"That tree; is my favorite!"

Front and center, it stood, that day as we were out my wife and me, when we both noticed it as we were driving up the narrow hill on a cozy winding County Road in Leesburg, Florida that day. It felt like a gloomy day as the weather was mild and not as sunny but somewhat cloudy in mid-April on that Saturday morning as we continued our searching for a new place to call home again. As we neared the top of the hill, we both had the same look on our faces as our GPS navigation system stated, "your destination is on the left in a quarter of a mile." It felt like driving around a giant lake with a beautiful tree in the center of everything. "you have arrived at your destination as we turned off the long winding County Road at the top of the hill onto a long driveway lined with aged Oak trees. The path to the house, which sat back nearly a half-mile from the roadway. Well, my dear, this certainly feels like home as he gently squeezed his wife's hand and said, "That tree; is my favorite." "Wow!" as we both took a moment to glance at its beauty. It looked like that tree seemed to be thriving in its environment, giving everything joy and excitement. We could hear the birds' songs sprang out from its massive branches as the rustling from the leaves made a swishing sound as its breeze went out in all directions through the mid-morning sky. The tree itself was by far the main attraction, and the sellers knew it as I could see from all of the gardenings around it. The house itself was cozy and aged like the beautiful tree centered in front of it. I wondered if someone built this house and planted the tree at the same time. The two together; "they were inseparable!" Someone centered them perfectly decades ago. For a moment, I was thinking of its history, and my wife softly said, "sold!" as she gently squeezed my hand. It was enough for both of us. We hardly ever went above our means of living and seemed content to have found such a lovely aged Country home surrounded by every type of tree you could imagine with nearly nothing on either side of the house in the middle of nowhere. "Perfect!" "This is it!" "What do you mean? "This is it!" No, no, I'm sorry, Sweetie, "not the cry of peace," 'this is it!' "Oh!" You caught me off guard for a moment. Don't "worry," my dear. 'You' will know the difference. I will call Sherry now to submit our offer today! "I want this tree!" You mean the house too, right? Yes, Sweetie, the home also! Hello, Sherry thank you so much for sending us this listing. The home appears to be a go for us. How fast can you make the offer? I sure hope there are no other offers on the table. Thank you, Ray; how is 'Swee-tie' doing? "Great!" She's right beside me as usual. Hold on. I'm switching to the speaker. Hi Sherry, hi Allegra, how do you like the house? We love it, and that 'tree' is so gorgeous. Please tell me they're no other offers. Unfortunately, there is only one other offer on the table, but they are struggling with their contract negotiations right now. "Ahhhh!" "Don't worry; everything is going to be okay. Let the buyers know we'll take it as-is if necessary. Ray shouted into the speaker. I'm checking for a home inspector now. Do you still have the number to that septic company Sherry? Yeah! It's called "Browns Septic Services." Ask for "Big Jonn Brown," the owner. The number is area code, and the number is (321)770-0000. "Great!" Thank you, Sherry; we look forward to hearing back from you shortly regarding the house offer. Okay, you two talk to you soon. Absolutely! and the cell phone speaker turned off. I"m so happy, Ray exclaimed as he picked up Sweetie and swung her around in the breeze coming from the whistling branches of the "Big tree." Let's go! But hope for the best when we hear back from Sherry. "Hey!" "Look, Sweetie!" There is a lake down there. You can see just about everything from the top of this hill. "I love it!" I know, me too. Me too, honey. "That tree; is my favorite!" "Sweetie!" Ray yelled as she turned to take it all in one more time. "Hello!" "Hi, Ray!" Where is "Swee-tie?" We're here on the speaker. How did it go? "Great!" The other offer that was on the table fell off due to bank account tampering, so the owners excepted your offer. And they would like to close by month's end. "Woohoo!" So, "congratulations!" You all are going to be new homeowners, "woohoo!" Thank you, Sherry, for everything. We'll talk more tonight, take care. That certainly was great news. It sure was, as Sweetie started pointing her finger around the yard and asked, what are we going to name that gorgeous tree? Tree sounds good to me, Ray thought but replied we will think of something because "that tree; is my favorite!"

