Who Am I? A Finish Line User is Who

Who am I could be a question or the beginning of the answer. Who am I has an answer which is a moving target, it would seem. I am blessed and cursed to have many outlets in my life to express my inner-feelings. Not the least of which is to write. Sadly, with my new job at Valentie's I am not able to do as much as I'd like. I am grateful to be working at such a fine establishment!

 I was thinking recently about success and/or lack of it. I was reminded of one of the papers I wrote for school. The thrust of my point was that not all A s are created equally. Furthermore, there is no law which states 100% is the maximum A. To put a finer point on my thought it has occurred to me that life is like a series of one minute races. If you take any one minute and examine it what you might find would surprise you. If the minute was the last in a marathon and you were in kick mode pushing to the finish line you would be expending maximum effort. What if it was the eighth of a 15 minute coffee break. Would you be on auto pilot with minor effort? Sadly, yes in most cases and if the break included a cigarette that would be like wasting more than just the minute. You cannot race if you died from smoking. (Sorry Feb 9 was my one year smoke free)

 My point is the most successful of us are simply able to mentally put into place finish lines all throughout our day. Even better is when you can stagger them like planes waiting to land at an airport. Have a series of lines just on the horizon. This is why I try to fill my day with so many different experiences. Just now this second my radar of airport traffic has: finish this post, a three dog wood burning in progress, a two person wood burning for a friend at work who recently lost her daughter to long term illness, a painting swap project I am doing with a friend (she was stuck on a painting as was I so we a completing each others) I have research cooking for a church trustee meeting Saturday for upgrading the computers, I have two new pizzas I want to try to perfect one I get to work, I have to try and work on my home cooking and the list continues. I have the answer to people who say I will never use this once I get out of school again. Yes, yes you will, they teach you how to think and manage time and lay out reasonable holding spots in your brain to keep it all straight. This must be why I love cooking. I have tons of stuff on my radar and lets face nobody likes a crash.

Make the most of your races. It's like and old boss told me "If you take care of the pennies, the dollars will take care of themselves." Thanks Jim Artwell for that one.

 Please have your pet spayed or neutered. The overflowing shelters will thank you.

Awesome Bike Down Rio near Christ Redeemer Scary

Please have your pet spayed or neutered. The overflowing shelters will thank you.

Cleveland's Gastro-Gems the West Side Market and Phnom Penh

The sky, January 9th 2013, was absolutely clear and had a blue that you could get lost in. The forty plus degrees had me wearing shorts. As my regular readers know, the West Side Market, is a favorite destination of ours. We ate lunch at Phnom Penh which was great. Our visit included a few starters and a couple of the chef's selections.

Opening the doors to the market and waiting for that unmistakable smell to hit you was slightly delayed. There was a person "Actively" using their First Amendment rights on the corner of W25th and Lorain. My wife Lisa, an RN, said "Looks like someone forgot their meds today." This was met with loud laughter by a man waiting for the bus.

We took the time to visit the upstairs balcony and take it all in. The sounds, smells, and general purpose driven strides taken by fellow shoppers kept us moving. I was able to get a large box of Portobello   mushrooms which became a hearty soup, briefly. The smokey flavor of the rendered ham hocks and bacon end cuts took that soup to the next level. We received a Nutribullet from my mom for our tenth anniversary. We found lots of fresh berries and produce to extract and drink. Thanks Mom. You were always an inspiration in the kitchen to me.

Please have your pet spayed or neutered. The overflowing shelters will thank you.

Link to my West Side Market Wood Burning

http://www.pyropooch.com/2012/12/nonno-joes-joe-where-my-west-side.html

Please have your pet spayed or neutered. The overflowing shelters will thank you.

God, why? How could Newtown, CT. Suffer so

Why oh why must there be such pain in our world? To take the most vulnerable among us seems so unfair.
Friday's tragedy calls into question the very fabric of our society and leaves us to wonder why. Did we say I love you, make the most of our time, and allow ourselves to be receptive to divine guidance.

If you are reading this, perhaps, you are also seeking those answers too. In a haste to rush off to work bundling up the 20 ill-fated children might have gone completely differently, if they only knew. Perhaps, the quick yogurt would have been replaced with chocolate chip pancakes. Or the abbreviated story time on Thursday evening would have included all the favorites. The difference in time and effort are truly not so different.

 Time is a way to organize our lives but not our emotions. If you were able to spend just a few minutes helping a friend or family member instead of simply "running late" all the time or I gotta go, you could leverage those few minutes. Making time to me is just waking up a bit earlier, getting dressed a bit earlier, and then waiting for the gentle nudge of God to help us see an opportunity to brighten someone else's day.

