Greetings;
It’s been a while
since the last post, so I best get with the program? Two Thousand Thirteen will
soon go down in history. Another 15,000 miles have been added to the odometer
on the Honda. One trip to Kingman, Arizona for the final moments of my dear sister-in-law,
in October. On the way back stopping by to see a long lost friend in
Farmington, New Mexico. I have driven very few miles on the Harley, it seems I
have lost the intrigue of riding, solo. I am not as sure of myself holding the
600 pound machine up on two wheels when parking. I can’t bring myself to the
point of disposing of it either yet! It’s kindda like your first love. I
would like to retain it until I have reached the 300,000 mile marker however.
There will be no more long distance excursions, like the 1999 trip to Belgium
with my two buddies I became acquainted with in 1998 on the way to Milwaukee
for the reunion. If you have a hankering to join up with someone, I would be
most delighted to entertain the idea.
Two Thousand
Thirteen has been a roller coaster year, with about the same agenda as previous
years. My health has been reasonably stable, no new problems to speak of. My
Cardio Doc has given up on me trying to control the cholesterol, and the PC doc
has given permission to discontinue them all until further notice. Have had
several basal cell carcinomas surgeries, and many that were frozen. I have
maintained my weight to some degree, minus 5#. My eating habits are changing as
I attain age. Still a meat & potato man like when I was much younger. I can
accommodate an invite for dinner anytime. Fortunately I rarely gain
weight as my metabolism takes care of that. I have had a couple minor fix it
jobs, due to the energy level which runs out very quickly no other work. I do
however try to take my daily walks, that vary from ½ to 3 miles. I added a
Concealed Carry Permit to my collection of merits. Finished 24 years as the
Resident Chaplain with the Motorcycle Road racing Association, opted to stay one
more year as the Lord leads. Performed several weddings and numerous counseling
sessions. I recently spent ten days in Florida, near the Gulf, celebrating an
early Christmas with a dear buddy of mine and his Mom. Had a great time,
sightseeing, and watching the guys fish. I learned to eat fish [fresh caught].
As a child I got burned out on fish and never have attained a great taste for
them. Maybe now I can start from scratch again? The humidity was considerably
different than Colorado, 65º is Florida is MUCH different than 65º in Colorado.
Go ahead and laugh!! I’ll take summer fly fishing any day over the fishing
routine there. However had we had the opportunity to take the boat out for deep
sea fishing, that may have changed my mind. Did see some big catches, though!
I’d like to share a script of mine penned 30+ years ago.
Reminiscing of childhood Christmases, this time of year brought
very special meaning. Anticipation of it’s arrival was quite a bit more than a
young child could bear. The smell of fresh baking cookies, breads, pies &
candy for the Big Day’s feast. The rushing secretive movements of my Father
& Mother, not to mention my four older brothers. The garage, barn, bedroom
sometimes were off limits for short periods of time, especially the high
shelves in the closets, which stood vigil from curious little hands. Plans and
invites were made far in advance, even at Aunts & Uncles places. And
finally CHRISTMAS DAY!
Nothing fancy, no tree, no wrapped presents. Mother busy in the
kitchen tendering the ole wood burning Home Comfort stove. Breakfast was on the
grill and so was the smell of the summer’s goose or turkey. The old six hole
stove was pouring puffs of smoke into the crisp winter morning sky, seemingly
knowing just what to do. Besides cooking meals for a hungry family, it also kept
the three roomed weather shack and it’s occupants toasty warm. After the
morning chores of milking cows, slopping the pigs,, feeding the chickens, then
carting in wood & coal for the day’s burn. We carted in buckets of water as
well for drinking and cooking. Breakfast was set on an old round oak table with
many coats of varnish on it. It was surrounded by four painted chairs that
didn’t match and a five foot wooden bench along the wall for the little ones.
Oatmeal with real cream, twa-bach [a German semi-sweet bread], several dozen
fried eggs sunny side up, pancakes, freshly cured ham, coffee, whole milk &
sassafras held us till noon. After this was gone, everybody except Mother
pitched in to do the dishes. Just who’s turn it was to dry didn't matter,
let’s hurry. The moment everyone had diligently waited for; big shortening cans
full of home made cookies, popcorn balls, peanut brittle, [Father’s delight]
divinity was brought out to enjoy. Then Father would bring out the old
worn German Bible and read the Christmas story, all gathered around the table
with an oil lamp in the center, I stood on the back rung on Father’s chair,
looking over his shoulder. Small home made variety gifts, needed clothing
[usually a pair of overalls, a polo shirt, gloves] or coat, a pair of shoes
were handed out, sometimes with an orange or apple. We were extremely
blessed, times were very hard in the depression, but we made do with what we
had and were happy.
MERRY CHRISTMAS to all. And a Blessed New Year.
Brother Paul
