Monday, October 20, 2014

A little piece that may be published

..... On another blog site that is.

Humbled by Women Everywhere

From the ESL World to the MPA World

If someone told me eighteen months ago that I would be living in Memphis working at Memphis Animal Clinic, and volunteering with Memphis Pets Alive, I would have laughed. Until June of last year I was teaching ESL in South Korea. I knew I would depart later that summer to some emotional goodbyes, and then transition over to living in Eastern Europe for a little while.  I taught kids aged 3-8 years old, and was the only full time male teacher there at Harmony Language Institute. Being the only man is not such a bad thing, except when only three of the fifteen women can actually speak fluent English, it is another story. Good thing I was pretty close to fluent in the Korean language.

Those women worked at least ten hours more than I, and may have received half of the pay as myself. Did you know that the word value for humble when playing scrabble is 17? I went to work humbled every day, knowing that I was giving my heart and soul to those children just like my female Korean coworkers were. This reminds me of a group of women I know very well these days.

Fast forward to the present. After only learning of Memphis Pets Alive! six months ago, I have become what one might call an active member of the organization. Once a month there is that “mandatory” Saturday, where I assist in dog washing, or dog lifting. Once a week there is Wag Along Tuesday, where Miss Beth and I make sure that every stray dog gets just as good a shot as every health hold, and adoption room dog receive. I also assist in cat room activities, and ensure that the “adoptable” dogs are free of any health issues.

Today I received an email informing me that a certain brown pit bull had found her a new start in life. I was thanked for the wonderful photos, and the loads of animal rescue info that I provided.  Later in the afternoon I threw up a big fist pump (better than Tiger Woods), upon reading that email once again.  As I thought for a few minutes, I realized that sharing the big news would make the day of a few ladies too.  The women of Memphis Pets Alive!, (most importantly Miss Dani, and Miss Beth for their photography skills), were the reason that brown pit bull has a wonderful home with a mom, dad, and two kids.

Volunteering with Memphis Pets Alive!, and teaching English in South Korea are two experiences that one would think are totally different.  Shockingly enough, they tend to be more similar than they are different.  In the world of education there are a ton of amazing women that spend their lives touching so many little children. In the world of animal rescue there are a ton of amazing women that spend their lives touching others, especially touching the lives of the four legged (and sometimes three legged) critters they work so tirelessly to save.

I am so blessed and humbled to have been around so many amazing women, here with Memphis Pets Alive!, and on the other side of the globe, while teaching English in South Korea.

When you hear of the animals that get adopted at Memphis Animal Shelter, think of the ladies at Memphis Pets Alive!. When you hear of the beneficiaries of the Memphis Pets Alive! Pet Pantry, think of the ladies of MPA! When you go to sleep tonight with your rescue dog, think of all of those hard working ladies that made sure that dog became a rescue, especially the ladies of MPA!.


Thursday, October 2, 2014

Heading Back to Korea

On Sunday October 26, I will be heading back to my other home in Daegu, Korea. I will be visiting the family, and many, many, others until November 6th. Am I excited about this? You betcha!

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Rudy

This is Rudy!! Rudy is a dog that I kind of fostered down at Memphis Animal Clinic and really wanted as my own dog. I knew that my life plans weren't so etched out in stone, so I kept Rudy's pictures online for adoption.

Turns out that Rudy found a home with a former Hoagie shop owner, who at one time lived in Memphis. Rudy's new pops is known well by the folks at our local Dogs Rule (doggie day care), and Rudy is becoming well known at Mike's Tavern. That's Rudy's picture on a bar stool at Mike's Tavern in Reading, PA.

I am proud of this, though he's not my own dog these days. He's gonna make an awesome bar dog and is finally fulfilling his purpose. 

Almost

Finished with studying section of what it takes to become a Humane Society of the United States Rescue Volunteer. I have passed one required course, one recommended course, and have received a tetanus shot. I have two more required courses to finish (one if my exam score is good for tonight).

