I did not promise but I said I would explain about me and swimming. I am sorry it took me so long to reply to a friend but every time I tried, I drifted through my past. So many memories get stirred up on the stream when you dive to the bottom. So here it is.

When I was a kid I was in boy scouts. I had many merit badges and yes one for swimming. I loved to swim on my back, under water and watch the surface. When my dad left a lot changed. The biggest was my panic attacks. That was when it started.

I was 12 before I ever went off the diving board at the deep end of the pool. The older kids assured me it would be okay. All I had to do was jump off and kick off from the bottom. Sounded easy enough. Everyone took a dive and then it was my turn. I got on the board, went to the end, bounced, and jumped. The water rushed pasted me but wait. Where was the bottom? I missed it by a foot and now it was hang time, limbo, personal Hell. Panic set in and I went up. That was it for diving for a while.

A few years later I went boating with some friends in the bay. We journeyed to close to a ship and we capsized. Not a pretty picture and again I panicked. I don't know how but I managed to scramble to the top of the boat. I didn't care that it was upside down, it was better than the water. We were rescued about thirty minutes later but it felt like an eternity.

Seven years later I gave boating another try. When I lived in Florida a friend of mine use to go shark fishing with me. It was not a big boat but it served its purpose. It was a nice day and we had caught a few but we wanted a big one for the day. Joe had a real beauty on the line and it was putting up a good fight. Neither one of us noticed the storm blow in nor did we care. It was never a problem before but old John forgot to mention the pump wasn't working.

Florida has some wicked rainstorms and this one was no exception. The boat began to fill up and we sank lower into the channel. We wanted that shark but didn't have time to fight it and the storm too. We cut the line and turned our attention to the boat. We knew the shark was there and we had way to much blood in the water. I didn't want to sink, not this time and yes I panicked. We made it back to the dock safe but lost the big one. It was sad in a way because I never went back out for another go at the sharks.

So I can't float or tread water but I can swim in a pool. After all those problems I just figure why risk it. There you have.

I will be lost without my girls. I hope to see you soon but take care of yourselves, I want so much to see you happy, I pray this is your year. I will miss you Shayla, Cayden, and Autumn. Much love and prayers to all of you.

Here we are again at the threshold of another the weekend. I knew I was going to draw a blank so I asked the women at work to help me. I asked the ladies to list two things they like about me. It was all in good fun and we all enjoyed. They know me in the same way as everyone here does "I like to play". These are the Top five answers:

5) I love your Wrangler jeans and your cowboy butt.

4) I love your smile, when you are not being intense.

3) I love your humor, when you want to play.

2) Your personality, especially when your happy.

........................and the #1 answer is........................

Your eyes because they tell your life at that moment. They are caring and loving.

So there you have it friends. That is what they think of me. Have a great weekend.

This blog goes out to Gina2 and her post. She reminded me of a day gone by and I love that. Thank you Gina.

Growing up as an Army brat there is one thing I remember about the kids, their friendship. I guess I was blessed to have my mom because she taught me to love everyone. I could see color but not feel it. Color was never taught to me but love was. Color was never an issue. We were all misplaced military brats and loved it: not the military, the friendships. Kind of a screwed up world where you learn to appreciate the life of " love um and leave um". That was who we were and we lived large.

I knew a girl in the sixth grade that was African American. She was larger than most and had big thick glasses. Her hair was done up in corn rolls and she wore homemade dresses. Everyone made fun of her except one little white boy by the name of Scott.

He didn't think anything about it. If she needed a place to sit he gave her his chair. When she scrapped her knee on the play ground he took her to the nurse. When she was unhappy he cheered her up. He never thought anything about it. It finally hit home at the end of the school year at sixth grade graduation. When the party was over and they were outside she found him. She gave him a big hug and took his hand in hers. She pulled him through the crowd until they reached a rather large woman.

The girl introduced him: mom this is Scott the boy I told you about.

The mother leaned over and gave a big bear hug that only a mom can give. Before she let go she said " Thank you for being so good to my lil girl." and that has stayed with him every since.

I will admit there was one time at the beginning of that school year when he was mean to her. I could see the hurt in her eyes and feel the pain. He never did that again because it wounded him also. He was a changed person that day due to a mothers love and a friendship now known.

So that is the story as I know it and I hope you get something from it. Much love___Scott

Okay, here are 5 simple facts about me.
1) I love boating but can't swim
2) I used to love shark fishing
3) I am perfect am with a pistol but not so good with a rifle
4) I love to track animals hate to hunt
5) I enjoy all the people I have met here

Those are my simple facts for now. I hope everyone has a great week.