July 9, 2025

A Birthday Without A Photo

Finally! Blogger was up to its old tricks again!  I wanted to upload a photo of our youngest daughter and her father on her birthday, but no such luck! But today, it worked. Since our birthdays are very close together, we often celebrate together. One year, she decided to take me to the Denver Zoo to sit in the sand near the manta ray exhibit and have a margarita together. What a creative and thoughtful gift! A bit of Southern California in the middle of the plains of Colorado. Anyway, happy birthday to our youngest daughter! What an amazing woman of God she is!

July 6, 2025

Goodbye Rivers of America and a Large Piece of Magic Kingdom History

This is the view I will miss the most with the demolition of Rivers of America at the Magic Kingdom. It's the one I first saw in 1974 on my first visit to the original Walt Disney World park. The stately Haunted Mansion up on a hill in Liberty Square and Aunt Polly's over at Tom Sawyer Island

Back then, there was no Big Thunder Mountain or Splash Mountain on the other side, just wilderness to explore while riding the Admiral Joe Fowler Riverboat, Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes, the rafts, or the Mike Fink Keel Boats. It was a beautiful simpler time. Imagineering had created a wonderful, totally atmospheric piece of Americana. But nothing lasts forever.  

The Disney Parks blog reported these changes last year in August to a shocked crowd at D23:

"The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro, with the help of Tow Mater via video call, announced that a new area inspired by the Pixar Animation Studios film “Cars” will be coming to a reimagined section of Frontierland at Magic Kingdom. “The American West has always been about keeping your eyes on the horizon … believing in yourself, carving your own path, and striving toward success. That goes for miners in the mountains, bears from the country, a princess from the bayou … or a race car from the big city,” Josh told the crowd."

The crowd was silent, then some booed, and then it was on to the next announcement. 

Today is the last day to experience a very important piece of Magic Kingdom history. What a sad, sad day it is.

(Photographer unknown.)

July 4, 2025

Blessed is the Nation whose God is the Lord

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!" So reads Psalm 33:12 in the Bible. As you watch the Hall of Presidents, Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln or the American Adventure at the Disney parks, listen with an open mind and heart. You'll hear the story of how God was so involved in the creation of our nation. Do we still believe that? I do. 

No, we're not perfect- but you cannot take away our heritage. Many try, but it's evil to remove what God has done and his role in our story. I'll be very curious to see what stories historian Ken Burns uncovers with the new documentary on PBS, The American Revolution.

Personally, as we celebrate 4th of July, our Independence Day, we should stop and ask ourselves if we are truly living a free and vicarious life.  God's Word shows us the truth once again: "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." (2 Corinthians 3:17) How we gain this real freedom is through turning our lives over to Jesus, holding nothing back- holding absolutely nothing back- and letting him transform us into what He intends for us to be. It may be painful at times, but pleasing God begins to be the priority of those He calls his children. His Spirit is always present when we submit to God and His ways. Every day is a new opportunity and a choice. What will you choose?

July 1, 2025

Carpenters Rock Del Webb's Sahara Tahoe

Here's a rare little photograph of the Del Webb's Sahara Tahoe Resort in Lake Tahoe advertising the Carpenters. The date is either March 17-19 or August 22-28, 1972. Regardless, it is one of the first times that Richard and Karen Carpenter headlined a show. Opening act was Foster Brooks, whose famous act was based on him playing a lovable drunk- certainly not politically contact now. Del Webb's was quite a prestigious place to be playing! But by this point in time, the resort would be thrilled to have such a big act. With 3 mega hit albums (Close to You, Carpenters and A Song for You) and 8 equally great selling singles in a row (Close to You, We're Only Just Begun, For All We Know, Rainy Days and Mondays, Superstar, Hurting Each Other, It's Going to Take Some Time, and Goodbye to Love) the brother/sister act was dominating the Top 40 sales and radio airplay charts. Ah, the good old days! 