Hopefully I can be used in rescue situations to help out if needed in disaster situations.

Sunday, August 17, 2014

A Pet Pantry Sunday

It seems this weekend has been a weekend of emptying my trunk, or taking care of my Memphis Pets Alive! Pet Pantry folks.

I say this with pride because it is my responsibility to make sure that some pet owners are able to remain pet owners and I help provide the food, that they cannot always afford to purchase for their dogs and/or cats.

Over in the Frayser area is an older gentleman named Mr. Bryant. I have only spoken with this man once, but he is a very appreciative man on the food. He just wants to make sure his cats have food. I think he is uncomfortable with wanting to come outside and say hello, but he may not even have a phone at his house. From viewing his house and the neighborhood he lives in, one can tell that his cats probably mean the world to him. His neighborhood is one of the only streets that I know of where there may not be a single street light. One day, just maybe one day I will meet this man.

This morning I received a phone call from Mr. Moore (no first names are allowed on this post). He was actually calling about a puppy his cousin has who was born with some issues (in regards to gender organs), and so the phone call was mostly about that problem. Then we got to talking, and he stated that it gets hard for him to always take care of his animals, I explained to him that it was no problem for Memphis Pets Alive! to keep support his family of four-legged ones. After all, with the recent enormous donations from Kroger and our newly launched Amazon wish list (click there for more:Amazon Wish list) we are definitely in surplus mode at the moment. Mr. Moore is a man who lives down in a rough neighborhood that is off S. 3rd Street.

I have been supplying Mr. Moore, and his sister Miss Moore (who lives a few miles to the N. of her brother) with food for the last few months. Mr. Moore is a man living on disability as a result of a motorcycle accident that occurred while he was riding his motorcycle down the highway near Baton Rouge. He has not lived in this area very long, but he has two young pups, a momma cat, and two of her kittens, that I have been able to watch grow up. One of the kittens was a little too brave and got hit by a car just in the last week or two. Mr. Moore may came from a different culture, different neighborhood, and maybe a totally different world than I do, but I am certain that I will always receive one thing from him - a giant hug! Last month during our visit he said this to me, "Mr. John, I love you for what you do to help me take care of animals, I really do." That's enough to give a guy like me a few goosebumps. We have a Tuesday morning fishing day together coming up pretty soon as well.

His sister has a heart just big as he does. She is a little lady that I first met while delivering food to her neighbors. She had a little grandson with her who instantly was joined to my hip for the 20 minutes or so that we were together. She rides around these days in an electric wheelchair and lives alone with her three dogs that who stay in her front yard that is fenced to protect her house. Today I learned that she had lost 170 lbs, but still has some knee issues that were preventing her from getting out of her wheelchair. She will be having surgery in a few weeks to repair that bad knee, so I look forward to seeing her walk soon. Just like her brother, she has shared her love with a hug, and a few prayers for me as well. She is a fine church going lady, and you can see it in that big smile of hers whenever that wheelchair comes down the driveway. She reminds me of a character from the book The Shack, if you have read it you will know.

 Last of all, is Miss K (I only know her first name actually). She usually just sends me a text now when her young dog needs food. She is a single mom with a daughter who may be in middle school, and a boy who is a little younger. The boy will grow up to be a fine young man for sure. He always comes to the door and most of the time the car, to carry the bags of food into the kitchen area. What impresses me most is that he remembers my name and tonight shouted to his mom "John is here". He loves his dog, though he thinks the poor mutt should have a litter of puppies, which I will persuade him out of sometime soon.  What made me laugh as I was leaving their house tonight in the Jackson Avenue area, was that I heard "tell your wife I said hello", in reference to my ex girlfriend. He meant well without a doubt, so I appreciated his thoughtfulness.

I write this tonight to say that there are some pet owners out there with tremendous hearts and lives that have been filled with burden (though we may or may not know the burdens), that make it difficult for them to financially support their own pets one hundred percent of the time. That is where the Memphis Pets Alive! Pet Pantry comes into bring assistance to these members of our community.

