HOBBIES

135 – Friday, May 15, 2009

The high-pitched whine of the table saw, the air filling with the aroma of newly cut wood, and the growing mound of fresh sawdust all announce my presence in a place where I am most comfortable – the shop is my haven. There is little that exceeds the fulfillment I draw from a creative rendezvous with my tools to construct something, especially when it proves to be a one-of-a-kind, never-before-built fabrication straight from the drafting table of my mind’s eye. Even more satisfaction arrives as the form takes shape and the product turns out even better than I had premeditated. I am fascinated at the thought that most of us have some kind of a hobby – we enjoy doing an activity that refocuses our minds away from the daily pressure and routine, and transports our psyche to some amusement providing an exhilaration and contentment. Many of us choose some creative avenue while others prefer the distraction of a game, a puzzle, or a video to compel the concentration away from life experiences and into mental euphoria. For several years, I labored at personal business utilizing the same skills that I now employ in the hobby compartment of my life – how amazing that all my years pursuing financial gain using these tools has in no way diminished my present level of delight and gratification in the pursuit of my hobby. I only hope that your diversion manufactures a similar amount of refreshment in you. Happy hobbying!! This blog is also posted on: http://rlarrison.blogspot.com/ and http://myspace.com/rlarrison

HARD HATZ

134 – Thursday, May 14, 2009

I went on an excursion to the Home Depot today to acquire some materials I need for a couple of projects that I have committed to build for family. I arose before the rest of my household was awake, donned my ‘home project’ wardrobe and made a beeline northward on Little Road toward my “Orange Box” destination. Always famished at day’s onset, I made a slight detour in the direction of ‘Hard Hatz’, a local café whose proprietor we befriended a year ago or more. It is an unusual occasion, these days, that I dine out since we are on a mandatory austerity program in an effort to stretch our funds as far as possible. I wanted to patronize our friend, however, out of extreme respect for the entrepreneurial spirit in Bob that has inspired him to enter a ‘new business’ venture in the face of insurmountable probability of his business’s survival, especially during these days of near economic melt-down. But I am confident that ‘Hard Hatz’ will make it to the goal of being a true establishment by withstanding the test of time. What arouses this positivistic view in my observation? – Simply that Bob employs all the necessary elements in his business approach – he offers a sufficient fare portion, charging a fair price for amount, and serves it up in a clean and friendly atmosphere, boasting wall hangings of logo-emblazoned t-shirts and matching hard hats from local area businesses, many furnished by the patrons of his restaurant. My favorite part of his décor is the canary yellow chair rail which encircles the entire seating arena bearing repetitive lettering declaring every inch to be a CONSTRUCTION ZONE CONSTRUCTION ZONE CONSTRUCTION ZONE What Bob is building in that zone is a tribute to the pioneer spirit that made this country into a great nation from its fledgling origins. When you come visit us, we will go have some breakfast with our friend, Bob, and you can see what I mean for yourself. When shall I expect you? This blog is also posted on: http://rlarrison.blogspot.com/ and http://myspace.com/rlarrison

SWINGLINE MAN

133 – Wednesday, May 13, 2009 As ebon darkness blankets the sleepy little haven of New Port Richey, a murky silhouette is projected upward, centered in the laser light-beam projecting into the eastern sky - the shape is a familiar one – recognizable by all that are oppressed and persecuted – it can only be that shadowy outline of an office stapler, the SOS signal for none other than “Swingline Man” - his singular mission: to rescue correspondence emissaries, hopelessly trapped in the clutches of clerical office work, held as captives in the paperwork jungles of desk, lamp, and cyber-organizational tools, a.k.a. computers. It was my personal distress signal which beckoned his wondrous presence - I was the prisoner needing liberation. Suffering from severe documentary conflagration, drowning in the crucible of long-term secretarial incarceration, and exacerbated by acute filing exhaustion, I could only be saved by a masked crusader, clad in Spandex, who was single-handedly capable of the needed liberation by managing a morass of cellulose fibrous receptor-cons into a collection of neat and pristine manuscript storage devices. I’m missing a crucial item, however, the final missing-link of any successful summons – Darn it! – now where-in-the-heck did I mislay that decoder ring? This blog is also posted on: http://rlarrison.blogspot.com/ and http://myspace.com/rlarrison

THREE TENTHS

132 – Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Three tenths – that may not sound like a lot, but when it references the increments on my transparent yellow rain gauge hanging on the arched arbor in the backyard garden, it is a newsworthy event. At two this afternoon, a clap of thunder cracked open the grey-blue sky and heaven’s bounty showered us with a thirty-minute blessing of precipitation, so desperately needed in the midst of Florida’s three-year drought – all of nature responded - the birds sang, the anoles vaulted, Olympic style, from bush to bush, and the sagging leaves of the eggplant perked up like the pointed ears on a Doberman, alertly cocked to locate a new sound. The air instantly cooled and a gentle breeze hinted through the trees making it about the most perfect day this month. The glories resplendent with this post-meridian bath were all around us as we celebrated God’s goodness and faithfulness to answer our pleas. All we need now is about forty-four and seven-tenths more to make up the deficit and we will be livin’ in the tall cotton!! Thanks for your prayers – keep ‘em comin’, y’all!! This blog is also posted on: http://rlarrison.blogspot.com and http://myspace.com/rlarrison

