Finder Keeper

My wife is the family radar. She instinctively knows the location of everything.  On contrast, I instinctively don’t know this location of anything. This is my gift.  So on many hectic mornings, I ask for the location of many things.

“Honey, have you seen my shoes?”

They are in the closet, behind the door!”

“And my belt? I just had it!  Where did it go!  Who stole my belt!”

“It is on the corner of the bed! Who would steal THAT belt?”

“Hey! it is a good looking belt! My wallet?  I can’t find it!”

“On the table.”

“Have you seen world peace?”

“World peace is in the third drawer of the dresser.”

“Good we should call the president. While I call could you find the cure for cancer?”

September skies.

Flowing through the grasses and trees the late summer wind assumes the hints of fall. These are the days of remembrance: the days that move my soul. Indeed, the slightest September scent can instantly trigger thoughts of my youth. However the most powerful trigger is the color of a September sky.

With the retreating heat, the sky moves from the hazy dull blue of summer to the brilliant crisp blue of fall. Lovers might praise the golden change of the trees however let’s take a few moments to cast our gaze upward.

We can’t endlessly stand in a state of awe.  We would become annoying to our family and friends.  However throughout the day, we can briefly pause and consider our lot this world.  And in one of these moments, don’t forget to look upward.

As always, be good to you. 

The Art Show and the Homeless Man

I recently had art show.  Throughout the night, I causally walked through the crowd and engaged in many wonderful conversations. I adore discussing art and after the show my voice was raw from use.

After the show I stopped for gas at a near station preparing for a long and late trip home.  At the station, a homeless man approached and asked, “Sir can I ask for your help?”

I have many quirks. One quirk is the inability to say no to the homeless when they ask for help.  In my life, I have never failed to give money if I had money to give. I once lied to a homeless man telling him that I had no money when I did. After walking twenty feet, I felt so guilty that I returned to the man and give money to him.

On vacations in large cities, I give all my money to my wife.  This method is trickery however it works.  Also I do not consider a debit card to be money.  So technically I do not have money, on my person. 

So while pumping gas I ironically and confidently replied to the man, “I am sorry but I don’t have money.

The man pushed, “The people in this town are cruel. I am not from here. I would not waste your time asking for your money.  I need some food. Just a little. Not much at all.” 

With his rebuttal he defeated my gambit, which has been so successful in the past. Showing him my cash barren wallet I continued, “I don’t have money. But when I pay for my gas, I can buy you some food from the station.”

Again he parried, “I don’t want anything from here. I am hungry. Can I please have some real food?”

“Wait here. Let me pay for my gas and I will drive you to Wendy’s which is right down the road.”

So after an art show, a homeless man and I drove to a Wendy's. After Wendy’s I drove him to a shelter.   He liked eighties music. So I found a good radio station that played the classics while we enjoyed the cool night air.   He told me about his life. He is from a farming community in south Arkansas and he is trying for a new start.

A few days later, my wife downloaded the recent bank transactions. Curious, she asked, “Larry did you spend about 20 dollars at Wendy’s?"  

I nodded, “Yes, a homeless guy was really hungry! And wow, He could eat!”

Laughing she said, “You are not kidding; are you?”

Yes I have issues.  But how many people, driving a topless jeep, have drove around town with a homeless guy while listening to “And we Danced” by the Hooters and eating a Wendy's meal?

As always, be good to you!