Please help share if you may wish and help us to help more members of this fine community so they may be able to remain pet owners and not be those that are looked down upon for surrendering their pets to certain places that will not be named.

Since yesterday evening I have delivered about 40 cans of cat food, 32 pounds of cat food, and about 200 pounds of dog food.
                                       Miss Moore's little doggy Lilo (like the cartoon character)
Mr. Moore's doggies getting some well deserved attention
                                     Ask any cat and they will tell you they love Temptations treats
                                          Handing off food to Mr. Moore for the kitties.
A little puppy that belongs to Mr. Moore's cousin
This one looks just like his mom. 
Without the help of companies like Kroger, and Walmart, along with local organizations, a trunk like this would not be possible. 

Credit for photography goes to Miss Beth Spencer

Friday, August 15, 2014

Help Me Help Some Four Legged Ones

Check our wish list for Memphis Pets Alive! That is the fine organization that I help out in my spare time weekly.

Below is our website
Memphis Pets Alive

This is our Amazon wishlist
Amazon Wishlist

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

(No Title Needed)

I received this today from a friend of a client. I believe she may have been a church member that was helping a disabled member of the congregation out, or possibly a neighbor. The owner of this little puppy (who had a an early case of Parvo) was a very kind, and very quiet older lady, who walked with the assistance of a cane. Some of us were unsure if she was returning to pick up little Coco, who I wanted to name Chico or Taco, due to being a chihuahua.  Both ladies were extremely kind as I helped them out. The younger lady had a cross on her bible with her in the lobby and I complimented her on how I liked the cross. She looked me and said "it's yours." Sometimes when you are at a crossroads in life, you just wonder how certain moments occur, certain people appear/disappear, and what the heck is God really doing up there.


Monday, August 11, 2014

Some of What I Do on Tuesdays

Here's a cool video that my friend Erika posted recently of one of the puppy dogs at the Memphis Animal Shelter. We (Memphis Pets Alive!) go out and take pictures, give treats, and even make a few videos of all of the animals out there.

Check this one out.

Tanner the Dog

A Dog With a Really Cool Heart

And it's not what you think!!

Someone is paying to get this dog out of the Memphis Animal Shelter all the way to Chesterfield, VA. As I checked the distances on Google this evening, I discovered that it would be one heck of a road trip, so we may be flying this fellow on to the coast of VA, sometime very soon.

Please share with your friends.

Thursday, August 7, 2014

An Ode To Sirius XM Radio

I reactivated you yesterday
Out of boredom
To help a monotone saleslady make her pay

I had to refresh my signal today
So I could even have a listen
I did not realize you had something new to say

It was a new station of that twang I enjoy
One that played a respectful type of twang
Not like that stuff those raspy guys that can easily annoy

I heard the sounds of my boy Trace
That big fella' who has lived a country song recently
Definitely put a smile on my face

Next I heard that 'ole Clint Black
Now I knew this was no dream at all
With this I thought real country radio is back

The station name itself even has a good ring
Y2Kountry, who'd of thought
You would have made my country heart sing








Wednesday, August 6, 2014

An Almost Perfect Day and a Photo Story of a Four Legged

The last week or two have consisted of fatigue, overtime (and then some), a jacked up foot/ankle, a little more overtime, boredom due to jacked up/foot ankle, struggling to figure out where I want to live in a few months, and the list could go on and on and on.

Well, thanks to a young four legged who trusted me with a few days of his life, things became a little fun yesterday during my day off.

Usually my days off consist of laundry, watching stocks, trolling Facebook, checking emails for something magical that never seems to appear, and then joining the ladies for Wag Along Tuesdays at Memphis Animal Services.

For those who do not know me too well, I have a ton of wanderlust still. When one has lived and traveled overseas off and on for 6 years or so, it gets tough being in a place you haven't lived in since you were in high school. Living in Memphis for over eight months?? Would have never thunk it!!!

