Woodpecker

Alright, I hear some of my friends snickering already. And to the Fearless One, it has nothing to do with that.  This is about the red headed beast that has decided that our chimney top is akin to a tree but sounds like a series of small explosions when he begins his morning routine.

Exactly what is it about the metal cap on our chimney that attracts a Woodpecker? I mean seriously, it doesn't even come close to resembling a tree trunk. Is this the domain of a mentally defective bird or is there really something about the metal cap that birds find appealing? Maybe it is the sound. Or maybe it is the fact that it drives the inhabitants of the domicile crazy. It is possible that birds could be that vindictive? Even it that were true, I have done nothing to attract the ire of this particular bird.

Well there was the time last year when I saw him working a dead tree in our wetlands and I called him Woody. Surely he would not take such offense that he would launch an assault on our peaceful mornings. Well, whatever the reason, I hope he finds a real tree and moves along soon. I have enough trouble sleeping in and don't need his help waking in the mornings.

A Near Tragedy

Like any other day, I came home and walked through the kitchen to put my briefcase at the table where I frequently write.  As I passed through the kitchen I spoke briefly with the Butternut Squash who most of you know, an found it to be somewhat despondent. I was not totally surprised by this.  It has had some issues lately with it's identity and purpose in life; things we all struggle with at times.

So I changed my clothes and set out to have a wine on the veranda while I let dinner cook.  I was somewhat preoccupied in my online activities when I noticed Butternut Squash sauntering towards the balcony of the veranda.  I didn't think too much about it.  This wouldn't be the first time it joined me on the veranda to get some fresh air.

It turns out this was different.  This time my despondent little buddy had ill will on his  mind.  I caught him just in the nick of time as he leaped onto the top rail of the balcony and was preparing to leap over the edge down to the ground 15 feet below!

We talked for awhile and it became apparent that he needed some professional counseling.  So, I have decided to return him to Kroger where he can get the necessary help and maybe be sent to a home where he can be rehabilitated and maybe even find and satisfy his true purpose in life.

Obviously he is not finding that here and I don't have the skills to aid him in his life's journey.

I will return him tomorrow and wish him god speed in his recovery!!!

Continuing Saga of the Butternut Squash

Hello, I am a butternut squash.  I know, you are thinking what a privileged life I lead.  You are so wrong!!!  Let me just say that I am 2 weeks old and living a totally unfulfilled life.  I came to this home with the anticipation of becoming the quintessential mealtime vegetable for this family.  Have I been able to fulfill that goal? No!  I say again, No!!!  I sit on the counter and no longer believe that I have any possibility of becoming the butternut squash of which dreams are made!!!!!!

I don't mean to linger on my whoas, I just want to put the word out to other butternut squash that life isn't always fair and that sometimes you have to adjust your expectations to meet the challenges of the real world.

Mind you, I am living  with a kind and just couple that would love to help me fulfill my dreams but they are incapable of helping me achieve my full potential.  They need the skilled hands of a premiere chef to aid in the proper form of butternut squash preparation.  I cry out to that certain someone who could help them help me fulfill my dreams.  Please come to our aid!!!!

As always, your most sincere butternut squash.

The Perfect Moment

It is my belief that throughout a person's lifetime they experience a number of what I will call "Perfect Moments".  There are actually two types of Perfect Moments.  The first is simply one of those life experiences that you want to last a lifetime.  Did you ever wake up from a dream and immediately want to fall back asleep and go back into the dream?  It's kind of like that.  I'll give you an example.  One of the first evenings I spent with my wife was before we were even dating.  We stopped after work at a local pub in Royal Oak and ordered Bloody Marys.  I think we sat in that bar and sipped Bloody Marys for what seemed hours.  All we did was talk.  It was a very innocent evening of conversation, laughter and sharing experiences.  I remember being so terribly disappointed when the evening ended.  It was one of those Perfect Moments when I wished I could have just stopped time and enjoyed the experience forever.  I have experienced many of these over the past 30 years.

The other Perfect Moment is a bit more complex and requires thought, action and frequently a bit of bravery on the part of the participant. This is a moment in time when all of the planets align, circumstances fall appropriately into place and an opportunity presents itself with astounding clarity.  Now all you have to do is choose to act.  If you are a guy, think about the first time you felt like you wanted to kiss that special girl and you even felt like she was hoping you would.  Did you act on that Perfect Moment?  Or maybe it was that time when it seemed like you could cut the sexual tension in the air with a knife. You felt it, she felt it and the location and circumstances were perfect.  Did you act on that Perfect Moment?

Of course it is not always about the activities between a man and a woman; those are just the most intensely charged moments.  I have personally had Perfect Moments in sporting activities.  I am playing well and I know I can make this shot.  It is a high risk/reward play but everything inside me says, "Go for it".  Did I choose to take the shot or layup and play it safe?

I can say with certainty that I went for it in sports far more often then I did when it meant putting my emotions and feelings at risk!  However, it is those moments when you put it all on the line that makes life worth living.  It is in those Perfect Moments that we feel most alive.  Not just in the outcome but also in the process of making the decision and acting on it.

I think those that truly enjoy life are expert at recognizing when those moments exist and when presented with those opportunities, as the song says, "I hope you dance"!!!!

Thankful

Frequently in life, adversity is defeated by prayer and positive thoughts. This was one of those weeks. I am giving thanks tonight for what I originally thought was going to be a replay of the loss of a close friend. As it turns out, all is well and the medical community is providing my friend with the tools to ensure that this doesn't develop into a major health issue.

God bless the dedicated health care professionals that strive to serve us all in our quest for continued good health. Praise The Lord whose hand guides these individuals!

I offer a prayer to all of those suffering through health issues, may they be comforted in the knowledge that they are never alone. God walks with them!

25th Wedding Anniversary Vacation

On our 25th wedding anniversary, Snuzy and I traveled to Hawaii!!!  We have already spent a week in Oahu and have posted a few pictures on Facebook and now we are in Maui and getting started on seeing this beautiful island.  Here are just a couple of pictures of a view from the beach and the lobby of the Grand Wailea.  I think "Wow" describes this place pretty well.

This picture was taken from a walkway along the ocean right in front of the beach houses next to our hotel.

This is the lobby bar of the Grand Wailea taken from the registration area.

Just wondering.....

I have been reading about the IRS profiling, or harassing or whatever you want to call that mess.  And of course there is infiltrating the private phone data for the AP reporters and I am wondering where the ACLU is in all of this.  Am I wrong in thinking that if these were liberal groups, the ACLU would have filed suits already against the perpetrators?  So where are they?