Author: CW Spencer

K-Cup Kindness
September 19, 2020

K-Cup Kindness

Dad never pressured me, but I know he hoped his son, like him, would become an ordained minister. But it wasn’t meant to be. I did, however, volunteer with Campers for Christ in 1980. Dad’s dream wasn’t totally fulfilled, but he was a man who’d learned to be happy with whatever he got. Campers for Christ still holds church services at two local state parks. When my turn comes up, I lead the singing (iffy, I admit) and do a devotional. It’s been a great experience. Campers are kind folks who always tell me they …
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Deer Friends
June 10, 2020

Deer Friends

June 10, 2020 I sent a photo of a very young fawn to my brother-in-law. He noted that it appeared very happy and relaxed. That seems to be the general attitude of the deer in this section of town. He could see that all the way from Costa Rica. After she bedded down her offspring, Mom probably went out walking in the neighborhood with some of her BFFs, most likely catching up on the other births and all the latest gossip. While doing that, it just so happens that she takes her scent far away …
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My New Workout Plan at 70
May 20, 2020

My New Workout Plan at 70

May 20, 2020 Sunday was birthday number 70. Bonnie baked me a giant dark chocolate cake. It took me two tries to blow out the candles. There were only two, a seven and a zero. This might be funny if I was making it up. My friends—mostly ones younger than me—say 70 is not old. I could train to do a marathon or thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. People my age even compete in the Ironman Triathlon. I chewed on my cake and considered those options for cardiovascular training. Glamorous, but they are probably not going …
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Walking Then and Now
May 14, 2020

Walking Then and Now

May 14, 2020 For the sake of some exercise and free vitamin D, Bonnie and I have been getting out for some walks in our neighborhood, basically our first miles together since we finished the 1,440-mile Buckeye Trail last fall. Hiking the trail was a great adventure, but now it’s nice to take a lazy stroll and just reminisce about our journey. “Only 14 miles to the car,” I joked today. A couple miles later I said, “Only 12 to go!” The beauty of it was that I was kidding. I was merely bringing back …
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Do You Want a Moe or a Curly?
May 6, 2020

Do You Want a Moe or a Curly?

May 6, 2020 My hair had gotten so shaggy during the COVID-19 business closings that I felt like some kind of action was necessary. Who knew when the barber shops would reopen? I would have to take matters into my own hands. But first I had to make a decision, the same one I had to make 64 years ago: burr cut or bowl cut. I remember it like it was yesterday. Me, a sad little boy on the front porch in The Chair, with a purple polka dot sheet Mom had wrapped tightly around …
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Sheltering in Place with a Lizard
April 30, 2020

Sheltering in Place with a Lizard

April 30, 2020 A Lazarus lizard has taken up residence inside our house during the COVID-19 lockdown. It’s not that I don’t like lizards. I do. It’s just that Bonnie and I prefer to enjoy them in their natural habitat. Maybe our guest thinks it has to stay 14 days so it doesn’t infect its buddies. But we watch press briefings every day and we’ve heard nothing about any lizards catching the virus. Bonnie first spotted it in the bedroom, right before it scooted under the closet door. Next it appeared in the living room. …
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