This is the real “nitty gritty”.

I’ve published over a thousand posts from 2013 to the present. The first few hundred were included in “Family Circle”. “waterwader” is only two-years-old, but I’m Tired. After giving it a lot of thought, I feel I need a sabbatical to revitalize. I need to research just what I’ve shared and look for new wanderings. For those of you who find statistics interesting, here is what WordPress shows thus far for “ww”(not including two years of “Family Circle”):

Posts              595

Numbers of visits from:

•  US                    4,044 (Facebook 2,122)
•  Brazil                      61
•  Italy, Canada           9
•   Chzech Repub.       7
•   Russia, Thailand    4
•   Spain, Ireland, UK  3
•   Switzerland              2

That’s a bunch of sharing, donchaknow, really!  I am astonished to find that there are folks from all over the world who have taken time to visit. I even have had “look-ins” from 59 search engines. (wonder if “BigBrother” is included?) Just so those interested will know, my plan is to begin sharing again on December 29, 2016. That will be my report fromy first ‘full family gathering in Bryan in over 40-years. In the meantime, please VOTE. Please Pray for our nation. Please study HIS WORD, Pray for GOD’s Wisdom and a Clean Heart.    Only GOD can make America Great Again.  That’s what I get from My Box of Chocolates.       AMEN

I seem to be experiencing ‘typos’. I have had Martha edit and whenever I post without her assistance, things simply do not work out. I see where most of you visit with me on Thursdays at around 8AM, many respond from all other the world.   On Facebook, I have more visits, but unless you comment, I have no idea as to just who reads my wanderings. Therefore, since I can speak, I will publish in audio (Mp3/4?). If it doesn’t appear each Thursday at 6AM(central), please check the site.. and let me know when you do visit. “Read and REJECTED” is much  better than nothing, donchaknow, really. Talk to you on Thursday.  That’s what I get from My Box of Chocolates.   AMEN

I have no idea as to when ‘medical lift chairs’ were available, but COPD left me unable to lie flat, so we ordered my first chair in April, 2012, from J C Penney. Even though it was costly, it made it possible for me to get a good night’s sleep. That chair was manufactured by Franklin Furniture in Mississippi. I moved it to Longview, but soon discovered it was running out of juice, so I bequeathed it to my friend, A. J., he weighs in at just over 90 pounds, so it will handle him easily. My only complaint about the first lift chair was that my feet extended over the footrest, so it required another footresst, like a hassock. When I came to The Colony, I did some reasearch and discovered that there were lift chairs made specifically for those of us over 6’2″.  I thought I had found one, but I still extend over the footrest, so my family purchased an adjustable bed that is a HOOT. I’m telling you, I can lift knees and place the mattress in a ‘V’ or I can lower my feet and raise my head or I can do all kinds of adjustments on my new bed. Now, you talk about a ‘doozie’, this one is. Mattie T was very happy to see me and she switched from Alan’s bed to mine until the first night I ran the adjustment motor. She’s stayed upstairs since. I am very thankful for medicare. I could never afford the doctors, meds and the breathing equipment I need. I thank GOD for my family, medical insurance and fine doctors it affords. That’s what I get from My Box of Chocolates.     AMEN

“….I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.”

I love the Psalms. This line from Psalm 40, cuts to the chase. My belief is based on faith.

• I believe GOD is our only god.
• I believe GOD planned everyone of us in the Beginning.
• I believe GOD breathed life into every fetus.
• I believe GOD holds accountable, every person who takes the life of the unborn.
• I believe GOD made us, and knew at that very moment,  just what mistakes we would make.
• I believe GOD gave everyone free will to make decisions in every situation.
• I believe GOD loves us, each and every one, so much that HE sent JESUS, in the form of a man, birthed by a  virgin, to live a perfect loving, sinless life.
• I believe GOD sacrificed HIS ONLY SON as propitiation for every sin of every man woman and child, through the shed blood of JESUS CHRIST.
• I believe I have been forgiven for every sin I commit.
• I believe, by Faith, that I shall live forever in the company of GOD and the Heavenly Host.
• I believe GOD makes all things happen and holds us accountable as to how we handle each one.
• I believe in you, and however you handle that same belief, is solely up to you.
• I believe time is running out for all of us to ‘believe’. That’s what I get from My Box of Chocolates.   AMEN

