Swimmer Eaten by Shark at Galveston Beach

We went to Galveston for the first time today.  Look at what we stumbled upon!  

So stinking clever!  I love it!

Fingerprint-a-phobic

Glass doors, eyeglasses, screens, drinking glasses, ATM machines, public countertops, tape, glue, windows, cell phone screens, mirrors, remote controls. What do these have in common for me? Fear.

One of my most unusual fears is using tape at work. How do you use it without leaving fingerprints? You can’t.

I’ve researched this fear for years. It isn’t about guilt or getting caught. It’s a deep‑rooted anxiety about fingerprints being found and misused. I understand the science behind them, yet understanding doesn’t always quiet fear.

I recognize I have some OCD tendencies. I’ve mentioned them lightly before, but they weren’t always part of my life. This fear didn’t appear out of nowhere.

It began after prolonged trauma. When safety is repeatedly violated, the brain learns to stay on high alert. Ordinary objects no longer feel ordinary. Small details feel dangerous. Even harmless surfaces can trigger unease.

Looking back, I realize how much changed. I once enjoyed working with my hands and creating without hesitation. Fingerprints never crossed my mind. Trauma rewired that freedom into caution.

Today, I’m making a decision. Fear no longer gets the final word. Understanding its root gives me power to move forward. Healing may be gradual, but fear does not control me.

Lord Jesus, give me the strength not to live governed by fear.

2 Timothy 1:7
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Psalm 56:3–4

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?”

Swimming Pool Games

Splash Into Summer: 15 Pool Party Games Kids Will Beg You to Play Again

When it comes to pool days, free swimming is fun, but organized games take the excitement to a whole new level. I have been scouring the internet for swimming pool games that keep kids laughing, moving, and begging for just one more round. Here is a roundup of tried and true favorites that guarantee smiles and splashes.

Atomic Whirlpool
Everyone lines up along the pool edge and starts walking in the same direction. Gradually increase to jogging, then spinning, to create a giant human whirlpool. For extra laughs, switch directions and feel the water fight back.

Battleships and Submarines
Split into two teams with bases on opposite sides of the pool. Battleships swim on the surface while submarines move underwater. Submarines try to tag battleships before coming up for air. Expect strategy, splashing, and nonstop giggles.

Belly Flop Contest
Contestants leap in with style while judges rate creativity, splash size, and bravery. Encourage dramatic poses and funny reactions. Applause decides the winner and small prizes make it even more exciting.

Bottle
Toss a two liter bottle into the pool while everyone keeps their eyes closed. Once it splashes, teams race to push it to their chair on the opposite side. First team to score three points wins.

Bumper Boats
Each player sits in a tube and uses their legs to move. The goal is to bump opponents until they fall off their tube. The last player still floating on their boat wins.

Chicken
Players pair up with one rider on shoulders and one swimmer underneath. Teams try to knock others over while staying upright themselves. Balance and teamwork are key.

Crocodile Hunter
Volunteers get sixty seconds to wrestle an inflatable crocodile. Judges score based on creativity, spins, rolls, and dramatic flair. This one is always a crowd favorite.

Rubber Ducky Race
Each player pushes a rubber duck across the pool using only their nose or blowing the water. No hands, feet, or biting allowed. The first duck to reach the finish line wins.

Gator
One player starts as the gator in the middle of the pool. Others try to swim across without being tagged. Anyone tagged becomes a gator too until only one swimmer remains.

King of the Tube
One player sits on a tube as the champion. Challengers attempt to knock them off. The player who holds the spot the longest earns the crown.

Noodle Joust
Two players sit on rafts and use pool noodles to knock each other into the water. Winners stay on to face the next challenger.

Pool Volleyball
Split into teams and play volleyball using a beach ball or pool ball. Points are scored when the opposing team cannot return the ball.

Water Freeze Tag
One player is it and tags swimmers who must freeze in place. Other players can unfreeze them using silly or creative moves. The game continues until everyone is frozen.

Safety First
Adult supervision is essential for any pool activity. Make sure rules are clear, swimmers take breaks when needed, and everyone feels safe and included. The best pool parties are the ones kids remember for their fun and care.

World's Best Chicken Fingers

Crispy, Tender Chicken Strips – So Simple!

Breading Mix:

1 box Jiffy Cornbread mix

2 cups flour

Cajun seasoning, to taste

Salt, to taste

Dip Process:

1. Coat thawed chicken strips in the flour mixture.

2. Dip in an egg wash (eggs + milk + salt + optional dash of hot sauce).

3. Back into the flour mixture.

Cooking:

Flash fry on medium-high heat until golden. Transfer to a wire rack on a cookie sheet and finish in the oven at 350°F for ~25 minutes.

Tips:

I always double the batch for my tribe – 5 pounds at a time!
Result: crunchy outside, tender inside. Serve with honey mustard, naturally.

Pro tip: Your family will beg for seconds.