It's all documented in the terrifically detailed book Carpenters: The Musical Legacy by Mike Cidoni-Lennox and Chris May. Think you know Karen and Richard? Well, the book will surprise you. Check it out.

(Photographer unknown.)
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This is part of a continuing series on the albums of Karen and Richard Carpenter. There are so many stand alone posts highlighting different aspects of their career, recordings, rare photographs, and life that I've lost count. 

Below is the list of my "Revisited /Fresh Look" reviews and then my initial ones a decade earlier. Each have different photos and clippings.

June 30, 2025

Rome from the Air

The photographer is unknown, but the shot is timeless. The Colosseum is a landmark for any city, but in Rome, history is everywhere. Just everywhere you look! Believers in Jesus Christ were once thrown to the lions in the arena, and gladiators battled to the death. It was a typical afternoon of "entertainment" for the wealthier citizens. Can you imagine? Well, today, Rome offers a diversion of pleasures, and you don't have to be rich to enjoy them. 

June 25, 2025

Disneyland Attraction Posters: The Main Street U.S.A. Collection

Today, I want to reintroduce a very popular series on the Insights and Sounds blog- Disney Theme Park Attraction Posters. I want to thank the various sources from which I have collected these over the years. Some of these came from the incredible Daveland blog and some from many others- including scans and photographs by me. Thanks to everyone on the web who contributed to keeping especially Disneyland- Walt's park- history alive.

I'm beginning with posters from Disneyland, but I also have collections from California Adventure, Walt Disney World and even Tokyo Disney Resort and more. 

Soon, we will be adding a poster for Walt Disney – A Magical Life. Those of you newer to the blog might find this article interesting. It was an interview with Disney historian Didier Ghez and a surprise guest, Eddie Sotto, who revealed that an Audio Animatronic of Walt Disney was first discussed by Imagineering decades ago. Yes, decades. You can read this article here.

Enjoy these beautiful posters! As long as there is imagination left in Imagineering, there should be more attraction posters!
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As Walt Disney and his team were planning Disneyland, they instinctively knew this was going to be a different type of park. How could they communicate to the public what they would see in it? Of course, television played a huge role in sharing the vision and the details.

With a plan for the park to be defined by the railroad tracks, it was only natural that the Main Street U.S.A. train station would be at the park's entrance. It would have two tunnels in which to pull guests from the front of the turnstiles into Main Street, one on the left and one on the right. Inside these tunnels, the Imagineering team proudly created posters advertising the attractions.

Over the years, the attractions would also be found in front of the park along the fences and over park benches as guests found seating alongside the main entrance. It's only fitting that we begin this look at the attraction posters by starting with the ones first encountered by the earliest guests- the ones for Main Street U.S.A.

Although the Grand Canyon Diorama was a very small part of the route, this poster did a magnificent job of communicating the grandeur and beauty to be found by guests making the full circle tour on the trains.


Primeval World would come later and provide even more thrills.


It's difficult to tell which color scheme of the attraction poster was actually used. Either way, the artist's use of colors not normally associated with railroading and bold imagery created a stunning representation! The beautifully intricate version at the top of this post came many years later, communicating the elegance of Disneyland's railroad in an entirely different way than earlier versions.

The Red Wagon Inn restaurant was the predecessor to the beautiful Plaza Inn and operated by that name until the mid 1960s. Again, the colors in these two posters are slightly different.


Arguably the greatest attraction found on Main Street U.S.A., Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln was quickly recognized as a masterpiece of engineering, artistic accomplishment, and exquisite storytelling. The poster above advertised the attraction at its opening. 


 Above is a proposed version of the poster.

 Another variation on a theme.

Several years after Walt's passing, the Disneyland Opera House presented "The Walt Disney Story", a very fitting tribute to the man who started it all. The first version of the attraction replaced time with Mr. Lincoln in favor of a film about Walt. A later version left Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln as the stunning finale of sorts to the attraction. A new poster reflected that change.


This poster was used during the park's 50th anniversary.


