A man's greatest joy.

A man experiences his greatest joy the moment he realizes his gifting has just blessed another.

me

Melancholy

The day is done, and the darkness
Falls from the wings of Night,
As a feather is wafted downward
From an eagle in his flight.

I see the lights of the village
Gleam through the rain and the mist,
And a feeling of sadness comes o'er me
That my soul cannot resist:


Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

A very unpleasant word

Words are like people, some of them are beautiful and others, not so much.  For centuries writers and poets have used lovely language to move our souls and make us dance. They use words like love, passion, and grace,  but I seriously doubt you have ever heard a sonnet with the word "pluck" in it!  I keep a list of disgusting words and "pluck" has recently made the list.

Not long ago my wife and me were talking as we enjoyed our morning coffee, when in passing conversation, she used the word "pluck" in a sentence. I don't remember the context, but from that moment on, I didn't hear another word she said.

It was in that instant that I realized what an ugly word "pluck" is.  As I sat in stunned silence I discovered there is absolutely nothing attractive about it, even the way it rolls out of your mouth is horrid (try it).

Pluck, is such a disgusting word that even the words that rhyme with it are awful; yuck, muck, cluck, schmuck, up-chuck, suck, and of course, f%@#.

If you are not yet convinced about this word, perhaps a quick glance of the gross things you pluck will do the trick.

• eyebrows
• nose hair
• chickens
• ear hair

Yes, my friends, words a like people, some are beautiful and others, not so much!  Looks like this word will remain on my list for a very long time.

[Les Miserables] 10th anniversary - I Dreamed a Dream

How To Make A Woman Happy!

It's not difficult to make a woman happy. A man only needs to be:
1. a friend
2. a companion
3. a lover
4. a brother
5. a father
6. a master
7. a chef
8. an electrician
9. a carpenter
10. a plumber
11. a mechanic
12. a decorator
13. a stylist
14. a sexologist
15. a gynecologist
16. a psychologist
17. a pest exterminator
18. a psychiatrist
19. a healer
20. a good listener
21. an organizer
22. a good father
23. very clean
24. sympathetic
25. athletic
26. warm
27. attentive
28. gallant
29. intelligent
30. funny
31. creative
32. tender
33. strong
34. understanding
35. tolerant
36. prudent
37. ambitious
38. capable
39. courageous
40. determined
41. true
42. dependable
43. passionate
44. compassionate
WITHOUT FORGETTING TO:
45. give her compliments regularly
46. love shopping
47. be honest
48. be very rich
49. not stress her out
50. not look at other girls
AND AT THE SAME TIME, YOU MUST ALSO:
51. give her lots of attention, but expect little yourself
52. give her lots of time, especially time for herself
53. give her lots of space, never worrying about where she goes
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT:
54. Never to forget:
* birthdays
* anniversaries
* arrangements she makes

HOW TO MAKE A MAN HAPPY
 1. Show up naked
2. Bring food
It must be more complicated than that... what about drinks?

What I Learned from a Baby Bottle

Recently a coworker handed me four baby bottles and asked me to fill them up with spare change.  She explained the money would go to help a charity she was affiliated with.  Everyone is willing to help out a good cause and besides what's a little spare change, right?

I took the bottles home and desiring to get this little act of charity over with, headed to my bedroom where I keep a vase with all of my extra change and proceeded to fill two of the bottles.  As I watched the dimes, nickels and mostly quarters begin to fill those baby bottles I suddenly didn't feel so generous. 

"I save this change all year for my motorcycle tours and here I am just giving it away!" I thought to myself, and in that moment I realized how selfish I had allowed myself to become.  Balking at filling baby bottles with change for God sake, I was astonished and ashamed at my selfishness.

How had I allowed my once giving spirit to become so toxic with attitudes of stinginess and greed, and what's more, what would I do about it now that I recognized it?

For starters, I need to go out to the car and get those other two bottles and get them filled up.

What Church Has Become

"Sunday's Coming" Movie Trailer from North Point Media on Vimeo.

An Open Letter To My Sons

I vividly remember the day of your arrivals and how thankful I was when you were born healthy and strong.  Your births were the happiest days in my life.  That hasn't changed, I have always enjoyed…

• Getting off work early so we could hang out
• Watching you play soccer
• Helping you learn to ride without training wheels
• Throwing ball in the yard
• Playing in the park
• Being at your football games
• Wrestling in the living room
• Eating chili together on a cold winters night
• Simply being together

Now that you are away, and our times together are few, those memories become more and more valuable with each passing year.  Respect has now merged with pride as I watch you become men and observe your character and sense of responsibility.  A man could not have asked for better sons and I am proud to be known as your dad!