December 8, 2025

 Monday Monday. And whats that other one. Rainy Days and Mondays always get me down. I'm retired so it's always the weekend and there  never really are any mondays. Well, there are Mondays for everyone else so if its a bank or something that's not open on Sunday, then it applies. Mondays at the soup kitchen were always meatloaf monday. Mondays when I worked at the transition house, it was always spaghetti or goulash. Now that I don't have any bosses to placate, monday is whatever type of food I want. And goulash does sound appealing.

December 7, 2025

 Sunday morning, getting ready for church. Yesterday was a Santa Claus day for me. We dressed up in red suits and delivered warm clothing to a couple of womens shelters. Then, I went to a children's christmas party and pretended I was the real Santa. It was fun. 

I shaved the beard last night. I only grow it for the little projects I do and then after they are done.....zip! I prefer to be clean shaven.

We have a committee meeting this afternoon. This one should go quickly. We'll see. My word today is acceptance. I don't know who will need to practice it more, me or the rest of the committee....

December 6, 2025

 Yesterday, I was having a conversation with someone about coincidences and how there are none. I shared a favorite quote of mine that "coincidence is how God protects his anonymity." Later today, I will put on my Santa suit and drive out to a local womens shelter to give them gifts of warm clothing and then to another community outreach to do the same thing. Then, this afternoon, I get to play Santa at a kids xmas party. So, I'll be spending my day performing services to my community. The word I picked from my god box today was Service. That's either a coincidence or it's God showing up at just the right time with just the right information to remind me that He is still there.

December 5, 2025

It's Friday. That means a lot to people who work 9 to 5 or 3 to 11 or whatever shift they work. I'm retired so I have a different view of each day. Friday is the day that Serenity Corner meets. Serenity Corner is a 12 step group that meets at my place and on zoom every Friday night.  We have been doing that or years, decades, actually, and it's something I look forward to. So, like other people, the normies so to speak, I look forward to Fridays, but not because it is the completion of the work week, but because it may well be the beginning of a new life for someone coming to their first meeting, and for those of us who have been doing this for a while, it is an opportunity to share some time with each other. 

December 4, 2025

 December 4, 1997 was the day I surrendered my drinking problem to God as I understood him. I was in a church just outside of Meductic, New Brunswick. I don't remember what faith the church was, but I remember saying a little prayer where I asked God for help. I'd like to say there was a blinding flash of light, that time stood still or the earth stopped moving, but there was none of that. I did feel a hand on my shoulder. I turned around quickly because I had thought I was alone in the church, and I was. I later realized that was probably the hand of God on my shoulder, reassuring me that it was going to be okay. And, it has been okay. For 28 years.

Sometimes, because life happens, I forget that I surrendered and I try to do things Bernie's way again, but my way does not work and almost always places me in situations where I shouldn't be, making decisions that I shouldn't be making. It is then that I remind myself that I am no longer driving the bus and I renew my resolution that I will do things His way, not mine.

December 3, 2025

 Just over 3 weeks until Christmas. Maybe you are also a person who counts the days until the big day, or maybe you're someone who wishes we would stop counting the days. Either way, it is still 22 days away. Christmas always comes early for me. For a number of years, we did a donation project in December. We did it earlier than Christmas Day so that the recipients would have their gifts before Christmas. The non profit has been dissolved, this year actually, but I still have a few places that I donate to, or I should say that we, my wife and I, donate to. So, I grow a beard and put on a red suit and try to bring a bit of love and kindness to those who aren't experiencing it. By doing that, I give myself a gift.

The word I got this morning from my god box was another slogan. Listen to learn. I equated it to the act of meditation. Prayer is talking with the guy upstairs (GUS) and meditation is listening for an answer and by listening, we learn to sharpen our minds.

Last night, I was at a meeting and the topic was surrender. I pointed out that on Thursday, it will be 28 years since I surrendered my powerlessness over alcohol to the god of my understanding. I should say that the god of my understanding then is not the god of my understanding now. My understanding of that word has changed in the past three decades. As I listened to the discussion going around the table, I realized that sometimes I forget that I have surrendered and must renew that agreement.

It used to bother me when other members of my fellowship talked about God, but I understand now that it took some time for me to establish a relationship with God. It started simply. Through prayer and meditation it has improved. If we take some time to comprehend the true meaning of christmas, a celebration of the birth of Christ, then we begin to understand that it is not about getting, it is about giving. Sure, I have a beard and I put on a red suit - the children like it. But, it is the quieter, more secret gifts that matter more. Hope, kindness, love, compassion, understanding. Those are the gifts we should be giving.

December 2, 2025

 My word from my god box was a slogan. First things first. I posted at another blog that it reminds me to begin my day with prayer because the days that I pray almost always turn out better than the days I don't. In two days it will be 28 years since I let God back into my life. I should probably change that to read since I asked God to come back into my life because really I don't direct God to do anything. It's the other way around.

I spent the first few hours of my day chatting to a couple of guys who I am attempting to guide in a positive direction. Seems to be having a good effect on them.

In other news, we are working on getting a life insurance policy because when it comes down to it, we are getting old and as it stands we wouldnt even be able to afford a pine box or an urn...lol. Fortunately, we know someone who does that sort of thing.

December 1, 2025

 The first of December. The start of another month. The last month of this year. A few things happened to me in different Decembers. December 4, 1997 was the day I had my spiritual experience in that little church in Meductic, New Brunswick.

December 31, 1998 was the day I formally proposed to Nancy and December 31, 1999 was the day we were married. So, I will have a little to reflect on as this year draws to a close. I am always aware that with the ending of each year, a new year begins.

November 30, 2025

Today is my sobriety date, meaning this is the day I stopped drinking and tried to live a life of sobriety. It's been 28 years and I have not regretted my choice. After all my morning stuff, we'll go to church because worship of God is part of what I do.

Nancy says she will take me to supper. There's a restaurant on Tacoma that I've never eaten in and I hear they have good fish and chips, so that's what we'll try.

The Living Sober Group is tonight, on zoom. Being of service to others is the foundation stone of my recovery so I'll be sure to be there tonight. 

November 29, 2025

 Almost the end of November. It's not snowing yet, so that's a bonus.  The weather around here is often unpredictable. We have learned to take it as it is dealt to us. Accepting life on life's terms requires that we practice acceptance. There are many things in life which we cannot control. The weather is one. I remember one winter, about ten years ago, it did not start snowing until the end of January and then it did not stop snowing until May. I had to walk home from work that day. I did about three or four hours walking through the snow until finally a friend picked me up and drove me as close to my house as he could get me. That was to the entrance of the trailer park. The plow hadn't been through the park yet, so I had to wade through waist high snow for close to an hour before reaching my trailer. That type of weather we hopefully will avoid this year.

November 28, 2025

 It's November 28th. I make two separate blog posts each morning. Sometimes, the message in each overlaps. Oh well. The non profit organization we were involved with was actually incorporated on November 28, 2012, so that was 13 years ago. Time flies. Our original intent was to open a transition house for men in recovery from alcohol and drugs, but we later altered our mission statement and became a ommunity outreach for persons in recovery from alcohol, drugs and/or homelessness. We did some good things over the years. It was my chance to give a little back to the communities I took so much from when drinking.

I was at an AA meeting last night (oh crap I broke my anonymity again) and one of the topics for discussion was remembering what it was like. On Sunday, I will have 28 years of sobriety. That's a few twenty-four hours since I had my last drink, but I still remember what that was like and I still remember the unmanageability my powerlessness over alcohol brought me. Being homeless in the winter, sleeping under the bridge an hour at a time, because if you slept longer than that, you might freeze to death. I spent a lot of time walking from one tim hortons to another, sitting inside, taking an hour to drink my coffee.

Yesterday, I put up the xmas lights on my deck. The deck that's attached to my home, the one that's bought and paid for, the one on Mulgrave Lane actually. I got the home because I'm sober. But, just because I stopped drinking, a genie did not materialize and say here are the keys to your brand new home! But, being sober taught me how to get and keep a job, how to pay bills, how to take responsibility for my actions. It's not a mansion, it's just a little trailer made for the two of us.

