I ain't supposed to be here.

 I am not supposed to be here. Seriously. Back in 2010 I was diagnosed with stage three rectal cancer. If you don't already know, colo-rectal cancer is the second worst cancer you can get as far as a fatal outcome. That's what they told me after I beat it.  I was too ignorant on the whole cancer subject to realize how close I was to death. I just trusted what the doctor said to do and placed my fate in God's hands. We went headfirst into treatment withing a week. Chemo and radiation every day for five weeks. Then came the surgery. Just prior to the surgery I received a check from an insurance policy I had tried twice to cancel but kept messing up the paperwork. Twenty-five thousand dollars! That allowed me to pay my full out of pocket expense and not miss a beat. God is good! The surgery went well, but there was more chemo to come just to give me a 40% chance of the cancer not coming back. Ten months of chemo. Hard stuff.  That was nearly 15 years ago. I am alive and kickin'! Then...

Then in 2020 (a week before covid hit the scene) I was at work and had a heart to heart with my boss. Actually it was a BLOWUP! I had never been so mad in all my 60 years, and, Lord willing, I will never go that far again. I drove home the twenty miles from work, walked in and went straight to the bedroom. Abous two minutes passed and I wasn't feeling well. I figured indigestion. My arm and chest hurt too. I walked into the livingroom and my wife said, "Do you need to go to the hospital?" My insurance didn't pick up for two more days. "No. I'll be ok. I'll see a doctor when my insurance takes effect." I sat down at my computer and lay my head down on my arm. My wife made a decision. "Put your shoes on. I'm taking you to the ER." I knew she was serious and, to tell the truth I knew something was very wrong, so off we went. The ER was about 18 miles away. I told her, "I won't make it to the ER. Take me to the fire station." The fire station was only a couple of miles away, so that's was our option. As luck would have it, it appeared no one was around when we arrived. Fortunately two of the reserve police officers were on duty and in the office across from the fire station. They took one look at me and said, "I'm calling the ambulance!" By that time they had reached the firemen at the station and they came running across the parking lot with all sorts of fancy equipment. A quick check of my blood pressure showed 165 over 217. Not the best numbers I could have. About that time the ambulance rolled up and took my BP again. Same range. Before I knew it I was in the back hooked to an IV and downing a nitro pill and a baby asprin. I don't know exactly how fast we were going, but we made the 18 miles in about 5 minutes! By the time we reached the ER I was feeling better (probably the nitro) and made the comment to the EMT that it looked like a wasted trip. He told me I was mistaken. Actually he said Mr. Meeks, You have had or are in the middle of a heart attack. This was NOT a wasted trip.

Long story short They got me secured at the ER and admitted me. The next morning early I was wheeled down to the OR for a heart cath. Turned out I had over 90% blockage in three different sections of my heart. The part they call "the widow maker". I was quickly transferred to Baylor Heart Hospital and within two days I was having all the fun one can while having a triple bypass. I had a great doctor. But I had a GREATER GOD!

Once again, I was not supposed to be hanging out here with you on this keyboard today, but it just wasn't my time yet. 

I tell you these stories because I want you to understand that God has a purpose for each and every one of His children. I'm still trying to figure out where I come in. Maybe it's just to let you know God is good ALL the time. I'm 66 years old now. I don't get around like I used to, but I am still going. If you have had similar situations I urge you to consider that God may be using you for His plan somewhere, somehow. I have come close to death twice now. But God has seen me through and brought me out on top! Praise God for the good times. Praise Him in the dark times. Be still and listen for Him to tell you what He has in mind for you. I'm listening.

New Dem Controls

 Well here we are not even a week into the new era of democrat rule and leadership and look what I see! Gas prices are down to ALMOST the $2.90's. Strange that they can do this so quickly. Why didn't they do it while they were running their yaps about the high energy prices?! Because they wanted to make the Republican administration look bad. Pure and simple. They could have done it a long time ago, but they held out on Americans! Just one more reason I have zero respect for a democrat and anyone that voted for them. 

Oh...Take a quick look at what they have done to the stock market. DROP! I guess that is their way of "lowering prices on the market"!  Stay tuned folks. More to come!

A Tale Of Two Camps

 Today is election day/Mid terms. Here in Texas a senate race has captured the attention of millions. Ken Paxton, the guy with more baggage that a rich woman on vacation, is squaring off against James Talarico, a strange little man who listens to his lesbian preacher tell him he is the source of all knowledge about God. Neither would be my first choice, but Paxton's baggage is far less concerning that Talarico's. I voted for Paxton the first day of early voting. I actually voted straight RED ticket. America cannot and will not stand up under a democrat lead administration. We MUST hold our ground as Republicans. 

We in Texas also have a choice for Governor on the ballot. Gregg Abbott is the incumbant and he must win! His opponent is Gina Hinajosa. She has advocated and pushed for a state income tax as well as voting 40 times for higher property taxes! She must be defeated at all cost! 

I don't know if you have voted yet, in Texas or whatever state you live in, but VOTE and VOTE RED! We must hold the House and the Senate!

 I remember many moons ago, when I was a little boy, my dad would say mean things about import cars like Toyota and Datsun. "You just can't work on those foreign things!"

Today the tables have turned. I have had about 12 of those Nissan/Datsun and Toyota cars and fixing simple things, like tail lights and headlights and that sort of thing, was a snap. Today I own a Chevy Malibu. I was stopped by the police last week for a brake light that was out. The high mount light on the back deck. Should be an easy fix, right? Ooooooohhh contraire! The part alone cost $180! I looked at a Youtube video on changing it. To my horror, it was a monster of a job! I took it to a local mechanic shop and they said it was "at least" a one hour job at the rate of $120 per hour! 

C'MON CHEVY! DO BETTER!!!!!!

