Ale for the Soul

 **Wrote this for a contest that I didn't win.  Figured it would be good to let my audience read it.**                 Pulling into the gas station at the appointed time, I notified the contact of my arrival.  Figuring time was on my side as I was twenty minutes early for the rendezvous, I quickly pulled next to the pump and stepped out for a quick fill-up.  Pressing the appropriate keys for the “Pay at the Pump” feature, I could finally hear the sound of liquid fuel coursing its way through the hose, then to the nozzle, and finally into the gas tank.  This trusty Buick must be thirsty after the almost four-hour drive to this central Texas metropolis.  “Ahh,” I can’t help but to sigh in relief as I began to lean against the vehicle, gaining some personal time to gather my thoughts.   Barely noticing the view from the corner of my eye, the first black and white law enforcement vehicle pulled up.  “What a...

I did it!  I finally finished watching all seven seasons of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine .  This was no small feat as there were technical issues and competing demands on my time along the way; however, I finally finished.  Woohoo!  The last few minutes of the final episode showed flashbacks of the different characters and key events in their lives during the series.  Seeing these events stirred something within me to recall certain milestones along the journey of my life.  For example: Spending my last night in Grandma's house in Austin with a faint realization that I would never set foot in there again.  As I dropped the keys in the mailbox I simply looked at the door, placed my hand upon it, and took a deep breath of air knowing this was it.  It is moments like that in which I feel an overwhelming peace and joy, not the fake happiness and contentment that the world gives, but the deeply rooted feeling of security knowing everything was okay in sp...

It has been a little over three months since becoming unemployed again.  Time sure flies when one enjoys their freedom.  Ha ha!  I applied and interviewed for a job with Cigars International.  The whole process was rather strange.  After failing the background check, I was still sent onboarding paperwork as if nothing had happened.  Then I received a phone call giving me the greenlight to start work.  I was on the fence about taking the job.  The packaged deal was part-time with about 24 hours at a rate of $12 an hour.  The only part of the job offer that I didn't like was the scheduled hours from 4 p.m. to midnight.  Yuck!  In the end, I passed on the employment opportunity thinking something better might come along.  (The price of gas and limited work hours also played a factor in my decision.)  I continue to think how much I would like to work for myself.  Who wouldn't?!  For years, possibly decades, I felt Go...

 At the very end of the movie Mr. Holland's Opus, the master of ceremonies speak to her former teacher, "Mr. Holland had a profound influence on my life and on a lot of lives I know.  But I have a feeling that he considers a great part of his own life misspent.  Rumor had it he was always working on this symphony of his.  And this was going to make him famous, rich, probably both.  But Mr. Holland isn't rich and he isn't famous, at least not outside of our little town.  So it might be easy for him to think himself a failure.  But he would be wrong, because I think that he's achieved a success far beyond riches and fame.  Look around you.  There is not a life in this room that you have not touched, and each of us is a better person because of you.  We are your symphony, Mr. Holland.  We are the melodies and the notes of your opus.  We are the music of your life. "   As I look back in life, there are definite hallmarks along...

One week ago today, I set out on the open road for a week-long adventure.  No hotel stays were involved, so I needed to meticulously plan the itinerary for several day trips.  Staying with family in the Victoria area would provide for a base of operations.  The first destination was the Alfred D. Hughes Unit in Gatesville, Texas.  A friend is assigned to that unit, and I try to visit whenever I can.  The last time we saw each other was when he was assigned to the Ellis Unit in Huntsville.  We had a great time of fellowship, and the two-hour visit passed by as if it were only a few minutes.  Who knows when I'll get to see him again.  Before heading out to the Victoria area, I was able to drive around town.  Gatesville is a former stomping ground in a former life when a friend and his family lived in the area.  Now it has been roughly 24 years since I have been in the area.  Even travelling to Gatesville was different.  I had nev...

Wow, is it almost March already?!  This year is taking off like never before.  As I grow older, as most people can probably attest, time flies by at ever increasing speeds.  And the adventures don't let up one bit.  Seems like yesterday I was taking a First Day Hike at Cleburne State Park in Cleburne, Texas.  Then various holidays, including Valentine's Day and the beginning of the forty days of Lent leading up to Easter, leaves me trying to catch my breath.  Looking for the break pedal to moderate the passage of time, but no such luck.  Unfortunately, life gives a mix of bad along with the good and throws it my way in order to keep life interesting.  Last Saturday I was "let go" at my job working at Tx Smoke (cigar shop).  The whole ordeal blindsided me from out in left field.  Didn't realize there were any issues as I was the only staff member alongside the owner/manager.  Whatever the perceived issues were, I must give credit to ...