A Stroke Of The Pen

Today was suppose to be just another beautiful morning, with the sun shining brightly between the clouds, trees swaying in the wind and birds singing. So what went wrong? Instead of being able to re-experience all of those lovely events, I was spending my time stuck at the dreaded "DEALERSHIP".

As you know it all starts with a friendly and accomodating service managers voice, which in my opinion, "sets the trap".  Of course, we've all had suggestive offers before, and we've all had options to just walk away, but who in their right mind could resist the sound of those compelling words, that are so often promised, but never really delivered. Statements like, "don't worry, we'll get you in and out in a jiffy".....ummm. Oopes, they got me again. The end results were very mentally challenging and painfull. Suddenly I was having and seeing images of donkeys with long ears and tail, popping up in my head, and the donkeys all had  faces that looked a lot like my own. YIPES!!

Heck, I was only scheduled for a preventative maintaince checkup.  I interpreted that to mean an oil change and lube; checking some fluids and also the tightening of a few belts. Nothing more...right?.. WRONG!!

By the time I got the beast back, which turned out to be 7 hours later, I was needing new motor mounts, brakes, a new head light, tires, a water pump etc, ect.... all summing up to over $1200.00 (in US currency of course), plus labor and taxes.

UGGGH!!!

Anyway, before you begin to feel sorry for poor little ole me, let me stop you. Its all good, and no I'm not wealthy or any wonderful thing like that, but I have to give credit to where and whom credit is due. So as they say during most acceptance speeches....I'd personally like to thank my wife (Joy) who refused to listen to me during the initial purchase of the beast and for standing up during the process and gave me that.. you know, that look; pushing and literally forcing my hand to sign that 11x14 form, which was titled at the top....."EXTENDED WARRANTY AGREEMENT". Yes!!, Only in America and thank you JESUS!!

Not Just Any Ole' Chicken

Call it "Wild, Crazy, Stunning and down right Outrageous", but we're not just talkin' about browning any little ole' birdie here. This is my special tale about a bird that had all the reasons available in this world to believe, they would have a carefree life, and most importantly never become the mistake, of ending up on my dinner table. This is how it all happened.

One Day, not to long ago, I was encouraged or should I say challenged, to take my "Grill Master's skill to the next level. Although I've endured many grilling stories told by some of the best grillers I know, it was now my turn perfect the art of cooking chicken on the grill.

Growing up in the south, I became a true fan of what my family affectionately called the "Gospel Bird". That title was offered because thats what most southern families were accustomed to eating on not one, but practically on every single Sunday, after church services. We had it, fried broiled, boiled, baked, stuffed, dressed up, cut up..whew!! you name it, they cooked it and I ate it. It wasn't until I grew up and older, that I eventually learned to enjoy that featherless non-clucking wonder grilled.

Of course, like with any and most things in life, there is a process and everyone has their own little twist to its perfected prescription.

Keep on TRUCKIN'

As I lay in bed resting today, my mind wondered back on a recent business trip. My thoughts were not so much about the long and seemingly endless terrain, surrounded on both sides by various plants and tall trees. I was also dealing with the on and on miles of the tarred asphalt roadway, which appeared to at any moment would burst into huge glowing flames, ignited by the heated rays of the sun above. Either way, I did not despair, because I would just choose to lose myself in thoughts about how incredibly beautiful it all was.

This road trip probably would have seemed shorter provided I knew exactly where I was going. I mean, heck I had a written map and my handy GPS system, but with all of those conveniences, for some reason part of my focused thoughts would get penetrated by that demon called "FEAR". Not the panicky type or the type that brings about total mental shut down, but the one that seeps and oozes its other demon cousin, called doubt.

Oh crap!! then it happen. I missed my exit.

It didn't help a whole lot that I was also moving along at a.... lets just say that, red and blue flashing lights to the rear of me would have been justified and warranted. Now that my exit (state rd 82) was in the far and distant past, I kept in mind that I did have options.

Option #1; Yell loudly with excessive repetition this phrase... !%^**!*#

Option#2; STOP, TURN AROUND and GO BACK

Option#3; Repeat option#1, as you proceed to carryout option#2

OR

Remember that this trips consequences was no different in how I've succeeded in other life missions before. So, I just simply implemented the following belief system:

Should I ever miss or bypass an OPPORTUNITY... never turn around and go back. Keep going on and moving forward; it will always take you to where you need to be.

* Ask any trucker!

The Prediction

A few days ago while dining out and waiting for the server to take my order, I became infatuated with all the noise and chattering going on around me. As I subconsciously summoned the fine tuning knob of my audio and visual skill levels, it somehow managed to exclude all the single party customers in the room. Of course that left me with only the couples, which was not a bad thing because, there were couples of all sizes, shapes, and cultural backgrounds. I saw couples who were talking so much, they were actually flapping their lips at the same time. Then there were some who merely just stared at each other; some who held hands; some old and some young; some who laughed together and even some who actually ignored each other. Either way it was a rather interesting event to observe.

In Contrast, I'm sure there had to be some other bright intelligent observer(s) in the room who were also caught up in conducting their own people watching experiment, but only focusing on the single parties, which of course would include yours truly.

So what is the glue that will hold it all together? How does one stay true to the other over time?

Yes, the obvious answer is LOVE. But, is there something more?

Lots of people I know, have offered a universe full of thoughts and prescriptions for staying together through thick and thin or the ultimate.. until death do us part.

Suddenly, the waitress appeared and broke my trance like state of mind. I shared with her my vision and we agreed on the following:

Couples have to see their lives together ultimately from a long range perspective. Starting and applying the same skills you would when planning objectives and setting goals. For example, setting mini; maxi goals ect.

In comparison, remember what it was like the first time you started dating....

The short answer is those dates were absolutely INCREDIBLE!!

Later at some point you started seeing yourselves as husbands and wives. Then finally came the visions of having kids and making the union a family.

Enter problem numeral UNO.....

By that I mean, should you Forget, drop or forsake these lovely principles, by excluding them out of the equation, the results could become a life-changing mistake.

My advise from the onset is to NEVER stop dating each other. If its humanly possible, keep planning and having those date nights/weekends etc.

WARNING: Discontinuation of the below could be hazardous to your overall relationship's health (physically, morally, spiritually and financially).

1st. Be a LOVER

2nd. Be a WIFE/HUSBAND

3rd. Be a FATHER/MOTHER