Where Am I Today?

Author © Scott D. Zachary

       Today is the 9^th of April 2022. In drafting this book of short-story memoirs, I have often thought it would be good to start off each story with a spiel about my frame of mind at the time and what thoughts are uppermost before writing about whatever the story will entail. It’s a little late in the process to do that, but oh well, in the infamous words of President Reagan’s Secretary of Defense when the President was shot, and the VP was nowhere to be found, “I’m in charge here.” I can do whatever I want inside the covers of my book. I have few expectations for what will become of this mountain of words, anyway. I’m just having fun.

       I will make this whole chapter answer the question, “Where Am I Today?” Let’s ramble a bit about my state of affairs on this beautiful morning in Lewisport, Kentucky, as I overlook the Ohio River through my office window. Oops, the bird feeders are empty. Time to go feed all the glorious cardinals. Back in a few...

       I’m back. I love where my wife, Bobbie, put the bird feeders that our next-door neighbor, Toni, gave us. While typing at my computer, I merely turn my head about 15 degrees to admire God’s beautiful flying creatures pecking at our offerings. I especially like watching the cardinals, robed in their flaming red feathers.

       Yesterday, I told my new psychotherapist, Donald, “I could not imagine how my life could be better... for a sixty-five-year-old geezer.” I’d better look that up in case it implies something that I don’t really intend. Let’s see... Webster’s unabridged dictionary says it’s an “Odd, eccentric, unreasonable person. Especially, an old man.” That’s close. I certainly am odd and eccentric. I think I’m reasonable, though. At least, I often reason my way through most situations to the nth degree. I suppose, though, once I’ve reached my conclusions, I can be unreasonable, even though I like to think I’m open-minded beyond that point—just not easily swayed.

       I’m in good health with no problems to speak of. I recently completed the 5K and 10K races of the Triple Crown in Louisville. Last weekend, I canceled my participation in the 15K since it was 32 degrees that morning with a wind chill of 23 and misting rain. I did do an 8-mile run/walk the previous weekend on the Greenbelt Trail around Owensboro in preparation for the 15K third leg of the Triple Crown. The key will be to keep my fitness because it takes me longer each time to begin training, and it’s progressively harder to whip this old body into condition. I went for a complete physical examination last month. Dr. Gipe glanced over my blood stats and said, “Perfect.” Match that!

       My life is as fulfilling as it could be. Bobbie and I plan to go to Buctzotz, Mexico, in two weeks to worship the Lord in the church for which we funded the construction over the past two years. Pastor Basilio says he never imagined someone so generous. Likewise, we never imagined someone so honest as Pastor Basilio. From the Yucatan, we will go to El Salvador to visit the missionaries from our church, their seven children, and a fish named “Bobbie.” Ryan and Melissa organized the construction of a tilapia farm on the island of Tasajera, and Bobbie helped fund it. This project supports eight families who operate the farm. Assisting with these projects is about as cool as it gets, especially since our focus in life now is to help others achieve their dreams.

       Even when we are not galivanting around the globe, Bobbie and I engage in exciting projects. For example, yesterday, we made our usual rounds to five locations where we checked our drop-boxes for used shoes. We struck gold yesterday. Two of the sites’ boxes were full! Every couple of months, we deliver a carload of good used shoes to WaterStep in Louisville. They sell the shoes for resale overseas, and the proceeds help fund the establishment of water treatment systems worldwide.

       Considering that more people die from drinking disease-infested water than from any other cause and that this is entirely preventable, I’d say that we have a good response for Harvey Titterson. Who is he? You will have to read the story “Show Cause” to find out. The President asked Harvey to give cause for why God should allow mankind to not be popped like a pimple. Working to save hundreds of thousands of lives is justification enough for me.

       Speaking of WaterStep, we plan to help Heysell Sandoval, a missionary in Nicaragua, begin setting up water treatment systems for the Moskito Indians in the northeastern area of the country. We might pay her way to Louisville for hands-on training. We should coordinate with Heysell and Omar Barquero so they can both visit from Nicaragua and learn how to install water treatment systems together.

       Bobbie and I both have good-paying, highly skilled, and satisfying jobs in which we are well respected. Both positions give us the flexibility to galivant. Most people at our age think of little besides retirement. That’s the last thing on my mind. Aunt Marvelene taught me well. She said, “Don’t slow down, Scott. It will kill you.” So, I haven’t, and I won’t.

       Sitting here watching our cat, Mr. Dandy Lion, as he scrutinizes the world from his padded perch, I ask myself, “Why would I bother to imagine how my life could be any better?” Most times, all I can see is the vibrant silver linings. Yet, I glimpse the dark clouds just enough to make me appreciate the way things are.

       Thank you, God, for being so good to me today.

       Oh yeah, I almost forgot. I just celebrated 150 months of sobriety.