Put a Fork in Me .. I'm Done

It's over.

Thanks, everyone for a job well done. You were awesome!

I'm tired. So, I'm taking two aspirin and I'll call you (blog about it) in the morning!

Break a Leg??

This evening is "opening night" (or dress rehearsal, as I like to call it) of, "The Splendor of Christmas," a musical presentation by the Sanctuary Choir of First Baptist Church, Humboldt.

The choir has worked very hard on this project, and those who attend can look forward to a great mix of secular and sacred Christmas music .. something for everyone ("Jingle Bells," "Hallelujah Chorus" .. not at the same time time, of course .. but. now that I think about it .. we'll see next year).

I must admit, I was beginning to panic (I'm usually so laid back) about this project until a few weeks ago. The songs are "wordy" and there are quite a few "barbershop" chords that we are not used to singing on a typical Sunday service. Since we "memorize" (and I use this term very loosely) the music, it appeared I would be seeking other employment in January (this is still a possibility .. business meeting is next Wednesday).

Things have fallen into place over our final two or three practices, and I am confident the choir will come through with flying colors (there are quite a few high notes for the tenors and you should see all the red and blue faces).

If you are available (and live in the greater Humboldt area .. that includes Gibson), join us tonight or Sunday evening at six o'clock for, "The Splendor of Christmas."

I would, especially like to see all our choir members. I couldn't do it without you.

Seriously, I couldn't do it without you. Be there .. please!

A Vice That's Not So Nice

I'm getting started a little later than "normal" (whatever that is .. for me) this morning. The past couple of days, I have had a terrible headache that won't go away (I suppose, I'm lucky. Cheryl says she's had to live with a constant pain for over 28 years).

Whether it's the weather (it is under a great deal of pressure) or something I ate, I don't know .. or care. It just hurts.

Headaches run in the family. Dad has them and his dad had them. I'm all for tradition .. like reading Luke's account of the Christmas story on December 25th or going out to eat with friends on New Year's Eve. However, this tradition needs to stop.

I'm having a difficult time concentrating (look, there's a squirrel outside) and the screen is getting blurry, so it seems now is a good time to sign off.

Hopefully, tomorrow I will have something more interesting (and humorous) for you to read.

I can dream, can't I?

It's An Oil of Olay Day

They say (I'm not sure who 'they' are, but they're always saying stuff), if you want to feel young, spend your time with young people.

Today, at noon, I am speaking to the senior adults at Brownsville Baptist Church. Tonight, I will be attending our monthly "Youth of Yesterday" meeting at church.

I say (I do know who 'I' am .. most days), if you want to feel young, spend your time with old people.

Our group loves to go to Branson (so do I .. as I've said before, when you're 51 and the youngest person there, it's a great ego boost). You eat breakfast .. and go to a show. You eat lunch .. and go to a show. You eat dinner .. and go to a show. There's a whole lot of goin' and showin' on these trips and there's no way a "youngster" can keep up that pace.

Senior adults can. They can even find a way to go to an outlet mall (evidently, when you reach the age of 65, there is some type of requirement to stop at an outlet mall on every trip) in between.

They say ('they' have about as much to say as 'I' do), old age is not for sissies.

I'm approaching those "golden years" (have you checked the price of gold, lately?) and if I can do half as much as my seniors do, I'll consider myself a fortunate man.

Ponce de Leon, you were looking in the wrong area. The real fountain of youth is right here in West Tennessee.

Too Close to Call

Well, I was thrown into the lion's den (see yesterday's post) last night with a three-ringed notebook full of blog clippings and quite a bit of trepidation. I did survive, but .. just barely.

My brand of comedy is, certainly, an "acquired taste," which by definition is: one that is unpleasant on immediate experience or is likeable only after experienced repeatedly. You either "get me" or .. not.

Some got. Some .. not.

This is perfectly alright. In fact, it is the story of my life. My "off the cuff" remarks and "off the wall" sense of humor have gotten me more stares than that "weird guy" (every town has one) who walks down the street talking to himself.

Speaking of that ..

What's the deal with those bluetooth earpieces everyone has these days? I understand using them if you need to have your hands free for something else .. like typing or driving. However, just to wear one when you're out and about? Now, when you see a guy talking and there's no one around, you can't tell if he's a high-powered executive or a crazy derelict.

Back to last night.

I don't know that I bombed. I just don't think I was a big hit. What tipped me off? Many wouldn't make eye contact afterwards. Perhaps, just a coincidence .. perhaps, not.

In the old days, if you were "thrown to the lions," you didn't fare so well.

At least, I lived to tell about it.

Can You Feel the Love Tonight? (Let's Hope So)

This is the week of the Christmas musical for our adult choir at church. If that was all I had to think about, I might not be such a "basket case" (who am I trying to fool .. I would still be 'bonkers').

Well, that's not all that is occupying my mind these days. I have a couple of speaking engagements this week (what idiot scheduled those? .. oh yeah, I'm the idiot that scheduled those) to add to my holiday cheer (God bless us, every one).

Tonight, I will be speaking at the Lions Club Christmas banquet here in Humboldt. I have been their program before and I'm "back by popular demand" (translation: I'm local, work cheap, and everyone else turned them down).

I always feel obligated to work up new material when I have a "return engagement" (this is rare .. but it has happened). However, the "timing couldn't be worse" (btw, that was a major issue at my last program) .. the week of "The Splendor of Christmas" (Saturday & Sunday at 6:00 p.m. .. First Baptist Church in Humboldt .. 3400 Mitchell Street .. bring a friend).

Last month, I did a senior adult program in Memphis. I spent the entire thirty minutes reading excerpts from my blog. Do I dare try that tonight? Do I go out on a limb and saw it off behind me? Do I open this little blog site up to "outsiders" who might not "get it?"

These are burning questions that must be answered in the next twelve hours.

Tune in tomorrow morning and I'll give you an update.

Let's just hope when "the Lion sleeps tonight," it will be when he gets home and not during the program.

It's a jungle out there.

Who Let the Dogs Out?

Since a good number of college students have been in the picture at FBC Humboldt for the past several years, they have made quite an impact on the congregation. Our services have been energized by their passion and we have been encouraged by their presence .. Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night, and any time the doors are open (actually, I think they were able to "jimmy" the lock a couple of nights when no one was around).

It's sort of like owning an outside dog. They travel in "packs," rummage around the building for food, and mess up the furniture in their domicile (college department). However, they bring great joy and have become one of the family.

Facebook is another one of the things they have brought to the church. They are all on Facebook and that is the best way to communicate with them .. if you are "quick text" impaired, like me.

We now have an FBC Humboldt group on "FB" (that's what we 'power users' call it) and I check everyone's "status" daily.

I have reconnected with people from my past (you can run .. but you can't hide) and that has been an added bonus/curse.

Evidently, these young "pups" can teach an old "dog" new tricks.