Allow me to answer a few silly questions that have been posed to me through Storyworth, as I continue to write my life story. As I’ve admitted many times, my favorite drink is Diet Coke, although I’ve tried to cut down on caffeine to relieve some of my shakiness. When I’m feeling rebellious, I’ll buy a can of Sugar Free Monster, and I’m still partial to an Arby’s Jamocha Shake, but rarely stop for one anymore. I’ve never liked beer so I haven’t gotten caught up in the whole Budweiser transgender scandal, although some of my conservative neighbors recently questioned my purchase of a Michelob Ultra. I think I’ll just stick with Coors Light to avoid any future political nonsense, but I will go on record with a rare personal observation. I think that it’s ironic that Americans have now made Modelo (Mexican) and Yuengling (Chinese) the top selling beers rather than face their ridiculous homophobic fears, putting Americans out of work.  Tito’s is my Vodka of choice, so lately I’ve been drinking it in a mix with cranberry juice, lime, and tonic water. I need it to deal with our unfriendly, biased world.

The other day one of my neighbors oddly asked if our dog Tally liked coffee. Their pups apparently beg for it. We don’t drink coffee at home but are prepared for company with a Keurig, so Tally has never picked up the habit. Admittedly, when I was working, I would stop at the Starbucks in our building for a decaf mocha latte. I also drink sugar free, orange Gatorade, most any flavor of sparkling water, and red wine. 

I’ve also been asked what famous people I’ve met. This would include Peyton Manning, Ray Romano, Morgan Freeman, John Cougar Mellencamp, Bob Knight, Gene Keady, Lou Henson, Walter Alston, Tommy Lasorda, Ryne Sandburg, Reggie Miller, Nick Saban, Gene Simmons, George McGinnis, Craig McCaw, John McKay, Jason Aldean, David Schwimmer, Scott Rolen, Henry Winkler, BB King, Mario Andretti, A.J. Foyt, Al Unser, Dennis Lehane, Matt Damon, Meadowlark Lemon, Barak Obama, Drew Brees, Shirley Muldowny, Lyn St. James, Patrick Dempsey, Lance Armstrong, Matthew McConaughey, Paul Newman, Mariska Hargitay, S. Epatha Merkerson, Rick Bayless, Larry Bird, JFK Jr., Jane Pauley, Jeff Saturday, Tom Brokaw, Kevin Costner, Mohammad Ali, Alicia Keys, Billy Brooks, Jeff George, Rupert Boneham (Survivor), Dan Rather, The Who, Nick Nolte, Bob Eubanks, Alex Trebek, Vanna White, Conan O’Brien, David Letterman, Bobby Rahal, ZZ Topp, Mick Fleetwood, Pat Sajak, Grace Slick, Jon Anderson, Sean Connery, Kyle Chandler, Connie Britton, Jesse Plemons, Olivia Newton John, Buddy Garrity, Bitsie Tulloch (Grimm), Drew Barrymore, Ray Charles, Donald Trump, Senator John McCain, Danica Patrick, Alice Cooper, Dick Butkus, Angela Lansbury, Joe Tiller, John Popper, Mary Travers, Michael Johnson, Gail Devers, Martha Stewart, Mickey Mouse, George Foreman, Raymond Floyd, Gene Cernan, Don Kessinger, Eugene Levy, Mike Ditka, Jim Belushi, and Nolen Ryan, to name a few that I can remember. 

How do I want to be remembered? Well, I never made it into anyone’s Hall of Fame, but please don’t forget my smile, curly hair, sense of humor, running streak, silly poems, love of baseball & I.U., Toastmaster skills, and generosity. I wrote this many years ago as a final testament:

My Last Breath

As I close my eyes,

Take a final blink.

I want it to be,

A playful wink.

Like I know something,

No one else does.

I don’t know why?

Just because!

I’ll have a last laugh,

Put a smile on my face.

Make every effort,

To go out with grace.

I’ll take my secret,

To the grave.

And with final breath,

Pretend to act brave.

Like it’s no big deal,

To leave forever.

And all earthly ties,

To suddenly sever.

Into the unknown,

I’ll boldly venture.

And face the start,

Of this next adventure.

All I’ve accomplished,

The love I’ve felt.

I’m satisfied with,

The hand I’ve been dealt.

I have no regrets,

I’ll exit with style.

I take my first steps.

And leave you a smile.

And no, thankfully, I’ve yet to be saved or rescued.