Ale for the Soul

Soren Kierkegard once said that life can only be understood looking backward but must be lived moving forward.  (My paraphrase.)  As I look back on the previous year plus, I am amazed at the journey yours truly has taken.  The only observation that counts is how my Father God has walked with and blessed me the entire time.  With the exception of some temp work here and there, I was fortunate enough to have had enough money in the bank to take off for most of 2021.  Again, the Great Shepard has richly provided when I needed His help the most.  If I cease resisting His hand of providence and love for me, the lover of my soul has proven time and again that He is willing to grant a rich life far beyond anything I could ever fathom in this temporary earthly life.  I am simply a pilgrim on a journey to an eternal kingdom.  This life is the proving ground for the next world.  Of course I will experience less than ideal circumstances and personal reverses; however, I am not left to my own devi

Time marches on and stops for no one.  Yes, both Thanksgiving and Christmas have come and gone.  Now I'm celebrating my 48th birthday.  Wow, how did I get this old?  Ha ha!  On Christmas Eve, I left Fort Worth to travel to Yoakum in order to visit family.  Not sure if I was more excited about getting to leave town for a few days or to see my mother, step-father, and brother.  Either way, I was doubly blessed with time away with those I love.  They aren't required to love or tolerate me just because we are related.  With the passage of time, the family dynamic changes as does yours truly.  Unfortunately, I was done by Sunday afternoon.  As a result, I headed back to the city of my exile.  There's something to be said about sleeping in one's own bed and apartment.  Today I was determined to not let the time pass by wastefully.  After running a few errands and meeting a friend for coffee, I headed out to Marion Sansom Park for some limited hiking and to smoke a celebratory