A Picture Meme

Nebraska Girl tagged me with a picture meme. OK, it was about a month ago and I resisted posting all this time because that directory is filled with images of my Sunshine. She has never given me permission to show her face on the Internet and I wouldn't ever violate her trust. I found a little placeholder for her on a graffiti website. It was just too cool. I wish that my graffiti was this artsy.


When I took the picture that became the fourth image of Sunshine in this directory, I had one of those "Aha!" moments. Her long beautiful fingers framed her face and her eyes were so full of love and joy. I couldn't turn away from her then. It sounds funny but that is when I realized she had a heart shaped face and it was the most wonderful time I think that we've shared. I can't tell you how I long to see that smile again.

When you love someone, and they are recovering from a serious illness, it's easy to lose sight of just how fragile they are. It takes so long to heal. Meanwhile life goes on and there are new challenges to meet. That is the way of things. No matter how a person wishes that they could carry the burden for another, sometimes that's not meant to be. Maybe it's not even possible like wiping the sadness out of the world, but what we can do is wipe the tears out of another's eyes. Sometimes that's all one can do. I had one of these discoveries tonight.

Discovery. Sometimes it comes like a lightning flash. You realize something about your future that's been eluding you. It's as if you have been looking for a missing clue and rather than finding it, suddenly it seems as if it's always been there. That was the way I discovered that I love Sunshine. That was the way I discovered her heart shaped face. I love Sunshine so much and I always will.

I'm certain I've bored you all to death with how I feel about Sunshine. The next time I have trouble sleeping, I'll be more interesting, I promise. In the meantime if you would like to play along with the picture meme ...

HERE ARE THE RULES...
1) Choose the 4th folder where you store your pictures on the computer
2)Select the 4th picture in the folder
3)Explain the picture
4)Tag 4 people to do the same

It's too late tonight to purposely think through who to tag, so if you'd like to play this meme, please do so at your own peril.

An Interview

I've met some very lively characters in my time on the blogosphere and Brandy Rose is one of the liviest. Seriously, anyone who took a turn at running the world and has played hide and seek with cats just has to be cool. So I decided to give it a try when she asked and posted the "Interview me" comment on her page. This is what she asked ...

Question #1. Which moment of your life would you choose to relive if you could?

Answer #1. If I could do it again, I would choose a night a long time ago in Houston. It was the last time my brother Jeff and I played music together. I am the oldest of six and Jeff was the first brother down with a sister between us. She follows this blog, but you'll have to pick her out of the crowd by yourself dear ones. Anyway, Jeff and I played this warehouse looking spot for about five hours. It was so much fun. No body knew anything, so we just played the songs we knew and sang so loud our throats were on fire the next day. We had been in a High School garage band together. Before that night in Houston, we hadn't played together since that band broke up. "Weeds" our drummer went to jail ... for the obvious thing, and Dave went on his own way after that. I don't remember the whole set list now, but I do remember the last song we played - Plush by the Stone Temple Pilots. Jeff's voice was in shreds by then, but it was ok because he "Elvis'ed" most of the words anyway. A few months later Jeff got married to a wonderful girl named Teresa. They had three children and were expecting the fourth when he died from a diabetic complication. I gave up playing guitar when that happened. Teresa named the child Jeffrey and he is as "red on the head" as his father was. Yep, if I could relive a single moment in my life it would be that one. Miss Sunshine told me that I should play again because it would honor Jeff's memory. So I play my fire engine red Fender Stratocaster now and sing so loud and badly that my birds cover their ears and weep for humanity's uncertain future.

Question #2.a. What is the best thing about Sunshine?

Answer #2.a. The old soul behind her eyes. She's changed my life in every way. My Grandmother used to say, "They haven't made a pancake so thin that it doesn't have two sides." When people are together for a long time, Trust is like that pancake. It is supposed to go both ways. When you have that, you've got everything. No challenge is too great or complex because you have two people working together. I like to think that we have that, and it's a great thing. Most of the time I want to lift her up and carry her around. I wish that she'd let me do it more often.

Question #2.b. What about her really makes you smile?

Answer #2.b. That finger ...


When she gets excited, she will rock her head from side to side and wag that finger in one's general direction. That's when ya know it time to JUMP BACK Jack!

Question #3. What is your favorite item in all the world?

Answer #3. It's a movie of all things. I have a copy of "A Portrait of Jennie" on DVD, but my favorite "item" is this movie on videotape. It was Jeff's and it was the only possession of his that I asked to have after his funeral.

If you haven't seen it, the movie is great. It's a paranormal romance that involves a woman who travels through Time to meet her beloved, an artist named Eben. It's theme is similar to "Somewhere in Time", but this old black and white has a unique charm and a whole lot of Jennifer Jones. My whole world will be complete though when they write a story about a dark haired beauty who finds her true love in a most humble (sometimes) engineer who works for an Evil Corporation. I'm not sure how that story ends, but I know how it begins. It would be something like this ... "I love you Miss Sunshine. I've waited for you to come my entire life. I will love you and honor you and cherish you for as long as there is life in me, and if it's all the same to you and you don't mind too much, for time and eternity too. Will you marry me?" She says "Yes!" here, so I figure that things are going so well, I'll ask the next most obvious question. "May I lift you up and carry you around for awhile?" She immediately says "No!" coz this is a reality based adventure and not a romance novel.

