going forward

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I'm gonna do my best today. I'll never get another chance to experience today.

to hear about Brian B.'s experience yesterday. His progress since coming into AA is palpable.

that I attended the Double Winner Al-Anon meeting again last night. Last week (the inaugural meeting) there were 30 people. Last night, there were 58 of us. It's my second consecutive Al-Anon meeting, but I've gone to about 6 or 7 during the past 4 years. I am confused about how "consecutive" meetings are counted. From what I understand, I have to attend 6 consecutive meetings before I am a member. Kind of confusing to me. (any thoughts, Syd?)


I'd rather be a failure at something I enjoy than a success at something I hate.
- George Burns

07-08-09

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that yesterday in our 6:30am Big Book study, we read one of the stories in the 4th edition called "The Vicious Cycle". I really identified with this exerpt where the author is talking about taking that first drink ... "I could feel it go right through every bit of my body and down to my very toes. But each drink after the first seemed to become less effective, and after three or four, they all seemed like water."

that I have all day to practice these principles ...
1 Honesty
2 Hope
3 Faith
4 Courage
5 Integrity
6 Willingness
7 Humility
8 Compassion
9 Discipline
10 Perseverance
11 Awareness of God
12 Service


One who imitates what is bad always goes beyond his model; while one who imitates what is good always comes up short of it.
- Francesco Guicciardini

stepping forward

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

to those with courage in any of its forms

for the positive results of stepping through the unknown to get to the other side

to know that half measures won't work for me if I want to stay serene

that I must exhibit some integrity if I am to be the sponsor I wish to be

that I am not attending Michael Jackson's Memorial today, but will probably see a little bit of it on the telly (@ Lambda Center)

When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.
- Charles A. Beard

I am Curious ... From what I've read, MJ's estate is still worth a net of about $500 million. Yet he had filed for bankruptcy. How does this occur? Any accountants out there who can 'splain this to me?

And why can't his estate pay the cost of security in LA for this memorial service?

moving forward

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for the concept of rigorous honesty, in the context of Alcoholics Anonymous

for the honesty of my friend, Laura L.

that Shann (TodAAy) celebrates 16 consecutive years of sobriety today

that I have cleaned up my side of the street and have every intention of keeping it that way

for the companionship of my 3 cats

Two things a man should never be angry at: what he can help, and what he cannot help.
- Thomas Fuller

it's a burglary

the 4th

If you have sex with a prostitute against her will, is it considered rape or shoplifting?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Can you cry under water?

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How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Why do you have to "put your two cents in"... but it's only a "penny for your thoughts"? Where's that extra penny going to?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried in for eternity?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Why does a round pizza come in a square box?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What disease did cured ham actually have?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up like every two hours?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Why are you IN a movie, but you're ON TV?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Why do doctors leave the room while you change?

They're going to see you naked anyway.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Why is "bra" singular and "panties" plural?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a stupid song about him?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

hy does a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane ?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If the professor on Gilligan's Island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours?

They're both dogs!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If Wile E. Coyote had enough money to buy all that ACME crap, why didn't he just buy dinner?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Why did you just try singing the two songs above?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Why do they call it an asteroid when it's outside the hemisphere, but call it a hemorrhoid when it's in your butt?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him for a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?

Friday morning

Pastor Quinn, the gay converter


todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I still prefer to stay involved; with my partner out of the country for an extended time, it's important that I remain active

for the cycles that make up my life

for the boundaries that I maintain

that I am off to the gym for cardio at 5am today


I have learned through bitter experience the one supreme lesson: to conserve my anger, and as heat conserved is transmitted into energy, even so our anger controlled can be transmitted into a power...
- Mahatma Gandhi

down home, at home

Look what the cat brought in


todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that my friend Jesse J. told his story of experience, strength and hope yesterday

that I went to the inaugural meeting of a Double Winners group last night at Lambda Center; I can sure use me some good Al-Anon

that I only have one life to live, but I get to live it in 2 very distinct halves

for the PBS show, American Masters, which highlighted Garrison Keillor last night

There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in.
- Leonard Cohen

It's already Wednesday!

Jaywalking





todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that miracles never cease

for the wide range of people I've met in the rooms of AA

for the wider range of people I've yet to meet in the rooms of AA

that I've been lucky enough to go to AA meetings in Houston, Palm Springs, New York City, London, Costa Rica and Trinidad. Later this month, I get to speak at a meeting in Austin.

for spontaneity; I plan it as often as possible


If I have learned one thing in this life, it is that God will not tie my shoes without me.
- Doug Boyd

Tuesday

The top 12 indicators that the economy is bad--

12. CEO's are now playing miniature golf.

11. I got a pre-declined credit card in the mail.

10. I went to buy a toaster oven and they gave me a bank.

9. Hotwheels and Matchbox car companies are now trading higher than GM in the stock market.
8. Obama met with small businesses - GE, Pfizer, Chrysler, Citigroup and GM, to discuss the Stimulus Package.