"'What makes you think'... you can continue to treat me that way?"

"'What makes you think'... you can continue to treat me that way?" "Hey," 'I get it!' So, you think you've earned a right over me? I know that feeling too. I've looked in my mirror [

and, "oh yeah!" I love what I see. 'Me!'] a thousand times and said it's 'me!' they will pay to see. "You did it!" Can you see it too? "Fame!" "Fortune!" "Yeah, 'you' better know it!" I worked my butt off and got it. Maybe so, but let's get one thing straight you need to know. "You fooled 'yourself' from the beginning. You selfishly thought while looking in your own mirror, 'they will pay to see me.' [Remember?] Earned you a right over me! "Ha, ha!" We see you, but you're still selfishly thinking everything you say will get a heart right from the start. "No way, Jose!" "'What makes you think'... you can continue to treat me that way?" Yeah, I paid to see you, but sadly I remember me. You see, my mirror made me reevaluate myself when I saw me. It turns out without "Fame!" or "Fortune!" ["Oh, yeah!" I love what I see, its 'me!']

"It's coffee time!"

Hm, I can smell it now. There is nothing like that 'smell' first thing in the morning. And it's calling my name. "Come and get it, Ray!" "Oh yeah!" Folgers Classic Roast instant coffee. Mm, as I sit back with my head laid back on the top of my black Big and Tall Serta office chair with both of my hands covering my face as the whistling from my kettle sounded to indicate 'the water has started boiling' come and get your coffee. Okay, I said in a low thundering voice as I raised my head off the back of my chair, and my hands landed on my desktop and quickly pushed back as it felt like I was going a hundred or so miles per hour in reverse. Woe! as I crashed my chair into a filing cabinet on its the way back. "Oops!" I could hear ' Fuzzy Marley,' a 5-pound half breed Shih Tzu barking [with the look of I eat shoes on his face] as I awoke him from the crash of my rolling Big and Tall Serta chair into the filing cabinet. It's okay, I yelled to 'Fuzzy.' It's poppy getting started; as I repeated, Let's get this day started! As I stood up, I realized how comfortable my Big and Tall Serta chair was. It felt like the first day I sat in it before purchasing it at Office Depot. As I started to walk, I thought of dragging both feet on the cold tile floor as one of my half-eaten off the top slippers flew off. This shoe never stays on, and I said to myself, 'Fuzzy Marley' made sure of that when he ate one whole top side about a month ago. as I left the slipper to get that noisy "whistling kettle!" "Yikes! 'this floor is cold!'" as I continued dragging one shoe and a one hopping and drag motion. It's coffee time! As I reached for the knob on the cooktop to turn it to a lower setting. The whistling instantly subsided. I quickly rinsed out my two cup coffee [jug] mug and added one tablespoon and a half of Folgers Classic Roast coffee, three tablespoons of Nestle Coffeemate powdered creamer. Mm, as I glanced while stirring the coffee and creamer together before adding- there was a nestle Pure Life Purified plastic 16.9 oz water bottle sitting on the slightly warped Formica countertop. While I was still stirring in the mug, I reached for a zero-calorie single packet of Splenda to add in with my other dry ingredients before pouring in hot water from the low whistling kettle. I finally rested my left bare slipperless foot on a fluffy white rug in front of the kitchen sink. Sub-consciously I thought, am I a Nestle fan? I never even knew it until now. "Oh, well!" I guess Nestle it is. Maybe it's a coincidence. Mm, as the Splenda packet tore open, half of it fell to the counter and the other half in my coffee mug. I didn't feel vexed or make any expressions or sounds; I was still staring at the 16.9 oz Nestle water bottle. Ah, it's nothing. I concluded, reaching for another Splenda packet. This time I was focused not like before. I wanted some coffee badly. I gently cut across the top of the single pack of sweetener with a pair of meat cutting scissors. "Perfect!" As I poured the whole packet into my mug, forgetting there was a half-packet inside my coffee mug already. I quickly compensated by adding a half tablespoon of more coffee and a smidgen of powdered creamer. I'm getting started now for sure! I promptly whipped all the ingredients together as if I were making a nice thick cup of Cuban coffee, and then I slowly poured in my water and stirred slowly. A nice Whip Cream topping would be nice but not this time. "Ooooh!" is the sound I make after taking my first sip of coffee in the mornings. Now that's how you save money right there. Hm, I wonder if there is some Nestle Instant coffee out there? Yep! You're guilty as I turned and caught 'Fuzzy Marley' with his face buried in the same spot at the top of my half-eaten slipper. Thank you as a bent down to grab it from him, and another piece of foam fell out. I got my slipper, and 'Fuzzy Marley' got the foam and ran off as I spilled a couple of drops of my coffee trying to stop him. I turned my slipper over, wiped up the few drops, and kept going to my comfortable Big and Tall Serta chair. [well, I know what that means for 'Fuzzy Marley.' Foam in the belly and no-poo for a couple of days] But realized [no doctors visits for us] as I firmly sat my mug down on my unleveled desk, spilling coffee as I ran after 'Fuzzy Marley!' with slipper foam in his mouth. Low in behold as I turned the corner, there it was, the foam lying there. So, it turns out, 'you're not like' the movie "Marley!" I beg to differ. I do still have that half-eaten off of the top slipper in my office. I grabbed a Downey paper towel that ripped off three instead of one. The select rolls, "yes!" I get annoyed by convenience sometimes. A little water and were good. As I got back to my unleveled desk, I realized the spilled coffee rolled across and behind my desk. Well, I thought naught in my mind for a moment. Then I started to wipe up the top now and behind the desk when I need to move it. As I plopped down in my Big and Tall Serta chair, I wondered about buying some Nestle paper towels.