 The truth is none of us knows when our last day will be or the last for our loved ones. Ironically, I saw something on Facebook last week before all this unfolded. It was this photo:

From iphone 13 Private

I realize this photo may offend some. I think it speaks volumes about the state of our world. Do youngsters really need armed police in the classroom? If the teachers are not free to teach without fear that is no good either. Please, just take the time to love all you can and make the most of your time here. When I see the President wiping tears away during a press conference, I know this is not good. I tried to avoid this. I was overtaken by a pastor tearing up saying one of the little girls was set to be an angel in the church play next week.
On a lighter note, Joy to the World sung by our church choir, this morning was awesome. Keep hope alive.

Please have your pet spayed or neutered. The overflowing shelters will thank you.

FIAT Strongsville with Bob Altieri fun times

Who the hell bought Chrysler?? that was my thought a couple of years ago. As with most marketing efforts, eventually you get used to seeing something. Then you see a commercial that just unlocks a combination of factors and wham you gotta get one. This was my moment:

Bob, was in no hurry. He took time to show me all the different versions FIAT offers. Whether you want a convertible top, turbo charged engine, stick or automatic he was willing to find the right one. I would highly recommend a visit to FIAT Strongsville and check out all of their offerings. They are blowing out the 2012 models. I would say the car has a feeling of quality about it which is like an iPhone. When you hold it and use it it feels right and good. I also like that Bob bought his own car, which he has modified a bit with some aftermarket exhaust tweeks and the like.

Please have your pet spayed or neutered. The overflowing shelters will thank you.

Sandy, you cooked up some awesome soup!

I am sitting at a local motel just thankful to be alive, warm, quenched, and in the light. I have no choice but to take this posture. I have gone all in with a higher power and trust in my creator.

Why? Why not get really mad at my circumstance. Or blame someone like Mitt Romney or President Obama. I simply cannot ascribe so much power to mere men. There were 25 foot swells on Lake Erie. That, is a first for me in my 40 years. I am thankful because I believe. This storm has affected nearly everyone I know in some way. This was a once in a generation event.

Surly, sitting in a motel and not my home is not ideal. However, the house is still in one piece. I spent Monday, in the quiet, washing dishes by hand with my wife, and cooking up a big pot of chicken noodle soup, together. No microwave, or computer to intrude. The car charger kept iPhones at hand, but baby steps. We were forced to seek shelter due to C-PAP machines needed for sleeping. My posture is calm. I can only give credit to my weekly church attendance.

This was unthinkable just four months ago. Now the thought of missing is unheard of. Why? Do I think there is an  invisible man in the sky who is always in need of money; as George Carlin suggested on one of his Albums. No, I go to get something even more important to me that electricity. I get a feeling being there helping where I can and seeing a group of people throw in together to achieve big things. There is a student attending college in engineering because our church supports Cleveland Christian Home. This is like the feeling you get when you see someone drop $20 and pick it up and just hand it back to them. You know you were right. There is no need for words. It just feels right. I hope Sandy with her soup cooking abilities might cause some other outcomes. People actually talking and taking time to thank their creator for what they do have and not what they do not.    

Please have your pet spayed or neutered. The overflowing shelters will thank you.

JazzOfficial

JazzOfficial

www.facebook.com/pages/Union-Church-United-Church-of-Christ-Tekonsha-MI/110000105684801Reverend Barbara Pryor 517-767-4652

The Car Lovers Man Cave

I was explaining to one of the younger staff members the other day that along with the gray hair and the sore joints you just get better toys too.

Please have your pet spayed or neutered. The overflowing shelters will thank you.

My friend and former professor is raising money for a great cause, help her!

https://www.facebook.com/events/373847952683790/
http://www.alexslemonade.org/mypage/86432
http://www.youtube.com/alexslemonade
Please have your pet spayed or neutered. The overflowing shelters will thank you.

Update on Charlie Situation / UOD Clarification

Just so everyone knows, Charlie has been adopted by a friend and classmate of mine. He has given him a home full of love, children, another dog and cat, and his soon to be wife. For this gift to Charlie I am forever in his debt. Marc is a great guy.

Now to a more pressing need. I need to address some comments on my previous post. I WAS WRONG in the way I characterized Urgent Ohio Dogs. I have had some time to go through the process of adopting a dog. Also I have taken to heart some of the comments. I think some context will help. I fully support them and know how hard the work is they are trying to accomplish.

First, I saw some dogs on the UOD Can be PTS anytime album with the notation DIES MONDAY. It is very possible I conflated the two to mean all dogs there were going to die Monday.

Second, I adopted Charlie on Friday the conversation between Jack and my Wife took place Saturday, after Charlie was home here. To Carrie Graham My intent was not to slam anyone who is trying to help an animal get a home. It was a human who acted in an irresponsible way, which got them to the kennel in the first place.