But it beats sleeping in a snowbank with a rock for a pillow and a newspaper for a blanket.

November 27, 2025

 Almost the end of November. A few days ago, I celebrated my 28 years at my home group and people were asking me if I was excited. I wasn't. But, I realized it's because my 28 years isn't until Sunday, technically. On Sunday, I might be excited. Or, it might be just another day.

I have a doctor's appointment today. Been having a problem with my shoulder. Might be just arthritis or a pulled muscle. Or something else. Always good to look into things.

November 26, 2025

 Have you ever been in a hurry to get things done, only to find that by rushing about, you didn't get half the things done that you wanted to do? Today it's like that for me. It's payday so I had to do the bills and the grocery store and I was going to look for a new pair of shoes, probably sneakers. I also had to meet someone at 10. I got the bills paid and I bought most of my groceries. I still need to get the odd thing. I couldn't find sneakers, only boots but of course I only went to one store. It's alright. This morning appointment is a no show and I don't have another appointment until one, so I have time to go to walmart. I am supposed to get a new chair for the computer area and walmart has a good selection of sneakers. So that sounds like a plan.

Excerpt from Faraway Eyes, a work in progress copyright Bernie Schultz

 06 - Two Men, A Trumpet And A Gypsy

Ivan was in the garage, working on one of the cars, when he saw Greta approaching with that boy from next door. He wiped his oil stained hands with an even oilier rag, and waved to her. When she was in the garage and standing before him she looked at him with deadly earnestness in her eyes. Ivan recognized that look as one he had seen in her mother's eyes the day the Russians came to Budapest.

“Ivan. I need you to tell Eddie the story you told me about my parents.” Greta said.

Ivan looked back at Greta, trying to summon some earnestness of his own. “Now, my dear child. You know I'm not supposed to tell that story to anyone who is not part of the Family.”

“But, you don't understand, Ivan. Eddie and I are in love.” Greta said, taking Eddie's hand in hers and squeezing it tightly.

“Ahhhhh. I see. That does change things, doesn't it? Well, I will tell you the story again, so that your companion will know what sort of girl he is falling in love with.” Ivan chuckled. They were barely 13. Whatever it was they were up to, and he sensed that something was going on, it was a bit too soon to be love.

Ivan pulled a wooden crate over to sit upon, and launched into a tale that Eddie would probably not understand.

It was 1941. World War two had begun a few years ago. Many nations were involved or were becoming involved. Many people's lives were changed, their ideals questioned and re-evaluated. Many things that we had all taken for granted now became secondary and we all had to adapt to new situations.

Our story begins with a man named Felix Konig, a corporal in the Wehrmacht....what you would call the German army. Felix had come to the Cafe de Paris, a popular jazz cafe in London. He liked to play the trumpet and had played here a few times. But, Felix had recently learned that wanting to be a jazz musician and wanting to play jazz were not the same thing. So, Felix had decided that being a jazz trumpeter was not for him and he decided to sell his horn. A friend of his had a friend who knew a girl who knew a guy who was looking for a horn. And that's how Felix Konig met Roberto Canavar.

Ivan saw how Eddie's attention was roused by the mention of Roberto and he surmised that his being here in this garage, listening to the tale of Greta's parents, had something to do with the recent disappearance of Roberto Canavar.

Their meeting was to be brief, just long enough to complete the transaction, and then Felix planned to return to Budapest. They were sitting at a table outside the cafe. A jazz quintet had just finished its set and was packing its gear into the back of a dusty jeep. Their lead singer was a tall, slender, sensual redhead wearing a green sequined dress and a pink shawl. Felix was instantly and acutely aware of how stunning she looked and he wondered if, after the sale, he might be able to buy her a drink.

Roberto was examining the trumpet when the green-eyed lady in the even greener dress sauntered over to their table. She focused those sparkling green eyes on Roberto. She placed a long french-looking cigarette between her sensuous red lips and said, "Hey there, bugle boy. Can you light my fire?"

Roberto never even looked up from his examination of the horn. "I don't play with matches and therefore I do not light fires. And it's not a bugle. It's a Stradivarius trumpet. Now if you don't mind, could you go interrupt someone else."

Felix chuckled. This Roberto fellow was either married or gay. No matter. His refusal to acknowledge the lady gave Felix the opening he needed. He stood up and tipped his fedora at the lady. "I believe I can light that for you."

He reached into the pocket of his trousers and produced a box of wooden matches. He lit one and cupped it in his hand as the lady with the sparkling green eyes leaned forward to light her cigarette. As she did so, she glanced at him. Her eyes sparkled even greener and Felix knew he wanted more.

"Perhaps we could have a drink after I'm done here. It shouldn't be too long." Felix inquired.

"I certainly hope not. I'm feeling very thirsty," replied the lady with the sparkling green eyes.

Roberto had finished his study of the trumpet. He remarked that it was in excellent condition and he agreed to purchase it for the price they had agreed upon. After completing the transaction, Roberto departed the cafe.

Felix and the green-eyed lady had that drink. Then they decided to go outside the cafe, to smoke a cigarette and look at the night sky. It wasn't so foggy that night. As they talked, they walked.

The green-eyed lady introduced herself as Gretchen and spoke briefly of being born into a poor Romanian family, of discovering at the age of ten that she could sing, of leaving home at sixteen, joining up with a band of gypsies and finally being here, tonight, still with the gypsies.

Gretchen asked Felix to speak about his past and how he came to be here tonight, selling his trumpet to that rude but handsome man. Felix started to speak but then they heard the whine of the siren, and the distant roar of approaching bombers, sounds that reminded them of the reality of their world.

At first, they thought to go back to the cafe, but Felix had a room at a hotel on this street and, luckily, it was in the basement level, so they headed there instead. Felix felt a shiver as he remembered their decision not to seek refuge in the cafe. For the cafe was one of the bombers targets. Two bombs went down a ventilation shaft and exploded in the basement of the cafe, where the stage was. Everyone in that room died instantly. Outside, there were only wounded patrons, about a hundred of them.

Gretchen wept as she realized all her friends had all perished in the blast. Felix held her in his arms and tried to comfort her in her grief. They spent the night at his hotel. In the morning, Felix told Gretchen she could come with him to Budapest to stay at his villa for as long as she needed.

Gretchen agreed and so they departed on the morning train. It would be two day's travel to the port of Newhaven, so Felix had arranged a compartment rather than seats in the main car. They talked almost the entire trip, intense conversations about the universe and everything in it.

Ivan paused to light a cigar. “I'm sure you and Greta have similar conversations, the two of you being in love after all.”

Eddie sat up straight and looked squarely into Ivan's eyes. “As a matter of fact, we do have those kinds of talks.”

“That is good, little man. But, allow me to continue the story before you decide to compare yourself with her....with Felix.”

The talking lasted through dinner. A sumptuous feast of lamb and sweet potatoes, fresh corn and breads. They drank at least two bottles of wine as they ate. They talked and laughed and flirted and somehow last night's tragedy seemed only a dream that faded wth the morning light.

When the attendant came to clear away their dishes, Felix ordered a bottle of champagne and ice. They opened the compartment's tiny window and enjoyed a cigarette. As they lay there on the foldout bed, staring into each other's eyes, both of them knew that champagne would not be required. And so, with the train clickety clacking through the Alps, and the warm night breeze caressing their bodies, they gave their souls to each other.

A week later, Felix and Gretchen arrived in Budapest. Hilda and myself were, at that time, employed by Felix as housekeeper and mechanic. I am from the province of Bavaria and Hilda is from Romania, so we all got along amicably. Gretchen was the type of woman that every man fell instantly in love with and I was no exception. But, of course, she was with Felix, my employer, to whom I felt a strong sense of loyalty and so I kept my thoughts and feelings to myself. Felix was the type of man that all men followed, a true leader. I was not under his command but if I had been I would have followed him to hell and back.

