Friday, January 07, 2005

IMOGENE’S ANTLERS

You know the children’s book, Imogene’s Antlers by David Small? The little girl wakes up one morning and has grown enormous antlers. Her mother keeps fainting, and they keep trying all kinds of things to get rid of them or cope with them, ‘til she wakes up the next day, and . . . well, I won’t spoil the surprise.

Here’s a real-life parallel: I take the Imogene Hub, a little monthly newspaper out of southwest Iowa, because it has the corniest, silliest anecdotes around. On p. 1 of this month’s issue is a story about a 33-point, record-breaking buck that was bagged near Imogene by Travis Smiley of rural Emerson.

Oddly, the buck had three antlers, with 16, 14 and 3 scoreable points, making that unusual tally. The Hub pondered whether it had been part of a certain flying team that might have passed by around Christmas. The local daily later showed a photo of it that can only be described as “gnarly.” The locals dubbed it “Deerzilla.” I’m sure a new legend has been born in that neck o’ the woods.

Move over, Abominable Snowman, Bigfoot and Sasquatch! Meet . . . Imogene’s Antlers!

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Prayer request: Patrick, a funny, honest, beloved big brother of a friend of mine, suffered a heart attack yesterday. A devout Christian, he told the cardiologist he is ready to go Home. But the doctor said, “Not this trip!” Lord, You’ve already been glorified in the relative mildness of this attack. We pray for more glory for You in a happy ending: that Patrick’s cath site will heal, that the damage will be nonexistent, and that there will be no complications. (Philippians 4:19)

Praise report: Today is our 27th wedding anniversary, and we’re going out for a fancy dinner, compliments of my in-laws. Lord Jesus, thank You for the never-ending feast of love that You cook up for us in the form of holy matrimony. Our compliments to the Chef! (Psalm 66:10)

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