Empty Nest-Revisited 2007

Well it seems to happen this time of year...every year. We just took our youngest back to school for her junior year.

Where do the years go?

It was quite a summer for the "youngster". Dad put on his "bad boy" hat and forced the "learn to drive a car" issue, resulting in a car for her. Today was the longest road trip she has driven and she did well! She drove the 2.5 hours from Oak Ridge to East Tennnessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee. Her only complaint was her foot was going to sleep.

We've retained a bit of her in her cat, and our Grand-kittie, Emma Lee (aka Penny). She was afraid the apartment folks would be inspecting the place early in the year and pets are strictly forbidden. That's my girl....."Rebel with some sort of a cause".

Best wishes for yet another successful year at college.

We'll try to hold down the fort....and the ol' empty nest.

Dad

My New Identity

You're a Hyena!

You have quite a sense of humor, though many others find it derisive
rather than appealing. You are perceived as being a coward, but actually have moments
of great bravery and have even stood up to those much larger than yourself. You like
hanging out in groups and are always making a lot of noise. Disney thinks you are an
idiot.


Take the Animal Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

My Daemon

From "The Golden Compass" website.

Back There........

BACK THERE.....













Wasn't it so peaceful?

A baseball game on Saturday.......
A walk in the woods.....

To discover what we thought had never been seen before.....

Of moss on trees, of multi-colours....
Of rocks in the creek.....with snakes sunning for their early-morning warm-up
Of racoons....scurring for their next meal........

Of music on vinyl.....The Beatles, The Stones, The Starship......The Dead.......

Oh, to have such simple times and simple pleasures today.......

Oh, the MUSIC!

Penny's First Rain

Penny's First Rain......
















My daughter and her roomate decided to populate their college apartment, illegally of course, with felines. They each got a cat. During the weekend and holiday visits, Ema Lee (AKA Penny) comes to visit us. She's a beautiful cat but has not been well accepted by one of our own cats, Ms. Juniper....in fact she gets her ass kicked on a daily basis....but she appears to be ok with that.

This is her first summer with the "grandparents" and loves visiting the "big house". She's been here long enough, since school let out, that she's pretty much taken over the house. She still gets whooped daily but she has expanded her territory from one room downstairs to the entire house.

Over the past several weeks she has decided that outside is quite an adventure and she greets me at the door each morning to be let out. Now I have to admit, I'm the one that first introduced her to the outdoors.......there was an unexpected 2-week visit (the girls suspected that their apartment was going to be inspected and they didn't want to get busted). I let her outside, downstairs, and she thoroughly enjoyed her adventure under my unusually large hosta gardens. And she remembered this adventure!

Fast forward to summer. She's been here since early May and goes out daily now. Yesterday we had our first "good" rain in quite a while. I let her out and she stayed in the covered carport area for a while. There was thunder and lightning but the rain was pretty light at this point. She seemed a little freaked-out at the thunder but stayed put in the carport......and then she decided to venture out in the front yard as the rain started to fall.

This was quite a shock to Penny! She continously looked up each time a drop would hit her and looked quite confused that she was not in control. I tried to bring her inside, as the storm intensified, but she would have nothing to do with this.....this was yet another outdoor experience and she intended to wallow in all its glory.

Another experience, another day, in the life of a cat.

Mother Raven, Baby Raven

I was outside this morning enjoying my usual morning bad habit. It was foggy and noisy. A congregation of Oak Ridge's finest ravens had decided my gardens would a nice place to set up camp. There was one particular individual that was making all the noise. As I sat on the back of my pickup I noticed that the noise maker was a "baby". I say baby but this bird was as big as Mom. It followed Mom all over the yard with its beak wide open and cawing (if that is a word). This went on for what seemed like hours...although I was only out for one bad habit intake.

I got to thinking that ol' Mom needs to put her foot...errr....claw.....well whatever a bird's foot is called.....and set that baby straight. In the first place if your baby is as big as you then you have obviously babied it long enough. Now I don't know much about birds, other than they eat a lot and poop on everything....but don't you think this mama needs to do a little life training and teach that critter to learn how to survive on its own?

I guess I can equate this to my daughter's recent graduation from college. We let go years ago and she survived to adulthood. And she doesn't go around cawing for attention.......or pooping everywhere. At least I don't think she does anyway.

I think I need another cup of coffee.

"When I'm 64"

"When I'm 64"
Lennon/McCartney

When I get older losing my hair,
Many years from now.
Will you still be sending me a valentine
Birthday greetings bottle of wine.

If I'd been out till quarter to three
Would you lock the door,
Will you still need me, will you still feed me,
When I'm sixty-four.

