Author: William Douthwaite

Posted in Life, Travel

Some of my heroes: shuttle drivers

Posted on by William Douthwaite

During a typical trip to Dallas to visit my son, we encounter at least four shuttle drivers. This latest trip they made my travel a pleasant experience.

The first picked us up at long-term parking and takes us to the departure terminal. We waited less than a minute for him to pull up next to our car, load our larger luggage, and learn who we’ll be flying with. With a big smile, he welcomes us onto his little bus. Without losing his cool or breaking a sweat, he negotiates airport traffic, an amazing assortment of clueless, rude, and impatient drivers clogging up the drop-off spots. He unloads all our luggage onto the curb and wishes us well on our journey.

After we land in Dallas, we grab our luggage and head to the pickup area for the car rental shuttle. All the car rental companies share one building, so there is always a crowd watching for the arrival of the big blue shuttle bus. After the driver makes sure all our bags are in the racks, he begins our trip to the rental center. On my most recent trip he welcomed us to the Dallas-Fort Worth and encouraged us to take advantage of the many things to do, like taking bull riding lessons! That got a smile from everyone on board.

On the way home, we first dropped off our rental car, and then hopped on a big blue shuttle bus that would take us to our departure terminal. Even though the sun was barely up, the driver was enthusiastic about his job and cheerfully welcomed us on board. Before pulling out, he reminded us to be sure we had all our belongings from the rental cars, from phones to chargers to luggage. But, most importantly, he reminded us to leave the car keys behind.

Once we landed and were ready to head back home, a shuttle driver picked us up to take us back to our car. After we got on board, he welcomed us back home and waited a few minutes for more passengers. None came, so he pulled our and as soon as he did, his radio alerted him to more passengers. He chuckled and said, “I was looking right at them, and they were all on their phones! But don’t worry, another shuttle will be by in a few minutes.” He then told us that some long term parking shuttles only run once an hour! He pulled up to our parking spot and put all our luggage into the back of our car.

It takes a special kind of person to deal with travelers all day long. Some are frantically trying to make a flight. Many are tired and cranky. Others have way too many bags to carry or have a bunch of kids to keep track of. These drivers get you there quickly and safely, smiling through it all.

I’m not sure if they are trained to work with people, or whether it comes naturally to them. But this last time to Texas, I noticed and appreciated (and tipped them for) all they did.

Posted in Life

When he saw her, the look on his face was priceless.

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Ludovic Migneault on Unsplash

We walked into church just as the congregation started singing the first hymn. The only one who knew we would be there that Sunday morning was my daughter-in-law. She gave us a big smile as we slipped into the pew. Two of our granddaughters were sitting with friends a row in front. The youngest was with a friend in the row behind. My grandson was on the other side of his mom. We made the trip under the radar to surprise my son, whose church was celebrating his ten years of ministry there.

When I tapped the shoulder of the oldest, her eyes got big and she mouthed, “How did you get here?” I answered by putting my arms out like an airplane. Next to her, number three, gave us a big grin. Looking behind us, the two-year old just gave us a look. And when we got the attention of my six-year-old grandson, he kind of smirked as he read along with the service.

I was sitting on the aisle, in plain view of my son as he did his parts of the service. I thought for sure he spotted us. But he didn’t until the other pastor got up to preach. At that moment, looking out into the congregation, my son spotted his mom, tilted his head, furrowed his brow, and flashed a quick smile, totally surprised to see her in the crowd. The look on his face was priceless. My wife’s recently grown-out hair made him pause, too, reacting to a look she hasn’t had for a long time.

The whole event, including a potluck lunch after worship, was a successful surprise for my son. He sensed something was up, but had no idea what had been planned. Afterwards, he commented that the bigger surprise was how good the food was. Previous potlucks hadn’t been as well-prepared as this one.

It’s hard to pull off a surprise like that. The churches I served were never able to do it. I would pretend like I didn’t know anything when I got a copy of the email sent to the congregation about a surprise or gift. Letters to the congregation would be left in the duplicator where I would find it when I went to make copies. People would apologize to me for not being able to attend an occasion that was supposed to be a surprise for me. Apparently no one had the spiritual gift of keeping a secret!

When’s the last time I looked out and saw someone totally unexpected in the crowd? It must have been when a few friends from previous churches have stopped in unannounced. I’m sure I had a great look on my face, too.

Posted in Life

Walther, the bearded dragon

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Matteo Vella on Unsplash

I usually pay someone to get the bugs out of my house. Today, though, I paid to bring bugs into the house.

