Ale for the Soul

   MY friends, before I begin the expression of those thoughts that I deem appropriate to this moment, would you permit me the privilege of uttering a little private prayer of my own. And I ask that you bow your heads:       Almighty God, as we stand here at this moment my future associates in the executive branch of government join me in beseeching that Thou will make full and complete our dedication to the service of the people in this throng, and their fellow citizens everywhere.   Give us, we pray, the power to discern clearly right from wrong, and allow all our words and actions to be governed thereby, and by the laws of this land. Especially we pray that our concern shall be for all the people regardless of station, race, or calling.   May cooperation be permitted and be the mutual aim of those who, under the concepts of our Constitution, hold to differing political faiths; so that all may work for the good of our beloved ...

Good grief, is it really December 1st already?  This whole year has blown by me, and I am wondering if I have used the time wisely and productively.  At the end of the month, I will mark a one-year anniversary working for TNG.  I also look back in celebration of six wonderful years working for Tobacco Lane, which closed on Halloween.  Another hallmark of the month will be my 43rd birthday on the 27th.  Wow!  I never thought life would allow me to personally see my forties.  Who knows why I have this buried in my psyche, but I am getting older and hopefully all the wiser.  Was 2016 a good year?  The jury is still out of that issue, but I am desiring an even better 2017.  There are always goals and plans that carry over from one year to another, but what goals will I create for a brand new year?  Recently I have been working more intensely on the family lineage, and am learning more each and every day.  Of course this is somethin...

"IT is not by any means self-evident upon the face of it that an institution like the liberty of speech is right or just. It is not natural or obvious to let a man utter follies and abominations which you believe to be bad for mankind any more than it is natural or obvious to let a man dig up a part of the public road, or infect half a town with typhoid fever. The theory of free speech, that truth is so much larger and stranger and more many-sided than we know of, that it is very much better at all costs to hear every one's account of it, is a theory which has been justified upon the whole by experiment, but which remains a very daring and even a very surprising theory. It is really one of the great discoveries of the modern time but once admitted, it is a principle that does not merely affect politics, but philosophy, ethics, and finally, poetry." 

Listening is a lost art form and a skill few truly understand how to use.  In the course of interacting with someone, dialogue isn't simply waiting your turn to speak.  Listening is required, but to openly take in what the other person is saying.  Surprisingly enough, this is called open-mindedness.  Of course it doesn't mean I accept or agree with what the other person is espousing, but to hear all the words and nuances of speech.  For, in fact, speech encompasses so much more than mere words.  Listening involves taking in tone of voice, rate of speed in speech, body language, and so many more subtle innuendos.  Practicing these tips will guard against reading in to what someone says.  As a result, I will know what was actually stated instead of what I thought was said.  The challenge I lay down is to truly listen to what the other person has to say without thinking of what your response will be.  Take in all of what the other person ha...

Whenever I get in to the mode of self-pity and depression, I make a very earnest attempt to reform my state of being by bringing on an attitude of gratitude.  The official holiday of Thanksgiving only comes around once a year, but I should remain thankful each and every day and sometimes at multiple times throughout the day.  Immediately I recognize life could become far worse.  This isn't the result from the sin of comparison, as I look down on others, their lot in life, and recognizing I could not even have the basic staples of housing, clothing, and etc.  Rather, I simply look to God through his Son Jesus, who are the providers of every thing I need, and quite a few items which aren't true necessities.  My next breath and heart beat are given to me by Creator God.  Anything and everything beyond those two is an additional blessing.  God doesn't owe me one iota in this world apart from what He provides as a result of a relationship with His Son. ...

There's a reason For the sunshine day There's a reason Why I'm feelin' so high Must be the season When that love light shines all around us So let that feeling Grad you deep inside And send you reeling Where your love can't hide And then go stealing Through the summer nights With your lover Just let your love flow Like a mountain stream And let your love grow With the smallest of dreams And let your love show And you'll know what I mean It's the season Let your love fly Like a bird on the wing And let your love bind you To all living things And let your love shine And you'll know what I mean, That's the reason There's a reason For the warm sweet nights There's a reason For the candle lights Must be the season When those love rites shine all around us So let the wonder Take you into space And lay you under Its loving embrace Feel the thunder As it warms your face You can't hold back Just let your love flow Like a mountain stream A...

This previous weekend I made a road trip to Yoakum, Texas.  Since I have to work the days immediately around Thanksgiving, I wanted to visit and spend time with family.  On Saturday I left Fort Worth at 5 a.m., and arrived in Yoakum a few minutes after 9:30 a.m.  I made great time.  Taking the toll road out of Austin always helps in reducing my travel time by at least half an hour.  A quick stop at the Czech Bakery in West, Texas didn't slow me down any.  This place is a usual stop for me as I always look forward to a hearty breakfast and a cup of fresh coffee.  By most people's standards, my time spent with family wasn't particularly exciting, but I don't necessarily need entertaining.  My contentment is found in visiting.  However, Mom and I did play three games of Scrabble, as well as to perform some shopping in Victoria, Texas.  During my trip, I also checked out one of the local cemeteries called Restland Memorial Park.  ...