Wednesday, August 18, 2021

One Corner, Two Hours, Three Men

Photo by the Cameraman :)
“So what, you checking your EF Hutton?” Why I even began a conversation with this gentleman while completing my morning walk and stairclimb exercise, well ~~ it’s just what I do.

Larry and I conversed for better than an hour, learning that his career had been as a cameraman for a local news outlet. Pretty cool learning about a trade that is quite fascinating. As well, we chatted about his preteen granddaughter who is quite the golfer. Perhaps even pro one day.

While in the midst of our chat Greg approached asking if either of us knew of a local barber. Telling us that he was new to the area, I suggested the two that I was aware of. Though with COVID, I’ve purchased a Remington palm trimmer and ~~ well, other than Mexico trips, I haven’t seen a barber for a year and a half. Perhaps it shows :)

So ~~ here were three sixty plus dudes, never having met, who carried on with conversation like we had known each other since childhood. Conversation included many things ~ hey, we’re old & we’re men ~ that’s what happens :) Anyway, our discussion veered towards our faith and relationship with Christ.

When all was said and done … on that ‘one corner’ … for ‘two hours’ … these ‘three men’ enjoyed a very pleasant morning together.

The moral of the story ~~ slow down, be available, and learn the story of another. 


 
 
Just having fun on guitar :)
 
 
The mural in the background of the photo ~~ why is it significant?


Friday, August 6, 2021

More Than ~ Kicking a Stone

Do you ever watch people? I mean in a fun way. Where perhaps families are playing together. Where people are laughing, walking or running. Or children are simply using their imagination.

I have three places from which I love to sit in my house. And while reading or studying, I’m able to enjoy the view outside at the same time. This morning I was sitting near my large living room window, which provides a view to neighbors passing by and the hillside beyond. A family with four children were strolling down the sidewalk on the opposite side of the street. Pulling up the back of the pack was a young boy, maybe 6 or 7 years of age. Totally clueless to the rest, he was kicking a stone as he walked along. If the stone moved onto the grass he would slide over and attempt to return it to the sidewalk in front of him. He continued doing such for as long as I could see.

How is it that in a moment, a flash of time ~ a picture, a story, a song, at times a fragrance and at other times just watching others, can take us back to a memory from our past. Watching this little guy, was watching myself all over again. For years in my elementary school days, I would likewise kick a stone down the sidewalk. Even attempting to kick one all the way to school, which could be a mile or more.

The simple joys that we had as children. Might some of them continue, if only slightly, into our twilight years. Yes, sometimes I still find myself still kicking a stone. Though only a couple times, but none-the-less bringing a smile for doing something so silly. Perhaps if for nothing more ~~ a smile is more than worth the moment.

~~  Let this little one bring a smile for you today ~~