CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCE: RICKY JOE

My first two years of life were spent at my parent’s first house located on the western edge of the largest park in KC, Swope Park, which consisted of the Zoo and two golf courses and place where I would run many cross country races in high school.  I don’t remember anything of the place except that, as my mother put it, when we were moving into our new house of my home for the rest of my childhood she later told me that they were going to go back for some last things and I through a fit because I didn’t want to go ever go back there.  Something traumatic must have happened to me for a reaction like I had.  The only memory I have is of when I must have been taking a nap to wake to a shadowy figure coming towards me.  It has always spooked me and is still as vivid as ever.  Anyway,  my new home is where I eventually met Ricky Joe and we became childhood best friends.

Most everyone has a close childhood friend that they grew up with and had some great experiences while going through this phase in life.  Ricky Joe was definitely one of those childhood friends.  This post will share some of those experiences and I think most will agree that this might be unique and then again maybe not.  For me, it’s one that if I had it to do over, I wouldn’t in a million life-times.

The new house we moved into was located in the southeast area of a developing suburb town of KC.  Our neighborhood was a horse shoe shaped development with pastures on the north and south boundaries with woods surrounding that.  The  development had the main road of the town going by just east and our house was located on the northwest section of the horse shoe.  Just up my road about a block was the main road and across the street to the left was the grade school, where I would go, and on the right corner Ricky Joe’s house.  On the southwest side of the horseshoe was a baseball diamond and then more woods.  My parents definitely picked the right location for a kid to grow up.  Never a dull moment as you will read.

I met Ricky Joe when I started kindergarten which was located up the street across the main road in the basement of a small church.  His house was next door right between it and the grade school.  I think it was after western day in kindergarten that Ricky Joe and I started really hanging out as kids since his house would become the hub of many adventures due to its location in the realm of things.

Ricky Joe was the true definition of accident prone.  I don’t mean he was accident prone all the time but just some of the time.  When he had an accident, he really had an accident.  The first introduction to his unlucky ways was in first grade.  Ricky Joe showed up one school day with goop of some medical kind smeared all over one side of his cut and scratched up face.  He told me that he had jumped on their horse to go for a ride when he fell off and his foot got caught in the stirrup and was dragged down the street.  This was just the first of more accidents like this to come and we were just 6-years old.

The next was the fall season of second grade.  Another childhood friend, Mikie (lived next door), and I were halfway up our street heading for Ricky Joe’s to play when his older brother, Kenny (always the kidder), was running down the street towards us yelling that Ricky Joe had been hit by a car while crossing the main road on his bike.  We had heard sirens but knowing Kenny didn’t believe him until he led us back to where a car was stopped on the side of the road.  Kenny led us to the car and pointed to Ricky Joes’ smashed up bike underneath it.  Ricky Joe was lucky that he hadn’t been killed and only ended up with a badly broken leg that he had to be in a cast for six months.  He missed most of second grade and had to make it up with Mrs. Stewart (not good), his teacher, during the  summer months of tutoring to advance to third grade next year.  She lived in a close by newer development within walking distance and Ricky Joe would go for tutoring but for payment had to do chores which included pulling weeds which he hated with a passion.  We were only 7-years old.  Would Ricky Joe make it to adulthood at this rate?

The only other major castrophe for Ricky Joe that I’m aware of came when we were 10 or 11-years old.  As kids we use to get together and play hide and seek, especially without the presence of the moon.  On this one particular night of hide and seek I was “It” and had gotten Ricky Joe early in the game.  At the time, our streets didn’t have street lights so it was pitch black.  As I was looking for other hiders a car was coming down the road with head lights on.  Ricky Joe waited for the car to pass and stepped into the road when I heard this bumping sound and saw Ricky Joe laying on the street holding his head.  The car that had passed was towing a fishing boat that Ricky Joe had stepped into smacking him on the head.  He was lucky again to come out of it with just a bump on his head but was okay. 

How Ricky Joe survived childhood I’ll never know.  As we grew older into our junior and senior high years we seem to drift apart but always had our fun childhood memories to reflect on when we would sometimes be at the same place at the same time.  Childhood memories should be cherished and I feel lucky to have had a childhood chum like Ricky Joe.  He eventually moved into his parents house after they passed on and still lives there to this day.

Yes, he did survive to be an adult and there are more tales to tell of Ricky Joe with other neighborhood happenings that involved all the kids on the block that will be featured in a future post.

God bless and God speed

www.lifeexperienceswithjim.blogspot.com

THE APARTMENT

I had secured my new apartment through my former landlords that I had been with prior to my move to San Diego.  Due to the urgency of my situation I had contacted them first to see if they might have anything available for Ellie and I.  I requested my old apartment because of its location on the Independence square with a 3^rd floor view of the KC downtown skyscape and it was like living in the trees that surrounded the area.  It was occupied but I would have access to it when it became available. 

The landlord had informed me that this new apartment was much smaller but was the only one available for Ellie.  It’s a disappointment compared to the other but I have to make the best of it until later on.  I have a much smaller kitchen with very little cabinet or counter space. There was one lamp table but no other furniture so Ken gave me a tv stand.  I use my lawn chair as my only seat in the place except my air-mattress in the bedroom. 

Anyway, I’ve made the best of it and made do with what I’ve got to work with.  The first major problem I incurred was discovering a leak under the kitchen sink.  I discovered it when I noticed Ellie hesitate to enter for access to her food and even more when she started lapping up water from the floor.  That’s when I found a leak under the sink and realized that I had just washed the dishes before and drained the water when it really started to leak.

After getting everything as organized I as could I took the evening off for relaxation and watched the tube for entertainment.  I watched Ellie adapting to her new place as she found her place that likes to lay and watch me (especially for a treat).  I just feel good that Ellie and I have a place to live and be sheltered.  I’m sure I can make it livable for me.

God bless and God speed

FLIGHT TO KANSAS CITY

Ellie  and I loaded up  the rest of our things in the car and once again were off on our road trip to Kansas City (there’s only one KC and that’s in Missouri) leaving the beautiful northern California area of Dunnagin around 10am in the morning.

The planned route was to hit I80 east to hi-way 99 south route to miss any snow complications that had been dominating recently.  I never did run into the 99 south connection so ended up heading to Reno where I saw that I could connect to a southern route through Nevada to Arizona and I40 (Old Route 66).  That would put me on my trip back that I had come. It was a much more scenic view through the Sierra  mountains so all was not lost.

