A Visit from Snake

I was in the middle of preparing breakfast over my camp-fire when Snake showed up unexpectedly. He is a friendly sort of guy with a quick smile, smooth words, and likable personality. Because of the time of day, he invited himself to join me by the fire. Not wanting to appear rude, I agreed and added a couple of eggs to the hot pan.

Snake got right to the point of his visit. He was wanting to solve a problem, but hadn't located it yet. You make know the type. They think something is wrong so they set out to prove their hypothesis. Snake was clearly on a 'fishing' expedition and so the questions began. I'm not sure that he even tasted the eggs and bacon as he talked between bits and washed them down with gups of camp-fire coffee.

What did I know and when did I know it? What did I see as the problem and the cause for it? Who might be to blame? Questions that didn't need to be asked and answers or guesses would surely hurt someone and not help any situation.

It is always advisable to listen quietly. If you want to show some interest, be sure to make eye contact. This is the time that a good cup of coffee is really handy. Sip slowly while the other person's thoughts are trying to catch up to his words. Allow silence to slip in. It can work to your advantage. And if you are pressed to give a response, always respond first with a question. It can keep you out of 'hot water'.

Now I have known Snake for years. And the one thing I do know about him is that he is not an original thinker. The thoughts that he shared were clearly not his own. Lots of folks in our part of the country think that he is creative, intelligent, and successful. Snake is one of the 'good old boys' who struggles like the rest of us. He just doesn't show it as much. It was clear that someone else had put him up to questioning me and unfortunately others are on his list. One thing I'm certain about is Snake hardly ever evaluates anything before he acts.

I did my best to remain vague about the areas he questioned. I gave a positive perspective on the issues raised. I challenged him to give consideration to an alternate view of things. But in the end, Snake doesn't really listen to anyone else. Yes, he has a few in his circle and thank God, I'm not one of them. A person with his mind made up is a person who is not open to the glow of truth. Nothing grows in the darkness of a closed mind.

We ended breakfast. He had to visit a friend who was being moved to a very small place on Boot Hill. As he left, he asked me to keep our conversation and time confidential. However, most people know that he wouldn't. He also indicated that would like to talk again. Seems that he thinks that there is a lot he could learn from me. He meant his comment to be flattering to get me to drop any of my defenses. He really thinks that I know much more than I have shared or said. It is amazing how 'wise' people think you are when you don't open your mouth. Only after you speak does everyone know what a fool you really are.

Well, it is time to clean the old coffee pot and pan and put out the fire. Thanks for dropping by.

A Special Someone

Ever since she could remember, she had made choices that positioned her closer to her goal of helping other to keep informed and to make better lives for themselves. It was probably the interesting people that she met and worked with that gave her that special high. That kind of energy that makes you want to work long hours and weekends and through holidays, because your mission is so damn important. She wouldn't trade places with any one in the world. But then again, maybe just one, even if only for a fleeting moment. Soon the word 'fleeting' would take on another meaning for her.

He was a stranger, familiar in many ways and still different - very different. He came into her life quite by accident. She had not met another man like him. He was strong, beautiful really, kind and gentle all at once. And mysterious and reserved, searching for his own place to belong and fit in. It wasn't necessarily the words he said, or exactly what he did that made her stop and pay attention. She supposed that it was the deepness of his blue eyes - so deep that you get lost in them. You don't - you can't think of anything of much else. Or perhaps, it was the danger of the unknown.

And just as he arrived, he left. Gone without so much as a note or word of farwell or an explanation why. Unknown to him and unwilling to admit to herself, there had been something between them. Something that would come to be shared between the two later. She denied it of course. What power did they share? How lasting would it be? Would anyone else know? Would he return? How long should she stare into the sky straining to see? With a heart broken and more responsibilities, she moved on with her life. Slowly at first, lost in her work, which now doesn't seem as rewarding as it once did. Always hoping for yesterday, but yesterday doesn't return. It is today and challenges to face. Then again, there was that fateful day when the challenges turned to danger. And the strong woman was helpless to change her fate.

Geysir Joe