"If you think, I'm going in there!"

"Okie Doke!"... I'd better hurry and call Darrell, the show is about to begin! Now, Darrell is about 6 ft. and 8 inches tall. Most of that is probably his patted down afro. Hm. Rare to see a black man ["Oops!" I'd better say a person of color before coming under fire] with blue eyes. I've always wanted to ask if they were contacts, but I never do. I even caught myself searching for some green contacts online. You see, Darrell and I are "so similar"; we're different people, but it seems we're always on the same page with one another. Everybody loves us, and we love everybody too. Well, I guess it has a lot to do with where we live. Me being from that "big city down South that is known as Miami!" Darrell, on the other hand, was raised near "Dinasour World." He's from the Fort Myers area out West. He makes me laugh all the time; we both be going back in forth all the time. Oh, well, Darrell kills me when I'm calling, and the cell phone keeps ringing 'til it reaches his voice mail, which is always full. "ugh," I can't even leave a message. He knows the show is going to start soon. He doesn't yet know it's a Ballet that we're going to. It's a surprise! I've always wanted to attend one. I finally got my chance when I was randomly browsing and came across this show. I already know Darrell is going to take this hard. Remember, Darrell lives up near "Dinosaur World!" West of Central Florida. Oh! Wait a sec; that's Darrell texting now! "Alexa!" read aloud the incoming text. " I'm unsure of what you're asking. You can say things like- Ray abruptly cut in. "Alexa!" please read the incoming text. [Yep, this is a Buick] Incoming text from as Alexa started spelling out the name D-a-r-r-e-l-l-. Oh my! Ray gasped as he drove along Interstate 4 traveling East, cruising the minimum speed of 40 miles per hour. And just as he was about to push the redial, the Buick's [That's an Alexa!] Bluetooth started buzzing incoming call from Darrell. It seems as though Ray forgot all about his frustration and said, "Hello, this is, 'Ray Wheeler!' here!" Darrell answered, I know, I called you, remember. Are you almost here? I have to go to work at 2 A.M., you know. Yeah! Ray says in an excited voice as he exited the wrong exit off Interstate 4. Oh no! Ray exclaimed! What! Darrell asked? Nothing buddy. Ray sighs and then says, you are going to love this Ballet. [Oops, Ray, "let the cat out of the bag and didn't even know it!"] You mean to tell me I'm missing out on my precious sleep; to go to a Ballet? "Yikes!" Yep, "ah man!" Darrell sighed; "If you think, I'm going in there!" I should have known. You did the same thing when we went to the movies at Downtown Disney; what was that movie called again? Darrell was trying to remind himself. "Oh yeah! '27 dresses!'" You know that night wasn't so bad, was it? Nah, Darrell said in a long whining voice, but you couldn't find something with more action? Nope, as Ray finally found another exit that worked out better anyway. Hey, buddy, it's a good thing to shed a tear now and then. I'm from "Fort Meyers!" And we don't shed tears down here! Yeah, I know, that's why you're still single. My bad, I shouldn't have said that, buddy. It's all good, "pie boy!" Darrell replied. You know it! Ray said back; I wouldn't want to have it any other way. I'm here! Are you coming out, Dude?! Yeah! I'm on the way. After the show, Darrell was like, "ah, man!" That was "spectacular!" Did you shed your first tear? Ha, ha, ha! Now you're trying to be funny. "Indeed, I am!" I can't wait to tell everybody you went to your first Ballet.

