Monday, December 31, 2012

Happy New Year -Why I don't write poetry

Another year has passed
Lots of good happened
And some things I couldn't grasp.
Laughs, tears, many emotions
Many Highs and many lows
Like waves on the ocean.
The new year, yet untried
Will fall on us like a rock
With blessings undefined.
Grab it and hold on tight, 
May your smiles be wide and many.
Always doing what is right
And thanking Him whom gives life

Friday, December 21, 2012

A Recycled Christmas Story

From A Shepherd's Eyes

So little ones, you want to hear my story again? Well, I guess I can tell it, you know it really never gets old. It was several years ago that I was standing with your two uncles, out in the field watching our sheep. It was a beautiful night, a cool breeze, a crystal clear sky, the sheep was quiet, I even noticed a star that was brighter than normal. Yes, it was one of those rare beautiful nights that I enjoy so much.

We had just settled down on top of the hill to eat our meal when suddenly the sky was brighter than day. We fell on our faces afraid of what was happening when we heard this beautiful voice that said, “Do not be afraid, I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone! The Savior, yes the Messiah, the Lord, has been born tonight in Bethlehem. How will you know Him? You will find a baby wrapped in a blanket, lying in a manger.”

That’s when the most amazing thing happened, the angel was joined by a multitude of heavenly host and they were singing praising God, and they were picked us to give this message to. We three lowly shepherds, were given the message of the good news.

Needless to say we forgot all about our five fish and two loaves of bread. I said, “Lets get to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see this amazing thing the Lord has told us about.” So off we went, leaving sheep and cloak behind, we ran as fast as these old feet would go.

We entered the town and asked a couple of men if they saw what we saw and they looked at us like we were sick in the head. So we started looking on our own. We were going down Ceasar Avenue when Thaddeus shouted, “There’s a stable behind this inn, should we check out it’s manger?”

“Yes!” I yelled, “Lets not leave a manger unturned until we find Him.”

We ran to the stable and was met at the door by a man. We told him of what the angel told us and how the choir sang for us.He was smiling as he said, “I know your angel, he spoke to me a few months ago. Hallelujah, God’s promise is true. I am Joseph, husband of Mary who is mother of Jesus. Come, see God’s blessing.”

We slowly walked in, amongest the cows and donkeys, Mary sat on a pile of hay with this newly born baby in her arms. She seemed to glow, I guess it was the glow that every new mother has, but the baby, aw, the baby just radiated. He was so pure and innocent as He laid so quietly in His mother’s arms. I still get choked up just thinking about it.

Joseph walked up behind us and said, “His name is Jesus, God’s gift to all people.”

Mary looked up, “Just as He promised in the Law and Prophets. His name has to be Jesus, which means Savior.”

I suddenly realized how hard I was breathing. I don’t know if it was the running or the magnificence that we were in the presence of. I’ve had my own sons, but I didn’t feel like this at their birth. Something was different besides the appearance of the angels and the fact that He was born in a stable. My knees became weak, could this really be the Messiah? Could our salvation be before us?

Then something wonderful happened. The donkey that was standing behind the pile of hay, walked around to the mother and child. It looked at Mary and then at Joseph as if it were asking permission, it then stretched his neck out and softly touched his mussel to the child on His cheek. It backed away and returned to where it was munching on the hay.

Thaddeus, whom you know is the smartest one of our family, he fell to his knees and bowed his head. Daniel and I then also knelt in awe of this baby.

Mary spoke, “Oh, how I praise the Lord. How I rejoice in God my Savior! For He took notice of his lowly servant girl, and now generation after generation forever shall call me blest of God. For He, the mighty Holy One, has done great things to me. His mercy goes on from generation to generation, to all who reverence Him. How powerful is His mighty arm! How He scatters the proud and haughty ones! He has torn princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly. He has satisfied the hungry hearts and sent the rich away with empty hands. And how he has helped his servant Israel! He has not forgotten His promise to be merciful. For He promised our fathers, Abraham and his children, to be merciful to them forever.”