A few months after their return, Gretchen was with child and in the early weeks of 1942, she gave birth to a beautiful girl with eyes as dark as the night sky and as fierce as the sunlight. They named the child Greta.

Ah yes, Eddie, Felix and Gretchen are Greta's parents.

They were not married because Gretchen was Romanian and Felix was a German soldier and that sort of marriage would not have been allowed. Despite that, all went well for the next couple of years. Once Gretchen was recovered from childbirth, she began to work as a nurse in the Budapest military hospital. It had been built in the caves and tunnels underneath the Castle in the late 1800s and had not seen much use until the war we were currently fighting.

Gretchen worked long hours in the hospital. Hilda cared for Greta as if she was her own child. Hilda and I....are also not married, but we live together as a couple, so while Gretchen tended to the wounded in the hospital and Felix carried out his duties as a German officer, Hilda and I became like guardians to Greta. It was a very pleasant time for all of us. And then, the Russians came to Budapest.

In 1945, Soviet troops arrived with support from the Romanian militia and they laid siege to Budapest. The siege lasted a hundred days. Their intention was to kill all the Nazis in Budapest and emancipate all the Jews being held captive in the city. Felix was Wehrmacht which meant he served as a German soldier, but he was not necessarily a Nazi. In fact, he was often appalled by the atrocities inflicted upon the Jews and was instrumental in setting up an underground railroad for smuggling the Jews out of Budapest to nearby Greece. I cannot tell you anymore about that. Suffice to say that Felix was a good man.

There was much about the siege that no one of us cares to dwell upon. Many died during the siege and the rest perished trying to escape. Squads of Soviet soldiers led by Romanian secret service agents tried to infiltrate the city's defenses by entering through the hospital tunnels. The Germans, with the help of the Waffen SS managed to prevent such attacks. During one of the skirmishes, Felix came face to face with a Romanian captain. At first, he did not recognize him, and his squad would have shot him dead, but then he realized it was Roberto Canavar, the man who had bought his trumpet and had, without knowing it, introduced him to Gretchen. Felix spared his life and brought him to the hospital so that Gretchen could tend to his wounds. While in the hospital, Felix explained his dilemma to Roberto. He knew that he must escape before the Soviets stormed the city. He also knew that his household must be unharmed. So they devised a plan between them.

Hilda and Gretchen were both Romanian. Ivan was Bavarian which made him almost Romanian. So, the three of them could escape the city as rescued Jews, taking the child Greta with them. Felix would attempt an escape through the hospital tunnels and find his way to them in Greece. Roberto could just rejoin his comrades. It seemed like a good plan. Unfortunately, one of the other officers was captured and tortured by the Soviets. He revealed the plan some of the Germans had to escape through the tunnels. So, Gretchen fled to the tunnels to warn Felix. Before she did so, she begged Roberto to watch over Greta and her servants until their safe return. Because she and Felix had saved his life, he agreed.

Roberto has kept his promise these last nine years. He has become so close to Greta that she often calls him Uncle. We do not know the whereabouts of Felix or Gretchen. The last contact we had with them was about five years ago. At that time, they were employed as consultants for the British government. That's all I can say about that.

Two days ago, Roberto spotted a Waffen SS officer at the Market. To throw him off our trail, Roberto faked his death in a freak drowning accident. But, rest assured, Uncle Roberto is alive and well and taking steps to ensure that the Enemy does not find us.

“But, isn't the war over?” Eddie exclaimed.

Ivan lit another cigar. “Some wars are never over.” He took a deep drag on his cigar. “And now, I must get the Studebaker up and running or Hilda will have a conniption for sure. Off with the two of you.”

As Eddie left with Greta, he realized there was still a lot of questions he hadn't asked and to which he might never get answers. But, it was an interesting story of that he was certain.

November 25, 2025

 Slept in this morning, but it's okay I'm retired; I do what I want. I do have an appointment with someone I sponsor but that isn't until 11 am so I had time to do all my morning stuff. I was a bit concerned if facebook would take me sending all those messages in the morning and considering it to be spam. I send about 70. But, they seem to be ignoring that which is okay.

Yesterday, for some reason they suspended my account but after going through a few hoops I managed to get it back up and working.

Tonight is the celebration of my sobriety at my home group. 28 years. The actual day isn't until the 30th but I think I can manage to stay sober those last 5 days. I saw someone pick up their 24 hour chip last night and I remembered mine. As of today, I have 10,222 days without a drink but the only difference between me and the newcomer is that I have more proof that this can be done.

November 24, 2025

 Good morning. I got a bit sidetracked. Monday is usually the day I record my podcast. It gets uploaded on Wednesday and I like to have it ready. I could say I record it early in case there's a power outage, but if there's an outage I wouldnt be able to upload it anyway.

My word today was Trust and I have been telling people to trust God, trust the process, it will be alright. All I really need to do today is listen to what I am telling others to do and then just do that. 

Birthday meeting downtown tonight, so I nade cookies.

November 23, 2025

 In one week, I will have been sober for 28 years. In the beginning I had trouble staying sober for 28 days in a row. But, after the initial month was under my belt, then it was just a matter of  putting together a few months, one day at a time. And then, a few years, and here we are now, almost three decades.

Yesterday was another fun filled and eventful day. I ended up being the speaker for my al-anon group. That seemed to go well. Last night, we attended the AA talent show. It was pretty awesome. Music, comedy, poetry. No dance acts last night, but al in all it was enjoyable.

Getting ready for church right now. I made cookies for the coffee hour. Skor toffee with walnuts.

November 22, 2025

 It's been a fun filled 24 hour period and this part of it is just getting started. I tried to let go let god a few times. I had asked someone to be a guest speaker at an event, but he canceled without informing me. figure that one out. I asked someone else but he is working and can't do it, so I asked another great speaker but he recently had throat surgery so speaking isnt something he can do right now. I asked one more fellow and he will get back to me this morning he said. If all else fails, I will do it myself.

November 21, 2025

 Serenity Corner is tonight. We've been doing that meeting for a while now. We started it in Woodside 25 years ago. When we moved to the trailer park here in woodlawn, we brought the group with us. It had a few different names over the years, but serenity corner seems to have stuck. 

November 20, 2025

 Its Thursday and the sun is shining again. I got the xmas lights out of the shed yesterday but I didn't get them put on the deck because one set is not working properly. I'll get a new set later this week and try to get them up at least by the end of the month.

Today is the men's lunch at the church. They have it once a month in fall, winter, and spring. I go and I bring cookies.

November 19, 2025

 The sun is shining, that's a bonus this time of year. I'll take it. I plan to dig the christmas lights out of the shed this morning, make sure they are working and maybe even put them up on the deck. I don't like to put them up too early because after all christmas is still over a month away, but I prefer to put them up now before the storms start.

I'm meeting someone this morning to go over a concept and I might be meeting with someone this afternoon. We haven't really nailed down the day yet.

We might go to a meeting in the Passage tonight, that also has not been determined yet. The guy who usually drives us has been sitting in a tree waiting to kill Bambi and her family. I guess I don't see hunting as a way to find enjoyment.

November 18, 2025

 Not much happening today. I have a meeting with a friend this morning. Oh, and another friend said she would drop me off some sweets. She knows the way to my heart. Some say the quickest route is through my stomach. I think they may be right.

I have a session with someone else this afternoon.

My home group has a business meeting tonight.

As I say, not much going on.

November 17, 2025

 Meatloaf monday. That is what we used to call mondays when we ate at the soup kitchen. They always served meatloaf on mondays. Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables. Fruit cocktail. When I worked at freedom foundation, monday was spaghetti or goulash or something to do with hamburger. I usually do the same. The big question with me will be spaghetti or meatloaf?

November 16, 2025

 Getting ready for a busy Sunday. It takes me 90 minutes to get all my morning stuff out of the way. That means two daily readings, picking a word from my god box, doing a video post at the mens group in Hawaii and then sharing my word with about 70 people. I do that every morning.

