Out of the Wilderness

Big waves on Lake Azalea

My brother and I were on a yacht and dealing with what seemed like 10-foot waves. They were crashing over the bow of the boat, and I remember at times only being able to hang on with one hand.I can remember so many details, especially right after I woke up.

I’ve picked up the habit of emailing myself when I have vivid dreams like that. If I don’t, when I wake up for the day I will have forgotten what the dream was. So yes, that means this morning when I woke up I had an email from myself. You’d email yourself too if you were in a life or death situation facing big waves on Lake Azalea! And where did the name Lake Azalea come from anyway?

Dreams are such a wild concept because when I’m in them, it’s real life. It’s as real as me sitting here typing out this post. But then when I’m actually awake, I realize how nonsense they are. And this one about the yacht was tame compared to some I’ve had. I wonder if there’s a way to turn this common occurance (waking up and emailing about my dreams) into some sort of app people can use?

-Out of the Wilderness

Life without an ironing board

I’ve lived on my own without an ironing board, and I don’t plan on changing that any time soon. It’s not that I don’t like irons, or boards, but I’m not the kind of person that needs my clothes to be ironed. Can they be wrinkly? Yes. Do my clothes sometimes need ironing? Of course. But you don’t feed your dog every time they need food do you? That’s rhetorical and actually doesn’t even help my point. Plus, yes you should feed your dog every time they need food. But you get what I’m saying. Wait, don’t you? What I mean is that some people are the “iron-your-clothes-shave-every-day” kind of people, and some are the “don’t-iron-your-clothes-flush-every-other-time” kind of people. The world needs both so to balance out that guy you see with the perfect pleats and a baby soft face, there’s me.

-Out of the Wilderness

Sometimes I’m a Sea World attraction

As far back as I can remember I’ve been afraid to sneeze in public. Weird, right? But when it happened, I felt like a Sea World whale and everyone around me was in the splash zone, if you know what I mean. My sneezes could be a forceful mess like Shamu’s blow hole. That’s really embarrassing as a kid! I’ve become less afraid as an adult, but not because my sneezes are any more predictable, I just care less about what people think. With that said, if you’re ever around me in a public place and I sneeze, don’t say “God bless you!”… say “Good job!” Then dry yourself off.

-Out of the Wilderness

How a washing machine almost made me break down and cry

I did not see this coming on a random Friday night while I was tuned in to Shark Tank. A commercial came on and with every second that passed, I became more emotional and drawn in. The video montage of families interacting, the sound of “You Are My Sunshine” strummed leisurely on a guitar. As if the person playing it is sitting on a stool in a dimly lit room, with a second to themselves, thinking about the one they love, lost in tranquility, and while their heart is full, they smile.

The melody continues as the scenes begin tugging at your heart. How you can love better. Remembering the ones that love you. That was enough for me, but then I nearly lose it when Johnny Cash starts singing the chorus. Wow. Good commercial, Whirlpool, good commercial. When you think you’re ready, check it out below.

Thank a Veteran

There are a lot of things a young child will believe about their father simply because they don’t know any better. He can do nothing wrong, he’s a hero, he’s the strongest, the smartest and can beat up all your friends dads. I believed all those things about mine but now as an adult, I know better. And what I know is this: he was, and is, all those things and more!

He’s a great example of how to serve, to be humble, to work hard, to laugh, to have a soft heart, to compete, to not take the low road, to pay attention to details, to love, to give, to sacrifice, to love God and to love country.

Today, just like every other day, I’m thankful for his service to America. Not only did he single-handedly win the war for us in the Persian Gulf (he served as captain of a fleet of ships in Desert Storm), but he gave 26 years of his life to the Coast Guard. No one can argue that that’s not a man right there.

Having him in my life is enough… but I was also so lucky (I rather call it blessed) to have 2 grandfathers that also served and served in battle during World War II. Great men in the Wilder and Davis family, great men.

America is better because of their service to it. Plus, my dad really can beat up your dad.

-Out of the Wilderness

(Pop and Grand-Daddy below)

Share this: