Riding sober

When I was a little boy, motocycles were the coolest thing on the planet. Girls had not yet been invented. At the age of 15 a brand new 1970 Honda 70 became my first vehicle. A new freedom entered my life that had been a distant dream until that moment. The world of adventure was now mine for the taking. I was ready to ride from coast to coast, though I don't think I ever made it more than 5 miles past the city limit sign. The adventure doesn't have limitations like miles or weather, the adventure is the experience. If you don't ride, then you don't know.

The age of 15 was pivotal for me. In a 12 month period I discovered motorcyles, got a drivers license (motorcycle then car), discovered girls were wonderfully different creatures, discovered alcohol and drugs. I had my first job, and have been employed ever since.

In 2010 I have a Honda VTX 1300R that I rode 508 miles yesterday. I kissed the girl I discovered in 1974 before I left and upon my return. I still have a job. There has been no alcohol in me for 1,340 days in a row, and I took 2 aspirin last night. Life is a greater adventure now, more than ever.

At age 15 I was a shy skinny boy full of fear and insecurities, and felt I did not fit in, although I could act like I did. At age 54, I am a confident fat man, with little or no fear. I fit in, because I know who I am, and whose I am. I still experience fear and insecurity, but only until I remember that God is in control and is supremely trustworthy, and surender those fears to Him. Riding and God are a lot alike. If you don't ride then you don't know. If you don't know God, then you have no clue. Not everyone can or should experience the adventure and experience of the open road on a bike, but everyone should and can experience the adventure and experience of a life submitted to an awesome God who loves us more than we can possibly imagine.

Keep the shiny side up.

I will NOT take you to the dope house!!

I don't think I mentioned in the earlier posts that I am a taxi driver/dispatcher. About 4:00 a.m. yesterday I went to pick up a customer, who "did not know the exact address" but could tell me about where the house was. The "purpose of the trip was to get his mom's cell phone charger" and bring it back home. The intersection he wanted to go to is smack dab in the middle of one of the major drug areas in town. I was barely polite when I told him that I was not going to take him to buy crack. He sincerely said that he didn't do drugs, and that he wouldn't lie about the importance of getting his mom's cell phone charger. I told him that the only activity in that neighborhood at 4:00 a.m. is illegal, and "it a'int happenin', bubba. Get out." He got.

I don't know why the drug dealers in these areas aren't hassled more by the cops. They (the dealers) are so obvious, it is pathetic. It looks just like it is portrayed on television and the movies; I kid you not.

Drugs and alcohol have destroyed more lives than probably most wars. It is not a victimless crime. I don't have a solution for the overall problem, but beginning yesterday, I will not contribute to it by taking customers to do their deals. I can and will pray for those people now and in the future.

I will, however, continue to make "beerruns", as they afford me an opportunity to share a little experience, strength, and hope that there is life after alcohol.
There are four people that I know of that have been clean and sober for over a year, that God placed in the back seat of my taxi over the past 3 1/2 years. I am thankful that God allows me to be of service to Him and those who have recovered and those that someday will, if they will become willing to "let go, and let God" do for them what they cannot do for themselves.

Today, I have been sober 1,311 days. But, who is counting.

If you love someone, and you know they have a drinking or drug problem, please don't wait for them to figure it out. By then it may be too late. Seek counsel for yourself, then confront them, calmly, honestly, and with the love you have for them. That maybe all they are waiting for. I know,it is all that I was waiting for and needing.

Thank you, Maw, for finally telling me enough was enough and I wasn't fooling anyone. If you hadn't confronted me that July 4, night in 2006, I probably wouldn't be alive to write this. I love you.

Keep the shiney side up.

Day one

Today is a good day. I woke up sober. That's 1,297 in a row, but who's counting. Today, I "hard-mounted" my saddlebags after reinforcing them with some creative engineering and random things around the house. They look really good. Thanks go to my neighbor and riding buddy Ben H. for helping.


Just as I was about to take a celebratory ride, Kristi showed up with my favorite (only) grandson, Benjamin. The boy is truly a delight and is much better behaved than his mother was as I recollect.


After a very brief amount of time of spoiling young Ben, I embarked on a short adventure, all by myself. It was a beautiful day for a ride thru the wind farms of Taylor and Nolan counties, topped off by a late BBQ lunch at Buck's in Sweetwater. Then 150 miles later, I find myself at home and writing a blog of all things. I don't know why, but the blog begins.


I have never written my thoughts and ideas down before, probably from some deep seated insecurity about people judging me or thinking I'm stupid. I used to care a lot about what other people thought of me, until it dawned on me, other people probably do not think of me any more often than I think of them. Since I am human and selfish by nature, my thoughts are usually about me, my world, and what I like or don't as the case may be.


This blog is probably going to be a rambling mess but I hope to focus on these particular ideas and thoughts:


My relationship with God thru Jesus Christ (because I am a recovered alcoholic God, may be referred to as Higher Power, Power greater than myself, and other 12 step friendly labels. .


My beautiful wife and soulmate for these past 33 years, Kim or Maw or KatieFaye.


My daughters Kristi and Whitney and the offspring of aforementioned daughters. So far we have Benjamin, (mentioned above) but Whitney as joined the breeding club and is due to add another grandchild in July 2010.


The husbands or, babydaddies,( Jon and Jeremy) may merit mention from time to time.


My 2007 Honda VTX 1300R and the adventures it takes me on.

Enough for the first day.