I had my gas money to get me back with about half of my rent needed to secure my apartment that I had been able to get so I would have a place to live when I got there.  That meant once again the dreaded standing out and soliciting for more money.   I was lucky enough to get close to that with a little more help from my friends.

We headed south on I-95 from Reno where we had to get our first gas fill in Hawthorn, Nev.. That’s where, stopping at the first gas station in town, I found out that I would pay  $.20 more for gas since there were two more stations on the south of town selling for less (go figure).  But the real stinger was when my engine light came on after filling-up with gas.  It was then that I became anxious that I may have major car problems and not get to KC.  There wasn’t anything I could do so I had to once again pray to big “G” for assistance which was answered with no complications.

It was night time and pitch black on the hi-way drive until I hit the neon lights of Las Vegas (a beautiful experience).  I got to see casinos I had been to in the past (Rio) as I drove through to my next route connection hi-way 93 south to my first destination lay-over, Kingman, AZ.  I got gas for a much better price this time at a truck stop where Ellie and I got a nights sleep in the car (around 10:30pm).  I had a sun-screen that I lined the drivers’ and half of the front window to block out most of the parking lot lights so I got a fairly good sleep considering.

I was on the road once again around 5:30am as were some truckers that were beginning their day of driving.  I passed through Flagstaff, AZ about 2-hrs later and continued through on the scenic “Old Route 66” drive to my next destination of Toucomcari, NM for another night of rest at a Flying J truck stop.  I arrived around 6pm and decided to get sleep with plans on waking around mid-nite to continue my journey to KC.  I awoke around 1am and was on the road again 30-minutes later.  I made KC around noon that day and spent my first night with my good friend, Ken, at his apartment.

Overall, the trip wasn’t too bad and my car didn’t give me any problems with the engine light still registering.  Ellie was great, as she has been, throughout my entire plight and homeless flight.  She seems to have that adaptability and resiliency that I’ve had to endure these past years and especially past months.  She would sit or laydown on her sheepskin mat during the drive but I began noticing more and more that she preferred the security of my lap which I complied considering the upheaval of her life going from a lease-free environment back to the leash.  So, here we are back in KC, Dec. 2, 2010.  “MEANT TO BE”

God bless and God speed

THE DUNNIGAN DISAPPOINTMENT: Flight of the Homeless

I’m into my second week of Dunnigan life and I’m preparing again to pack up my car for the trip back to KCMO and employment.  Things just didn’t turn out as expected with the job market among some other things which I’ll explain but the last thing I ever wanted to do was go back to KC especially during the winter months and the cold. 

In my first few days it was made clear to me that my best friends place was not a permanent solution which I knew from the beginning.  As much as his place is beautiful and has a great location my intent had always been to get my own place for Ellie and I.  I appreciate my independence of living as much as anyone and knew if I could get a job this would be the best solution for all concerned parties.  The only problem was that it might take longer than I had hoped for a job which I could see wasn’t a feasible consideration to a very good friend.

His girlfriend was the greatest driving force in the matter since my friend would have said stay until you find a job and get your own place but she had justification considering my first stay the time I found myself homeless.  But this time it was a very critical situation for my friend and the last thing I want to do is disrupt my friends independent living style and to come between he and his girlfriend.  The group of towns people that I had befriended the first time seem more distant this time which I’m sure goes back to my friends’ girlfriend or feelings I’ve only come back to impose again. 

Whatever it is, I have come to realize that you have to go where the job is to be had and I’ve been given the go-ahead by my former general manager that my job is there whenever I get back.  As much as I love it out here in this part of the country I guess it could be called destiny that I go back to KC.  Maybe it’s one of those “MEANT TO BE” times.

All in all, Ellie has gotten to experience freedom without a lease and I’ve gotten to enjoy the laid back style of life in the country for a couple of weeks.  I hope to come back some day under better circumstances and preparation.

In preparation for the trip I’ve gotten gas money for the entire trip back and will have to again try to get more for hopefully a deposit on an apartment back in KC.  Right now I’ve been made an offer to temporarily stay at a co-workers daughters boyfriends place, which I’m not very excited about, and my trucker buddie says there’s an apartment available where he lives that takes pets and it’s reasonable which is ideal.  So, as much as I dread the standing out and soliciting for money, I will have to endure this challenge again and depend on the generosity of those good Samaritans out there.  I’ve been impressed with the giving spirit of these great people.

God bless and God speed

FLIGHT OF THE HOMELESS: Personal experience

Early, early Tuesday morning loading the last of my belongings into my car to head north to the Sacramento area and hopefully find employment and a new life for Ellie and myself.  Twice yesterday I had stood outside my car with Ellie sitting quietly soliciting for gas money for the trip north.  The first in the morning rush hour with my  cardboard made sign which read, “NEED GAS 4 TRIP TO N.CALIFORNIA”,  and the second during rush hour traffic home (about 3-hrs each).  I made close to $100 from the good Samaritans of San Diego.  Enough for 2-gas tank fills plus and enough for 2-thirds of the trip.  I would have to stop and solicit one more time to get the rest of the way comfortably.  HOMELESS and UNEMPLOYED, again.

We were on the road about 5am after a fill-up of my tank.  I805 north towards L.A. bound with hopes of missing the notorious rush hour I’ve heard and seen on t.v..  Well, I got my rush hour experience and don’t ever expect to experience it again.  I got my second tank of gas around Bakersfield and began thinking where I might stop to solicit for my last tank of gas for the trip.  I thought Fresno might be the best but as I got closer I kept thinking of how much I really didn’t look forward to doing it again so I kept driving while keeping a close eye on my gas gauge.  I drove by each town debating on whether to stop there or go on.  When I got close to Modesto (about 50-miles south of Sac) I was dangerously close to empty so I took the last exit and put my last $10 in the tank. I asked the clerk for directions to the nearest Walmart since this was a good place to get a good flow of people but saw a Costco on my way and decided to go there (especially since I’m still a member).  I no sooner set up my location than I noticed the gas attendant looking at me while on the phone to someone.  Of course I knew he was calling someone inside about me so I continued my sign showing when an elderly couple pulled up and generously gave me $30.  Then 2-employees showed up and asked me nicely to leave because of policy.  They both sympathized with my situation but made me aware that it was against California Law to solicit like that even though the others are out there too, but to be cautious if I did it again.  Blessings and hats-off to those two elderly and understanding young men.  The $30 was enough to get me to my destination with a little left.  MEANT TO BE?  It’s sometimes amazing.