The posters for attractions found on Main Street, U.S.A. are quite an impressive lot! There's more to come as we explore the other lands of Disneyland- and eventually Disney parks all over the world.Next time, we'll take a look at those posters for attractions in Adventureland. The exotic attractions form a very beautiful basis for another set are great artistic interpretations. Stay tuned for the next segment in this series- and stay tuned for additional posters to be added!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

June 23, 2025

Next Generation Photographer Makes A Splash

I couldn't be prouder! Love of photography has been a staple trait in our family since the beginning. My wife comes from a Kodak family, and my love for photography blossomed during the early years of our marriage. This has passed on to a couple of our kids. And now it has passed on to our oldest grandson. Look at this photo! It's just terrific!

(Copyright Mark Taft - for the family interests.)

June 22, 2025

My Favorite Disney Park Photos: A Peaceful Morning at the Grand Floridian

Years ago, a visit to Walt Disney World could mean a relaxing time with tranquil evenings and leisurely paced days. No longer. Not even planning for a trip is simple and easy! But there's still peace to be found if you are willing to get up before the sun breaks. That's exactly what we did and when this photo was taken. Why were we up at the literal crack of dawn? To make absolutely sure we got to ride the Magic Kingdom's newest and hard to book attraction, Tron Lightcycle Run in Tomorrowland. Yes, we snagged seats on the ride, and the bonus was seeing this resort quiet and calm. Following the rush for a reservation was a wonderful sit down breakfast at the Grand Floridian Cafe. Not a bad way to start the day!

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft)

June 20, 2025

Oh Boy!

Flipping open the Disneyland app on my phone, I was so struck by the innocent sweetness of the artwork used to promote Disneyland's 70th Birthday / Anniversary. I just had to add it to the blog for my own records. They're always better when they leave "hip and edgy" to other companies.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

June 19, 2025

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

The Great American Pastime of watching baseball is even more fun when it's with people you love! The look on my grandsons' faces tells the whole story. I just want to know why my daughter-in-law is not showing her team spirit. Just joking!

June 18, 2025

Club Disney? Yes, It WAS Built- and the Unbuilt DisneyQuest

Ever heard of Club Disney? I was in one. It really happened! Anyone here remember DisneyQuest- the great indoor theme park that  was once found in Florida's Downtown Disney? It was a great stop at Walt Disney World on the days that the rain or the heat was too much. There was one planned for Disneyland as well, but it never made it off the concept art drawing boards. 

Back when the Westcot theme park (look here) was to be added to California- in the 1990s - before the suits decided the park was to be replaced buy the MUCH more financially safer and very inexpensive Disney's California Adventure, a West Coast version of the indoor gaming playground was all set up to happen. We've all heard the story before and we'll hear it again- plans change, budgets are reallocated, and priorities shift. It happened here. 

This project is not to be confused with Club Disney, the young family focused indoor entertainment center for those with kids 10 and under. One opened in Lone Tree, Colorado, just a few miles from our home. When we visited, it was a combination indoor play area and Chuck E. Cheese and Dave and Busters... enjoyable, charming, expensive, and not worth more than two hours of your time. But it was "Disney", so for this family far from both California and Florida, it was a nice little diversion. 

This new venture was long before Disney's Celebrity Sports Center from the 1960s that lasted until the early 1990s in Denver. (Yes, I had been inside exactly once. It was little more than a run down bowling alley by then. Not even sure who owned it.)

For now, both these are a piece of history. Will the ideas be resurrected again? Probably not, but you never know what could happen as the company and the U.S. economy changes over and over and over again.

(Concept art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

June 13, 2025

Thank you, Brian Wilson

I wasn't ready to write this one. Yesterday, another great and gifted one passes into the next life. Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys dies, and the world loses a genius that impacted many, many artists, including my beloved duo, Carpenters. Brother Richard Carpenter often noted the influence of the "3 Bs" on their music: Burt Bacharach, Beatles, and The Beach Boys. (Later, he'd reference four, adding BeeGees to the list.) His take on the classic Fun, Fun, Fun sits snuggly on the duo's 1973 Now & Then album. A few years later, sister Karen Carpenter had her own chance to sing lead vocal on a Beach Boys tune. Her duet with John Denver on Good Vibrations was arguably the highlight of the duo's first television special. Needless to say, folks will be talking about their admiration for the main architect of The Beach Boys sound for decades to come. Like many things, you don't know what you've got til it's gone. Made in U.S.A. indeed.
 

