Contemplating cats and vehicles at Thanksgiving
Published 6:42 am Wednesday, November 15, 2023
- Steve Stricker and Jag on IIA M&S Neilson Boxers
By Steve Stricker
Columnist
Saturday, Oct. 28, standing simply exterior my entrance door going through east, not a breeze was stirring because the solar peeked over the timber, temperature hovering round 60 levels that later would attain 78, rain forecast and colder temps predicted, our Homecoming recreation with Vanderbilt (second favourite school soccer workforce) at 6:30 p.m, most leaves off timber, I made a decision (reluctantly) to wash my gutters.
The solar felt good, leaves of my lovely crimson twin Maple timber that I planted as wee infants nonetheless proudly sporting their fall colours as white fluffy clouds floated within the beautiful blue sky. The air was heavy, fall-fragrant with a touch of rain, winter approaching.
After feeding my buddy cat, Jag and me, at all times placing God first, stated the Rosary on my favourite lovely “Rome Rosary” that my son Stephen dropped at me from the Vatican reward store.
Then, utilizing a valuable wooden ladder with tin tag, “Made or repaired by W. M. Telker” “Uncle Bill” in my home of Charleston, Mo., started the duty of eradicating fallen leaves clogging my gutters. And smiled eager about center son Scott, whose birthday is subsequent on my Perpetual Birthday Calendar, Nov. 17 – I really like you and Happy Birthday, Scott!
With Thanksgiving approaching and all happening with Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Palestine, I contemplated how humbly grateful I’m to God for my religion, well being, home, USA, Oxford, Ole Miss, NMRC residents and employees (none higher), Fr Joe, now Fr. Mark, St John’s Catholic Church, freedom to worship, Jag, my mother and pa, grandparents, sons Stephen, Scott, Shane, their mother, sisters Mary Ann, Pat, Paula, neighbors, earlier relationships, so lots of you who enrich my life, deer pals, Veterans Day on the 11th for all veterans, dwelling and deceased, and for bringing me home safely from a nightmare yr in Vietnam, July 1969-August 1970.
Thanksgiving!? Where would I be, with whom, doing what, the place did summer season go, what the heck had I completed since spring? Go Ole Miss beat State! Perhaps as a result of I’m OCD and have little tolerance for issues that don’t work, there may be at all times one thing to repair.
After hours and hours and years of sustaining my bought-new a yr after Vietnam, 1971 MGB-GT it’s splendidly road-ready, however one other yr has slipped by and the one factor retaining my superior patinated 1964 Land Rover Series IIA from the roads of Oxford, England to Oxford, MS is changing the dreaded entrance swivel ball assemblies – augh!!
I’m grateful to have mechanical genes from my dad, granddaddy Stricker and Grandpa Renaud, however sadly didn’t obtain ALL genes wanted, so each time I choose up a spanner (wrench) it’s a terrifying journey and I rely closely on my buddy the Holy Spirit for assist and pals like Bub Brannan who patiently solutions my “wrenching” questions and could be very supportive.
Faith is robust, but very weak as I’m going through main points in my one eye. Please assist, God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, Mary Undoer of Knots, St. Joseph and am humbly asking in your prayers as I’m completely terrified!!
GO REBELS – Beat LA Monroe this Saturday, then State on Thanksgiving!
Steve Stricker obtained his Ph.D. in Counselor Education from Ole Miss. He will be reached at, [email protected]
