NOT NOW

We had planned on going to Nashville today but my wife wasn't feeling up to the trip, so we
didn't go. She slept in and I slipped on off a couple of other places. After being gone for a
couple of hours I headed home for the rest of the day. And, rest is what I did. I think that
I worked to much Monday and was worn out. I'm glad to say that we are both better and
look forward to Senior Day at Kroger Wednesday. Not!!!
I'm several pages into a book about the many ways God whispers to us. Bill Hybels has a
good way of sharing stories of how God whispers to people in one way or another, at one
time or another. I have heard the whisper of God and felt the nudge needed to get me up
and get me going. "Be still and know that I am God" is one way God whispers or even
shouts in our souls. Stop. Look. Listen.

MONDAY MUSING

I got my wife up early today so we could go to Hardee's for breakfast before going to
my brother's house to do yard work. I trimmed bushes while she sprayed weeds and
did some clean-up on the back porch. We did more than we had planned but it was
well worth it. When we got home, I tilled a small space for our fall garden. Now I'm
all out of strength and resting my sore, tired bones before she suggest something
else for me to do. Next time, I'll let her sleep in so I can escape to Barnes & Noble
to read and drink a cup of coffee.
We have to go to Nashville Tuesday. Last time we ate at the Pancake Pantry . Maybe
we can eat at some other fancy food place, like Wendy's. I don't mind the drive to
Nashville, it's the drive home afterwards. It seems like we go about every other
week for one reason or another. Too bad we don't have a place to stay there. Maybe
I can get a country singer to let us stay over night. Little Jimmy Dicken's, where
are you?
I got caught and tilled for our fall garden and then raked it before taking a shower.
I wonder if we will have a good crop of jelly-beans. Smuckers, eat your heart out!

"WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THAT?"

Every Other Monday is a book about some men who meet every other Monday to study
Scriptures together. It's also about how much the meeting means to each one of them. It
stresses that they have become a band of brothers as they shares with one another. They
have been meeting for twenty years now.
Throughout the years, I've met with some men in something similiar. While there have
been different groups at different times and different locations, they have been a band
of brothers for me. I meet monthly with two men at a resturant simply to share jokes,
stories, problems and the like. When we meet this Friday, it will be like getting a jump
start in my soul. I always leave feeling refreshed by the food and the fellowship. I'm
thinking about starting a second group for gathering somewhere soon. It does a soul
good.
While I was reading this new book I thought, why didn't I think of that? Story after
story comes to mind as I reflect upon things we've said and done over the years. It
might not be best seller but it would be about the best food and fellowship anyone
could ever get at a gathering of a band of brothers.

JUST THE RIGHT FIT

I stayed home all day today to read and relax. I started reading a book about some
men who meet every other Monday simply to study God's word and see how it can
apply in their lives. As I read it, I'm reminded of small groups I've been in over the
years and the one I'm in at this time. What a blessing they've been in my life.
Saturday morning I'm picking a friend up at 7:45 to take him to a smalll group of
men who meet monthly. Since he is new in town, he needs assistance in finding a
small group that he can join for fellowship from time to time. It is my opionion
that not everyone fits in every group. There have to be certain things in place for
it to work. My hope is that he will find the right fit for fellowship that will enrich
him and others.
Little did I know how much I needed to stay in today. I read and slept off and on
throughout the day. I did cross the street to see a new neighbor who is in his mid-
eighties. Cecil and I hit it off the first time we saw one anther, even if he is a
Baptist! We love to laugh as we listen to one another tell stories. Little did I know
that Cecil could bless my day so much. I just hope that I bless him too. As far as I
can tell, it's the right fit. Hey! Where's my wallet?

