Monday, October 31, 2005
Grateful for Life in all its forms
todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful
for a wonderful Saturday filled with my own recovery and that of others
for the really helpful 10th Step meeting at 6:30am today
that my Mom did not die yesterday after a series of strokes
that, because I AM SOBER, I can be there for her and attend to her needs
for calls from friends in recovery from people concerned
that I am now off to the hospital,
seeya
I shall allow no man to belittle my soul by making me hate him.
-Booker T. Washington
for a wonderful Saturday filled with my own recovery and that of others
for the really helpful 10th Step meeting at 6:30am today
that my Mom did not die yesterday after a series of strokes
that, because I AM SOBER, I can be there for her and attend to her needs
for calls from friends in recovery from people concerned
that I am now off to the hospital,
seeya
I shall allow no man to belittle my soul by making me hate him.
-Booker T. Washington
Sunday, October 30, 2005
For Texans only
One of the blogs I read daily is downtownlad. He usually has a keen outlook on issues, both in his native NYC and also around the world. In THIS POST he provides a bit of an insult to us Texans. You may want to add your comment to his post about the Texas Gay Marriage Amendment. I tried to take the high road.
But sometimes I take the bait.
But sometimes I take the bait.
It Works When You Work It
I don't detail my individual days on here very often, but yesterday provided a nice range of activity for me and I thought I'd share it with you.
Went to my regular AA meeting at 8:30am. People who go to a Saturday morning meeting are serious about recovery. At the core of that group are about 25 regulars. We can count on each other to be there unless someone may be out of town or otherwise preoccupied for some reason. I have not missed that meeting since August 2003, the month before I quit drinking.
I came home and did my computer stuff and then ran a couple of errands around Montrose. I had volunteered my time for an afternoon workshop -- "Surviving the Holidays Sober." It was held at The Council on Alcohol and Drugs Houston . I was to be there early to help set-up the room. They gave me a large box of homemade cookies and asked me to display them and other cakes and pies on the tables. The display queen in me came out and I had fun with it. About 1pm we all started eating the generous snacks and the workshop began at 1:30pm. There were about 30 recovering alcoholics in attendance and we came up with some creative ideas on staying sober with family, friends and work buddies for the next 2 months when everyone around us is drinking. This was a worthwhile activity and certainly helpful to those who've never faced sobriety during the holidays. When I departed, I dropped by Lambda Center to check out the decorating-in-progress for the Halloween Party slated for the evening. They were nearly finished and I just stayed out of the way. I did get to chat with a few friends before I went home.
One of our friends, Brian, was celebrating his First AA Birthday. His sponsor invited about 10 of us to join in his birthday dinner at a small Mexican restaurant. We all met there at 5:30pm and had great food and fellowship. Brian's parents were there and that was really special to have them present. I always think of this type of thing as a living amends. I know that I, during my drinking days, always took my parents for granted. Parents are people too.
Birthday Night @ Lambda Center is held on the last Saturday of the month. It's special. Really special. Last night, there were 35 people celebrating AA birthdays ranging from 1 year to 32 years of sobriety. They are each provided with their chip/medallion, a certificate and then give a short (hopefully) speech about their gratitude. I would guess there were about 120 in attendance last night for this event. Some were in full costume for ...
... The Halloween Party which began after Birthday Night was over. Great costumes. Creative costumes. People dancing to good music. I left early because this old boy was tired at 10pm. I took no pictures this time because I have another illness ... ISM. Incredibly Short Memory.
I forgot my camera!
But I did stay sober.
Went to my regular AA meeting at 8:30am. People who go to a Saturday morning meeting are serious about recovery. At the core of that group are about 25 regulars. We can count on each other to be there unless someone may be out of town or otherwise preoccupied for some reason. I have not missed that meeting since August 2003, the month before I quit drinking.
I came home and did my computer stuff and then ran a couple of errands around Montrose. I had volunteered my time for an afternoon workshop -- "Surviving the Holidays Sober." It was held at The Council on Alcohol and Drugs Houston . I was to be there early to help set-up the room. They gave me a large box of homemade cookies and asked me to display them and other cakes and pies on the tables. The display queen in me came out and I had fun with it. About 1pm we all started eating the generous snacks and the workshop began at 1:30pm. There were about 30 recovering alcoholics in attendance and we came up with some creative ideas on staying sober with family, friends and work buddies for the next 2 months when everyone around us is drinking. This was a worthwhile activity and certainly helpful to those who've never faced sobriety during the holidays. When I departed, I dropped by Lambda Center to check out the decorating-in-progress for the Halloween Party slated for the evening. They were nearly finished and I just stayed out of the way. I did get to chat with a few friends before I went home.