June 11, 2025

A Better Monsters Inc. Land Coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios

The Door Roller Coaster is a sure thing! But what is also included in the new plans for Disney's Hollywood Studios revision of the area once home to Muppet*Vision 3D into one that celebrates all things Monsters Inc.? You can bet this concept art is keeping some details hidden, but let's be honest. Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor belongs here (with perhaps a new name to avoid its unfortunate abbreviation) as does Monsters Inc. Mike and Sully to the Rescue from Disney California Adventure

Disney's Hollywood Studios needs an actual dark ride for the youngest of guests who will not able be to ride the family coaster. The park has a current total of zero old school Disneyland styled classic dark rides. These are the kind of smaller attractions that are classic Disney and round out a park filled with E Tickets and stage shows. Will the suits ever really get their popularity? They bring charm and warmth to any park, something the Studios is sorely lacking.

This expansion also needs a character filled, friendly monster stage show to go with the meet and greets. Imagineering and the Disney park fans have made these an inevitable part of any Disney themed land. 

Lastly, this new land needs a great spot to sit down and eat for folks who cannot get into or choose not to splurge on the sure to be quite overpriced Harryhausen's Japanese restaurant. The slightly Muppets themed PizzeRizzo is a prime location for something great and with a menu price befitting the family friendly budget. 

With the stunning success of Zootopia at Shanghai Disneyland, the bar for this time of land has been set very high. Will it be matched or exceeded at Walt Disney World? It better! With Epic Universe being SO good and nipping at Disney's heels, the war continues.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company. Thanks to Blog Mickey for the image.)

June 10, 2025

The Hidden Monster in Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment

Look deeply but look quickly! There's a hidden monster that is very difficult to see at Epic Universe's incredible Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment attraction. It's not the above photo but the one below. This little discovery in Dark Universe is all you need to impress your friends! You might think it's the funny and cruel Ygor, but it is not. Nor is it Victoria Frankenstein- although I think that may be up for debate.

Who is he? None other than Quasimodo, the Hunchback himself. Up in the bell at the very beginning of the ride portion of this fantastic attraction. 

You've got to slow down the speed, but you can see him for a few seconds at the 8:40 ish mark. Open this in another tab and watch for yourself. Thanks to LMG Vids for capturing him in enough light!

Update: 
Here's a newer version from "SeeWDW!" at the 31 second mark.
View it here.

June 7, 2025

The Sparkle of Disneyland's Tomorrowland 1967

The Submarine Voyage and the Peoplemover. What more can you say? Plenty! Add in the Carousel of Progress, the late and great Adventure Thru Inner Space and a refreshed entrance to Tomorrowland.  The year 1967 would remain one for the books in the annals of Disneyland history. 

Walt's park seemed better than ever under the guidance of those first generation Imagineers. And, boy, they were on a roll! It's a Small World was first, then Pirates of the Caribbean in the Spring of '67 and the Haunted Mansion a couple of years later. Let's not forget Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln coming hot off the World's Fair. 

Things would slow down for awhile, but as this photograph from the late and great Vintage Disneyland Tickets shows, the future was also moving at Disneyland- unless you look at Tomorrowland. That revision in 1998 was a dud- Rocket Rods aside-, and it was the last time that area of the park had even the slightest bit of cohesion. Will the Imagineering team bring a great new person of the future for the park's 75th Anniversary? Your guess is as good as mine!

(Photograph copyright Vintage Disneyland Tickets.)

