Day 83 CJSM

Day 83

 

 

Nanny’s birthdays at the

Botanical Gardens with

Cup-cakes and candles

at the gazebo

 

 

A creature of habit!? Yeah! I reckon that is true enough, though I do entertain the wild factor!

A self-description is: Traditional! Simple! Straight forward! Conservative! Reverent! Loving!

My mantra: Faith! Family! Freedom! These worthy values embraced by: Love! Live! Laugh!

Because of an innate pragmatism honed through a demanded logic, my “vision” of the world and its myriad events concludes a conservative vent---everything is…Simple! Right or wrong! Black or white! Left or right! I am determined right---“far” right! Thank you!

Each year we celebrate Nan’s birthday with a family trek to the Botanical Gardens with our girls and the young lady trio where we stop at the gazebo for light refreshments. Yum! Yum! We also make a yearly trip to these “sacred” lands on our wedding anniversary. Love! Is wonderful!

A few times, once out of “Hope” to recruit me, several others out of anger to spite me and fear of my committed logical-decision, I have been inaccurately and unfairly labeled a “Republican” which---absolutely…I am not!!! The majority of that ilk are much too far left for my taste.

The Bush and Kennedy clans are the ideologically the very same: self-centered!---although I did love John Kennedy and his conservative  politics. I celebrate only five truly Great presidents: Jefferson! Jackson! “Teddy” Roosevelt! JFK! Ronald Regan! No. “6” may be in the offing!?

I am not The Lone Ranger nor Superman, but I revere: Truth! Justice! The American Way!

The tome of writing I have imagined over a lifetime attests to and upholds that conclusion.

So, draw your inferences---Free speech! And, unlike liberal-“socialists”, I uphold your right.

So!? I am, admittedly, a creature of habit but maintain a spirit of “wild-child” innocence.

I’ll slide any Rainbow! Embrace any colorful flutter-by! Saddle the wind! Ride any Unicorn!

I confess any transgressions---and…remedy them; right “wrongs”; love with passion; Live!

When you find the time and give in to the inclination---Come to the Botanical gardens!

If you dare join me in this delicious insanity (by worldly measure) breathe free and Enjoy!

And---do it sooner…before it is too late!  God bless!

 

It is better to give than to receive!

It is far better to forgive than to hate!

Nothing is ever any better than to---Love!

 

Amen!

 

Ah! Cookie Jar “Habit” Sweet Memories!

Day 82 CJSM

Day 82

 

Late-night cheesy bread and pizza from

White House Pizza & Subs after

Becky’s shift ended

 

 

Always a party! Oh! Yeah! Any excuse to celebrate---anything…any time! I’m all-in! Again.

Our move to Tennessee brought fun-times, great events and wild-adventure; we visited the clinic building where I was born in Madison, TN, a suburb of Nashville; took in the sites of Granny and Granddaddy’s houses over in east-Nashville. I showed the kids where I went to the Saturday matinees featuring double feature cowboy flicks with my cousins when I was a kid. We explored Shelby Park, scene of myriad family get-togethers over decades; viewed the Parthenon and Centennial Park here we celebrated Granny and Randell’s July 4^th birthday with a family reunion and a swimming party in the public pool.

In Hendersonville on Ole Hickory Lake we saw the house Jay and Jean built in the late 50’s that they tried to sell to Elvis of the Presley name, yeah, the crooner; he opted for Graceland over Memphis-way in the end. We viewed Johnny Cash’s home and Roy Orbison’s.

Becky took a job at the local pizza and sub shop in town and every night she would bring snacks home for the family to enjoy. Spent more than a few visits to the fabulous Opryland Hotel with is 2-acre atrium and the “dancing”-water show swaying to the music including a harp.

Ice cold watermelon for dessert after southern fried chicken picnics; let the good times roll!

Fridays brought a culinary delight with fish dinners reminiscent of the past experiences.

Oh! Yeah! And, Dad’s bar-b-que. ’Mmm! ’Mmm! Good! Nearly every night! Oh! Yeah!