The last time I saw him, Johnny Rouse was sitting next to me at a gathering of former students and friends in Bryan, Texas. He didn’t look good and later I found out why. At that event, we had a great laugh at his predicament during the ballroom scene of “Sound of Music”, the first high school production on stage at Bryan Civic. Everyone was dressed formally and much to Johnny’s chagrin, his zipper got hung on his shirt-tail. No amount of effort would free it, so Johnny took off his tux jacket and held it over his arm as he did his part. I was rather surprised, but I knew there was a good reason.  Johnny always did the right thing and if what he did was not according to the script, there had to be a reason. He was mortified, but the cast praised him for his fast thinking. I believe someone in the scene asked why he had removed his jacket and he quickly responded, “Don’t you think it a bit warm in here?”  I loved Johnny Rouse and I believe the sentiment was reciprocated. I lost Johnny on October 4 at a Hospice in Bryan/College Station.   Johnny felt responsible for things outside his control and could not forgive himself for his own mistakes. No matter what any of us said, he took it all on himself and simply gave up. Overwhelmed by guilt, Johnny Rouse failed to rely on the loving GOD who made him. It is a perfect lesson for us all. How many times have our mistakes beaten us down. What a shame it is to lose a sweet, talented man like Johnny Rouse. His is a story that should grab the attention of everyone who carries the garbage of guilt around. My GOD is a merciful and loving GOD. My LORD JESUS CHRIST paid the price for all our sins and it is a tragedy that we fail to accept that sacrificial gift.  I pray that my friend, Johnny Rouse, found that precious peace of assurance.  I pray the same for all of us, dochaknow, really. It is all we have to go on as we ‘go on’. That’s what I get from My Box of Chocolates.   AMEN

Not many reading this recall living in America in the thirties and forties. I just watched “Patton” on Netflix and was reminded of the heroic sacrifice by so many for us to enjoy life here, today. The General rather reminded me of the man running for office. He was known to say what he meant and cared not for it being “correct”. That being said, what I recall was a slogan that came out of that conflict that read, “Kilroy Was Here”.  He appeared everywheren world-wide, yet no one ever found him. He was not the most appealing of persons and with half of his face covered by the fence from which he was hanging by his fingers and rather long nose, he was even more the mystery. All in innocence, Kilroy became a household word. Folks thought maybe he was a soldier who signed a wall once and it become popular to copy it. I don’t know, but I do know that things were much simpler and the truth was easier to find. Kilroy disappeared after the war, but you still can find him cropping up from time to time. One thing for sure, once you see him, you won’t forget him. I think him to be very special, donchaknow, really. I do know that “Killroy was Here” is much better than “Kill Cops”.  We surely have come a long way.  GOD have Mercy!  That’s what I get from My Box of Chocolates.    AMEN

Sadly, there comes a time when it is best to give up some privileges. One of mine was driving. I will never accept the opinions of those who considered me an unsafe driver, since their own driving  scared the wax out of me. I recall when my former son-in-law determined that I was never to drive with his children in the car. He could never had come to that opinion on his own. I can count on my one hand the number of times he rode when I was behind the wheel. That statement really hurt, especially since my former wife agreed with him. If I recall, the last few times I drove was for 6-blocks to a board meeting at Highland Creek. The last time I drove otherwise was, the day I pulled out into oncoming traffic and was barely missed… I knew it was time to hang-up my keys.  But,  that was my decision, donchaknow, really. Yesterday we were going to the store here in The Colony and on one of the feeder roads to one of the many expressways, a fellow passed on my side of the car and nearly jerked the door off. He must have been doing 75!  He would have made it to 100 had he not met with a traffic light that was very red. That brings me to another thought. Why are car makers putting engines that are near 500 horsepower? As far as I know, Autobahns are in Germany.  ‘Tis a puzzlement. Maybe the speeders are in  a hurry to meet GOD?  Well, I just wish they were more considerate of those who may not be ready to go along with them.  That’s what I get from My Box of Chocolates.   AMEN

