Random

• We've changed houses and for a few nights are staying with David and Kathy Ward in Hilmar. The Wards have been caring for Tex, our geriatric feline, while we're out of the States. She is amazingly spry for a 17-year-old cat.

Picture: Tex and Cheryl

• Not everyone is pessimistic about the future of automobiles and the economy. VW closed its US manufacturing operation in 1988 but they're now planning a return to the States. Sites in Alabama, Tennessee, and Michigan are the on the short list. ~ Link

• Speaking of economic optimism -- commercial construction appears to be booming in the Central Valley of California. They're not rolling the houses out as fast as they were -- but there are fewer empty repossessed houses than I expected to see. Not surprisingly we've seen a lot of home remodeling jobs in process. We had lunch with Pat and Jack Wilkey, owners of the metal fabrication business where Cheryl worked for 11 years, and it sounds like they're experiencing an amazing level of growth.

• The new fame -- Internet celebrities -- "The Internet is setting a new standard for celebrity. Fame is no longer about getting '15 minutes'; it's about becoming famous to 15 people." ~ Link (via)

• Richard Mouw speaking at the General synod of the Reformed Church of America about what it means to be reformed and missional ~ Video Link