I cried, 'dry tears,' last night.

It seems as though it was just another night. I long since have given my Sweetie her goodnight kiss as she and my puppy decided to stay up a little longer. "Not me!" I was tired out again by the hot Florida sun. All I wanted to is find my pillow. I only had a few important things to do first. Number one, Floss! And number two, brush my teeth! Sweetie might want another kiss or two. I always have to be ready! "Ahhh!" Now that felt refreshing. Mm, my pillow fail behind the headboard again! "Ughh!" This mattress must weigh a thousand pounds, and it's so hard to move. How does a pillow fall so easily behind there? Don't know, but I 'v got it again as I try to move this heavy mattress back in place. Oh boy! Now my pillows are in place. "Aaah!" Finally, I could rest up a bit. Suddenly, after all of that movement, my body didn't feel so sleepy anymore. I wonder why? Strange, maybe it thought I was going back to work something, oh well. I thought for a moment and thought about television, but I quickly said no to that in a hurry. [What would Sweetie say? Probably, "I thought you were going to bed" or something like that] What about cell phone scrabble? Nah, too much thinking for that challenge. For a moment, I thought I developed insomnia. Something strange was happening to me for sure. Then all of a sudden, I felt overwhelmed with emotions. I wasn't even watching a tear-jerking movie. How could a man! 6 foot and four inches tall be overwhelmed with emotions? I guess it happens. But there are no tears on my face as it feels as dry as a piece of paper. I will research this unusual episode for sure. Tomorrow I will start with the Awake and Watchtower magazines first. [I might find a life story similar to my own] If I asked Google, they might pull up a shrink. When I awake in the morning, I could tell Sweetie. I cried, 'dry tears,' last night.

I'm stress free when;...

If you were thinking when I leave home and come into the office or after coming home after a long day mowing grass in the Florida sun, you're mistaken. First, let us get one thing clear, and please don't ever forget it! My home is where my family lives. And since the aura that surrounds me is peaceful, how would you say my house is? If you answered, please don't reply [Rhetorical]! My home is like a "Triangle." →

No matter how much weight you apply to it, our family can sustain it. →

Besides, coming in after a long day out of hot Florida sun is a good thing, especially after having a nice cold glass of buttermilk. Throughout my day, "this!" is the very thing that has helped me throughout my day. A glimpse here and there, the things around you start to come alive. I look up and down and from side to side, taking in the beauty of the Universe. I can begin to feel an 'overwhelming joy coming over me!' Our Universe is awe-inspiring! If I could describe it in words, "wow!" would be among the top five names. If I wrote it, well, it could go on and on like forever, but this is a short story. I kind of feel you get the point anyway.

