Life is an Adventure

This morning, my thoughts took me down one path and switched to another, another, and so on. My lack of focus often produces a deeper process of thinking. Call it wandering, daydreaming, or thinking with adventure in mind.

I’m not content being like others. I am unique. My interests are wide and varied. If money belonged to the thinkers, then I’d be rich. But I suspect riches and fame belong to the “do-er’s.”

Someone called me a Renaissance Man. I’ll bite. Maybe that’s who I am. All over the map!

While preparing for my book, I tried to narrow down my audience. I couldn’t. One coach said to write for the reader. I can’t. Another article said you wouldn’t have sales if you could not engage. Well. At least I’ll read my own writing.

Define Yourself

I took a morning to exercise my mind and define who I am. Introverted, I need space to recharge. Extroverted, I need people to engage with. Give me the mountains over a beach, cold over hot, long solo quiet drives instead of traffic caused by everyone going the same way simultaneously.

To thy own self be true, or so the going says. How can you be true if you don’t know who you are? I enjoy things that engage the mind, even if it’s an action story or romance. Life isn’t about reaction, rather, it’s about how to prepare for the moment we need to act.

Someone writes tell-alls, and everyone cringes, hoping they are not mentioned. But my stories are about myself and how I fit into the world around me. It may include a person or two, but never for the “outing” experience some worry about. Because you may be part of my story, it doesn’t mean you are wrong, rather, you helped to define my options in a way I may never have guessed.

So, I made a list of favorites. I’ll add to it as they come to mind, and I’ll change it as my tastes or desires refine.

My Favorites

We all have favorites, as in if it is my druther.
I’d much rather have ________ (fill in the blank.)
It may be an ordered list of preferences
Until you settle on something available.

Can you name them? Dare you?
Once that list is public, then you define yourself
With words, spoken, written, or thought,
Your desires, wishes, and wants are known.

I state my preferences. Now you know,
If I’m spending my dollars, it should start out,
As something I like from my likes, dislikes,
And if I buy, I prefer American Made.

This global society makes this a tougher choice
From computer chips, kitchen devices, clothes, and popular devices,
For the bottom line of profit, costs, quality, and more,
Many of our brands have gone off-shore to build.

When shopping for trinkets at a vacation spot,
If it’s “Made in _____” (fill in the blank),
and even if Americans designed
I’m more likely not to buy. I want Local. Handmade. My choice.

I cringe when I finally make my list
Snoopers spot discrepancies that are sure to exist
Does that worry me, will I be outed, disdained, or rejected?
I’d rather think I’m Loved because I am unique.

Oh, well, Go ahead. I suspect I’m in good company.
Here’s my list of current identities.

Soda – Dr. Pepper, RC Cola, Coke, never Pepsi.
Peanut Butter – Crunchy
Nuts – Pecans, Peanuts, Cashews, Brazil, Walnuts, Hazelnuts, and maybe a few almonds.
Dinner – Fried Shrimp, Chicken Fried Steak (Thanks to Brenda!), Fried Catfish – Cod – Halibut, Hungarian Goulash, and on down the road, throw in a steak or two.
Automobiles– Ford, Dodge, General Motors (order depends on need, but a Falcon or Swinger would be nice.)
Watch – After 35 years of none, I’m enjoying my iWatch. (Not a fashion statement.)
Pens – Fine Point, slender and black, blue or red ink (They are probably all foreign.)
Note-Taking Paper – Graphing paper is nice for ordered writing
Bible – Thompson Chain, KJV or NKJV, Personal size
Ball Cap – With a big head, it’s hard to find, but my 20+-year-old Alaska Cap survives nicely.
Memento Of My Past – Red Rubber Knife, Dominoes, Coins, Photos, Books, and a few cigarette lighter from a time of my collecting past.
Coffee Mug – A Ceramic-style Mug with no metal, no lid, a big handle, and something from my favorite haunts.
Coffee – Dark Roast is best, Strong, Black (No Sugar, No Milk, thanks to my dad) – But there are some beans that work, others don’t. Right now, my favorite bean is Peet Espresso for a regular cup of coffee. I’m always searching, and a bag or two is awaiting my testing.
Authors – This is tough because I have favorites (Michener, Thom, L’Amour, oh-my, I’m drawing a big blank), but I’m always looking for new ones to read.
Genres – Self-Help, Adventure (from any genre), History, Deep Thoughts, and Study.
Vacation – No Crowds, No Heat, No Flatlands. Load it with history, mountains, snow, and cold. I’m happy.
Tools – Raised on Craftsman, but I’ve not bought any since Sears sold them.
Music – This is tough. The older I get, the easier it is to live in the past.
Singer – Alison Krauss, John Denver, Willie Nelson, Eddy Arnold, Jim Reeves – that’s telling, right?!!?
Pets – Outside Dogs, Big, Rough, and Tumble (currently German Shepherds)
Perfumes/Colognes – None, though my bride remembers my Bay Rum days.
Fruit – Bananas, Apple, Orange, and never a Pear (too many when younger).

Trees over bushes, and bushes over flowers. Yards that don’t need to be groomed. Walls that never need painting. Homes that fit the terrain, a tractor in the barn, and tools to make me happy. A truck over a car, a keyboard over a hammer, and a spoon for anything making sure it’s good to the last drop. Shade over sunlight. Night over dark. Morning and evening are equal, but I arise earlier, so I go with the former. Quiet over noisy. Cold over hot. Sweet and salty together. Shifting, rather than automatic, on the floor or even the tree. Slip-on shoes, no tie on’s. Bare feet anywhere it’s proper.

Some words from Alison Krauss ring through my mind, “I want a simple life like that…” Not… We are not simple. All of us are very complex.