Get to Know Me: The Codger Edition

My entry for Kayleigh's Get to Know Me Challenge, which you can learn more about here:

I've been on the fence about entering this challenge for a while. I've decided to go ahead with it, because a few friends have left encouraging replies to my comments on theirs. So, here goes, and I'll try to keep it on the positive side.

Note: I think I'm a fairly open book on Vocal, so I may touch on things here that you already know. Feel free to blame it on my (lack of) memory. Ready? Try to stay awake!

1. I'm “classified” as disabled. I have heart disease, severe osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease with stenosis in my cervical and lumbar spine. I've had open heart surgery, which literally gave me a new lease on life. I had neck surgery scheduled a couple of years ago and canceled it when the out of pocket cost was too high. I'm blessed with a high pain tolerance level and I work through it. I also opted not to fight for SS disability yet, because I'm able to work and I don't see myself as disabled, yet. I lift, push pull, play with the dogs and do a lot of stuff that hurts. That will probably cost me one day, but I'll deal with it when the time comes. I'm no Superman; I just don't intend to stop living my life until I have to.
2. I've been running a couple of businesses for more than 25 years. That gives me certain expectations when it comes to dealing with other entities, particularly in the area of customer support. I'm proud to say that my clients have always received quick responses and quick solutions, as well as extra contact with explanations when things go wrong. I expect the same level of dedication from others and I'm fairly outspoken about it. That tends to get me sh*t-listed often.
3. I love to cook (like many of my friends on Vocal, it seems). Pam and I create meals that are to die for (not from). If you don't like oysters, you haven't tried my garlic butter, wood-grilled variety. Seriously. I have a list of converts. If you think dumplings are flat like noodles, I'm sorry. If you haven't tried one of Pam's culinary creations, I'm doubly sorry, but not likely to share.
4. I tend to write a little part of me into most everything I publish, consciously or otherwise. For instance, the piece of furniture described in my story, “The Desk,” is based on the one I actually spend most of my day sitting at, facing my laptop on the credenza. Unfortunately, my desk has a laminate top, so there's no worn spot to connect to.
5. I believe in helping others. That's been both a blessing and a curse. Turns out the “right” thing isn't always the smart thing.
6. I love to teach, mostly because I love to learn. That's what's kept me at content writing for more than a couple of decades. If I don't know a subject well enough to write about it, I'll research it until I do.
7. My home was a safe space long before “safe space” was a thing. It always will be. No, that doesn't mean I'll coddle you if your feelings are hurt. It does mean that if you are desperate or in danger, there's sustenance, shelter and if need be, protection here. There's nothing altruistic in that; I'm just a person with a lot of “paying it forward” to do.
8. I don't have much love for organized religion, though I was baptized Baptist. I believe in God, but my image of him is probably best classified as non-traditional. I talk to him, and I'm sure there are times when he doesn't appreciate what I have to say. That will probably cost me one day, too, although I do also try to remember to say “Thanks.” What do I believe? There's much more to us, our world and the universe than we'll ever realize in this existence.
9. I'm an over-thinker. I've rewritten this list twice.
10. I'm a patient person. There are limits to my patience. I don't recommend testing them. Get off my lawn.