A sweet young lady asked me to consider posting here. Some of it is new, some old, some funny, some poignant. It's all original & true unless specifically marked 'fiction' or attributed to the author. I will add more to the thread if you find it enjoyable.
GOD bless,
-Special Ed the Barber
*****************************************
April 29, 2007
Starting over after 50... It just may not be whole lot of fun, however it does promise to be rich with opportunities to glorify GOD (and/or make an absolute fool of myself). A year ago I was off-shored (i.e. laid-off), and decided to 'retire' from engineering. I decided to go to barber college. Honest, I wasn't drunk! I've just barely managed to get through the countless hours of disappointment & satisfaction, depression & elation, fear and faith, guilt & joy, and the general terror of 8 1/2 months of barber school. I can cut hair, shave a face, care for the lost and helpless, and pry a tip out of even the most determined of skinflints. Now that I have passed my state board exams, I get to go job hunting. Whoopee! The last time I job hunted was 1986! I must pray for patience for those poor miserable people soon to experience my all consuming angst. GOD must really love me to put up with this much whining. Will my faith grow sufficient to my need? How do I die to self when there is so much of myself in me? Sleep escapes me. I must hope in GOD.
*****************************************
April 30, 2007
Praise GOD for another beautiful day!
Climb out of hammock... check. I thought it sweet when my Welsh Springer joined me up on the back yard hammock last night. That is until she jumped out, sending the hammock swinging wildly about. Surfs up Monty!
Drink coffee... check.
Bring in the trash cans... check.
Read forum posts... check. Wow, thank you all for the lovely comments. I'm clueless on the blessings thing, but they sound wonderful to receive, and painless too!
So begins another day.
Im stalling. I really need to go and tell the owner of the barber shop (where I was supposed to work) that I wont be working there. He doesnt want the barbers to cut hair with shears (too slow), another barber doesnt want me to give shaves (he may have to), and a third barber suggests I look for a better place to work. The poor sanitation, lack available electrical hookups, a leaky roof, back biting and bitter gossip and an overall mood of contention in such a tiny little place is unbelievable. Whats not to love? I tried to determine if GOD wanted me there, but even I can take a hint (if GOD rolls it up like a newspaper and swats me with it a few dozen times. Well, its off to the showers. I just hope it doesnt smell like peaches. GOD Bless!
*****************************************
May 1, 2007
I have been married to my bride (Sandy) for over 20 years. She's not the hopeless romantic that I am. She doesnt shower me with kisses or fill my ears with tender words. She doesnt cuddle or go for long quiet walks. Yet I do not question my wifes love for me, at least not after the incident.
It was summer and the sun had yet to set. After 11+ hours of doing urgent yet mostly inconsequential work, I was feeling frustrated, worn out, and a little bit unappreciated. Arriving home, I pulled up to wrought iron gates bracketed by 100 ft. of hot-tamale red fence, fronted by blue-green eucalyptus trees. Through the gates I could see my wife coming out to open the gates and Katie, my ever-faithful, English Springer spaniel. Despite her aging bones, Katie was jumping and yelping excitedly as if to say Daddys home, Daddys home! How come you never greet me at the gate like that? I asked my wife as I drove by through the gates. I dont remember her answer. The next day was long and grueling, in every way equal to its predecessor. However this time, as I pulled up to the wrought iron gates, I could look through and see Katie, my ever-faithful, English springer spaniel and my ever faithful bride, jumping excitedly side by side, as if to say Daddys home, Daddys home!
Katies gone now, but Ive still got the wife. And a memory few men will ever be privileged to call their own.
Pro 31:10 An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.
*****************************************
Hearts Content
Oh that Almighty God might look upon this child and see...
Not the odious frame of a broken and contrite man,
But the glorious visage of His own Son's face,
Looking up to Him from deep within my heart.
~ Honor God
GOD bless,
-Special Ed the Barber
*****************************************
April 29, 2007
Starting over after 50... It just may not be whole lot of fun, however it does promise to be rich with opportunities to glorify GOD (and/or make an absolute fool of myself). A year ago I was off-shored (i.e. laid-off), and decided to 'retire' from engineering. I decided to go to barber college. Honest, I wasn't drunk! I've just barely managed to get through the countless hours of disappointment & satisfaction, depression & elation, fear and faith, guilt & joy, and the general terror of 8 1/2 months of barber school. I can cut hair, shave a face, care for the lost and helpless, and pry a tip out of even the most determined of skinflints. Now that I have passed my state board exams, I get to go job hunting. Whoopee! The last time I job hunted was 1986! I must pray for patience for those poor miserable people soon to experience my all consuming angst. GOD must really love me to put up with this much whining. Will my faith grow sufficient to my need? How do I die to self when there is so much of myself in me? Sleep escapes me. I must hope in GOD.
*****************************************
April 30, 2007
Praise GOD for another beautiful day!
Climb out of hammock... check. I thought it sweet when my Welsh Springer joined me up on the back yard hammock last night. That is until she jumped out, sending the hammock swinging wildly about. Surfs up Monty!
Drink coffee... check.
Bring in the trash cans... check.
Read forum posts... check. Wow, thank you all for the lovely comments. I'm clueless on the blessings thing, but they sound wonderful to receive, and painless too!
So begins another day.
Im stalling. I really need to go and tell the owner of the barber shop (where I was supposed to work) that I wont be working there. He doesnt want the barbers to cut hair with shears (too slow), another barber doesnt want me to give shaves (he may have to), and a third barber suggests I look for a better place to work. The poor sanitation, lack available electrical hookups, a leaky roof, back biting and bitter gossip and an overall mood of contention in such a tiny little place is unbelievable. Whats not to love? I tried to determine if GOD wanted me there, but even I can take a hint (if GOD rolls it up like a newspaper and swats me with it a few dozen times. Well, its off to the showers. I just hope it doesnt smell like peaches. GOD Bless!
*****************************************
May 1, 2007
I have been married to my bride (Sandy) for over 20 years. She's not the hopeless romantic that I am. She doesnt shower me with kisses or fill my ears with tender words. She doesnt cuddle or go for long quiet walks. Yet I do not question my wifes love for me, at least not after the incident.
It was summer and the sun had yet to set. After 11+ hours of doing urgent yet mostly inconsequential work, I was feeling frustrated, worn out, and a little bit unappreciated. Arriving home, I pulled up to wrought iron gates bracketed by 100 ft. of hot-tamale red fence, fronted by blue-green eucalyptus trees. Through the gates I could see my wife coming out to open the gates and Katie, my ever-faithful, English Springer spaniel. Despite her aging bones, Katie was jumping and yelping excitedly as if to say Daddys home, Daddys home! How come you never greet me at the gate like that? I asked my wife as I drove by through the gates. I dont remember her answer. The next day was long and grueling, in every way equal to its predecessor. However this time, as I pulled up to the wrought iron gates, I could look through and see Katie, my ever-faithful, English springer spaniel and my ever faithful bride, jumping excitedly side by side, as if to say Daddys home, Daddys home!
Katies gone now, but Ive still got the wife. And a memory few men will ever be privileged to call their own.
Pro 31:10 An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.
*****************************************
Hearts Content
Oh that Almighty God might look upon this child and see...
Not the odious frame of a broken and contrite man,
But the glorious visage of His own Son's face,
Looking up to Him from deep within my heart.
~ Honor God
