I am about to retire from being a full time minister from First Christian Church in Owenton, KY. The one unanswerable question people ask me is "what are you going to do after you retire?.

I've though of many answers the shortest is breathe. The longest: I have applied for, auditioned for, been accepted as a substitute as a Chippendale Dancer.

Truth is, I don't quite know. I have some ideas, but most of my life has been living from one moment to the next taking in stride what is presented to me. I try to live each day as if it is the last and make the best of what ever comes my way.

I do want to apply for the KY Arts and Humanities Council highest recognition as a performing artist with my character My Name's James. I would like to take James to every county in the Commonwealth. He is a powerful 90+ year old man who recalls his time as a Confederate soldier.

My fear is people will pigeon hole me as this is what I do as a storyteller. James is only a fraction of the stories I tell.

I have been very fortunate to have told in many venues and on many stages telling stories to entertain. I have been able to hone my storytelling skills from the pulpit most every Sunday using stories to encourage people that they are important in this universe and when they screw up it's OK because they are human and in the Christian context they have forgiveness.

I would like to broaden my stories to include what one goes through each and every day challenge one's own perception of the world. Unfortunately listeners just want feel good stories, not ones that remind them of the mess they might be in. This type of thing will have to wait for another lifetime.

Retire? I just hope I do it well.