May 16, 2010
Every day is a gift but sometimes God puts a bow on top.
During a break between rain showers I stepped outside just to get a little air. I stood on the back steps, breathing deeply and feeling the freshly washed world all around me. The last drops of rain hung like diamonds from drooping leaves. A cottontail rabbit hopped leisurely from bush to bush. Birds sang cheerily as they emerged from their downy nests. The breeze carried the laughter of children as they stomped from one puddle to the next.
I wandered down toward the workshop. The steady whoosh of the river reached my ear and I could see the brown waters rolling along behind the trees. I came upon my collection of undetermined purposes, or what is sometimes referred to as a scrap pile. I began poking around in the pile for no particular reason, and after about a minute I heard the scuff of a shoe behind me.
I turned and there stood Mason. Mason is the little brother to the little blond haired girl next door. "Whatcha doin," he asked.
"Oh, nothing," I replied.
"Whatcha lookin for?"
"I don't really know."
"What does it look like?"
"I'm not sure."
"How will you know when you find it?"
"Good question," I admitted. "I guess I'll just know it when I see it."
He stepped over to the pile and picked up an old rusted-out bucket. "Is this it?"
"Nope, I'm pretty sure that's not it," I said.
He picked up one end of a bent fence post and asked, "What about this?"
"Nope, that's not it either," I said.
And so it went: a piece of rebar, a hubcap, a plant pot, a chipped jar, a length of chain, and each time he would patiently ask, "Is this it?"
We poked around in the collection of undetermined purposes for about a half hour and while he was trying to help me find 'it' he told me about his school, and his friends, and about the things he likes and dislikes, and all about their new puppy. Finally, he picked up an old railroad spike and asked, "Is this it?"
And I said, "By golly, that is it. Thank you very much for helping me find it."
"What is it," he asked.
"It's a takeepya," I told him.
He frowned and asked, "What's that?"
I smiled at him and said, "It's ta keep ya busy while we talk."
He looked at the spike in his hand. Then he looked at me for a long moment. Then he tossed the spike onto the pile, shrugged and said simply, "Whatever," and trotted off to play. Some kids are just born cool.
Fraternally yours,
Tim Couch
Now, on with the news........................
On Friday, May 21, you are cordially invited to participate in the 1st Annual Solomon Lodge No. 271 A.F. & A.M. Golf Tournament. This historic four person team scramble tournament will take place at the Deer Lake Golf and Country Club and will begin at 1:00 Friday afternoon. For more information and to download a registration form just click here.
Friday, May 22, the Grand Master's Chance to Advance (C2A) will be held at the Masonic Complex, 6033 Masonic Drive in Columbia, MO. The Masonic ritual during this C2A will be performed by Grand Lodge Officers. All Master Masons are invited. Lodge will be duly Opened at 9:00 AM.
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