Do you ever feel like MONK?

I was in a local Printer/office supply store today picking up my new Rubber stamp (I was getting tired of handwriting "Approved - Wade Cortez - Taft and the date on countless numbers of invoices). while I was waiting I noticed a stack of legal pads on the shelf and one of them (about a third way down on the stack) had some bent edges. That actually bothered me. Then while I was paying for the stamp, they had a rack of various business cards and one was cocked up to the left. Yes - I had to straighten it. And on my way out of the store I had to go straighten that legal pad. And I think I unconsciously looked around the store (keep in mind it is a real small area of store where the public actually does business in) real quick to see if anything else was "out of sorts." So was my "Inner MONK" coming out? Not sure.

Just in case you don't know, MONK is a TV show the USA Network. Adrian Monk is a detective who is obsessive-compulsive. It is actually a pretty good show.

http://www.usanetwork.com/series/monk/

Letting things go. Hard? Easy?

I should be working but something is urging me to jot down a quick blog. As I sat this morning (around 4:30) in the dark house thinking of my plan of action (due to a truck breakdown) I had a calm. A calm I rarely had in these situations. I wasn't totally calm but something felt different. Then I read a couple of quick emails and I had one from a friend giving me a phone number I asked for. Then he went on to say he is having some problems at work this week but he has turned it over to Jesus and he is having a great week. After reading that I couldn't help but respond ( hopefully his email doesn't go "ding" - it was early). I basically said that was calm in the currant truck breakdown issue but now I am calmer. He is right. Turning it over to Jesus is what we should do. So letting things go. Hard? Easy? I think it is both. But I think turning it over to Jesus is not sitting back saying " OK Jesus you got it see ya later". But it is trysting that Jesus will see us through our trials. I say this a lot ( but don't always listen to myself). The outcome is going to be the outcome. But how we act through the situation is what affects us and others. This to me is a positive vs negative fight. So, among my issues today, I will give them 100 % of my self to work through and resolve. But I will TRY and I pray that I succeed in being calm. Because I know that Jesus is in my corner through trials. Large and small.

Memorial Day

Driving over to Gonzales to baby sit Hayden today, we had NPR on the radio. An array of topics were discussed but one of those was a short piece on Memorial Day. It said that many people don't fully understand why we actually observe this holiday. Actually it only became a federal holiday in 1967. This is an important day where we remember those who died for our country in any and all wars. As you go about today. Let's do this: 1- remember those soldiers who died fighting for our country. 2- remember their families. 3- pray for all of our military abroad and those who are serving stateside. Those men and women should be honored everyday. 4- not just on Memorial day, but every day we should remember our trips who died and those fighting the harsh battles today. 5- while we are at it don't forget the police force and firemen who risk their lives everyday. 6- make sure your kids know about this holiday and why we observe it. So if you are grilling today or just chilling today. Working or not. Raise a glass, a cup, a rib or a piece of chicken to those who fight for our country and our streets everyday. And remember those who lost their lives doing so.
I tried to find the link for that segment but couldn't. But I did come across the web site below.

http://www.usmemorialday.org/

South Louisiana night

The heat (for the most part) has left this end of May day. The breeze - if you call it that - is trying desperately to chase the muggies away. Dark clouds are slowly moving in the distance. Could they be from the shower I drove through earlier? Could they bring the rain we need? Whatever it is, we can use it. The locusts are singing their tune in the trees. One flies from the oak to the pecan. It is barely visible from ground level. The mocking birds are still working hard feeding their young in the awesome nest they built in the avocado tree. Other unidentified birds are singing their last songs of the day. The squirrels are getting their last bit of play in as they startle a quiet dove from it's perch. The starling pokes it's head out of the orange bird house they have claimed for the past 3 years. The starling checking out the neighborhood before turning in. Daylight is fading. Darkness fast approaching. Another beautiful South Louisiana "heels of summer" day coming to a close. God I love this place. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

Wade's Top 5 scents

This is ALWAYS subject to change....and it is NEVER in order of best to second best, etc....

1-Bleach (I think this has always been on my list)
2-Original Irish Spring soap (there is no true smell of soap like the original)
3-fresh cut grass
4-gas...(use your imagination)
5-tomatoes with fresh herbs and onions simmering on the stove

the Truckin' Blues

This morning...what a morning...truck breaks down, hard to get service...trying to find a rental,,,tow,,,etc,,,,,,,,
rough crappy etc etc etc

but when the things fall into place....feels good......but still - the blues are there...............

hallelujah...amen

My Desire

As I close my eyes and squint into the night
I see a butterfly consumed by fire
I try to catch my breath as the fear creeps in
I see that butterfly flying again

The eternal fire is not my desire
The eternal fire is not my desire

Why do I go through my life doing wrong things
When I know what is right

Why do I struggle in the dark
When I know about the light

I see that butterfly floating in the wind
I ask you to get rid of my sin
I see that butterfly again and again and again...