Can You Live the Debt-Free Dream?

 75% of American households are in debt.  The truth is when you are in debt you are a slave to debt.  Those who escape are not immune to a reoccurrence without careful steps.  If you are seeking to live the debt-free dream and remain there, start today.  The smallest choices you make regarding how you spend can accelerate your progress.

Make a list of everything you owe.  Calculate how much you are spending in interest.  Why should this money go to others when you can pay yourself?  The first step is your decision that you want to live the debt-free dream.  Go for it.  Have a great day.

Day 607 with the YouTube Pastor

When all the houses of worship across the country were shut down during the pandemic, my mother found a way to stay close to Jesus, online worship.  She found a youth pastor from Duluth, Minnesota who does something I've never seen before.  He reads the Bible on YouTube and adds commentary so we can understand what's going on behind the scenes.  At the end of the sessions which average about twenty minutes, he adds, "I'm praying for you, please pray for me."

I felt a tremendous sense of accomplishment when I completed the last session at the end of the year last year.  Well, it wasn't over for this YouTube pastor.  He came up with CIY (Catechism in a Year) for people of all faiths wanting to dig deeper.  Today is day 607 for me, 365 days of Bible in a Year, plus 242 days of CIY.  When I finished my YouTube video this morning before sunrise, I drifted back to sleep while my YouTube videos were randomly playing.  I came across a talk Fr. Mike Schmitz gave about how all of us are called to teach others about Jesus.  I'm sharing it here for anyone wishing to get closer to Jesus, like my mother did when the world was in the midst of dark times.  Check it out.  Have a great day.

A Peek Inside the "Lucy" Folder

 "Lucy" is the codename for our future second home on wheels.  Although Lucy won't come into our lives until the Spring of '25, the planning stage has been underway for more than two years.  The construction phase may take up to a year or longer.  Although my retirement won't take place for another seven years, the idea of traveling in a self-contained vehicle for mini adventures and vacations brings me back to my childhood when we camped out almost every weekend.  My dad was ahead of his time when he took out the seats in our VW van and constructed a bed out of 2x4's and plywood.  I don't recall how we got around when we weren't camping but the weekends were great.  Later, we moved on to camper truck.  Perhaps my dad is sending me ESP signals from Heaven for my dream project, "Lucy."  

There isn't much inside the Lucy folder yet.  I have some notes from people I met who have their own mobile home on wheels.  This morning I discovered a YouTube video from the West Coast with a unique layout featuring family space in the front and a Happijac Bed Lift.  The full shower is in the rear of the van.  On top of the van the couple set up solar panels that also serve as a deck.  These ideas are going into the Lucy folder today.  Stay tuned.  Have a great day.

What Do You Do When the World is Sick?

 There are always at least two choices regarding your most challenging questions – action or inaction.  It's fight or flight.  It's become visible or invisible.  I understand the poor choices better than most.  Inaction is the easy choice.  Flight is also an easy choice.  Invisible worked for me most of my life.  Now it's high tide.  I see the problems of the world clearly and this is not the time for inaction.

I was asked to read a letter from our bishop at my house of worship yesterday.  It was a joyful moment because my wife and I chose to go on a 10day pilgrimage to Ireland led by our bishop who will soon be promoted to archbishop in the location where he grew up as the son of a farmer.  We had a reunion while we were both bike riding under strenuous conditions.  That's the moment I posed a challenging question..."What are you going to do to reach the 80% of your flock who does not worship regularly?"  Bishop Zinkula is one of the smartest people I know.  He graduated as valedictorian in high school.  He is in the hall of fame for his accomplishments on the football field.  He earned a law degree.  Then, something happened.  He felt a calling to serve God and help others get closer to Jesus.  Bishop Zinkula understands better than most that our world is sick.

This sickness in the world is not confined to the spiritual realm.  Any casual observer can clearly see that obesity is a serious matter.  88% of Americans are metabolically unhealthy.  The same is true when it comes to debt.  75% of households are underwater.  I am one of those people who believes the solutions are in the trenches.  This is not the time to run and hide.  This is the time to step up and help one another.

The letter I read at my house of worship yesterday was a thank you letter.  Our bishop thanked the 43% of active church goers in his jurisdiction for raising enough funds to take care of retired pastors while funding education for our future church leaders and returning money to support our local needs.  