We go to church this morning and then hang around for coffee hour. When I get home, I'll start supper. Roast beef in the slow cooker.

I have the district GSR meeting at two.

Come home and finish making supper. I have one sponsorship session at six and then the Living Sober group at eight.

November 15, 2025

 28 years ago today, I boarded a train to begin my journey to Wyoming to meet a girl I had met on the internet. What I was really heading for was my next relapse. It was actually the relapse that precipitated me arriving at the bottom that led to my current 28 years of sobriety. Sobriety that I achieved  with the help of my higher power and the fellowship of AA.

November is always a month of reflection for me, but even more so this year because the days of the week this year are on the same dates that they were in 1997.

My word from my god box today was Selfishness. As I mentioned in another blog post, it is okay to be a little selfish sometimes. For example, a friend of mine is feeling under the weather so she opted to stay in bed this morning. That's not really selfish. It's more self-care.

November 14, 2025

 It's Friday. I noticed as I was doing a polo at my mens group that this year, the dates are on the same days of the week as they were in the year I sobered up. The weather is slightly different. It snowed five cm that day in 1997.

Looks like an easy day for me today. I only had one session this afternoon and he had to re-schedule. Its okay with me.

I volunteered to take the AA cell phone this weekend. I don't usually get that many calls. But, if I can help just one person then my responsibility will be met.

Serenity Corner is tonight. Serenity Corner, for those who don't know is a big book meeting we do on zoom and in my home. We been doing it on and off for twenty some years. Its become a part of who we are.

November 13, 2025

 I slept in a bit today. I had things to do but my thursday morning session canceled last night, so that freed up my morning. I still meet with someone this afternoon.

I was hoping to take care of some banking for the district but it doesn't seem to be in the cards.

We will be going to the meeting at the church tonight. I might make cookies. Who knows.

November 12, 2025

 It's almost mid-November and we had a dusting of snow last night. Nothing to shovel, it was just flurries. I remember 28 years ago, in 1997, it snowed a couple of centimeters on Friday November 14th. I only recall that because the next day I was on a train bound for Wyoming. Well, that train was not going to Wyoming, that train was going to London, Ontario. In London, I took a train to Chicago, Illinois. In Chicago, I took a train to Denver, Colorado. In Denver, I transferred to a bus that went as far as Cheyenne, Wyoming and the person I was going to visit drove me from Cheyenne to Worland, Wyoming.

I didn't know it when the station in Halifax, but this would be the start of the relapse that would precipitate my bottom. The bottom that would lead to me being sober for the past 28 years. One day at a time. 

November 11, 2025

 Good morning. Happy Remembrance Day. Which is a conundrum of sorts. How can  a day when you remember people who have died be a happy event. I suppose you could find gratitude in why they have died, serving their country and the people in it.

I do not plan to attend any of the official ceremonies today. We had a remembrance service at church this past Sunday. That's enough for me. So, it will be a typical Tuesday here. I meet with a sponcee at 11. I'll bake some cookies later because my home group meets tonight. I might go dig something out of the shead, now that all the heavy rain has ended.

As I say, a typical tuesday.

November 10, 2025

 Today seems better. The weather is a bit crappy, but at least I'm getting things done on time. Not much on the docket today. I neet with someone I sponsor and I'm supposed to record my podcast sometime today. If there are no problems with it, then it only takes about an hour.

I have to go out to the shed and get something. Hopefully, the rain will let up long enough so I can do that. And if it doesn't, there's always tomorrow.

November 9, 2015

 I was late getting started today and I had some problems sharing my word of the day with all the folk on my list. I had to play catch up when I got home from church and since I had some other mundane things to do like prepare vegetables for supper, it slipped my mind about updating my blogs. But, I remembered.

I managed to get all my paperwork prepared for the district meeting one week from today and I managed to get my podcast ready to be recorded tomorrow. So, the day wasn't a total loss. And in fact, even though not all my days are priceless, not one of them is ever worthless, anymore.

November 8, 2025

 It's the second Saturday in November. Because it is the second saturday of the month, we go to a little church up the street and put on a knitting group for some seniors. we make blankets which we then give to people less fortunate than us. It's one of the ways I try to give something back to the community I took so much from when I was drinking.

We usually go to an al-anon meeting in the afternoon. Then, I meet up with a guy I sponsor. I think we'll be looking at Concept Four.

Then, it's looking like a zoom meeting in Hawaii.

We might watch a movie. I have enough of them.

Reminds me. I'm making corned beef and cabbage tomorrow so I need to take the brisket out of the freezer today so that I can soak it in water overnight.

November 7, 2025

 The sun is shining roday. This time of year, I'll take sunshine. Today is Friday so I meet with a man that I sponsor in the afternoon and then I host a big book study this evening on zoom. It's actually hybrid so I might even get to see a person or two at the in person part of the meeting. We're on the 12th step tonight. Ironic that the word I picked from my god box today is Help Others.

Not sure what's on the menu today. It might be fish. I have a box of breaded scallops. we could have those and maybe a tossed salad.

We are going to a knitting group tomorrow and I always bake cookies for that, but I have enough cookies left from the meeting last night, that I won't need to do that.

November 6, 2025

 Weatherman had forecast some white stuff intermingled with the wet stuff we are getting today. Old Man Winter is just around the corner. Hopefully it won't be too bad this year. In Nova Scotia, one can never be too sure. One year, about ten years ago, it did not start snowing until the end of January. We almost thought we would escape winter unscathed. Then, it snowed at least once a week for four months, and not just little dustings. These were heavy, blinding, freezing ice storms and blizzards. It taught me to be grateful for each day.

We'll see what this day brings.

November 5, 2025

 Another eventful day in progress. Woke up. Did my morning readings and all the other things that go along with that. Uploaded the weekly podcast, did a bit of blogging. Met with two of the guys I sponsor. Had a chat with my brother. He might come to my birthday celebration at my home group the end of the month. Heading out to the passage tonight for a meeting. I won't even need to bring cookies because I have enough left over from last night.

Looking like chicken something something for supper.

November 4, 2025

 It's Tuesday morning, not to be confused with tuesday afternoon (Moody Blues), I have a few things to take care of today. I meet with a sponcee to go over a step. This afternoon I meet with another sponcee to go over a tradition. Early evening, I have a meeting with central service to go over some reports I have to give because of two committees that I serve on.

Hopefully, I'll get out of there in time to get to my home group.

Haven't figured out what's for supper yet. Maybe chicken.

November 3, 2025

 It's Monday again. The weeks just zip by. I don't have a lot to do, but enough to keep me from falling asleep.One of the men I sponsor is coming by this evening. We'll do a bit of work, then head down to the speaker meeting.

I have a god box to deliver to the lady I spoke for last Monday. I'm not her sponsor. I do sponsor some women but I do not sponsor her.

Tomorrow night I will be attending Central Service to update them on the progress of the midwinter roundup. But, that's tomorrow.

Later today we will have roast beef sandwiches with gravy and french fries.

November 2, 2025

 Today is the day. November 2nd. Sunday, also. We'll be starting the day with church. Well, first things will be to make sure all the clocks in here that do not automatically reset themselves when the time changes, get reset so that they are all telling the same time. Church is at ten and its just up the street. I'll have just enough time after its over to come home and start a roast in the slow cooker, then we have a committee meeting downtown for next year's midwinter roundup. I'm a bit anxious about that meeting but I try to remember that I put the outcome of that meeting in Gods hands.

November 1, 2025

 Welcome to the First of November.November is my gratitude month. It is the month I put the plug in the jug. Sobered up, I mean. I went to my first AA meeting in May of 1994, but I didn't stop drinking then. I wanted to but I wasn't ready yet. I wasn't at my bottom yet. But, I eventually got to my bottom. A bottom is different for everybody. For some people it's death. But we do not all have to take the garbage truck all the way to the dump. Some of us get off somewhere along the way. 

