back by (un)popular demand ...

... I have posted a few more pictures that I took last weekend at the Niftee Fiftee's Car Show.





todAAy i AAM grAAteful & thAAnkful

for days of waking up sober with no hangover

that I no longer have to worry every day/night about what will be in the refrigerator in the morning

that I no longer lose my temper -- it used to be quite common, especially in my last year of drinking

for memories of my working days in the oil fieds -- the people I met and the places I worked and played


I decided to start anew, to strip away what I had been taught.
- Georgia O'Keefe

I'm too old to grow up.

I entered my '65 Riviera in a little car show over the weekend. There were about 500-600 entries. These are a few of them.





todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful




that I was able to substitute-chair the noon meeting yesterday -- it was on Step 5

for some reminders about the importance of my sponsor to my recovery; without his direction (especially in my early sobriety) I could not have possibly formed the foundation I have now

for the absolutely gorgeous spring weather we're experiencing in Houston

Celebrate what you've accomplished, but raise the bar a little higher each time you succeed.
- Mia Hamm

a simple guy with complicated thoughts

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for people who think outside the box -- they can be a great inspiration to me

that AA birthday night @ Lambda Center is so well attended -- this month, we had 31 celebrants with 314 years of sobriety

that recovery allows me to pretty much overlook those who don't like me and those who treat me with disdain (I think it's more about them than it is about me)

that being my best seems to get easier the more I practice it


All we have to decide is what to do with the time we are given.
- Gandalf to Frodo, The Fellowship of the Ring

How to fold a shirt

I have always been Mr FumbleFingers. This lady's talent amazes me.

type and listen

You Type...it speaks...technology has far surpassed me!!!
This is amazing. Try it and see!!

Turn up the volume.

She will say anything you type. I sure don't know how they do this!
When you move the mouse around, her eyes follow the pointer.
When you write something in the left space and then click on 'Say it,' she says it!

You can also change persons doing the talking and the language they speak.

Technology! Wow !!


CLICK HERE

don't eat the bread

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for the simplicity of Tradition Three -- "The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking." Alcoholics Anonymous could not lower its standards much farther than that!

that I attend a meeting where we read and discuss the AA traditions on a regular basis

that for good memories of my Mom who died 19 months ago. She got to see me sober for 5 years and I'll be forever grateful for that.

that I am involved in a car show tomorrow that will have approximately 1000 vehicles on display, including one of mine (and the weather forecast is near perfect!)

You are not stuck where you are unless you decide to be.
- Dr. Wayne Dyer

reading between the lines

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that my attitude seems to have returned (the good and positive one)

for all my blogger and personal friends who have decided to stop writing their blogs; I will stop someday too, I just don't know when

for the changes that just seem to naturally happen when I work the recovery program I'm learning in Alcoholics Anonymous

Some pursue happiness, others create it.

in touch

todAAy i AAM grAAteful & thAAnkful

we read The Doctor's Opinion (Alcoholics Anonymous) yesterday at my morning meeting. A few reminders ...

... "as part of his rehabilitation he commenced to present his conceptions to other alcoholics, impressing upon them that they must do likewise with still others." page xxv

... "the body of the alcoholic is quite as abnormal as his mind." page xxvi

... "that the phenomenon of craving is limited to this class (chronic alcoholic) and never occurs in the average temperate drinker." page xxviii

... "There are, of course, the psychopaths who are emotionally unstable. They are over-remorseful and make many resolutions, but never a decision." page xxx


I firmly believe in the power of the writings in this book. These words have helped to save the lives of countless humans and will continue to do so. For this reason, I think it's imperative for this alcoholic to attend meetings where these writings are discussed.

If you haven't met Joe from Massachusetts, drop by and give him a big howdy!
His blog is DEFENSIVE WOUNDS.


