Ale for the Soul

Good-bye 2016...hello 2017!  This year has come and gone in a blink of an eye.  How did this year treat me?  Or, better yet, how did I treat the year?  A lot of changes have come and gone, and I believe they were handled well.  Of course decisions could have been better made, responses to instead of reactions against circumstances as they happened.  One growth area to capitalize on is letting go of resentments, for they spoil the beauty and blessing of the moment.  Sour life experiences spoil the present as I think of how life could have been or life as I would have preferred to unfold according to my plan.  However, that is exactly what entails this thing called life.  Does it ever come to fruition as anyone plans or hopes for?  For many, the answer may be, "Somewhat!" or "Kind of...".  Whatever my life may look like now versus the Utopian I wanted is irrelevant.  From here on out, what counts is the challenge to make the best...

Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? Should old acquaintance be forgot, and old lang syne? For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, we'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne. And surely you’ll buy your pint cup! and surely I’ll buy mine! And we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne. For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, we'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne. We two have run about the slopes, and picked the daisies fine; But we’ve wandered many a weary foot, since auld lang syne. For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, we'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne. We two have paddled in the stream, from morning sun till dine; But seas between us broad have roared since auld lang syne. For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, we'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne. And there’s a hand my trusty friend! And give me a hand o’ thine! An...

** A friend gave me this poem on a hanging banner many years ago.  I keep it in my bathroom as a reminder.  Enjoy!** When things go wrong as they sometimes will. When the road you're trudging seems all uphill. When the funds are low and the debts are high, and you want to smile, but you have to sigh. When care is pressing you down a bit... Rest if you must, but don't you quit. Success is failure turned inside out, the silver tint of the clouds of doubt. And you can never can tell how close you are. It may be near when it seems afar. So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit... It's when things go wrong, that you must not quit!

December 31st!  Hard to believe it is here already as 2016 is almost over and we are on the cusp of 2017.  A new year is the time for a clean slate and new opportunities for a different and better future.  Mentally, it is easier to make such resolutions for change with the beginning of another year, but why wait.  Each and every day presents such a chance to leave behind the disappointments and failures I encounter.  Why wait till the start of 2017?  With God and the Lord Jesus Christ, every moment can become anew through the regeneration of our spirits and minds.  Yes, let us make our yearly resolutions and goals for life, but the key is to keep them visibly in front of us each and every day.  I post them on the front door to look at right before I leave to take on the day.  What are your resolutions?  What goals would you like to accomplish this year?  Mine are to exercise more at the gym, to work on my stamp collection, and t...

One year!  Has it been that long already?  Even so, the ride has been wild, but a rather good experience.  Today marks exactly one year I have been working as a merchandiser for TNG.  Upon getting hired with the company, I had never held a position like this before.  Thankfully, my work history to-date allowed me to ease in to such a position with little to no difficulty.  Maybe this type of work will set the stage for future opportunities as a merchandiser with other companies, such as: Philips Van Huesen, Rockport, or Izod.  At one point during this year, I became a Lead (trainer) for my immediate supervisor's district.  This was a poor decision on my part, but I don't regret the experience.  After a few months of acting as a trainer, I stepped down to become a regular merchandiser once again.  I haven't looked back since.  Now I have worked myself in to a niche with the company.  I am what is called a causal scanner for the ...

The Christmas holiday is over, and I am now back in Fort Worth.  As much as I enjoyed travelling to visit family and friends, I am glad to sleep in my own bed once again.  Sometimes routine can be monotonous and boring, but, in cases like this, I am glad in returning to a sense of routine.  Yes, I love my family, and will continue doing so.  Other opportunities for travelling will present themselves again.  In the meantime, I must report back to work and to the life I know oh so well in the current city of my residence.  Unfortunately, I must report to work at Noon, which is only a few hours away.  Times away from routine are refreshing, like finding that much-needed oasis in a dry, weary desert.  Now I must continue on this journey of life after a four-day reprieve from the drudgery.  Most often, I come back with a clearer vision and a renewed effort for what lies ahead.  This time is no different.  In less than a week, a new year ...

Forty-three years ago today, yours truly entered the world kicking and screaming.  Some would suggest I haven't stopped the kicking and screaming part.  Many years later, I am still selfish and self-centered, but I do try to think of others before myself.  What have I accomplished over the four plus decades?  Sadly, not much other than the impact I've had on the lives of other people.  Enough of what's behind me.  I wonder what the next year will hold.  For this new birthday year and 2017, I do have several goals lined out.  We will see how far I get on the legacy and heritage I desire to leave behind.  So this is what it's like to turn 43?  Not bad!