The final question of the day is directed at you... "What do you do when the world is sick?"  The tide is coming in and soon people will be drowning.  How are you going to help?  I'm going to keep publishing daily.  I'm going to release "Live Long and Prosper."  This book deals with the three areas where Americans are struggling – Health, Debt, and Faith.  Remember one thing, you don't have to solve all these problems on your own.  Focus on planting seeds.  Have a great day.

For Joni, Tina, and Dana

 Tragedy struck three families who are close to me this year at my day job.  I cannot fathom the pain these three families are going through.  I will never forget the moment I heard about Joni, our marketing coordinator, and Tina, my teammate who is usually standing next to me, both lost their husbands on the same day.  Months later tragedy struck again.  This time it was Dana, our beloved AGM who transferred to Springfield, Missouri to be closer to his family.  He was in his final year of working prior to retirement when he died of a sudden heart attack.  My last time with Dana was when he pulled me off to the side to tell me our general manager at my home store was diagnosed with cancer.  

Our general manager was away from us for an extended period of time.  We promised him we would hold the fort down while he underwent treatment.  He returned to us cancer free.  Sadly, for Joni, Tina, and Dana, the outcome was not rosy.  These losses are enough to cripple those who are left to cope with the losses.  This is true at my day job.  Life is not the same.  I'm doing my part by dedicating our achievements in their absence.  The first achievement was breaking a record in North Canton for new signups.  Despite already being down two people in our small department while they recover from the loss of their spouses, my team stepped up and covered for me so I could assist as support staff in Ohio.  Somehow, my team managed to stay afloat.

The second achievement has to do with a goal I set at the beginning of the fiscal year before tragedy struck.  Today was supposed to be the last day for measuring purposes but it has been extended to bring our work calendar into alignment, similar to leap year on Feb 29 every four years.  Today looks like the day I will reach the pinnacle of the highest mountain I ever climbed.  I will raise my hands to Heaven and salute my teammates' spouses.  I will smile when I think of all the times Dana helped me to be a better person.  I will salute my teammates who never wavered in the face of adversity.  Joni, Tina, and Dana are my heroes.  Yes, this has been a challenging year, especially for them.  All I can say today is, "This victory is for you."  Have a great day.

Another Dog Fight on the Courts

My Men's 40+ Team is at it again, this time in Tulsa, Oklahoma, battling the best teams in the Midwest for the rights to advance to nationals, a longtime dream of my teammates who have been working hard for more than a decade.  Team captain, Jim, sent word that all the teams in our pool our tied heading into day 2.  One team will advance to the semifinals, one team will go home and two teams will play a quarterfinal match immediately after pool play ends.

I'm cheering from afar today.  I'm not eligible for post season play in this age group as I did not play the league minimum due to my travel schedule.  Good luck, team.  Bring home the trophy.  Have a great day.

Good Luck to My Tennis Teammates in the Men's 40's this Weekend

My Men's 40+ team is in Oklahoma City this weekend to participate in a sectionals tournament.  I could not join them as I did not play enough matches in the regular season to be eligible.  Kudos to my captain, Jim, for getting two teams into sectionals this year while earning a wild card berth for the Men's 55+ team.  Unfortunately, not enough men in the 55+ age group were able to get time off to play so our season is officially over.  All eyes are on our 40+ men.  Go get 'em, men.  Have a great day.

 

Back to My Home Location Today

 Life is returning to normal in Iowa.  Ragbrai is now in the rear view mirror.  Our St. Louis tennis tournament was a nail biter that ended just short of a ticket to nationals in Arizona in October.  Even though we didn't get the outcome we hoped and trained for, I'm still going to Arizona to see my family.  A new store is up and running and now it's time to reunite with my Iowa teammates at my day job.

Thank you for all your encouragement along the way.  I especially needed it on the bike ride.  The good news is my food theories seem to be supported by the results of my bike and tennis trials.  We are undergoing yet one more trial this week as the heat index is a whopping 118º today.  Thanks again for all your support.  Have a great day.

Treasure Every Encounter

 

My wife and I were greeted by Veronica who was selling the Cleveland Street Chronicle at the entrance to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in support of the homeless in the area.  Neither of us were carrying cash so we promised to hit up an ATM inside and make a donation on our way out.  I felt embarrassed when the ATM machine declined to honor my request.  Veronica understood.  She gave us some information so we could follow up later.  Veronica reminds me of the angels who walk the earth in search of opportunities to inspire us.  This was one of those days.  For those of you who want to help those who could use a hand up, here you go...