You are younger today than you ever will be again. Make use of it for the sake of tomorrow.
~~ unknown

the car obsession continues

My newest toy. It's a 1961 Beetle in very decent condition. It's very basic, which makes it a lot of fun to drive.


todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I don't always create drama when the opportunity presents itself (this did not used to be the case)

for patience that I did not used to have

for helpful thoughts that I did not used to have


A broken heart is what makes life so wonderful--five years later.
- Phyllis Battelle

back to ... ahhhhh ... nevermind

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for a quiet weekend, except for ...

a fun night at Lambda ending with a one hour drag show with nine talented contestants

that I am going to take a short trip today in a car that has about 600hp

that the fellowship I find in recovery means just about everything to me; without it, I'd be drinking again


Love means to love that which is unloveable, or it is no virtue at all; forgiving means to pardon that which is unpardonable, or it is no virtue at all.
- G.K. Chesterton

This is THE test

I aam sick and tired of hearing about how dumb people are in the South.
I challenge any so-called smart Yankee to take this exam administered by
the University of Arkansas Engineering Department:


1.Calculate the smallest limb diameter on a persimmon tree that will
support a 10-pound possum.

2.Which of these cars will rust out the quickest when placed on blocks in
your front yard? A ‘65 Ford Fairlane, a ‘69 Chevrolet Chevelle or a ‘64
Pontiac GTO

3.If your uncle builds a still which operates at a capacity of 20 gallons
of shine produced per hour, how many car radiators are required to condense
the product?

4.A woodcutter has a chainsaw which operates at 2700 RPM. The density of
the pine trees in the plot to be harvested is 470 per acre. The plot is 2.3
acres in size. The average tree diameter is 14 inches. How many Budweisers
will be drunk before the trees are cut down?

5.If every old refrigerator in the state vented a charge of R-12
simultaneously, what would be the percentage decrease in the ozone layer?

6.A front porch is constructed of 2x8 pine on 24-inch centers with a field
rock foundation. The span is 8 feet and the porch length is 16 feet.The
porch floor is 1-inch rough sawn pine. When the porch collapses, how many
hound dogs will be killed?

7.A man owns a house and 3.7 acres of land in a hollow with an average
slope of 15%. The man has five children. Can each of his grown children
place a mobile home on the man’s land and still have enough property for their
electric appliances to sit out front?

8.A 2-ton truck is overloaded and proceeding 900 yards down a steep slope
on a secondary road at 45 MPH.The brakes fail.Given average traffic
conditions on secondary roads, what is the probability that it will strike a
vehicle with a muffler?

9.A coalmine operates a NFPA Class 1, Division 2 Hazardous Area.The mine
employs 120 miners per shift. An explosive gas warning is issued at the
beginning of the 3rd shift. How many cartons of unfiltered Camels will be
smoked during the shift?

10.At a reduction in the gene pool variability rate of 7.5% per
generation, how long will it take a town which has been bypassed by the
Interstate to breed a country-western singer?

Saltwater - the next clean fuel?

and this brings us to Step Three ...

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that there is only one key, and it is called willingness

that I made a decision to surrender my obsessive, alcoholic drinking over to the care of my HP

that the practice of Step 3 enables me to put Steps 6 and 7 into action


Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us every day.
- Sally Koch

feelin' it

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I didn't feel it necessary to celebrate my birthday at the Irish pub that I'm still a partner in

that I have not been inside of that pub since 2004, although I retain a small ownership in it

that my sponsees teach me so much, usually without ever realizing it

for all the good wishes and happy birthday's I received yesterday; from my local friends, from you guys, my Facebook friends and my partner


If you really do put a small value upon yourself, rest assured that the world will not raise your price.
~ unknown

Got Green?

