Ale for the Soul

Three more months remaining in 2021, and I'm curious if time can pass by any faster.  September was an incredible month as I saw the arrival of the first official day of Fall.  With cooler weather fast approaching, I can finally look forward to a time of camping.  In addition to the changing of seasons, I am now settled in working for the local tobacco shop.  Living in Houston for many years, I was a die-hard shoe salesman managing and training within various companies and their subsequent regional locations.  After arriving in Fort Worth, I transitioned to a new area of employment expertise becoming a purveyor of cigars, pipes, pipe tobacco, and the many differing accessories.  Finding my place at Big Dave's Cigars felt as if I had come home after living as a prodigal working at other companies.  Getting along with the store's staff wasn't very difficult as we are all more mature in age and seem to have the same strong work ethic.  The cherry on ...

On many occasions, I wonder what life would have been like had I actually got what I wanted.  Growing up as a little kid, I had a vision for life that may seem fairly run-of-the-mill: college, career, family, hobbies, and so much more.  None of it came to pass...or at least not to the degree desired.  (The vision I had was very detailed.  For the sake of this blog entry, I generalized what the vision for life included.)  What I didn't factor into the equation was the fact life simply happens.  Yours truly never quite learned, until much later in life, that one must roll with the punches.  That doesn't mean I lose sight of the end goal or heart desires, but I must also not wreck myself trying to force a square peg into a round hole.  Somewhat recently, I came to the conclusion that maybe what I wanted out of life wasn't God's Will.  Apart from telling people about Jesus, I don't have the faintest idea what God's Will is for my life or how that...

"Hey, bro!"  "What's happening, brother?"  Statements like these can take on various forms depending on who is speaking.  Honestly, it irks me to no end.  The speaker assumes there is a relationship of some sort in place that carries with it a certain level of intimacy and trust.  This casual friendship may or may not even exist beyond the mere acquaintance of another person; however, such a connection is earned and not given.  The bond of brotherhood, by blood or circumstance, is extremely sacred and trascendent.  For example, I have a biological sister and brother.  Simply because they are in my family doesn't mean the spirit of brotherhood is present.  Thankfully, in my case, it does!  Then there are those who have become my "brother" or "sister" through circumstance: a bond born out of adversity...a fiery trial that purifies and strengthens the relationship.  In both cases, biological or otherwise, I would storm the gates of hel...

On Tuesday, my job search came to an end with employment at  Run On! by JackRabbit .  I finally found something I can dive into with the totality of my being...a full-time job with decent pay and benefits.  The cherry on top is I will now work Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.  No more dead-end employment running the rat race with no real goal to reach.  The job description includes working in the distribution center fulfilling orders and maintaining organization in the stock room, which is something I formerly performed with other shoe companies in Houston.  I couldn't be more pleased with this immense blessing from my Abba Father, the Lord Jesus.  Now the challenge is to learn what is both required and expected from me.  As an older, more mature, individual, I also need to the learn the tech aspect of the position, as well as to make sure I am physically capable of accomplishing the tasks at-hand.  After working four days, I am...

Alcholics Anonymous is a twelve-step group providing support and encouragement for breakfing free from the addiction of alcoholism.  Over the years, I have considered myself a member of this organization, specifically calling Southwest my home group.  This fellowship, especially as I gain significant distance from my last foray as an active drinker, has evolved to hold various meanings during the different seasons of life.  At this point, I mainly attend as a means to get out of the apartment for a bit and to meet my social needs.  Lately, I have found it increasingly difficult to maintain a semi-active role in the program due to disagreement with a few core beliefs held by A.A. in general.  Not in any particular order, I adamently disagree with calling alcoholism a disease and refuse to acquiese to the overarching view a member can define or create his/her own higher power.  Alcoholism is an addiction, not a disease.  It is a learned behavior and, qui...

On Friday, April 9th, I flew back to Fort Worth after about an hour layover in Denver.  (The last time I was in Colorado was in 1981.)  The Hawaii vacation came to an end as I was more than ready for a return to reality and routine.  The say there is nothing like sleeping in one's own bed is a sheer understatement and holds a lot of truth and validity.  Both my sister and I were pleased with the projects I completed during the stay on Oahu.  On a personal level, I was equally pleased with the places visited that I wasn't able to get to during the first visit in 2019.  Once unpacked and settled, I tied up a few loose ends, smoked two tobacco pipes, and watched a little baseball to unwind.  Then it was off to bed at 6:30 p.m.  Out of sheer exhaustion, I immediately fell asleep.  (Sleeping on a plane is a joke and didn't happen.)  More than likely, another good night's sleep is in order to begin feeling normal again.  This week will se...

Today marks two weeks I've been in Hawaii.  Visiting my sister has been good, but I must admit how much I miss Texas.  The Covid rules are much stricter here than they are back home.  Do people really not know how to think for themselves?  I am amazed at how dependent people are on the government for information and assistance.  (The general sense of entitlement should give clue to the sad state of affairs for the citizenry.)  Washington, D.C., does not have our best interest in mind as they are manipulating public sentiments and causing a vast majority to live in fear.  Enough of that as this entry is not intended as a diatribe about or indictment against our national political condition.  The time spent in Hawaii has been a good balance of work and play.  There have been chores and projects assigned, which I gladly take on in order to earn my keep.  The most physically active has been painting the trim and doors of the townhouse. ...