I MUST BE CRAZY!

Probably, but we MEN need each other!!

Author

The Strange Him
June 06, 2024

WHAT AM I THINKING?

As I sit here wondering how to start this newsletter, I wonder what in the world am doing? I’m not a freaking writer. I’m not even sure how I passed English in high school…much less college. I’m just and old southern fella, that if you met me, you would be coming to the same conclusion I am currently acknowledging…I am an idiot! But with that said, why am I on this computer trying to fill some space with something….anything(come on brain…work). OK, here it is. I hate to see how society looks at MEN(and yes in this newsletter there is a difference between a man and a MAN. We will discuss that sometime in an upcoming newsletter.) and how true MEN have been titled “TOXIC”. We are labled toxic because MEN are the only thing that stands in the way of evil and those who subscribe to the evils in the world want us portrayed as the problem.

So why?

So, am I crazy to even think…this little newsletter could possibly become part of some man’s life out in this crazy world? Something that he looks forward to on a weekly basis? Possibly…who knows. Call me nostalgic, but I just don’t see the same men in this world that raised me and I grew up admiring. They were tough, strong, hard working and self reliant but, they were also kind, polite, generous, always willing to lend a hand and the one thing that has seemingly become lost… being respectful. Now dont get me wrong, I have no notions that this little blurb will change any of that or bring any of those characteristics of MEN, now mostly gone, back. What I do hope to do, is stir that little something inside of you that goads a part of you to become a little more of a gentleman…like those we used to know.

MY INSPIRATION

Now I know this sounds a little contradictory but my inspiration to start this little brief is a poem. All of us have heard a portion of it used from time to time but I would venture to guess that most reading this have never completely read it from the first verse throught the last word. I would have started here but not sure if any of you would have read this far if I had. Do yourself a favor and hang on just a little longer and read one of the most iconic poems written by an American poet.

The Road Not Taken

Robert Frost 1874 –1963

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”

From The Poetry of Robert Frost by Robert Frost, edited by Edward Connery Lathem. Copyright 1916, 1923, 1928, 1930, 1934, 1939, 1947, 1949, © 1969 by Holt Rinehart and Winston, Inc. Copyright 1936, 1942, 1944, 1945, 1947, 1948, 1951, 1953, 1954, © 1956, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1962 by Robert Frost. Copyright © 1962, 1967, 1970 by Leslie Frost Ballantine.

MY NEW BEGINNING!

MAYBE YOURS TOO!

It is only right to share the poem that inspired me to try my hand at writing this newsletter. This is a new road for me. I have never…EVER…aspired to do anything like this. Now, I have always wanted to step onto this road but I have always continued to trod that oh-so-boring, 9 to 5 road that is wide-open that has a clear view for as far as I can see. The view is the same for miles and miles. I think a lot of us find ourselves on this same road. Get up, take a leak, take a shower, brush our teeth, get dressed, maybe a cup of coffee for the drive, holler “I love you” to the wife as we head out the door, hit the ground running at our jobs, the countdown starts for lunch(because we have some ME TIME…we will study this ME TIME sooner than later), suffer through an afternoon of drooping eye lids and dwindling inspiration, hussle back home to the family (only to have 3-4 hours to spend with them), eat supper, hit the sofa for a few minutes of relaxation (and a little more ME TIME), then on to bed readying ourselves to do it again tomorrow. Is this you? It sure is me! Taking the “travelled road” day after day sucking the MAN out of me. Throughout my life I have thought I took the road less travelled…on multiple occasions…but I always ended up being right back on the same wide-open, wore out road. I’m tired of the same travelled road. This is my first step onto that barely noticed road, where the limbs are hanging out over the path, the head high grass is growing on either side and down the middle of the little two-track, dirt road.  I can’t see very well and what I can see is only just a few feet ahead…but…this excites me. I want the MAN inside of me to come forthat and I hope what I write about will help bring him forth. I am excited to see what lies down this road. Hopefully see things I have never seen; do things I have never done, make myself a bit uncomfortable. Maybe you will read something or see something in this newsletter that will inspire you to join me on the road you have never seen to be the MAN you long to be. Maybe you have seen that old dirt road no one travels and just strep onto it and go. The goal of this newsletter is to give you hope and inspiration to stretch yourself and be the MAN inside of you wanting to show up and show out.