Question #4. What is the best piece of advise you can give?

Answer #4. Live with Love and without Fear. I have it on good authority that Love sets one free and that we are not only meant to have Life but have it more abundantly. Along those lines, living without Fear frees one to bold enough to enjoy that Life and to have it abundantly as one dares.

That probably sounds vague and cheesy, but it is true dear ones. It was one of the many things I learned in the Army. Yes, there are times to be scared for sure, but there is no need to Fear. If your spirit is immortal and your Faith well placed, why Fear anything? John Shea said, "Do you not understand that Fear is what died upon the Cross was Fear?" Love survives and flourishes.

Question #5. What is your favorite blog post you've written so far? And why?

Answer #5. This is a hard one. I have 197 of them now. All of the ones where I get to tell my baby how much I love her are good ones to me. My favorite thing about the posts are how the readers reply to them. I've had some great replies too, and I appreciate them all. The very first reply to my very first blog entry was the world famous Miss Victoria Sinclair, a Naked News anchor. If not for my dear lovin Sunshine, Victoria Sinclair would certainly be girl for me. Victoria is beautiful, keeps me informed, and makes me very happy indeed ... I'm sure that Sunshine will be talking to me about that last part later. Gawd, I can just see that finger wag starting. Now that I'm neck deep in trouble, ya'all talk amongst yourselves while I take a whooping.

If you get the chance and are so inclined, check out Victoria Sinclair's presentation of the latest world news at the Naked News.

OK, everybody, if you'd like me to interview you, let me know. Here are the directions:

1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me." If you dare.
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. (I get to pick the
questions).
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview
someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions. (You get to choose the questions.)

Snow in the Bird Bath

A big storm blew through town and left ice and snow everywhere. This sort of weather won't mean a thing to someone from an ice cold, blue state, but down here in red state land, it stops everything. We make almost no preparation for this kind of weather because it happens so rarely. Last year, I had a full grown Bradford Pear tree where this tough little Lacebark Elm is now. It's coated with icicles.


Not much to do today, but work around the house coz the Evil Corporation closed for the day. Was really hoping someone would come visiting, but all I got was an official "once over" walk by and a sniff from the neighborhood tom cat.

On days like this, just wanna stay home and snuggle with my Sunshine. Not doing any work or anything that means you share your time with anyone else. It can be that way baby. It's your choice. Just say the word and it will happen. You don't have to be Supergirl and conquer the world. It's not about steak or sloppy joes or even tilapia & champagne risotto for that matter. It's about you. You can have anything you want. It really hurts my feelings when you make it seem like you don't want anything at all.

Little Green Roach Coach

Have you ever eaten something from a Roach Coach? You know, those little food trucks that drive around and clandestinely cater where ever large numbers of people gather.

Some say that these modern equivalents of the old West’s Chuckwagon have the best, most tastiest food known to man. Critics of the "mobile dining experience" say that many roach coaches are "legally challenged" and point to problems like:

• Operating without a valid permit


• No handwashing available


• Inadequate hot holding facilities


• Inadequate cold holding facilities


• Foods from unapproved source


• Unapproved vehicle


• Failure to pay sales taxes

But that misses the best part of the roach coach - the people who drive them. A few weeks ago this little one broke down on the road and had to be towed off for repairs. Its back now and better than ever. Little Green Roach Coach is a converted golf cart with a rompin' stompin' 25 mph top end. It's good to see old Wanda ...

• bouncing it over every bump in the road


• playing that thumpity thump thump music


• while eating with one hand


• holding a cell phone in the other


• and steering with her knees.

I love working for the Evil Corporation. Every day is a holiday and every paycheck's a fortune.

Do you think I should give up being cynical for Lent this year ... again?

Parking Lot Problem

Even before the ice and sleet today, the Evil Corporation's Parking Lot is a pretty tough place. So many people speed through the parking lot that the Evil Corporation has put our rent-a-cop dragoons out with radar guns and notepads. The newsletter said that they weren't recording tag numbers, rather they were keeping a tally of average speeds in the parking lot. Yeah ... right. Since we had ANOTHER employee hit by a speeding car in the parking lot, the Workman's Compensation Squad is now busy "cleaning up this hostile work environment."

As noble as that sentiment is ... Oh SNAP! ... this is what I saw yesterday morning.


The "one way" traffic sign wasn't even bent. It was literally torn off its welds by a car attempting to travel the wrong way through a lane of cars and then swipe through a painted area marked for pedestrians.


Bump, bump, bump ... another one bites the dust.