How do you respond to someone that speaks so? All I could think to say was “Blessed be the name of the Lord.” I guess that was appropriate, it just seemed pitiful after the blessing that Mary gave. Sometimes silence is truly golden. We bowed before the child and bid our farewells as we had to get back to the sheep. Now you little ones know how sheep are, without their shepherd to keep them together and protect them, they usually scatter and are prey to animals stalking about. When we returned to the herd, they were as we left them, eating peacefully, full and content. Another miracle in a night of miracles.

Daniel, Thaddeus and I sat down and picked up the meal we left behind. We talked of the angel and the things we saw that night. We told it over and over as we didn’t want to forget any of it, I knew one day I would be telling my grandchildren about it.

Eight days later, Thaddeus and I went to the temple to pray. We met cousin Simeon outside the gate. He was in a hurry, it seems the Holy Spirit had told him to get to the temple, that his prayer had been answered. Remember that Simeon was told by the Holy Spirit that He wouldn’t die before he saw God’s anointed King.

We were following him and up ahead they were performing the circumcision ceremony. There stood Mary and Joseph, the couple with the child in the stable. I started towards them but Simeon beat me there, he moved pretty fast for an old man. He took the child in his arms and started praising God. “Lord, Now I can die content! For I have seen Him as you promised me I would. I have seen the Savior you have given to the world. He is the Light that will shine upon the nations, and He will be the glory of your people Israel.”

Mary and Joseph stood there with their mouths open, marveling at what Simeon was saying about Jesus. Simeon then spoke blessings over them, but he turned to Mary and said, “A sword shall pierce your soul, for this child shall be rejected by many in Israel, and this to their undoing. But He will be the greatest joy of many others. And the deepest thoughts of many hearts shall be revealed.” He handed Jesus back to Mary and turned and left, with the biggest smile over his face.

I was standing there looking at them, I was a little amazed at Simeon myself. Joseph looked at me and smiled, nodding his head in remembrance of that beautiful night. Before I could acknowledge him, a prophetess walked up to them.

Every time I went to the temple I saw the prophetess Anna there, She came up as Simeon was walking off and she also started praising God, and telling everyone that the Messiah had finally arrived. Did you hear that children, the Messiah had finally arrived.

I was still trying to process all this. Why did the Messiah come to a poor couple? Why was he born in the most dirty, worthless part of Bethlehem? Why did the angels come to lowly shepherds? I didn’t know, I still don’t know, but it must have been God’s plan from the beginning. I was always told in the synagogue that the Messiah would come riding a white horse, delivering Israel from our oppressors. This child didn’t look like a warrior.

Several years later, I was standing in the field close to the road. It was another one of those glorious days that make you are glad to be alive. I stood there with staff in hand letting the warm sun soak into my face when I hear a commotion. Along the road came a whole group of people. All of them trying to get a man’s attention, they were yelling His name, “Jesus, over here.” “Jesus, tell us a story.” “Jesus, perform a miracle.” The crowd quieted and a man walked through them, it was Jairus the leader of our synagogue.

He fell to his knees in front of Jesus and said something to him that I couldn’t hear. It must have been important for Jairus to bow before a common traveling preacher. But that was when a memory came flooding back into my mind, of a night when I knelt before a baby in Bethlehem, and yes, oh yes His name was Jesus. The angel said He was the Messiah. There before me was standing the Messiah.

I dropped my staff and run toward the crowd, I had to tell Him my story, of how I had been there just after His birth. As I neared, Jesus stopped suddenly and turned. I could plainly hear His voice, “Who touched me?” A crying woman admitted that she had, and then Jesus said the most amazing thing, “Woman, your faith has healed you, go in Peace.” As I stood there He had healed that woman. This was no normal man, this had to be the Messiah.

I heard stories from time to time about this prophet that was healing people around the countryside, and about the wonderful words that He spoke about God’s kingdom. All this time I was wondering when He would mount that white Stallion and free us from our bondage. Then I heard the news that they had crucified Him. The priest had Him killed because His message convicted them. I thought, well, that is that. Maybe Jesus was the forerunner of the Messiah and the Messiah was yet to come.