One of our friends, Brian, was celebrating his First AA Birthday. His sponsor invited about 10 of us to join in his birthday dinner at a small Mexican restaurant. We all met there at 5:30pm and had great food and fellowship. Brian's parents were there and that was really special to have them present. I always think of this type of thing as a living amends. I know that I, during my drinking days, always took my parents for granted. Parents are people too.
Birthday Night @ Lambda Center is held on the last Saturday of the month. It's special. Really special. Last night, there were 35 people celebrating AA birthdays ranging from 1 year to 32 years of sobriety. They are each provided with their chip/medallion, a certificate and then give a short (hopefully) speech about their gratitude. I would guess there were about 120 in attendance last night for this event. Some were in full costume for ...
... The Halloween Party which began after Birthday Night was over. Great costumes. Creative costumes. People dancing to good music. I left early because this old boy was tired at 10pm. I took no pictures this time because I have another illness ... ISM. Incredibly Short Memory.
I forgot my camera!
But I did stay sober.
When You Thought I Wasn't Looking ...
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me and I learned that little things can be the special things in life.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I felt you kiss me good night and I felt loved and safe.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons that I needed to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, "Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking."
author unknown
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me and I learned that little things can be the special things in life.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I felt you kiss me good night and I felt loved and safe.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons that I needed to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, "Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking."
author unknown
Saturday, October 29, 2005
Friday, October 28, 2005
Ghosts of the Past
todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful
that I added another day to my sobriety calendar
that I can see, hear, smell, taste and feel
that my ghosts are only a memory and shall remain so
that I'm not a goblin
that, wow man, my mannerisms can be manly
that I love so much coffee just about any time of the day
for my kitty cats
for doing 2 more paintings
for a busy upcoming Saturday
that I keep trying to improve my conscious contact with my HP
If you don't run your own life, someone else will.
-John Atkinson
that I added another day to my sobriety calendar
that I can see, hear, smell, taste and feel
that my ghosts are only a memory and shall remain so
that I'm not a goblin
that, wow man, my mannerisms can be manly
that I love so much coffee just about any time of the day
for my kitty cats
for doing 2 more paintings
for a busy upcoming Saturday
that I keep trying to improve my conscious contact with my HP
If you don't run your own life, someone else will.
-John Atkinson
Chicago Love Machine
White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen is really happy to have won the World Series. They had great "chemistry" on that team this year.
5 Beautiful Things
1. the Swiss Alps from 35,000 feet in January
2. Hayden's eyes
3. the life in my elderly mother
4. leading a sober life
5. gaining a modicum of spirituality
How about you? What's beautiful to you?
2. Hayden's eyes
3. the life in my elderly mother
4. leading a sober life
5. gaining a modicum of spirituality
How about you? What's beautiful to you?
Thursday, October 27, 2005
One, Two, Three Strikes ...
todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful
a full day of serenity yesterday
that Scott and I done got us some Hallyween stuff for Saturday night
that I ain't never sprained my ankle while wearing high heels shoes
for the 10 of us who ate lunch at Barnaby's/Fairview yesterday
that when I practice Step 10 of Alcoholics Anonymous, my side of the street stays clean as a whistle
that through Step 10, my resentments simply become life's lessons
that I am as honest as I know how to be (without hurting others)
that I can occasionally be of assistance to others
that I got to see, hear and experience The Astros finally making it to The Show. The World Series. They were beaten by a better team, playing better ball while on a hot streak.
for all the supportive words about The Astros sent here by you guys over the past week
Bad habits are like a comfortable bed, easy to get into, but hard to get out of.
-Anonymous
a full day of serenity yesterday
that Scott and I done got us some Hallyween stuff for Saturday night
that I ain't never sprained my ankle while wearing high heels shoes
for the 10 of us who ate lunch at Barnaby's/Fairview yesterday
that when I practice Step 10 of Alcoholics Anonymous, my side of the street stays clean as a whistle
that through Step 10, my resentments simply become life's lessons
that I am as honest as I know how to be (without hurting others)
that I can occasionally be of assistance to others
that I got to see, hear and experience The Astros finally making it to The Show. The World Series. They were beaten by a better team, playing better ball while on a hot streak.
for all the supportive words about The Astros sent here by you guys over the past week
Bad habits are like a comfortable bed, easy to get into, but hard to get out of.