I arrived in Dunningan around 4pm and met my friend at “Bill and Kathys” small truck stop and hangout for a number of the local people that I had met the last time I was here.  It was a good and familiar reunion with a few brews of reminiscence and current life updates.  I got over to my friends place at dark so I didn’t get the full impact of how isolated he was in this many acre almond orchard until the next day with daylight.  I couldn’t believe the remoteness and peacefulness of this paradise between the Coastal and Sierra Nevada Mountains.  Most relaxing considering my circumstances.

God bless and God speed

THE EXPERIENCE OF FRIENDSHIP

In my previous posting on "MENTORS", I mentioned one of my mentors who gave me the inspiration to believe that I could do and accomplish whatever I wanted.  In many of our conversations the one that stood out the most was on friends.  He stated that throughout your life if you could count on one hand a true friend that you would be a lucky person.

I took that with a grain of salt in the beginning but I've come to firmly believe his wise advice as  true.  So far in my life I can, without reservation, count two on one hand.  At one time I had a count of three but he made a decision to turn his back on me when it was a critical stage of my life.  It was during these past six years of the greatest of challenges. 

My definition of a really true friend is someone who truly supports you and will go above and beyond the call to help you no matter what the situation might be. All others I would consider acquaintances that are friends but more the cordial type than the committed. I want to introduce you to those two great individuals that have come through and are now currently coming through again since the IRS has put me into financial devastation and challenge.

I'll begin with Richard, who I met my sophomore year in high school.  We were both involved in sports together and our personalities were alike enought that we hit it off immediately.  We've always maintained contact throughout the years since high school even though he went his career path and I went mine.  He did 6-years nuclear sub duty with the Navy and used me as a personal reference for his security clearance.  He, of course, didn't notify me of this so when I received a call from my employer that the FBI wanted to speak with me I was and my employer was a little surprised.  Everyone got a good laugh out of that and I had a great sigh of relief even though I didn't have any reason to feel guilty although it makes you wonder what the "H" have I done.

As I noted in my early posting of "Homeless Challenge" that friend who flew me out, provided a safe haven and found me a job was Richard.  The eight months I imposed on his gracious support was at great expense and sacrifice to him.  It was a humbling time for me not to be able to pay back this great friend and someone I call a true brother.  Due to my new situation, I had to rely once again on his friendship.  I've wanted to get back to that area for some time because of the great people I had met before.  I made some calls for employment and should be able to get something there versus here in San Diego so I called Richard and explained my situation again and that this time I should be able to find employment but needed a place to stay temporarily until I can get financially on my feet and get a place of my own.  The true friend he is, he said come up and stay at his place.  It's a great relief but on the other hand I feel terrible that I again have to impose on him.

The second person I can count on my one hand is Ken.  Ken is the trucker I met at the Salvation Army shelter after my second eviction by my mothers' retirement village.  I referred to Ken in my "Life in a Shelter" posting.  He is the type of person that will bend over backwards to help a friend in need and he's proven it on a number of occasions for me.  Ken has had his number of life challenges of being homeless.  He's one of the best at his profession but gets stuck in the never ending circle of life repititions.  This has cost him in finding employment but once he lands a job trucking he does an excellent job.  Then for whatever reason screws up and ends up struggling to exist until the next.

I had lost my drivers license (a future posting) a few years prior to my shelter experience and I had just finally landed a job as a dishwasher but needed to get my license back for transportation purposes.  Ken let me use his conversion van to take my drivers test and loaned me money for my car insurance.  I then had access to my mothers' car for transportation which made a big difference in getting around.  He was the only person that volunteered to help me move when I was ready to come out to San Diego otherwise I would have had to do it by myself which would have been a physical challenge in itself.  He called me this past week to check on my current updates for destination and I told him I had finalized it to N.Calif rather than back to KC because of gas cost differences.  He knew I was going to struggle with gas costs to even N.Calif so he's sending me enough money to get there so I don't have to stand at a truck stop entrance with a cardboard poster asking for gas money.  He's told me to pay him back when I get financially back on my feet.  That's the kind of friend he is.  As of this posting Ken begins another trucker position and my hopes are that he breaks that circle of repitition.

I can't say enough to have true friends like these two. As much as I dislike the thought of handouts it's friends like them that give you the hope in dire times.  I just hope that one-day I can repay them in the same manner that they've helped me, otherwise I continue to pay-it-forward to others that I can help in my own way.

God bless and God speed

LIFE WITH MOTHER

I know that I posted my "Last Farewell?" but I've been able to buy some time before I have to vacate so I am posting a few more experiences of the many others that I would like to post.



The last thing most siblings don't want to do at the age of 52-years is move in with their mother but as noted in a previous post my financial challenges came to a head with the foreclosure of my house.  With absolutely no place to go but a bridge embankment or city union shelter my mom offered me the safety of moving in with her to help with the medical and physical challenges she was facing while giving me a roof over my head and food.

It was touch and go initially but as we both became acclimated to each other and learned to give each other our space and independence things started working out much more smoothly than I ever thought would.  There were, of course, the times of frustration on both our parts but it was a win-win situation overall in the long run. I began to look upon it as a full-time care giving job while she appreciated the companionship of having someone around full time to talk and share her problems of depression associated with the aging process and gradual loss of freedoms.

My social life primarily revolved around her and the great people I met during my years at the retirement village.  When Ellie came into our lives I would walk her to a mall just a few blocks from the village and sit at the Starbucks where Ellie acted as the babe magnet for any opportunities (but never happened). One morning a long time retired friend came into Starbucks and he started bringing his dog so we would have double exposure to the babes.  The only drawback was a group of old retired guys who felt we were cutting in on there young babe time, so they eventually asked us to leave the dogs at home and join them on Mondays,Wednesdays and Fridays and so began my greater social mental health days of helping solve the problems of the world.

As time went on, I began to appreciate my relationship with my mom and looked at it as an opportunity to really get to know her unlike most siblings will ever do.  She would get in a never ending circle of telling the same stories of the past over and over.  When visitors would stop by she would get into these stories which I had heard at least hundreds of times over our years together so I would retreat to my room and let her tell whomever visitor might be there so they might hear it either for the first time or for the upteenth time.  They were good stories but the repitition could be overbearing but on occasion she would surprise me.