Then a man stopped by while I was beside that same road where I had seen Jesus. He asked if I had heard of Jesus and I said “Yes I had.” I then proceeded to tell him my story of the Angel and Simeon and even what I saw on that same road. He then told me what he had seen.

“They tried, convicted and hung Him on the cross. After three days He rose again from the dead, I saw His empty tomb. He then appeared to us again and taught us and told us to spread His Good News throughout the world. He was the Messiah, He saved us from our sins. He is God’s perfect lamb, sacrificed for us who could never pay the price for our salvation. He is whom He said He is, and He wants you to join Him in Heaven where together, you will worship the Holy Father God. Salvation is a gift for you from Jesus the Christ, all you have to do is accept it, accept Him as the Messiah.”

It all became clear to me then, the Holy Spirit cleared my mind and I saw God’s deliverance. I saw that the Messiah wasn’t sent to save us from Rome or our oppressor’s, He was sent to save me from me and my sins.

So there you have it, little ones, the story of a baby born to save us. One day, maybe this day, you will have to decide for yourself if you want to follow Jesus. May my life be a gift to you, an example of listening and following the Chosen One, The Bright and Morning Star. Now go play, your Grandmother and I have a feast to prepare.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

A Stable?

It was a stable. A dirty stable filled with animals and all the things associated with them. Cow patties, donkey dung, sheep sh--well, you get the idea. What a place for the Savior of the world to be born.

But that was the plan, a plan that was put in motion all the way back when Adam and Eve ate the apple. A lot of water had passed under that bridge between Adam and the stable. Prophetic promises answered, the King of Kings, the Bright and Morning Star, the Messiah was born. Born in a dirty and stinky mess, to save us from our mess.

Merry Christmas, may the One we celebrate this season bless you this coming year.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

This is one of my favorite poems I've written, so I'm recycling it.  Enjoy.

Christmas Poem

I look in the mirror
And what do I see?
That Santa’s my daddy
It just has to be.
Our hair is white
And so is our beard
We look so much alike
That it’s really weird.
Our belly’s will bounce
Like a bowl of full of jello,
We both like to laugh
Are jolly good fellows
We’re cranially challenged
Our heads big and round.
We’re known to be different
We continually confound.
We do have our differences
A few I do see.
You Ho Ho Ho
One’s enough for me.
I admire the color blue
Red’s kinda scary.
The white fur trim, I feel
Makes you look like a fairy.
So dear Santa
I think you can see
Why I think you’re my dad
Do you believe little ole me?

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Christmas Musings

The Christmas story is unique, it is intriguing, it baffles me.  Why would God come down in human form to give us a way to spend eternity with Him?  Why would he come as a child and not as a king.  He came and they didn't or wouldn't believe that He was indeed the Messiah.
 
Mary did you know that your baby boy would some day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.
Do we today believe?  That is what we have to decide. The Bible is full of Witness that Jesus was indeed whom He said He was. (See John 5: 31-47). Today His church is to be His witness but do even they realize who He really is?
"This is how MUCH God LOVED the world. He gave His Son, His one and only Son." (John 3:16 out of the Message translation).  Do we really realize what that baby boy really means to humanity?

Mary did you know that your baby boy would give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when your kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.
This song tells of the miracles or works that Jesus did during His short life.  Back in John 5:36, Jesus tells us why he performs miracles, "...for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish-the very works that I do-testify about Me, that the Father sent me.  The religious leaders of that day couldn't see the miracles as miracles, but as threats to their positions.  Today miracles happen around us all the time, and we fail to notice them too.  
 
 Oh Mary did you know

The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will walk again.

The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb 

 I wonder sometimes, as this song implies, if Mary really knew whom her Child was.  Sure an angel appeared to her and all, but later she, with all of Jesus brothers and sisters, comes to where he is teaching and healing people and tries to get Him to come home, they seemed embarrassed, which caused Jesus to say "Who is my brother, sister, or mother?  Those who do the Father's will" (my paraphrase).  Mary did you really know?  My favorite phrase of the song is "This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you." Honor goes to Mary for obeying God at His Word.
 
 Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding is the great I am

 Preacher said this weekend that there are 2500 prophecies' in the Bible and that 2000 of them have come to pass exactly as predicted.  The ones left are "end times" prophecies' and no doubt, they will come true also.  So just like predicted, Jesus the Messiah came and provided us a way to eternity in Heaven.  So as predicted, He will return, return to completely conquer sin.  Come quickly Lord Jesus.


Thanks to Mark Lowry for writing such a great son as "Mary Did You Know"

Friday, September 14, 2012

I Have To Rant

I'm going to get political, and it may make you mad at me, but I have to get this off my chest.  First, let me say that I'm a registered Republican, but I don't vote a straight ticket.  I have probably voted for as many Democrats as I have Republican, but I probably won't again.  Here's a list why....

1. I'm tired of being called a racist.  Just because I'm conservative and a Republican, I'm automatically a racist.  I can't criticize the White House because I be called a racist.  A little fact folks, in 1866 in a move to get back some political clout, the Democratic national party started a little group to try an intimidate voting.  That little group is known as the KKK.  If you don't believe me, read the thirteen volume set of congressional investigations from 1872 that documents that fact.  According to these facts, what party is racist?  Democratic.  What party freed this nation of slavery? Republican.  It wasn't until Martin Luther King (who by the way was Republican) did the blacks regain what they had before 1872.

2. I'm tired of being labeled as waging a war on women.  This makes me laugh it's so absurd.  Who wages war on women?  Ask Sarah Palin who has been called everything, whose children has been called everything.  Ask Michele Bachmann, Michelle Malkin, Lauren Ingraham, Ann Coulter and others what they have been threaten with, what vile names they have been called, etc, etc, etc.  Rush called Sandra Fluke a "slut" and he was vilified for days.  Bill Maher calls some of these women much worse and not a peep out of the same ones that pushed for Rush to be hauled into jail.  It also funny that one of their talking points is that Romney would set back wages for women when the White House and Nancy Pelosi don't have equal pay for the women on their own staffs. What party really has a war on women?

3. I honestly don't see what people see in our President.  He is AWOL the majority of the time.  Honestly, why would he go to Vegas for a campaign stop when our embassy is being attacked? I don't understand that.  His record for attending the security briefings is, I heard, between 35-50%.  Maybe if he would do his job, our Ambassador may still be alive.  On the economy, the old blame Bush excuse don't float.  We had a recovery in 2009 that drew us out of our recession, but his Cash for Clunkers and other bail-outs killed that and sunk us into a new low, depression low.  Clinton said that the President inherited an economy that couldn't be turned around in four years.  Really, check our history Bubba, Reagan inherited an economy that was much worst from Jimma Carter and turned it around in three years.  There is no sign of recovery, there won't be as long as factors such as Obama care and being regulated out the yenyang continue.  I guess there's time for golf, vacations and having dinners with celebs, but no time for leading our country.

4. I'm tired of apologies.  Why do we apologize to those that attack us?  I can't fathom it.  Here is where we need leadership, someone with backbone.

5. I won't vote Democrat because of their stance on religious issues.  Removing God from their platform and then adding it (the vote failed but the leadership passed it anyway) back in.  They push abortion on the church through Obamacare, we "cling to our Bibles and guns", push gay marriage on us, and on and on.  Whether you want to believe it or not, this country was founded on Christian beliefs, don't believe me, read the writings of our Founding Fathers, it's very evident there.

I could rant on and on but I'm growing tired and the "House of Payne" is on and I need a good laugh.  I will close with this, this is the first time that I've been scared for our future.  It's a time in our history that depending on the next few months, we may not recover from.  "Land of the Brave and Home of the Free" may soon be shortened to "Land of the Brave".  All I can say is, pray hard, His grace is all we have.

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Where Were You?

