Land of the Living

Since leaving the employment of the bagel shop, I have quickly adjusted to a new, more normal sleep routine.  Of course this is also in anticipation of the new job I have with The Walking Company beginning Monday at nine o'clock in the morning.  I also managed to swipe four days off for personal enjoyment and enrichment.  The need for mental and emotional refreshment and healing was at a point of desperation.  On Thursday, July 5th, I set out on the highway for Yoakum, Texas.  Not wanting to waste any time, I quickly set about taking care of a few goals once in the area.  Mom had to work both Thursday and Friday mornings, so I figured this afforded me the time to take care of a few personal items of interest.  Would it surprise you if I divulged the time was spent cemetery hunting?  In all, I visited four cemeteries and took a lot of pictures.  The exciting news around Yoakum was the opening of a new coffee shop.  It was quaint and inviting.  Personally I thought the prices were high in comparison to the serving size offered, but overall the experience was pleasant.  I'll definitely visit again the next time I'm in the area.  Time to depart came on Saturday morning as I left for Austin.  The main goal of the trek to the hill country was to have lunch with my two best friends and brother.  However, I also had a few peripheral goals I wanted to accomplish.  First on the list was to hang out at Genuine Joe Coffee House.  For the few times each year I'm in the area, I didn't expect to recognize anyone.  Regardless, the staff made me feel welcomed and engaged me in conversation.  After the time spent over a few cups of java, I headed to the Goodwill store.  Really I was only killing time before the Salvation Army store opened, but I still found a few books.  When Grandmother was still alive, we would look forward with great anticipation to shopping at the Salvation Army store.  As a result, this was a trip down memory lane.  With a flood of fond memories cascading over me, I couldn't help but to smile and thank God for the many blessings of life.  I still had about an hour and a half in between shopping and meeting my friends and brother for lunch.  This meant I could visit Pipe World on Anderson Lane.  Whenever I'm in Austin, visiting Genuine Joe and Pipe World are an absolute must.  My visit to the area doesn't feel complete without these two places.  The usual guy I know wasn't working today, but I did have the opportunity to speak with the other two guys working the store.  In spite of my two year absence from the place, and Austin for that matter, I felt at home.  Finally the time came to meet for lunch.  We ate at the Trudy's on Burnet Road.  Patrick, my brother, had never met my two best friends.  What a treat that was as he saw a side of his brother never before seen.  He headed back home after the time of fellowship and food, but my friends and I decided to walk around the campus of The University of Texas.  We also visited The Spider House, an old coffee shop I would hang out at in years gone by.  Sadly, our time came to an end, and I made the three plus hour drive back to Fort Worth.  These previous three days engaging life has performed wonders for my heart, soul, and psyche.  Life is so much healthier when I feel as if there is a purpose and reason for taking part in the world around me.  I thankful for the blessing the bagel shop was during that particular season of life.  Now I can look forward with great joy a return to my former career in the shoe business.  A regular work and sleep schedule will also allow for opportunities to participate in whatever God sends my way.  I'm excited about the future...something I haven't experienced in quite a long time.


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