 

“A great life!” Spectacular! Amen! Thank you!

 

Ah! Cookie Jar “Faith! Family! Freedom!” Sweet Memories!

Rhythm-Heart Rhyme-Time (part 2 of 2) Plus CJSM Day 81

 

Off tonight to trivia-night compliments of

Silver Springs Pony Club of Avalon Stables

for "Grease"-movie trivia for "bragging

rights", good food, fine friends, frivolity!

The "silent auction" is always a blast; I'll bid!

 

 

 

(Part 2 of 2)

 

 

Old window glass runs wet-rain tears reflection flag-plays

In kitchen-warm with Grandpa close in kiddo’s youth-days

 

Drafty-cold the rooms save Granny’s toasty warm kitchen

Pleasant-aromas sweet as when in summer the boy is pitchin’

 

At the berg’s June-parade drum-beats a patriotic tune

The boy admires pretty girls with plans to kiss ’em soon

 

In the yonder-past ole wintertime to don the skates for ice

Stands guard the flag for spring Morels and Red Ear sure nice

 

Whisper-soft Oh! Rhythm-heart space-time

Cadenced echo-beat tender emotion-rhyme

Mystic-magic reverenced devotion-chime

 Artesian-well of life-love adventure-prime

Dare ride wild-wind unicorn exploit-sublime

 

Red! White! Blue! Witnessed sacred-nuptials love-true

Wed loveliness-girl from childhood that he forever knew

 

Left spouse and kids with Ole Glory solemn duty-call

Grand “Hero-day”! Invincible-eternal! He’d never fall

 

Sweet memories he held of all that had only so recent been

Summer-days! Autumn-nights! Winter-ice! Springs then!

 

To taste the cherry sweet upon Life-dessert favorite sundae

First cherished breath-of-life portends a mortal gasp one day

 

Whisper-soft Oh! Rhythm-heart space-time

Cadenced echo-beat tender emotion-rhyme

Mystic-magic reverenced devotion-chime

 Artesian-well of life-love adventure-prime

Dare ride wild-wind unicorn exploit-sublime

 

Whisper-soft Oh! Rhythm-heart space-time

Cadenced echo-beat tender emotion-rhyme

Mystic-magic reverenced devotion-chime

 Artesian-well of life-love adventure-prime

Dare ride wild-wind unicorn exploit-sublime

 

Amen!

 

Plus: Day 81 CJSM

Day 81

 

Flocking a cedar tree in white and decorating it

with blue lights and blue ornaments for

Christmas one year at Maeystown

 

Sure! I confess! I’ve had my favorites; but, then again, “simple”-minded is easy to please.

Our very first Christmas tree, that is to say, after the “official” nuptials (we had shared the enjoyment of a “mutual”-celebration tree for several years before our marriage) had been vowed was a delightful little cedar tree, hand-cut and erected in our rented mobile home. We flocked it bright white with a spray can of winter “snow” decked its branches with shiny blue ornaments of various sizes, tensiled it with silver strands of glitter-icicles and topped it with a colorful pinnacle star-like feature. Ah! A grand spectacle for the “little”-boy of the house Indeed!

When we moved to Maeystown, we cut a tree from our farm and decorated it. If memory serves, one was done in red and several in blue over the years; finally, I decided that the myriad colored lights and ornaments from my long-ago youth was more “Christmasee!” for children.

Every day is one Supreme blessing-gift; each event a wondrous adventure venue. Bring it!

The “kid” in me which is me delights in every blatant-nuance purposely celebrated! Amen!

 

Ah! Cookie Jar “Bright-shining lights” Sweet Memories!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



A prayer for Jim Plus Rhythm-Heart Rhyme-Time (part 1 of 2) Plus CJSM

(Note: A friend undergoes surgery on February 28.

A prayer for him follows; you may "customize" it

in any manner you choose---God will hear it.

Best wishes to Jim and his family. Good luck!)

