CARLOS MICHAEL ONLINE

Today is Friday, March 8, 2024 Hello Journal! I watched an Easter movie -- at least I think it was an Easter movie  -- about this couple who had known each other since they were children, fall in love, get married, get pregnant, miscarry, is diagnosed with cancer, and, well, you have to watch the movie yourself to see how it ends, that is, providing I can recall the name of the movie. The point is, there is one line in the film when the narrator is talking about life  when he says, "Life ... is about living!"   Period. Point well taken. It is time for me to do that as well -- live life. Why not start--today!? 2468 FRIDAY Last month (February), I began journaling  for lack of a better word, more like scrapbooking  a collection of this and that  in order to keep a record  not for the sake of pride and vanity , but more to do with humility and gratitude to God for a life well lived. Something that I can leave behind for future generations chronicling a life lived from 1961 to

  Today is Thursday, January 11, 2024. Hi Journal! This is where I like to come when I have a lot on my mind. Coming here is like retreating to the cardboard box  I used to hide in as a child. To quote a phrase one of my adult children likes to use, 'It feels like my safe place.' To be honest, I respectively doubt that such a place exists, but it is nice to believe that it does [exist]. I suppose I need to find another resource, someplace more private, where I may speak freely  about what is on my mind without offending the sensibilities  of the reader. I would not want to be accused of leading a reader down the wrong path or seeming that I am indifferent, insensitive, not politically correct [ I dislike that term ], etc. So, until such time that a new more private journal resource, asset, site, whatever the correct terminology is for such a site,  I will guard my words and write with caution, remembering to keep  family friendliness  in mind. You  never know who is reading the

  Who is "Peg Leg Sam!?" Many years have passed since I heard the story of "Peg Leg Sam!" In fact, it has been so long that I cannot recall the particulars of the story. If memory serves me correctly, Peg Leg Sam was a boy who lost his leg while cutting firewood and died. This apparently took place during the winter months. I cannot recall if he lived on a farm or in the mountains. According to my cousin Al (may he rest in peace) who told us the story of Peg Leg Sam, "...if you are bad and disobedient, on the eve of Halloween, Peg Leg Sam will come looking for you. You will know him by his silhouette in the window made possible by the light of the Halloween moon. He raises his right hand to the top of the window and draws it down slowly. If he does this three times, you will not make it to November 1st." When my cousin told this story one Halloween night, he had another cousin standing outside the bedroom window. The shade was drawn and a light was shining

  Reflection I wonder if I talk too much? Perhaps I need to speak less and do more in the service of God through my neighbors. Allow my actions to speak for me. Retirement Notice I posted a notification on my Facebook page announcing that I intend to retire at the end of the year. This also includes the "Communications Coordinator" position at St. Thomas More. I hope to focus more on creating online shows on Social Media, traveling, and spending time with God, *neighbors, and myself. I look forward to visiting Anaheim, Disneyland with my family in 2024, and visiting the gravesite of my brother and parents. *Neighbors also include family and friends. Disney's Haunted Mansion I have been listening to various YouTube videos about the origins and history of Disney's Haunted Mansion (and other attractions). In this regard I am grateful for technology and YouTube because I can listen to a recording of this attraction from start to finish. As I close my eyes, I picture mysel

  Hello, Friend! Thank you for stopping by. Let's open today's journal entry with the latest entry by older Carlos to younger Carlos as part of an ongoing book titled, "Dear Carlos ... From Carlos!" -- Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023 Dear Carlos: I hope this entry finds "us" doing well. I realize you have not yet met her yet, but you will be grateful to know that God has blessed "us" with a friendship with a beautiful woman of faith whom I like to call, 'Ms. Irma.' We both attend St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Tulsa. That reminds me, I will have to share my STM experiences with you in a later entry about how I resisted the Holy Spirit's invitation to join the St. Thomas More community.  Ms. Irma has been a prominent member of the Catholic community for many years. She has a saintly disposition and a smile that lights up the world. She is well-connected with many amazing folks in both the Catholic and secular communities. She is a force to r

  Dear Journal: NOTE: Originally, this was supposed to post on June 10, 2023. I guess I am running a bit behind (smile). I watched an interesting movie this afternoon titled, If You're Gone: It Only Took A Moment For You To Disappear (2019). Here is a summary of the film according to IMDb: When high school senior Brad Lee disappears the night of his graduation ceremony, his girlfriend is forced to question everything she thought she knew about him and their relationship, as well as her own faith, in hopes of finding him. This was a good movie. It really drew me in. I wasn't expecting to learn what I learned as the movie began to conclude. I could see something like this happening in real life. I remember thinking to myself as I watched this movie, "I wish I could write something like that." When I shared that thought with Mark he said, "Why can't you!" Touche! -- Below is a brief excerpt from a new story I am working on titled, "Dear Carlos...From