Now to the fun stuff. Recently I decided to help a young dog formerly named Tattoo out in starting his new life. He spent the weekend at Memphis Animal Clinic, since I was doing the kennel shifts. We got to spend a little time together, and he was very respectful of his new temporary lodging place. The moment he got his own run he  embraced his spot, and sucked down a whole bowl of water like a hoover vacuum will clean that mess of dog hair you have in your bedroom.

                      Saturday afternoon checking out things outside as the day drew to a close

Now oddly enough, I was a little in awe of this boy Saturday evening. I left the clinic thinking that this dog would not bark at all. Well, Sunday morning changed that. Sometimes we know what a dog is saying when they bark or make a certain sound - "get me outside before I make a mess in my bed", is usually common-theme when it comes to reading a dog's mind. Other times they know it is time for a feeding or perhaps they need a refill of their favorite frosty beverage (only if your dog rolls that way - no pun intended). Whatever the reason for his barking I just kind of took in the sound as it still did not retract from that twangy stuff blaring over the portable speakers in the kennel area. Tattoo did teach me that some dogs just want to have their own space, and when they want to share that bubble with a human, they will let ya know.

                                             : At least there's a warm fuzzy blanket in here".
                             "There's that idiot again sneaking another picture of me. I can see you".

So we will fast forward to Monday evening. I received an email saying this canine friend of mine was going to need a leash collar for his ride on Tuesday. I just usually roll with a slip lead if a dog is riding with me, but this guy was going on an adventure to start a new beginning in his life. He needed to roll with a little style. I found one of those popular Lupine peacock leach and collar sets to give the boy before his ride. One big mistake - I placed the leash on his kennel door and you could tell he felt a little misled.

Tuesday morning I arrived at work earlier than ever, but thankfully it was not work related. I got Tattoo out of his kennel, and we took a quick stroll outside so he could take care of business. He learned that when you ride with me you gotta at least go two hours toward your destination before you can make a pit stop. As we left Midtown, I drove out to a Shell, and then on Walmart, so I could stock up on Clif Bars, Naked Juice, and of course some ALPO Snaps. That antsy fool swore I was gonna leave him there alone in my car at Walmart. I could hear barking as I walked away within seconds. Once I arrived back at the car, I could hardly get in without him wanting to jump out.

                                                  A little selfie before leaving the clinic
                                                Showing off his collar/leash set before I filled up the tank
Once there was a man who said this,  
If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special. Thanks to the late Jimmy V for that one.

I can not credit the young boy for moving me to tears (that was reserved for a few hours later when I saw the grave site of one of my heroes). 

I definitely spent a ton of time in thought and laughed my ass off though between 7:30-10:20 yesterday morning. I never thought I dog could spent so much time getting to know the front and the back of a small vehicle like Tattoo did. He spent most of his time in the front seat, but once I let those windows down just a tad, he was all over the place. 

font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">He was like that kid spends so much time  ever so patiently waiting to see the beach for the first time, or that foreigner flying into America for the first time and gazing down at the sights of this beautiful nation. For the first two hours of that ride, he was not interested and sleeping AT ALL. The feel of that fresh Tennessee air blowing at his face brought joy and smiles to us both. When he finally did lay down towards the end of the ride I was a little disappointed. I could go on and on about the fun time we shared, but I will end this with a few pictures. Yesterday, thanks to the dog formerly known as Tattoo, my friend Kent and his kid, and a few random strangers, I did just about have the perfect day. 


                                                  Passing by CBU on our way out of town
                                                   Trying to get in this comfort zone
                                                  Trying to be that patient kid is tough work
                                                  Checking himself out in the rear view mirror
                                                    Smiling for the world to see
                                                  We both spent a ton of time in thought
                                                    Someone is finally getting relaxed
                                                   My console evidently makes a great pillow




Thanks for reading!

Just in case you needed to know what put the icing on the cake for the near-perfect day. . . . . . . 