Maximum Fun

131 – Monday, May 11, 2009

Maximum Fun is when I share a day with my family and friends – that is exactly what I did yesterday. With Mother’s Day running full-force, we gathered our contributions to the festivities – six lovely potted flowers, each one bedecked with its unique pastel crepe paper and dotted cellophane wrappings then neatly tied up with white ribbon bearing a special mother’s name in construction paper cut-out form perched atop a kabob skewer – seven pounds of Idaho potatoes – two cheese corn casseroles, one with jalapenos and one without – and homemade yeast rolls, just out of the fridge and already beginning to rise. We were headed for another family assembly with our best friends and in-laws to our son, a combination not often experienced by other families, but thoroughly enjoyed by us. The grandson was his normally active self and we shuttered pictures in abundance, feasted on a sumptuous banquet of combined goodies, and wiled away the entire day visiting and sharing intimate conversations making memories. The ultimate highlight arrived via telephone dialogue with my own lovely mother crossing twelve-hundred miles, an enchantment afforded me weekly which I relish with great anticipation. A relaxed ride home in the Chrysler capped off the day as the sun began to sag into the western horizon - the love of my life rode shotgun as we reminisced the day’s events. The only thing about the entire day that I would have changed, if it were in my power to have done so, were the twelve-hundred miles – face-to-face wins over the cell phone every time! This blog is also posted on: http://myspace.com/rlarrison

Mother's Day

130 – Sunday, May 10, 2009 – Mother’s Day

I set aside my normal blogging for today in order that I might honor two mothers who are very special in my life, my own mother, Doraine, and the mother of my son, Cynthia. Those of you who are neither of the ladies are invited to read this message as witnesses to my tribute given because I appreciate your faithfulness. I have tied these ‘two roses’, Doraine, Mom, and Cynthia, wife, in tandem for a multitude of reasons, not the least of which is my personal admiration for both – daily each inspires me by a virtuous and Godly demeanor to be a better person than I have been. Neither gracious lady looks her age (I am pretty certain that it is not because I am such an easy soul with whom to live) or lives her life with anything less than a selflessness and fathomless empathy for others. I am more aware today than I was forty years ago why my folks approved of my selection (more like God’s direction) of a spouse, for Cynthia embodies the family values and intrinsic worth resident in my very own mother. It is said that you seek someone to replace your parent when you marry, and I guess I am unable to disprove that theory. I think what I admire most in both is that, no matter what the cause or occasion, they place the good and the feelings of others above any thought for themselves. The young are drawn to them because youth, like pets, can instinctively sense adoration. Proverbs 31, in a translation known as The Message, in fairly up-to-date vernacular, states my perception of these two this way:

Hymn to a Good Woman From The Message - Proverbs 31 10-31 A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds.Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it.Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long.She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing.She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places and brings back exotic surprises.She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day.She looks over a field and buys it, then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking.She's quick to assist anyone in need, reaches out to help the poor.She doesn't worry about her family when it snows; their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.She makes her own clothing, and dresses in colorful linens and silks.Her husband is greatly respected when he deliberates with the city fathers.She designs gowns and sells them, brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.Her clothes are well-made and elegant, and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly.She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy and productive.Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise:"Many women have done wonderful things, but you've outclassed them all!"Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.Give her everything she deserves! Festoon her life with praises! I have been justifiably accused of rambling in some of my previous writing, in this instance, however, I make no apologies, for there is insufficient paper supply to hold the words of love and respect that I hold in my heart for ladies so beloved in my life. In a man’s lifetime, to have one such as is described in the passage above would be a blessing, but how shall he describe what it is like to have two? I suppose this is the ‘double portion’ as noted elsewhere in Scripture. My life and heart are truly spilling over on this special day as I ponder anew how much my Heavenly Father must care for me by showing such an abundance of love poured out toward me by two of the most awesome mothers to have graced this planet. I love you, ladies – both of you – not in the same way, but with the same love, for the priceless nurturing you have deposited into my spirit and soul and all the incomparable value you symbolize to my family. I will forever hold you on a pedestal in my heart, for you have made prominent places there where you shall ever reign seated on an eternal throne. Enjoy a Blessed Mother’s day – both of you, for you have truly enriched my life!

Mother's Day Eve

BLOG 129 - Saturday, May 9, 2009

Tomorrow is officially Mother’s Day, a very special day which, since 1914, has been set aside to honor all of our Nation’s mothers on the second Sunday of May. While I am a firm believer in personally supporting this exceptional day, I am genuinely opposed to withholding all celebration of our mothers throughout the year and then trying to make up for lost time in a single day. Flowers, jewelry, perfume and all sorts of endowments are heaped on the national motherhood on this date as if to atone for the lack of recognition for all that our moms have delivered up on a daily, often hourly, basis. For many years I was guilty of the same debilitating ingratitude and took my mother, as well as my wife, for granted, that they were always there and that they always took care of us in every way because it was ‘their job’. Well, when tomorrow comes, I encourage you to give Mom her due and wait on her hand and foot like she has done for you over the many years, yes, but I want you to do something else as well – I want you to count up all the ways in which the special ladies in your life have shown honor and respect to you by their selfless service, then determine in your heart that you will never again wait for a single day of the year to demonstrate your admiration and love for them. It matters little how you show it, but show it you should. I know that each day I am given to share with my mother is a blessing and an opportunity to demonstrate my sincere and honest respect for who she is and what she does to make my life better. You can do this too. If, by unfortunate circumstances, your mother is no longer around, adopt a mother-figure and show her how special she is, not just on the second Sunday in May, but each and every day – you will bless her greatly while dramatically improving the quality of your own life. For the complete history of this inspirational day, hold down the ‘Ctrl’ key on your keyboard and click on this link-> http://www.mothersdaycentral.com/about-mothersday/history/