-Anonymous
2005 Houston Astros - R.I.P.
"I have to believe in a little bit of destiny and it was theirs this year."
CRAIG BIGGIO after his team lost the World Series in a 4 game sweep
My Houston Astros lost the 2005 World Series. In four straight games. If you're from Houston, you can't be too upset, not if you've been a fan of the team since their inception in 1962. Frankly it was just a thrill to see them involved for the first time.
Ricky!! , a fellow Houston blogger, said he thinks they overachieved this year. I respectfully disagree. My feeling is that they are achievers.
They began the season, the first 2 months, playing terribly. By the end of May, the Astros were 15-30. They'd lost twice as many games than they had won. Here's a team of proven players that can't get it together. If anything, they were underachieving.
From June (actually late May) they began winning. And win they did. They put together the 2nd best home record in the major leagues. They even started winning on the road. By the All-Star break in July, they had improved their record to .500 (same number of wins as losses). This trend continued until they found themselves in The World Series.
The roster includes at least 4 guys who will probably be in the Baseball Hall of Fame one day. Most of the remaining roster includes a lot of talent, both pitching and hitting. Most of all, they were part of something special in Houston teams, something called character and integrity. It's an intangible that can't be put on paper. Neither can it be paid for as part of a multi-million dollar salary. You either got it or you don't. Historically, The Astros have character and a never-give-up attitude.
So, Ricky!! , I can't agree. They didn't overachieve all year nor did they underachieve all year.
They just achieved. They're right where they are supposed to be.
P.S. - Congratulations to the Chicago White Sox. This years' team of destiny.
CRAIG BIGGIO after his team lost the World Series in a 4 game sweep
My Houston Astros lost the 2005 World Series. In four straight games. If you're from Houston, you can't be too upset, not if you've been a fan of the team since their inception in 1962. Frankly it was just a thrill to see them involved for the first time.
Ricky!! , a fellow Houston blogger, said he thinks they overachieved this year. I respectfully disagree. My feeling is that they are achievers.
They began the season, the first 2 months, playing terribly. By the end of May, the Astros were 15-30. They'd lost twice as many games than they had won. Here's a team of proven players that can't get it together. If anything, they were underachieving.
From June (actually late May) they began winning. And win they did. They put together the 2nd best home record in the major leagues. They even started winning on the road. By the All-Star break in July, they had improved their record to .500 (same number of wins as losses). This trend continued until they found themselves in The World Series.
The roster includes at least 4 guys who will probably be in the Baseball Hall of Fame one day. Most of the remaining roster includes a lot of talent, both pitching and hitting. Most of all, they were part of something special in Houston teams, something called character and integrity. It's an intangible that can't be put on paper. Neither can it be paid for as part of a multi-million dollar salary. You either got it or you don't. Historically, The Astros have character and a never-give-up attitude.
So, Ricky!! , I can't agree. They didn't overachieve all year nor did they underachieve all year.
They just achieved. They're right where they are supposed to be.
P.S. - Congratulations to the Chicago White Sox. This years' team of destiny.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
I seem to have lived another day
todAAy, i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful
that I didn't drink, nor have any desire to drink alcohol yesterday
that my desire to just Live & Let Live gives me so much freedom
for those periods during my day when I can really practice Step 3
that doing the next right thing can become a habit
that we are having the finest weather possible --- 45F - 75F degrees every day and few clouds
for long chats with Hayden on the internet
that I can no longer blame my problems on others
that I was able to watch the entire 5 hours, 41 minutes of The Astros game last night; they lost it all on their own and have no one to blame but themselves
NO MATTER HOW I LIVED IN THE PAST, I CAN LIVE RIGHT TODAY
that I didn't drink, nor have any desire to drink alcohol yesterday
that my desire to just Live & Let Live gives me so much freedom
for those periods during my day when I can really practice Step 3
that doing the next right thing can become a habit
that we are having the finest weather possible --- 45F - 75F degrees every day and few clouds
for long chats with Hayden on the internet
that I can no longer blame my problems on others
that I was able to watch the entire 5 hours, 41 minutes of The Astros game last night; they lost it all on their own and have no one to blame but themselves
NO MATTER HOW I LIVED IN THE PAST, I CAN LIVE RIGHT TODAY
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Primary Purpose
todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful
to realize that my progress in recovery doesn't happen at my pace or my sponsor's pace; it seems to happen as my HP wants it to
"Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help others achieve sobriety" -- I have realized 2 changes to this statement ...
