Ale for the Soul

     Life has been fairly status quo and routine, hence the lack of blog entries for the previous few months.  This doesn't mean absolutely nothing has happened, but maybe nothing of noteworthy expression.  Once back from the family vacation to Corpus Christi in May, I began working part-time at Tx Smoke, a cigar shop near the West 7th District of Fort Worth.  Yes, it does appear yours truly is a job hopper, not staying at any one job beyond a few months at a time.  Most employments are ended due to a combination of mis-matched personalities at the business and unrealized expectations from both parties.  Most of the time, it's simply my outspokeness and rough edges that cause life to go sideways from time to time.  At any rate, I have now been at Tx Smoke for roughly three months, and the employment so far seems to be smooth sailing.      About a month ago, I learned of the passing of a longtime friend of my maternal grandmothe...

On Saturday, May 17, I took off out onto the open road once the shift relief showed up at work.  Surprisingly, I was wide awake and alert for the drive.  I had been up since three o'clock that morning and had a concern about being able to safely drive to Yoakum.  Even after a few stops to visit and take pictures of historical sites, I arrived at Mom's house around 5:30 p.m.  We visited a short while before heading to bed.  I was exhausted!  Our next four days of vacation in Corpus Christi would provide an exhaustingly good time as well.  The time spent was a whirlwind of activity from almost the time we woke up till we arrived back at the hotel.  Honestly, I don't remember the last time I was in the area.  May have been over forty years since I've been on this section of the Texas coast.  We had a blast!  We did all the touristy type stuff: Art Museum of South Texas, Museum of Science and History, Texas State Aquarium, U.S.S. Lexing...

As a history buff I am a stickler for dates and events, the ever-linear timeline of life.  For example, every year on September 1st I acknowledge Germany's invasion of Poland in 1939.  I know that sounds very weird and is not disguised as some sort of political or idealogical message.  It is simply a fact of historical record that I chuckle about whenever I think of it.  Recently I had quite a few dates of remembrance.  First was January 30th, which is the date my maternal grandfather passed away fifteen years ago.  At the time, yours truly was under thirty days away from getting released from incarceration and was never able to see him again this side of Heaven.  Immediately following on February 2nd, I marked ten years since moving into my present residence.  Wow, have I really lived here this long?  When living in Houston, it seems like I was moving every six months.  Father God has richly blessed me with stability and somewhat afford...

Another year is upon us!  Where has the time gone?  Not only a new year, but I am blessed with a new day each and every time God sees fit to allow me to wake up.  I certainly don't need a brand new year to figuratively start over.  I can take each day as a time to assess where I am in relation to God's will and His holy scripture.  Only then can I move my life in concert with the Holy Spirit's direction toward what God would have me do.  Already 2025 has been a blessing!  Last week I rearranged the apartment, with the assistance of my neighbor, to move all my books and research material to the front living room.  This has afforded me the opportunity to once again sleep in the bedroom.  (Long story for another time.)  Not only is it warmer in there, but the move has added more security.  For the previous four plus years, I had been sleeping near the front door and porch window.  Considering the neighborhood I reside in, this pro...