NEOCH, 3631 Perkins Ave, #3A-3, Cleveland, OH 44114

NEOCH is Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless.  

Speaking of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I was blessed to sit next to the lead vocalist in the Cleveland Rock Band, NightDrive, who didn't share her passion for music until we were on final approach at Chicago O'Hare on my way home from Canton.  Laura Richards is one of those people you want to sit next to when you're flying.  I found her to be a breath of fresh air.  When I told Laura my wife and I visited the NFL Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, she asked which was my favorite.  I didn't know yet of her love of music when I answered, "Football Hall of Fame."  I told her it was because of a spiritual experience I had while roaming the halls of the best of the best.  It wasn't their prowess on the field that moved me; it was because new inductee, Joe Klecko, used his display case to showcase the reason for his greatness... his faith.  Who shares a picture of Jesus in a moment like this for all the world to see?  Check out the Hall of Fame in Canton and you will see for yourself.

I want to thank Laura for accepting my friend request and for sharing her goals with me while we were together for a brief moment.  Some may argue meetings like this are purely random.  I disagree.  My proof of this has to do with my novel, "The Caveman in the Mirror," and one of Nightdrive's singles, Someone Else, which features a skeleton inside the rearview mirror looking back at the driver.  If this sounds hauntingly familiar to the main character in my novel – Bingo, you hit the jackpot!  What are the odds of that kind of connection?

I promised Laura I would look her up the next time I'm in Cleveland.  Who knows?  Maybe I will bring the whole family.  My wife and adult offspring are all fans of Nightdrive.  Check here to hear a clip from Someone Else and go visit these folks when you're in the Cleveland area.  Tell them your Caveman in the Mirror friend sent you.  Have a great day.

A Salute to My Mentors

 Today is my first full day of rest in a long while.  I'm home.  All but one of my fingers have been held captive during my time away from home and from "Mac," my beloved laptop which stayed home during my stints on the road.  Writing on my cell phone using a solo finger is rather tedious.  I don't mind.  Any good coach or mentor will tell you it's the challenges that make you who you are.  That's why I want to take a moment and acknowledge the influencers in my life who helped me become the person I am today.  This is not a complete list as I've been blessed with countless mentors.  I waited until I had full use of all then fingers to say thanks.

The best place to start is my family.  Thanks, mom, for your countless prayers for all of us.  Thank you for sharing your faith.  Thank you for teaching me the meaning of forgiveness, not so much with your words, but with your actions.  Thanks also to my aunts, uncles, siblings, cousins, and all my in-laws.  Thanks also to my three adult children who have inspired me to be my best every day.  Ryan, I will never forget your early morning energy when you were a toddler..."Sun up, daddy up."  Yes, getting out of bed is where it all starts.

To my teachers...Thank you.  "Snora" Ehlers, you taught me how to connect in Spanish.  Mrs. Porter, you opened the doors to Canada with your kind reference letter while I was in college.  Mr. Doug Benford, you introduced me to wood working.  While my talent may be below average, it was your time as my first high school tennis coach that opened so many doors.  The same goes for Bill Leinheiser, my junior college tennis coach.  You didn't cut me when new talent came in my second year because you wanted me to keep pushing knowing I had some kind of spark plug inside that could fire up if I chose to not give up.  Last but not least in the "teacher" category is my friend and Dale Carnegie instructor, Jim Miller.  The world would be so much better if your courses were offered to every student pursuing higher education.

To my friend, Bruce, who introduced me to the business world, I say thank you.  To my business partners who stood up to the biggest and baddest moguls the world had ever seen, thank you.  Thank you for standing up.  The experience of being an entrepreneur during the worst of economic times taught me what it means to be relentless.

I would like to offer special thanks to my writing mentors who answered the call when I felt like I was trapped in a corner while penning my first book.  Your weekly critiques shaped my raw writing.

Linda Collins, thank you for being the "sixth man" on our team during the train the trainer course and for being a shining light as we introduce the culture in our new locations.  You and your team are the best in the industry.  

Lastly, I would like to thank my friends.  My best friend happens to be my wife.  Thank you for being present during my dark times.  Thank you for your encouragement.  If you were a part of my growth, my pledge to you and all my mentors is to "pay it forward."  