What's the dealio, Kitty?

Do you do this intentionally? I mean seriously, what's the dealio Kitty?

Indian Taco at Monroe's

Up in Midwest City, Oklahoma, not far from the snapping jaws of the Evil Corporation, is a hidden gem of a lunchtime spot - Monroe's Cafe #2. They serve Asian and American food. The menu is HUGE! Best of all, they have daily lunch specials.

They are famous for two things there. One of them is an open face, double meat chili cheeseburger named the "Big Sexy". The other is the Indian Taco. Here's one of those.


This thing is positively HUGE! If you envision a monster taco that's open to the world, stuffed full of meat, veggies and cheese, then you're close. The Indian Taco has beans, but not the Spanish or Mexican kind that are boiled into softness, crushed into submission and smeared across a stiff, uncaring tortilla. The beans in an Indian Taco are proud, seasoned and whole, never crushed or beaten. There is no tortilla here. Nope, this is bonafide Indian Fry Bread from an old recipe. It's damned good eatin'.

Monroe's Cafe #2
2839 S. Douglas Blvd. #113
MidWest City, OK 73110
Kelley Tran, Manager

Sunshine's E.T. Finger

Sunshine's surgery went well. It was a little longer and more involved than we had hoped it would be, but she is recovering now. She's moving around and starting to be her old self again. She's upset that *someone* has kissed her so much while she was sleeping that she has a callous on her lips.


Baby, I love you all the time. I know it's been a long, hard fortnight. I would bring you flowers every single day of the week if it would make you smile. I would massage your feet anytime you want it. I would sneak small, vanilla milkshakes past an army of pms'ing nurses in the dead of night for you. I would read books to you until long after either my interpretation of the story, the story itself, simple boredom or the Percocet made you sleepy. As long as I am able to open it, your desk drawer will always have some chocolate in it.

Get well soon, Sunshine. I love you ... even if your heart monitor gives you an E.T. finger.

Monday Night at the Boomerang Grille

If you haven't been on a Monday, then you just haven't been to Norman's Boomerang Grille. Monday's are special because from 5:00 to 9:00pm they serve "All You Can Eat Chicken Tenders." These gently breaded and fried gems really are tender and are the house specialty.

The Boomerang Grille has been at 2100 West Main Street in Norman for a really long time. It's one of the places a visitor should try. Come on in with Me and the Mrs. and give it a try.

First thing to do is find a seat. You won't need a waitress for that. The "All You Can Eat Chicken Tenders" comes with your choice of two sides, so check out the menu. We like like the steamed veggies, onion rings and baked beans. A fully-dressed baked potato is really nice too.

Once you've decided, pick up the red "hotline" phone at the table and call in your order.

While you wait there's the most popoular portraiture in Norman - paintings of our Hiesman Trophy winning football players, and a couple of televisions tuned to sports.

The kitchen will ring you back on the red "hotline" phone when everything is ready. All you need to do is go to the counter, pay the cashier and collect your food.

Get your drinks yourself and pickup some silverware along the way too. Distribute the plates nd enjoy!

Every so often, someone will walk by with a basket full of chicken tenders and some tongs. Just say how many you'd like, and they get you all fixed up.

See you at the Boomerang Grille sometime?

Answers #5 and #6

Lefty the Kitty

Got chocolate milk?

Question #5. Leni Qinan asks "What made you definitely fall in love with the Sunshine of your life?"

Answer #5. We were sitting at a table, talking. She had her elbows on the table. She touched the palms of her hands to her cheeks, framing her face with those long slender fingers. I had seen it a hundred times before, but that was the first time I ever really saw it. She had a heart-shaped face. I couldn't speak, not even a single sound. She keep looking at me with those eyes, those impossible eyes. Those golden tiger's eyes that fade into blue and change with her mood. If they were any larger, there'd be no way not to reach out and hold her. She whispered, "I want to kiss you too, and want you to hold me tight and squeeze the air out of me."

I want to kiss her everyday for the rest of my life. She's so full of life and passion, it's easy to love her, and I do love her very much. Yes, we're older now, and no one is immune to gravity or chocolate. I smile whenever she plucks out a gray hair. It makes her blush when I say it, but she really is a strikingly beautiful woman.

Question #6. Leni Qinan asks "Do you forgive easily? And forget?"

Answer #6. I try to dear. I really do. It's an article of faith. Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. But you know its hard. My Irish genetic makeup clings to grudges like a magnet to steel. My wise old Irish grandmother explained it to me when I was a kid. I've followed her advice ever since. She told me that we are supposed to forgive people "seven times seventy" times when they do something to us. That's 490 times. that's a lot. So I asked her what happens when they work their way up to 491. "That's when you hit them," she said. "You hit them until YOU feel better."

Happy New Year!

Hi ya kids! Happy New Year to each and every one of you. Here's a great little tune that describes exactly how I feel. So, til next time, here's the Dandy Warhols' "Love Almost Everyone".