7. McDonalds is selling the 1/4 ouncer.

6. People in Beverly Hills fired their nannies and are learning their children's names.

5. The most highly-paid job is now jury duty.

4. People in Africa are donating money to Americans. Mothers in Ethiopia are telling their kids, "finish your plate; do you know how many kids are starving in America ?"

3. Motel Six won't leave the lights on.

2. The Mafia is laying off judges.

1. If the bank returns your check marked as "insufficient funds," you have to call them and ask if they meant you or them.


todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful


for the role models in my life (I shall decline to name them here)

that I can go through a whole day (morning, noon and night) without the urge to have a beer or a rum & coke

that I've been able to do that for over 5 years

that keeping my side of the street clean daily is much eaiser than ignoring the mess for awhile and then having to clean it

that our forecast today is for a high temp of only 98; we've had 7 consecutive days of +100, ranging from 101-104 deg

Right is right, even if everyone is against it; and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it.
- William Penn

back to ...

Nairobi umbrella





todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for the miracles offered me, often without my knowledge

for just about the most fun I've experienced in sobriety -- about 7 hours with 15 other friends in recovery as we decorated vehicles, then waited for hours in the extreme heat (together) at the staging area for the Gay Pride Parade. The Parade took 2 hours itself, and I got to drive the convertible which presented Mr & Miss Lambda 2009.

that I got to meet and hold conversation with Annise Parker and Carlos Obando, who are running campaigns for Houston Mayor and City Council. Both are openly gay candidates, but stand for much more than just that.

that Scott W. celebrates another birthday today and he does it as a sober man

The giant oak is an acorn that held its ground.
~~ unknown

The Colo-Rectal Surgeon

Amazing, Simple Home Remedies

1. IF YOU'RE CHOKING ON AN ICE CUBE, SIMPLY POUR A CUP OF BOILING WATER DOWN YOUR THROAT. PRESTO! THE BLOCKAGE WILL INSTANTLY REMOVE ITSELF.

2. AVOID CUTTING YOURSELF WHEN SLICING VEGETABLES BY GETTING SOMEONE ELSE TO HOLD THE VEGETABLES WHILE YOU CHOP.

3. AVOID ARGUMENTS WITH THE FEMALES ABOUT LIFTING THE TOILET SEAT BY USING THE SINK.

4. FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE SUFFERERS ~ SIMPLY CUT YOURSELF AND BLEED FOR A FEW MINUTES, THUS REDUCING THE PRESSURE ON YOUR VEINS. REMEMBER TO USE A TIMER.

5. A MOUSE TRAP PLACED ON TOP OF YOUR ALARM CLOCK WILL PREVENT YOU FROM ROLLING OVER AND GOING BACK TO SLEEP AFTER YOU HIT THE SNOOZE BUTTON.

6. IF YOU HAVE A BAD COUGH, TAKE A LARGE DOSE OF LAXATIVES. THEN YOU'LL BE AFRAID TO COUGH.

7. YOU ONLY NEED TWO TOOLS IN LIFE - WD-40 AND DUCT TAPE. IF IT DOESN'T MOVE AND SHOULD, USE THE WD-40. IF IT SHOULDN'T MOVE AND DOES, USE THE DUCT TAPE.

8. REMEMBER - EVERYONE SEEMS NORMAL UNTIL YOU GET TO KNOW THEM.

9. IF YOU CAN'T FIX IT WITH A HAMMER, YOU'VE GOT AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.

Looking at Me

THIS is my all-time favorite music video, especially the last minute. The song ain't bad either.


todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

we read Step 4 yesterday in the 6:30am Eyes Wide Shut meeting. Here's some words from the 12/12 that can serve me well ...

• we grab for more of everything we need, fearing we shall never have enough


• step four is the beginning of a lifetime practice


• fear, greed, possessive-ness and pride have too often done their worst


• did I try to cover up those feelings of inadequacy by bluffing, cheating, lyin, or evading responsibility?


• did I recklessly borrow money, caring little whether it was repaid or not?


• the most common symptoms of emotional insecurity are worry, anger, self-pity, and depression


• the primary fact that we fail to recognize is our total inability to form a true partnership with another human being


• either we insist upon dominating the people we know, or we depend upon them far too much

for the 40 years of talent from Michael Jackson

for my favorite Charlie's Angel, Farrah Fawcett

for the fine example of the institution of marriage that the South Carolina Governor has been. He is a shining example of the (conservative) argument against gay marriage. NOT!!