Nevertheless, "I'm stress-free when;... I can take every possible moment there is to observe creation." At night, the sky is so clear I could distinguish one constellation from the other. I even counted a hundred or so stars. The mosquitoes reminded me it was time to go inside my house as I'm reminding you to look up and down and from side to side. You will become stress-free as I have.

Why don't you know me?

Yeah! I'm boastful. I've traveled the world with it; there isn't any shame in that. But wait a minute, so are you. It seems as though you're making a movie because every time I look around, there you are too. So who needs attention? Your a busy little bee. I don't know you always seem to be your reply, but you expect me to sit idle while you go carrying on here and there beating a drum. If you knew me, you would know I'm far-sighted with a broad view peering into the distance like an eagle making every catch. If you knew me, you would have known I could travel swiftly in any direction at any given moment like a flash of lighting. If you knew me, you would never say I was partial; you would see the word 'Love' surrounding me. If you knew me, you would know that I'm loyal and trustworthy, from end to end. If you knew me, you would say, "look a man with good intentions and heart." If you knew me, you would recognize my lowly disposition towards others. If you knew me, you would know that the aura that surrounds me is so peaceful. If you knew me, you would recognize me as a friend as if I were your brother. If you knew me, you would know I could become whatever is always needed to help you, building you up, and you would know I could never tear you down. Besides, how could you get to know me when you're to busy continually chasing after Ceaser ["Whose image and inscription is this?"]; "is that your allegiance still?"

"Who said that?;"... does it even matter?

"Who said that?;"... does it even matter? It is the way I'm continually feeling towards words coming out of the hearts of many that spilled out like a glass of water that was half full but spilled. All my life, I held it dear, and close to my heart, I only sang it out when I was cold and afraid it wasn't even dark. Now that I'm all grown up, I'm not Lonely anymore but healthy and wiser than I ever was before in my youth when I had already lost a tooth. When I sang my song with boldness, cheerfulness, and great determination, It doesn't matter how it or who has said it; 'this is my song!' "It makes me feel anew with joyfulness!" The kind of joy that relaxes and puts you in a setting as if I'm on a beautiful oasis drawing it all over my oiled canvas, and in every corner, I penned the words "Who said that?;" ... does it even matter? You see, this is "my song!" [I'm singing it] Those words "are old!" What I'm singing is from the heart, but your comments we're stealing the hearts of others. You're so cold trying to use words that could easily break a person's morals and code. Yeah, I'm "tall!" and "strong!" and "handsome!" but many say I'm "very bold!" Your comments can never affect me because I'm focused on ignoring chatter, and I don't swing blows at the empty air on things that don't matter. [End of the song]

I know how you feel man when it comes to being heard; it's hard to accomplish! You say it- and "I will write it!"

