Have the Will to Fight

Satisfied is the man who never gives up in moments of sorrow.

Desperation is not the end; it's an opportunity to prove yourself better than what life has to throw at you. 

Heroes are made in the storm; so are cowards.  Stand and fight.  Fight at all costs for whatever is good and noble.

Choose your battles wisely, but don't run or hide if attacked. 

Fight for Truth. 

Fight for the good. 

Fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. 

Even if you think that's you.  Fight.  Don't let the attacker get all the punches.  You can always fight for yourself even if it is a battle of the will. 

The will is where all battles have the first punch.  The will decides whether to run or fight. 

It's not the man or the training.  It's the will.

Victory is not found in the body.  Victory is a product of the will.

Never, ever, give in to the forces of evil.

Fight with all your will and then fight with one more punch.

Don't be fooled by the modern lie that "violence never solves anything."  They don't call counselors or psychologists when the wolf attacks the sheep.  They call armed men & women to extend violence to the attacker.  Train and be prepared to fight when danger kicks in your door.

Don't wait in fear.  Fight for you life.  Fight for those around you.  Fight for you family.

Be strong.  Be courageous. 

Read. Write. Play.

Before I had a toddler running around my desk, there always seemed to be three things on my daily To-Do List.

1. Read.
2. Write.
3. Play music.

Oh, how I wish I had many hours to do these things again.  I had time for them while in college, but sadly I spent too many hours doing something other than studying.

I finally got my act together in grad school.  I loved reading, research, and writing.  Although, I didn't care for the deadlines too much.  I played guitar an hour or two a day; I had a twelve-string and two six-strings.  I enjoyed Friday and Saturday nights with some extracurricular reading; a good novel seemed better with a cup of tea.

Now with a full-time job, a family - I did mention the toddler, right? - and the necessary tasks that come with it, extended time for those three joys seem gone for good.  Those relaxing days curled up in a comfy chair reading while wrapped in my blanket cocoon are probably nothing but a memory.

I cherish every minute I can flip the pages or strum the strings.  I know there are many successful writers who found time for their craft while wrangling toddlers during diaper changes and bottle feedings.  I hope I am able to do the same.

Now there are three new daily tasks on my Daddy To-Do List.

1. Read to my son those thick-paged baby books asking which animal lives in the trees or what color is Elmo's fur.
2. Read my Bible and other books to strengthen me to be the man, husband, and father I need to be.
3. Play the classics on my guitar for my son:  Old MacDonald, There's a Hole in the Bottom of the Sea, and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and any others that come to mind.

So, listen up you youngsters!  While you're still young and have plenty of free time on your hands, don't waste it on mind-numbing activities.   Grab a book or tune an instrument and let your mind escape this crazy world for a while, because there's a crazier (but more joyful) world coming.

Poison Ivy

This is not some catchy title for a blog.  I have poison ivy from my wrists to my elbows on both arms.  The itching is driving me crazy.  I'm taking antihistamines, which make me sleepy, and using Ivarest lotion to hopefully dry up the poison.

I'm not sure if I got the poison from weed whacking some overgrown weeds or if it's from the dogs' paws jumping on my arms after they've had a romp in the woods.

I haven't a good night's sleep in about a week.  I feel really drained right now.

Last night the dogs woke up barking something fierce.  As I woke, my wife said in a panic, "Get up! Get up!"   I grabbed my trusty companion with the tritium night sights, released the hounds, and patrolled the yard.   All was clear.  One of the dogs ran up the hill into the woods.  I think it was just chasing a stray cat that comes around at night to bother our cats.  The way the cats were behaving, I'm sure that's what it was.

A good night's sleep and relief from the itching would be very welcomed.

A Father's Touch Continues

It's Monday, I'm physically & emotionally drained. I don't think I can make it through the day... but then I look down and see one puppy in my lap and another puppy at my feet. They look up at me as if I'm their hero. I pet them. Their tails wag. Suddenly I think today is going to be all right.

Father's Day was very emotional for me.  Even though I was able to speak with my father on the telephone, I was not able to speak with my father-in-law.  I did keep my father-in-law in my thoughts throughout the day.  I realize once again how much he has blessed my life.

My father-in-law influenced and guided my wife's life long before I met her.  He helped her become the loving, caring, brave, trusting person that she is today.  During the first week my wife & I dated, I noticed something special about her.

She has a sweet quietness about her.  I appreciate that.  I do not care to be around people who talk loud & fast.  Hannah was (and is) so pleasant to be with.  Her thoughts & feelings about God, politics, family, and social issues bring no conflict with - yet stimulate - my own thoughts & feelings about many things.  She has brought new life to me.  She has turned my stone-cold heart into a loving and open heart.  Hannah has given me a reason to live to my full potential.  For decades I thought I was unlovable.  Hannah changed all that.... thanks to her dad.

Father's Day Feelings

Father's Day is a day of mixed emotions throughout the United States.

Pickin' & Grinnin'

I have many fond memories of my father and I hope to make many more great memories.   One memory that came to mind today was the day I received a very unique letter in our mail box.  I was not yet a teenager, but the letter was addressed to me.  I don't recall whether or not it had a return address, but I remember the at the location of the stamp was merely a fake stamp sketched in pen.  The letter told me to go to another place in the house and look for a surprise.  There I found another piece of paper that led me to another place in the house for - you guessed it - another piece of paper.   This went on several more times until I finally came to the closet in my bedroom.  In the closet was a large cardboard box; almost as tall as me.  Inside the box was