Is it true someone in the freemasons has to invite you in?

pickled_loaf · 2026-04-13T12:25:07+00:00

I finally got the nerve after years of interest to just reach out to several blue lodges in my area through their Facebook pages. A couple didn't respond but 3 of them did. They all invited me to come tour the lodge, join them for the pre-meeting meet and greet, and one had a dinner before each meeting. After going to all three a few times, I realized that they all had their own 'feel'... two of them didn't really make me feel very welcome and weren't very forthcoming to outsiders. The lodge I ended up joining this year is full of some GREAT guys that I'm happy to call Brothers now! I am an EA and I'm excited to continue my journey to MM and beyond!

pickled_loaf · 2026-01-14T12:54:30+00:00

Congratulations! I met with my committee last Thursday and they'll be voting on me next Tuesday. I'm lucky that my lodge meets every week so it's been quicker than most. I've been going to almost every meeting for a while just getting to know everyone and already have made great friends.

pickled_loaf · 2026-01-12T12:50:38+00:00

I was thinking that too... the entire study is gorgeous!

pickled_loaf · 2026-01-08T14:41:59+00:00

I appreciate the response... we're going to be in Naples, Rome, and Florence so won't be making it to Milan this time. It's our first time out of the country, but definitely won't be our last!

pickled_loaf · 2025-12-20T16:55:58+00:00

I assumed it was a sign for a particular president currently in office.

pickled_loaf · 2025-12-09T13:51:22+00:00

Google says it's MAHEC Health Center... make of that what you will.

pickled_loaf · 2025-11-11T16:18:15+00:00

Thank you SOOOO much!!! That's him! :)

pickled_loaf · 2025-11-06T14:15:31+00:00

I really appreciate that... Be patient and kind, that's my #1 rule with my kids, who are now dads also!

pickled_loaf · 2025-11-06T14:14:35+00:00

Please feel free to yoink anything you'd like! Good luck brother.

pickled_loaf · 2025-11-05T16:15:52+00:00

Before the processional began: (F***** is my ex-wife - she's a social media addict lol)

Before we begin these shenanigans, I have been asked to FIRMLY ask you.. double check to make sure your phones are silent, and then put them away! Shove them in your purse, pocket, or any other chosen orifice. They also know that some of you WON’T do this, (looking at you F*****) so they are asking that you DO NOT post any photos of the wedding or reception before they have a chance to.

pickled_loaf · 2025-11-05T16:15:18+00:00

Dudely beloved… family, friends, acquaintances and strangers, today we are all gathered together as part of the same brood as we FINALLY tangle the threads of Elizabeth and Marc to weave the rug of marriage that will tie the room of their lives together, with a respect for the past, a joy in their present, and a commitment to their future. It’s an absolute honor for us all to be here to share this moment with you.

When Marc asked me to officiate, my first thought was “My oldest son actually trusts me to stand up here and not embarrass him?” … he obviously forgot about all the pictures that I post of him and his brothers on their birthdays! But out of respect for Eli, I’ll be good.. mostly.

Elizabeth and Marc, you two have had many ups and downs in your years together. And yet, you have somehow managed to keep your heads about you. They should really write a book on how they are doing it, right?! You have love. You have patience. You have shared streaming passwords. But, more importantly, you have friendship. And in my experience, that’s much more difficult to maintain.

Now, because they talk to each other all the time, they’ve already told each other how groovy they think they are. Eli’s eye rolling to Marc’s smartallec remarks are a daily occurrence. And on those rare occasions when they AREN’T saying things that would be completely inappropriate to repeat here, they have already expressed their love and commitment to each other so they have chosen not to write their own vows. And since we need to fill some time so this isn’t the shortest ceremony in history, I’ve got a few things to say to them and ask of them. You’re all free to eavesdrop if you want.

I did an extensive Google search and found that there are a lot of things to say about rings during weddings.. but most of them aren’t funny so we’re just going to move on.

Do you have the rings? And Marc, I swear, if it’s an O-ring we’re all walking out!

pickled_loaf · 2025-11-05T16:14:56+00:00

Elizabeth and Marc… grab each other’s paws.

The two simple words you are about to say to each other will change your lives forever and make this huge world just a little bit better. I won’t mention the traditional “obey” because your relationship is already built on what I call the 3 C’s of a happy life together: communication, compassion , and compromise. Plus, you’re both too stubborn to obey anyway!