It's time to mow the grass and do my laundry.  I wanted to get this message out first.  May all of your lives be abundantly blessed.  Have a great day.

Final Thoughts

 

This story is a bonus story.  Most of the time, one story a day is plenty with my busy schedule.  The truth is I should be completely exhausted and running on empty.  This morning the reverse is true.  Praise God!  My voice is still intact despite days of continuous speaking.  I give credit to this state of being to Jesus who has been leading me on this incredible journey.

I can't say enough good things about this fledgling team in North Canton, led by Cory and Gabrielle.  This rookie class resembles seasoned pros.  They lifted me up numerous times when I found myself in tenuous stituations.

New openings are like roller coasters.  I recall the rickety one in Balboa Park in San Diego I rode as a youngster.  There were times when I thought we were all going to crash to our death.  An irate member standing in line decided to vent about having to stand in line first despite getting his advance ticket to the show online.  He was mad as Hell and decided to yell at me.  I remained calm while listening to his rants.

"Sir, I'm offering you and any others in this line a free pass if you can please show me proof by holding up your digital member card." I said.

"Nonsense," he fired back.  Others in the line cowered perhaps afraid they too would become targets of this man's frustrations.  A couple of brave souls held up their cell phones hoping they could gain entrance.

"You're free," I said, motioning for them to walk in. Next, I looked bravely into the angry man who was still venting.

"I Don't believe in apps," the man said after I offered him a solution.  "Besides, my cell phone is in the car."

"If you would like, sir, I can get a manager to assist you.  I'm doing my best to help you."

The situation turned better when the man told me he wasn't seeking special treatment.  Another member whispered, "This is opening weekend, you're all doing a great job."

This is where my journey ends.  New friends.  New experiences.  New opportunities to be refined in the fire.  I leave North Canton today with memories I will forever cherish.  Thank you to my teammates.  This record breaking opening is truly a Hall of Fame performance.  I'm thankful to be part of the support staff.  Have a great day.

My Hero, Rikki

 

God bless all who serve others.  Rikki, my morning food server at the hotel where I've been staying at in North Canton, is at the top of my list.  She has been greeting me with a smile every morning since my arrival.  

When I spilled the beans about my writing projects yesterday at breakfast, Rikki asked me to jot down the name of my novel so she could check it out.  I would like to thank Rikki for giving me permission to share our selfie and write about her.  

People like Rikki are the reason people choose where to stay on the road.  Her entire team is eager to serve every single day.  Rikki asked me to pray for her when I told her I was on my way to worship.  Please do me a favor and pray for intentions.  

I'm heading home today.  Thank you, North Canton, for your warm welcome.  I hope to come back some day.  Have a great day.

Tent Worship

 I worshiped outside last night in a tent after an intense day at our newest location in North Canton.  It was one of those moments that opens ones eyes so that the invisible becomes visible.  The hour long session was mostly silent.  With the exception of a couple of cell phone interruptions, voices of young children playing nearby, and a few barking dogs, the small gathering of twenty-five or so worshippers was mostly silent.

I only opened my eyes a few times to soak in the late summer sun casting beams of light into our circus-sized tent before it sank below the horizon at the conclusion of our worship time.  I contemplated on the final words my teammate from Chicago said before we parted ways until the next assignment.  "Pray hard, you're gonna need all the help you can get tomorrow.  Everybody is leaving."

Interesting things happen when you put God first, like worshiping in circus tents on optional days outside of what is commanded.  I told my friend from Chicago that everything good in my life is from God.  We were on assignment at a previous opening.  She is noticing how calm I appear to be when chaos ensues.  I will never take credit for what is happening all around me because I'm not in charge.  God is in control.  When God says, "Be still," there's a reason.  He wants us to get out of the way.

It's time to visit my local house of worship this morning in North Canton led by my new Nigerian friend before my final day on assignment.  Perhaps this pastor is the one who came up with the idea of tent worship.  Today is a good day for the invisible to become visible.  It all begins with quality prayer time.  Have a great day.

Spiritual Mile Markers

 

Today's story is dedicated to two specific groups.  If you identify yourself as a doubter, please allow me to be a bit vulnerable and share something from my heart.  The same is true if you are a believer but you sometimes wonder if you're on the right track.  I can relate.  There are times when I find myself blindsided.  Maybe this story can help you.