When people shake their heads because we are living in a restless age, ask them how they would like to live in stationary one, and do without change.
- George Bernard Shaw

Better choices

this is different




todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful


that I chose Gayle M. to tell us what it was like, what happened and what it's like now. She shared yesterday at the 12:15p AA meeting @ Lambda Center.

that Scott W. will be chairing that speaker meeting in July

that more of my choices today (these days) involve thinking before I make them

that most of us seem to have survived the 104 deg heat yesterday


He who wants to expand the field of happiness, let him lay the foundation of it on the bottom of his heart.
- Tao saying

middle of the week

What nine letter word in the English language is still a word when the nine letters are removed one by one?
Take a few minutes to try and come up with a nine letter word that fits the bill, then watch the attached video.... Well, just watch the video....because you're never going figure it out!






todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I get to stay sober again today

for the rituals we follow at the beginning of AA meetings -- it helps me get centered for the meeting

that I was rarely a physically violent person (except a couple of times when I was really drunk)

that I still seem to be going through mental pause

for air conditioning -- it was 101 deg yesterday


He that is afraid to shake the dice will never throw a six.
- Chinese Proverb

now that it's summer ...

Let's all go kayaking in the wide open ocean!!




todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I had a desire and continue to have it

to watch somone new in recovery get it. To see them with more clarity of thought, more awareness while regaining the ambition to become what they could be.

for the people I consider to be my support group. I'm not sure all of them know that they are part of this important function. Should I tell them?

that people trust me enough to ask for AA commitments and that I'm able to fulfill them

that we had a 15 minute rain shower yesterday evening -- the first measureable rainfall at my home since late April --- it was lovely!


Experience is what allows us to repeat our mistakes, only with more finesse!
- Derwood Fincher

the way it is (today)

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I feel comfortable in any AA meeting I attend

that my friend Doug F. was not injured in a traffic accident that totaled his vehicle (a lady ran a red light and broadsided him)

for having fun participating in our little Roundup fundraiser Saturday night -- it was entitled "Dr Bob's Dysfunctional Family Feud"

that I've recently experienced some progress/improvement in dealing with my Peripheral Artery Disease in my legs (I can go longer on the treadmill before my calves lock up)


Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.
- Aristotle

$2,250,000

is all this costs on eBay right now!

Phone Repair

Lawrence, Kansas
December 12, 2008

A Kansas farm wife called the local phone company to report her telephone failed to ring when her friends called - and that on the few occasions when it did ring, her dog always moaned right before the phone rang.

The telephone repairman proceeded to the scene, curious to see this psychic dog or senile lady. He climbed a telephone pole, hooked in his test set, and dialed the subscriber's house. The phone didn't ring right away, but then the dog moaned and the telephone began to ring. Climbing down from the pole, the telephone repairman found:

1. The dog was tied to the telephone system's ground wire with a steel chain and collar.

2. The wire connection to the ground rod was loose.

3. The dog was receiving 90 volts of signaling current when the number was called.

4. After a couple of jolts, the dog would start moaning and then urinate.

5. The wet ground would complete the circuit, thus causing the phone to ring.

Which demonstrates that some problems CAN be fixed by pissing and moaning.

heresay

Advice from Snopes

Here is a nice little tidbit of information. If any of you are wondering why I won't return something to you that said something like 'if I don't get this back I'll....or, 'See how many flowers or hugs you can get back', or 'Forward this to 10 people in the next 5 mins.. or something bad will happen to you', etc.

The following is one reason why I will not send them back.

Advice from Snopes.com <>

1) Any time you see an E-Mail that says forward this on to '10' of your friends, or sign this petition, or you'll get bad luck, good luck, or whatever, it almost always has an E-Mail tracker program attached that tracks the cookies and E-Mails of those folks you forward to.

The host sender is getting a copy each time it gets forwarded and then is able to get lists of 'active' E-Mails to use in SPAM E-Mails, or sell to other spammers.

2) Almost all E-Mails that ask you to add your name and forward on to others are similar to that mass letter years ago that asked people to send business cards to the little kid in Florida who wanted to break the Guinness Book of Records for the most cards.

All it was, and all any of this type of E-Mail is, is a way to get names and 'cookie ' tracking information for telemarketers and spammers - - to validate active E-Mail accounts for their own profitable purposes.


You can do your friends and family members a GREAT favor (PLEASE) by sending this information to them; you will be providing a service to your friends, and will be rewarded by not getting thousands of spam E-Mails in the future!

If you have been sending out (FORWARDING) the above kinds of E-Mail, now you know why you get so much SPAM!

Do yourself a favor and STOP adding your name(s) to those types of listings regardless how inviting they might sound!
You may think you are supporting a GREAT cause, but you are NOT in the long run. Instead, you will be getting tons of junk mail later! Plus, we are helping the spammers get rich! Let's don't make it easy for them!

Also: E-Mail petitions are NOT acceptable to Congress or any other organization. To be acceptable, petitions must have a signed signature and full address of the person signing the petition. Make a hard copy and sign and MAIL by US mail.