June 5, 2025

Disney's Most Disjointed Fantasyland Has Beautiful Concept Art

Even when the Disney suits make a mistake, the concept art from Imagineering can be quite beautiful. Such is the case with this piece from Imagineer Tom Gilleon and his work for the rather uninspiring Fantasyland for Shanghai Disneyland. Make no mistake, the castle is the largest one ever in a Disney park- after all, this is Mainland China's Disney park. Everything there is big- including these grand, beautiful depictions.

The mix of attractions inhabit a bizarre land that includes Tim Burton's strange version of an Alice in Wonderland maze alongside a very weird Voyage to the Crystal Grotto, the charming Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and other oddities. But then again, Dumbo Flying Elephants and the requisite Carousel reside in front of the castle here, another misstep. 

Regardless, Mr. Gilleon has created two works of art in the grandest of  Disney Imagineering traditions. Given the source material, that is worth something.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

June 3, 2025

Still My Little Boy

What can I say? He may be a fully grown man with a life full of responsibility, but he will always be my youngest child. Taken just a few days ago, this photo captures the little boy smile that I find in his heart. He's a theme park geek like his dad, but like most folks of his generation, the Universal world is his playground- Harry Potter rules!- and Disney holds the number two spot.
 

June 1, 2025

Rome - Eternally Yours

Rome- The Eternal City. What an amazing place! The famous sights, the sounds of fountains, music, the people; and the utterly magnificent flavors! But they pale in comparison to what is to come. The true eternal city as described by the beloved Apostle John in the book of Revelation: "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.  And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.  He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Can there be anything better than what is to come for all who have received the free gift of the forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ? No, a thousand times, no.
 

May 30, 2025

Imagineer Eddie Sotto Reveals Disneyland Paris' Splash Mountain

Splash Mountain at Disneyland Paris? It's been rumored for years. Of course, now that Disney leadership has flipped the attraction into the seemingly less reliable Tiana's Bayou Adventure, it is probably never going to happen. But former Imagineer Eddie Sotto reveals the truth.
 
Look at these images that show the proposed plan for the French park. There it is, plain as day: Zip A Dee River Run aka Splash Mountain. Rights next to the Cowboy Cookout restaurant in the real frontier of Frontierland, just below the thematic crossover into Adventureland.

Want to see Imagineering's concept art for it? I happen to have it here.

You'd think this would be my favorite reveal of Mr. Sotto's. But check out this amazing story (with concept art) by the man as he reveals a plan for New Orleans Square at Disneyland. an unbuilt project that still has a remnant of what was planned in Walt's park today.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

May 26, 2025

A Piece of Good Advice

Sometimes the best advice comes in a simple and straightforward manner. Life isn't all that it's cracked up to be at time. And it can always be much better by following these three simple instructions: Be With Jesus; Become Like Jesus; Do What Jesus Did. Will life get easier? Absolutely not! It will get harder because you will wake up to a new dimension of understanding and a clearer set up priorities. But it will be filled with purpose, joy, hope and eternal rewards. Nothing is better than that!

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

May 22, 2025

Epic Universe Opens!

Today is the day! And all across the theme park world, fans are going to be making plans to visit this incredible, epic- yes, epic, universe! Epic Universe lives up to its name. Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, How to Train Your Dragon, Nintendo, and Stardust Racers- what a line-up! Disney had better get going, that's all this Imagineering fan has to say.

May 16, 2025

Carpenters Revisited: A Fresh Look at Music, Music, Music

Music Music Music- The 1980 Carpenters album that was released but then again, it wasn't. With the forced shelving of Karen's solo album behind her and Richard ready, refreshed, and wanting to work again, the duo had to figure out how to begin anew. Just as before, this was Richard's job. One such project- the television special, the best of them all- aired 45 years ago today. 

I was glued to the television, in awe of what I heard and saw and just had to add this music to my collection. Unfortunately, the soundtrack was released, but the fans had no way to buy it.


The album was, in fact, pressed on vinyl and given as gifts to close friends and family of Karen and Richard. Almost as if by instinct, they knew this was top notch material of the Great American Songbook, and they just had to record it. The project was the exact opposite of Karen's solo album or even what would be its replacement, Made in America. It is neither edgy or bubblegum. You can be sure a copy of this very rare gift sits in Richard's private collection. (The version above is my imagined fan art, by the way.)