 

 

 

 

“Plead the Blood of Jesus”

 

In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the the Holy Spirit. Amen. (Make the Sign of the Cross)

 

In the name of Jesus, I plead the Blood of Jesus over (Name, object, desire-be specific).

 

In the name of Jesus, I plead the Blood of Jesus over (as above) for his/her/it complete healing and cure of (name issue). I pray for (Name) recovery and protection against any and all evil and its complications. In Jesus’ name I ask for complete and total protection.

 

In the name of Jesus I plead the Blood of Jesus against Satan, the devil, all devils, all demons, all evil, sickness, disease, illness, malady, pain, suffering that might come against (Name). In Jesus’ name I cast out all evil and any intent of evil that may come against (Name). In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen!

 

I believe that God will honor my request and my claim in this matter because I humbly ask it in Jesus’ name. I have faith and belief that God will answer this prayer merely because I have asked it in the most holy name of His Son, Jesus Christ. Amen!

 

Thank You, Father. Thank You, Jesus. Thank You, Holy Spirit. Amen!

 

Pray the Lord’s Prayer. “Our Father, who art in heaven…” Amen!

 

Make the Sign of the Cross and pray the words (In the name of the Father…Amen!).

 

 

Note

 

This plea can be asked on anyone and on anything. Peace!

 

 

 

 

Plus: (Part 1 of 2 parts)

 

 

 

 

Rhythm-Heart Rhyme-Time

(a song)

 

 

 

Whisper-soft Oh! Rhythm-heart space-time

Cadenced echo-beat tender emotion-rhyme

Mystic-magic reverenced devotion-chime

 Artesian-well of life-love adventure-prime

Dare ride wild-wind unicorn exploit-sublime

 

Red! White! Blue! Color-vibrant graceful-sentinel

High-flies yon pennant-gonfalon thankful-compelled

 

Diamond-emerald white red-stitch upon raked-mound

No summer-boy! Condemned to draped-wood box bound

 

He donned a chevron, rifle-held, on to eternal chill

An evil-demon irreverent-sin soldier-ordered to kill

 

Gone stolen eternal-space “invincible” mean-stolen

Life! Time! Talent! Love! Faux-allowed not golden

 

Whisper-soft Oh! Rhythm-heart space-time

Cadenced echo-beat tender emotion-rhyme

Mystic-magic reverenced devotion-chime

 Artesian-well of life-love adventure-prime

Dare ride wild-wind unicorn exploit-sublime

 

Wind-whipped unfurled pelted cold-harsh raindrops

Ole Glory deep-weeps in sorrow-sad hopes pain stops

 

Her colors bright within the gloom refuse to run

Her quest resolved to fly proud again in golden-sun

 

And, for the hero soldier-boy love-mourned a nation

He safely caught the Host-bound at celestial station

 

Once safely-held a daddy’s hand under s cerulean sky

Smelled Mom’s perfume, tasted sweet her cherry pie

 

Whisper-soft Oh! Rhythm-heart space-time

Cadenced echo-beat tender emotion-rhyme

Mystic-magic reverenced devotion-chime

 Artesian-well of life-love adventure-prime

Dare ride wild-wind unicorn exploit-sublime

 

(Part 2 of 2 tomorrow)

 

 

 

Plus:

 

(A note of explanation: Following is an adaptation

from a 50th Anniversary gift from our family in

November, last year; a cookie jar filled with loving

memories on slips of paper reminding us of the

Great life we have thoroughly enjoyed. Each day we

write a short story about the event for this blog. Blessings!)

 

 

 

 

Day 80

 

All those blue boxes---Nanny was in heaven!

 

 

When you are married to a damn Gypsy,  be ready to---move…regularly! And, we did.

Nanny got really good (and, I’m sure, tired) of packing our possessions; her penchant for “neat and orderly” came in quite handy on our myriad treks from house to house. When we found ourselves in between a “set-up” housing situations, with all the goodies packed away in boxes for yet another move, somebody would want or need some arcane item and---sure enough… our Nanny would fish out a particular box, rummage around inside it for a bit and voila! Her memory is phenomenal, right up there with her beauty, intelligence and class. Amen!