Read the full story here:
http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/petition/internet.asp <>


todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that alcohol wasn't the problem (much to my surprise)

that I enjoy participating in my recovery and don't have to go to meetings (instead, I get to go to meetings)

for John C., who gave me the above thoughts as we talked and ate dinner last night; he doesn't have a blog, so I stole these to put here

that I'm still free to do as I please, but today, I do differently


Some pursue happiness, others create it.
~~ unknown

changes

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that by the end of my first year of sobriety, I had made the necessary changes to help build a strong recovery foundation

that I've been able to modify my life to fit my recovery

that Scott W. filled in at the last minute when my scheduled speaker could not appear; Scott does/did an amazing job of explaining his feelings behind his drinking

that I laid some paving flagstone all by myself (in this damn heat!)


Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.
- Theodore Roosevelt

Addendum --- I was outside in my hot tub at 5am (after publishing this post) as I am every morning before jumping in the shower. At the same moment I looked skyward I witnessed a beautiful meteorite burning up in the atmosphere, leaving its long trail. It was a lovely God shot and a great way to begin my day.

things to live for

click to enlarge


todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I no longer have to guess at what happened last night

for the Twelve Promises (pages 83/84)

that I am familiar with the traditions of AA and show respect for them

for those infrequent times when I can see why things happened they way they did

that I'm in contact with Zane and his family emergency is over. The news was favorable. He will return home at the end of the week.


There is more to life than increasing its speed.
- Gandhi

hope and sanity

presenting the 2010 GM (government motors) Obamamobile



todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

someone shared in a Step 2 meeting yesterday that a return to sanity means to him that he no longer thinks that a drink can or will make anything better

for hope that I may become even more sane than I am right now

that my partner had a safe flight to the UK; he'll be visiting there awhile

(Liz, he should be calling soon)

for indoor air conditioning (it's really hot here folks)


Tough times never last, tough people do.
- Robert Schuller

maintenance

why naked men should not skydive



todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that the maintenance of my sobriety is my priority

for a fun surprise birthday party I attended Saturday night. A recovery friend celebrated his 40th year on this planet and his partner planned a great surprise for him. Fabulous!

for this guideline that really works well ...

• does it need to be said?
• does it need to be said right now?
• does it need to be said by me?

to be able to help a friend in need

for another recovery blogger, Another Real Alcoholic. Drop by and say howdy to this garden variety drunk.

When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.
- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Obit + Breaking News

AN OBITUARY PRINTED IN THE LONDON TIMES.
Interesting and, sadly, true.

'Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, 'Common Sense', who has been with us for many years.

No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
· Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
· why the early bird gets the worm;
· Life isn't always fair; and
· maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by
· simple, sound financial policies: (don't spend more than you can earn) and
· reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place.

· Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate;
· teens suspended from school for using mouth wash after lunch; and
· a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student,

only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost further ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an Aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realise that a steaming cup of coffee was hot.
She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death, by
· his parents, Truth and Trust.
· his wife, Discretion,
· his daughter, Responsibility,
· his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers;
· I Know My Rights;
· I Want It Now;
· Someone Else Is To Blame;
· I'm A Victim.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realised he was gone.'


BREAKING NEWS ... BREAKING NEWS ... BREAKING NEWS ...

today is Tall Karen's (AHA Moments) 5th sobriety birthday. Drop by and wish her well!!

How to solve the global financial crisis

It is August.

In a small town on the South Coast the holiday season is in full swing, but it is raining, so there is not too much business happening. Everyone is heavily in debt.
Luckily, a rich tourist arrives in the foyer of the small local hotel. He asks for a room and puts a £100 note on the reception counter,takes a key and goes to inspect the room located up the stairs on the third floor.

The hotel owner takes the bank note in a hurry and rushes to his meat supplier to whom he owes £100.
The butcher takes the money and races to his supplier to pay his debt.
The wholesaler rushes to the farmer to pay £100 for pigs he purchased some time ago.
The farmer triumphantly gives the £100 note to a local prostitute who gave him her services on credit.
The prostitute goes quickly to the hotel, as she was owing the hotel for her hourly room use to entertain clients.
At that moment, the rich tourist came back down to reception.
He informs the hotel owner that the proposed room is unsatisfactory.
He takes back his £100 and departs.

There was no profit or income. But everyone no longer has any debt and the townspeople look optimistically towards their future.

layin' back for the weekend

2 of my 3 girls



todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for alternatives

that I am a whole lot less judgemental than I used to be

for the process of working Step 8 for the first time
(a sponsee is doing this now)

that I'll never have to rearrange my life so that I can get drunk
(it was always a time management issue)

You only live once-but if you work it right, once is enough.
- Joe E. Lewis

BONUS THOUGHT ...

SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES - NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS.

no more hangovers

todAAy i AAM grAAteful & thAAnkful

that PAM has 18 years of continuous sobriety today!!

that Keith F. shared some of his experience with us yesterday at the 12:15pm speaker meeting

that I saw The Hangover last night -- very light and funny, easy to watch

that I rarely had serious hangovers during my 30+ years of drinking

for THIS piece by Mr SponsorPants about the possibility of a person being an alcoholic


Pain nourishes courage. You can't be brave if you've only had wonderful things happen to you.