My son’s family has been pet-sitting a bearded dragon, a twenty-inch long lizard. Walther spends his days enjoying life in a hundred gallon aquarium equipped with a nice hammock for sleeping, half a log for hiding, a bowl of water, and a dish full of lizard chow (or whatever it is that lizards eat.) When his family feels like spoiling him, they feed him kale, blueberries, and crickets.

On a recent visit, my wife and I had an afternoon with the two oldest grandchildren. As we left, my daughter-in-law said, “If you want, you can get some crickets to feed Walther. Just make sure you get them coated with calcium.” Sounds easy enough.

I’ve waited in line at the pet store behind people purchasing bag of crickets. I’ve always wondered, “Who would do that?” Now I know.

After wandering around the pet store for a while we came across the cage full of crickets. It’s didn’t look like self-serve, so I told a store worker, “I need to buy some crickets.” She talked into a headset and said, “Someone will meet you there.”

A very nice woman met us at the cage a minute later. “I need fifteen crickets, coated with calcium.” “Sure, no problem.” She scooped some calcium powder into a clear plastic bag and opened the lid of the cage. I guess I expected crickets to swarm all over the store, but they didn’t. She scooped up a bunch with a special funnel and poured them into the bag. After twisting the top and securing it with a rubber band, she shook up the bag, wrote “12” on the side and handed it to me.

I asked her, “Do you enjoy the bug part of your job?” She said, “Oh,m you get used to it.” I doubted I’d ever get used to that, but who knows?

At the register, the woman ahead of me was buying hookworms for her lizard. One look at those and I was glad to only be buying crickets. The cashier talked about her own bearded dragon, who liked to relax on her shoulder as she did chores around the house. I paid for the crickets ($.13 a piece) and we headed home.

As soon as we walked in the door, Walther knew this was going to be a good day. When we dropped a few of the crickets into his tank, he snapped them right up and gave us the eye, as if to say, “Well? Let’s have the rest.”

A few minutes later my son got home from work, we dumped the rest of the crickets into the cage. In less than a minute, they were gone, just a few leg pieces sticking out of his mouth. But one cricket was hiding behind the log. It tried to crawl off into the corner unnoticed, but in a flash, Walther did a one eighty and gobbled it down.

I said, “You shouldn’t have any bug problems. Just let Walther hunt them down.” Alas, that’s not a good idea. Bugs around the house or in your garden are subject to parasites themselves. You have to buy bugs for them.

We were fascinated by the bearded dragon. But we have a strict “no reptile” rule in our house. No bugs, either. We’re dog people.

Posted in Travel

A QR experience – the right way

Posted on by William Douthwaite

A few days ago I wrote about my very disappointing QR experience at Bahama Breeze. Or should I say un-experience. Just a few days later I sat down at a restaurant that did it the right way.

We cruised around the LBJ turnpike in the dark and sailed through security at DFW. With some time on our hands we checked the dining kiosk for breakfast places. IHOP was a five minute walk to the other end of the terminal. Two “yes” votes and we were on our way.

A very nice hostess sat us and pointed to a QR code on the table. “Oh boy,” I thought, “Here we go again.” I scanned the code and brought up the menu. Pricey selections. But the breakfast sampler included more than enough food for the two of us. I punched in my choices, added two coffees, clicked on the shopping cart, and hoped for the best. I put in my credit card info, added a tip, and I was done.

A minute later a server arrived with a pot of coffee, two cups, and silverware. “Since you’re splitting a breakfast, I’ll bring an extra plate.” Perfect. She brought out our food a few minutes later.

I entered a skeptic, and left a believer. I don’t mind interacting with a live server. I don’t mind interacting with electronics, either. As long as each gets the job done.

Posted in Travel

Review: SeaQuest, Fort Worth, TX

Posted on by William Douthwaite

I did a quick search for “Things to do with kids in Dallas.” It’s boiling hot in Texas and thunderstorms are predicted for every morning and afternoon. An indoor activity for four grandchildren would be great. What about SeaQuest in Fort Worth? Not too expensive, an hour’s drive if we leave after rush hour, and the promise of an “interactive land and sea adventure.” A four-star rating on Tripadvisor. My son, now a ten year Dallas resident had never heard of it, but there were cool pictures on the website. What the heck, let’s give it a try.

The GPS took us right to the Ridgmar Mall just west of downtown Fort Worth. When we arrived about 11:30 am, the mall parking lot was all but empty. Two dozen cars and a school bus. My wife made me walk inside to make sure we were in the right place. Inside the entrance was a single sign directing, “Seaquest: on the other side of J.C. Penney.”

