JUST ANOTHER DAY

My wife and I went to Nashville Monday for me to see my M. S. Doctor. He has been
my Doctor now for about nine years, and is always impressed at how well I'm doing.
He told me the same thing yesteray and encouraged me to exercise more if I can take
the pain. After telling him that I would, I asked him how come the two of us hadn't
changed at all throughout the years. He paused, looked at me and smiled. Then he
said something about all his gray hair, as if to say, "see what you've done to me!!"
After some blood work we headed across the state line back to civilization (KY)
but not before stopping at Cracker Barrel for supper.
Today I had an early morning meeting with someone at IHOP to talk over some
things about a college I attended a couple of years ago (I Wish). Then I had to stop
in at Barnes & Noble to read for awhile from a couple of new books I'm enjoying.
But before leaving, I picked up two more to brouse. I put them back down knowing
I don't need to buy them, although I most likely will read them some other time.
After my morning of being out and about, I headed home and ended up holding
Derby after he had had a bath. He was snug as a bug in a dry, warm rug while he
dried off and left me all wet. It's hard having a lap dog, laptop, newspaper and
telephone in my lap but we survived, even slept some (not much though).
Tonight I'm working with our Bible study group again since we start another
session Wednesday afternoon. Even if I am very tired tonight, I'm so gald I
can do all I do. Some sleep will restore my body and I will awaken to yet another
day and start all over again. After all, it's just another day.

CHECK-IN, CHECK-UP, CHECK OUT & CHECK

I have my regular check-up at the M. S. Clinic in Nashville Monday. They will check
me in, check me out & take my check. I hope the check-out is up and the check is low.
I always have to provide meds that I take so I take a long list so I won't be so long on
giving them the right information. I thought about adding a couple of false one's that
would put me behind bars for life but I can't remember what they are and where they
are. (just kidding mr police man, sir)
I can tell that I'm not as fast at some things as I once was. They say that when you
are almost as old as your oldest living brother, the pulse slows down, the hearing
goes and you've gotta go more often. I don't know though since I'm not that old. Time
will tell, I guess. I just hope I can remember when I'm that old to remember what I
just said. (what was it, Ethel?)
Well, I better get to bed because I need my rest at my age.

NOT A GAME

I am through reading a book by Leonard Sweet, I Am a Follower, that has spoken
to my soul so may times that I must re-read it again and again. He is concerned
that those of us who call ourselves "Christians" are more concerned about what
it is to be a leader than a follower. The entire book seeks to have us reflect upon
how we should follow the only Leader, Jesus Christ. We don't need more books,
seminars or sermons. What we need is to follow Jesus more. In so doing, we will
help others come to Christ.
We all have played Follow the Leader" in our life time. But have we followed the
Leader named Jesus? It isn't a game. It's a life-style to get others on board as
believers. I challenge you to read this book because it will help you have a better
understanding of what being a Christain is all about.

THIS IS THE TODAY SHOW

Today has been one of those day's I'd like to have many more of. I went to Barnes & Noble
this morning to meet with a group of six people I have coffee with often. Today one of the
group paid for my coffee before I could do it (I pretended my left hand hurt & I couldn't
reach my billfold - kidding).
Today we talked about so many things that my head got dizzy before we we're through.
When we broke up, I picked up a book called Quite to read a few more pages from it. I
really am interested in it because it deals with being an introvert or an extravert. I need
to see which one I am. Then today, a good looking woman asked me to go out to eat with
her at Panera Bread. She even paid for it with my honey money. When we parted, I
went back to Barnes & Noble and read some more while sipping more coffee. When I
got too tired to stay there, I headed home. When I got home, I read again before sneaking
a short nap in before my wife walked in the door from an afternoon of shopping. We had
planned to go out to eat tonight but thought it best to stay home and eat left-overs. They
were good the day after.
The Today Show has become The Tonight Show because I'm about to go in our bedroom
and watch tv there. Letterman, Leno, etc are on my menu for entertainment tonight. If
I get bored, I will click it off and head to dream-land. Speaking of dreams, last night was
wild! I attended a service at a church where I got bored before the preacher was through
preaching, so I left to go to the parking lot and get in my car and leave. However, I was
blocked in the parking lot by six or seven open caskets. Funeral directors were everywhere
I looked. When I got brave and hit the gas to get on my way, all of the sudden a procession
of people were marching on the street so that I couldn't leave. About that time I woke up
wondering what the dream was all about. To tell the truth, I don't want to now Today or
Tonight or tomorrow! (spooky stuff - too much to eat before going to sleep?)
Anyway, it has been a good day. I look foward to a good night's sleep without spooky'stuff
being back in my dreams.
I hope you had a great day.

