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My journey in life has been filled with experiences so diverse that some folks have a hard time believing my story. Someone once told me, "You'd have to be twice your age to have done so much." That may be true for most, but it's amazing what you can accomplish if you'll get off the couch and get busy. From scuba diving Guam and Hawaii, to cross-country skiing in Alaska, to street shopping in Pusan, Korea -- I've been blessed with a life that has been rich with culture, travel, and adventure.

After graduating from Mary Montgomery High School in Semmes, Alabama in 1976, I joined the U.S. Navy for four years. Twenty years later, I retired from the Navy. However, during those Navy years I went to college and finally amassed enough credits for Associates and Bachelors degrees. After I retired, I did enough seminary work to complete a Masters Degree in Christian Counseling and went on to finish my doctorate in Ministry.

My Navy years took me around the world . . . Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, Portugal, Bermuda, Iceland, Korea, Mexico, Canada and 39 of the U.S. states. Living in rural Northwest Florida is the best place yet! I don't miss the travel at all. I certainly don't miss the moving. Life is full of ironies. The young folks here in Jay, Florida can't understand why in the world I'd settle in a place they can't wait to get away from. It's a classic case of "been there, done that." There really is "No Place Like Home" and "Home is Where the Heart Is." My heart is in the country.

Jay only has one traffic light and wouldn't you know it, every time I go through town, I get caught on the light. Murphy lives in Jay, too. About 15 miles south they opened a Walmart Supercenter. It's funny how the Jay Citizens complain that they liked the smaller Walmart better.

Oh, and one more thing . . . I don't live in Jay -- that's just my mailing address. I'm twelve miles south of Jay at the Allentown crossroads. We have a flashing light at the crossroads -- what's this world coming to? The next thing you know, we'll have a convenience store.

The farming life suits me well. I have raised just about every kind of poultry -- turkeys, ducks, chickens, geese, and most recently, quail. Now, it's just goats and Old English Game Bantams. And, of course, our two farm cats -- Willie and Miracle -- two of the best mousers and molers you've ever seen. It seems that I have two wardrobes -- overalls and dress suits. I like the overalls better.