For me, it was December 4, 1997, when I was in a little church in Meductic, New Brunswick. In that church, I surrendered, truly surrendered to a power greater than Bernie and asked for help with this obsession of mine. I was separated from alcohol on the 30th of November and a few days later I asked the god of my understanding for some help with this.  I have not had to take a drink since then. And I have not wanted to take a drink since then. That, alone, is a miracle for me. The voice that always talked to me is silent.

For these things, I am grateful.

October 31, 2025

 Happy Halloween. I don't know how happy it will be for the little ones who go trick or treating tonight. We are in the midst of Hurricane Melissa. Heavy rain and high winds. All the more candy for me, I say.

I'm not overly impressed with things right now and not just the weather. I have pest control folk who come around and I pay them 40 bucks a month for their services. I missed a few payments so to catch up I was paying them double payments. the last check I mailed them got held up with the postal strike so I sent them an etransfer and told them to disregard the check. They took both my etransfer and the check, so now they owe me money. Some people just have shit for brains.

there's supposed to be a meeting here tonight at seven. Luckily, it's a hybrid meeting meaning it's also on zoom so as long as the power holds on, then we'll just have the meeting on line.

October 30, 2025

 October is almost an an end. Haloween is tomorrow. We also have a meeting here tomorrow so that might be fun with me going back and forth to give the trick or treaters some goodies.

My thursday sessions have both canceled at different times for different reasons. It's okay. I need a day off. I go to a meeting tonight anyway so that will be okay.

October 29, 2025

Another cheque day is here. It's usually a busy day because we buy groceries and anything else that we need to do, we will do today. I intend to pick up that external hard drive to help me with my back-up project .

I have a lot to do thats for sure so I better get to it.

October 28, 2025

 It's a rainy Tuesday morning as October gets ready to leave us. It's birthday night at my home group so I made a cherry cheesecake.

There is a situation that has developed with the midwinter roundup committee. I have spoken with the Area committee about it and today I will send an email to GSO to get their guidance. In fact, I just sent that email.

My usual sessions both canceled for today. that's okay. I need a break anyway.

October 27, 2025

 Monday, Monday. Looks like a quiet one. My usual monday morning is currently travelling and had to cancel. Oh well. I like days off. I have a bit of paperwork to take care of and I should probably bake cookies for the birthday meeting tonight.

I'm the guest speaker tonight. It's not my first rodeo, however I am mindful of a reading I did today that encourages love and service mingled with humility. So, I ought to be humble while sharing my story. I can probably do that.

There is another issue I need to deal with today. I don't want to get into the particulars of it here. Let's just say it will involve humility and diplomacy and I'm going to approach it after I've had several cups of coffee.

October 26, 2025

 I overslept this morning. I usually go to church on Sunday morning and after the church service, they have a coffee hour to which I bring cookies. I wasn't able to bring cookies today but the have a live streaming service so at least I am able to attend church virtually.

It actually worked out good. I watch the service through my laptop and on my desktop PC I am able to send my word of the day around to all the people I maintain contact with.

I don't have any committee meetings or workshops today, although there is an Area Officers meeting for the DCMs. we have them four times a year and this is the time for that. It's at the same time as one of my sponsorship sessions but luckily he agreed to meet at a different time. I have two of those sessions on Sundays and then I host a meeting on zoom at eight pm. Hopefully it all goes well.

October 25, 2025

 Nancy is away at a spiritual retreat so I'm home cranking the liver music. Nancy doesn't like heavy metal music. I'm not crazy about liver. So, if I play too much heavy metal while she is around, she cooks liver and onions. So, It has come to be known as liver music.

I'm going for a walk this motrning. My doctor encourages me to get in 30 minutes of exercise each day. I'm not the type to go to the gym and bench press a few hundred pounds, but a walk sounds nice.

Couple of us guys are going to the womens group tonight and then over to the Halloween Dance.

See how that goes.

October 24, 2025

Another sunshiney day. In 2 months it will be christmas eve and the temperature is still in the double digits. I'm sure it will be winter shortly. It's looking like a day of loud music. Nancy goes on her annual spiritual retreat so it will just be me and the music today. Sure, I have other commitments. I do every day. Thankfully, I have a pause button. 

October 23, 2025

 My word today was sponsorship. I wrote a paragraph on that at the god box so I'll try not to repeat myself. It's an integral part of my recovery. About 28 years ago, a member of AA took some time out of his day to carry the message to me and I, in turn, carry the message to others. I do it in different ways. When I wake up I read a few readings, pick a word from my god box and then share that word with some folk on here. that's one way. then, I go to a mens group in Hawaii called The Braddahood and do a reading there. that's another way. And of course I physically meet with other members to go over the steps traditions and concepts. that's another way.

I've been asked to speak at a person's one year anniversary. that's another way to carry the message. Whenever I speak, I try to explain how I established a relationship with God. That is, in a nutshell, how I managed to put the plug in the jug.

October 22, 2025

 Starting to get into the habit of updating this blog in the morning. It is shaping into a good day. I only had one session for today and she canceled, so I can decide what to do today without worrying about it interfering with anything.

The word for today is DENIAL. 

October 21, 2025

 I was slow getting started today. I went to bed before midnight but I slept until ten. I was supposed to meet with someone at eleven so I only had an hour to get all my readings done, pick a word and then share that word with 55 people. So. I was a bit rushed and it was funny because the word was Easy Does It...But Do It. I managed to get through. By coincidence, my 11 oclock was late and my 2 oclock canceled so I actually had plenty of time.

I had to go out and get something for someone. that's done.

I have a group business meeting tonight so making cookies was needed. Those are done.

Working on supper now. Baked chicken thighs with something something for sides.

Got a few hours to kill now so I think I will take it easy.

October 20, 2025 - Monday Monday

 Monday monday. I used to shudder at the thought that Monday was here already and I had to start another work week. I'm retired now so every day is Friday. This morning, I'm meeting with someone at ten oclock. And then later in the day I have to re-record my podcast. Going to a meeting this evening but the rest of my day looks free and clear.

October 19, 2025

 I was awakened during the night and had trouble getting back to sleep. I did a bit of work on my podcast. I had recorded it yesterday but there were a few problems with it. I corrected those problems. I did not re-record it because it was late. I'll do that later today or tomorrow, maybe.

We go to church today. I also have a district GSR meeting. I meet with a couple of sponcees later and host an online meeting. That's the plan anyway. Somewhere in all of my plan, is a roast beef dinner. My word of the day is Selfishness, so I need to be careful that even though I have a lot of things I'm doing today, I should be careful that these things are not all about me.

October 18, 2025

 The day is starting off well. Did my morning readings, picked a good word from my god box. Gossip. Then, I did a post at the Braddahood. Shared my word with all the usual folk. I have a few things lined up today. Meeting with someone I sponsor, that's at eleven. Might do the al-anon meeting at one, although I'm also scheduled to meet someone at two and there is always the big book meeting in Hawaii at seven so maybe that's how I'll approach the day. No good trying to do too much. 

Tomorrow will be busy enough. Of course, that's tomorrow and it's probably best if I just try to get through today first.

October 17, 2025

 It's Friday. Some of the people on my social media accounts seem excited that it is, that the work week is over for a day or two. I remember feeling that way once. But, I'm retired now and every day is Friyay. I mentioned in a post at the Braddahood, a men's group in hawaii that I go to that I had slept in this morning. I woke up at 830 instead of 8:00. I'm retired. I can do that now because I don't have any work commitments anymore. I suppose I still have commitments, things that I have set for myself to do each morning. My daily readings, picking my god box word, sharing that word with everyone I share it with, and then doing my god box blog and then this blog. 

October 16, 2025

 I go to the Men's Lunch today. I baked cookies for that. White chocolate chip with cranberries. I don't use dried cranberries. I use whole fresh cranberries. Well, I store them in the freezer so they last longer, but I call them fresh because they are not like raisins.