One such story was told to me on our way back from one of her many doctors appointments.  My son played soccer with Tom Watsons' (Pro golfer) son Michael and I forget exactly how we got on the subject (I think Tom was in a golf tournament and I mentioned Michael and soccer).  Out of the clear blue sky she says she was given a ride home from a prominent Plaza restuarant one time by Michael.  I thought she had totally lost her mind.  Concerned, I asked her how Michael could have given her a ride home from the restuarant when he was my son's age?  She impatiently replied, "NO!NO!NO!NO!NO!NO!", Michael Sr.! you dope!  She went on to tell me that while my dad was involved with WWII she was talked into going to the restuarant by a friend at the apartment building she was living in off the plaza. She told me that she found out this friend was a floozie as she referred to her and that she only wanted to pick up men.  This, of course, went against all her moral grain and wanted to go home where Michael Sr. (a total gentleman) offered to give her a ride home with no strings attached.  I can confidently say that I totally believed her.

Then, there was the time she asked me if I would drive her to her 60th highschool reunion about sixty miles away since she wasn't really capable of driving herself.  I, of course, said I would but was a little reluctant knowing that it was going to be boring.  So I brought a book along to read while she enjoyed her reunion with the some 25-graduates left out of her graduating class.  I never got to break a page of that book once we got there and ended up thoroughly enjoying myself and meeting some of her highschool buddies.  One woman was a real hoot who tried to pick me up saying she wished she were younger. I responded that I could be up for adoption if she wanted to consider that option.  Too bad she hadn't been my age since she would have definitely been someone I would have liked to meet and get to know.  This classmate related stories of my mother and how she wasn't the miss goody two shoes I had always been told.  It was, by far, one of the best experiences I've had in my life.  We always had a good laugh about her 60th reunion.

The hardest part of our tenure together was watching her lose her freedoms, her independence to do the things that are everyday common to all of us.  When mobility and dementia issures began to emerge I always felt that the a patient approach was best.  It took her a year to finally begin to use a walker and even longer to face that she couldn't drive anymore.  I always encouraged her to do as much physical activity that she could to maintain physical strength but was there to take over when I noticed her weakening or getting dizzy.  There were those at the village (even my brother) who would have liked to see her go into assisted or long term care, especially during the times when I had been evicted.  My goal had always been to make sure that when the time came that she would pass in her own surroundings.  Among those things she cherished, loved and was familiar with.  It was a battle at times with those external forces but I won out in the end.  We had no problem speaking of that time and she knew as long as I was around that she wouldn't end up sharing some room with another person with one t.v. so she could enjoy one of her last freedoms, watching her favorite shows. I was there to assure her quality of life. A quality that she deserved and got.

I know this is long but there is one more factor in the equation that hasn't been addressed and that's Ellie.  Towards the end Ellie weighed heavily on my moms' mind and what would happen to her.  I assured her that I loved Ellie as much as she did and she would remain with me, which she does today.  My moms last few weeks were spent in long-term care with a bladder infection. The forces to be gave her an assessment evaluation after the first 2-weeks to ascertain whether she would be allowed to go back to her cottage. It was at this time that she was informed that if she were allowed to go back to her cottage that Ellie couldn't live with her. She responded to the group that they might as well just let her die.  I lived in a studio apartment where pets weren't allowed but after I informed my landlords that unless we could make arrangements somehow that I had no choice but to vacate and head to California.  They agreed to a non-refundable deposit that my mom was more than happy to pay.  My mom then knew Ellie was in good hands and I was able to bring her by for visits.  I really didn't expect things to happen so fast but my mom passed on a week later with my being at her side.  She left knowing that Ellie was taken care of and will be as long as I'm living.  A promise made and a promise that will be kept.

I'm so grateful that this opportunity to bond so close with my mom came about and never regret the years that I got to spend with her to the end.  There wasn't anything that couldn't be shared between us.  I knew and understood the battles of aging she was dealing with and she knew and understood the battles that I contended with.  As tough as it got she always maintained a positive outlook and always had that "meant to be" belief.

I miss her but know she lives on in my heart.

God bless and God speed

WHO AM I?

WHO AM I?  This was a question posed to the group on one of our Tuesday evening meetings  by the key case manager while I was staying at the Salvation Army.  It was a question to motivate us into analyzing our current situation and reflect on what got us there. 

There were some of those who took the question to heart but others that wouldn't have given it any thought at all since they were the ones just passing through with thoughts of the next shelter they would stay.  I personally knew the circumstances that had brought me there and didn't give it much thought at the time.

But I'm one of those that just doesn't make a knee jerk decision on a question.  If posed with a question I usually have to ponder and reflect on it for a while and then come to a conclusive decision on how to answer or proceed from there.  I won't leap before I jump.  This is the way I've been most of my life.  I've seen too many people in business or personal situations who leap before thinking it through with bad outcomes.

This just happened to be a question that I thought of many times over a number of months. Who was I? Really!  I began to think back to an early age (9-years to be exact) when my mother took me to the second closed-in mall opened in the Kansas City area.  We were walking through this new mall and they had this computer system set up in the middle of the walkway.  It was one of those card like computers (aging myself) and they were doing hand-written analysis of anyone interested. My mother had me sign my name on a card and they ran it throught the computer which gave me an analysis breakdown of who I was.  There were several things mentioned but the most interesting was that I was analytical by nature.  Now at the time I had to have my mother explain what analytical meant (she tried with the best effort but I was still confused).

On pondering the question of "who am I?" I remembered that particular time and realized that I am and always have been analytical in my life.  Whether it was in business or personal this is the way I approach a situation.  While at the shelter I befriended a couple of great ladies who, over the short time they were there, presented me with a card just before their departure that was very complimentary and mentioned a number of positive characteristics that they felt I represented.   It made me think that these characteristics or virtues do represent who I am.  I just never had thought about it before that day.  To this day, I carry and cherish that card from two very good people and hope their endeavors since have been good ones (they are truly deserving).

Before I left KC to come to San Diego I called the case manager at the Salvation Army to say I  was on my way and to thank him and his co-workers for the positive time I had there. I asked him if he still asked the question "Who am I?" to his groups and he replied that sometimes he did.  He was quite surprised that I brought it up and even more surprised when I told him that it should be presented to each group that comes through even though not everyone will benefit from it but that if only one person gets it then that's one more than none.

WHO AM I? This is a great question each person should seriously consider in their life.  Better late than never.

God bless and God speed

E.A.T.S. PHILOSOPHY

Years ago when I started coaching 8-year olds in soccer I came up with a philosophy that I hoped would be a lesson, not only in sports but to apply in there lives to come in the future.  I coached them in soccer up through 14-years.  It's something that I hoped that I could contribute as my mentors did for me.  It's a philosophy that I apply in my everyday existence.