After several of our “infamous” moves utilizing cardboard boxes which leave a great deal to be desired, we stumbled onto some very nice heavy-duty plastic boxes with full-hinged lids that closed in an interlocking fashion and then could be stacked, one atop the other. These great boxes came compliments of GM Parts; I confess I have no idea how they magically appeared.

If push should ever come to shove---I absolutely will swear to that fact…I’ll have to!

Anyway, we have a fair number of the units, empty for now---but?...Oh! Well! Gypsy blood!?

 

Ah! Cookie Jar “On the road again” Sweet Memories!

 

 

 

Freedom Call Plus CJSM Day 79

Freedom Call!

 

 

Liberty granted, then practiced, fully begets perfect-Freedom!

 

To exercise Freedom necessitates Justice!

 

To achieve Justice-“fair” requires Law!

 

If one demands Rights, then one must redeem Responsibilities!

 

Each of these laudable values demands fulfilled-obligations.

Thereby is born the sacred worthy-virtue

embraced by the Independent-Individual

contemplated and blatantly practiced…Love!

 

Absent Liberty, no Freedom!

Without Freedom, no Justice!

Defeated Justice, no Law!

 

Descend to anarchy---no sacred-Love!

 

To “parrot” P-C words is a convenient-vacant lie.

To practice Love-value lives a worthy-virtue!

 

A socialist-leftist proclaimed she gave up her limo for a hybrid.

A savvy reporter inquired of the “celeb”, “Why not ride a bike?”

Ignored, he asked, “Madam, being the P-C ‘Greenie’ you so often

profess, why did you fly a private jet from L.A. to Palm Springs,

 a short distance of only one hundred and twenty-five miles?

That vagrancy must have left a huge ‘carbon’-foot print?”

Her “Highness” condescendingly dismissed, “It was going there, anyway!”?

 

Is it just too Cool to be P-C?

I believe “Truth!” is so Cool!

 

I just happen to be a conservationist; my intelligence demands such.

When a P-C liberal-socialist dares undertake to lecture-berate,

I politely inquire: I’ve planted 10,000 tress! And---you?”

 

A “tongue-edged” sword cuts both ways, certainly,

but, only an avowed hypocrite can lie-it perpetually!

 

Amen!

 

Dare contemplate the meaning---then…plant your first “green”-tree! Love!

 

 

 

 

Plus:

 

 

 

 

 

Day 79

 

 

Taking the ferry at Modoc, IL to St. Genevieve, MO

 

For simple, humble insignificant me: Always the simple things.

I have done a fair share of construction over the years; I’m a take-charge hands-on guy.

Once I had a worker who complained that I worked him too hard; I quickly reminded him that I never asked anyone to perform any task that I, myself, would not undertake, that I arrived on the job site at least an hour before any of the “hired help” showed up and stayed late to clean up and get ready for tomorrow. He’s probably still “goldbricking” on a free ride, somewhere.

I have installed several swimming pools in my day. The first one: Well! I decided the kids should have a pool and, of course, I could not afford to have one built. So, I found a guy who sold in-ground swimming pools and bought a “kit” from him, borrowed a trailer and had the pieces delivered to our home. I hired a guy with a high lift and a backhoe, laid out the site and directed the excavation. A ton of hand digging with a shovel, on my part, followed. Once I had the dimensions right---Rain! For two days! Wow! Was somebody trying to tell me something?

I pumped out the collected water from the muddy hole and waited another day for ole Mr. Sun to dry out the mess. Finally, I poured the concrete footing, set the stainless steel walls, ran the plumbing lines and wired the filter system, installed the coping, dropped a vinyl liner, ordered water which was hauled in on a truck by a guy who filled cisterns and as the water level rose I backfilled the excavation with river sand shoveling it into a wheelbarrow.. Settling the backfill with water and setting deck forms for concrete, I poured a deck around the blue water pool. Then, we landscaped the project adding a “patriotic” touch by raising a twenty-five foot cedar staff rigged with flag-flying hardware; Old Glory waved proud over that little project..