Karen Carpenter was meant to sing songs of this stature. 

On the television special, she and Richard both looked fantastic and sang and played well. ABC Television executives may have hated the PBS type special, and the ratings were horrible, but it helped cement the truth: Karen Carpenter was a vocalist for all time. 

On these songs, Karen's voice and her performance are warm, relaxed, and self-assured. Richard was in his prime zone as well. Without corny skits, having to dance, or foolish lyrics to sing, the special brought out the strengths of the man who helped make them famous. Slaughter on 10th Avenue in particular is a showcase for his masterful finesse of the keys. It's a shame it is has never been released.

Several cuts from the show would make it to the one disc boxed set - as Richard refers to it- As Time Goes By. The striking medley with Ella Fitzgerald, the lovely 1980 Medley, and the very charming You're Just in Love would fit perfectly next to Lovelines' two standards, When I Fall in Love and Little Girl Blue. Of course, the show's opener Without A Song would fit as well here; the short but great song finally making it on the duo's 1995 Interpretations: A 25th Anniversary Collection. With so many elegant recordings of this type in the duo's repertoire, why has anyone at A&M Records not put this all together? You can be sure fans have built their own collection for years. But I can dream, can't I?

This short little interlude leads us to the next album in this Carpenters Revisited / Fresh Look series for the next time, Made in America. Stay tuned.

--------------------------------
This is part of a continuing series on the albums of Karen and Richard Carpenter. There are so many stand alone posts highlighting different aspects of their career, recordings, rare photographs, and life that I've lost count. 

Below is the list of my "Revisited /Fresh Look" reviews and then my initial ones a decade earlier. Each have different photos and clippings.

May 14, 2025

Back to Disney California Adventure

Summertime means a visit to a Disney park, usually Disneyland. As a Californian now in Colorado, it takes more effort, but it is worth a day at the world's beloved original kingdom of Walt. Disney California Adventure may have its charms, but after my last visit there in 2028, I'm just not that motivated to go back since my last visit in 2018. Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout was fun, but I'm in no rush to see Avengers Campus in its current state or even San Fransokyo, although I love Big Hero 6. It's going to take Coco to get me back. I'm a sucker for boat rides! But it has better be good!

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

May 9, 2025

Notable and Quotable: Chuck Swindoll

 

A timely message from one of the greats, Chuck Swindoll

In Mark 12, we run across several types of Jewish religious leaders, all taking their turns at trying to trap Jesus into saying something that they can use against Him: Pharisees in Mark 12:13-17, Sadducees in Mark 12:18-27, and one of the teachers of religious law in Mark 12:28-34. Of course, they all fail. Each of these types of religious leaders had its own specific types of rules, regulations, and ways of living. The problem is, these religious types didn’t vanish. Many of these people are sitting in the pews of churches today.

Are you a modern-day Pharisee—religious, legalistic, judgmental, opinionated, and harsh with those who don’t keep your rules? I have a good friend who is an elder in his church. He says, “My problem is that I’m a recovering Pharisee.” There’s an honest man. But maybe you’re not even “recovering.” Maybe you don’t even realize your pharisaic tendencies at all. The fact is that you may still be lost. You’ve got all these things you’re keeping, all this stuff you’re proud of, all these people you’re judging. You don’t miss a meeting, and you don’t miss a chance to refer to your righteousness (or at least hint about it), talk about how often you pray, explain why you pray, and on and on and on. You can be full of religion but still lost. When we come to Jesus, we drop all that garbage, and we realize that there’s nothing in our hands we can bring—there’s only a cross we can cling to.

Maybe you’re a modern-day Sadducee. See if this ­description fits: You look like you’re interested in religion, but you’re really interested in politics. You’re impressed with the teachings of Jesus, but you’re humanistic. You’re somewhat religious, but you’re more sophisticated. You may be wealthy. Maybe you’ve grown up in a church, but you’re not really all that sure about the devil and the demons and all that life-after-death stuff. You’re far more concerned about your position, your wealth, your possessions. If you’re a Sadducee, you’re also lost.

