I'm continually amazed at the talents others have, particularly since I have none.

When I first started my current employment, I was introduced to a gentleman who lives in the neighborhood. He is semi self-sufficient in that he is able to provide the essential minimums for himself to avoid chronic homelessness. He, however, spends an inordinate amount of his monthly budget on cheap alcohol.

He is immensely creative and talented in that he carves intricate and beautiful walking sticks. Each is handcrafted, and although similar, very distinct from all others. Each stick takes two days to finish and when complete, has the Ten Commandments etched and dyed into its body.

He works with a local gallery to sell his wares for what I am told is a very profitable sum. I guess the few that he sells provide his monthly income.

Through his craft, he has met some very famous Texans and presented his art as gifts. His sticks have been given to Roger Staubach and President Bush. And then to me.

When I needed a walking stick for my previous vacation, I first thought of the gentleman who is affectionately known in the neighborhood as Stick Man. I put the word out that I needed to talk to him, as he frequently crosses our parking lot to get to the nearby community food pantry.

As tracking down a person without a permanent address is oftentimes difficult, Stick Man didn't show up to my office until this morning.

But in this hand was a shoulder-high, hand-carved walking stick featuring the Decalogue.