Pecky’s. I can barely remember that name, Pecky’s.

I googled it. In the gazillion possible places that google.com could find something it could only find two references to “Pecky’s” & “Schiller Park”, both on Facebook.

One was by a guy I graduated high school with. Having felt grateful that Paul Z kept the legacy of Pecky’s alive, I wrote him a thank you note.

Pecky’s & A “Player’s Coach”

Overcoming Fear

Eric Valli, a professional photographer, is dangling by a nylon rope from a 395 foot cliff in Nepal.

Nearby on a rope ladder is another man, Mani Lal, doing what he has done for decades: hunting honey.

Here in the Himalayan foothills, the cliffs shelter honeycombs of the world’s largest honeybee. At the moment, thousands of them are buzzing around both men. Lal, a veteran of hundreds of such attacks, is calm. Not so Mr. Valli.

We crave for meaning and purpose, security and significance, love and hope.

Billy Graham has offered wise quote-worthy advise on these and many subjects for generations.

This book — Billy Graham in Quotes – provides sound bites with wisdom for the ages. Franklin Graham, Billy’s son, and Donna Lee Toney have collected thousands of quotes gathered into 107 categories (listed below) that will delight, motivate and enrich readers.

Here are ten quotes that I valued. You may value others. I loved this collection of wise words and sage suggestions, and I think that you will too.

“Run — flee the evil desires of youth; run away; run away from infantile indulgence; run from temptations that capture young people; run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts — instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.“  1

Okay, yeah love is the obvious choice, but why does the choice STILL have to be so [expletive] hard!

1 – 2 Timothy 2:22

Who may ascend the hill of the Lord?
Who may stand in his holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to an idol
or swear by what is false.
He will receive blessing from the Lord
and vindication from God his Savior.

Psalms 24:3-5, NIV

Yesterday was Valentines Day.  Yesterday was also the anniversary of the legend of the green hippo.  If you don’t know that story or want another opportunity to laugh at me, feel free to read it again in Sex, Lies & the Truth – Pt 3 of 3 – The Truth.

I’m trying to grow up, grow more appreciative, take my Valentine less for granted, show the love I think of, feel the love that lives within and follow her example of generosity.

I worked a fourteen-hour day yesterday, but I still got a couple things right.

“The passion of love bursting into flame is more powerful than death,
stronger than the grave. Love cannot be drowned by oceans or floods;
it cannot be bought, no matter what is offered.” 1

I wish I loved, and loved my Valentine more like that!

8 Things I Wish I Did For My Valentine

My friends Kevin and Cassie and I met this weekend at the 5-8 Grill. As good as the Juicy Lucy burgers were, the conversation was even better. 

As we ate and talked they smiled at one another, laughed together and completed one another’s stories.  While busy, they enjoy their lives together.

Four years ago we spent quite a lot of time together as we prepared for their wedding.  Now, four and a half years later it’s obvious that the love that was blossoming into marriage was in full bloom.

They love one another.

Mario Manningham, the NY Giants wide receiver was a good receiver in 2010, but the 18th worst at catching the football this year.  Fortunately, when it mattered most he caught the football that helped save the season for the Super Bowl winning Giants. 1

Most of us live life like Manningham, success one moment and we fail the next.  We want to be the best but stumple into stupid fights with the people we love the most.  It’s a those times we need to be the clutch player and choose to do what’s most needed.

Clutch At Home

Tom Coughlin, head coach of the Super Bowl winning New York Giants, spoke about the importance of having a player like quarterback Eli Manning in a leadership role for the Giants.

The New York Times quoted Coughlin: “Eli stood up in the team meeting the other day and said a lot of things that were responded to not only by the young kids, but by the veterans as well…I think that the information gathering and sharing of information from someone who has been there and succeeded, that can be extremely valuable.”