Judging a Book by its Cover

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We all do it. We judge people by how they look.

And most of us can usually gather a lot of true information by doing that.

For instance, take a look at my friend here, Scotty Shaffer. (By the way, I found out just this week past that Scotty passed away sometime last winter here in Bristol.)

Urgent! Before you read the next paragraph (nope, no peeking ahead allowed), my friends, try to surmise Scotty’s personality and lifestyle by the pic provided alone. Go ahead. Take a gander and a guess. We won’t judge you. Then go ahead and read the next paragraph.

“Likes to drink and party - and can hold his own with the best of ‘em. Likes heavy metal music and even plays a guitar. Dislikes following rules. Likes keeping his house and yard cluttered. Been in jail a time or two. Full of rebellious mischief (yep, that grin gives it away). Not highly formally educated. Street smart. Pretty good in a street fight, but would rather resort to humor if possible (again, that grin). Honest, yet full of practical jokes. Hard working - at least when at what he wants to do. Loud and rowdy - particularly when partying. Loves his family and close friends dearly, more even than himself. Tougher than nails in a fight, but tender-hearted toward all children and animals. The funniest, most mischievous, most down-home guy in the room.”

If you judged everything stated within that last paragraph as being true about Scotty, my friends, then you judged pretty well. Scotty was all of those things. And much more, of course.

I didn’t get to say any words at his funeral, as I would have liked. So I will say them here. In his honor.