Quest to be Humble

     Music:
     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkXAOV-sx84
     I can do this now! (Just the harmonica part)


     Story:
     I'm giving some creative writing a try. This is something new to me. I would really really love some constructive criticism, so anything anyone reads that they feel can be improved upon please let me know. I would appreciate the comments being constructive but if you don't feel it's coming out that way don't worry about it and comment anyways. My skin's thick—I can take it.

     Ferguson woke up at 6:09am. It was a day like any other. He hit his 9 minute snooze button exactly once, as always. He groggily rolled right to a sitting position along the side of his mattress, as always. He purveyed his room for a pair of not clean but not-too-dirty socks, ignoring the several empty TV dinner containers he hadn't bothered to clean yet, as always. Today though, something caught the corner of his sight in his dimly lit room. Near the barricaded by DVDs window, just above Jurassic Park 2, was some sort of creature.
     At least that was the word that passed through Ferguson's mind as he scanned past it. The thing resembled a sort of giant flea, or a monstrous birthday balloon with several crooked ragged streamers, or perhaps a Jellyfish with a face, if face were defined very loosely. It was only slightly larger than Ferguson's foot, not including the dangly things which were twice the length of the body. It had a sort of soft light to it, like a glow in the dark toy after months of glowing a bit less and less each night. It floated in the air, its "legs" not an inch from Steven Spielberg's masterpiece. Ferguson certainly didn't know what to make of it, not that he gave it so much as a second glance.
     "Socks..."
     He found and put on a whitish pair that only smelled if your nose got within two or so feet. Other than socks Ferguson slept in his clothes—khakis and a polo shirt of a size too big—so he was now all dressed. He shuffled his way out his cramped bedroom to the other end of his tiny apartment and used the toilet. He looked at his shower as he stood and briefly considered taking one, but figured it wasn't worth the bother, as always. He shambled back through his bedroom and into the kitchen+dining table area. Ferguson loved scrambled eggs, but  figured making them was too much a hassle, so he grabbed the past expiration date milk for cereal instead, as always. He then noticed that the floaty glowy creature was now levitating about a yard away from his head. He stopped chewing and glanced to his left towards it—for about three seconds, then returned to munching his Eaty-O's
     When the food was eaten Ferguson put his bowl in the pile of bowls in the sink, as always. He tucked his shirt in, rubbed his eyes, and was ready for work. He grabbed his keys and paused at the door. Before he opened it, he let out a slow sigh, as always. Then he left. As he walked to his car he realized he forgot to brush his teeth, as always, but was late for work so he couldn't double back. He was supposed to be there at 6.
     Ferguson got into his Saturn and began to drive the .34 mile commute to work. However, after the traffic light (which was red, as always), at .18 miles, he suddenly and unceremoniously pulled over to the side of the road. A floaty glowy creature was floating and glowing above his passenger seat and an odd thought had burst into Ferguson's mind, "What the heck is that thing!?"
     To Ferguson's credit, he did not scream. His pulse accelerated to that of a sustained jog, his eyes widened, and he shifted himself towards the driver side door more quickly than he had moved in months (since the last time he was so startled, when his co-worker Rikki snuck up on him). But, he did not scream. He starred at the otherworldly creature for about one minute and thirty-seven seconds. The floating glowing oversize insect (maybe) starred back for about one minute and thirty-seven seconds. Then Ferguson noticed the car clock, which read 6:35am,
     "Shit! I'm late!"
     Ferguson drove unusually quickly the remaining .16 miles. The creature continued to float. And glow. And stare.


     Reflection:
     Life here is simple. I mean this in the absolute most positive way. I wake up, eat, and read, write, or practice harmonica. I walk to town, about 3 miles, thinking or practicing along the way. I read and research at the library, eat at the local soup kitchen, then return to my tent. I'll have a small dinner, read, write, or practice some more, or perhaps just talk to some people that came to the river to fish. There is lots of time to think in between all these endeavors. And that is all I do (hopefully my body is healing my arm during all this haha).
     Starring out at the river at night, the embers from the fire I made gently glowing, I am content. I have what I need. I only want to ask for what I need, not what I want. I'm working on needing less. I think it's working, but I guess I'll only know in retrospect.
     Here, I have found peace.


     Pictures:

 If I was in the market for a container for my potatoes I would have so totally bought that.

 Beware this evil flower. Small insects live upon it that may dig under your skin if you touch it!

 “Democracy depends on an informed population. And where can people get all the information they need? —At the Library.” Elliot Shelkrot

 Beautiful country 'round here.

 Now this here is Sting Weed. Touch it and you'll be in a lot of pain!

 This here is Water Weed.
Break it open and rub the liquid inside on where the Sting Weed got'cha and the pain aughta go away.

I found these plum-like fruits on a tree on the side of the road. Yum!

Here I am, 'wounded-traveler-by-the-river' mode.

     Poetry:

     "Meet me in Tennessee"

     This here's the country and we got it all
     from valleys to the mountains big and tall
     Take a look around'n see what we gots to see
     come'n meet me down in Tennessee

     Drinkin' smokin' gamblin' yeah we're chewin' tobacco too
     Truckin' campin' fishin' by the river—lots of stuff for you to do
     So getcher butt over here and have some fun! I said we
     are gonna come and meetcha on down in Tennessee

     If ya belly ain't full s'alright we got good eats
     Chicken legs'n biscuits, taters and choice meats
     Nothin' hits the spot like a nice cold cup'o sweet tea
     here's is where we brew it, right on down in Tennessee

     Now some got work'n they's doin' jus' fine
     Others scrapin' by without even a dime
     But don'tcha worry yer pretty lil' head none—we don't letta man go hungry
     not when he comes'n meets us on down in Tennessee

     And come ye sheep thou shalt feel his presence
     Jesus is mighty and good—pray for repentence
     Be you not humble fall here to bended knee
     We praise The Lord on down in Tennessee

     Yeah life can be hard but life can always be good
     Search for the truth and always do as you should
     Whatcha waitin' for now ya'll know it's the place to be
     come'n meet me on down in Tennessee!