A DAY IN THE LIFE
I took a hot bath this morning. Then, after making my bed and saying "Good Morning" to my roommate, Sana--I jumped on my bike and headed off to breakfast.
Sound exciting enough for you yet? Stay tuned!
The Dixie house seems to cater to defunct older men which makes it great for breakfast. At $3.99 it's hard to beat sausage/bacon, eggs, toast, cream gravy, hash browns, strawberry preserves and coffee. (Okay, coffee IS extra.)
Still not exciting enough? Hang in there . . .
I didn't realize it was 59 degrees when I got on my bike after that hot bath! Immediately my shoulders became sore. I was baffled. That is, until I remembered having that truel to the death on Saturday morning with two vicious biting dogs! Swinging that bicycle back and forth must have wrenched a muscle--or something--(that's what older people always say: "I wrenched" a muscle."
So, after breakfast I headed for Starbucks, my home-away-from-home where I commence my writing for the day.
As I was sitting down, a fellow of about 45 smiled at me and spoke:
"How are you feeling this morning?"
"My shoulders are sore from fighting with a couple of stray dogs. I think I wrenched my neck."
He smiled and nodded. Then, he stood as I sat. He turned to face me and asked me another question:
"Do you believe in the power of prayer?"
___________
Now any of you who know me know I have a wide range of quips, comebacks, parries and thrusts at my disposal from a lifetime of smart-assery. But--I thought I'd be diplomatic--for a change.
I answered the way a politician answers: without saying anything.
"I was baptized in 1963 and I'm no stranger to prayer. I'm 68 and still alive in good health." (How's that for a diplomatic answer?)
So the man grins. He askes yet another question while still standing in front of me gazing down.
"Do you acknowledge the healing power of Jesus Christ?"
Well now, I was in such a good mood this morning, I just didn't feel at all like screwing around and spoiling this inquisitive fella's morning.
Now comes the part you've been waiting for. The good fellow with the ordinary face and kindly smile stepped closer and reached out and laid his hand upon my shoulder right there in the middle of Starbucks!
I don't know how you'd react to this--but I was suddenly having a great fun time! Where else but Texas can you get breakfast for under $4 plus your shoulder healed in Starbucks for free?
The next thing I know, this stranger summons his inner Benny Hinn and raises his right hand to Jesus as his left hand finds the sore spot in my shoulder unbidden, and he commences to beseech the miracles of heaven to flow into my anterior musculature as a soothing Balsam from Gildead. Or something.
His recitation, which included some rather colorful vocabulary usage such as "vexing affliction" and "unwarranted encounter with beasts of the field," and capped it off with a hearty "In the blood of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ." (To which I joined in with a magnificent and stentorian "AAAAA-MEN!"
I was sucking up the numinous powers of celestial succor like chocolate milk through a straw! It's the most fun I've had since I found a $20 bill in the pocket of an old pair of pants.
My benefactor was interrupted by another man he'd been waiting on, and they immediately went off to another part of Starbucks to talk 'bidness'.
And that was that!
Except, it wasn't. . .
My shoulder instantly improved and the pain in my neck vanished as sure as I'm sitting here--no shit!
Now isn't that dandy?
Post Script:
I just sneezed. A lady sitting to my right smiled at me and offered a warm, "God Bless You!"
I can see this is going to be one of the good days!