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My attention was arrested with the commotion adjacent to the library. On the front lawn of the seminary workers were finishing the final touches of connecting the temporary corral. It was a small enclosure with a lot of interested people watching the progress.
The trailer parked on the street said it all. It was covered with pictures and paintings of the travelling petting zoo. I was drawn over like a magnet had it grips on my soul. Animals attract us humans especially when the little critters are cute.
By cute I mean soft and cuddly. There are corresponding very cute sounds as well. Calves moo quietly. Horses whiny. Piglets oink. Lambs bleat. Goats sound very close to sheep.
The burro was especially captivating. He was a fluff ball ready to be petted. In his enclosure he was happy to munch away on his pile of hay.
His head was a mass of fur. His eyes were dark brown and showed total relaxation. He seemed to welcome the many little humans coming up to pet him, pat his head and talk special children language with them.
His pony pal was in the same corral. They shared the food for the day. Colors, shiny coats and gentle faces made the children squeal with delight.
Cautious parents watched over their brood carefully. They prompted hesitant children to reach out and touch the animals. They often set the example.
The corral master was funny, “Welcome, one and all! Children, touch and pet our extra friendly animals. Be careful not to pick up anything on the ground. Those are not chocolate candy pieces.”
Over to my right was a black bunny. Even though people and animals towered over him, he seemed totally relaxed. He was stretched out on the lawn taking in the massive stimuli around him. His nose was wiggling at a rapid pace, but you could see the peace in his eyes.
The only stressed animal in the pen was the piglet. For some reason the children all wanted to pet him. Parents tried to restrain the little porker to make it easier for the children to touch him. But, he was squealing for freedom. His only objective was to get to the food trough. Once there he was content to feed away and the children could pet away. It was an opportunity to have a symbiotic moment of food and feelings all at the same time.
These animals were a delight. Well cared for and expertly groomed they created a lot of smiles. They were all so cute!
photo credit: brucefong cellphone photography
My special place for surprises is the grocery store. When I have a low-level of expectations, something surprises me in one of the departments or inside of one of the many aisles. This last trip to the store was no exception.
Again my duties as chief buggy pusher were being fulfilled with splendid skill. Deftly I followed my bride through the aisles and expertly dodging other shoppers and displays. Casually, I would be observing things around me.
Suddenly the great disappointment of November 2012 had an amazing resurgence. Do your remember the historic sadness that gripped our nation? It was a loss of enormous impact on the American people. Even the world would feel the reverberations of this catastrophic failure.
Hostess shut down and the Twinkie was no more. This creme filled delight for decades was now a museum piece. In a flash across the screens of American TV, this icon of children’s lunches was no longer an option
In my childhood I remember my mother buying the quantity box with individually wrapped Twinkies. When I received one of those treats in my sack lunch, I saved it for dessert. When it was time, I tore open the cellophane wrapper.
In my hands was the fluffy yellow cake. It had a fragrance unique to this Hostess morsel. Who knew that some day nutritionists would tell about color chemicals and dyes that would cause us to worry about poisoning our bodies for an early demise.
Now, as a child, the smile on my face was real. The first bite was just as my expectations had recalled. Flavor was unmistakably sweet, soft and highlighted by the cream-filling. Most importantly, the treat was all mine.
When the news of Hostess shutting down and the inevitable demise of the famous Twinkie, I felt a twinge of sadness like all of America. There were jokes about it, legends about special moments and of course the all time favorite satire skits on TV. This was a brand that everyone knew but it was going extinct.
That’s the surprise! Right there in the store I abruptly stopped. On a prominent display, Sara Lee was introducing their individually wrapped yellow cakes with a cream center. Also, they were advertising their chocolate cupcake as well.
Someone in this company had better receive a bonus. Maybe they should get a promotion. Someone had the brilliant idea to take what was a treasure now up for grabs.
photo credit: brucefong cellphone photography
I have struggled over the Prayer of Serenity:
God
grant me the serenity
to accept the things I can not change,
the courage to change the things I can
and the wisdom to know the difference.
Amen.
It is a simple and beautiful prayer. Each stanza is meaningful. Then, the final punch knocks it out of the park.