                                            An added bonus -- Johnny Paycheck
                                        One of my heroes - George Jones

It has been way too long

Well,

Hello World! I am not sure what else to say at the moment. My mind has been going crazy these last few weeks. Last year at this time I was in Bulgaria, thinking I was going to be enrolling at Sofia University's Graduate School. Well, someone had different plans for me. I still miss the nights hanging out in the park with friends there in Sofia, and that lovely weather (though locals complained of hot days - that were low 90s with almost ZERO humidity!).

Other days I long to be back in Korea in my old classroom hanging out with those young intriguing minds. I anticipate the  moment when I we will be able to act goofy again, even if it is only for a short time span. In regards to that, that may be happening very, very soon.  As odd as it seems, I even had a dream about Korean Mom, and Korean Grandma last night. It seemed so real, and then of course I woke up to reality, and found that time does not move so fast when you actually want it to do so.

So I do not want to report everything that is going on life, but life will improve soon. I find peace in the same 'ole things. Instead of finding peace in the eyes of the little ones that I taught, I find peace in the eyes of the four legged ones, that just maybe I can help save. Spending time with owners who are passionate about their animals is just as rewarding as a parent who loves seeing the results of my teaching on the faces of their little ones.

I'll be back soon to post on a previous adventure, but I will leave you a picture that was really cool.

A young boy decided to step on our scale at work, and his dog followed him up there, while their mother paid their bill.


Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Battles


I learned something once
That the costliest battles we fight
Are those we choose to ignore

Those battles will make us
Or break us
They will push us to the brink
They will make us sink

Those battles we face are not with others
Those battles are the ones within us

Fight those battles with your heart and soul
And remember there is a God who can pull you out of that hole

Some Things I Miss These Days

Quality time with Korean Mom at the pizza shop
Discussions after church about life and God
Night of annihilating raw fish among the locals
Hiking to local mountain peaks and admiring God's creations
Hearing the words Big Daddy (translated from Korean) from little ones

These are a just a few things I have become accustomed to living without since I left Korea.

Love

From March 9th
It encourages us to give our all
It shows the power of something so small

It tells us that we can shoot for the stars
It helps us erase long ago scars

It teaches us to forgive
It gives us the perfect reason to live

To My Purpose


from March 9th

I search for you
I long for you
I ask others to help me find you

God know what you are
I pray that one day he introduces us

Who knows if I will ever get far
But one day
I will locate you
My purpose

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

In Honor of Valentine's Week

A little Cupid-like humor.


1.  Roses are red,
     Violets are blue,
     Here I sit in bed,
     Drinking and dreaming of you

2.  Roses are red,
     Violets are blue,
     I just filled your ex up with lead,
     Quite proud aren't you
   
3. Roses are red,
    Violets are blue,
    I would rather be dead,
    But it looks like I am stuck with you

4. Roses are red,
    Violets are blue,
    The dogs have been  fed,
    Now let's lay down and  screw

5. Roses are red,
    Violets are blue,
    St. Valentine lost his head,
    Now don't you get an idea or two
    

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Slowly coming back

I have been absent for quite some time now. I am hoping to put a change to this pretty soon though.

First off, here is something I wanted to share. It is not too manly, but I managed to find this on the good men project website.

enjoy

Very Touching

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Going Through That Struggle

This is not related to the writings I have been doing lately. BTW - I have about five or six more writings that need a little tinkering before posting.

Tomorrow is actually the day I would be going back to Poland. Instead, I have decided to stay here for indefinite amount of time. Perhaps I will finally heed my calling. Perhaps I will go back to Eastern Europe in the Summer. For now I am staying put here in Memphis. I do have struggles at night though when I go to sleep. Deep down I feel the need to leave again, but my heart is here and I am here at the same time. Sometimes life requires a reality check. I think I am letting all this stuff affect me, because I am in a place that I have not known for such a long period of time since I was in high school.

Pray for me please. I do not ask this often, but please. I need a little guidance, and I am glad to have some of that in my writings these days. 