                                                   E:          EFFORT

                                                   A:          ATTITUDE

                                                   T:          TEAMWORK

                                                   S:          SPORTSMANSHIP

I believed that a sport should not only be a fete of focus and demand but that you should enjoy it, whether it be a practice or game time.  My practices were based on Anson Dorrance's (North Carolina University Womens Soccer) workouts that made him one of the most successful winning coaches in women's soccer.  It taught my kids one-on-one skills and teamwork play in hard and pressure situations.  That was the first part of the practice then the latter part made up of fun games that were applicable to other areas.

When it came to game time I would tell them that to step on a field of play was like a battle of fair play and to apply everything that they learned from practices. Go out there and do the best they could and then when it was done and over leave it there on the field. Go home and enjoy themselves.  I hammered-in the philosophy as they grew that if they put forth the best effort they could with the right positive attitude then do it as a team player then they would be a success.  The sportsmanship not only was applicable to sports but could be shown in everyday situations when dealing with their peers and differences they might encounter.

Even though most of those kids were recreational players, I took them into higher levels of competition to give them an opportunity to compete at the highest level of play.  We may have lost a number of games and tournaments but we won a few that they could walk away from and be proud.  The majority of those kids that stuck it out, whether soccer or other sports, played varsity as freshmans in highschool which was uncommon in there day.

For me, it wasn't the winning that counted, it was seeing these kids grow into success and come into there own.  It was a matter of hoping that I in some way helped young minds have the opportunity that was given to me.  You see, if you live the E.A.T.S. philosophy, you'll always be successful no matter what.  There is no failure when this philosophy is applied in life.

God bless and God speed

LAST FAREWELL?

It's with great regret but this might be my last posting for some time to come.  I was hoping to share more of my life experiences but because the IRS deemed it necessary to take all my money without the benefit of an extension and umemployment I'm off to I don't know where at this time.  All I know is that I'll be on the streets with Ellie somewhere this time tomorrow.

It's like the movie "Paint Your Wagon" with Clint Eastwood and Lee Marvin.  "Where am I going? I don't know."  "Where am I headin? I ain't certain." "All I know is I am on my way!"
"But who gives a damn, who gives a damn I'm on my way!" Seems like appropriate lines at this time.

             THANKS AGAIN IRS

The best to all and I hope that one day I will be able to continue on with my experiences.

Signing off,
Jim
God bless and God speed

CHALLENGE: Food Stamps (EBT) Experience

Well, it's gotten to that critical point where I didn't have any food and ran out of dog food for Ellie so I had to break down for the first time in my 6-year dilemma and file for food stamps. Quite an experience for sure.

This past Monday I spent a half-day in line and waiting while my application for food stamps got the go ahead on emergency processing.  I couldn't believe the numbers of people (but then considering the economic trend, could) that were there either for food stamps or family welfare.
I have to give credit to the person processing my request since he realized and understood that I wasn't just looking for hand-outs but genuinely in need (major kudos).  He got me set up with an EBT card that day so I could stock-up on food.

The drawback I found out at the store was that the EBT card only covers food and food only. No paper towels, toiletries or dog food (bummer). Ellie finally gets to eat human food full time now since it takes some coaxing to get her to eat her dog food normally.  At least I've got the essential food supplies to get me by for awhile.

Now I have to find a way to secure gas for the car and food for Ellie, even though she doesn't care one way or the other.  Regarding toiletries, since there aren't any corn fields nearby (like Kansas) I guess I have to find an alternative to toilet paper and since I can't buy toothpaste for enamel and cavity protection I hope that the water here in San Diego is fluoridated.

I continue to face my economic challenges and plan for the worst case scenario so that I'll be prepared to address it when and if that time comes.  After Mondays' eye opener and seeing it first hand, this government needs to really wake up and smell their coffee in the morning. I was listening to a talk radio station last nite where the guest mentioned that the government says we only have a 10% unemployment but he said that realistically it's much higher. The government wants to paint a rosy picture. 

My heart goes out to those who are truly in the same struggle and that genuinely are in need like myself.  The best I can offer is to continue to hang in there. I know, easier said than done.

Sleepless in San Diego (not Seattle)
God bless and God speed

A HALLOWEEN TREAT: Childhood Experience

This is an account of a childhood experience that took place around the age of 8 or 9 years with a childhood friend (Ricky Joe: another post altogether).  Even though it happened close to 4th of July it's worth a tale to tell for Halloween.

Growing up in my childhood there were many times of sleep overs with friends.  This one night I spent the night at Ricky Joe's house and a sleep over wasn't just always a play in the house but the midnight venture out (sneak out) of the house just to say we did it.  This one particular nite, after Ricky Joe's parents were well asleep, we snuck out and sat on the back stoop to listen to the night sounds and gaze at the stars. Ricky Joe's house was adjacent to the grade school we attended and the main part of the playground was right across the street. It was always one of the main play places for most all of us to congregate for the swings, jungle jim, tether ball, baseball and football.

As we gazed at the stars and listened to the night sounds my eyes glanced over the playground area where I saw apparition-like figures (people) playing football about 100 yds off in an open area of the playground.  I didn't say anything because I thought it was just my imagination until Ricky Joe said, "do you see what I see"?  When I aske him what he saw I couldn't believe it! He described exactly what I was looking at.  Apparitions running and throwing a football, actually playing football.

We started to get a little scared but decided to sneak across the road to the playground.  We began to crawl towards the apparitions (they were white moving bodies) very slowly so not to disturb whoever it might be. We got half way towards these apparitions when the fear really sat in and decided to crawl slowly back and get back to his house.  Since it was close to the 4th of July we always had fireworks available so we silently slipped back into the house and got what was then called a buzz bomb. Ricky Joe snuck upstairs to get one of his dads cigarettes. We sometimes would use cigarettes as time bombs for special occassions and this was one.

We went back outside and the apparitions were still playing football. We lit the cigarette and placed it on the fuse of the buzz bomb. We then crawled back into the playground about 25 yds and placed it on good level ground then went back to the house and hid behind one of the big trees and waited.  It usually took about 10-minutes for a cigarette to burn down and when it did the buzz bomb went flying into the night sky and made a big explosion.

The apparitions disappeared and we hurried back into the house so we wouldn't be caught in case his parents or any of the neighbors woke up. Needless to say, we had a hard time getting to sleep after that night.

