The Dangers of Sitting Still
Howdy y’all! Yep; I’m really back this time!
After bein’ out of the country for a couple of weeks in Brazil, then another week sorta recoverin’ from it (I don’t think I’ve ever labored so physically hard in all my life!), I’m feverishly working on writing up the things I’ve learned.
In fact, there’s so much material I’ve decided to publish a book about the adventure. I’ll do my best to share as much as I can here as I work to get my notes transcribed and edited. Fair warning, though: the stories I tell may, or may not, be in chronological order. But what the hey, right?
So bear with me a little longer, ‘K? In the meantime, I’ll start with this one:
An Ominous Sign
One day I was helping another fellow drill holes in some lumber (the wood we used was so hard you couldn’t just drive a nail in it; you had to drill a pilot hole first). We were kinda off to one side, away from where everyone else was working.
So there we were, merrily drilling away when suddenly the power went out. On the one hand, it was a mite irritating; there was a LOT to do, and we were on such a tight schedule we could scarcely afford the holdup. On the other hand, it was nice to take a break!
While we waited for our power to be restored, the other guy went over to get a drink (I’m tellin’ ya, Bubba – it was HOT!), but I decided to just pull up a cinder block and have a seat.
After a while, someone – I don’t remember who – called out, “Hey Bob, are you okay?”
I looked up, surprised at the question. “Sure,” I responded; “why do you ask?”
“Well, look up, why don’t you?” he replied, pointing upward.
So I did, only to discover about 15 or so vultures calmly circling above me. Well! I guess it’s probably not a good idea to, er, stop moving around here, y’know? Luckily, after about 20 minutes or so they apparently got tired of waiting for me to drop dead from exhaustion and moved on to search for easier prey.
Nevertheless, that’s a fairly good lesson for life, too, don’cha think? If you’re not continually moving, you might just be assumed to be dead!
But from then on, I did make a point to move and arm or a leg every now and then, just in case. No sense takin’ any chances.
17 responses so far
Middle Zone Musings is a comfortable place to stop, have a cup of coffee, swap a few stories and share practical ideas for the real world. I don't ask for much, just a bit of your brain every now and then. Have a seat, take a load off, and relax...
Robert, Here I am, drinking my morning tea, reading MZM – just like old times. I hope your whole trip wasn’t that ominous. I think you’re right, though, especially on a spiritual level. If you don’t keep moving, in a sense you really could become dead.
Bob, Congratulations on your decision and commitment to write a book. Now, you will be a blog and a book author! However, I must warn you…there is a “The Dangers of Sitting Still.”The best writing advice I received from my writing instructors and fellow authors was… “to write a book you need to keep your tush in the chair!” So, I would encourage you to “just pull up a cinder block and have a seat.” Oh, maybe not a cinder block, that will give you “writer’s block.” Best of Luck! Sheila
@Brad – Yeah, it seemed like it was time to get rollin’ again, y’know? Luckily those guys didn’t hang around too long…
@Sheila – Thanks for the advice, and it’s one I’m takin’ to heart. Mrs. MZM and I just had a discussion about how I’m going to accomplish this goal along with all the OTHER holiday-related stuff that needs doin’ around here. At least the chair at my desk is a mite more comfortable – and no vultures circling above!
Robert, if you would like to chat off line, I have some suggestions and effective techniques that I have used for all 3 of my books and shared with other authors.
LOL. I wonder how many of us have virtual vultures a circling overhead. Would be nice if we all had a friend to poke us when we’ve been too still for too long.
It’s afternoon tea here, but other than that: I second everything that Brad says
@Sheila – Thanks; I may take you up on your kind offer!
@Fred – What a wonderful idea! I think we all need a support system of some kind to make sure we’re still, y’know, movin’.
@Joanna – Hey, a tip o’ the afternoon tea hat to ya!
Hey Robert, welcome back for real this time! I must admit I read it and could not stop laughing for several minutes. Now that I am slightly more calm, what a great story! I have your current book and look forward to adding another Hruzek classic to the ole bookshelf. So glad the vultures didn’t get ya, that would have been bad for us and Mrs. MZM. I think I’ll take your advice to keep moving you know just in case!
@Karen – Yeah, I’m glad I survived that incident too. I can imagine the ensuing phone call to the Mrs.: “I’m sorry to tell you this, but your husband was carried away by ravenous flesh-eating birds last Wednesday. But the good news is, we managed to finish the church building anyway!”
Oh my, those birds don’t take long! Keeping moving is a good thing, if you’re moving in the right direction. Moving just for the sake of may not be as productive, unless you’re keeping the vultures at bay!
Looking forward to your book!
Robert,
Welcome back! I am really glad that those vultures did not carry you off! I am glad you are providing us with regular posts again – I was really missing them. Looking forward to your next one…
@Glenda – Y’know, you’re absolutely right, there. Just moving an arm or a leg, with nothing to show for it except a sore butt woulda been kinda useless. Good thing we had a lot of work to do still!
@Ulla – Me too, Ulla! Woulda been a real shame, y’know? Hopefully I’ll be back into the swing of things Real Soon Now.
Robert, you have many fans here..I have to learn from you..I follow you