Ale for the Soul

After an almost three-month "vacation" from work, I am proud to announce yours truly is once again employed.  Getting fired from the last job was a blessing and had a great sense of timing about it.  Since it was the week before Thanksgiving, I simply decided to enjoy the holidays with family and friends.  Thankfully the savings account allowed me to do this.  Had I been barely scraping by, the outcome would have been much different.  By January 1st, I began to look for employment rather sporadically.  In not wanting another dead-end, low-paying job, I was dumbfounded as to where to look for work.  Other than my retail and shoe-selling experience, I wasn't really qualified to do anything else.  As ideas and opportunities presented themselves, I would place an application or submit a resume.  Finally, I stumbled across a work-from-home customer service position with Enterprise Rent-A-Car.  I don't have any call center experience, but I th...

Today was bittersweet: a somber, yet joyous occasion celebrating the life of John Baylor ("Bay") Haralson.  Sadness at the loss of a friend mixed with the sweet memories of fellowship.  At one o'clock this beautiful Saturday afternoon, I walked into the fellowship hall of Hope Works Church.  I knew the memorial service would be well-attended, and I was not disappointed.  There were many people whom I did not know, and quite a few I haven't seen in ages.  The common denominator was the personal connection we had with Bay.  With ample time to visit with familiar faces, as well as to introduce myself to those I was not yet acquainted, an open time of sharing stories began at 1:30 p.m.  I did not share my personal experience; however, my story was also everyone else's: the warm touch of a man who God used to minister in our lives.  The pastor eloquently spoke of death as merely a doorway in to eternity.  Our friend is no longer with us physically...

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 Par...

Happy New Year!  Last year was good to me in spite of a rocky journey in regard to employment.  As I grow older, which I did turning 46 years old on the 27th of December, I strive for stability and an even-tempered lifestyle.  Dramatic ups and downs no longer appeal to me anymore.  I am nearing a five-year anniversary living in the same apartment...the longest I've continuously lived in any one place.  Now, if only I can find that one job that will stick.  I had four jobs in 2019: I was fired from two of them, one I resigned, and who knows what happened with the other.  No need to reenact the cause behind why the jobs didn't work out; however, maybe I can find employment that will allow me to flourish as the person God created me to be.  2019 was a blessing for relationships.  One year ago, I met a new friend whom means the world to me.  As this friend as now moved away, I smile at the memory of her impact on my life.  People come a...

The week-long vacation has come to an end.  The time away was filled with lots of activity, including time spent with family and friends.  The previous weekend was the first time my siblings and I have met up concurrently since the passing of our father.  Then I was able to spend a week with Mom in Yoakum.  Friday was my 46th birthday, and I celebrated by smoking a cigar at Pipe World in Austin.  That was the last hurrah before making the trek to Fort Worth.  Traffic through Waco was brutal.  Part of the trouble may have been the holiday travellers; however, I believe the primary cause was due to road construction.  Even though I don't care about living in Fort Worth, I was glad to get back to a life of normalcy or routine.  Unfortunately, I need to buckle down on finding employment.  Thankfully, I have two interviews planned for this week.  Maybe something will come about as a result.  Anyway, I hope all my readers had a great...

On Friday, December 21, I met my sister at the Ol' South Pancake House in Fort Worth.  She flew in from Hawaii in order to spend a few weeks with friends and family.  After a hearty breakfast, along with a couple of errands, we were on the road headed south to Austin.  In Waco, we made a stop at the Magnolia Market at the Silos.  Of course I know who Chip and Jo Ann Gaines are, but my sister was more enthusiasted about checking this place out than I was.  Nonetheless, I still had fun since it was time spent with family.  After checking out the market, we made a stop for gas and some shopping at Bucee's.  This particular "brand" of gasoline and convenience store is a Texas phenomoneon.  They pride themselves on the cleanest bathrooms, and, so far, I have never been disappointed.  Once in Austin, we treated ourselves to a late lunch at Trudy's on Burnet Road and then shopping at The Salvation Army Store.  By early evening, we finally calle...

Almost three weeks have transpired since losing my job with Clark's.  Since then, I have been at a loss as to where to look for employment.  In the meantime, I have been enjoying the free time, but I know this must eventually come to an end.  Last week, I was able to spend a day and a half with a very dear friend.  She is still struggling, burdened with the trials and difficulties of life.  My heart is breaking, along with many tears shed, grieving for her.  She is such a dear friend, even though she isn't emotionally capable of reciprocating that friendship.  Many prayers are cast on her behalf as she walks through the valley of the shadow of death.  I'm not alone in interceding for her.  During church, I reach out to my spiritual family in requesting prayer.  As a spiritual brother, I refuse to let the enemy steal, kill, and destroy her life.  Present circumstances impede her spiritual vision, but I trust Almighty God to get her t...