I don't think I have any sponsorship sessions lined up for today. I will be going to an AA meeting tonight. My word from my god box today is anonymity. The way I practice that is that I won't tell anyone else if I see you in an AA meeting, but I wouldn't care at all if you told anyone that I'm in AA. I never gave much thought to who saw me staggering home drunk from a bar, so why should I care who knows that I'm sober now.

And maybe you might plant a seed in someone when they hear of all the wonderful things being sober has done for me. It might encourage them to go to a meeting. That is actually how I heard about AA, through a co-worker friend whom I thought had a serious drinking problem. I'm glad she told me that she was going to AA.

October 15, 2025

 I tried sticky notes, calendar reminders, and a bunch of other things but I keep forgetting that I'm supposed to update this blog every day. And yet, here I am. I recently rejoined a men's group based in Hawaii. It's called The Braddahood (Big Island Men In Recovery). It uses the marco polo phone app and consists of video chat posts. It's an interesting way to start my day. And then, I thought, hey let's update the blog right after we do all the morning stuff. So, here we are.

October 12, 2025 - More Gratitude

 I try to always begin my day with a little gratitude, even if that's not the word I pick from my god box. Today, it was a slogan Easy Does It....But Do It. I did notice yesterday I had some shortness of breath while engaging in physical activity, so perhaps I need to slow down a little and not take on too much. As much as I don't like to admit it, I'm not twenty years old anymore.

Today is Thanksgiving and honestly, every day is thanksgiving to us. We are grateful that we are still here and still together and still able to enjoy life. We'll be starting the daty with a church service. A lot of folks we talked to yesterday said they would be playing hookey from church today, I guess they'll be home cooking their meal. We are eating our turkey dinner tomorrow because we knew we'd be busy today.

And, of course, we go to the coffee hour they have after the church service. I made some cookies for that.

I am hosting a workshop this afternoon at club 24. It's on tradition five which is about carrying the message to the alcoholic who still suffers. it's thanksgiving so there probably won't be many people there, there never are, but at least I will be fufilling my responsibility. I can't do your responsibility for you. 

Some of the folk that i sponsor are taking the day off to spend it with their families because they forgot how they got reunited with their families. Oh well, I'm supposed to be taking it easy right. 

October 11, 2025 - Gratitude

 I have been forgetting to post here daily. The word I pulled from my god box today was gratitude which teaches me to look for gratitude in negative situations. Yesterday, there was a DCM meeting at an assembly being held in Newfoundland. I was not attending the Assembly. My alternate was going in my place. She wasn't able to attend the DCM meeting. Luckily, the assembly was hybrid meaning in person and on zoom. So, I registered for the online version (40 dollars) and planned to attend the DCM meeting. When I got logged in, I was not at the DCM meeting; I was at a service workshop instead. After a few emails, I learned that the DCM meeting wasn't included in the hybrid part of the assembly so I had wasted my time AND my money.

In order to attend this, I had to miss a zoom meeting that we have every Friday night. But, because of the mix up I was able to attend that meeting which coincidentally is called Serenity Corner and serenity was what I truly needed after that turn of events.

October 8, 2025 - Giving Thanks

 People are telling me this weekend is thanksgiving and they hope I have a good thanksgiving weekend. Friday, in the morning, I'll be spending time with one of the people that I sponsor, giving her a little guidance. Friday evening, I'll be attending the Area Officers meeting at the Fall assembly. the Assembly itself is in Cornerbrook, so I'll just be zooming in. 

Saturday morning, Nancy and I do the Blankets of Hope over at the little church up the street. Helping the seniors knit blankets for Margaret's House.

Sunday morning, we'll be at church and Sunday afternoon I host a workshop at Club 24 that probably no one will attend because it is thanksgiving day, but maybe they'll be like us and have their turkey dinner on Monday.

I think I got the giving thanks part of the weekend figured out.

October 7, 2025

 Working my way through the letter A in my music backups. The single entries are easy to do as are the ones that are dated later than 2010 because most of those are already done. I do have to check them so that I don't miss any. Folders with multiple entries, such as a discography of someone (Aerosmith, Anthrax, Atlantic Starr), they are a little harder to do. What I usually do is drag and drop the file into its respective folder. Then, I can use the copy and paste function for the artist name, makes it a bit easier.

And, I'm all for the easier softer way.

October 6, 2025

 The dvds for these last three years are actuallly Staples brand DVDs and not Maxell like I was using. Staples brand are not as good I'm finding out and the file transfers are slowing down. I get more error messages and some files just do not transfer.

When that happens, I go to the master files and transfer the ones that were giving me grief. So, I thought, I am going to have to start doing that anyway once I finish these last few years so why not just do it that way now.

It sounded good on paper but it's a lot of work and there are approximately 700 CDs left on the remaining discs so I think I'll take my chances with those.

October 5, 2025 - Daily Inventory

 Sunday is always a busy day for me. We start with church which is always good for me. After church, we do a coffee hour with the congregation. I bring cookies to that.

Once we got home, I had about an hour to myself before we left here to attend a committee meeting for the 2026 midwinter roundup. that went relatively well, not much stress at that.

We came home and I finished cooking supper which I had started in that hour I previously had at home.

I met with a guy I sponsor at 6 pm. Another one at 7 pm. Then, we host a zoom meeting at 8 pm. 

Checking my email, I see that my day isn't over just yet.

October 4, 2025 - The Backup

 I had a few false starts with those backups I was doing. At first I started with that thumb drive. That didn't work out. So, then I found some space on one of my external drives and combined with some other space on another external drive it seemed that would work. Then, I remembered I had a blank drive that had about a terrabyte of free space on it so I tried that. It is way too slow with file transfers. I did a bit more digging and I did locate a 2 terrabyte drive that is about half empty so that would provide me with one terrabyte of storage space. A terrabyte is a thousand gigabytes and trust me, that's a fair amount of storage space. I should be able to get the completed backups on that drive.

I noticed a few things while doing this. The music foles are currently stored so that there is no band name in the file title so when I move each file to its respective year folder, I'm having to rename each one so that I will know which band it is. That is time consuming, but there is also a plus to storing these backups on a hard drive. 

When I made the original dvd backup, most of the discs were writable but not re-writable, so its not possible to add data to them. But, with putting them on a hard drive, I can very easily add data to the folders. Since the probability exists that I will have acquired music for each year after I had made each backup, then I will have extra data to store in each year. So, I'm happy with that.

I'm just taking the files I recently started and storing them all on the terrabyte drive. Taking a bit of time but not too much.

October 3, 2025 - There is always one more.

 I started a new side project. I came up with the idea by setting out to do something else. Every new year, in January, I make dvd backups of all the new music I acquired in the previous year. The years end will soon be upon us so I thought I'd pick up a spindle of blank DVDs. On my way to Staples, the thought occurred that I could just use an external drive to back them up on. I found a cheap thumb drive, less than 20 bucks so I decided to try that out. I have found that you get what you pay for. It was on sale for a reason. Frustrated, I checked the hard drives I have here and i did find one with about 350 gigs of free space on it, so I decided to store all the music backups I have on that one drive. The ones that I do have date back to 2010 and I should be able to get all those on there. I'll pick up a newer drive later and transfer them all to that.

Then, I had a lightbulb moment. I found another drive where I could temporarily store a large amount of files. On that drive, I created a folder called Backups. Inside that folder I created sub folders for 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009. Then, I went to my master drive and started going through each folder looking for albums released in those years. The theory is that I will in this way create backups as far back as 2000. Once I get the new drive, which I presume will be a terrabyte or two, I'll transfer all the backups to that one and then create backups of the 1990s and then the 1980s and then the 1970s and so on. It should take me about a year. Or longer. 

October 2, 2025 - the Tenth Step Journal

 Someone remarked that doing a blog like this can be considered a tenth step journal. I write about my day and run off on little tangents and may quite possibly learn things about myself in the process. Today had its ups and downs. My word today was expectations. I wrote about that in my god box blog and afterward I tried not to have expectations about a couple things I had planned for the day. Both of those things involved meeting with people I sponsor. Long story short, both of them canceled. One canceled about an hour prior to us meeting and the other one canceled almost two hours after our planned meeting. Needless to say, I was not impressed.

