Now that's what I call a good day!

Good morning and welcome. Today is Tuesday, August 22, 2017, and I'm still doing that crawfish thing. You know the one I am talking about. That's where I go forward by going backwards. Paw Paw Mac used to say crawfish don't care as much about where he might be going but he mostly wants to see where he has been. At any rate, I'm thinking about the special day I had last Saturday. It was the day designated to celebrate my birthday. I started off that day with a great homemade breakfast from the wife. Homemade biscuits, grits, my egg cooked perfectly, over easy, bacon, and some over-the-top delicious fig preserves canned by the wife's sister. After breakfast, I decided to go to the mall to walk. It was still early so the only people there were the walkers and a few very early merchandisers. I noticed when I walked by that in one of the fast food joints there was a large number of boxes waiting to be unpacked. As I passed by, I also took note of a dozen folks waiting in line for the super duper hair cutting place to open. There were some hairdressers already in the shop. It appeared their number one priority was to walk around like they had no idea a bunch of people were waiting outside. The workers were all wearing their black uniforms with their hair all teased up, and they looked like they were prancing a little. I saw a couple of older deaf people walking while talking to each other in sign language. After finishing two laps, I did something I only do in an emergency. (You know. In the case of an emergency, break this glass.) I was ready for another cup of coffee. (I had only had four cups of Community Colombian blend before leaving the house.) I, in a rather halting manner, walked into that place that puts the little holder on the cup and supposedly that little holder makes it coffee. The lady at the counter had a smile that was so bright it made me blink. I asked if she had any bold brew. She thought I said gold. She was puzzled. (It's the beard.) I clarified my request. "I would like some very strong coffee, please." She turned up the brightness of her teeth a notch and told me she had just finished brewing their espresso blend. I paid $2.00 for a small cup, found me a place to sit, and sipped my brew. It wasn't Community but it did have a bite and I actually, for the most part, enjoyed it. There. I said it. That one time. Please don't tell anyone I was seen in that place. Thanks.

Great Grand Gabi!

After running a few errands, I returned to the house and found the wife totally immersed in her cooking program. She was preparing a meal for us to celebrate my birthday with family. What a menu! She made pot roast, (consisting of two large roasts), mashed potatoes and gavy, fresh field peas, fried okra, homemade cornbread, and fresh sliced tomatoes. Some fourteen of us circled this veritable feast and after a prayer of thanksgiving to God, we attacked. I broke open a new jar of home canned pepper sauce and spooned out a generous portion onto the cornbread that I had piled up with peas and okra. It had a kick. (The two jars of pepper sauce were actually sent from Louisiana for our youngest son Rodney. Rodney couldn't be there so I thought it best to sample it on his behalf.)  He will like it because they made it hotter than the regular stuff they can. The wife outdid herself. (My mom used to ask me after we had enjoyed a huge family meal if it was the best ever.) She obviously paid attention to my pattern of food-related bragging. Here's one thing that made the wife feel ever so very good. She had prepared enough food for a logging camp and there were very few leftovers. Very few. They were scarce. How scarce were they? Scarce as hen's teeth. I had a wonderful birthday meal. We had a beautiful family gathering. MiMi and Poppy got to share forth and back holding of our newest great grand, Gabi. A good time was had by all and especially the birthday honoree. Thanks to my wife who put in the time and effort to make all of this happen. I am blessed. Amen.

I feel like Grandpaw Jones off of the old 'Hee Haw' series who used to give his upcoming menu and afterward the affirmation would come wafting through the air, 'Yum! Yum!' Now that I have the anniversary of my 71st year accounted for and in the rear view mirror, it is time to get on with the rest of my life, beginning with today. Yep. One day at a time. Hopefully, each one with some type of target of making it count in my influence on others and in honoring the God who gave me life, and more importantly, gave me eternal life in His presence. At our Thursday evening prayer and Bible study gathering, during our song time, one of the ladies called out the song, "That Glad Reunion Day". Many there didn't know that song. She did. We did. And, I think everyone enjoyed learning it. Enjoy the rest of your day and find something to thank God for. Until next time, may God bless each one. Amen. ....More later.

"That Glad Reunion Day" - Iris Dement

Verse 1

There will be a happy meeting in heaven I know,
When we see the many loved ones we've known here below;
Gather on the blessed hilltops with hearts all aglow,
That will be a glad reunion day.

Chorus

Glad (That will be a happy day) day, Yes, a wonderful day,
Glad (That will be a happy day) day, Yes, a glorious day,
There with all the holy angels and loved ones to stay,
That will be a glad reunion day.

Verse 2

There within the holy city we'll sing and rejoice,
Praising Christ the blessed Savior with heart and with voice;
Tell Him how we came to love Him and make Him our choice,
That will be a glad reunion day.
Repeat Chorus

Verse 3

When we live a million years in that wonderful place,
Basking in the love of Jesus, beholding His face,
It will seem but just  a moment of praising His grace,
That will be a glad reunion day.

Repeat Chorus