When The Angels Are Busy

 Has this ever happened to you? Have you been on either end of it? Sometimes you are in the right place at the right time to lend a hand. ANY kind of hand.  I have. I have been on both sides. Both are a tremendous blessing. 

When I was in college I worked at the student center snack bar and grill. One particular day I got to the student center early and was sitting in a booth waiting for time to clock in. As I looked around I noticed a girl who looked to be probably a freshman. She had a kind of look on her face and body language to match. I could tell she was hungry...and broke. I walked over to her and started a simple conversation. I didn't want to just blurt out "Hey are you hungry and broke?", so I casually worked into the conversation that I worked at the grill and was about to grab a burger and asked if she'd like one. She looked up at me and said she would like that but she had no money and her student meal plan didn't have a balance on it either. I told her that that wasn't my question. She grinned and said a burger would be great. I did not ask how long it had been since she last ate. I ordered three burgers with the works and two orders of fries and drinks. I told her I wasn't all that hungry so I'd just take one of the burgers and she could have the other ones. We sat and ate and talked until I had to clock in. I told her to come by at closing time and I was sure we'd have some extra food we were going to have to toss out. Amazing how that happens when you are the one cooking up until closing! I made a lifelong friend that day. That was 39 years ago. God put me there at that moment in time to be His "semi Angel".  God has used me many times through the years in these situations. Always a wonderful feeling that comes over me when He does. It's a blessing to be a blessing!

How about you? Ever been used in one of these "God-wink" situations? Ever stop to help a stranded motorist on the highway with their hood up and a "what do I do now" look on their face?  I have been on the other side in my life as well. I remember a Fall night when I was a teenager. I was driving on a back road and had a blowout. I drove on wondering what to do. Then I saw a mailbox with the name on it of a man from church. I stopped and asked to use his phone. (No, young people, there were no cell phones in those days! LOL) He asked what the problem was and I told him. He got dressed and came out to my car to survey the damage. The tire had wrapped itself up around the wheel and brakes. I didn't know what we would do, but by the grace of God, that gentleman knew. It took awhile, but he got me going again. That was nearly 45 years ago and to this day I am grateful for my friend Bob Moyers! That is just one of the times God has sent someone to my rescue. Have you remembered anything yet? Any time God used you or sent someone to your rescue out of the blue?

Keep your eyes and ears open. Keep your heart in tune with Him. He will make it happen when you least expect it. I believe God uses ordinary folks when His Angels are busy. God-winks happen everyday, all around us! Be ready. Be willing. It is an unbelievably wonderful feeling to allow Him to send you to the rescue. Be a blessing!

Check your Calendars!

 I can't believe it is less than two months from Christmas and we have sunshine and 75 degrees here in Texas! Some are predicting a bad winter but I'm not a believer. I love this weather, personally. I can see it now...Santa will come down the chimney in his Bermuda shorts and tee shirt wearing shades! Mrs. Claus will be back at the North Pole mad at old Santa because she wanted a vacation and this seemed like the perfect place to escape the cold. 

Thanksgiving is even closer! I can't wait. I love getting together with family over at my mother-in-law's house! Good food and good times. Always a pleasure. Always a treasure. I hope someone brings plenty of good rolls. I like the rolls even more than the turkey! Cornbread dressing is also most welcome in my opinion. I grew up with it. Mama could make great dressing! Never cared much for cranberry sauce, but if someone likes it I am sure there will be some. A recently discovered treat for me is butternut squash! DUDE!!! That's good stuff! I could talk food all day but I am rambling now. 

I suppose it is not too early to wish everyone a happy holiday season. I was just surprised when I realized it was so close to the holidays already. Enjoy your food, family, and fun!

Scary Ain't It?

 It's that time of year again. Fall. And with it comes the usual trappings of fall. Halloween, fastivals, leaves changing color. This year is only slightly different. The leaves are certainly changing color here in North East Texas. Problem is they are changing from green to brown! No reds, yellows or oranges at all! That means my beloved Texas is ugly this year. I hate to say that, but it's the facts. I hate it. We have never been a New England by any stretch, but c'mon man! At least give us a yellow leaf here and there!

Then there is Halloween. I personally don't care for celebrating demons, witches, and goblins, but I don't participate in that part anymore. I WILL eat candy! I have no qualms with a Butterfinger or Twix! When I was a kid, back in the day, my brother and I would go door to door, pillow case in hand, beseeching our neighbors for sweet handouts. The haul was usually very generous and the candy flowed like milk and honey! To this day I will state without hesitation or reservation that the best thing we got every year was Mrs. Arnold's homemade popcorn balls! I loved those things! She would place two or three of the treats in each of our bags and off we'd go to the next house. We never went out of our own neighborhood. Never had to. Our bags were full just from the small sampling of houses we were adjacent to. All those folks are gone now. The old neighborhood is far from the same as it was. Sad really. 

That leaves only the festivals. My wife and son are both teachers at the same school and tonight is the annual Fall Festival and Halloween Bash at the school. The kids look forward to it every year and the teachers dread it. After a long day teaching they have to spend three hours or so manning the various booths all off the clock. I don't blame them. 

There will be cake walks, dunking booths, bounce houses, and more. My favorite would be the cake walk, of course! But that's a whole other Jerry Springer. Prizes are the flavor of the day (or night). My son has provided 300 rubber ducks for prizes! I know because he forgot to take them with him this morning and I had to make a trip to the school (25 miles away) to save the day. (I'm such a good dad! LOL) I did not mind it.  Tonight the scene will be one of scary costumes and fairy princesses. I wish all a safe evening. If you are having a Halloween party this year, I hope you have great fun! From a personal stand point, I hope you place the emphasis on the "fun" and not on the "scary"!