Yoakum, Texas is the town in which I grew up during my formative years.  At the young age of five through the first few years post-High School, I called this place home.  As I visit family for the Christmas holiday, I usually make it a point to drive through town seeing what has changed.  In addition, I visit the local cemeteries in order to fulfill my addiction as a cemetery junkie.  Ha!  The latest locale I visited was Saint Ann's Catholic Church a few miles outside the city limits.  The church has their cemetery located on-site, which is a rarity in today's time.  Their is a distant cousin, as well as a few people I didn't know had died, buried there.  What a way to find out someone is no longer in the land of the living!  Of course I took a lot of pictures.  Not only did I satisfy my cemetery needs, but also I took a few pictures of downtown Yoakum.  The city has so much history displayed through their buildings.  Perso...

'Tis the season to celebrate the birth of the Messiah in a lowly manger in Bethlehem.  This is the reason why Christmas is celebrated; not as a commercial holiday for gift-giving, but a time to worship the one who literally split time in to B.C. and A.D.  According to my church pastor, Jesus was more than likely born around April, which gives cause for the question, "Why do we then celebrate His birth in December?"  The answer to that question is, "I don't know!"  Whenever he was born, the event was miraculous.  First, He was virgin-born.  Then Jesus identified with His creation by becoming a human being, yet remaining fully God.  The life of Jesus can be found in the New Testament and is well-worth reading.  I bet the story will change your life.  However you choose to celebrate Christmas, remember the true reason for the holiday.  It is Jesus we celebrate, not the Black Friday sales at your local retailer.

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads; And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap, Had just settled down for a long winter's nap, When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash. The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below, When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer, With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name; "Now, DASHER! now, DAN...

Happy holidays!  Once the work load was accomplished on Friday, I immediately packed for my four-day trip to visit family in the Victoria area.  In fact, it seems I couldn't hardly wait to get out of town.  This morning (Saturday), I woke up at 2:30 in order to complete the final preparations for leaving at 5 a.m.  However, I must confess, I didn't pull out of the apartment parking lot till roughly 5:15 a.m.  By 6:15 a.m., I was in the City of West, Texas ordering breakfast and getting gasoline at the Czech Bakery.  This is always a stop for me whenever I travel.  Driving at this time of day is always so peaceful, and I'm able to perform a lot of positive, productive thinking.  At a few minutes after 9:30 a.m., I arrived at Mom's house in Yoakum.  We aren't exactly an exciting group of people, but we do enjoy one another's fellowship.  In a few minutes, my brother and I, along with our mother, will play a game of Monopoly.  I probab...

Go ahead, drive the nails in My hands; Laugh at me, where you stand. Go ahead, and say it isn't Me; The day will come, when you will see. 'Cause I'll rise, again, Ain't no power on earth can keep Me down! Yes, I'll rise, again, Death can't keep Me in the ground. Go ahead, mock My name; My love for you is still the same. Go ahead, and bury Me; But very soon, I will be free! 'Cause I'll rise, again; Ain't no power on earth can keep Me down! Yes, I'll rise, again; Death can't keep Me in the ground. Go ahead, and say I'm dead and gone, But you will see that you were wrong. Go ahead, try to hide the Son; But all will see that I'm the One! 'Cause I'll come again! Ain't no power on earth can keep me back! Yes, I'll come again; Come to take My people back.

The first official day of winter has arrived...hooray!  With the roller-coaster changes in temperatures recently, some may argue winter had already arrived.  I, for one, absolutely love cold weather.  However, allow me to submit a caveat for the previous statement.  When properly prepared for cold weather, I do prefer cold versus warm to hot temperatures.  Proper preparation may include: sleeping with blankets on the bed, and wearing long-sleeved shirts accompanied with a coat.  Allow me to take one further step, when properly prepared with the correct cold-rated equipment, this is also great camping weather.  Unfortunately, I don't have any gear rated for below-freezing temperatures.  Maybe one day I will.  What is your favorite season of the year?  For most people, a happy medium is in order.  Others will complain it is too hot, or too cold, or too humid, or too _____ (fill in the blank).  Yes, I am hot-natured, easily succum...

