THE "BUZZ"

My Dad never would let me get one. He said, “No!” And, I took it as rather emphatic. He wouldn’t even let me wear tennis shoes until I played basketball. But, today is the Day of the Buzz! I went to barber after barber. I challenged them. I begged them. I promise! You will not offend me if you cut it too short. I know how they felt. This poor dude hasn’t got any hair to spare! Finally I found Zoom Lady (as my three year old grandson calls her. Boy, did she buzz it. It took about three trips, but on that third trip it came off. That's all right. I'm Okay. It ain't nothin' but another day!

Daddy, I had no conscience problems about it one way or the other. May you rest in peace!

Sometimes his belt landed hard on either side of my keister. That’s all right. I’m okay. It ain’t nothin’ but another day!

Shortly after I got my Buzz, a lady, who rarely has anything to say to me, told me, Now you are cutting your hair like them (inmates). Did you get that haircut out there? I replied, I love it! and went on. I do love it, but it cost me $10 plus tip. That’s all right. I’m okay. It ain’t nothin’ but another day!

So, guess what I did. A few weeks later I arrived at my early group at 0600 and the group wasn’t there yet. So, I seized the opportunity. I ran into the inmate’s barber shop and got a Buzz. No charge, of course! No tip! He’d been wanting to do it for quite some time, so I just let him. Looked great! That’s all right. I’m okay. It ain’t nothin’ but another day!

We just covered events that occurred over a space of 50 years in one little Blog. With the help of the lyrics of Montgomery Gentry we were able to make each event an existential moment. That’s all right. I’m okay. It ain’t nothin’ but another day! See how easy that was!

This one’s for you, Barb. That’s all right. I’m okay. It ain’t nothing but another day! Only God knows where I’d be if you ever stopped loving me.

Have a great day, a week full of marvelous moments. Get a Buzz if you want one! Try something new and different. You only live once, physically. Make it happen!!!

La la la la la la la!

Boy I caught it! Lost my voice completely on Sunday; doctor on Monday. My left eye is falling out and my lungs seem like that they might come up with my next cough. Graphic enough? You know about it because you’ve been there before.

What do you do for something to do in times like this? Watch videos! Now Tim did his Dad great with the new video Live Like You Were Dying. But Tim McGraw is nowhere near my favorite singer (much to the chagrin to you #1 Country Entertainer fans). Of course, Tug was no Sandy Kofax or even a modern Eric Gagne. (I will always bleed Dodger Blue). But, Tug was awesome, unlike his son—who, isn’t altogether bad, but lackluster when it comes to some of my favorites.

I really like Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss, the latter since she hit the music scene. Their song Whiskey Lullaby needs a sequel or something; a beautiful tune that somehow needs a new storyline, a different point of view, or certainly a different ending. Suicide is never the answer! Can I repeat that loud and clear: SUICIDE IS NEVER THE ANSWER!!!

He (She) put that bottle to his (her) head and pulled the trigger
And finally drank away his (her) memory.
Life is short but this time it was bigger,
Than the strength he (she) had to get up off his (her) knees.

Will it be the bottle, a gun, pills, pick one or choose another and I will tell you it is a ‘cop out’ par excellence. That’s right. There is no one that important that you should take your life over him or her. I am living evidence.

Will you let me be brutally honest? I once was in love or, so I thought at the time. No one could ever take her place. Something got in the way. It was over. I went to the county line. I went to the bars. One night I drank Jack till I guess I pulled the trigger. I went through a windshield face-first. Hospital time, big time! For some reason, I lived, Praise the Lord!

Later in life I found that real love of my life. 39 years later I have no regrets. You can’t imagine how many times I have thanked the Lord for that one more chance and for this lady who has help make my life. No La la la la la la! No Whiskey Lullaby; just plain living to the glory of God (I Cor. 10:13)—coming up so short most of the time. But, praise the Lord there is today! Thank you, Lord!

Life is a gift. It was given to each of us. We give ours to whomever we choose in the moments of time that we have. We must choose wisely. Time is precious as are people. What kind of gift are you? With whom will you share? When will you do it? You have the moment. . .use it wisely. h

Existential Moment!

There is no time like the present. That's what this little Blogspot is all about. You might wonder: What is a Blog? Webster's New Millennium Dictionary of English (2003) defines it as a personal Web site that provides updated headlines and news articles of other sights that are of interest to the user, also may include journal entries, commentaries, and recommendations compiled by the user; also written web log. Weblog: also called blog. Of course, you already knew that but you can't take too much for granted these days.

I tried websights and paid this particular company a small fortune, to change the words of a Montgomery Gentry song a little, I got way too little for way too much, money, that is. So--let's Blog! I think it will be better anyway. I plan to run two of these and will share the addresses at the conclusion of this note. Bloging Along in Real Time will reflect something I strongly believe in : TODAY!!! There's no time like the present. Existentialism, or perhaps you like the Bible better. Try James 4:13ff.

Have you ever watched Pure Country? Believe it or not that's exactly what I am doing right this moment with some inmates in a TDCJ-ID Correctional Facility. There's a moment in that movie when Dusty (George Straight) has this look that might be mistaken for confusion--trust me, it was a moment of discovery. I've often called those existential moments. These are the moments in time when reality comes crashing down on you. There may not be complete clarity on all issues at that very moment, but trust me, it will come.

After a very poignant discussion with Earl about dancing chickens, Dusty says, I'm just going to take me a little walk. Certainly this is a defining moment in the story as he walks away to a new life. When he finally returns he does things a new way--a way he chose as best for his life and the life of this stage crew.

I would never suggest you walk away from those you love. But, there are times in life we really need a fresh start at what we are doing. It may be what we are doing needs a new look. Perhaps we may just need to approach it differently.

Well, that's what this little Blogsight will be about. Check it out early each week. I pledge a new message just for that week (the day) and just for you. Have a great day! h