Finally, when I was there I was dealing with a blond woman who was helpful and 2 deputies. I did not meet the warden. I proceeded with the adoption since I asked the woman are you going to put the boxer in 12 down Monday? I told her I read this on a web site and she said it is possible. Also when I was outside with him at first there was no fence around us, he had a black rubber leash on backwards around his neck he backed up and it loosened. I was afraid I was going to lose him. A deputy grabbed him on the side of his neck and picked him up. Charlie was not happy and tried to get this deputy off him. He said this dog bites. I said no he needs a proper collar leash. They left us alone and he reverted to his loving playful self. He laid in the mulch and then inside getting up for a drink of water. He gave me a huge hug. He was no biter and I feared he was being mislabeled. The time for action was then. That is why I proceeded.

The hardest part has been letting go of Charlie. In a different time or circumstance perhaps I could have kept him. He has left an impression on me which will last for a lifetime. He is in great hands now. I'm not sure if NoNo Joe's bacon from West Side Market is in his future. I will bring some when I visit. I made a wood burning from the photo in the first post:

As a new comer to the helping dogs in shelters I hope the UOD folks can accept my apology. My intent was good, as is yours.

Please have your pet spayed or neutered. The overflowing shelters will thank you.

9 Month Boxer Dog Charlie needs a home call 216-225-1054

As boxer dogs go Charlie is a terrific dog. I have had several in my life and find them a joy to have in a house. Charlie (a name I gave him), had the misfortune of becoming separated from his original owners. I can assume this based on his exceptional potty training, sitting, and sharing his paw on command. He is full of energy and loves to play. I would guess he is 9-12 months old.

Well Rich, if he is all that why don't you keep him? I would love to!!! However, my household has 2 dogs already. As the tower boss in Top Gun famously said "Negative ghost rider the pattern is full." Charlie deserves to be the star of his house. Our Eddie is very much the star, as you may know.

I got Charlie from the Lorain County dog kennel. I was under the impression his life was in mortal danger. He first appeared on Urgent Ohio Dogs on Facebook June 21, 2012. with this photo

He looks huge here. He is about 45-50 pounds and very healthy.

Please have your pet spayed or neutered. The overflowing shelters will thank you.

Other photos that touch your heart

Check Out http://www.breakfast44134.com/ My breakfast venture sharing space with Grandma Helen's Kitchen at 5883 Broadview Road in Parma. We offer huge custom omelets, locally sourced meats, and fast friendly service. Dine in or carry out.

Memorial Day Weekend 2012 did you remember to remember?

Hello my friends and regular readers. It has been too long since I have posted a story. I have a good reason, however, like my high school principal, Mr. Ed Kershaw, used to say "Rich, excuses are like back sides.... everyone has them and they all stink!" So I am here now. Here in a world whose lights burn a bit brighter and whose sights and smells register much clearer.

I have great news. June 9TH will mark 4 months since I quit smoking. May 24TH marked 4 months since I radically changed my eating habits. I have lost nearly 80 pounds since then. I must say I feel better than I have in years. This new lifestyle I am living has been the ongoing research for a book I plan to write called "The No Crumb Diet."

Obviously, the title denotes limited carbs, but why? The why is why I am going to write this for so many of my friends who need to have tools to conquer food fights. Much more to say in future posts. I just had to let everyone know why I have been to busy.

Tania, Thomas and Me on May 12th

 May 10, 2012 was the first day of my new breakfast adventure called Breakfast 44134. So missing the last half of the third ever shift was hard. I guess missing my own commencement on May 12th would have been even harder. Luckily I have great friends in Sam, Joe, The Schmidts , and the owner of our host restaurant David Kantor who all helped out. Working towards goals and then reaching them has forced me to make new goals. What does the winner of the log rolling contest do? Either jump in or jump on another log.

Yesterday, I hosted a vets eat for free event at breakfast44134.com it was not as busy as I would have liked. However, I did have the pleasure and honor of cooking for the Mayor of Parma Mr. Tim DeGeeter . He showed up and enjoyed a breakfast. He insisted on paying for his meal even though he was a veteran. I hope to work with him on any number of issues facing Parma residents.The Facebook page for Breakfast 44134 Like us please.

Fighting for freedom or for a degree or a new restaurant takes time and persistence. Every option we worry about these days was put into place by a select group of men and women who gave their very lives for us. I try hard to make their gains grow from acorns into mighty oaks who tower and shade others. Thank you. May God continue to bless our nation.


Check Out http://www.breakfast44134.com/ My breakfast venture sharing space with Grandma Helen's Kitchen at 5883 Broadview Road in Parma. We offer huge custom omelets, locally sourced meats, and fast friendly service. Dine in or carry out.

Unbelievable Audio of Teachers abusing Autistic 10 year old boy

This is just so wrong!!!

Check Out http://www.pyropooch.com/ My Custom Wood Burning Site where you can buy one of a kind gift, hand made by me.