I've never really shared this story with anyone but Ricky Joe since no one would have believed us especially at our ages then.  Even to this day I sometimes wonder, but to have Ricky Joe confirm seeing what I was seeing was just to real not to be true.

They just disappeared! They didn't run off and disappear! They just disappeared!! A True Story.

Happy Halloween

God bless and God speed

DEATH AND DYING: A PRAYER ANSWERED

I've decided to address this topic because there have been two very personal and memorial occasions that have impacted my life and have proven to me the power of prayer being answered.  Before I get to these I have to say that I've never been one to profess my religious or spiritual beliefs openly or upon someone. I've always felt it a personal privacy and not one to impose on others. Let me say, I live my life the way I believe. 

It's a fact of life that the older we get that we begin to see more and more of our friends and close acquaintances pass on.  I've known several who took their life, many who either passed from physical ailment or those that lived a long life and it was their time.  As mentioned above I'm going to focus on two very special people; my mom and dad.

My dad was the first to pass on at the age of 74 years.  I remember that we were traveling to my brothers for Thanksgiving and on the trip there my dad had shortness of breath and felt drained of energy. He shrugged it off as nothing but it came back to bite him.  After a visit to the doctor (forced by my mom) the next week he ended up in the hospital intensive care unit.  He had had a number of mild heart attacks which had caused major damage.  After stabilization, he was transferred to an upstairs room for about a week where on one occasion that I visited we happened to be alone. He had been told earlier in the day that he didn't have much time (maybe three weeks).  He told me that he was too young to die and I agreed because he was a young 74 for his age (young at heart).  He had made a decision when all this began to ignore his condition because he had cataract surgery scheduled and didn't want to miss it.  Well, his decision cost him his life.

Given three weeks, he lasted a month (he fought death to the end, he was a bull headed survivor).  I wanted to be close when the time came but I had job responsibilties so I prayed that if any prayer could be answered that I would be at his bedside when the time came.  I was at a hospital for an inservice on a medical product I represented (about an hour north) when a hospital representative told me that I had an emergency at home and needed to get there fast. I phoned on my way home to find out that the hospice nurse (great organization) couldn't find a pulse.  I broke all speed records to get home and ran into the bedroom to find my dad sitting up, all smiles, asking what I was doing there.  It was a Friday at 3pm. At 7:30pm I was at his bedside when he had a massive heart attack.  I was there holding his hand at the time.  I got to tell him I loved him before he passed on.  A PRAYER ANSWERED.

The second experience was my mom.  As I've mentioned before, I had been a care-giver for her over the last 6-years.  My mom loved my dad dearly and she grieved for at least 10-years I know for a fact.  In the past years medical challenges, she always had the wish to join him.  On February 14th of this year she turned 90 (yes, she was a Valentine girl) and we celebrated at the long-term care facility where she had been taken a couple of weeks before.  Things weren't looking good so I prayed again that I would be allowed to be present when the time came. I really felt that she had a couple more years left but she went down hill faster than I had expected. On February 22nd I was called by the emergency room at a local hospital that she had been admitted and that I should get there as soon as possible.  When I arrived, she was in the ER room being stabilized.  As I came into the room the nurse said she had been asking for me and her best friend/companion Ellie. I could tell that things weren't looking well for her.  The ER physician informed me that she had at most 2-days.  I left to go to her cottage to fetch Ellie and bring her back with me. When I arrived the physician informed me that 2-days had turned into a matter of hours.

She was transferred to an intensive care room where she kept asking if I could bring Ellie to see her.  As much as I pleaded for her request, Ellie couldn't be allowed into the hospital but if I could get her outside her ICU window then that would be okay.  Things went too fast for me to accomplish this. On February 22nd, at 2:42pm  I was at her bedside holding her hand and giving her comfort the whole time through the process of her peaceful passing.  I was able to tell her I loved her.  A PRAYER ANSWERED.

Both my mom and dad had lead very fruitful lives.  I'm proud to have had them for my parents and will always have a prayer in my heart.  I know they are together again and both live on in my heart.

A PRAYER ANSWERED ( I believe)
God bless and God speed

HOMELESS Potential: Update

As I'm approaching the end of this month (October), I'm beginning to become somewhat anxious as to what I'm going to do.  I won't be able to meet my rental commitments and I'm already behind on bills. My food supply has dwindled to almost nothing and my best friends' (Ellie) food is getting low.

My son prefers that I remain in San Diego, so we're looking into some low-income living arrangements, but that still won't be realistic since I'm still unemployed.  I've been considering heading back to Northern California where I was before since I feel my employment opportunity might be better with past friends and best friend networking capabilities there.  I'll be making my calls to check those options out.  I found out yesterday that the person who took my place of employment in Kansas City is looking for another job so I would definitely have a position available there.  The main problem with these options is the cost of traveling (gas). 

Being the analytical person I've been all my life, I'm weighing all options that are open to me and live each day at a time.  I'm in the initial stages of preparation for traveling lite since I won't be able to take all that I brought out with me from Kansas City.  The most important and main concern that I have is Ellie.  Where ever I go, I want to make sure that she's included.  There's no other option when it comes to Ellie.

It seems like I'm stuck in that never ending circle trying to break free but keep running into those obstacles (like the IRS) that puts me right back in it.  Even though the challenges seem to continue I remain optimistic and positive.  I'll continue to survive one way or another.

My heart felt feelings goes out to those of you in a similar situation like this.

God bless and God Speed

Life in a shelter

When I became homeless the second time and came to the Salvation Army-Cross Roads as it was designated, I felt lucky for the referral by the director of security from the retirement village. It was one of those "meant-to-be" experiences I've referred to.

The shelter housed both families, single men and women. The single men and women were roomed in separate rooms which accommodated six in each room. The rest of the rooms were for the families. There were two case managers along with the staff. We had mandatory meetings on Tuesdays and Thursdays where the most experienced case manager would conduct and address different issues related to everyday issues that pertained to the problems that many were there for.

It was quite an adjustment for me, but the positive person I am, I felt it to be another experience to learn from. It gave me a perspective of a different world altogether. My presence was unique compared to the others that were there. I never asked anyone what they were there for unless they volunteered it.  Some had been there due to abuse or just drying out or like me had been put out on the streets. There were those that just used the system and jumped from shelter to shelter.
Once you were accepted to stay there, you had 60-days to find a job or other accommodations. They would rarely make exceptions and give an extra 30-days for extraordinary circumstances. I was given that extra 30-days.

