The hoods, gowns, and caps worn in academic ceremonies today are modified versions of clothing worn by ecclesiastics and students in the 12th and 13th centuries. They wore gowns and hoods to their lectures, probably for warmth in the damp, unheated halls where classes were held. The designs and colors of these costumes have come to symbolize the level of academic attainment and the institution attended.

The bachelor's robe has an elaborate yoke but is otherwise a plain garment with a closed, pleated front and long, full pointed sleeves. The master's robe is identifiable by its sleeves, cut for the arm at the wrist and just above the elbow, which have a distinctive oblong back and are squared at the ends. The doctor's robe, full cut and with voluminous long sleeves, is distinguished by its rich velvet trim. Robe-length front panels and velvet sleeve bars are either black or symbolize, by their color, the field in which the doctorate was obtained. The mortarboard or tam is worn with tassels that are usually black but may represent the degree held by the wearer. (from Commencement Exercises, Spring 2009 booklet published by SEBTS).

So for Mother's Day I thought I had a great idea. Every year I go with the safe gifts for my wife (clothes, perfume, spa treatments, etc...) but this year as a I was in Wal-Mart (which should've been my first red flag) I had a brainstorm. There were other factors as to why I chose the gift I did. The economy is making it to where we need to cut expenses and an emphasis to "go green." There was also the idea that what I purchased -- we could do as a family. And we could teach our children how people used to do things way back when. So here we go .... I purchased Kimberly everything one needs to can fruits and some vegetables (water bath canning). I got her a giant pot, racks to hold the mason jars, mason jars of different sizes, packets of flavoring, accessories like tolls to pull the jars out, magnet to handle the lids coming out of boiling water, a funnel, and a book to explain how to can. As she opened all 7-8 separately packaged gifts I could tell it wasn't what she was looking for. It could have been her response when she said, "It looks like you got a great Father's Day gift." Anyway, I thought it was cool, but right now it is sitting in the garage because it's still too early in the growing season to can anything. So, our first round will be with strawberries.

Daybreak has a wonderful praise team. The pictures I have posted are not of the whole team, so I will do a follow up to make sure I include everyone. As a pastor and “preacher” with absolutely no musical skill or gifting I have always stood as an outsider looking in on this special family. Over several years now I have observed how they work together as a team. They listen to each other, are all open to guiding towards a direction that lifts up the name of Jesus. They are all focused on getting better at what they do, and have a genuine spirit of love for one another and the congregation. They are worked through many things, and are a strong team that Daybreak Community is proud of. Also, I really enjoy the variety of age on the team. We have several young people that play, and they look to the older musicians as examples to follow win their Christian walk. This past Sunday they really shined. As their pastor I just sat back and allowed them to lead me in worship.

Hannah-Grace and her pre-k class went to see the Frederick Keys stadium, and they met Keyote the Keys mascot. She was all decked out in her Atlanta Braves hat and sports jacket. She had a blast. The Frederick Keys support the Frederick school system by giving out free tickets to kids who read three books and turn in a form showing the books that they read. H-G had a blast, rode the merry-go-round, ate lunch at a park, and made some new friends. Field trips are awesome.

For weeks now Kimberly and I have been seeing ads in the paper (usually a day too late) of how various businesses were giving away free stuff. We just keep missing them – coffee here, a free drink there, etc.) But Saturday as we were finishing up at the YMCA with swim classes and gymnastics, we saw that Saturday was national free comic book day! So all six of us went to the closest comic book store and were amazed at what we discovered.

My last experience with a comic book store was in Columbus, GA about 10-15 years ago. It was dusty, tired, and if there were more than three people in the store it was "busy." There may have been some t-shirts and baseball cards. So when we entered Beyond Comics on Saturday I was swept up in a new nostalgia. The store was packed, and not just with "treckers," but there was a wide variety of ages and "types" of people. The store had figurines, all kinds of comic book stuff, artists drawing various characters, and vendors giving away free stuff. There were only two occasions when I had to distract my children's view from a tattoo on a guys leg that was very crude and a couple of sketches on the wall (half-naked women -- good grief!)

Roy Rogers were giving away free chicken, coupons, and Hoyt Cinemas asked to take various pictures of the family (with a sign of their newest movie) – which ended with a free movie ticket (cha-ching). We can make an appointment, get dressed up (even coordinating outfits), go to the mall, and they will not sit still -- but give them a free comic book and a chicken strip and they will take picture after picture (perfectly still.)

Overall, it was fun, but I will probably wait until they are a little older to go back and have a discussion of how we should guard our eyes (not only what we see, but what we choose to read as well).