- Mary Tyler Moore

Following the path

the updated landscape project -- those little trees and the gray moonrocks and the borders are all new. The 1965 Riviera provides a sweet background.



todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for the power of time

for the 6:30am meeting I attend every weekday; yesterday, we read about the sobering of Bill D., AA's 3rd member

for glimpses of sanity

that 14 of us got together for a really nice lunch at Baba Yega's as a sort of farewell to Hayden's mom who has been visiting for the past 2 weeks

for someone who has returned to the noon meetings after a 3-year absence. Now I know why I come to meetings every day. This person looks they they have aged 10-15 years in those 3 years. Apparently, crack and crystal meth will do that to you.


Heroism consists in hanging on one minute longer.
- Norwegian proverb

no title today

A rancher's widow needed help to run the ranch, so she advertised in the local paper for a hired hand.
Two cowboys applied for the job. One was gay and the other a drunk.
She thought long and hard about it, and when no one else applied she decided to hire the gay guy, figuring it would be safer to have him around the house than the drunk..He proved to be a hard worker who put in long hours every day and knew a lot about ranching.
For weeks, the two of them worked, and the ranch was doing very well.Then one day, the rancher's widow said to the hired hand, 'You have done a really good job, and the ranch looks great. You should go into town and kick up your heels.'The hired hand readily agreed and went into town one Saturday night.
One o'clock came, however, and he didn't return.
Two o'clock came and still no hired hand.
Finally he returned around two-thirty, and upon entering the room, he found the rancher's widow sitting by the fireplace with a glass of wine, waiting for him.She quietly called him over to her.
Unbutton my blouse and take it off,' she said.
Trembling, he did as she directed.'Now take off my boots.' He did as she asked, ever so slowly..'Now take off my socks.' He removed each gently and placed them neatly by her boots.'Now take off my skirt'. He slowly unbuttoned it, constantly watching her eyes in the fire light.'Now take off my bra'. Again, with trembling hands, he did as he was told and dropped it to the floor.Then she looked at him and said, 'If you ever wear my clothes into town again, you're fired'.


I know that's been around awhile, but I love it. LOL



todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I was in first grade the last time I was sober for this length of time

for seemingly constant reminders lately that my recovery must come before anything else; it's because of my recovery that anything else is possible

for some really powerful first step meetings over the past few days


That they may have a little peace, even the best dogs are compelled to snarl occasionally.
- William Feather

Back to Gratitude

a few minutes with Barack


todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for more reminders that I need to strive for patience (for myself and my fellow man), love (for myself and my fellow man) and tolerance (for myself and my fellow man)

for recovery fellowship in so many forms; yesterday, I spent time with 6 others at a late breakfast then went to a baseball game with 3 others. These are things that I now pursue, because left to my own instinct, I would sit at home alone.

that I get so many things done, almost daily

that I'm up and about very early (even for me) this morning and will head to the gym @ 5am

that I know what I did last night, but not what you did last summer


It's not how much you have that makes people look up to you, it's who you are.
- Elvis Presley

Pete and Beulah Mae

click

being the breast she can be

It's Friday!

from downtown Galveston, Texas... Col. Bubbies is a well-known army surplus store. I was curious as to the spelling of the word "senter".

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I have 2,100 days continuous days of sobriety and I am SOOOOOOOOO glad I only had to do them one day at a time!!

that I can occasionally surrender my will to my HP and when I do, good things seem to happen

that I drove Hayden and his Mom to Galveston for a short look-see and we had a nice lunch; it's being reconstructed after last September's Hurricane Ike, but there's a whole lot to do. I don't believe that the island can ever be the same.


Whatever you do or dream you can do— begin it. Boldness has genius and power and magic in it.
- Johann Goethe

being there

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

to hear Jane W's story of experience, strength and hope yesterday

that I've been able to avoid complacency in my recovery by going to lots of meetings, having a sponsor and being a sponsor and remaining accountable to myself, my sponsor and my support group

that yesterday was Hayden's birthday and his Mom was here to celebrate it with him; we enjoyed a great dinner last night at a fancy Italian restaurant


Education is when you read the fine print. Experience is what you get if you don't.
- Pete Seeger

another moose

todAAy i AAM grAAteful & thAAnkful

for Dr. Bob's Nightmare in the Big Book (Alcoholics Anonymous, pages 171-181)

for this passage from the above story ...
"I spend a great deal of time passing on what I learned to others who want and need it badly. I do it for four reasons:

• Sense of duty.


• It is a pleasure.


• Because in so doing am paying my debt to the man who took time to pass it on to me.