Exhaustion

When it hits you,
You know the feeling
When it hits you,
It leaves you reeling

Perhaps it is a test from God
Saying you can overcome this test
Perhaps it is a test from God
Saying, remember I know you best

Whatever it does to you
You have to stop and and reflect
Whatever it does to you
Remember you are not perfect

When it hits you,
Dig deep and find what makes you smile
When it hits you,
Know you will annihilate this trial

Perhaps it is a test from God
Saying trust in me my son
Perhaps it is a test from God
Saying the battle is almost won

Whatever it does to you
Do not give up on yourself
Whatever it does to you
Always believe in yourself

Monday, January 13, 2014

To You Old Man Winter

When you are ready to come back
Please let us know
We could do without that chilly attack
But darn right we would love some snow

When you are ready to come back
Please just take it real easy
We know the boss will not cut any slack
When you decide to turn icy

When are ready to come back
Please tell the weatherman the truth
We would love an enormous powdery stack
Without falling on the ice and busting a tooth

When are ready to come back
Please find me a nice warm cuddle buddy
We could warm up dancin' to a few nice tracks
Without feeling so cold and cruddy

So Old Man Winter Please Come Back






Saturday, January 11, 2014

Great Piece on Chivalry

This is a wonderful piece on the importance of Chivalry in our world today.

Read Me


Friday, January 10, 2014

That Thing

It is that thing that makes you weak in the knees
It is that thing that takes those butterflies away
It is that thing that makes you say "can you do that again please?"
It is that thing that takes you to a place where  you could permanently stay

It takes very little movement
It requires very little thought
It is a  nonverbal statement
It is something that can not be bought

It can happen anywhere
It can happen anytime
It can show that you care
It can show you in your prime

It can make a person's day
It can make a person's week
It can shine like a golden ray
It can shine like your world on a high mountain peak

FYI - ROUGH DRAFT 

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Next Topics Coming Soon

I am still working on the cat confessional, a piece about sports, one about Old Man River, and possibly even one about Elvis, and a few others.

It is almost the weekend.

Thank Goodness.

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

A Surreal Moment

It was the little girl who just wanted to touch her dog
That had been through a rough day of operations
She just wanted to be lifted to over and over
In her heart she showed worry for the little friend

As children we learn to love all
Even the four legged's in our lives

The love they provide us is like no other
Unconditional, loyal, and unwavering

Monday at work I was reminded of my teaching experiences in Korea. An employee at Fino's (one of my favorite Italian style restaurants in Memphis) brought her dog in for a variety of surgeries that morning. It was when her dog was recovering in the afternoon when she came by to visit with her young daughter. The daughter asked to be lifted up numerous times. I volunteered to lift her a few times so she could touch Cookie, their Boston Terrier. I was reminded of how some kids grow up loving their pets, when the little one even offered to spend the night at the clinic so she could be at the side of her companion. It was a reminder of my work as a teacher. Work that I do miss at times. 

Monday, January 6, 2014

Peace in My Memphis

I taste it  at Brother Juniper's
I hear it in the voices of our musical legends
I see it on the faces of Grizz fans and Tiger fans alike
I touch it while waking down  Beale Street
I smell it in the barbecue that smokes all around our city

Sunday, January 5, 2014

An Image

An Image
There is something to be said for an image that comes to one's mind.
The best you can do with that image is give it what it deserves - a story, a voice, a song, a poem.
Convey that image with the rest of the world.
You owe it to that image

Peace

Peace

I feel it in the handshake received from a stranger
I hear it in the song Amazing Grace
I see it on the face of a dog who has faced more adversity in life than one could imagine
I smell it in the barbecue of my hometown
I taste it in the kiss of a woman I long for

I feel it on the steering wheel during a long road trip
I hear it through the songbirds as I awaken to start my day
I see it on the face of a father watching his young daughter learn to rider her bike
I smell it in a forest full of pines
I taste it in that carefully crafted brew that represents a chapter in my life

This my friends is what I refer to as peace.

