Creature of habits......................

We all are, I suppose...  We have our little ways of doin' things.

Before I go to bed at night, I set up the coffee maker for in the morning,

so that it'll be ready to brew at the touch of the button as I walked by on

the way to let the dogs out. I also savor a teaspoon of peanut butter.

And once I get into bed, and am ready to fall asleep, I position myself

on my back, legs straight with toes up, and my hands folded across my chest.

This used to freak Marianne out a bit because it's tad too "casket ready"...

I also habitually carry things with me during the day. As a fan of CBS' hit show,

"N.C.I.S.", I'm well aware of Leroy Jethro Gibbs Rule #9..."Always carry a knife..."

So I usually carry a small folder with me in case I'm attacked by an emergency letter

 or package, or in case I've got a random thread hangin' from one of my 20 year old

shirts...And I feel absolutely naked without a pen.

I think this was caused by my stint as a bank teller during my summer

between high school and college. Several times a day, customers would ask to

borrow a pen. I'd oblige. And they NEVER gave it back. I'm quite picky

and protective of my pens.

Some things ingrained in me since I was 9 years old.

My third grade teacher, Mrs. Russell, began every morning with an inspection

of sorts. I don't remember to what standard the girls were held, but for the boys,

we had to have a clean handkerchief, clean fingernails and a comb.  Well, I didn't

really have any fingernails as a nervy little boy, and my hair was cut in a very close

crewcut, but I passed muster with a clean hanky everyday.

I've grown up a bit and now can produce clean fingernails.

I still have no use for a comb.

I ALWAYS carry a clean hanky.

And if you need to borrow my pen? No problem.

Don't wanna give it back?

Remember: I have a knife.  ;-)