We enjoyed that pool, built beside our bar-b-que which I had designed into our fireplace.

So? What has this tale to do with the “Sweet Memory”-title of this episode? Well…

While I was floating around my swimming pool with a cold lemon aid enjoying life, another guy was still fidgeting with starting his pool project filled with questions and worry about everything from the weather to the finances and, even, where to dig the hole.

One of the blatantly bold “secrets” of life is so simple: Just do It! Thank you!

Oh! I am fully aware that such consideration in this Modern insanity is not cool.

One of the competing philosophies is as good as the other, I suppose, but, while the “climber” is stuck in indecision---the other…ME, is chilling out in a Home & Garden magazine cover.

We find adventure in everyday events like taking a day trip to historic St. Genevieve, Missouri by taking the ferry across the ole Mississippi River. Simply beautiful! Enjoy life!

 

Fear not! Follow Me! Amen!

 

Ah Cookie Jar “Live! Love! Laugh!” Sweet Memories!

 



Salvation Dawm-Reach Plus Day 78

Salvation Dawn-Reach

 

 

 

Soon comes, Pray I, pale-pink resplendent-dawn clandestine-fantasy subtle

Midnight blackness abyss concedes to demon-evil dreams begging rebuttal

 

Subconscious I reach in Faith! as vestige of respite fades

Green-water deep-grave choke-suffocate its fashion parades

 

Aye! Safe-surface from the dungeon-dark yon pale light, I see

Nightmare-anger assault me spirit tether-locked as desperate be

 

Hold encouraged-tight to victor-win dream-struggle faint proud dawn

Night flees sun-promise pale-pink blush extinguish diamond star-spawn

 

Subtle brighter now I fantasy-taste of elixir freedom-breath

A slightly lighter shade-of-pale at last harbingers dark death

 

In altercation from sleep to wake blood-warmed returns

Escape the evil demon-dream true consciousness discerns

 

Horizon-line delineation distinct Salvation-hope triumph defeat

Heavy kids obfuscate slit-light to sight yellow-hint near-complete

 

One final mighty pull and kick to break at last the static surface tension

Full-lung deep breath-of-life eyes squint protect piercing bright ascension

 

Yon yellow-orb at last transgress day-night to violate abyss cerulean-blue

Vapor-wisp away evil demon-dream as embrace fresh day once again renew

 

I Thank Thee! Lord! Yet one more chance redeem such wretched soul-stained

With fresh breath-of-day invoke sin-bar value-success sacred-Salvation regained

 

Eschew temptation sin!

Again---Amen!

-

 

Plus:

 

 

 

 

Day 78

 

As a married couple, our home

had an out-of-control furnace

 

 

Sometimes, upon reflection, I realize we had a “rough” start, although I have never thought that to be a true analysis; life has been Great! Maybe I really am too dumb to know the difference. I do believe that life is what each individual makes it. I am a believer.

So? Our first “home” was a mobile home ( Yeah! A trailer!). It was absolutely delightful. I paste-waxed the vinyl floors on my hands and knees and you had to tread lightly or chance a fractured bone. That abode was, like all our other residences---spotless!

I cannot stand things to be out of order; neither can my bride. My late friend, Michael Bradley, once inquired of me, “What is Candy like?”

And, I told him, singing her praises, allowing that I called her an angel for twenty years and then, one fine day, apologized for being wrong---She is…an angel. I allowed to Mr. Michael that she kept the house immaculate further emphasizing that if I was eating a sandwich and laid down half of it to get a drink or for some other reason, Lady Candice would clean up the “mess” and I would go hungry. That tale is not an exaggeration; I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Our little trailer had a furnace with a mind of its own which it could not make up.

One day it would be sauna-time as the furnace wanted to create a Miami climate; the next day---freezing cold…it refused to heat, at all. So much for the “perfect” environment.

But, we persevered and survived. And, I have no complaints; I lead a “blessed” life.

 

Ah! Cookie Jar “Pleasant” Sweet Memories!