Danny Boy - sung by a young Irishman named Declan Galbraith




One of my favorite Irish hymns.



todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

In the 6:30am meeting I attend each weekday, we read a few pages in the Big Book every Tuesday. We finished the entire book for the 4th time (since Jan '04) yesterday. I really like the fact that someone goes around printing new words, sentences and paragraphs from time to time and inserting those additions without any of us seeing them do it. I suppose they put those same additions in your book too, eh?

that I held my tongue and kept my composure yesterday when a bank V.P. got a bit uppity with me and tried to force an unwanted financial product on me. After I informed him that I could take my dollars to the bank next door, he settled down. Young kids these days.

that I've now been alive for 56 years; 10 years longer than I thought I'd live


Preconceived notions are the locks on the door to wisdom.
- Merry Browne

acceptance & surrender

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for a fine Step 3 meeting

that acceptance and surrender seems to be the prevalent theme of my life over the past week; not only the meetings I go to, but my life

the more I can find a way to let go of a problem or situation, the better I feel. What is it in me that tries to "take it back" so often?

that I got my tax information turned into my CPA, finally


You can have it all. You just can't have it all at one time.
- Oprah Winfrey

bright & early

Daylight Saving Time ... explained (click on the picture to enlarge)

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that my good friend, Mark S., got to relate some of his AA story to us on Saturday; I learned a little more about someone I know

that I learn something about myself just about every day; the days I don't learn learn anything, I guess I'm just not paying attention.

that I get to be as involved as I want to be

for the people I'm working with on the Houston Roundup 2010


It's always too early to quit.
- Norman Vincent Peale

It's the law ...

1. Law of Mechanical Repair - After your hands become coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch and you'll have to pee.

2. Law of Gravity - Any tool, nut, bolt, screw, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner.

3. Law of Probability -The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act

4. Law of Random Numbers - If you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal and someone always answers.

5. Law of the Alibi - If you tell the boss you were late for work because you had a flat tire, the very next morning you will have a flat tire.

6. Variation Law - If you change lines (or traffic lanes), the one you were in will always move faster than the one you are in now (works every time).

7. Law of the Bath - When the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone rings.

8. Law of Close Encounters -The probability of meeting someone you know increases dramatically when you are with someone you don't want to be seen with.

9. Law of the Result - When you try to prove to someone that a machine won't work, it will.

10. Law of Biomechanics - The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the reach.

11. Law of the Theater and Hockey Arena - At any event, the people whose seats are furthest from the aisle, always arrive last. They are the ones who will leave their seats several times to go for food, beer, or the toilet and who leave early before the end of the performance or the game is over. The folks in the aisle seats come early, never move once, have long gangly legs or big bellies, and stay to the bitter end of the performance. The aisle people also are very surly folk.

12. The Coffee Law - As soon as you sit down to a cup of hot coffee, your boss will ask you to do something which will last until the coffee is cold.

13. Murphy's Law of Lockers - If there are only two people in a locker room, they will have adjacent lockers.

14. Law of Physical Surfaces - The chances of an open-faced jelly sandwich landing face down on a floor, are directly correlated to the newness and cost of the carpet or rug.

15. Law of Logical Argument - Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.


16. Brown's Law of Physical Appearance - If the clothes fit, they're ugly.

17. Oliver's Law of Public Speaking - A closed mouth gathers no feet.

18. Wilson's Law of Commercial Marketing Strategy - As soon as you find a product that you really like, they will stop making it

19. Doctors' Law - If you don't feel well, make an appointment to go to the doctor, by the time you get there you'll feel better. But don't make an appointment, and you'll stay sick.

maybe I stopped drinking too early

the journey

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I got sober at 49 years of age

for the journey of the second half of my life

for a clearer head than I had during the first half of my journey

that one of my sponsees chaired a wonderful meeting about twisted relationships and twisted thinking; I know all about both of those topics.