As I grow older, my mind is filled with wonderings. Today, as I watched “Fox and Friends” from Vegas, Brian interviewed Cheerleaders from UNLV. I have wondered where pom-poms came from and just what they represent. Here is what Wikipedia says:
Cheerleaders use pom-poms at sports events for five reasons:
to attract the attention of the spectators
to accentuate movements
to add “sparkle” to a cheer, chant, or dance routine
to distract the opposing team
to spell out team’s name or “go” (I can’t see this one)

Interestingly enough, there is no mention as to their origination. It was probably P. T. Barnum, donchaknow. At any rate, pom-pom business must be very good, ’cause they all use them.(I took two ball caps and did the ‘pom-pom’ thing for one minute and my arms got pretty tired).It makes me respect those young ladies who waggle the things for an entire football game. Another thought, and it’s one of relief, …I am so thrilled that my Aggie Yell Leaders haven’t gone to pom-poms. Of course, since I mention it, the “Odd-Ball-Brigade” will probably start some kind of action. If that occurs, it will be time to ‘arm the corps’. That’s what I get from My Box of Chocolates.   AMEN or “OH, MY”?

For nearly 30 years, I’ve been spending hours on my PC(now a laptop). I’ve worn our a few machines and with each startup there are problems. I just completed downloading the full Windows 10 and much to my surprise, it did not include a DVD/CD drive. I purchased an external optical drive before leaving Longview, but it wasn’t until this past week that I got all of it together. A few days of frustration, attempting to discover the best ‘download’ for W-10 and finally, with the help of a nice young lady at Microsoft, we got it done. It wasn’t a short-lived experience, but it is now completed. Then, I needed a ‘player’. My usual Windows Player doesn’t work with W-10, so my son-in-law suggested one and ‘ding’ here it is. I found it easy to download, until the internet crashed. It was at that moment that I admitted addiction to internet. I have my Kindle, but with no internet, I could only read a novel or play solitaire. Bummer! Frustrated, I watched daytime TV (including Disney, of course). I am once again connected with you and, hopefully, no more problems. I have opted out of Facebook, so contact will only be through this blog, by my email. I believe ‘waterwader’ will still be posted on Facebook, however, to be sure you may ‘register to follow’ at the site. I do appreciate hearing from you. I plan to join the Austin Family Christmas Gathering this year. I believe we will be in Bryan for a few days, right after Christmas. It would be good to ‘gather’ with some of you then. Martha is working that out. GOD has blessed us all, even though unworthy, and HE will continue to care for HIS own, donchaknow. Our only source of eternal promise is HIS Mercy and Grace. That’s what I get from My Box of Chocolates. AMEN

Our first church in Las Vegas was First Southern. Pastor Jim McElroy was just what we needed to bond that family. He was very special in his caring ministry to us. I filled in leading worship, from time to time, but it wasn’t until visiting Foothills strip-center gathering that I found a calling. Just after I joined the team, the Pastor moved on and a young Texas preacher and his family came to take over. Foothills moved from the storefront to their own complex within a short time. They grew so quickly, they could afford to call their own full-time worship leader, so I went visiting. My mother had come to live with us and she determined to visit Green Valley Baptist. On the way, we passed Desert Hills Baptist and she said, “Let’s visit here”, and we did. Bill Walker was worship leader and Dr. David C. Brown,Sr. was pastor. Much to our surprise, Bill welcomed us to the service and later, we learned why. He and his wife were about to take a sojourn of over a month and he was interested in my filling in. I did and over 20-years later, I was still there. Dr. David C Brown was one of those very unique individuals whose intelligence could have resulted in preaching way over our heads, but he didn’t. He was my first “Adrian Rogers”. He could preach like a storyteller. He had a loving manner and sense of humor that slipped up on you. He became a very close friend and our ‘two-for-one-coupon-lunches at IHOP will long endure as precious and true. He  loved his people and was not only a tall man in the pulpit, but also well respected in Southern Baptist circles as a long-time member of their Executive Commission. Our relationship came to an abrupt stop due to some unexpected changes in his administrative staff. I will always be confused about the whole thing, but suffice it to say, his actions led to further success for all concerned. I loved Dr David C Brown and look forward to meeting him again when this life ends. As a matter of fact, I have a plethora of folks to look forward to seeing for an eternity. I call men like him, “GOD’s GIANTS”!   I am so blessed to have a GODly Man in the Pulpit! I pray that you are blessed by one of those special men, also. That’s what I get in My Box of Chocolates. AMEN