are the books that have changed my life. I bet you have never heard of at least 8 of them. Because I know about them doesn’t make me smarter than you, but it does mean I have some really well-read friends who have introduced them to me. I commend them [...]
My Confession of Sin
by randy on January 16, 2012 in Influence
Father eternal, giver of light and grace, I have sinned against you and against my neighbors, in what I have thought, in what I have said and done, through ignorance, through weakness, through my own deliberate fault. I have wounded your love, and marred your image in me. I am sorry and ashamed, and repent [...]
Why Our Mistakes Must Not Be Allowed To Define Us
by randy on January 11, 2012 in Influence
Why have we come to think of life in such dire terms? The answer is that stories of mistakes and failure surprise us. They are unexpected, and therefore, trigger alarm and heighten our interest. It is a bleak commentary that of all the good content on this blog, the most read and “googled” post is [...]
My Top Ten Songs Of The Year—My Best of 2011 Week
by randy on January 9, 2012 in Influence
10. If I Die Young — The Band Perry 9. You and I — Lady Gaga 8. Good Life — OneRepublic 7. For The First Time — The Script 6. Dog Days Are Over — Florence and the Machine 5. Down By the Water — The Decemberists 4. Lotus Flower — Radiohead 3. Gold On [...]
Best New Wines Under $20—My Top Ten of 2011 Week
by randy on January 3, 2012 in Influence
Here are my Top Ten wines from 2011 under $20. 1. Meiomi Pinot Noir — $17.99 2. Cline Zinfandel — $12 3. Chateau Marjosse Bordeaux — $9.99 4. Menage a Trois — $7.99 5. Earthstone Merlot — $9.99 6. Heavyweight Red — $11.99 7. Marramiero Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Dama — $11.99 8. Pine Ridge 2008 Chenin Blanc-Viognier — $12. [...]
Dagny Taggart (Atlas Shrugged)—My Latest Watercolor—(Between The Pages Series)
by randy on January 1, 2012 in Influence
Dagny Taggart — Atlas Shrugged (Between The Pages Series) Original Watercolor 12″ x 16″ $550. Mixed Media Watercolor & Actual pages from the Centennial edition of Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged Special prices on prints also available: 8.5″ x 11″ $85. $35. 11″ x 14″ $95. $45. plus S&H $4.95 (Other print sizes available on request) [...]
Anna Karenina—My Latest Watercolor—(Between The Pages Series)
by randy on December 18, 2011 in Influence
Anna Karenina (Between The Pages Series) Original Watercolor 12″ x 16″ $550. Special prices on prints also available: 8.5″ x 11″ $85. $35. 11″ x 14″ $95. $45. plus S&H $4.95 (Other print sizes available on request) Options Original Watercolor 12" x 16" $550.00 USD 8.5" x 11" Print $35.00 USD 11" x 14" Print [...]
- I’m Giving Away 50 Free Burlap To Cashmere Signed CD’s,Vinyl & Watch LIVE Interview July 19, 2011
- I’m Celebrating Leeland’s New Album “The Great Awakening” By Giving Away 50 Copies Today September 20, 2011
- In Search of Heroes — Where Are The Female Mentors? January 27, 2011
- The Persons I Wish I Had Known August 31, 2010
- Do You Make These Pet Peeve Phrase Mistakes? May 6, 2011
- My Top 5 Wines For Summer ($20 or Less) May 14, 2012
- “Ostracized” — My Latest Watercolor May 12, 2012
- A Day With My Parents (To Celebrate Their 55th Anniversary) May 9, 2012
- Friends Are Friends Forever? A Tribute April 26, 2012
- The Creative Dilemma — How To Identify Your Censors April 16, 2012
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randy elrod: Thanks so much, Stevie, and congratulations to you...
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Stevie: Your parents sound a lot like mine, except they wa...
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randy elrod: Ha!!! Good. Even though its a bit dubious to be co...
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L. C. Campbell: Remember sitting under preaching that would make ...
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randy elrod: Thanks, Keith. that is quite a compliment coming f...