I've always been able to interact with anyone whether it be blue or white collar designations. I met some really good people there, both staff and residents. One of my best friends to this day I met there. He's a truck driver that is currently out of work again and having a hard time finding employment. The case manager would tell a story of a guy that would show up once a year almost like clockwork (you'd have to wait a year before allowed to come back). He would leave, make good money then he would lose that job and end up back at shelter. I found out that this friend was the guy since it was his third time there. The only drawback to his current situation is that the shelter no longer accepts single men.

Once my time expired there I was accepted to a transitional facility that allowed a person to live free and save money to get back on their feet. The only drawback for me was that you had to live by the budget and report every cent spent. Now I know how to budget and when I was told I had to account for a pack of gum I made a decision to find an affordable studio apartment. I spent three weeks at that facility. It's a great program for some but it wasn't for me.

I really do feel lucky I had the experience at the Cross Roads. I know one thing, if I ever win the lottery, the Salvation Army will definitely benefit.  Especially the Cross Roads.

God bless and God speed

MEANT TO BE: Sermon 1 with Reverend Jim

I'm donning my ministerial hat to address this topic.  I've never really given it much thought but I firmly believe that things that happen are meant to be. I reflect over the past years of my life and feel that situations happen for a reason. Whether it be a challenge or success. This, of course, is only my opinion but has been proven over and over to me in my life time.  As a care giver to my mother and getting to know her in depth, she was a firm believer too, even though I hadn't really given it much thought before moving in to help her. 

Life "IS" an experience.  If you think it's just be born, grow,get a job, get married and exist from there on out then I feel sorry for your existence.  I'm one that has done all except the exist portion. From the age of 17 I set a goal to learn and experience as much as I could for the rest of my life and I've done that and continue for as long as I live.  I've come to appreciate nature at work, from the bending of trees in the wind, the beauty of cloud formations, the stars at night, the flight of an eagle or hawk in the sky or the excitement of a storm forming and coming in. I'm sure you get my point.  I've come to accept and meet the challenges of what happens in everyday life. whether it be  financial, death or tradegy. For what ever reason, to me, it's "Meant to be".  It's how you handle it that matters. 

As I've mentioned, these past years have been the most challenging in my life.  I've considered suicide and been self-destructive but some inner force has always urged me to not give up but meet the challenge and deal with it the best I could.  Easier said than done I know.  The point is to not delve on and feel sorry for yourself but do the best to keep a positive mental attitude and cope the best you can, no matter what.  If there was a degree to be given out then I would deserve an honorable degree in survival.

For those of you going through these hard economic times and having been at the top and  threatened with financial devastation only to find youself with the challenge of your life, I truly can empathisize with what you might have to go through because I was one of those at the top. I've been subjected to menial jobs versus what my college degree says I should be but I've come to terms with that even though I aspire to do better. Whether I'm white collar or blue collar, all people are really the same. Everyone has their struggles and challenges.

For me:  ITS ALL BEEN "MEANT TO BE"

Keep hanging in,

God bless and God Speed

HOW TO QUIT SMOKING AND LOSE WEIGHT- THANKS IRS

Well here I am down to my last pack of cigarettes and food supply thanks to the IRS.

I had quit smoking the first time back in 1978 after 7-years. Did that cold turkey without any problem except for the dreams that lasted about a year of waking up thinking I had been smoking. After over 30-years I started smoking again about 4-years ago when I became homeless and went to Northern California at the invitation of my friend who smoked a pack-a-day.  I figured since second hand smoke was bad for you that I would go ahead and take it up again. Now, I know that the nicotine patch is available but when you only have $3 dollars in your wallet it becomes cost prohibitive. I guess it's going to be cold turkey again but I have a feeling it's going to be much harder this time.

Now I'm getting down to the last of my food supply and becoming creative on how I fix a meal. I have plenty of rice at the moment so it's pretty much rice and whatever I have to throw in and peanut butter sandwiches.  I found that you can lose weight by shrinking your stomach and eating one meal a day.  When I got out to California that homeless time I weighed 155 lbs. Being 6'0", my ideal weight should be around 170 lbs. I estimate that I'm now at about 165 lbs. My main concern now is feeding my best friend (Ellie).  I know that there's food stamps available but I hate the thought of accepting give outs, especially if it's tax-payer money. Sounds a little ironic that the IRS puts someone on the streets but yet lets it come out of the tax-payers pocket to feed them. Go figure.

Thanks again IRS

God bless and God speed to everyone

ANOTHER HOMELESS POTENTIAL- THANKS IRS

Job Status: Unemployed but making effort
Bank Status: $0 (-$48) to be exact thanks to the IRS

It's unbelievable but then again not,considering the IRS. I woke up this morning with a notice from my bank that I had insufficient funds due to the IRS levy against what was all the money I had in this world (except the $3 in my wallet and a full tank of gas). I called the IRS prior, to request an extension to allow me time to find a job to address a 2002 tax return that I still feel I don't owe. I called them back this morning to ask why they took the only money I had in the world and was told that there wasn't any way to return the funds.

I really wonder, that after a long productive taxing paying life of an individual who has struggled financially the past 6-years, that a citizen of the UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT would be treated like this especially in these economic times. It goes to show you that this government doesn't really care. Illegal aliens have more benefits and leniency than I do.

I spoke to a tax attorney and probably could have had it all taken care of but $1,700 is pretty steep and to have to pay half up front just wasn't feasible at this time. I might have been able to but with funds frozen and now gone it won't happen.

I don't write this to be pitied. I write it out of frustration with this government and its willingness to turn its back on U.S. citizens who want to be productive. I'm not seeking help financially. I wouldn't accept it.
I want this message to go out and be heard. I know that there are many out there in my same situation.

So, I'll continue to have access to the internet for as long as I can before it's turned off. I'll be in preparation to disappear into the increasing homeless population with my best friend (Ellie). I'm a survivor, so this is just another challenge to contend with as I have the past 6-years.

God bless and God speed

MENTORS

In life many of us have had someone who has been an influence or inspiration of some sort. I've had four individuals that impacted mine.

