Remembering the past, Passwords to peace

         

Continuing the idea of not allowing the world to crush you with problems. What did you do to alleviate the problems, stress and strain you encountered. What was your password to get into the area that you could stop and smell the roses? 

I was thinking of the times I forgot how to get there and suffered too long before I remembered at least one.

I was never a reader,  except technical Manuals and books having to do with my profession. Then one long, lonely trip, alone in the motor home I stopped by a bookstore and picked up a BIG THICK book. It was ‘Executive Orders’ by Tom Clancy.  I said to myself, this should take me a couple months. I was shocked that in five days I had devoured this book. I had found a ‘Password’ that opened into an unknown area to me, it took me away from the stress around me.

A few years ago a Bible teacher made a statement that stuck to my brain, “Always keep in mind in this life, ‘THINGS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE’.” She was a young lady, and she passed away not more than a year after I heard that statement.

After Clancy, I started reading and in a few years had read so many books I was saying, I have read this before. I had to start a list. I have now read a couple thousand books. This week I read two books. One by one of my favorite authors, Jack Higgins, East of Desolation. A great spoof of pilots in Iceland and Greenland; as always I wanted to finish, and hated it when I did, it was over. It had a great ending, but I wanted more.

I had downloaded an e-book by a friend. I am not partial to reading on the Kindle. I like printed pages so I can flip back. BUT, BUT once I got involved in this sucker, I was hooked. The book is titled, ‘Life Changes, Just Breathe’ by none other than Rick Watson over at ‘life 101’.

I know there are so many similarities in southern boys lives that you feel akin. But his writing had me thinking he could have been a youthful running mate. The stories were ‘real’, I lay on a hill with him and watched clouds form over head. I fished in the creek with him.

I once dreamed of building and living in an ‘A’ frame. I never did, but he does. I am two or three days older than he is (well + a few years). It is definitely not         just a men/boy’s book. Thing is, I associated with so much in the stories. There were differences of course in our lives, but the stories hit home.

All in all the book was the only book of short stories I have ever really enjoyed. Written in an educated, down home style. I enjoyed the book, his life, dogs, chickens and his truck. I had to give it a ***** star rating.

If you need a password to help you find a place to relax, and smell some roses,  I suggest this book. Great read.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

I waited so long to enjoy reading, but I am glad I learned to appreciate it.

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Some folk want a Rolls. When I get old and retire Imma find one of these under a Christmas tree, maybe cut by Rick’s dull axe!