Can't Sleep Skippy?

Can't Sleep Skippy?



Well, here we go again people. It was a good day, got a lot accomplished, felt real good about how things went. I eat my supper and knew that I was gonna get my weekly visit from cousin Roger. We sit for an hour and a half every Wednesday, chewin the fat, watchin the History or Discovery Channel, or talkin about his latest Trout fishin adventures. This week I finished my supper about five fifteen. Roger usually shows up at six thirty so I had time for a short nap. I felt a sharp pain in my right middle finger only to wake to my nurse checking my blood sugar. She walked out of my dark room lit only by my television and I heard a deep voice say "Howdy". I then remembered I was waitin on Roger. he had been sittin there an hour watchin the news. I would feel bad about it but there have been those nights that he would snore most of the time he was here. I tell you all this to let you know what happens later.

I usually talk to my friend Sandy late in the evening and then try to go to sleep. On a night when I get a short nap in like I had when Roger was here I end up wide awake. No Sandy and I can get into discussions that will go late into the night and time fly's by which ain't so bad. On those nights like tonight it's a whole other story!

I fell asleep for an hour after the news tonight. I awoke refreshed and feelin fine. Later Sandy and I talked about several subjects, sometimes I think we try to out talk each other. Anyway, about two thirty she goes to sleep and I check my email. I lay down, turn on my favorite itunes radio station (Classic Rock of course) and I turn all the lights off. You would think that would do it, but noooo! I lay there thinkin what to do to go to sleep so I start playin my favorite golf course in my head. I played Blair Park in High Point, North Carolina so much I have the entire course memorized. After 9 holes I know this ain't gonna work. I was already 5 over par and lost one golf ball.

I then try to sing with the tunes on the radio. When the nursing staff runs to your room wanting to know what's the matter it's time to quit trying to sing! Yes, my door was shut and yes, it was that bad. I decided that it was time to play Spider Solitaire. Why it's called Spider I ain't got no clue. I played several games and still no Sandman. It's now 5:30 am and I think I will start callin names listed in my cell phone and see who's awake! Hope your last name don't start with "A"! Until next time, keep yer days and nights in the right order and turn yer ringer off at night for that next call at 4:00 am could be me!!!



Stan the Ramblin Man

Signs from God

Today I was thinkin about the little things we use to do as kids that were a little crazy. We would walk across pipelines that were 30 feet above a rocky creek bed. We would ride our bikes off a small hill hoping to land just right. There were those things that brought about a lot of pain once we missed. Those times were learning experiences. Seems like there always that instant before we ran and grabbed the vine that in our mind something yelled "STOP"! We ignored it of course and ended up on our back or our face one. After the dust would settle I would remember that moment and wonder why I didn't listen. Over the years I have slowed down on the attempt to become a human Crash Test Dummy. I still have heard that voice in my head at times. I hear it right before saying something I shouldn't have and I know instantly that I should have listened. I call these signs from God.

He loves us and wants to protect us from ourselves at times. I know some of you are a little skeptical and that's ok. He has other ways to get your attention. There are those of us that are a little hard headed and God needs to use not so subtle signs. He will put someone in front of you that you need to help or someone that's there to help you with a situation. I once was traveling down the highway in my old truck and at about 70 miles per hour the left rear wheel came off the truck. I was riding alone and the radio wasn't working at the time. My instinct was to slam on the brake. As soon as the wheel came off I heard in a normal voice "Do not touch the brake". I finally listened and rode on the hub of the axle about a mile before coming to a stop on the side of the road. I thought about the situation and realized that as I was fishtailing down the road if I had pushed the brake the truck would have turned sideways and I would have rolled in front of the Car Carrier that was behind me and all the traffic. I knew it was the voice of either a Guardian Angel or God himself.

