Simple Saturday

My brother, Bobby, sent a text message early this morning (apparently from his beach house on Galveston Island, as the message was accompanied by a photo of a beach sunrise) to say he was thinking of me. He called me brother. Bobby is not really my brother, not by blood, anyway. But we are as close or closer than brothers. I've known him since first grade. I love him and he loves me, and neither one of us is afraid to say that to the other. It's pretty cool.

I don't really know what it's like to be close to an actual brother. I have an actual brother, but we are not close. We have not spoken, in fact, in nearly two years. I have not spoken to my sister in 10 years, at least. It is complicated, as these things often are, with feelings that run deep, and it is unfortunate. But it is reality, and  sadly, it probably always will be.

So my other brother, Bobby, is part of the inspiration for my "30 days of positive" project. He is the most positive guy you'd ever hope to know. Today is Day 4, and I'd have to call it a rousing success. As is the case every Saturday, I woke up without the sound of an alarm clock, got up and took care of bathroom duties. As I was brushing my teeth, I remembered to say, "Today is going to be a great day," several times. Once, I even looked myself in the eye, in the mirror, and said, "Today is going to be a great day, John." That's fairly important for two reasons. Number one, I don't like looking at myself in the mirror, especially directly in the eyes. I can't do it. Number two, when I said, "Today is going to be a great day," it didn't sound weird, and I kind of believed it.

Progress, I reckon.

So I go into the kitchen and make a nice cup of coffee, sit down and check my e-mail, and I have a couple of messages from my publisher at Archangel Ink, asking me to rewrite my author bio for the new paperback that is coming out soon, and to send him a photo and another little bio so he can add me to their website's Who-We-Are staff listings, where I'll be added as a proofreader extraordinaire. OK, probably just as a proofreader. Still, very cool. I just finished proofreading my second book for them, with a third already in hand and ready for me to give a final once-over.

They tell me they're excited about the prospects for my redesigned and reissued, "Finding God in Texas." When I saw the cover they designed, I was excited right away, and knew good things are in store. Click here to check it out, please and thank  you:

Finding God in Texas

I worked on those two things for awhile, got them finished, then went out and mowed most of my lawn. We've got probably close to three-quarters of an acre to mow, and I'm not nearly as enthusiastic about yard work as I used to be. There was a time when I was out in the yard constantly. Now, it's kinda hit-and-miss. I've still got about 20 minutes of mowing left for tomorrow, AFTER I get home from golf.

When the mowing was done, I cleaned up a little, did some laundry, then went back out front and noticed a big puddle of something underneath my pickup. Just two days ago, I retrieved my 2002 F-150 from the shop, where it underwent $1,456 worth of repairs. I suspect the puddle may be related to something not quite right with that work, but it's really hard to tell. I'll find out Monday, I imagine, after I take it back.

Then, after a nice chat on the phone with the missus, who is out of town on business, I did some grocery shopping and here I am, tidying up my project list, which includes writing every day. I don't think I ever said my prayer today, "God, please help me focus on a positive attitude." I guess I missed that one, which is mostly needed during the week, when I face a few hundred highly undisciplined and untrained 11- and 12-year-olds, along with a very hard-to-figure-out set of school administrators. Staying positive on the weekends is a piece of cake, by comparison.

I did say my affirmation, and I remained positive throughout the day, even when I found the puddle of something underneath my newly repaired truck. I haven't had any real negative thoughts. I  didn't play my guitar today, and I probably won't. And the one thing that I still haven't fit into my day so far is meditation. I really need to include that. I believe that meditation  can make  a difference. I've been told as much, and I think it's true.

Tomorrow, I plan to shoot 78 on the golf course. I just hope that's my score after 18 holes, and not after 16.

Ciao, y'all ...