I did have conversations on social media with other persons whom I do not sponsor and those talks seemed to be helpful to the persons involved, so that was a bonus. Because of the free time I had, I was able to record next week's podcast so that was another plus.

Nancy was out with the girls so I made us a nice meal for when she got home. then, we went to a meeting. One of the other guys that I sponsor drove us there. As it turned out the meeting was just what I needed. I often say that I don't need to go to a meeting every day. I probably only need one meeting a week, but I never know which one it is. So, I go to seven a week and by the end of the week I have it figured out.

October 1, 2025 - One Day At a Time.

 First of October already. It's been a good day so far. I uploaded my weekly podcast and spent some time working on next week's episode.

Nancy picked up a pre-cooked barbecue chicken from the superstore. I made a tossed salad from iceberg lettuce, grape tomatoes, sliced cucumber and sliced mushroom so thats supper. I also have some pumpernickel bread to go with it.

We're going to tallahassee tonight. I have cookies that I baked yesterday while I was doing the Sunrise stuff and I also have leftover chocolate cake from that, so that's all good.

My wednesday afternoon just canceled. Can't say I'm surprised, but it is what it is. I might be able to meet with someone else if she hasn't committed to anything else. Really, it's about priorities.

September 30, 2025 - Service

 I just read a quote from the Grapevine about doing a tenth step journal of my day and I thought that is kinda what I use this blog for lately. Unfortunately, the tenth step is something I do every day and this blog is not updated every day. Maybe that is one of the things I should be working on.

Today was pretty straighforward. I woke up, did the things that I do every morning. That includes two daily readings, one from AA and one from Al-Anon, then I pick my word of the day. Today, it was forgiveness. Then, I share that word with about 50 people on social media. Then, I write a short blog entry at one of my blogs called quite appropriately The God Box. Once I had completed the morning ritual today, I made a cherry cheesecake for a birthday meeting I'm going to this evening and readied myself for a meeting with someone I sponsor.

The sponsorship meeting went well. It was on part of Step Four, the categories of Fear and Sex Conduct. we listened to one of the Dumb Guy CDs; he explains it well.

Then, I baked some cookies for the birthday meeting, cranberry with white chocolate chip. The cranberries I used were whole fresh cranberries. Just as I was finishing up with those, I met with someone to whom I am a service sponsor. We had a look at Tradition One. we use the Traditions Checklist. Lots of thought provoking questions there.

I was asked if I could be the chair for the birthday meeting tonight. Without hesitation, I agreed. I have been sober myself since November of 1997 and I have been doing service of some kind or another since November of 1997. I think the two are related.

September 28, 2025

 Another sunshiney day. My word of the day was service and although I did some, it wasn't a lot. Of course, we started with church and after church, they have a fellowship hour. I made a few cranberry with white chocolate chip cookies for that. Then, we came home because I was making a meal for us of corned beef and cabbage and that takes a few hours. I chatted with a few people on social media whom I do not sponsor but to whom I may act as if I was their sponsor, trying to point them in a direction where they might eventually run into God and I hope they lnow how to to recognize Him or Her. I do have some service work on the schedule today. I meet with two of the men I sponsor to go over some stuff. Of course, I meet them each at a different time. And, finally, I host a beginner meeting at 8. Every Sunday evening is basically like that.

September 27, 2025

 Oops, missed a day. Life happens. I could say I was busy yesterday, but I was busy today as well and here I am. I knew I was going to a birthday celebration this evening so I spent my morning baking cookies and making a cheesecake. I also met with a few of the people I sponsor and a fellow that I used to sponsor years ago came over and installed a ceiling fan in the dining room. I offered to pay him for his service but he turned me down. I was also able to get to the fabric store and pick up some yarn for some scarves that I'm working on and at the end of the day we did make it to the birthday meeting, so that was good. I managed to present one of the ladies with her own god box. Life for me these days is about helping people, especially new people. That is probably the biggest change for me from the old me. In my other life, I cared only for one person...me. Now, I try to be of maximum usefulness to God and to those around me. It's because of a deal I made with the God of my understanding about 28 years ago. I asked him to take away my difficulties and in return I promised to help as many of my fellows as I am able to. Most good ideas are simple.

September 25, 2025

 Its been a hectic day but a good day. it was payday so we always have a lot of shopping to do and we have to go to more than one store to do it, but we got it done. I spent a few hundred getting everything we needed, but really my three month supply of medication came to zero dollars so that was a bonus. Earlier this month, the ceiling fan in the dining room went on the fritz so we bought a new one today. Less than two hundred so that wasn't too difficult. I have a friend who is good with electrical stuff so he has agreed to install it for us, another savings. I might slip him a few bucks for his trouble anyway. I just noticed that the coffee pot is not working so that's something else I need to fix. Got to have the old morning coffee. Wish getting a new younger body was as easy as that. Oh well.

September 24, 2025 - Cheap Date or CheapSkate

 Nancy was always saying she'd like to spend our anniversary in Hawaii, so one time, in 2021, during the pandemic, I brought her to a meeting on zoom that was based in hawaii so she got what she wanted and I didn't have to pay for air fare. So, I'm either a cheap date or a cheapskate. Nancy liked the meeting so much she joined it and was a member for about 2 years. She celebrates there tonight. 28 years. So, naturally I invited everyone and their dog.

September 23, 2025 - Squirrels

 I slept in a little bit today, not too long. I didn't miss any appointments I had and I didn't need to scramble around to get everything done. I managed to get my morning ritual of the god box word done on time and I did meet with someone to go over some step work. Later in the day, I got some service work done. I had needed to go to the bank for the district committee and that's taken care of. I also found out that I will be chairing my group tonight. I don't mind. It won't be my first rodeo. A few squirrels came at me during the day and I got sidetracked a few times, but the interesting thing about those type of squirrels, is they can get you back on track just as easily.

September 22, 2025 - Little Things

 A few things I have noticed.

Know it alls don't really know it ALL.

Whenever something seems too good to be true, it's because it is.

Everything is connected. the trick is finding the dots.

and last but not least, when my ship finally comes in, chances are I'll be at the airport.

September 21, 2025 - Change Isn't Always A Bad Thing

I was supposed to have a busy day, but a few little things changed and freed up a few hours of my time, so I was able to attend to a few other things. Like, the podcast I do once a week. There are a few steps involved in getting it online and I usually don't have the time to get it done until the last few hours. But, I'm a little ahead of the game now. So, change isn't always a bad thing. 

September 20, 2025

It's Saturday. Ordinarily, we would go to the zoom meeting in Hawaii. we started that tradition on Saturday night a few years ago. nancy had aways joked that she would like to go to hawaii for our wedding anniversary which is on new year's eve. So, in 2021, during the pandemic, I brought her to an AA meeting in hawaii through the zoom platform. So, she got her wish and it didnt cost me anything. So, either I'm a cheap date or a cheap skate.

Today, we went to an AA day event in Sackville. A few meetings, a barbecue, lots of fellowship and old friends and making new friends. We're home now, knitting and/or crocheting various projects that we have.

September 19, 2025

My word of the day was Humility, so in theory I'm not supposed to be thinking of myself more than I'm thinking of others. But, I don't like to gossip about others at my personal blog, so I guess I can talk a little about myself or at least how I perceive things. I slept in a little today, just an hour and not even an hour to be honest. I had no pressing need to get up exactly when the alarm went off, so I snoozed a little. Tomorrow will be different. we are going to an event in Sackville. I have someone coming by at ten to drive us there, so getting up at 8 am sounds like a plan. I'm not sure how long we'll stay at the thing tomorrow. I do like to stay until its almost over. Sunday is also a busy day for me. Church in the morning plus a committee meeting in the afternoon. I usually bake cookies for those things and sometimes I gets wiser as I gets older, so I baked the cookies today.