• Because every time I do it I take out a little more insurance for myself against a possible slip.

for continued health; I'm still on the treadmill 5 or 6 days each week and work with my trainer twice every week

that I seem to learn more about myself every day, like it or not

Every time we open our mouths, men look into our minds.
~~ unknown

Hanging on

?



todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for the psychic change I had just at the right time (isn't that how it works for us?)

that I've been fortunate enough to keep taking forward steps, with just a few setbacks since getting sober

for more lessons that I should not judge a book by its cover -- nor an alcoholic by the way he/she appears

for memories -- for some reason, I've been reminiscing about my years in the oil industry. My travels and all the people I associated with. For you latecomers, I was lucky enough to live and work in 25+ countries over the last 8 years of a 20-year career.


To be loved, be lovable.
- Ovid

a nice weekend

Susan Boyle lost.
Here's the act that beat her in the finals of Britain's Got Talent.
Thanks, Scott W. for passing it along to me.




todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful


for a really enjoyable sobriety birthday celebration on Saturday - at Lambda, we celebrate annual birthdays on the last Saturday of the month, instead of doing them on the actual day. For May, there were 31 celebrants with a total of 420 years of sobriety.

for a weekend of beautiful weather with only a few clouds. But it was hot.

for our new landscaping that Hayden worked really hard to achieve


In prosperity, our friends know us; in adversity, we know our friends.
- John Churton Collins

This is draining and humourous

THIS may come in handy for you someday.


Enjoy this...



courtesy of Todd at Postcards from Hell's Kitchen

Brain test

1- Find the C below. Do not use any cursor help.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOCOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

2- If you already found the C, now find the 6 below.

9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999969999999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999

3- Now find the N below. It's a little more difficult.

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMNMMMM
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

This is NOT a joke. If you were able to pass these 3 tests, you can cancel your annual visit to your neurologist. Your brain is great and you're far from having a close relationship with Alzheimer.


Congratulations!

Oh. One more test....

Find the 44th USA President.











Well, congratulations, you're not color blind either!

these boots were made for walkin'

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that you guys were right

that it's all pretty simple

that I'm not in charge

that we all play a part

that I've only just begun

that I don't know how little I know

for the promise of a beautiful weekend


There is no point at which you can say, 'Well, I'm successful now. I might as well take a nap.'
- Carrie Fisher

back again (in case you were wondering)

motorized barstool

(I just used my car instead)



todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful


that I volunteered to chair the noon meeting for each Wednesday in June; this is a speaker/discussion group, so I get to pick whom I want to share their (short) story, AKA what it was like, what happened and what it's like now

that I already have 3 speakers lined up for June -- LOL

that I've had such a blessed life

for 2092 days of an alcohol-free life

that I'm a television addict and I'm not afraid to admit it or correct it

The art of acceptance is the art of making someone who has just done you a small favor wish that he might have done you a greater one.
- Russell Lynes

Gratitude list

Man of Few Words










todAAy i AAM grAAteful & thAAnkful

that we finished reading A Vision for You in the Big Book study group I attend -- next week we'll start (again) the stories in the 4th edition

for no blackouts or lost days since 2003; that coincides with the first day I got sober

for the freedom to become the person I should be

that those who said I was in denial were wrong. At least I think they were wrong. Weren't they?


Truth does not become more true by virtue of the fact that the entire world agrees with it, nor less so even if the whole world disagrees with it.
- Maimonides

Welcome home

This is good to view on any day. Doesn't have to be on Memorial Day.


todAAy i AAM grAAteful & thAAnkful

for the Lambda picnic yesterday --- an almost cloud-less day with midday temps about 84 degrees. There must have been 50-60 sober recoverettes and enough food to feed many more. As far as I know, nobody got drunk or used any drugs improperly.

that a sponsee and I went to an 8pm meeting last night away from Lambda; I had not been there in 2-3 years but knew almost everyone there. That's kind of cool.

that during my working years, I was more often gruntled than disgruntled


Life is like a mirror. If you frown at it, it frowns back. If you smile at it, it returns the greeting.
- Herbert Samuels

Memorial Day

todAAy i AAM grAAteful & thAAnkful

for the countless Americans who've given so much so that I can sit here and type at will

for Bob S., a good friend at Lambda, who is 85 and was in the Navy in WWII in the Pacific region. He goes to a meeting every day and is very active in his recovery. He remains an inspiration to all who know him. He's been sober 33 years.

that we've got a Memorial Day Lambda Center picnic today @ Memorial Park

that I'm almost never wrong -- about anything!
There! I said it. I feel better now.

that I watched Night at the Museum last night on TV -- I loved it and now want to see the sequel that was just released


All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt!
- Lucy, Peanuts

Bicycle dog

making pancakes

Fellowship

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for the benefits of not being alone anymore -- those days of sitting alone on a barstool are my history, but don't have to be part of my future

that I have more friends than I'm willing to acknowledge -- for example, I have over 200 Facebook "friends", most of whom are in recovery

for the drama that I won't create today - hopefully

that I've been taking myself much too seriously and need to remember Rule 62 (see Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, page 149)

that a few of us went to the baseball game last night -- fellowship!!


When all is said and done, more is said than done.
- Lou Holtz

No place like home

Don't look now, but can you guess who lives here?