You'll be older too,
And if you say the word,
I could stay with you.

I could be handy, mending a fuse
When your lights have gone.
You can knit a sweater by the fireside
Sunday mornings go for a ride,

Doing the garden, digging the weeds,
Who could ask for more.
Will you still need me, will you still feed me,
When I'm sixty-four.

Every summer we can rent a cottage,
In the Isle of Wight, if it's not too dear
We shall scrimp and save
Grandchildren on your knee
Vera ,Chuck & Dave

Send me a postcard, drop me a line,
Stating point of view
Indicate precisely what you mean to say
Yours sincerely, wasting away

Give me your answer, fill in a form
Mine for evermore
Will you still need me, will you still feed me,
When I'm sixty-four.

A Whisper Comes on Sunday

Silence.....shhhhhh.....it only lasts for a brief moment......

It grabs you with a blanket
And tells you to rest
"The bed is already full"
So your lay down on the sofa....and darkness outside rains in......

The 4AM coffee has worn it's course
And the 4:30AM smoke has no meaning
But the 5AM meeting with the most comfortable bed
Beckons its call


"You need your rest.....and I am your resting place"

And so, I lay my head on the rough pillows,
I adjust myself among multi-layers of cats
And their vibrations of purring.....
And their claws of "biscuit making"......

The ol' clock chimes at 5:30 AM.....10 minutes later than reality.......

And then I pass on to the Netherlands............

Monday........... and work beckons..........

The Long Driveway

July, in Georgia, can be a furnace......if you let it get to you.....

Before the days of computer games, mp3s, iPods and cds, there was baseball and frisbee golf (a new sport, but rapidly growing among the college kids)

Before the sun would hit it's peak, in the blue, southern skies
The Boys of Summer would gather on Covington Highway to hit the ball across the road...or to search for the missing Homerun........

Simple times, with simple endings....you win or you lose....but you played until time was called.....8 innings....12 innings....or just 3.........the temperature gauged the game.......

I missed the gauge when my teammate told me he was throwing in the towel.....

I thought he meant he couldn't play kids' ball anymore.....

He did.

He tossed me his last ball about 6 months before he handed in his hat and jersey.....

And his bat is in my command....it has a long fret, and 6-stings.......

And it tells me daily......


"Play On!"

And this I will do....

Use To Be My Eyes

Use To Be My Eyes

Colours have covered me in blankets of memories
From my youth to where I am today

The map I used in 1976 is now worn and tattered
The map I used in 1958 is forgotten
Roads I once used are now old and lost paths
And the trail that got me here is now faded

I found a new map in an antique store
It had my name on it and called me to the shelf

"I am here", it said

"And who are you?", I responded

"I am you and you are here"..........

The old map suddenly unfolded on that old, wooden desk
And the X was highlighted in yellow

I saw my old pathways on that map.......
And saw my new pathways beyond its margins..........

"Why do you seek me out?", I asked
"I did not call to you. You called out to me.....I only answered your call".

"These use to be your eyes, but you forgot how to see".......

"I see fine....a little blurry these days but that comes with age".

The map curled a bit a unfolded again.........

"The blurry visions you see are what you make of them. Your blinders need to be fixed........you lost your ability to focus."

I pondered this for a few minutes.....why the hell am I talking to a map, in a store with few patrons. I stood at the old desk and waited.....

"You, my friend, have lost your way.....but I found you and you, reluctantly, have found me. Pick me up, pay your dollar and I'll take you to where you are intended to be...."

"And why should I trust you?"

"You should not! But you don't have a map to guide you today. What do you have to lose but a dollar?"

I grabbed the map, found my wife in the ceramics section of the store and paid for my goods.

The map has not spoken in 5 years.....but the yellow, highlighted lines move.....and they move daily.

These use to be my eyes.....and now my eyes have a tinge of yellow.....from an old, wrinkled map.

We Remember-Virginia Tech

We Remember

Ross Abdallah Alameddine
Christopher James Bishop
Brian Roy Bluhm
Ryan Christopher Clark
Austin Michelle Cloyd
Jocelyne Couture-Nowak
Kevin P. Granata
Matthew Gregory Gwaltney
Caitlin Millar Hammaren
Jeremy Michael Herbstritt
Rachael Elizabeth Hill
Emily Jane Hilscher
Jarrett Lee Lane
Matthew Joseph La Porte
Henry J. Lee
Liviu Librescu
G.V. Loganathan
Partahi Mamora Halomoan Lumbantoruan
Lauren Ashley McCain
Daniel Patrick O'Neil
Juan Ortiz-Ortiz
Minal Hiralal Panchal
Daniel Alejandro Perez
Erin Nicole Peterson
Michael Steven Pohle, Jr.
Julia Kathleen Pryde
Mary Karen Read
Reema Joseph Samaha
Waleed Mohamed Shaalan
Leslie Geraldine Sherman
Maxine Shelly Turner
Nicole White

Lately.......