My time in North Canton comes to a conclusion on Monday.  I'm far from home.  Much of my time has been spent in solitude.  I find this necessary as the type of duties I perform require sustained periods of high energy.  New openings are filled with enough chaos to drive a person off the deep end.  That's why I rely on spiritual mile markers from the spiritual realm.  I found one while touring the football Hall of Fame with my wife on a day off.  It came from one of the new inductees from the class of '23.  Our eyes were drawn to Don Coryell, the coach of the Chargers.  That was gratifying but it wasn't the spiritual mile marker.  The spiritual mile marker was from someone I didn't know because the player showcased was from a team I never followed.  

If you want to know what makes people great, like Joe Klecko, look at what drives them.  Joe put a picture of Jesus in his display case with the words, Jesus I trust in you.  Joe used his Hall of Fame moment to share his faith.  I got goose bumps when I saw this.  That was my first mile marker of my journey.

Spiritual mile marker number two has to do with an angel tasked with defeating the greatest adversary in the universe.  The Evil One is doing his best to bury any and all spiritual mile markers.  The side where I hope to spend eternity has it's own army of angels willing to fight for us.  This elite squadron of angels is led by St. Michael the Archangel.   The local house of worship named after this angel is only two miles from my hotel.  The local pastor approached me from behind the first time I visited.  My wife saw him first and nudged me to look up.  There he was, the size of an NFL linebacker with a tooth paste commercial smile, greeting two strangers who came all the way from Iowa.  The pastor who was born in Nigeria asked all the visitors to stand up and be recognized at the end of the service.  It was a surreal moment for both of us.

I'm returning to mile marker number two tonight for some bonus worship.  It's a special time for people to come and spend time with Jesus.  This will be my bonus time to thank God for all the blessings.  Regular worship at mile marker number two is Sunday just before my final day with our newest team led by membership manager Cory, one of the chillest people I've ever met.

If you're feeling lost and you would like to be on a team that is guaranteed to win, just like Hall of Famer Joe Namath predicted prior to his Super Bowl win, follow the mile markers to Heaven.  Seek and you will find.  Have a great day.

Marriage Angel Works Behind the Scenes

 

The picture you see here is my bride of 34 years.  When we celebrated our anniversary on 7/15, I referenced our "marriage angel" tasked with watching over the two of us.  Believe it or not, this idea of an angel who protects us gives me goose bumps.  

Non believers may question the idea of angels.  In my opinion, they are a reflection of Jesus.  Think about Jesus.  Did he come into the world to serve or be served?  His life is proof that serving is everything.  It makes sense that angels serve as Jesus serves.  Marriage is a big deal.  It's sacred.  I need all the help I can get.

I'm thankful someone close to me shared the first story I wrote about marriage angels ( see blog from 7/15/23) with a family member who needed some encouragement.  This family member needed three different marriage angels to assist as she suffered great loss due to the death of her first two spouses.  The third angel is tasked with helping out all the way to eternity.  

Now it's time to reflect on today's picture.  First of all, special thanks to my wife for granting permission to share one photo from her recent visit while I'm on assignment in North Canton.  Our marriage angel whispered into the ears of my scheduler and somehow I was granted four days off in a row to have special time with my wife.  We played pickle ball together for the first time.  My wife loved it so much that we played three times during her visit.  My tennis buddies who may be reading this may be thinking I'm going to the dark side as there appears to be tension between tennis players and pickle ball players.  I see peaceful coexistence.  Pickle ball will be a big part of our travels while tennis will always be a permanent lifestyle until my body can no longer handle all that it entails.

My wife is home safe.  I will join her on Monday.  This photo is proof I really do have a wife.  Sorry, our marriage angel won't be visible until we cross over.  If you need proof, look around at those who have been married a long time.  If they appear to be glowing, maybe they have been touched by these special angels who are working behind the scenes.  Have a great day.

It's Game Day!

 Grand opening in North Canton happens this morning.  We roll our doors at 8am.  Oh, what a journey.  Our newest team posted hall of fame numbers, high enough to earn top honors for the entire Midwest.  It happened while our top leadership team was present at our VIP party last night.

