Look at All the Cobwebs!

Hi Mom!

Since you’re the only one still reading my bloglet, I thought I’d let you know where I’ve been…

A Bronze Wall is just about ready to send to the publisher. My test drafts have gotten good reviews, so I’ve been editing my little fingers to the bone. I’m not good at doing more than one thing at a time so that’s why I haven’t been around here much.

Besides ABW, I’ve been getting ready for LitFest 2014 and doing a little “life enrichment.”

“Life enrichment?”

Why, yes. I’m glad you asked!

I spent this past weekend on the lovely campus of Northern Illinois University in picturesque Dekalb, Illinois—Go Huskies!—taking a Motorcycle Safety Foundation Rider’s Class!

[Do you have any idea how hard it is to do a double u-turn in a 20′ x 10′ box with out using brakes or putting a foot down? Motorcycle coppers have to do it in a box the size of a parking space on those big, honkin’ Electra Glides!]

Guess what? I passed!

Call it a mid-life crisis, compensation, bucket-listing, early-onset senility, stupidity, whatever you want, all I know is I’ve always wanted to ride, and there comes a time when you have to say,

“What am I waiting for?”

Truth be told, by Saturday night, I was seriously considering not going back to finish. Then I thought, what a coward I’d be if I quit. I’m glad I didn’t.

“Shut-up and persevere,” I said to myself, and poured another drink.

When I got my certificate on Sunday, I was tired, sunburned, sore, and elated. I may never ride again, but at least I can say I did it. If nothing else, I’ll be a better driver because of it.

But this isn’t about motorcycles. The point is, so much life can pass you by while you’re your busy living.

[Give it a minute; that was pretty profound!]

Life involves risk. You try something, you fail. You try something else, and you succeed. But how do you know if you don’t try? With the right attitude, even your failures can become successes, because if you’re paying attention, you’ll learn something.

Like I said, shut-up and persevere.

The only sure things in this life are one day you’ll die, and God loves you. Knowing that should make everything else easier, no?

Somewhere, in another dimension, my guardian angel just threw up his hands and went for a smoke.