SOME OF THE PLACES WE WILL EXPLORE

Hopefully this letter finds us exploring the unknown. What the unknown MAN is will be different for you and myself but maybe we will start to find him. I am no writer but I am going to do my best to bring things forward that hopefully echo to MEN. True MEN are seemingly becoming lost in this world. This is newsletter is for all men that long and desire to be that MAN. This newsletter will dive into the world of MEN. Things that have long been stereotypical of men, things that are unspoken that make a MAN, things that portray a MAN and some things that MEN just gravitate to. Now, do these things make us a man? Nope…but these things may provoke our thoughts, possibly invoke our nostalgia and God-willing spark something inside you that you just can’t ignore. Below are just some of the things that come to mind that stir interest in me and might just jump at you also.

FAITH

Everyone believes in something! I am a christian, so ultimately when we discuss faith, it will likely stem from the faith of my beliefs. That said, there will be no chastising or preaching just more of a understanding to trust your faith in all things.

Men of Faith

The Bible contains many stories of men of faith, such as the three who were thrown into a fiery furnace. What can we learn from these men of faith?

FITNESS

A healthy man can do anything. I admit it, I am in a cult. The F3 cult. Seriously, it is not a cult but I love the guys I do fitness with. They stretch me. More than likely there is an F3 group around you. Its not easy. It always sucks but you always get better. If you want to learn a little more about F3, take a look:

F3 Nation - Fitness | Fellowship | Faith ®

F3 is a national network of free, peer-led workouts for men. Our mission is to plant, grow and serve small workout groups for men for the invigoration of male community leadership.

HEALTH

The one thing we as men seem to do is think we are invincible. We injure ourselves or just have a little pain that never seems to go away but, we always have that same response…”I’ll be OK”. Take care of yourselves fellas.

More than half of U.S. adults don’t know heart disease is leading cause of death, despite 100-year reign

Highlights: More than half (51%) of respondents in a 2023 Harris Poll survey conducted on behalf of the American Heart Association did not identify heart disease as the leading cause of death in the U.S. According to the 2024 Heart Disease and Stroke ...

EATS

This might include recipes, experiments, survival cooking, some awesome chefs or just amazing places to eat. The primary intent of anything food related is to be how to keep yourself fed. And as a primer…just in case you get lost in the woods and no idea where you are, or you just wanna go camping you might want to cook over fire. Here is just a snippet how.

Survival Cooking: How to Cook with Sticks

Most outdoor enthusiasts have at least cooked a marshmallow or a hot dog on a stick, but why stop there? If you take the time to learn these primitive culinary techniques, you can prepare a wide range of foods over the campfire using sticks as cooking tools.

TRAVEL

Everyone likes to travel. We are going to explore some places that some may be familiar with while other places may be little hidden gems but make know doubt about it these places are a MAN’s dream.

EXPLORATION

Just like traveling we are going exploring. Show of hands? Who has ever been head hunting? Arrowheads that is.

HOW TO

Just like it says…how to do? More on this one later as it is pretty close to my heart. This is a simple but good one…how to tie a tie. The bowtie gets all the love in the “how to” department but lets look at how to tie a traditional tie.

How to Tie a Tie 7 Different Ways

Need to learn how to tie a tie or just add a few new knots to your arsenal? Our step-by-step guide is sure to tie your ensemble together.

SPORTS

MEN and sports go hand in hand. Gotta have some sports.

SPORTSMEN

Hunting and fishing go hand in hand with conservation. If you are one you should be the other.

Lets go ahead and get this conversation started…what say you?

One of the most significant threats to America's wild game and habitat is the decline in hunters. It may seem counterintuitive, but hunting and conservation are closely intertwined.

FINANCE

I am no expert but we are going to learn some principles and maybe even talk to some experts.

WORK

You may be an entrepreneur or an employee or both but hopefully there will be something that will help all of us.

HYGENE

This doesnt sound too manly…but what about that beard? Currently I am on a mission to find the best beard oil I can find. Here is the one I am using right now. I will give a review soon.

Big Bourbon Beard Oil

The decision to cultivate a world champion beard can never be taken lightly. A firm commitment to proper care and maintenance is a must.

Do what needs to be done and equip yourself with Duke Cannon's Big Bourbon Beard Oil. Made with premium natural ingredients such as apricot kernel, argan, and jojoba oils, it's formulated to soften even the hardest working beards.

We even threw in a hint of Buffalo Trace Bourbon in there, because bourbon makes everything better. It doesn't smell like you've had one too many; it has a woodsy, oak barrel scent that most folks find very appealing.

UNTIL NEXT TIME!

Everything in this newletter will be focused for MEN. Helping men become better Husbands, Fathers, Sons, Friends, Employers, Employees…just better MEN!  Although this newsletter is focused on MEN that doesn’t say women can’t gain something from this newsletter even if it is just learning a little more about MEN in general.  Doubtful but possible!

STAY STRANGE!

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