“This is the place,” I reported, ” “but it’s over there.” We drove to the other side of J.C. Penney where a few more cars were parked. We all hiked in through the entrance that was primarily for the 4-d movie theaters. At the top of an escalator I saw a SeaQuest sign hanging from the ceiling, and we rode to the top.

We walked into a mall that was definitely the place to be in the 1990’s. Today, however, every store as far as we could see was empty. We walked through this modern-day ghost town in what we hoped was the right direction. Number of stores open on this top level? Zero. The only open stores in the whole mall were a Dillards Clearance department store and J.C. Penney, who was desperate for shoppers. It was eerie. No stores, no people, nothing. Setting for a horror movie? I hoped not.

I looked down one level and saw it. SeaQuest Interactive Aquarium. Okay, we’re good. We headed down the escalator and into the venue. As my wife kept an eye on the kids, I told the friendly front desk person, “Two seniors and four children.” She pecked at a touch screen and asked me, “And how many tokens would you like to buy?” Tokens? Tokens. For feeding the fish and encountering the animals. Idk. “What do you recommend?” She pointed to a card on the desk. “Either eighty or 120.” Eighty tokens was $60! And I was already in for $100 admission. “Uh, just give me fifteen.” (Ten bucks) I’ll see how it goes. I can always buy more later, right?

Okay, we’re in and walk up to the first fish tank that hadn’t been cleaned in a while. Reality check. This is not SeaWorld. This is SeaQuest in the deceased Ridgmar mall. The floor is wet where we look at a school of big fish looking at us through the glass. A little gum ball machine off to the side sells fish food for one token. Ah, now I get it. They hope I’ll go through a whole bunch of tokens.

We wander past tanks of fish, sharks, sting rays, and lobster. We see otters, tortoise, kookaburra, lizards, sugar gliders, and a capybara. And at every exhibit, there is a place to buy food to feed the animals. For one token you can get a piece of fish, a bit of lettuce, some dead grubs, or some kind of reptile kibble. This is not an eco-friendly, PETA-approved, natural habitat. This is sad, depressing, and borderline abusive. Does anyone from the state of Texas come and inspect this place?

A friendly aquarium worker, holding an animal, says, “The kinkajou encounter is $25 per person or 10 tokens.” Nice – if you are raking in the upsell money at the venue. It’s all like that. Want to sit in a cage with hundreds of parakeets? Tokens. Want to feed the lizard a bite-sized piece of lettuce? Tokens. Want to sit with your feet in a tank of dead-skin eating fish? Tokens. Want to pet the Bengal cats? Tokens. I took the youngest (two- and four-year old) while she waited with the older two (eight and six) to pet the cats. When it was their turn the aquarium worker said, “Oh, sorry, the cats are on break for an hour.” What, you guys have a union?

I felt dirty when I left. This reminds me of the chameleon cage we visited in Madagascar. Nine years ago, on a mission trip, our hosts took us to a roadside chameleon zoo. It was the size of a tiny house and home to giant chameleons who grabbed insects with their tongues on command.

This could be my side hustle. I’ll buy some aquarium tanks, fill them with saltwater fish, and sell tickets (lots of tokens!) to my “interactive aquarium.”

Outside the aquarium, we found an indoor play place the grandkids enjoyed more than the paid attraction. They all got really good ice cream at a kiosk.

Going to Fort Worth? Go see the stampede. Save your money for a steak at a nice restaurant. Skip the SeaQuest interactive aquarium experience.

Posted in Life

Send money!

Posted on by William Douthwaite

Does this work? Can you simply announce your Venmo and Cashapp and rake in the wedding presents?

It’s everywhere. The shuttle driver who took us from long term airport parking to our departure terminal had QR codes for his Venmo, Cashapp, and Paypal. Clever man. Several of the passengers scanned them for his tip. After all, who carries cash?

Our local street-corner violinist has his Venmo on the small sign next to his instrument case.

We Venmo-ed money to our friend who watched our dog for us last weekend.

Churches have Venmo QR codes in their entryways for contributions.

A few folks supported my devotion-writing efforts last spring via Venmo.

If I was going to send a gift Erik and Noel’s way, I would at least want a piece of cake. In a similar vein, I’ll donate to a local kid’s sports team if they’ll wash my car, sell me a muffin, sing me a song. But not if you’re just standing there with a bucket (or Venmo sign) asking for cash.

So you don’t have to ask a stranger for money. Your Vemno or Cashapp can do that for you. Who knows? It just might pay off.

Posted in Life

Retired?

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by James Hose Jr on Unsplash

The other day my wife said, “It really bugs you when people ask you that question.” She was right. It’s a tough and uncomfortable question to answer; “So what are you doing now?” Many want to know.