(the answer is at the bottom of yesterday's post)

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that my friend Ricky!! (One Day One Step) is posting again. Drop by to say howdy to a really great guy.

that Mary Christine reminded me of something I heard and sometimes remember to use when not sure whether to say or react to someone...

1. does it need to be said?


2. does it need to be said now?


3. does it need to be said by me?

for Scott W's new red shoes! Wow!!

that I'm finally finished with my latest dental work; getting implants, which took 7 months and way too much money

that I finally sold my 1967 Ford Thunderbird; it had been sitting at a car lot on consignment since December. Now, we're just a 2-car family.


The more you have, the more you're occupied; the less you have, the more free you are.
- Mother Teresa

it's never the same

He may have a tough time finding a buyer.


todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful


that we read a few pages from Chapter 11 of the Big Book (Alcoholics Anonymous) yesterday.
These words mean so much to me because I absolutely identify with them ...

"He cannot picture life without alcohol. Some day he will be unable to imagine life either with alcohol or without it.
Then he will know loneliness such as few do. He will be at the jumping-off place. He will wish for the end."


that I have so many opportunities to pass along my experience, strength and hope

for discussions about the infinite number of types of relationships

that my life will never be the same

Friendship is always a sweet responsibility, never an opportunity.
- Kahlil Gibran

Answer to No Place Like Home -- John Travolta

a bit lethargic

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that we had a first-time newcomer at the noon AA meeting yesterday -- he was very receptive and seemed to take it all in quite well

to see more clearly how unmanageable my life was for so many years

for the feeling that I'm just kinda going through the motions the past few days -- it's an odd feeling for me; nothing real good, nothing particularly bad

that most of the good things in my life require very little of my own willpower, but they do require my participation


The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person who is doing it.
- Chinese proverb

getting older by the minute

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that the longer I stay sober, the older I am

for some lovely, cooler weather that allowed us to have a friendly BBQ in the backyard

for the men and women who put forth the effort Saturday night at Lambda for the annual Mr/Ms Lambda Contest (it was a drag show)

HERE is one performance from that show

Part of being sane is being a little bit crazy.
- Janet Long

That's no bull

some of these are kinda punny

Creative Puns for Educated Minds

1. The roundest knight at King Arthur's round table was ----Sir Cumference. He acquired his size from too much pi.

2. I thought I saw an eye doctor on an Alaskan island, ----but it turned out to be an optical Aleutian.

3. She was only a whisky maker, ----but he loved her still.

4. A rubber band pistol was confiscated from algebra class ----because it was a weapon of math disruption.

5. The butcher backed into the meat grinder ----and got a little behind in his work.

6. No matter how much you push the envelope, ----it'll still be stationery.

7. A dog gave birth to puppies near the road ----and was cited for littering.

8. A grenade thrown into a kitchen in France ----would result in Linoleum Blownapart.

9. Two silk worms had a race. ----They ended up in a tie.

10. Time flies like an arrow. ----Fruit flies like a banana.

11. A hole has been found in the nudist camp wall. ----The police are looking into it.

12. Atheism ----is a non-prophet organization.

13. Two hats were hanging on a hat rack in the hallway. ----One hat said to the other, 'You stay here, I'll go on a head.'

14. I wondered why the baseball kept getting bigger.---- Then, it hit me.

15. A sign on the lawn at a drug rehab center said, ----'Keep off the Grass.'

16. A small boy swallowed some coins and was taken to a hospital.---- His grandmother telephoned to ask how he was, a nurse said, 'No change yet.'

17. A chicken crossing the road ----is poultry in motion.

18. The short fortune-teller who escaped from prison ----was a small medium at large.

19. The man who survived mustard gas and pepper spray ----is now a seasoned veteran.

20. A backward poet ----writes inverse.

21. In democracy, it's your vote that counts. ----In feudalism, it's your count that votes.

22. When cannibals ate a missionary, ----they got a taste of religion.

23. Don't join dangerous cults: ----Practice safe sects !

True or False

patience

and

wisdom



todAAy, we're doing a True / False test....

1. The attainment of greater humility is the foundation principle of each of A.A.'s Twelve Steps. true or false

2. Much of the everyday talk we hear highlights man's pride in his own achievements. true or false

3. Never was there enough of what we thought we wanted. true or false

4. We never thought of making honesty, tolerance and true love of man and God the daily basis of living. true or false

5. As long as we placed self-reliance first, a genuine reliance upon a Higher Power was out of the question. true or false

Every man has three characters: that which he shows, that which he has, and that which he thinks he has.
-Alphonse Karr

just a few words

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that David G. told his story to us yesterday -- very touching and very qualifying

for so many freedoms (I know I've said this before, but it's true, it's true!!)

for wasted days and wasted nights --- well, you guys said to NOT regret the past, and I don't because it's what got me here


Show me a guy who's afraid to look bad, and I'll show you a guy you can beat every time.
-Lou Brock