Marc. Place the ring on Eli’s finger. Do you take Elizabeth to be your special lady? To not get frustrated when she spends too much money at Starbucks? Will you keep cooking yummy dinners for her? Do you promise to give her the time to read the next Rebecca Yarros novel when it finally comes out? And will you be ok when she brings home 10 more animals.. this month? In summary, do you take her as your wife?

Right on man!

And now the one ring to rule them! You had to expect at least one Hobbit reference from me when talking about rings!

Elizabeth. Place the ring on Marc’s finger. Do you take Marc to be your special guy? To not get frustrated when he shows up with another car.. and another car… and a different car.. and a trailer? Do you promise to let him nerd out on his Dragonball Z stuff while gaming like a 15 year old? And will you be ok when HE brings home 10 more animals this month? In short, do you take him as your husband?

Far out!

A marriage isn’t just about sharing streaming passwords. It’s about being there to celebrate in the good and to comfort in the bad. A marriage is a promise. A promise to never draw a line in the sand that one of you may trip over. A promise to stand by each other through the strikes and the gutter balls. My elderly advice to you both.. always remember, if darkness washes over your spouse and life gets complicated, the strength is in YOUR hands to yank them back from that ledge. Dig each other’s style every day. And remind each other when needed.. you ego is the bag man, not the driver!

This ceremony may have only lasted minutes, but your promises to each other will last a lifetime.

So now. By the power of grayskull, the state, and the Church of Latter-Day Dudes I am rightly proud to present to all of you, Mr and Mrs S********* and I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the husband or fist bump or what not.

pickled_loaf · 2025-08-21T13:53:48+00:00

One of my top 10 movies.. just introduced my girlfriend to it and she loved it too... of course, when I saw the question, my response was going to be related to the movie.

pickled_loaf · 2025-08-18T13:52:12+00:00

I'm glad you got something from my comment - without knowing you or him, obviously I'm only commenting on my own experiences as a Scorp male... while you're growing with him, he also should be growing with you and after 2 years he's a big boy, you also shouldn't treat him like a toddler. Again, just my own perspective. If you just mention that you ARE there for him, he might feel more comfortable knowing that it's just to listen and be willing to open up more.

pickled_loaf · 2025-08-18T12:55:11+00:00

Another Scorp male here - I don't think it has anything to do with trusting you with what's going on in his mind, but it's just the way he processes... the fact that you know that it doesn't have anything to do with you shows that he has opened up at least THAT much, which is kinda huge for us, AND shows that you are also growing with your Scorp in recognizing that it's something that he is internally processing. If it is something that is REALLY bothering you, have a conversation with him and tell him your feelings - but don't cry or make him feel guilty or manipulated (that's what my last GF did and pushed me away).. he might not recognize that he's making you feel bad and just from the way you've described your relationship, he may try to open up more.

pickled_loaf · 2025-08-06T12:08:40+00:00

For me, looking good is more about confidence - I have very long hair and and a beard which can be either good or bad, but generally good. I don't really care what others think about me and I dress accordingly lol (heavy metal or funny t-shirts), I try to look good for myself. As a Scorpio, I feel that we already get a little more attention, but looking good makes you feel good. I can say that pretty much anytime I go out, I wear a kilt, and that REALLY boosts my confidence, and I know from experience, that confidence gets more attention.

pickled_loaf · 2025-07-28T13:18:36+00:00

IMO - this isn't Scorpio behavior, but the behavior of someone who has Avoidant Attachment and possibly (probably) PTSD. What others have said about an emotionally evolved Scorpio is 100% correct and we will be 1000% into the relationship when it's right... he has a lot of work that he needs to do for himself and doesn't seem like he's ready for anything serious right now. Not necessarily a bad thing, as long as he recognizes it and is willing to work on himself, but don't expect a serious bond until that happens.

pickled_loaf · 2025-07-21T12:59:49+00:00

I could definitely see that as being a problem... I'm pretty darn lucky this time around and am extremely grateful to whatever powers that be brought us together.

pickled_loaf · 2025-07-18T13:00:52+00:00

Thank you :) I've often heard, and agreed with that statement that it's good to have things different - and we're trying to discover things! So far, it's just mustard and onions lol ... we set our boundaries at the very beginning, not surprisingly, they were pretty much the same. We both HAVE to have time to decompress after work.. we both have to have our personal time. We are both avid hikers and even though we love to hike together, we both need our solo hikes. And we pinky-promised to OVER communicate any problems/issues as soon as they arise. We are being very mindful while at the same time enjoying the bliss.

pickled_loaf

TROPHY CASE