It's a New Day, it's a New Year

The current year is quickly coming to a close and 2014 is about to begin.  For many, it's a time to reflect; for others, a time to make resolutions for the new year.  I'm doing a little bit of both maybe.

I'd like to pass on something a local radio station (WRVR,104.5, the River) does each year in January.  It's call the Law of Abundance.  I've been doing this for the last few years, and it's time I passed it on!

Take a check.  Make it out to yourself, your full legal name on the payee line.  The amount space is left blank.  On the For line, write "Paid in Full".  Sign the check with the words "Law of Abundance"on the signature line.  Tear out the check and put in a safe place in your wallet.  Carry it with you all year long.

This has to be done no earlier than New Year's Day and no later than the first new moon (January 7, 2014).  If you are going to do this, you don't have a lot of time to waste!  I'll be writing my check out on New Year's Day, so why not join me in doing this!  I can't promise miracles, but I can tell you that you have nothing to lose!

After all, it's a new day, it's a new year!  Happy New Year Everyone!



Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, RagsQueen, Traveling Circus, Taylor Hicks Community

Christmas - the presents....or presence?

"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!" Those few words from Clement Moore's 'Twas the Night Before Christmas bring up all sorts of memories, especially of Christmases past.  This season is no different except that I'm older and possibly wiser.  At least I hope I am the later.

What does Christmas really mean to any of us?  Is it the food and parties, the lights, holiday music?  Or perhaps all the presents under the tree? 

For a child, it's probably the presents and the appearance of Santa Claus with lots of toys and goodies.  For a younger generation, it's maybe the food and parties. But at my age, it's more a time to pause and reflect - realizing that there won't be that many more Christmases as I'm well past my prime.

No, I find myself thinking more about the presence - the real meaning of Christmas.  It's a time to reflect and remember the birth of the Christ Child, the journey to Bethlehem for Mary and Joseph, the appearance of the star and angels to the shepherds and Wise Men.  It's a time to remember why we celebrate and a time to gather with family and friends.  It's taking time to help when and where we can. 

We have been given the greatest gift from God, the gift of his Son.  It's His presence that we should celebrate.  That's what Christmas means to me this year.

As I've seen quoted many times, "Wise Men (and Women) Still Seek Him".  As we seek Him, may we grow wiser and stronger, loving and loved, honored and honoring, and be thankful for all the  wonderful gifts our God bestows upon us.

Merry Christmas and Many Blessings for a Joyous Season!



Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, RagsQueen, Traveling Circus, Taylor Hicks Community

The Joys of Retirement!

It's been quite a while since I last posted and it's time to start back to tracking the Traveling Circus!  Just because I wasn't recapping shows didn't mean I was no longer following Taylor Hicks - au contraire!  Lots of shows have been seen, including 3 recent performances at Harrah's Casino in New Orleans!

Oh what shows they were!  If you missed them, especially Saturday night's show, you missed quite a spectacular performance!  Taylor, accompanied by Brian Less on the keys, sang "Louisiana 1927" which was fabulous!  The song gave me chills - that voice with just the keyboard.  Nothing better than these two guys together.  Absolutely nothing better!  Not even the beignets or frozen café au late at Café du Monde! 

I've been thinking a lot about how to use the blog going forward, and I keep coming back to a new series, and that's dealing with retirement! Yes, retirement!  Last January I made the decision that I was ready to retire.  I'd been working since I was legally old enough to do so and it was about time to turn the reigns over to the younger generations.  I'd prepared more tax returns that I ever expected to do, and with all the new laws coming in to play in 2014, it just seemed time to turn the reigns over to a younger generation.

My original plan was to retire in April 2014, but after a few months of figuring out a retirement budget and a granddaughter getting ready to start her senior year, it made more sense to retire in the fall after all the returns had been filed.  So in October, I bid adieu to a long career in accounting and tax preparation work to start the next phase of my life: retirement!

So that brings me to the topic at hand, the 'joys of retirement'!  Almost immediately I felt a sense of peace and a lack of stress!  I have experienced a great sense of relaxation since retiring.  I can travel when I want to or sleep in or stay up way past midnight!  It's all good!  And I've been doing just that! 

If you're interested in what I'm doing these days, follow my blog again!  From time to time I will be writing about my travels and other thoughts, and maybe educate once in awhile, (more likely bore you) and every so often provide a chuckle or two.  Whatever, come back often to see what's going on!

Feel free to leave comments, feedback or even questions!  I love a good challenge, so see if you can do that!  Later, faithful readers!  And Happy Holidays!


Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol,  RagsQueen, Traveling Circus, Taylor Hicks Community