Just don't do it

intimate corner


todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

in an AA meeting yesterday, I was asked to share about my technique of relapse prevention. I told 'em that the best method I have found is to not drink alcohol.

for the fellowship I enjoy before just about every AA meeting that I attend. I often arrive 30 minutes to an hour early.

that my bosses (when I worked) trusted me to get the job done


Catch on fire and people will come for miles to see you burn.
-John Wesley

I'm blessed to have another day

todAAy i AAM grAAteful & thAAnkful

for a good night's sleep - I remember when I was drinking, a good night's sleep was only something other people had.

that we had 16 humans in our 6:30am meeting yesterday; it's been at least a couple of years since we had more than 15; it's usually about 10

that we discussed Step 10 at the nooner; it seems so all-encompassing

that all is well in my life recently; I don't care to search for any drama


You cannot prevent the birds of sorrow from flying over your head, but you can prevent them from building nests in your hair.
- Chinese Proverb

Back to the grindstone

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I was able to handle Mother's Day without any problem. It was my first MD since she died last August.

for a most incredible AA story of survival and recovery that I heard Saturday night -- some seem to think that it's too much to believe. Time will tell.

for reminders of my very full spiritual toobox

that our Houston Rockets (basketball) beat the LA Lakers yesterday even though we were without the help of our 2 top players (both injured). The Rockets actually decimated the other team. Very unexpected.

that I enjoy doing yard work, which this weekend mostly involved pulling weeds in the Serenity Garden @ Lambda Center


The supreme happiness of life is the conviction of being loved for yourself, or, more correctly, being loved in spite of yourself.
-Victor Hugo

Livin' in Texas

THINGS I LEARNED FROM BEING RAISED IN TEXAS

a.. Armadillos sleep in the middle of the road with their feet in the air.

b.. There are 5,000 types of snakes on earth and 4,998 live in Texas .

c.. There are 10,000 types of spiders. All 10,000 live in Texas , plus a couple no one's seen before.

d.. If it grows, it sticks; if it crawls, it bites.

e.. Onced and Twiced are words.

f. ..People actually grow and eat okra.

g.. 'Fixinto' is one word.

h... There is no such thing as 'lunch.'There is only dinner and then supper.

I.. *Iced tea is appropriate for all meals and you start drinking it when you're two. We do like a little tea with our sugar!

j.. Backwards and forwards means 'I know everything about you.'

k.. DJeet is actually a phrase meaning 'Did you eat?'

l.. You don't have to wear a watch because it doesn't matter what time it is. You work until you're done or it's too dark to see.

m.. You don't PUSH buttons, you MASH them.

n.. You measure distance in hours.

o. You'll probably have to switch from 'heat' to 'A/C' in the same day.

p.. 'Fixing' is a verb. Example: 'I'm fixing to go to the store.'

q.. You install security lights on your house and garage and leave both unlocked.

r.. You carry jumper cables in your car . . . for your OWN car.

s.. There are only four spices: salt, pepper, Tabasco and ketchup.

t.. The local papers cover national and international news on one page, but require 6 pages for local gossip and sports.

u.. 100 degrees Fahrenheit is 'a little warm.'

v.. We have four seasons: Almost Summer,Summer, still Summer and Christmas.

w.. Going to Wal-mart is a favorite past time known as 'goin' Wal-martin' or off to 'Wally World.'

x.. A cool snap (below 70 degrees) is good pinto-bean weather.

y.. A carbonated soft drink isn't a soda, cola or pop. . . . it's a Coke, regardless of brand or flavor. Example: 'What Kinda coke you want?'

z.. Fried catfish is the other white meat.

Caulking Gun

Italics

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for a great weekend to look forward to

that I had an appointment with my psychiatrist (first time since December) and I'm still a free person. Those guys with the straight-jackets were not for me (yet).

that I was directed to a really great place to find reading glasses

that an appriaser will finally come by to do his thing today in preparation of refinancing our mortgage


Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.
-William Jennings Bryan

Thursday

eliminate spillage

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that we heard the new AA story of a young woman with 40 days in the program. I must admit that she would not have been my choice, simpley because she is so new. But she deserves much credit for having the courage to sit in front of a group of recovering alkies and relate her story.

for dinner at a friend's very, very eclectic home. She celebrated 25 years of sobriety 2 days ago.

that my back (L5) is much better. I strained it a few days ago and that stirs up my chronically bad sciatic nerve.


Think it more satisfactory to live richly than die rich.
-Sir Thomas Browne

Daily maintenance

"Meet me on the balcony."



"Which one?"







todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I'm alcohol-free and nicotine-free today -- again!

for an afternoon spent helping a new friend in recovery find a place to live

that I no longer have to look elsewhere for my happiness (this is HUGE for me)

that I seem to have surrounded myself with so many wonderful and practical examples of effective recovery; all I have to do to learn is to keep my eyes and ears open


There is one thing stronger than all the armies in the world, and that is an idea whose time has come.
-Victor Hugo