Friday, January 3, 2014

Random Fact

Since I'm too lazy to really mention my writing material tonight, I do have one random fact.

This is the first time since 2006 that I have spent Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day, in the same country. I'm pretty proud of that one. Would be nice with a good lady around for any of those three, but thankful for being around family.

Happy Friday Ya'll!

Topics Ready -- Mind is Not

So I have some writing that is ready to be written down, and will be written some time in the near future. There are plenty of topics that I have in mind.

Let me leave you with this for tonight though. Another great article from the good men project.

Read Me

Thursday, January 2, 2014

This is not what you'd expect

I originally published this post a few years ago.

After a night with a great friend who is going to help me strengthen my relationship with God, and a punching bag I decided to revisits some of these old posts. This one here can definitely help be a wake up call.

I was a little misled, but knowing the great writing on this site I was not surprised one bit.

Take a look at this one, and keep in mind, it is not what you expect.

Read Carefully

100 Things

Another lovely piece from the Good Men Project website.

100 things to do more often in 2014

A little piece on New Year's Resolutions

Why Do We Need New Year’s Resolutions?

I’m sure more experienced writers have tackled this issue. Why are these “resolutions” such a necessity in our lives once our calendars make that annual flip to January 1? Is it that “everyone else is doing it”, task that provokes us to want to be part of that “in-crowd”? Whatever it is, we have all different reasons for broadcasting our New Year’s resolutions to the world.

So Mr. Huck will offer his take on the subject at hand. Perhaps some of us take a look back at the previous year and wonder that famous “what could have been” type of thought. What if we did finally see Rome? What if we did not make that mistake in that relationship with a loved one? What if we did finally quit smoking? Or maybe we just wanted to get back to the gym and get ourselves in shape, but we just couldn’t make the time (famous last line) to do so.

Coming from my perspective, I am that “there is always room for improvement”, type of guy. I think that comes from being in Farmhouse Fraternity when I was at Western Kentucky University.  I always start the year thinking of improvements I should make in my life. Others would roll their eyes, and so be it. When you have been blessed with a good memory in your DNA, then you always remember the little stuff. When I say little stuff I mean that time when I was disrespectful to the Bulgarian hostel owner that I worked for, or the time when I little selfish motives came before that of someone else’s and I was reprimanded as a result of it.

Year after Year my primary resolution is simple: be a better man than you were last year. Naturally, (if you know me well) secondary resolutions usually consist of how ‘ole Johnny should be in better physical shape, or be healthier than the previous year.  Occasionally there is a resolution that relates to drinking – drink two or three fewer pints than the previous year, or hold off on the scotch until you gotta sing at the annual Christmas party.
Some may resolve to lose those extra pounds; others feel the need to finally get financially fit. I know a few folks who desire to visit certain countries or world-famous landmarks. Or some just want to do something different for a change, such as get into hot yoga – I’d love to get back to doing some of that hot (literally) stuff again sometime soon too.  Remember to be as positive as possible, ask others for support and never, ever give up. Those three key ingredients will help you to reach your goals, and then some. 

God Bless and Goodnight. 

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Site Recommendation

Hello everyone. I want to recommend this site to everyone. I have really enjoy the articles on here, and continue to heed the advice from them.

Good Men Project

Happy New Year

Dec. 31st. New Year's Eve - A time for reflection. A time to pause, and be reminded of all that has come and gone regardless of its effect on our lives. Some of us reflect on lives that have passed. 

I reflect on my musical hero. A man they called Possum was called to God's heavenly choir of Honky Tonk Angels this past year. He touched the lives of many. His music told stories that made us think he was singing about our lives. In the last years of his life we learned some valuable lessons: that with faith we can conquer anything, and the unwavering love a woman can bring a man back from the deepest pit of despair.

No one will ever fill his shoes, but we remember a true musical saint whose sound will carry on forever.