|
Home::Humor
EVERYONE HAS A DOUBLE SOMEWHERE
Author : By Rev. James L. Snyder
The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and Yours Truly have an agreement as ironclad as any legal document in the world court. Simply put, the contract is as follows: I will eat broccoli when she eats liver. I'm on pretty good ground here because I know she abhors liver and will not allow me bringing it into our domicile in any form.
In fact, if I consume any liver I'm sometimes not allowed home until it has completely gone through my system, which can take up to three days depending on my physical condition at the time.
With this in mind, I had a vicious attack of liveritis last week and needed a fix of nicely fried chicken livers. Whenever such a malady assaults me, there is only one thing for me to do, and I know what it is.
I head for the Slurp ‘N Burp Café. Nobody puts together a mess of chicken livers as tender and juicy as the Slurp ‘N Burp. Whenever I can escape the Misses' notice, I slip away and enjoy a plate of these delightful delicacies that just melt in my mouth.
Last Thursday I set out to gratify my craving when an incredible thing happened.
About halfway through a plate of the most delicious chicken livers this side of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, a man walked into the restaurant.
I simply could not believe my eyes. He was the spitting image of a friend of mine. The trouble was, my friend died a little over a year ago and this man could have passed for his twin.
Someone said everyone has a double somewhere and I was a believer; at least in this case.
As this man walked by, I nodded and he touched his finger to his hat — the same way my friend use to. It was one of those uncanny moments you never forget. A rush of memories flooded my mind as I thought of my old friend. He was the original Florida Cracker if there ever was one.
His family moved to Miami in 1920 when he was six years old. It was a different Florida in those days, as he often reminded me.
He was an outdoorsman to the end. As a young lad, he and his family would camp in the wild Florida swamps and live off the land. Not like people do today in luxurious RVs, with all the latest conveniences; hot showers, color TV and a fully stocked kitchen.
No siree. My friend lived off the land. They ate what they caught with the rod or shot with the gun, cooking it over an open campfire, "The way the Good Lord fully intended," he would say as he remembered those days.
In the trunk of his car, he always had his fishing gear for, "Ya never know when the urge to go fishin' will come on and it's always best to be prepared." He was a Boy Scout and as such was fully prepared for any eventuality.
He once told me he had eaten about every kind of bird there was in the state of Florida. Then with a twinkle in his eye he would say, "Course, some you needed ‘bout a dozen or so to make a good sandwich."
He frequently came to my church study, and when he should have been mowing the lawn and I should have been busy with church work, he regaled me with enchanting stories of those early days in Florida.
It wasn't long before I could repeat his stories, as well as he. Toward the end, he would confuse the stories and mix them up somewhat, but I never corrected him. I was tempted, but they were his stories and I figure a man should have liberty in telling his stories any way he pleases.
We would be talking in my office and the telephone would ring. We would look at the ringing telephone and he would laugh. "Bet I know who's callin'."
He was always right. It was his wife, wondering where her husband was, who should've been home an hour ago.
During my interview at my present church, he was on the examining board. All through the interview, he sat there just looking me over, not saying a word. Finally, at the end he spoke up.
"All I want to know is, Pastor, when was the last time you went fishin'?"
At the time, I did not know what he meant and mumbled something to the effect that I was too busy for such nonsense. He just smiled. A smile I was to come to know and appreciate.
He had a way of saying something to you without ruffling your feathers, but more important, he knew when he had said enough.
Years later I know exactly what he meant.
I'm reminded of a saying of another friend of mine, "Either come apart and rest awhile, or you'll simply come apart."
During these busy days, it is easy to forget how important it is to slow down and take everything in stride. It's the same old story; so much to do and so little time.
The Bible states this truth in a wonderful way. "There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief." (Hebrews 4:9-11 KJV.)
If it is true that everyone has a double, I fully expect to meet me coming around a corner, somewhere.
About the Author
Rev. James L. Snyder is an award winning author and popular columnist living with his wife, Martha, in Ocala, FL. Spam emails More free articles Related articles
|
More related feeds |
FILMMAKERS BLOG: SEA JOURNEY
What I do believe is that everyone has a purpose in life—and sometimes we fight with our environment because our purpose is not met there. The truth is that my Sacrifice is ultimately FOR America, to save America—to help it reflect upon ...Vacation Day Three: Wal-ligators.
Around our house, in spring and summer, seemingly everyone has rummage sales, unloading all the junk they’ve accumulated in the prior year — mostly from other rummage sales. I’ve noticed in recent years that the word “Rummage” is rarely ... the art of being a girl
Then add to that the fact that God has blessed me with three boys… Beauty and primping and shopping and shoes just don’t really fit into my life. My husband’s side of the closet has easily double the clothes and shoes as mine. ... Thoughts while driving home(s)
Almost everyone on my floor has gone home. I am conferring with my Atlanta teammate over our instant message system. In his world, it’s 7:30, so I guess I shouldn’t complain. I can see that there are only a few people in the United ... The Search for Inner Peace (part 1 of 4): The Obstacles to ...
It is not a desire that is new to our time; rather, it is something that everybody has been searching for throughout the ages, regardless of color, creed, religion, race, nationality, age, sex, wealth, ability or technological ... what day is it?
Even though William has a right ear infection, Elizabeth has a left ear infection, Carolyn has a double ear infection ... and Charlie has what we believe is a sinus infection ... we are having fun. We are going to bed late, ... Bulletins
Of course everybody has his own point of view and I am the last one to judge the motivation of certain authors. So what follows is my personal opinion and perhaps can be a hint when you write your next message to your friends. ... Chocolate Underground - 02
He has a double earing!!! On both ears too!! Aww~ His face looks so kawaii~ His hair looks familiar… it kinda looks like Thobari-sensei from Nabari no Ou. Well, I shouldn’t go any farther on which character looks like who. ... 1986 C's Go Up 2-0 Over Bucks
He will lead and everyone else will follow, and there will be some good singing of songs at the end. That was the thought Larry Bird took away from this place three years ago, and that is the way he has played, and that is the way it ... Update Premiere Direkt TV Listing: July 4 to July 11
Originally released into theaters on a double bill with Robert Rodriguez's Planet Terror under the Grindhouse banner, this Quentin Tarantino directed movied finds a group of ladies out on the town pitted against a mysterious figured ...
|
|
|