September 18, 2025

 It almost slipped my mind again. I can't use the excuse that I was too busy because I wasn't. I had a few things to do today, but nothing too complicated and that was a good thing because my word for the day was the slogan Keep It Simple.That's always a good reminder for me not to over-complicate things. I have a tendency to do that. But, as I say, today was not too complicated. I went to a church thing, a men's lunch. An opportunity for us to share a meal and some conversation, get to know each other a bit. I always chuckle when I think that I do that sort of thing in my other fellowship quite a bit, and the people in each of the fellowships are quite different and the conversations, although similar in topic, are also different. I said this before, yesterday I think. It is good for me to get out and do things with my peers. I might even try to do that more. I find it easier to do in the other fellowship. In fact, on Saturday I'm going to a day long event

September 17, 2025 - Anti- Comfort Zone

 There is a men's lunch tomorrow at church. Good way for the men to get to know each other better. We have soup and sandwiches. I bring cookies, so does one of the other guys. It's good for me to get out and do something. I have a tendency to do things that don't require that I leave the house. Playing video games is one of my favorite past times, but I do other things that are good things to do. I write or blog, like I'm doing now. I sponsor people using the zoom platform. And, as I said, I can do all those things without leaving the house. Because I'm doing things with others, I don't see it as a form of isolating, but it is isolating. So, it's good for me to get out and do things to break out of my comfort zone.

September 16, 2025 Not So Sweet Dreams

 I had a dream last night. Like many dreams, it was a bit weird. I was out somewhere, at the bank I think. I had stopped there, on my way to somewhere else. As I was leaving, I noticed I had left my cell phone at home, so i wouldn't be able to call a cab. Actually, I have the taxi app on my phone so I just book a cab, but this was a weird dream right. I didn't want to ask the bank teller to call me a taxi so I decided to use the pay phone. It would have cost me fifty cents, but luckily I had the change. I picked up the phone receiver to call the taxi copany, but there was someone already on the line. He seemed to be having a conversation with whomever had been using the phone last. I got the impression that this person was in a prison and was trying to get help contacting someone on the outside. I interrupted him and told him I needed to use the phone so could he please hang up. Well, the fellow flew into a tirade of obscenities about how I was a rascist no good for nothing prick, I didn't even know the guy. I hung up my end of the call and as I was contemplating what to do, I saw a familiar taxi driver and he gave me a ride back home. Then, I woke up. As I was scratching my head over the dream, I noticed the TV set was on. We usually put it on a timer. the guy on the sitcom was berating someone on the phone, calling him a rascist prick. Dilemma solved.

I was talking to a guy I sponsor and he was telling me how he always had drinking dreams. Those were dreams that he had relapsed and was drinking again. I told him that I had a dream once that I could fly, but that hasn't happened yet. So, maybe it was just a dream.

September 15, 2025 - A Good Day

 Fall is definitely here. The sun is shining, but as Nancy put it, it's not a day for sun tanning. There's a bit of a breeze. Still, it seemed like a good day for a barbecue. It's a charcoal smoker so every time I want to use it, I have to clean the ashes out from the last time I used it. Reminds me of working in Swiss Chalet which I did about 40 years ago. Before you could cook the day's chicken, you would first have to dump the grease bucket. Smelled gross after sitting there all night. Greatest cure for a hangover. If that didn't make you puke, nothing would.

Cleaning my barbecue is much easier. While I was doing that, I noticed that I hadn't cut the grass in a while. I haven't been cutting it very often this year because it hasn't been growing because of the lack of water. So, I mowed it. And trimmed the edges with the whippersnipper. I had a bag of dirt that I bought for something, can't remember what; I used it to fill in a few holes the rodents had made so they could tunnel under the skirting. Filling those in with dirt won't do any good, but it was entertaining thinking that it might.

While all this was going on, I made a few friends on social media. Well, honestly, I was already friends with both of them. One guy I was just re-connecting with, and the other person I sort of know already and I'm just getting to know her better.

I recorded my weekly podcast today. I don't upload it until Wednesday but I like to have it ready to go and now it is.

So, it's been a good day. 

September 14, 2025

 I overheard a conversation today on a topic about which I disagree. I was tempted to insinuate myself into the discussion so that I could make my opinion known. But, then I realized that not every one wants to know my thoughts on certain subjects, so I did something out of character and kept my mouth that.

I did make comments to the people I was with about the same subject. It concerned a book that was recently written on a subject that is familiar to me. The original book was written in 1939 and this recent book was the Plain language version of that book. It's true that the language used in the old book was often outdated and not in common usage these days, and the language in the new book used terms that most everyone these days understands. I concede that point. However, the message in the new book is a watered down version of the message in the original book.

Back in the day, I used the dictionary a lot to look up words that I was unfamiliar with. The theory is that if you read a sentence and there is a word in that sentence that you do not understand, you might not understand the sentence. If you do not understand the sentence, you might not understand the paragraph. Nowadays, you can just google words like that, but we didn't have Google back then.

My thoughts are you don't need a plain language version of a book. You just need the original book and either a dictionary or a cell phone. Maybe it's because I'm from a different time zone.

September 13, 2025 - Distorted Perceptions

 I made a post on social media that tavern food is good, just so long as I don't have to go to the tavern to get it. We're having chicken fingers on a bun so chicken burgers right and I thought french fries would be a good side. I know people claim that french fries cooked in an air fryer are healthier, but really folks, they are gross. The reason they call them french fries is because you fry them, in deep fat. The best method, according to most chefs, is to blanch them first, then deep fy them a second time.

Some people just have distorted perceptions of reality. It's like Harm Reduction. What's up with that anyway. I'm a recovered alcoholic. I no longer drink. I did not recover from alcoholism by reducing the harm it did to me and the people in my life; I recovered by completely eliminating the harm it does to me and the people in my life. And I do not believe in the marijuana maintenance program. Substituting one addiction for another is like switching seats on the Titanic. The ship is still sinking and you're still on it.

September 12, 2025 - Love Is Also A Verb

 I recently made a commitment to spend more time updating my blogs. I update The God Box every morning, and I had made a decision to update this one each night before bedtime. Last night it slipped my mind and about 11:45 pm I was scrambling to get it done. So, I have revised my original plan to Update The God Box in the morning and update Mulgrave Lane later in the day or evening. So, currently it is 430 pm and I have a bit of time on my hands so here we are.

Today has been a good day here. I was awake at 8 am, did the morning ritual which consists of asking God as I understand Him for a little help to get through the day, then I do a couple of readings, one from an AA book and one from an Al-Anon book, then I pull a word from my god box. I share that word with 50 or so people that I'm connected to on a daily basis and then I write a little blurb at my other blog, The God Box. It's a carryover from the days when I used to journal. Now, I blog.

The word today was Love. Thinking back, this morning's blog entry was good but as the day progresses I amost always find other things to say about my word, as I relate it to the day's goings on. Love is one of the words that is just as powerful as a verb as it is as a noun. I baked cookies today. We're going to a meeting tonight and we're also going to a program at the church tomorrow morning called Blankets of Hope. Me and Nancy and about a dozen other ladies knit blankets to give to those less fortunate than us. It's a way to spread around love. The cookies I bake are also a way to do that.

After my morning coffee, I spent about an hour with a person that I sponsor, just talking and giving her some hope and guidance. That's another way that I express love. Someone once asked me what was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. I replied that it is the look in an alcoholic or addict's eyes  once they realized they did not have to live the way they had been living.

As I said, we're going to the speaker meeting tonight. I'm not the person speaking, but someone mentioned to me that she'd like to go if she had a drive. We're getting a drive there and there's an extra seat in the car. That didn't take much thinking. Doing a favor for someone with no thought of getting anything for it is another way for me to express love. having said that, by doing for others, I do get something in return. I get to keep the gift that God has given me, the gift of Sobriety. But, that is something I am always aware of and it doesn't really come up during that moment when I agree to be unselfish. If that makes sense.