I know how you feel, man when it comes to being heard; it's hard to accomplish! "Thanks, Ray"... You have always been there for me through the thick 'n thin, "You're a no matter what 'type of guy.' "Go on, tell me Craig!" "What are you trying to say exactly?" "By that, 'look across your face' while holding that megaphone; it seems like you've got a lot to say." Come on, over here, 'you have my full attention.' What is it, Ray wondered now that [Somebody] centered Graig right in front of him. Is it just you and me, buddy, what's wrong with your voice all of a sudden? Can't you muster up your voice? Its okay, Craig. You're not the only one who freezes when the lights are on. Mm, I guess now this is an interview. And just like that, Graig let out a loud sigh turned towards me, winked, and whispered I don't like interviews; they are in a way to personal for my taste. What? Ray reacted with a strange look on his face. Then out of nowhere as if from a strange distant place. Maybe it was his gut feeling, and I don't know for sure. But Craig said in a loud voice. Ray! Tell me this! With that megaphone right in front of his mouth. The sound waves nearly blew me right off my chair. I'm somewhat glad now I chose the rocker chair that was centered in the room already. What? Ray exclaimed at the top of his voice. I'm sitting right here. Can you get any louder with that megaphone? Why is it, then. Craig wondered that every time he tried to say something about something. I mean, every single time he tried to say something about something, nobody listens to me or even looks in my direction? Oh boy! If only he could read my mind, he would take that question back. But deep inside me, I knew my conscience was telling me to get back on track and give comfort to my friend in his time of need. So Ray went for it! As I told you before, buddy. When it comes to being heard; It's hard to accomplish. Who has the time these days anyway, Craig? People are more into themselves these days, man. Besides, we're living during a worldwide pandemic right now. That is stressful enough as it is. Ask yourself, Craig. Craig, what is so important anyway that you're expecting something different from the people out there? I've been here with you ten minutes, buddy, and nearly fell asleep twice already. Are you serious, man, am I that bad at it? He can't read my mind, but right at the top of it, It just kept on saying Yep!Yep! Yep! just like that double question he just asked. Ray, Ray, Ray, my conscience reminded me. No! Not at all, my friend. It seems like I was throwing up my hands like Tony the Tiger saying, "you're great!" But how do you think they will feel the people out there, I mean? You know, Ray, the people out there, the people- I know how you feel, man, when it comes to being heard; It's hard to accomplish! Go on, say it! Don't worry, I'll write it. Hey man, I'm with you on this. I will write it. Craig, please allow me- wait for a second, Ray!- Craig tried to cut in the people- but Ray kept talking over him. To ask, what makes you feel that way not being heard anyway, Craig!? Those folks out there are dirty rich, and they don't have time for much themselves, much less you and I. You must have accolades, man. I mean, come on now, "you know that it is true!" Maybe if you had a gig, things might be different. I thought you already knew something the way you came out here with that big mega, whatever that is in your hand. "Everybody has a gig, Craig, what's yours?" Are you good at any sports? Not on the bucket list either, huh? Um, Is this an Interview Craig whispered. Ray threw his hands up and said, Craig! In a firm voice. You got a megaphone in your hands for Pete's sake. I'd rather you blow me out the rocker than say that that way. Just put that thang down, put it down, please, if you're not going to do anything with it. Yeah! You should be looking bewildered just like you're looking now. Okay then, I guess this is an interview, Ray said in a kind of like sarcastic tone. No, I wasn't going to ask, but where is it you're living? I guess I will ask but even though I already know, let's make it for the record. Are you really from Wildwood, Florida, Craig? Nah, What? I'm straight out of Dakota, Georgia man. What's over there? What do you mean, Ray? You know, city life? Oh, you mean town stuff? "I'm writing this down, you know I can repeat it back to you if you'd like." That's not what I asked Ray smirked, still feeling a little annoyed. Craig looked as to what to say next, feeling confused over the smirk on Ray's face and then said, you don't have to do that, my man Ray and then mumbled under his breath. That's why I'm not too fond of Interviews. Okay, buddy! Let us take a break and pick this back up some time tomorrow. In the meantime, keep your spirits up. I know how you feel, man when it comes to being heard; it's hard to accomplish! You can say it later, and I'll write it. Thanks, Ray. I'll see you tomorrow.

Don't You Remember?

  Dear fans. Why are You always screaming? I hear from you! That's the point; we know you listen to us, we know you can feel our energy, we know you can feel our support, we know you can feel our love. We know you do, and we have always known you know. Why are we screaming? Don't you remember when it all started in the beginning? When were we all in the room as one? Don't you remember the times we didn't have to scream? Don't you remember the times we could look you right in your eyes and speak to you face to face? Don't you remember the times when we could hug you? Don't you remember the times we encouraged you and let you know face to face we are with you every step of the way? Don't you remember? Please tell me! Don't you remember? Nevertheless, that's why I'm screaming! Somewhere along the way, I started to cry so you could remember I'm still with you every step of the way as I have always been even though your actions have moved so far away. Don't you remember? I'm just your close friend that became your fan.