Oh very young What will you leave us this time You're only dancing on this earth for a short while And though your dreams may toss and turn you now They will vanish away like your daddy's best jeans Denim Blue fading up to the sky And though you want him to last forever You know he never will (You know he never will) And the patches make the goodbye harder still Oh very young What will you leave us this time There'll never be a better chance to change your mind And if you want this world to see a better day Will you carry the words of love with you Will you ride the great white bird into heaven And though you want to last forever You know you never will (You know you never will) And the goodbye makes the journey harder still Oh very young What will you leave us this time You're only dancing on this earth for a short while Oh very young What will you leave us this time

Life's circumstances, whether positive or negative, are not under the control of your's truly.  Throughout my life, I've tried to make the best of whatever came my way.  In a few instances, I even had the gumption create my own path in life, orchestrating what happened to me, instead of simply allowing life to have its way.  This world system will throw everything at me, including the kitchen sink, to derail what I desire to accomplish in this life.  Largely, "the system" has been successful.  (Have you ever heard, "You can't beat the system?")  One of the comforting beliefs I have is God can turn any ill-will, hostility, or sheer evil toward His grand purpose: bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world.  Life hasn't turned out the way I wanted, but maybe what I wanted wasn't what God wanted.  Most of my readers should know by now I can't stand the city in which I presently live.  In the midst of this, engaging life ...

Sometimes I let this old world have its way with me And there is no escape as far as I can see Captured by the wind, I break so helplessly I know if not for You, there'd be no hope for me. You are the calm at the center of my storm When the cold winds blow You're the fire that keeps me warm When this old world gets me down I will rest inside Your arms You are the calm at the center of my storm If I could only learn to always turn to you Instead of thinking I always know what to do Why does it take the darkness for my eyes to see? There's never been a time when You weren't there for me You are the calm at the center of my storm When the cold winds blow, You're the fire that keeps me warm. When this old world gets me down I will rest inside Your arms You are the calm at the center of my storm. When this old world gets me down I will rest inside Your arms You are the calm at the center of my storm. You are the calm at the center of my storm.

The beginning of the first of three days off, and I decided to perform something rather unusual.  I went to the movie theatre by myself.  Yes, yours truly went on an outing solo.  Back in the day, when I was full of life and adventurous vigor, I wouldn't think twice about checking in to an activity or function by myself.  Today, this is rare form.  Much of my drive for life has disappeared entirely, so for me to venture out, even with friends, is highly unlikely.  What prompted me to do so this evening, is anyone's guess, but I especially wanted to watch the new Star Wars movie that debuted yesterday.  Maybe this was the impetus enough to overcome the overrated feeling I get when dealing with going out in public.  Sometimes I think interacting socially would be easier with a date or a friend, but I think that is simply an excuse to hide behind.  I say excuse because I don't have any real friends in Fort Worth.  Many say they are my frien...

Another week has come and gone.  Time seems to fly by so fast, and it disappears quicker the older I get.  Even though I've been "sick" with allergies, I have had a good week.  After a four-day weekend, I eventually had to return to work this Wednesday through Friday.  Yes, I only work three days a week, but I still maintain the amount of shifts I need to get by financially.  Of course I miss the extra paycheck from the second job at Tobacco Lane, but I very much enjoy my free time.  The time away from work is spent on reading and family research, both of which are a lot of fun.  On Tuesday evening I finished reading East of Eden by John Steinbeck.  It is by far the better book than The Grapes of Wrath , but I can also see why Steinbeck received the Pulitzer Prize for The Grapes of Wrath .  Oh, I forgot to mention the Christmas party I attended last Saturday.  Paladin Cigars held its annual Christmas Party, and I was among the invited. ...

  M Y  fellow-citizens, no people on earth have more cause to be thankful than ours, and this is said reverently, in no spirit of boastfulness in our own strength, but with gratitude to the Giver of Good who has blessed us with the conditions which have enabled us to achieve so large a measure of well-being and of happiness. To us as a people it has been granted to lay the foundations of our national life in a new continent. We are the heirs of the ages, and yet we have had to pay few of the penalties which in old countries are exacted by the dead hand of a bygone civilization. We have not been obliged to fight for our existence against any alien race; and yet our life has called for the vigor and effort without which the manlier and hardier virtues wither away. Under such conditions it would be our own fault if we failed; and the success which we have had in the past, the success which we confidently believe the future will bring, should cause in us no feeling of vaing...