SIGNS OF THE TIMES

Do you ever stop and then wonder why you stopped? Well, have I got a deal for you! For only $29
you can have a STOP sign to save you from wondering why you stopped. It is attached to a medal
ring on your head and the sign hangs out in front of you so you can see what you are doing and in only seconds stop what you started and go back to bed. Be warned: it works best beween 3:00 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. if the batteries are kept strong. When the batteries are getting weak, there is a faint beap to alert you to STOP and get new batteries. Stop now, wherever you are and order before this offer expires. And if you hurry, we will throw in a second sign for free: START. That way you can decide when to STOP and when to START by flipping the change left over from your wasted money you sent us. Hurry...hurry...hurry and we will pay for freight charges as welll. Note: in less that six months your signs will be left at your front door when UPS stops aand get you you started stopping. Thanks you for listening. I've got to rush off before the producer stops me from selling such silly signs to you. There is is....a sign right before me..... S T O P!!!

MEETINGS

Ihadameetingtonightthatmademetiredthat'swhythesewordsareallstucktogether.Ihaveanother
meetinginthemorning.Infact,IcouldofhadtwointhemorningbutIsaidIwasbusyatanothermeeting,
myabenexttime.AndIthoughtwasretired,nottiredWell,it'snicetobeneeded.Sorryabouthewords
beingsoclose.Iamtwotiredtopullthemapartforyou.

JUMP!

After attending worship this morning, my wife and I were waiting for our
daughter to lead us out of the parking lot. That's when the cell phone rang
and she informed us that she left her lights on during worship and her car
battery was dead.
I asked a couple of people leaving the parking lot if they could jump her
battery. No one had cables with them but one man said he would drive
home and get his and be right back. I headed on home in my car while my
wife and daughter waited for the man to return. When he arrived, he got
the battery jumped and soon they afterwards they headed home too.
Richard was so kind to take the time to offer us help on a cold, wet Sunday.
The good Samaritan came along just at the right time and jumped right in
to help her.

** Ohers would of helped had they had their jumper cable with them. They
said call AAA but along came the Good Samaritan who was willing to do
more.

TOP TEN

My wife says I moan and groan more and more so she wants to know why. Here are my top ten reasons why I moan and groan: 10. I work too hard and day. 9. I get bored because there isn't
any work to do. 8. Watching cars pass ou house from our front porch makes me tired. 7. coming
up with 10 right answers wears me out. 6. I lost my get-up& go & can't seem to get-up & go find
it. 5. My undies are too tight. 4. I'm almost as old as my oldest old brother. 3. I keep seeing my dad whenever I look in the mirror. 2. I can't see anything anybody said and I can't hear anything anyone see's. 1. It's a hymn I'm working on for the Rest Home & entitled: Come Moan, We've Gotta Be Groaning On Our Way. I have to hum it since I can't rember the words and because my teeth fall out if I hit a high note, Sing along now, children..a one, a 2......

music copywrited at songs you never want to hear,com

A DAY OFF

I slept in this morning untill 7:30. I would stayed in bed but Derby (dog) was scratching
at the door to go out. Therefore, I got up to let him out & get him back in. I stayed awake
and had my morning coffee while reading two morning newspapers. Then I watched the
up and down game between UK-Alabama, which UK won! Go Cats! I ate pizza before
doing a couple of other things here at home. Life sure can be tough on an old man even
on a Saturday when it's his day off. Speaking of off, I'm off this thing and off to take a
nap. After all, Sunday is comin'

