Happy New Year!



Four days in to the new year, and I can already tell 2020 will be better and different from the previous few years.  To start off the New Year, I participated in The First Day Hike at Cleburne State Park in Cleburne.  This activity is sponsored by The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and is well-worth taking part in.  In previous years, I would see this hike advertised in the TPWD magazine and usually tell myself I'll do this next year.  Well, the time to do it was now...no more procrastination.  Not knowing what to expect, I had no such expectations going in to the hike.  To my surprise, there was quite a turn-out of people.  The hike was short but sweet, and not very rigorous; however, I did slip and busted my "pride" due to wearing the wrong type of shoes.  Thank goodness I have a lot of additional padding on my backside.  Then, on Saturday, January 4th, I signed up for the Penintentiary Hollow Wild Walk at Lake Mineral State Park in Mineral Wells.  I was in for an adventure, a strenuous but fun two-hour hike through crevices, cut-outs, and unmarked paths.  In both cases, the first day hike and the "wild walk", I met a few people and carried on a friendly chat during our time together.  Since I don't make resolutions, I won't tell you these meet my criteria for a more active and outdoor-inclusive 2020.  (This is my goal, nonetheless.)  Hopefully a few more events will cycle through the state park's calendar.  Until then, I'll get back on my bicycle and maybe shed a few pounds.  Many blessings on a new year.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Nightmare is Over

A little over a week ago, I finished working at Ole Grapevine Cigar & Tobacco Shop for a second tour of duty.  Once again, I found this particular place of employment extremely toxic and dysfunctional.  With the exception of one other staff member, the crew at the shop were too chummy with one another in very unhealthy ways.  Similar to the first experience, I was micro-managed and isolated from feeling a part of the "family", as the manager liked to call the company.  I never felt included...only taken advantage of and then made to feel inferior and worthless.  The customer base wasn't too much better than the work environment.  In some ways, the customers were worse...a bunch of entitled, rich people who wanted their way while everyone else be damned.  Spoiled-rotten brats!  The manager summarily decided, without even consulting me, that I would be moved to an "on call" position.  Since I'm not naive, I realize this means I'll never wor...
Read more

Seeking Closure!

Last week I was able to get away from the land of exile in order to visit and spend time with family.  Even though part of our plans for a trip to East Texas fell apart, I very much enjoyed spending three wonderful days with my mother in Yoakum.  During this time, as she still had to work her shifts at the church, I was able to scratch off quite a few items from the bucket list.  Many of these items have been on there for several years awaiting much-needed closure.  On top of the list, but really in no particular order, was to visit the Alchoholics Anonymous group in Victoria where I tried to get sober in 2004.  Even though I didn't recognize anyone in attendance, I did enjoy the time spent in fellowship.  Then a visit was made to Memory Gardens Cemetery where three acquaintances are interred.  One in particular, my friend Amy, was buried there in 2021.  Regretting not being able to attend her funeral services, I made every effort to locate her gr...
Read more

New Beginnings!

Today I began working a secondary form employment with Cartan's.  It is a shoe store selling men's and women's footwear located on Magnolia in the Near Southside of Fort Worth.  Ever since I moved here I have tried to get hired on with this place of business.  I formerly worked for the owner at the Rockport Shops in Houston.  Figured I was a "shoe" in with the amount of experience yours truly offered.  Finally, I was hired on and began by working from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  I dove right in and tried my best.  Slowly but surely, all of my skills and abilities will come back.  The manager seemed pleased and thought I really didn't need much help.  I shadowed him and a few other employees while they waited on customers.  In addition, I helped to put away drags, which are leftover shoes from the sale.  The store hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and closed on Sunday.  Woohoo!  Think I have found my home....
Read more