I would like to thank all the support staff who contributed to this amazing opening.  There is much work to do before I return home on Monday.  The people of North Canton have been waiting a long time for this day.  Special thanks to my home team in Coralville for making sacrifices in order for me to be here.  You are with me in spirit as we celebrate the newest members of our family.  Have a great day.

Final Day of Preparation

 It's time to get busy.  I will be working every day from today through Monday, my travel day home.  Tonight we have a VIP party which is mainly for our new team to meet the senior leaders of our company and be thanked by them for all their efforts to get a new location open.

I'm thankful for the opportunity to serve this company.  Also, I would like to thank my boss at my home location for letting me be away for two weeks.  My home team has gone through some difficult times.  My heart breaks for the two members of my home team who both lost their spouses on the same day at the beginning of the year.  Life is precious.  Hug your loved ones.  Have a great day.

Hall of Fame in Canton

 We visited the Hall of Fame yesterday.  It was extra special because I'm a long time Charger fan.  The Chargers moved out of town.  So did our family.  That doesn't stop us from cheering for them.  

Don Coryell, the coach of our beloved team was inducted shortly before I arrived in Canton.  It was a joy to see him honored in the class of '23.  I will cherish this memory for the rest of my life.  Canton is where pro football came into existence.  Put this on your bucket list.  Have a great day.

Nature Time

 

I hiked for miles and miles along the nature trails yesterday before returning to the tennis courts for another couple hours of tennis.  The high point of the day was this waterfall you see pictured here at Cuyahoga Falls.  We had abundant sunshine and a light breeze all day.  This is an ideal place for bike riding and kayaking.  The rivers are flowing above normal due to all the storms.

I'm enjoying a couple more days off before our grand opening this week.  Time is going fast.  The new team is ready.  I will be heading home one week from today.  Have a great day.

  

Are You Doing What You Love?

 Have you figured it out yet?  I'm going deep today because I just came out of an out of this world meditation.  For me, meditation is a way of balancing myself, especially in moments of high stress.  Time stops.  I feel like I'm in another world.  When I came back to earth, 1 hour and 15 minutes lapsed.  That session, along with 3 hours of tennis yesterday, a session walking a labyrinth at a local house of worship in Canton, Ohio, and a full hour of worship put me in the perfect place to offer the question of the day... Are you doing what you love?

If you're not doing what you love, why not?  What's stopping you?  What steps can you take to get on the right track?  Have you been spending time resting and recovering from heavy work schedules?  The best time to explore these questions is while you are meditating.  Try it.  Another option is to get outside and do something that brings you joy.  I'm headed to some watefalls today and then it's back on the tennis courts for at least a couple of hours.  Have a great day.

Tennis Today

 

My day job friend, Ira, from Cincinnati did all the work.  He found all the local tennis enthusiasts.  All I need to do this morning is show up at a local park and join him on the courts.  We exchanged numbers at a past opening when we discovered our shared passion for the game.

We had another major storm pass through North Canton last night.  The sun is shining and I'm on the move.  Looks like a great day is unfolding.  Have a great day.

On the Run Today

 It's heating up.  Grand opening is next week.  Lots to do.  More later.  Have a great day.

Mi Casa es Su Casa

 I dined at Mulligan's last night with a couple of teammates. It was fabulous.  Nothing beats bone-in ribeye.  Looks like my body is adjusting to eating on the road.  It's time to get busy.  Our new location opens one week from today.  Come visit if you're in the North Canton area in Ohio.  Have a great day.

Climb the Highest Mountain

Today's topic is about mountains in your life.  They don't need to be real mountains.  The mountains I'm referring to are lofty goals.  The higher the better.  Choose the highest and pursue with every ounce of strength you have.  Don't worry about falling, getting tired, or getting lost.  Climb.  Something good will happen although you may not perceive it until you've been through a storm or two.

There will be a temptation to stop climbing once you reach the peak.  Sorry.  Out on the horizon is a higher mountain.  Yes, it's calling your name.  You can stop climbing when you die.  Rest before you get tired but don't stop.  Invite a friend to climb with you.  Share your experiences with others.  Have a great day.

 

Uncanny Food Choices Exposed

 My neighbors in my hometown knew my secret.  It's impossible to hide when you are barbecuing almost every day, even in the dead of Winter or in the middle of a rainstorm.  My newest food proclivity, burgers and steak on the weber at sunrise, has me in a bit of a pickle.  You see, I'm on the road and there's no outdoor grill at my hotel.  I'm the Maasai warrior who can't pull a rabbit out of my hat.  Yikes!