Whoever dwells in the shelter  of the Most High      will rest in the shadow  of the Almighty. 2  I will say of the  Lord , “He is my refuge  and my fortress,      my God, in whom I trust.” 3  Surely he will save you      from the fowler’s snare      and from the deadly pestilence. 4  He will cover you with his feathers,      and under his wings you will find refuge;      his faithfulness will be your shield  and rampart. 5  You will not fear  the terror of night,      nor the arrow that flies by day, 6  nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,      nor the plague that destroys at midday. 7  A thousand may fall at your side,      ten thousand at your right hand,      but it will not come near you. 8  You will only...

This evening was the Christmas party at Paladin Cigars.  Every year I am honored with an invitation to attend this social event.  Unfortunately, I had to miss the one last year due to working at another job.  Thankfully this wasn't the case for 2016.  Adding to the flair of the party, I asked a friend to tag along.  I had a great time, and even won a door prize...a three-flame torch lighter.  After two cigars and a few hours of fun and fellowship, I called it a night.  There were a lot of familiar and friendly faces...people I only get to see intermittently.  Even though I am one of the shop's original customers, I only seem to come around once or twice a week or every few weeks.  Nonetheless, everyone was glad to see me.  Food abounded, but I only sampled a few of the desserts.  With shops like this, maybe Fort Worth isn't so bad to live in.  At least I was able to escape the grind of living in a city I still don't particularl...

Tis' the season!  Yes, the time of year for Santa Clause, Black Friday, snow, and utter craziness is upon us.  It is also the time of year for Christmas cards.  In years gone by, I would keep a long list of friends and family who were slated to receive a card from yours truly.  Over the course of time, and as the cost of cards and postage increased, the list has sharply dwindled.  (To be honest, the list has dwindled because some of these people I only hear from once a year, maybe, and that's only after receiving a Christmas card in the mail.  Is that ugly for me to say?!)  Maybe this year can present the opportunity to rekindle those relationships which have waned.  Begin by sending a card, and then follow up with a phone call.  Don't allow yourself to contact these people only because it is Christmas.  Keep in touch with them because they are your friends and family.  Both are treasures not to take for granted.  Many of us do...

I couldn't pass up this obscure holiday as it brought back a few memories, as well as stirred an idea.  When growing up, possibly during my pre-junior high school years, there was a TV series titled Voyagers .  Two men had a device, a compass of sorts, which took them back to a specific era in history to repair a rupture in the timeline.  History had not unfolded as it should, and the time travellers had to place the events back on track.  This would create the world and events we would know and study today.  The idea that occurred, "If I was a time traveler, where and when would I travel?  Would I fix my mistakes and choose a different path in life?"  First, I must wholeheartedly say yes to patching up a few poor choices in my life.  Who, in their right mind, wouldn't?  However, I probably wouldn't alter life's trajectory too much.  Even though life has not turned out to any near similarity to what I wanted, I have an amazing family and...

          At almost 8 a.m. Hawaiian time, the Japanese struck the naval base on the island of Oahu.  History books and historians would have us believe this was a surprise attack, but I suspect otherwise.  Many valiantly fought and died during this horrific time.  In addition, the Pacific fleet was rendered useless.  Many of the ships were badly damaged or sunk entirely.  A few years later, the United States would have their revenge at the Battle of Midway, gaining a reversal of roles and an advantage against the to-date seemingly invincible Imperial Japanese military.           One day, I hope to have the opportunity to visit the memorial in Hawaii.  Until then, I am content to read and study about the event that left an indelible mark on the nation.  For those who served, died, or yet remain living, I honor your memory of service to this country.  Thank you for paying the price of freedom.

Mr. Chairman, Mr. Vice President, Mr. Chief Justice, Mr. Speaker, members of my family and friends, my countrymen, and the friends of my country, wherever they may be,  we meet again, as upon a like moment four years ago, and again you have witnessed my solemn oath of service to you.   I, too, am a witness, today testifying in your name to the principles and purposes to which we, as a people, are pledged.   Before all else, we seek, upon our common labor as a nation, the blessings of Almighty God. And the hopes in our hearts fashion the deepest prayers of our whole people.   May we pursue the right—without self-righteousness.   May we know unity—without conformity.   May we grow in strength—without pride in self.   May we, in our dealings with all peoples of the earth, ever speak truth and serve justice.   And so shall America—in the sight of all men of good will—prove true to the honorable purposes that ...