The first mentor was my baseball coach at an early age.  He taught me "Patience", which I've carried throughout my life.  Many times in recreational coaching, there's always those players who aren't as talented as some of us are lucky to be. He never showed his frustration and always was fair to show toleration to these individuals. I always admired him for the way he coached and treated everyone with respect and he always had winning seasons. When I coached soccer for 6-years I always remembered this and utilized his style of coaching in my approach. "PATIENCE"

The second mentor was my highschool track coach.  He taught me how to set "Goals" to achieve a positive outcome.  Thus, I excelled and was one of the best in my race events.  This became very useful when I entered into my careet in sales. I learned that you might set a goal but that sometimes you might have to take a step back and reanalyze it then proceed from there.  "GOAL SETTING"

The third mentor was a family friend who I worked for in moving and storage during the summers of college then full time for a year until I found a sales position in the medical field. He was the operations manager of the facility and got to know me better and saw a talent.  One day after work we were in the back of the warehouse hoisting a few beers when he told me that I was very talented and that one day I could be the president or owner of a company if I wanted. This "Inspired" me to thinking and setting a goal that one day I would do this.  I spent 22-years gaining experience with "Corporate America" and eventually became President of my own company.  "INSPIRATION"

The fourth was my branch manager for a medical distributor I worked at.  He was known as Mr. "Service"  and a man of integrity among his customers and peers. I patterned my work and personal style after his even though I pretty much was that type of person anyway but saw and heard the praise he would receive from those individuals.  "SERVICE" 

These individuals added immensely to who I am today. My parents were just as influential but more in the moral and ethical sense in my upbringing. They provided me the positive and confidence in my life. I've been luckier than most to have had this opportuntity and recognize the struggles that others have had to go through for one reason or another.

God bless and God speed

HOMELESS CHALLENGE

My financial woes began in mid 2003.  I had left "Corporate America" to follow the American Dream in 2001 to become an entrepeneur and be my own boss.  I firmly believed that I had gained the experience to make this move and still do even though things might not have turned out that way.  My professional experience had been in medical sales for 22 years and so I ventured into the pre-owned medical equipment initially and eventually worked into federal/military contracting representing other small businesses in their market focus areas. The hardest challenge was the first two years of securing those small business's that wanted to expand into government contracting as partners since I had gained a great deal of knowledge on bidding to that arena.

By mid 2003 I had built quite a substantial credit card debt and income just wasn't coming in so a friend (attorney) recommended that I might want to consider filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy to wipe out the credit debt without affecting my company.  I filed late 2003 and was granted the Chapter 7 early January, 2004.  My $200K home went through foreclosure mid January but I never received a notice to vacate so I gave the bulk of my furnishings to my daughter and her husband and house sat for 6-months with just a bed and tv. The gas was eventually turned off and I spent two months taking cold showers (whenever I watch "The Game" with Michael Douglas it reminds me of those times). Mid June I finally received notice that I needed to vacate which led me to move in with my mother who lived in a retirement village.  She was happy to have me move in since she was going through some medical issues and because of my background I could be of help. It was a win-win situation for both of us (I'll address this existence in another blog since it's another story to be told).

Needless to say, between losing the house and moving in with my mom, I started having panic attacks which were very devastating. At the time I could still see my physician and he verified the panic attacks he got me samples to address the condition but once I ran out of the samples I started hitting the vodka on ice to cope.  It became a major challenge.

My Lincoln Towncar was repo'ed in August of 2004 at 5:30 in the morning. I heard screeching tires but thought it was just some highschool kids trying to wake-up some of the residents in the retirement village until I went out to run an errand and my car was gone. I called the village security to report it stolen when they informed me to call the city police and I was notified that it had been repo'ed.

Around August of 2005 I received an eviction notice from the retirement village, not because I had done anything wrong, but because my mother had signed a contract that wouldn't let relatives live and care for her (Of course, she didn't read the fine print when she signed it).  Funny that it took 2-years for them to realize and act on it.

I was truly left homeless. I definetly didn't want to go to the downtown City Mission so I was literally considering finding a bridge to live under. It was desperate times until a very good highschool friend invited me to come out to northern California and live with him.  He even paid for my flight out.  He found me a job working for a hunting club gutting pheasant and chukkers. It paid a $1 a bird plus tips and usually worked out to around $30-40 dollars a day on weekends.

After 6-months, my mother wasn't doing well medically and my son had just graduated from Border Patrol training so I decided to go back and killed two birds with one stone.  I got to see my son before his assignment to San Diego and find a way to help my mom. I ended up moving back in with her without anyone saying anything for another 2-years (go figure).

I got evicted again in May of 2008 but this time the head of security knew of a Salvation Army shelter (another blog) in Independence, MO and I was able to move in there for about 3-months. The stipulation there is that you had to look for a job which I had no problem with but at my age and being over qualified and many applications later it wasn't an easy thing to do.  I finally got a call from the general manager at a Dennys that hesitated because of my background professionally and age but took the chance and never regretted the hire as a dishwasher.  I looked at it like another learning experience.

I finally started to make money for the first time in a long time and was able to get a studio apartment and be on my own again while being a care giver to my mom on a part-time basis.  I lived paycheck to paycheck without any type of social life except for patrons and employees at work. After 2-years of doing this, my mom passed away this past February and since I didn't have any ties in KC, my son asked me to move here to San Diego and help him start a business that we had spoken of many times. 

So here I am,  I got his business plan completed and we're waiting on funding but in the mean time I'm still unemployed and the market doesn't look all that great. I just this week started a work from home business and feel optimistic that it should take off. It better, now I've got the IRS coming after me for a 2002 back tax return that I know I paid but they still froze my bank account.

I've struggled the past 6 years so if you think you may have it bad just reflect on my challenge that I've just shared. I hope it helps in some way.

All I can say is keep the faith.

God bless and God speed

Life Experiences with Reverend Jim

Let me begin by introducing myself and the purpose of this blog.  On February 24, 2007 I made a decision to become an ordained minister through the World Christianship Ministeries. The only revelation for my decision was based on my realization that my life was one of many life experiences that have been both good and bad (more good than bad). Experiences that might benefit others in some way.

My pulpit is not based on Scripture but on EXPERIENCE so let's not get stuck on the BIBLE but more on everyday living and the thought of how experience has affected our lives up to the present. I will not preach and I will not judge.  The BIBLE has many good lessons to learn from and definetly has a "Great Purpose".

This forum will be based on the trials and tribulations that we all are struggling with in these challenging economic times. I will share some of my personal experiences that I hope will enlighten and consul. I will give an insight into my own life from early years to present from time to time in the format of a sermon that I hope will be fuel for thought.

Just hanging in,
Rev Jim
God bless and God Speed to all