Thanks to Alan Jackson,

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Out in the yard with your wife and children
Working on some stage in LA
Did you stand there in shock at the site of
That black smoke rising against that blue sky
Did you shout out in anger
In fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry

Did you weep for the children
Who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don't know
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below

Did you burst out in pride
For the red white and blue
The heroes who died just doing what they do
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself to what really matters

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Teaching a class full of innocent children
Driving down some cold interstate
Did you feel guilty cause you're a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone
Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her
Did you dust off that bible at home
Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Speak with some stranger on the street
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Go out and buy you a gun
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watching
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger
Stand in line and give your own blood
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

The greatest is love
The greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day

Sunday, July 15, 2012

A Imagined Story

All I wanted was a quiet dinner, enjoy the new book I just downloaded, and then go home to watch the new Castle episode.  Then suddenly she walked into the room and my heart skipped a beat.  She was confident, head held high, beautiful but not gorgeous, and dressed, as they say, to the nines.  She must be six feet tall, without her stilettos, with long chiseled legs accented by her short skirt, her flowing blonde hair highlighted bright green eyes.  I couldn’t keep from staring, as did every other male in the place.

The hostess told them that it would probably be an hour wait, that the bar had a few seats left if they would like to wait there.  She looked at me and said something to her friend, who then walked over to my table.  Her friend wasn’t near the woman that the Princess was.  She did have the most beautiful eyes, which made her attractive, but up against the Princess, she didn’t have a chance.

“Could my friend and I join you?  There seems to be a lack of seating here tonight, and we think that no one should eat alone.” 

“Sure,” I said, “I have just ordered and would love the company.”  I smiled as the Princess came over, at least my eyes would be well fed tonight.

I stood as they sat, the waiters falling over each other to pull her chair out, and the friend said, “My name is Katie, this is Diana, we have an engagement tonight and couldn’t wait for a table, I hope we’re not imposing.”

“Certainly not, I was going to read a boring book to make the time go by, I will enjoy the conversation.  My name is Ross, but everyone calls me Ross.”  OK, I know, stupid sense of humor, but Katie laughed out loud, Diana just looked around to see who was looking at her.

During the evening, Katie and I bantered back and forth, with Diana just giving a smug smile every now and then.  By the end of dessert, I was wondering how someone like Katie could hang out with a dull head like Diana.  Diana, the princess who had it all, except a personality, who took the room by storm when she walked in, paled in comparison to Katie.  I looked into Katie’s big eyes and watched them dance as she told when she had sleep overs, her brother would walk into the room unannounced, trying to catch a glimpse of her friends undressed.  “The little perv would bust in on us until one night we sat a trap for him.  Without him knowing it, we asked my mom to sit in with us.  We then would say something like, ‘Could you help me with this bra strap, it seems stuck,’ or ‘you look so cute in those matching bra and panties’.  He took the bait and busted in only to see my mom standing there with her arms crossed.  She took him by the ear and lead him to his room where she wore him out.  We never had a problem with him again.”  She laughed and continued, “Now that he’s grown, all my friends would like to bust in on him.”

Diana finally spoke, “Finally, something I can agree on.”  Katie looked at me with this big smile, I must have had this shocked look on my face as she busted out laughing, which in turn made me start laughing.

The waiter brought our checks, which I took under Katie's protest, “We should be paying for your meal, you allowed us to joining you.”

“No way, I had a great time talking with…” Diana stood up and walked toward the door in my mid-sentence.  Katie looked at me and shrugged her shoulders, “I guess we’re leaving, thank you Ross, I enjoyed myself so much, I hate that our conversation is ending.”

Open door Ross ole boy, walk through it. “Why don’t we go tell Diana that she needs to find a cab, that we are going to find a coffee shop where we can continue our getting to know each other, and that she isn’t invited.”

“That will be a switch, it’s usually me that’s finding a cab,” she laughed again and my heart skipped a beat again.  She noticed the goofy look on my face, “What’s wrong, you look like someone stole your Popsicle.”

