Buckeye Mike

When Tiffany and I first started dating, I was assigned to run a project in Charleston, West Virginia. I was still working for Belfor at the time, and had to run down for a couple days to meet an adjuster and agree upon a scope of work. I asked her if she wanted to accompany me, and she cheerfully agreed. It was the first day trip we had ever taken together, and we were both excited to get away. As we drove down route 33 headed towards Athens, she asked if we would be passing through Point Pleasant, West Virginia along the way. I told her we wouldn't, because that small city was southeast of the route I needed to take. She seemed disappointed, and I asked why. She explained that she had always wanted to go there because of the Mothman Legend. I had no idea what she was speaking of, so she explained. The Mothman is a creature who haunts the Point Pleasant Area. He was first seen in 1966 by a crew of men digging a grave, and was spotted several more times around the TNT plant, wh...

Several years ago I took a liking to a PBS show called the Red Green show. On the advice of a friend, I sat down and watched as Red used a wooden door, restaurant salt shakers, and a ton of duct tape to turn his 70's Dodge Cargo Van into a snow plow. I was hooked. I tuned in regularly to see what he would do next, and he never disappointed. From turning a Greyhound Bus into a convertible with a steering column that reached the back seat to sawing the top off his car, welding gutters to the sides, and having a garbage truck pick it up to clean the car out, he was full of off the wall yet brilliant ideas. And at the end of each show, he would look into the camera and tell his audience that "if the women can't find you handsome, they sure better find you handy!" I have never been accused of being handy. Don't get me wrong, I know enough about construction to write a good scope of work, and did pass my estimating course with a 98%. But when it comes to throwing the ...

The Thurman Cafe is home to some of the world's most famous hamburgers. Located just south of downtown Columbus in German Village, this iconic little cafe had been featured on Man VS Food, College Football Gameday, and other national programs. The long wait to get in was a deterrent for me most days, as the wait for lunch is usually a few hours. So I had only been there once, and had yet to check out the "Thurman's to go", a carryout version next door to the original. I heard those lines were also too much for an hour lunch break. But then, one of my co-workers said what may have been the greatest thing I have ever heard, when he mentioned that they had opened another Thurman's to go. Down the street. From my office. I was so happy I almost cried. I decided to order John-Michael a Thurmanator  for lunch. He had wanted to take on this challenge ever since I told him about this legendary meal on a bun that was enough to feed four. And works very hard in my warehou...

I spent Saturday afternoon with my best friend in this world. This is nothing new, as we have done this literally a thousand times over the 18 or so years I have known him. From 100 bonfires at his place, to a few dozen visits to the Pizza Cottage, we get together as we can. Heck we even worked together and were friends before either of us had any kids (there are now 6ish between us). But this is the first time we ever got together to have a Thurman Burger.  And while that in and of itself is pretty spectacular, , the day presented us a chance to catch up, reflect, and get back to where we need to be. As we drove the 20 minutes or so to the restaurant, Ralph and I talked about recent trials that we have been experiencing. He went through a rough couple of months and had to deal with a lot of issues that I had no idea he was facing. And while his struggles ran deep, he was able to change the things he needed to in order to start anew. Likewise, he did not know about the issues I...

This has been a rough December. In fact, this is probably the roughest time in my life since those dark days 5 years ago when I was watching my mother battle and hoping beyond all hope for a miracle. As you know, that miracle never came and my life was sent into a downward spiral that nearly cost me my life. Once I hit the bottom and bounced, I found a life where everything made sense. Now, as I once again have been stung by December, I pray that God will lead me through this tumultuous time and show me his will, as he did then. Three years, I was remembering my mother and reliving the last memories I have of her. It was a very emotional and cathartic time for me, and using this blog to recount that terrible time was very therapeutic. I would recommend going back and looking at those posts. I do so often, especially when I find myself in a place like I am today. They are my refuge, and help me find my center when nothing else makes sense. During that time, I wrote a blog entitled ...

"No one has called me Moonlight Graham in 50 years" - Burt Lancaster, Field of Dreams I love that movie. One of my all time favorites, the best part is when Kevin Costner and James Earl Jones are talking to the lady at the local paper. She is telling them about the old baseball player they were looking for who had come back home and become a doctor. And everyone had known him in this small town. I have seen that movie 1000 times and could probably watch it 1000 more. It never gets old. We are in a very busy spell at work. As winter arrived, house fires became the prevalent claim type called into the Mammoth Ohio World Headquarters. And since I am that fire guy, I have been running from Dayton to Portsmouth, Bucyrus to Athens, and everywhere in between. My boss and I joked that we need to put a laptop stand where my passenger seat is so I can write a few estimates as I drive. Or I hope he was joking! One of the fires I did this week was in my neighborhood. This has becom...

Earlier in the week I asked for prayers, as I found myself in a very unfamiliar, uncomfortable, and devastating position. A situation presented itself to me that knocked me back down a mountain I thought I had already conquered. Out of fear of going into a complete tailspin, I sought counsel where I needed to and tried to find something to grab on to so that I would not fall any further. And while I am a long way from okay, I am better than I was yesterday, and that was miles ahead of where I was when the moment of truth arrived. And I believe the path ahead, while long, will find us back on top again. I thank you all for your prayers and ask that you keep us in them. I am so grateful for the shoulder and advice that helped me helped me step out of the rubble and find the first steps towards rebuilding. And I love you all for being there when I needed you. Day # 293. Have a great night everyone.