This question was asked before my planned retirement date and and comes fast and furious a year later.

Sometimes it’s a friendly conversation starter. “So what have you been doing?”

Other times I feel like I need to justify my decision to retire. “What do you do all day?”

“How do you pass the time?” That one has notes of depression and meaninglessness.

A year into retirement, I feel guilty saying it’s been great. I haven’t been bored. I don’t miss my work (more on that later). And I’ve been plenty busy. Here’s a little recap of my first year into retirement.

  • I have been writing. In addition to this blog, I wrote a set of Advent devotion in 2022, and then Lent devotions for the following spring. I thought I could monetize these, but only netted $18. Having gotten little feedback, I may not write more in the future.
  • I’ve made four trips to Dallas to visit my son and his family, plus a week long fall color trip to Maggie Valley, NC.
  • I redid all the landscaping in my front yard, painted the inside of the garage, rebuilt some of the backyard kids play fort, converted the front bedroom from a guest room to a music room/study.
  • My wife and I watch some of the Florida grandchildren at least once a week.
  • My church involvement has included a biweekly small group, and a weekly men’s ministry, as well as weekly worship. I also did a year of Zoom Bible Study Fellowship with men from around the world.
  • I’ve read three books a month, often from the library. Most are detective/crime novels.
  • I get to the gym three times a week (free membership) and easily get in 10,000 steps a day walking the dog(s), doing yard work, or other stuff around the house.
  • I’ve been learning bluegrass guitar. I’m not quite ready for a jam, but I’m getting better at my pentatonic scales.
  • I’ve been sorting through thousands of digital photos, deleting duplicates, sorting, and labeling the keeper. I’ve also been paging through hundreds of journals, constructing a time line of our lives. I’d forgotten places we’ve been and things we’ve done.
  • My winter/spring garden yielded lots of cherry tomatoes and way too many jalapeño peppers.
  • I’ve attended a whole bunch of the grandchildrens’ soccer, basketball, t-ball, baseball, and flag football games, plus a dance recital.

I certainly don’t feel like I’m “passing the time” until I cash in my chips. The fact that I don’t miss my work tells me two things. First, it was the right time to retire. Second, I was burnt out.

A number of pastors at the church where I’m now worshiping get a sixty day sabbatical every five years. What a difference that would have made. I rarely got more than two weeks off in a row, ever. Some of that is my fault. I should know better than to keep going on empty.

Don’t get me wrong. I enjoyed pastoral ministry. But I enjoy being out of that role, too. I enjoy just being me.

Posted in Life

QR deception

Posted on by William Douthwaite

When we sat down at a table by the window in Bahama Breeze in the Orlando airport, I saw a QR code on the table. Interesting. I could scan, order, and pay right on my phone. Sweet. About five minutes later, when no server had come to our table, I decided to give it a try.

I scanned the code, brought up the menu, and started clicking boxes for our meals. Salad, fish tacos, drinks. Done. Easy-Peary. I clicked on the shopping cart to check out.

A message popped up. “A server must open a tab for this table to use virtual ordering.”

Wait a minute. I thought the purpose of this was to bypass the need to wait for a server. If a server had come to our table, I wouldn’t need to order online.

Finally someone did come over. Paola greeted us, saying, “I guess I’m your server.” There were very few servers working a couple dozen table, so she was hustling. She did a good job and I gave her a nice cash tip.

But hey, don’t tease me with a QR code if you’re only going to lead me to a dead end.

Posted in Life

Alone

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Samuel Girven on Unsplash

I was the only one at the gym the other day.

Members have access to this gym twenty-four hours a day. It’s not a big gym. It probably doesn’t have too many members. It’s a hole-in-the-wall kind of place in a strip mall next to a Cuban restaurant. But it’s well-equipped, close to my house, and extremely affordable.

It was a Thursday, outside of my usual Monday-Wednesday-Friday routine. On those days I join about a dozen other people to workout.

But this day, three others were there at 9 am. Fifteen minutes later, they left, and I was alone. The front door was locked, 90’s metal music filled the air, and I still had a few sets of bench presses to go. It felt weird. Not creepy, just unusual.

So what’s better? A room full of people to work around? Having to wait your turn at a bench? Or having the place to yourself, with no one watching you, judging you, or waiting for you to get done at a station?

It really doesn’t matter. Most people just do their own thing. They’re not watching. They’re focused on doing their own thing. I probably do more observing than most.

And maybe that’s why it felt so strange. There was no one to notice, no one to watch.

How would you feel if you were the only one at the gym?