Of course life is not always about what is serene. There are times when we just have a difficult time when people mess up the options for us. Someone rewrote this poetic satire:
God
grant me the serenity
to accept the things I can not change,
the courage to change the things I can
and the wisdom
to Hide the Bodies of the those People I had to knock off because the ticked me off.
Amen.
No, of course I am not being irreverent. Admittedly, I laughed. There was truth to this humorous editorial on a common and popular prayer. Most of us who deal with people can understand this twist on words that describes a common human experience.
People more than circumstances give life its deepest disappointments, don’t they? When we are alone, setting up our values and stepping into life with determination, it is people, the sour ones, the mean ones, those with a hidden agenda or those who are just plain annoying that disrupt our righteous goals. It is no wonder someone else adjusted this ancient prayer in another funny twist:
God
grant me the serenity
to accept the things I can not change,
the courage to change the things I can
and forgiveness
when I finally snap.
Amen.
A good laugh at ourselves and the challenges that we all find too common keeps life real. We each have our limits. Few have the patience of Job and find it very tempting to strike back when we are pushed by someone else who is being nasty for no reason other than they have a burr under their saddle.
Perhaps the passing of time gives those who are older the insight that the rest of us find gratifying. They have lived their lives and discovered the same things that we have in our youthful endeavors. So, we adopt their insights into living:
God
grant me the Senility
to forget the people I never liked anyway,
the good fortune to run into the ones I do,
and the eyesight to tell the difference.
Amen.
photo credit: brucefong cellphone photography
Four of us climbed out of our friends vehicle. We had found a great parking lot at the A.D. Players Theater lot near Kirby and W. Alabama Street in Houston. This was a totally new venture for us.
Our friends were all smiles as they prepared to introduce us to the acting troupe’s current performance. Live stage is always mesmerizing. Few forms of entertainment can surpass this kind of acting in real-time.
I gazed at the marquee and asked Tom if this facility served as a second purpose to house the First Church of Texaco. Referring to the sign with a nod an awkward silence followed. ”Actually, that’s the name of the play that we are going to see tonight.”
With instant reaction I laughed at my folly. No use wasting blood rushing to my head just to become a beet red blushing dolt. A raucous laugh let everyone enjoy my misdirected inquiry.
Together we took our seats. The Christian influence is throughout the play. Living our faith in good times and bad was woven throughout the play.
One nerdy shy brainiac high school student, Stanley Presley, returns to his home town of Blessing, TX. His apparent purpose to move his international headquarters to this tiny town seem most peculiar; nevertheless, he presses on. It is clear from the outset that Stanley is not a nice man, in fact he is an egotistical buffoon. We in the audience easily dislike him.
He has his assistant hire a secretary. It is peculiar to the audience that Alice is carefully studied and well-known by Stanley. Communication is short-circuited at several key points during this story. Each one was met with stunning levity and audience laughter.
Instead of keeping his clever plans focused, Alice makes him spill the beans of his romantic interests in her from their High School days. Stanley never approached the beauty queen and business entrepreneur.
Communication wires get crossed, gossip emerges and low and behold Stanley who has set up shop in the abandoned gas station attendant. Locals think that a new church is starting at the old Texaco gas station. Furthermore, they spread the word that the new pastor is Rev. Elvis (Stanley) Presley. The laughs keep pouring out.
Stanley deals with a wayward assistant and a travelling solitary pilgrim to launch his ministry career. His real heart is to woo Alice, his High School crush. It was hilarious. The play was clever. It was a wonderful evening.
photo credit: brucefong cellphone photography
The grocery store is a neutral kind of place for me. I surely don’t have aversions for going there. At the same time it is not a destination that I choose because I enjoy walking in and taking in the place. Simply it is neutral or benign.
Since I have no expectations once I arrive, then I am open to being entertained. Readily I will laugh, smile, chuckle or pause to admire something totally unexpected. It is like a free surprise without a birthday, anniversary or holiday involved.
I rounded a few end displays. My shopping cart driving was as good as ever. That’s when a vision captured my attention.
At first I was surprised. It could not be what I thought I was seeing. Quickly I changed the course of my shopping cart exploration and headed to this vision of attraction.