The casual observer may not understand what I'm experiencing.  It's like showing up at the airline ticket counter and realizing you don't have your passport.  I found the perfect hamburger yesterday after my first shift ended in North Canton while hunting and gathering at a local supermarket.  The higher fat ratio made my stomach growl in anticipation.  I hurried back to my hotel, still hungry even though I already consumed the biggest ribeye on the menu at Texas Roadhouse.  It didn't matter that it was raining.  Nothing was going to stop me.  Surprise!  No outdoor barbecue.  I was frozen in my tracks.  Panic was setting in.

Normal people have coping mechanisms.  Sugar.  Carbs.  Ice cream.  Food is in abundance.  I was once one of those typical Americans on the SAD (Standard American Diet) way of life.  One of the hardest things I've ever done was giving up sugar and detoxing my body.

This will be an interesting day.  The good news is the sun is shining.  One could say it's the perfect day for a barbecue.  Have a great day.

5 Stars for Zadock's Restaurant in Troy, MO

 

My wife called it.  We were headed home after a couple of full days representing Iowa in our Men's 18+ 4.0 sectional tournament.  We were hungry.  My wife spotted a billboard for Zadock's and it passed the first test...open for business.  Looking for a unique experience, we took a chance.  The first sign we saw inside the entrance, a picture of Mother Teresa, told us we were about to have one of those unique experiences we were seeking.  

"What's the reason for the Mother Teresa photo?" I asked the Miraya, the upbeat hostess who seated us.  

"The owners are Albanian born, like Mother Teresa.  They are from Macedonia."

I had a pretty good idea the owners were probably present since it was Sunday and the restaurant was near capacity.  I asked Miraya if they could stop by and share more about their history.  Sally showed up near the end of our meal offering to refill our water glasses.  She spoke of her recent trip back to her homeland to visit family in Macedonia.  She dashed away to get us souvenirs, keychains with Macedonia emblazoned on the side.  When we asked if it would be okay if we could snap of photo of her with us, Sally darted back to the kitchen to include her husband who declined due the large volume of customers.  Sally directed one of her servers to take the picture you see here.  Also shown is our new keychain.  All I can say is, please stop by and support Zadonck's restaurant in Troy, MO.   I went with ribeye and eggs.  5 stars, just like the service we received from the entire staff.  

Another new adventure begins this morning in North Canton, Ohio.  I will be part of the support staff helping get a new location going.  If we treat the people we serve with half of what Sally and her team offered us at brunch, we will be just fine.  Have a great day.

Tennis Battle Ends

 It's over.  We left everything on the courts.  This will be one of my best memories ever.  We thought we did everything we needed to do stamp our ticket to the semifinals this morning.  We needed three match wins and got them all in sudden death super tiebreakers set up to account for another rain delay.  Team captain and partner Steve once again had us on our seats when they put away a volley at 9-9 to win.  Matt faced a well seasoned tournament player known for marathon rallies and beat him at his own game to remain undefeated in singles play for the tournament.  At the end of the day we beat our third round opponent 3-2.  Then we got the bad news.  We missed first place in our pool by one tiebreaker and were asked to turn in a lineup in thirty minutes.  The next round was devastating.  

I can't say enough good things about my teammates.  We're going home with memories that will last a lifetime.  Special thanks to Jim, our fearless leader, and my wife, who encouraged all of us every step of the way.  We're headed to the Basilica this morning for worship before departing St. Louis.  The next adventure begins tomorrow.  Have a great day.  Thank you for your support.

Tournament Update

 It's 5am in St. Louis.  It's been raining all night.  Today's matches may be delayed.  We are in a dog fight.  All of us in our pool are tied at one win (3-2) and one loss (2-3).  Someone in our pool of 4 teams will go home after our next match.  Another team will earn the afternoon off and get a bye into the semifinals on Sunday.  The other two teams in the middle will play another match late in the day against the survivors from the second pool of teams.  Last team standing does to Surprise, Arizona in October.

I would like to salute my teammates for their strong play in adverse conditions.  One opponent changed his shirt four times before succumbing 6-0 to Matt,  a medical student who joined our team this season to give us what we need to advance.  We play the home team from St. Louis next.  Stay tuned.  Have a great day.

