Photo Credit: Jon Haynes Photography

If you're sitting in an office this Tuesday after a holiday weekend, you're undoubtedly daydreaming about what you would do if you just had more time. Free time — Those rare, precious moments when there are no obligations. Just you and the clock offering a cherished window of time to do anything — whatever you want. Would you travel or gather with friends? Perhaps you'd escape into the solitude of a book or catch up on your favorite blogs. Maybe you'd use the time to learn a new skill— Roll up your sleeves and launch a project you've been thinking about for awhile. That's what a friend of mine did with a day he had to himself. At least, he thought he'd be alone...

His wife had taken the kids to an out of town wedding, so he had the whole house for the day. What to do, what to do. His lifelong buddy had some ideas: this was a chance to re-live the glory days! They could just hang out and be guys, you know? Drink some beer and watch some sports. Play a little poker or engage in a wrestling match. Whatever. No doubt this Iron Man beat on his chest as he told his own wife he was headed over to our friend's house. Flexed his muscles, hopped on his bike, and sang "Free Bird" all the way there.

His visit was unannounced, but that had never mattered before. It didn't occur to him that our friend might want some privacy until after he arrived. He stood frozen at the back door peering through the kitchen window at a flurry of activity. All available counter space was covered with pots and jars and other random vessels. Every spice in the pantry was on the kitchen table in measuring cups and beakers. Every burner on the stove had some sort of concoction boiling. And our friend, wearing a BBQ apron and goggles in my mind's eye, was dancing in time to his own personal drummer as he flitted from pot to counter.

Finally he knocked, and our red-faced friend came to the door.

"What are you doing, man?" the amused, unexpected guest asked.

"Oh... well, uh..." he was stalling to think of a better answer than the truth. But there was no way around it. He was totally busted. So he lifted his chin and answered in earnest.  "Just doing a little pickling."

I don't care what Pickles, as he will forever be known, and our mutual friend who loves to tell this story do with their free time — They are sincere, honest, and willing to make fun of themselves. That among other admirable traits makes them real men to the core. So whatever you're daydreaming about on this Tuesday after a holiday... don't be embarrassed if all you want is time to do a little pickling.

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