Our local grocery store has a very nice floral section. Arrangements, potted plants, balloons and gifts line the shelves. For any occasion there are options for any shopper.
This addition was a sight for hungry eyes. There were not flowers in these arrangements. Yet, they were very colorful.
An aroma was bountiful with these creative gift pots. I could inhale this kind of fragrance with a genuine smile. In fact I could read the individual decorations with fond memories.
These could very well be an option for celebrating someone’s special day. I have already made a mental note of this as an option. In my line of work remembering special days for special people is a constant.
Perishable is part of the delicacy of such offerings. While this gift option would not last forever, it had a shelf life that surpassed most flower arrangements. A potted plant would beat it out though.
Personally, I liked the peanut butter cup option. Straight chocolate would not be a turn off. Certainly, a collection of nut bars was a winner in my book.
It was a fun option. If a gift is supposed to make someone smile, then, this selection certainly filled the bill. Buy someone a candy bar bouquet. It will certainly make them laugh and grin and thank you profusely for your thoughtful yummy gesture.
photo credit: brucefong cellphone photography
Fresh is the word that often comes my mind when I think about heading out to enjoy a
Vietnamese meal. The food is full of flavor dominated with mounds of healthy raw vegetables. There is no greasy after effect when we leave an eatery specializing in this favorite menu.
Beginning the meal with fresh rolls is a must. There is nothing deep-fried about these. Instead, they are wrapped with rice paper. Inside are variations of shrimp, roast pork or Asian Sausage.
Add a little cilantro, lettuce and lemon grass and you have a winner. Dip the pre-meal morsel in peanut sauce and you 
always get a human reaction, “Yum!” Meals are about flavor, fresh and fun.
Guys like the meat. There is not just plenty to be served but it is also bursting with flavor. Long generations and passed on recipes give each new generation a chance to spread the wealth. It is worth spreading.
Seafood is a specialty. Whether it is delicious crab, crayfish, shellfish or fresh fish fillets these choices melt in your mouth. This is really finger licking good.
Sure, deep-fried foods have a unique flavor. It is popular fare. Vegetarian options mix nicely on the option chart. Crunchy with flavor make for a great combination.
Fruit choices make you smile. Curiosity of unique options come parts of the world that share their favorites. They are 
good, very good.
Dessert can’t be beat. Add some custard options and the meal is a winner. It will be sure to lure 
you back.
Are you cosmopolitan in your meal palate? Make sure you enjoy the world cuisine. When you do carve out a little slice for Vietnamese cooking. You will be very glad for this introduction.
photo credit: brucefong cellphone photography
It is virtually impossible to drive on a Texas freeway system and not see an advertisement for the next Buc-ee’s (pronounced Buck-ee’s). When we moved to Texas last year we passed at least two of these gas stations. While we never stopped I never forgot what a curiosity they were.
During a number of conversations with the locals who spend time on the road, we were encouraged to stop by and take a look. I would always ask, “What kind of place is it?”
People would respond, “It’s sorta like a gas station. Only it’s on steroids.”
That description always got people laughing. After the roar of the crowd died down, people would agree that that was a
good description. Finally, our travels took us for a visit to Buc-ee’s.
Of course we filled up with gas. Then, together we entered the store under the sign of the giant beaver. Does Texas
When we stepped into the store, we both exclaimed, “Wow!” It was a gas station on steroids! A long corridor was lined with household products, cowboy and cowgirl wear, outdoor supplies, hunting gear and hats galore. That’s just the first half of the store.actually have beavers in its Eco-system?
The other side of the store is all about food. There is a deli, fudge counter, grill with computer screen for self-orders, popcorn of every imaginable flavor, candy, nuts and every other kind of confection that you can create with your sweet tooth. I stopped to take a look at the western wear.
There was a hat or two that I liked. Some of the outdoor gear looked really good too. A pair of boots caught my eye but I have all the footwear that I need back at home.
The variety of jerky made my mouth water. Meat sticks tried to beckon me closer for a whiff but I resisted. While I picked up several bags of popcorn, I put them all back.