“Popsicle?” I said and she laughed again. “No,” I said, “I have believed since I was a young perv like your brother, that when I met the woman that I would fall in love with, that my heart would skip a beat.  My heart skipped a beat twice tonight, once when Diana and you walked into the room and I thought it was caused by Diana, who you must admit, is a beautiful woman.”

“Yeah, I hear that all the time about her, nothing new there.”

“But just now, when you laughed, my heart skipped a beat again, and I realized something, it wasn’t Diana, it was you my heart was telling me about.  You, Katie, are the one I would love to fall in love with.”

“That, my daughter, is how your mother and I met, twenty years ago today.  By the way, my heart still skips a beat when she walks into the room.”

Monday, July 9, 2012

Why I Don't Write Poetry 2012-2

The rain may fall in Spain
But rarely here on the plains.
Grass is turning light green
The bunny's are running around mean.
Eggs frying on the back walk
Summer has hit full blast
Hoping and praying
It won't last.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Family Reunion

She adjusted her pearls in the mirror as the sounds of her family gathering below flowed over her like the smell of her favorite perfume. It’s been so long since we’ve been together, she thought, now everyone is home. She tugged at her blouse one last time and turned to go downstairs to join the family. Standing in the door watching her was Jed Delaney, her sweet Jed, her beloved husband of over twenty-five years.

“Martha, you look radiant as usual,” Jed said as he took her hand, “the gang’s all here, are you ready?”

“Yes, darling,” she said as she pecked him on the cheek.They descended the stairs into the front parlor, a crackling fire welcoming them.

At the bottom step waiting on them was their oldest son, Michael, who had arrived just a few moments before. Michael grabbed Martha and gave her a big bear hug, “Mom, it is so good to see you and dad, I’ve missed you so much.”Beside Michael was Jackie O, as they called her, a nice Irish girl named Jaclyn Katharine O’Reily before she became Michael’s bride and mother to their two sons, Matthew and Mark, and yes, they are working on Luke and John.

Mary Beth, the only daughter, sat in the overstuffed leather wing chair, looking like the princess she was. As her mother approached, she rose and they embraced, communicating as only a mother and daughter could. Mary Beth hooked her arms through Martha’s and they turned toward Ross.

Ross was the baby of the family and Martha mothered over him as he grew up. Often Martha refused to let him join in with his friends, “They’re such a rowdy bunch,” but Ross never really would mind as he knew Martha would make it up to him somehow.Martha walked over to Ross and adjusted his tie, “A man in uniform can’t have a crooked tie,” she said. “You look so handsome in your dress blues.” She reached down and put a letter in his hand. “You can read it later, it’s just mushy mom stuff.” She looked at Mary Beth and together they straightened the flag that draped Ross’ coffin, Martha looked back at Ross. “Welcome home baby boy, now the family is all together once again.”


Thank you to all who have served this great nation, from the first shot of the Revolution to present day conflicts, you have given, some your all, for me to be able to write this, and the readers the freedom to read it.  You and your family sacrifice are not forgotten, may they never be.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Long Time No See

Well, it's been a while since I graced these pages. It's been very busy around here and at work. Top that off I have the privilege of going to see my mother every day, not much time for blogging, writing or reading. I promise I'll catch up on your blogs before long. Now back to our regular scheduled program. The death of Goober, aka George Lindsey, got me to thinking and comparing the state of televivison today. I started thinking of "The Andy Griffin Show" and comparing it to today's sitcoms. Almost fifty years later I can name a bunch of the characters, Andy, Opie, Aunt Bea, Barney, Floyd, and some of the non regulars, like the Darlings, and who could could forget "It's me, it's me, it's Ernest T". I wonder how many characters in today's shows will be held in high esteem in fifty years. I wonder when Charlie Sheen kicks off if someone will be sad because he will never make them laugh again. Actors like George, Don Knotts, and so many others will make us laugh for years to come, because those shows are ageless. Thank you guys and gals for giving us a part of your soul and heart. May your work entertain for generations to come.