1) (from the old days) "My primary purpose was to stay drunk and help others to achieve inebriation"
2) "My primary purpose is to stay sober by helping others achieve sobriety"
fer gettin' stuff done yesterday
for some very nice time spent with a new friend
that we ate at The Black Eyed Pea - it's been years since I ate there
that my cats are generally very well-behaved
that I can keep reminding myself that things that aren't my business, aren't my business
Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.
-Lucille Ball
to realize that my progress in recovery doesn't happen at my pace or my sponsor's pace; it seems to happen as my HP wants it to
"Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help others achieve sobriety" -- I have realized 2 changes to this statement ...
1) (from the old days) "My primary purpose was to stay drunk and help others to achieve inebriation"
2) "My primary purpose is to stay sober by helping others achieve sobriety"
fer gettin' stuff done yesterday
for some very nice time spent with a new friend
that we ate at The Black Eyed Pea - it's been years since I ate there
that my cats are generally very well-behaved
that I can keep reminding myself that things that aren't my business, aren't my business
Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.
-Lucille Ball
Chili Recipe
Now that the weather is geting cooler, it's time for a fine bowl of chili.
I don't cook.
But I do eat.
I happen to possess the instructions on how to make the best bowl of chili you will ever have. I posted this recipe last December12, so just click below and scroll down to get it.
This is the very best I've ever had.
I don't cook.
But I do eat.
I happen to possess the instructions on how to make the best bowl of chili you will ever have. I posted this recipe last December12, so just click below and scroll down to get it.
This is the very best I've ever had.
Monday, October 24, 2005
No Victims
todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful
for a whole lot of peace and serenity in my life
to be able to shape, structure and build a new life as God would have it rather than the way I used to do it (this requires very slow progress)
that our little garden at Lambda is coming along nicely
for the kind of weather that's great; otherwise known as perfect
that I got to attend a 67th birthday party for a friend in recovery
that I am not meant to isolate - I once enjoyed the fellowship in bars, now I enjoy the fellowship in recovery
for wonderful fellowship at home with others in recovery while we watched The Astros first-ever World Series appearance
that, for me, even if The Astros don't win this series, that's OK because I would rather have been and lost than to never have gone at all (but I'd still much rather win it)
that Craig Biggio's wife was not seriously injured by a White Sox fan last night
The young man knows the rules, but the old man knows the exceptions.
-Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.
for a whole lot of peace and serenity in my life
to be able to shape, structure and build a new life as God would have it rather than the way I used to do it (this requires very slow progress)
that our little garden at Lambda is coming along nicely
for the kind of weather that's great; otherwise known as perfect
that I got to attend a 67th birthday party for a friend in recovery
that I am not meant to isolate - I once enjoyed the fellowship in bars, now I enjoy the fellowship in recovery
for wonderful fellowship at home with others in recovery while we watched The Astros first-ever World Series appearance
that, for me, even if The Astros don't win this series, that's OK because I would rather have been and lost than to never have gone at all (but I'd still much rather win it)
that Craig Biggio's wife was not seriously injured by a White Sox fan last night
The young man knows the rules, but the old man knows the exceptions.
-Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.
Back home
I've really enjoyed watching the first 2 games of the series. The Astros have lost them both, but they were close and the outcomes could have easily gone the other way.
They have nothing to be ashamed of.
One stupid Chicago fan has something to be ashamed of. He assaulted Astros second baseman Craig Biggio's wife as she left the stadium last night. He was arrested and will be charged with battery. For some people, winning is just not enough. I'm sure his Mom is proud. Oh well.
My boys are back home for 3 games and need to GIT 'ER DONE!
They have nothing to be ashamed of.
One stupid Chicago fan has something to be ashamed of. He assaulted Astros second baseman Craig Biggio's wife as she left the stadium last night. He was arrested and will be charged with battery. For some people, winning is just not enough. I'm sure his Mom is proud. Oh well.
My boys are back home for 3 games and need to GIT 'ER DONE!
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