We found some trail mixes that accompanied us home. A sausage on the stick made it into our car as well. Fudge topped it all off with a cheery smile.
Before we made the long trip back home it was time to visit the restrooms. You have not been in a public restroom until you have seen a Buc-ee’s restroom. They are amazing. How can you be amazed at a Men’s Public Restroom? You gotta see it. It’s like a Restroom on steroids.
photo credit: brucefong cellphone photography
The Chinese around the world leave political, economic and athletic pursuits once a year and unite around a common celebration. It is the Lunar New Year 4711. No one forgets to put this on their calendar.
Early in my life we would have family gatherings where food was bountiful. Red envelopes for good luck were passed on to those who are single. In fact red is common during this celebration.
Red is the color of good fortune in the Chinese culture. People wear red, food is decorated in red and firecrackers are commonly in red. The lion and dragon costumes sport a lot of red as their dominant theme.
This is my first year for the Chinese New Year celebration in Houston. We drove down to the Chinese Community Center.
Thousands of people gathered for the festivities.
Dance troupes displayed choreographed routines. Each group had blazing colors on their outfits suitable for a happy time. Their movements were unique, distinct yet I noticed that so many martial arts movements were subtle as well as overt.
When we walked into the auditorium, many of the seats were already “saved” by a single relative or friend. On an average they were protecting about 12 seats each. On at least two occasions we were shooed away by a grandmother with the disposition of hen watching over her chicks.
Finally, we found two seats. Once we settled in a man loaded down with camera equipment, child paraphernalia, camel water sack and most likely his wife’s purse tried to maneuver through the aisles looking for a seat. He stood in our way during the program oblivious that he made a much better wall than a window.
The same grandmother shooed him away twice. He kept moving back row after row. Then, he crowded into the row behind me and bludgeoned my head with a couple of his bags.
I grabbed his arm and shot a look of defiance. He emerged from his languishing stupor with an immediate flare of a short temper. A fierce look and firm grasp allayed his near loss of control and he apologized profusely for his Neanderthal lack
of grace.
While he flailed about with his multiple burdens strapped to his chest and back, I protected my bride’s head with my hand. I trusted my reflexes to ward off any flying bags. The danger passed.
It’s the New Year and time to be happy. Anxiety with crowded people problems not-with-standing can be set aside. It is time to celebrate and celebrate big. Happy New Year, everyone!
photo credit: brucefong photography
My camera has an athletic events setting. Just in case I am in a situation requiring frequent shots it is there. I never really thought much of the option.
Now, I was at our youngest son’s White Coat ceremony. It is the portal that these young health professionals pass through with great delight. Now, they have finished a grueling period of rigorous classroom work.
In a matter of weeks they will begin their “rotations”. They will be assigned to real hospitals with real illnesses and injuries. There they will work alongside physicians and put their knowledge into
practice.
This is a major milestone for these students. It is worth the pause to celebrate. A ceremony when they put on their white coats is the symbol of that achievement.
Knowing that our son’s passage across the stage would happen quickly, I remembered the athletic action setting. Once it was clicked into place, I just snapped away. Each motion moment was captured on digital slides.
A faculty member introduced Jeremy by name. Cheerfully he sauntered across the stage. Another faculty member held out his white coat.
Jeremy put in one arm. People were applauding. I know that our family was cheering.
Then, the final arm slipped into place. He adjusted his shoulders like a man donning a new suit. It looked good. It seemed to fit him just right.
His faculty member smoothed out the creases. A pat on his shoulders with a beaming pride came 
from teacher to student. I was smiling while snapping away.
Then, there was a hug. That’s not usual. At least in my experience I did not commonly see such affection in a commencement ceremony.
Words were whispered that we in the crowd were not privy to. It was one professional speaking encouragement into the next generation of professionals. If that is what bedside manner is all about then these people did something very good in the educational process.
One more faculty member was on stage. She was not about to be short-changed from a congratulatory hug and special words whispered to her student. It was all happening so quickly.
Every family member and friend who came to the ceremony waited for their special member to walk the stage and be gowned in their professional white coat. We all got into the mood and cheered every graduate whose name was called. The athletic setting worked just right.
photo credit: brucefong photography