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Granite Rose - A Book Review

Last year, give or take a few months, I reviewed the book "Baer Truth" by a cyber pal of mine Linda McMaken. It was a present day cowboy romance that I gave a hearty thumbs up to. Now Linda has given us another romance, this one set far from present day Wyoming, all the way back to the Roman empire. Being a romance is the only similar fact the two books have in common. In "Baer Truth" Linda let her sense of humor shine through, pitting her rocker heroine, Abby, against the ranch life in Wyoming and the cowboys that work there, I laughed out loud several times while reading it. "Granite Rose" is filled with action from the opening sentence till the final scene. There is war, slaves, deceit, and everything else that goes with power and the lust for it. Even though all this, two people, two very different people from very different backgrounds fall in love. "Granite Rose" tells their struggle, from hate to love, and the road it took to get them there.

I'm not saying this because Linda is a long time friend, but this book is very well written. The characters were well researched, the locale was spot on, the action realistic. I don't say this often, but it was one of those books you hated to end, I wanted to know more about what happened to the characters and how their lives turned out. Book two maybe Linda?

So I give it the Amazon rating of 5 stars, I think you would too. If you'd like to read chapter one, here is a link to it from her website, http://www.linda-mcmaken.com/chapter-one---granite-rose.html . Enjoy and drop her a note of encouragement at her blog Makenwords, http://www.makenwords.blogspot.com/.

Signing off as Linda does,
"May all the Write Words by Yours,"

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Pulled From The Archive

... The morning, which is the most memorable season of the day, is the awakening hour. Then there is least somnolence in us; and for an hour, at least, some part of us awakes which slumbers all the rest of the day and night ...
Thoreau's Walden


I awake and reach to hold her but she's not there, risen already to start her day. The hebetude slowly clears and I realize it is another mundane workday. Sleep's murk clears and I hear the taps of rain dancing on my roof. As the smokiness finally clears my mind and I realize that it is the shower I hear. She is preparing for the day, washing the sleep from her eyes and yesterday's challenges from her mind. As my mind goes into early morning erotica, I throw the covers off and jump out of bed to go join her under the warm spray of water. She is startled by my sudden appearance but notices my pointed intentions. My eyes wandered over her soap covered body, glowing from the reflected sunrise streaming through the window. She looks at me and smiles as I join her and turns the shower head towards me and then quickly turns the water to cold. "There you go big boy, we can't be late to work again.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Email Joke

Getting Old Sucks

Several days ago I left a meeting at the lodge. I desperately gave myself a personal TSA pat down. I was looking for my keys. They were not in my pockets. A quick search in the meeting room revealed nothing. Suddenly I realized, I must have left them in the car. Frantically, I headed for the parking lot.

My wife, Kathy, has scolded me many times for leaving the keys in the ignition. My theory is the ignition is the best place not to lose them. Her theory is that the car will be stolen.

As I burst through the doors at the lodge, I came to a terrifying conclusion. Her theory was right. The parking lot was empty.

I immediately called the police. I gave them my location, confessed that I had left my keys in the car, and that it had been stolen.

Then I made the most difficult call of all, "Honey," I stammered … I always call her "Honey" in times like these … "I left my keys in the car and it has been stolen."

There was a period of silence. I thought the call had been dropped, but then I heard Kathy's voice. "Chuck," she barked, "I dropped you off!"

Now it was my time to be silent. Embarrassed, I said, "Well, come and get me."

Kathy retorted, "I will … as soon as I convince this policeman I have not stolen your car? "

Monday, January 2, 2012

Why I Don't Write Poetry 1012-1


The fallen leaves,
Fly in the north wind
Like a group of thieves,
Robbing the thoughts of my mind.

Confined in a depression
Of my perception,
Thoughts of confession, obsession,
Too often misconceptions.

An escape, a flight to deliverance.
Of thoughts clear and luminous
Free from disregard and ignorance.
Spoken full of truthfulness.

Still the wind blows,
The leaves are free to fly.
But my mind is closed,
Locked with no reply.