A friend of mine has been bombarded with things that point to a certain place that is dear to her heart. She is praying for God's guidance in the matter. It can be about any situation that he points the way. God nudged me several times to join a place called Facebook. I was not too impressed with a chat community and avoided it. He kept sending me nudges until I took a look at it. Now I have renewed friendships with hundreds of old friends. God doesn't force us to do things, he puts gives us a nudge and we decide if we want to listen or not. That's when you are running as fast as you can and grab that vine to swing out over the creek, you might wanna take a second to think "Did I hear God yelling STOP?" before committing to the jump. As they say "Hindsight is 20/20". Of course as a kid I thought that meant someone had good vision out of their hind end. I know, I know I should have listened before I wrote that last sentence, but I bet some of you folks thought the same thing.

My brother and I went snow skiing once. He had never been before and this was my second or third time. I wanted to show my little brother how good his bro was. I got to the top of the hill and pointed both skis towards the bottom of the hill. I pushed off and looked like one of those Olympic Ski Jumpers. I got to what seemed 80 miles per hour and forgot to use my skis to slowdown. My right ski hit a mogul(small bump) and I ended up launching in the air. My head went into the fresh powder and stayed as my body continued to flip over. I lay there not wanting to move cause I just knew I broke every bone in my body. A couple of guys from the Ski Patrol stopped with a basket to lay me in but I was determined to walk. That was a bad choice by the way. I got to the bottom of the hill and sat on a bail of hay. Looked up and saw my little brother taking off his skis on top of the hill. When he got down to me I asked why didn't he ski down. He said "God has always told me to watch you and do the opposite." I was a sign from God for my brother, a sore sign though. We need to try and listen to God a little more so he won't have to keep writing on billboards. Until next time keep your ears and heart open so you can see the signs God is giving you.

Stan the Ramblin Man

Listen Love and Laugh

It's that time again, time for a Ramblin. It's been a while since our last chapter and time for a new one. I see life as a book at times and inside the book are chapters of our life. Some chapters are good and some not so good. I try to find humor in everything. I figure when times are hard and we feel beat down we just need a good laugh to bring us around. I get my sense of humor from my Mom's side of the family. Her sister Clara and I had a special bond when it come to humor. We thought just alike. Something would make us laugh our heads off while everyone else missed it completely. We all have a tad bit of a smartelic or what I call funny sarcasm in our bones also. I get that from my Dad and his father. One weekend a good friend of mine named Al Carver and I went to the mountains to galivant and campout. We stopped by the nursing home my Grandfather Ernest Hoyle was in for a visit. While sittin in his room I wanted to strike up a conversation with him so I thought long and hard. I inquired as to where his inlaws were buried. The conversation went like this..."Are the Murphy's all buried in that cemetery up on the Seven Mile Ridge in Celo?" I asked. He replied, "I reckon so seein how their all dead". My buddy Al about hurt himself laughin and said, "Yep, that's Lee Hoyle's Dad."

It's been an eye opening year for me. It's ok to have a grandson but to all of a sudden have two? I keep remembering what my Grandparents looked like when my brother was born and then I look in the mirror and keep watchin for my hair to turn white. I also have so many friends from high school that are becoming Grandparents. It just doesn't seem right for these gals that you use to flirt with at school becoming a Granny or a Mawmaw and they don't look like one either. I think it's cause we don't dress like our Grandparents did in a way. Time has moved on for some schoolmates as they have gone on to be with the Lord and I kick myself for not being in touch with them more. Friends are our extended family. We need to let our friends know more how much they mean to us. Jesus taught us to love one another and especially others that we have problems with. It is hard sometimes and almost seems impossible but if ya just think about all the time your wasting being angry then why not reconcile? As our society and lives get faster and faster with technology we need to take time to love each other. Even if it's just a random phone call or visit to say "Hey friend I love ya." then we need to do it. I enjoy listening to folks talk about their lives and what makes them happy. It always raises my "Happiness" thermometer to hear someone talk about their new neice, nephew, grandchild or the Wii they got for Christmas. Remeber the three "L's" Listen, Love and Laugh. Until next time talk amongst yerselves!

Stan the Ramblin Man