A BOOK CASE

After being at Barnes & noble this morning, I stopped at another book store to see
if they had any boxes for me to bring home. While someone was checking that out,
I checked out some new books. Before I knew it, I had bought three new books to
bring home. When I left the book store, I had several boxes and three new books.
The funny thing is this, I needed the boxes to put books in that I don't want or
need any more. I'm taking them to the library for a book sale that they have. All
I can say is, there will be three more one of these days that they can have.
One new book is about someone who meets every other Monday with friends to
talk things over that they have in common. One book is about the way God whispers
to us in so many different ways. And the last new book is about how God nudges
us from time to time in one way or another. Since I read books at a fast pace, I
have an idea these three new books will join dozens of other books on a book case
before long. By the way, my wife and I are going out for supper and by a couple
of places looking for another book case. If you remember, one of my books that
I've read and re-read is, The Man Who Loved Books Too Much. Case closed! Guilty,
as charged by my dear wife.

GO JUMP IN THE LAKE!

Saturday I went with my family to a family reunion on my wife's side of the family. It was
beside a lake where is a nice picnic shelter fans to boot. After I had the prayer, we dug into
all the food. It was great tasting even if the weather was hot. Before much longer, I knew
I didn't need to stay in the heat. I drove into E'town and went to Barnes & Noble where
it was cool. I read through a couple of books and took it easy until I knew I had to leave
and go back out into the hot heat.
When I retured, I saw that several had already left and headed home. Before long, we
were on our way back to Bowling Green. While we had a great time, I vote to not meet
in the heat but on a cooler day in October. If ayone wants to swim, they can go jump in
the lake before we gather in cooler weather. As for me, I can't stand the summer heat
much more.

ROOMS - ROOMS - ROOMS

One bedroom is now an office and one bedroom is now a new bedroom & the Living
Room is now a Living Room & not an office. Got all that? And I've got a sore back
to prove it! Looks great & works great as far as I can tell. I'm sure my wife and my
daughter will have something to say soon. I sure hope they agree with me.
Speaking of rooms, I want to go to our bedroom and sleep after a busy Friday
the 13th. We have to go to Elizabethtown Saturday for a reunion. The only good
news about the bad news is that there is lake and nice shelter to stay cooler on a
hot day. Maybe after eating I can slip off to Barnes & Noble while they meet. They
will never miss me since I'm so quite. Not!

BEEN BUSY

After our son moved out of his bedroom, our daughter said she wanted to ove into
his room. Yesterday, I moved her thinghs into that room and then moved most of
or office things into what had been her bedroom. Friday will me the time when we
arrange the living room to be a living room. It's like playing musical rooms. Grab
what you can when you can. I'm too tired and too sore to even get up out of this chair
and go to the bathroom, let alone, do much more moving. I move that we don't
move. Can I get a second to my motion?
I did slip into Barnes & Noble after a couple of hospital visits today. While I was
there I read a 222 page book about being a better husband. Since we celebrated
41 years Monday, I figure I could use a couple of clues in how to be a better
husband. Now, I have to put them into practice. I even took my wife out to
eat tonight as a date. What a great guy!

"A KEEPER"

When I was ordering coffee at Barnes & Noble this morning, the woman taking the
order asked me something, twice. I didn't hear her either time. When I did, I told
her my wife was thinking about getting rid of me or the hearing aids. She said, "I
think you're a keeper, she can always get better hearing aids." I then told her we
would celebrate being married 41 years Monday, so she was stuck with me.
As for the hearing aids, they work just fine. It's just that I'm not paying much
attention when someone speaks. As for me being a keeper, that's a bigger issue.
My wife keeps me busy. My wife keeps me waiting. My wife keeps me from
driving too fast. She is the keeper when it comes right down to it!
I'm keeping my wife after all these years because she needs me. I'm keeping
my wife because she loves me, for better or for worse. Besides, I love her too
much to start over.

SHE SAID I COULD

While my wife and I were at Barnes & Noble yesterday afterrnoon, my wife asked
me why I hadn't gotten something sweet to eat. To be honest, I hadn't thought about
doing it. Until she asked me that question.
Sure enough, I got up and ordered a brownie to go with my cup of coffee. After all,
she said I could. Her could became my should before I couild blink an eye. As I
ate it, I was glad she gave me permission to induldge on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
I wonder if she will ever ask me that question again after I took her up on it. The
biggest problem now will be to take it all off! That's what I say.