Sorry this Story is Late

 Our tennis team is in the midst of a fierce battle to win our Midwest sectional tournament.  Amidst all the chaos of sharing a VRBO, sleeping in (me), and warming up after a summer storm, I failed to update you.

Thank you for your patience with me.  Come back tomorrow for tournament updates.  Have a great day.

Adventure Ahead

 We're on the road again.  Departure is this morning.  We're facing off with the top Midwest tennis teams Friday through Sunday.  Today is a travel day to St. Louis.  Our team captain reserved a VRBO for us.  Rain is in the forecast so we may be asked to play indoors.  All I can say is I'm thankful to still be playing competitive tennis and I hope to contribute to my team this weekend.  I've never seeing a group of men work so hard to get to this point.  Stay tuned.  Have a great day.

First Contact

There are phenomena in this world that are beyond human explanation.  There are people we are connected to who help us put the pieces of our own puzzle together.  At a glance, these people may appear as random.  Upon deeper introspection, we see a deeper connection that somehow aids us in our journey of discovery.  Think back to a moment in time when a light bulb went off in your head and you somehow grasped something that was once beyond your level of understanding.  You said to yourself, "Aha!"

I had one of those "aha" moments although it first felt like "Oh no" with a bunch of exclamation marks blasting from inside my very soul.  It was as if Albert Einstein materialized directly in front of me ready to tutor a third grader on the theory of relativity.  This awkward feeling I had inside my heart and soul induced anxiety that still resonates when I think about first contact.  It's like an orphan who finds out about his biological family.  He's stunned.  Then, there is a knock on the door.  He opens the door and sees his biological parents for the first time after years of searching.

Imagine you have been told that you can see yourself in a story that was written thousands of years before you were born.  Everything you need to know about yourself and your purpose in life is in this story.  You decide to open the book and find yourself.  In the back of your mind you have your doubts but you open the book anyways because you are curious.  Boom!  You encounter yourself.  You know it's you in the story because the words your are reading are like your own unique fingerprints.  "How can this be?" you ask yourself.  At first, you resist and even deny.  Maybe it's like a pregnancy test that must be repeated so you can know that the test was actually wrong.  Sorry.  It's 100% accurate.  You have just made first contact with the Creator of the universe.  You asked and the Creator responded.  

Many years have passed since my "first contact" with Jesus.  I will never be able to fully explain how I discovered who I am and what my purpose is, or how a supposed random inquiry turned into a highly detailed road map to Heaven.  All I know is I'm supposed to "publish" every morning when I wake up, just like that biblical character did after his first contact over 2,000 years ago.  If you are reading this, you are one of the people your Creator chose to include in the story.  If this story inspires you to make your own "first contact," then I praise God.  Have a great day.

The Greatest Compliment You Can Give a Writer

 I rejoined my day job teammates yesterday after my bike riding adventure.  Although I only rode one day with the RAGBRAI riders, it felt like much longer, perhaps because I felt like I was living a lifetime of experiences from sunrise to sunset.  The biggest question my day job teammates asked was, "How do you feel?"  I gave my standard answer, "Amazing."  This isn't something most people say after experiencing what I experienced but the statement is 100% true.  Perhaps my spirits were lifted when a new FaceBook friend told me, "when I read your stories I feel like I'm there."  Thank you for the compliment.  That's what every writer aspires to.  We want you to feel like you are there with us in the moment, even in dark times like I was when a massive storm struck near the conclusion of my 93 mile ride and my only protection was a bike tunnel.

When I woke up this morning, my wife told me I was talking in my sleep in the middle of the night.  "What did I say?"  I asked.

She replied, "I'm free."

I don't remember what I was dreaming about but I have a feeling it may be related to finishing "Live Long and Prosper."  Many of the anecdotes are about my personal trials.  Like my RAGBRAI experience, these trials have pushed me to my limits.  If you are someone who follows my stories, I envision you with me while I'm writing about these challenging times in my life.  I'm held captive until the prison gates are opened up and my stories are released for your consumption.   I wouldn't wish some of these trials on my worst enemy.  Perhaps it's safer for you to read about my life rather than jump into an arena stuffed with oversized opponents who have killer instincts.  I look forward to that day when I declare, "I'm free," with my eyes wide open.  Have a great day.