If you aren't going to go all the way, why go at all?
- Joe Namath

This is gonna be another sober day

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I woke up sober this morning. I remember when ...

that I know what I did last summer

that I'm a regular attendee of AA and Al Anon meetings at a recovery center where we talk about solutions

that I've recently formed a better friendship with someone who speaks my language of cars and planes

How rare and wonderful is that flash of a moment when we realize we have discovered a friend.
- William Rostler

beware of doctors

todAAy i AAM grAAteful & thAAnkful

for a nice meeting with my sponsor; a man who magically keeps me accountable

that I'm still trying to differentiate between my wants and my needs

that I'm slowly learning how to handle sobriety

that my program of sobriety doesn't have to look like yours

that as of today, I've gone 3 1/2 years without a cigarette after smoking heavily for 36 years. I don't need one, I don't want one, I don't mind being around one. In October 2006, I became a non-smoker.


Lady Luck generally woos those who earnestly, enthusiastically, unremittingly woo her.
- B.C. Forbes

Disturbed

For the rest of this week, I'll be posting some rather weird (disturbing?) advertisements from days gone by.
Why?
Because I can.


todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that even though I am going through a rough patch in my relationship, I have 12 steps to keep me centered

I've used those steps and little sayings enough that they often seems second-nature

that my sponsors (AA & Al Anon) are there when I need them, and I need them lately

that most of my "problems" are minor and would be considered "high class"


Perhaps they are not stars in the sky, but rather openings where our loved ones shine down to let us know they are happy.
- Eskimo saying

The Old and the New

I attended a car show over the weekend about one hour west of Houston. I went with the Buick club to which I belong and we drove there in a convoy down the highway. That was fun. I pulled up the rear of the procession in my '65 Riviera, following a beautiful 1959 pink Buick Lesabre. The 2 cars above were amongst my favorites at the show. The yellow 1949 Packard convertible and a 1953 Hudson Hornet. Both are in mint condition. Wow!




todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

to have heard my friend Larry H. relate his story of alcoholism; his presentation had a very good flow to it, more so than most

that I'm learning (a little bit at a time) to adjust to the world around me

for the recovery fellowship I participate in

that I've discovered a hobby outside of AA that I really enjoy (it took 6 years for this to happen)


Self-discipline is when your conscience tells you to do something and you don't talk back.
- W.K. Hope

Shooting Stars -- explained

Spectacular Erection

ups and downs

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that the simpler I keep my program of recovery, the easier it is -- DUH!

for the life I left behind and the one I live now

that my big mouth doesn't get me into as many unfortunate predicaments as it used to before I knew about the concept of restraint of tongue

that we're only 1 month from the start of the regular season (baseball)


Believe those who seek the truth; doubt those who find it.
- Andre Gide

Heads up

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful


for absolutely more proof that when I do the right thing, the right things happen (but not necessarily on my schedule)

that there will be enough for today, whatever it may be

that I can be there for others, even if I have nothing to say

that I realized (from listening to others) that I can drink/get drunk over anything, or under any bridge. Does that make sense?

Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous.
- Unknown

H.O.W.

todAAy i AAM grAAteful & thAAnkful


for the lessons of being honest

for the new concepts I can realize from being open-minded

for the opportunities given me by becoming willing

that it doesn't matter which side of the bed I wake up on; either side is good these days

I've always thought I could do whatever was necessary to succeed.
- Michael Jordan

So, you wanna live in the big city?

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that yesterday, I was teachable and learned something. Today, I'm gonna do that again.

that Scott W. is doing just fine in his new life-without-blogging

that I get to vote today; a privilege that I embrace as an American

for the year I taught school (I was 22 years old). I'm sure I learned a whole lot more than the 12-14 year-old kids I taught. They already knew everything.

We only go around once. There's really no time to be afraid. So stop. Try something you've never tried. Teach it. Do it. Risk it.
- Jon Blais

Don't miss the boat ...

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful


I know that life is not a bowl of cherries and things won't always be pleasant or easy. A big part of my joy in recovery is knowing (1) there is a solution (2) that this too shall pass.

that some good recovery friends celebrated sober anniversaries on Saturday night at Lambda Center's monthly birthday celebration

I'm happy for Canada in their Olympic hockey victory and for the USA with all the medals.

for some beautiful spring-like weather this weekend

If you don't know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else.
- Yogi Berra