ONCE UPON A TIME

While I was reading early this morning, I put my book aside and looked at my wrinkled
hands. I started thinking about where they have been and what they have done, and why
do they look like they do.
Once upon a time, long ago, they were so small and so soft. They were held in the hands
of mom and dad to keep me from falling or to pick me up when I did fall down. Once upon
a time they wrote words for the first time. They made a bed or they learned to ride a new
bike. Once upon a time they held a Bible given to me by my parents. Once upon a time
my hands held the hands of a young lady. And then once upon a time almost 43 years
ago they held the hands of my wife and then our children.
These wrinkled hands were once soft and smooth but now they show wrinkles, scars and
smudges of dirt even if my mom did tell me to was my dirty hands, many, many times.
These hands are slowly starting to look like the wrinkled hands of my aging father who
held a big King James Bible in them for the 300th time. When I look at the cast of dad's
hands that are in our house, I remember that once upon a time, not all that long ago,
those hands waved a kiss towards me from the bed upon which dad died.
What do your hands look like? Why do they look as they do? Let me hand it to you to
keep using your hands to do the very best you can to touch someone with compassion
and care like our Lord did with His hands, long, long ago, and even again today.
Every Sunday I look down at my hands while in worship at the early service at church.
While the preacher preaches I see my hands. I see the aging hands that soon will
take communion bread and juice and consecrate it for the congregation and soon
there after, serve them one by one the Lords' Supper. It's then and there that I know
that at that time, I'm doing what God called me to do when I said yes to being a
pastor. But there is something else that happens in that service that touches me.
Years ago I served communion to some of the very people who approach me each
Sunday now. And when they reach out their hands to take the bread, I see aging
hands that were soft and smooth once upon a time.

MOVIES IN THE MORNING

As I grow older, I'm watching more and more old, old movies. I turn the Turner
Classic Movies on and watch movies from way back when. The problem I have
is how many of the movies or actors I can call by name quicker than I can snap
my fingers. I can't do that very well when it comes to today's movies. I guess I
just happen to like the goodd old day's better.
It's 6:30 a.m. cdt and I'm about to watch Joan in Paris just to see if I remember
anyone from the movie. Looking at the cast of character's thus far, I can't place
one name in my old mind. Maybe I will the next time I watch it. Or, I may turn
Turner off and turn on Good Morning America and see if I know any of the
people on it. Better yet, I may go back to sleep after my morning cup's of hot
coffee. Problem with that though is having to get up and go to the bathroom
so many times, just like being at the movies. Excuse me, please, I have to go
right now!

YOU ASKED FOR IT

While I was having coffee this morning at Barnes & Noble, a man from our coffee group
came in late. When he saw me he pointed at me and said, "Hello, potted plant (because
I'm there so often)." I looked at him and said, "Atleast I'm not a blooming idiot!" He
hushed up but smiled at me as if to say, "I'll get even." I doubt it because I'm too quick
on the draw. Besides, my plants are resting for the winter.
I enjoyed reading from four books while I was at Barnes & Noble today. I needed to stay
there and take my time being by myself after the coffee club guy's left. It was so nice to
not have to be anywhere else, doing something else. (my wife may not agree with me)
I started reading a new book that I really was blessed by reading as much of it as I did.
I'll have to go back (soon, I hope) to finish it. I even cheated and wrote down a couple
of notes from it.
The Cafe' was full with people talking, reading, playing cards or chess while sipping a
drink & eating something. I only knew one person in the crowded cafe' so I said something
to her as I was leaving.

ATTENDANCE WAS WAY UP

Our pastor was gone last Sunday and someone else from the staff preached. I wanted
to ask him today in church if he saw how high the attendance was last Sunday when
he didn't preach. The week before was less than 800 and last Sunday it was almost
1300. Maybe he should let staff members preach more often if he wants to see the
church grow. (ha)
He preached to a full house today and preached a great sermon on the subject of prayer.
If I had asked him what I wanted too, I might need prayer! come to think about it, I
do!!

AN AFTERNOON TO REMEMBER

This afternoon while I was watching football, I realized I had on a sweater that belonged
to my twin who died last year. All of the sudden I could see him in his house sitting on his
lazy boy with his dog in his lap while watching tv and wearing the sweater I have on. You
see, I was sitting on my lazy boy with our dog in my lap watching tv with that sweater on.
Wierd, I felt Harold's presence and almost heard him saying, "nice dog, nice lazy boy, nice
tv, hey! THAT'S MY SWEATER!!" Well, it's mine now and I'll take good care of it. Except,
I should ask Harold what this food stain is on the right sleave.

I'M BACK!

