post # 2,600

Did you ever wonder why there are no dead penguins on the ice in Antarctica - where do they go ?

Wonder no more ! ! !

It is a known fact that the penguin is a very ritualistic bird which lives an extremely ordered and complex life. The penguin is very committed to its family and will mate for life, as well as maintaining a form of compassionate contact with its offspring throughout its life.

If a penguin is found dead on the ice surface, other members of the family and social circle have been known to dig holes in the ice, using their vestigial wings and beaks, until the hole is deep enough for the dead bird to be rolled into and buried.

The male penguins then gather in a circle around the fresh grave and sing:

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"Freeze a jolly good fellow"

"Freeze a jolly good fellow."


"Then they kick him in the ice hole!!!"




todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I don't wake up any more wondering what time I get to start getting drunk

that, by the grace of my HP, I don't need beer in my fridge overnight - just in case

that as a result of working the steps with a sponsor, I feel accountable to him - constantly and consistently

that I'm listing one of my cars for sale on eBay. This is an interesting, first time experience.

Everyone's a star and deserves the right to twinkle.
- Marilyn Monroe

being there

I thought I'd share a few more pictures of the car and boat show from the weekend.

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for the accountability I gain from having an AA sponsor and from working Step 10

that I can be helpful even when I don't really try; many times, just showing up is all it takes

that I'm a bit less sensitive than I used to be; at least I don't seem to overreact like the old days


If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.
- Booker T. Washington

Yo!

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I was present to listen to my friend Sharon F. tell her story of experience, strength and hope. A woman with multiple God-given talents.

that I make sure that I am accountable to others for various parts of my life

that Hayden returned home after a 6-month stay in Europe

that I love to listen to Christmas holiday music and had the opportunity to do so at various times over the weekend, especially in a televised hour of music from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir

The greater part of our happiness depends on our dispositions and not on our circumstances.
- Martha Washington

Still insane after all these years

My backyard Jacuzzi before Hurricane Ike ... and the day after.

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I am accountable to those around me AND myself

for the challenges I face every day -- usually, they differ from day to day which help keeps life fresh

that those challenges offer growth

for a continuing awareness of my character defects

that I am so lucky in just about every aspect of my life

It has been my experience that folks who have no vices have very few virtues.
-Abraham Lincoln

It's about time!

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I'm accountable and do my best to not make excuses for my bad behavior

for the fellowship I find in AA and Lambda Center

that my anxiety level is managed by medication

that we are finally scheduled to close on the new house TODAY!!

that I have almost enough patience to deal with utility companies

The really happy man is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
Anonymous

Carrying on ...

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I can be responsible and accountable without any resentments

that I am in a relationship that requires patience in so many areas of my thinking; it has been the biggest and most profound learning experience of my 53 years -- and worth every minute (almost LOL)

for the Marines -- I totally know what they're talking about when they say they get more done by 9am than most people do in a whole day

that I could get up at 3:30am today to take a friend to the airport

It takes a real storm in the average person's life to make him realize how much worrying he has done over the squalls.
-Unknown

Proceed with caution

Yesterday I was buying a large bag of Purina dog chow for my dogs at WALMART and was about to check out. A woman behind me asked if I had a dog. On impulse, I told her that no, I didn't have a dog, and that I was starting the Purina Diet again, although I probably shouldn't, because I'd ended up in the hospital last time, but that I'd lost 50 pounds before I awakened in an intensive care ward with tubes coming out of most of my orifices and IVs in both arms. I told her that it was essentially a perfect diet, and that the way that it works is to load your pants pockets with Purina nuggets and simply eat one or two every time you feel hungry, and that the food is nutritionally complete so I was going to try it again. (I have to mention here that practically everyone in the line was by now enthralled with my story.)Horrified , she asked if I ended up in intensive care because the dog food poisoned me. I told her, "No, I stepped off a curb to sniff an Irish Setter's ass and a car hit us both."

I thought the guy behind her was going to have a heart attack, he was laughing so hard!
(This is not a true story. It is a joke. If you don't like it, call your sponsor.)


todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that we read Bill's Story yesterday at the Eyes Wide Shut meeting; the discussion afterward was great as we each told at least one way that we identified with his story

that I no longer have to look away from people so they won't smell alcohol on my breath

for the concept of killing 2 birds with 1 stone

that smiling at someone costs me nothing

that tomorrow is hAAlf nAAked thursdAAy, so get your cameras out now!

"It is the Law that any difficulties that can come to you at any time, no matter what they are, must be exactly what you need most at the moment, to enable you to take the next step forward by overcoming them. The only real misfortune, the only real tragedy, comes when we suffer without learning the lesson."
-- Emmet Fox

Drug Problem

I don't know who wrote this or where I got it from. I've had it on file for some time and thought I'd publish it today. Enjoy.

The other day, someone at a store in our town read that a Methamphetamine lab had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining county and he asked me a rhetorical question, ''Why didn't we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?''

I replied, "I had a drug problem when I was young.

I was drug to Church on Sunday morning. I was drug to church for weddings and funerals. I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather. I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults. I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of the teacher or the preacher, or if I didn't put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me. I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if I uttered a profane four-letter word. I was drug out to pull weeds in mom's garden and flower beds and Cockleburs out of dad's fields. I was drug to the homes of family, friends, and neighbors to help out some poor soul who had no one to mow the yard, repair the clothesline, or chop some firewood; and, if my mother had ever known that I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness, she would have drug me back to the woodshed.

Those drugs are still in my veins; and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say, and think.

They are stronger than cocaine, crack, or heroin; and, if today's children had this kind of drug problem, America would be a better place."

How It Goes ...

My parents didn't have the opportunity to purchase
COMING OUT INSURANCE .

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for another full day yesterday as things just seemed to "happen"
0400 - got up, made coffee, wrote Gratitude list
0530 - take shower
0630 - AA meeting
0830 - contractor at my house to give work estimate
0930 - went to Home Depot to look at bathroom fixtures
1030 - bought plants for patio at Houston Garden Center
1145 - went to Lambda for AA meeting
1315 - went to lunch/fellowship after meeting
1445 - therapist appointment (he's doing OK)
1610 - went to Starbucks
1700 - at home planting flowers and checking email & blogs
1800 - bicycle to Lambda for fundraising meeting
1900 - return home to watch Astros game on TV
2230 - go to bed ... sober, gay & happy

I'm also really happy that I have decided to take the high road regarding Jerry Falwell. I suspect I may run into him one day.

I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have.
-Thomas Jefferson

No bump in the road

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

to witness daily how acceptance and attitude can make all the difference in my world

for reminders that I am much more accountable than I was during my drinking days

that today, people actually depend on me to be sober

that my best will just have to be enough today

for people who go out of their way to make a difference

that Step 10 does not read ... "Continued to take your personal inventory and when I was right promptly declared it"

that TK is seeking the help he needs -- if you have the time, drop by and offer a few words of encouragement @
TK's Journey of Recovery

"There is the risk you cannot afford to take, and there is the risk you cannot afford not to take."
-- Peter Drucker