Your Next Chapter Stars Now

  100-word testimony On June 25, 1999, my Thirtieth birthday, in the ******* County, *** **** jail, in solitary confinement, wearing only a ‘paper gown’, with two failed marriages behind me, two children whom I was certain I would never see again, several suicide attempts in the past, and now on my way to prison for crimes, I did not commit. Feeling more alone than ever imaginable, yet for some reason, I knew I was not. With tears in my eyes and a broken and contrite heart, I got down on my knees and asked Jesus to be Lord of all my life. I was prompted to write a 100-word story as an exercise about a year and a half ago, and this was the result. As we all begin a new year, let us all not lose sight of what the Lord has brought us through already, be thankful unto Him, and ask Him to lead and guide us each step forward from here until He calls us home.

 Just came from the eyeglass shop, don't want to say which (should I ?), and even with my insurance I paid a great deal more than I was was hoping for. Of course, the two features I needed were only available if I spent nearly double for upgraded lenses. What kind of bunk is this? With new insurance, this was my first trip to this particular chain store. I was not very impressed. the technology seems to be a downgrade, but the prices were lower than the higher-end store I had been to previously.   The glasses I paid $600 for in March ( that I am still waiting to be re-embursed for) got a scratch right in the sweet spot on the left lens, the one I need most of all. That really is bad. Currently, in the last days of 2023, I am wearing the glasses I got in 2021, while the pair I spent so much on nine months ago are nearly worthless.   Money is kind of tight right now, an automatic increase of rent of 6% just kicked in, with no extra income to cover it. I spent a great deal m...

 I am so very thankful for having true friends who really listen to and 'get' me. For Christmas, I received from my colleague via a Secret Santa (that locally is referred to as Pollyanna) gift exchange a"Dad Joke" travel mug. From two great friends, I received a gift card for the movies and a T-shirt that has a typewriter on it and says "I Make Stuff Up".  These are people who know me well and are very aware that I enjoy traveling, coffee, Dad jokes, writing, and going to the movies.   It is a real blessing to have these thoughtful and caring people close by and so willing to share their holiday with me in this real way when 'family' is so distant both physically and socially.    As I close down 2023 and make my final arrangements for heading into 2024 there is a great deal of internal reshuffling of priorities. Do I spend my limited time energy and other resources on those people and things whom I really value or those who can't or won't bot...

 On Tuesday I worked till 1 AM Wednesday. It was a bit much after a 3.5-day holiday weekend. I really like my employer, and love my colleagues, and enjoy my time with them, both on and off the clock.  Someone didn't think it out too well and scheduled the Wall-to-wall inventory for a holiday-shortened week, two holidays actually.  There seems to be a growing animosity, particularly amongst some salaried staff.    Today I got my last paystub of the year and am excited to report that I have received the most money from any one employer 100% 'on the books' in my many decades of employment. I know I worked a ridiculous amount of overtime in the late winter / early spring when my first shift colleague's baby came earlier than expected (praise the Lord they are both OK now), and I was covering for her and training two temps in addition to my own duties.     Money is a bit tight; I spent way too much on Christmas, had an automatic rent increase, and now ...

   After so many years of "..someday... maybe..." I went to the reenactment of George Washington crossing the Delaware River. It has been a very long time since 12/25/1776 but all Americans should be thankful for the brave actions of those volunteer soldiers. Could not imagine what it would have been like with snow and ice in the middle of the night all those many years ago. Some of my photos and videos from today's Washington Crossing the Delaware River reenactment 12/25/2023 https://photos.app.goo.gl/Gt4W9xwrbca5PCva8  ,