Of all these types, the people I’m most concerned about are the modern-day “teachers of religious law,” the modern-day scribes. You may have studied theology. You may have heard about grace or even taught about grace. Folks might think you’re a faithful follower. You’re sensible. You’re intelligent. You’re not far from the Kingdom, but you’re not there yet either. Make sure that you don’t let your study of the details of theology replace your need to submit to the Lord Jesus by faith. Those who fall into this category, like modern-day Pharisees and Sadducees, are lost.

I fear for you if you are anywhere on this list, because none of us know what a day will bring forth (see Prov. 27:1). Today is the day, my friends, to find Jesus. Quit fighting Him. Quit thinking you’ve got plenty of time. Quit thinking you’re bulletproof.

Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matt. 11:28-29). Find your peace in your relationship with Him. He’s the only One who can forgive you—and He will. He’s the only One who can provide goodness and mercy all the rest of the days of your life—and He will. But you must come to Him. Come.


May 8, 2025

Friends and Family

The new pope may have been chosen today, but for us, this special visit from out of state friends makes it a very special day indeed. God is so good to us!
 

May 7, 2025

Disney Abu Dhabi: The Company's First Park in the Middle East

A Wednesday morning surprise announcement! Disney announced its plan to build its first park in the Middle East. Disneyland Abu Dhabi! Now, United Arab Emirates has the distinction of hosting the first Disney branded themed destination in the region. Boasting a Yas Island waterfront locationDisney Imagineers are hot on the plans creating something very unique for this market. What will the park look like? What will be in it? 

In Disney's official press release, Josh D’Amaro, Chairman, Disney Experiences, states “This groundbreaking resort destination represents a new frontier in theme park development". 

The concept art by Imagineering is intentionally vague. But you can bet it will be bigger and more elaborate than what was once planned for Dubai Disneyland!

(Concept art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

The Unexpected Guest

We didn't see this coming, but that doesn't mean it wasn't a sweet little surprise. After a large family gathering full of food, fun, and great conversation, everyone went home tired but happy. We were so tired, in fact, that it took us several days to see this unexpected guest. Most likely this was the work of one of the youngest in our big extended family. But it certainly captures the heart of the day and put a smile on our faces as we had our morning coffee!

 

May 5, 2025

A New Autopia Poster for Disneyland Paris

Those great Imagineering attraction posters are some of my favorite pieces of Disney theme park memorabilia, and here's a brand new one from Disneyland Paris! (Will they create them for Disney Adventure World when the revised studio park opens in 2026? Let's hope so!) 

I'd say this new poster for Discoveryland's Autopia is not one of my favorites, but it does have some cool elements, particularly the shiny centerpiece red car. 

Now, I'll admit Autopia is one of few attractions I haven't ridden there. During our first trip in the 90's, my youngest son was this much too short for Space Mountain. My wife came to the rescue and took him for a spin in the cars. (Surprisingly, Star Tours is the other attraction I haven't ridden!)

Imagineer Tony Baxter's pet project for Europe is a park that must be seen to be believed! It's sets a very high standard for what a Disney castle park should be. So, go see it- even if you don't see all of it.  ;)

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

May 1, 2025

The Wings of Man

Who doesn't love a little retro coolness, a little vintage airline goodie? If you need an airline ticket, this would be the place I'd go to get one! This sign is found at Reagan Washington National Airport. It's a look at the past brought to us from Airline Hardcopy. In the not so distant times, you could fly on National, Braniff, TransWorld Airlines (TWA), Piedmont, and my sentimental favorite, Eastern Air Lines ("The Wings of Man"- sponsor of the classic Walt Disney World attraction, If You Had Wings.) It's the airline we flew for our honeymoon, so it will always have a soft spot in my heart- as will the days gone by when flying was easy and an adventure.