This is the first time in a very long time to blog for me. I have been on facebook instead. I just
did this for the fun of it. If anyone is still reading my blog, let me know. Thanks.

The new garage door was put in place yesterday morning at our house
after a few weeks without a door at all. It looks so nice, keeps the house
cooler and safer. As we rejoice in this being done, we also are trying to
get some rest after a very busy two weeks.
I plan to go to Barnes & Noble Wednesday and read from a couple of
new books while drinking coffee and eating a blueberry muffin. I had
wanted to go today but I had to take the dog for a shot and help do
a couple of things here at home. It worked out. My wife made a cobbler
this afternoon and it is sooooooo goooooooooood.

A HOT HOUSE

I'm glad to say that at the end of this second day we have
a new ac in place and clean air ducts. Today was worse
than yesterday due to not having the ac on as much. It
has been a hot house with little cool air at all. Even if a
fan was blowing, it was blowing hot air!
It will take all night to get it cooler inside due to the hot
outside. But we are delight that we have ac most of the
time when others don't have it at all. I feel so sorry for
those that don't have ac at all.
We look forward to next Monday morning because that
is when a new garage door will be put in place. We and
our dog will be glad because it gives us safety as well as
a quiter house. Besides, it will look better than no door
at all or tarps hanging down to keep the weather out. We
might even win an award for the best improved house
in Hunting Creek. We even gave the old door away today
to someone for scrap medal. I have an idea whe did pretty
well with taking it off our hands. Good for him, good for
us.
I plan to rest Wednesday after two hot day's here at home.
As I've said, we both worn out with waiting, working and
having a hot house on two very hot day's. By the way, our
son came today and plans to leave Wednesday. He should
of taken my advice and come at a better time. However, it
is so good having home even if it hot stuff!

A HEAT WAVE

I attended the 8:15 service this morning and then headed
home to let my nephew drop his dog off for the week at our
house while his family is at music camp. Now we have two
barking dogs to take care of till Saturday. the worse thing
(really best) is that tomorrow the air-conditioning will be
shut down while a new one is installed through Tuesday.
We can't complain since we have had air-condioning while
some people don't have any at all.
I went to Barnes & Noble and started reading a new book
this afternoon. It was a cool place to be while drinking my
hot coffee and reading a the same time. I may go back in
the morning if I can't stand the heat (get out of the kitchen)
and I doubt I can. It will be a heat wave as I wave good bye
to the dog's & my dear wife.

BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING

Big brother is watching. That is an old statement about the
possibity of the government watching everything anyone
does. But I like big brother better because my big brother
is watching out for me and our younger brother.
It is nice to get a phone call from big brother to check up
on you and it is even nicer to know that big brother is much
older than I am. He doesn't look as old as he almost is (soon)
but he sure is wise in his ways.
May the Lord look down upon my big brother and bless and
keep him safe and sound. May the Lord look down upon my
big brother because he is someone I care about a great deal.
Thanks big brother, Kenneth.

SATURDAY SILENCE

I got up before 5:30 and took the two news papers to the back
deck to read them. Instead, I found myself staring at the gray
sky above and the fog. It looked so calm. Then I listened to the
silence of the early morning and thanked the Lord for another
new day.
As I drank coffee and read the papers, I placed a covering down
on the deck for Derby (dog) so he wouldn't get wet from the wet
deck. A few minutes after that I felt somehing on my left foot. It
was Derby telling me he was ready to come back inside. So, here
I am at the desk while Derby is back in bed beside our daughter.
Maybe I can get something done now.
I twisted and turned all night it seems. I think i had too much on
my mind to sleep well. Most of the time I sleep pretty well through
the night. Not last night. I'm glad it doesn't happen very often. It
could be too much coffee or too much rubert pie or somethimg like
that.
My right leg looks like it's all red from a fall a few weeks ago. While
it is healing and not hurting, it is amazing to see it like this. As the
healing takes places the blood goes down the leg until it's healed.
The small knot on my hip isn't as big as it has been but it's still
there. It reminds me of just how quick things change and that I
better behave. Well, try to behave. I walk with my cane most of
the time and try to watch where I'm going. I just hope it's not down
again.
That's enough stuff for a Saturday filled with silence. Soon the sounds
of silence will be replaced with the sounds of traffic, people, tv, and
things like that. As Paul Harvey would say, "Good day."