There are days when I just sit and look.....no thinking required!

It's Spring in East Tennessee and the colours are as vibrant
As I can remember.....and memories are what make me what I am today......

The rains of spring have begun their march.....
Strong orchestras at times......
And soft percussions at other times........

From my solitary room, I can hear (and see) the softness of the drops,
The solitude of the emptiness of the waters
As they permeate the soils
Surrounding my self-made Gardens of Eden

A creation I claim
But surrender them to what they may become for a lifetime

Small ripples, in the washtub for the birds
Increasing rapidly as the winds rise up
Darkness whirls, as darkness does
And the clouds lower themselves over the Ridge.......

Leaves begin to shake
And the blossoms from the cherry trees
Shower the grounds
With the pink snows of the season....Heaven on Earth!

A darkness strikes deep into the soul of the Earth
Shadows fall to the departing sun for the day
And the falling rains continue.......

Purples and Blues,
And Greens and Reds
Color the landscape
And the intensity of the Greens
Absorb the abyss

It's Spring, again, in East Tennessee

Can Heaven be far behind?

Empty Benches

Empty Benches


There is a lonely bench
For most of the year it sits in the Secret Garden
Waiting for a lone squirrel, chipmunk or Cardinal to rest on it's wood

It waits patiently for the time of year
When colours emerge from the soils
That surround it's empty nest

Greens and purples, blues, whites and oranges
Suddenly leap forth
And life on the bench springs forward

It longs to feel its worth is noted
It yearns for the weight of heavy souls
And reaches out to capture the toll

This bench is my home
On those long, sweltering days of summer
And gives me the rest I cherish and desire

Reflections

Reflections

Sometimes the mirror offers images

Of things you don't want to see

You take the reflections of light

And mold them into shapes of lives that did not come to

You think of yourself as the man of dreams

Of passions and emotions that should not occur

But yet you continue to dream

And it was only a dream

What could you have changed?

What could you have done?

What did you seek?

What did you do?

Your questions surround you....

Your questions push you down......

And you scream from the depths.......

The depths of hopelessness

And then you realize....that all is not lost

Your reflections shed an image in the background

From behind the mirror shines.......

The next generation............

Of you............

Dried Puddles on Bidez Drive

Dried Puddles on Bidez Drive















Long after the rains cease to fall
And July draws in her reins of hell
The parched, dirt road of Bidez
Beckons the senses with art

As I walk down the ol' dirt road
Alone with myself
And whatever happens to join with my mind
I wonder if anyone knows of my paradise

Casual and alone, and taking in the views
That only I will see this day
Am I really alone on this Saturday
Or are there others around that sense what I sense

The old Blue Jay hops down the gulley of the passage
Seeking the buffet of the country road
A lone chipmunk gathers the new nuts of the season
And swiftly runs with her treasure to the homestead

A brown lizard, with tattered scales
Scurries across the hot, dusty pebbles
And finds the shade
Of an ancient Kudzu vine

I reach behind me, in my tattered jeans pocket
And pull out my own treasure of words
"Walden's Pond" calls me to listen
And under the old Chestnut Tree, I rest

I am lost in the drama
Of a New England forest
But I am forever burdened
With a Southern Exposure.............

Top 10 List of Stuff

Things you probably didn’t know

Top 10 Salad Dressings

• Blue Cheese
• Ranch
• Italian (separating)
• French
• Caesar
• Thousand Island
• Honey Dijon
• Balsamic Vinaigrette
• Poppy seed
• Other Vinaigrettes

Top 10 Best Selling Albums of All Time

• Eagles: Their Greatest Hits, 1971–1975, Eagles (Asylum)-29 Million
• Thriller, Michael Jackson (Epic)-27 Million
• Led Zeppelin IV, Led Zeppelin (Atlantic)-23 Million
• The Wall, Pink Floyd (Columbia)-23 Million
• Greatest Hits, Volumes I & II, Billy Joel (Columbia)-21 Million
• Back in Black, AC/DC (Epic)-21 Million
• Double Live, Garth Brooks (Capitol Nashville)-20 Million
• Come On Over, Shania Twain (Mercury Nashville)-20 Million
• The Beatles, The Beatles (Capitol)-19 Million
• Rumours, Fleetwood Mac (Warner Bros.)-19 Million

Top 10 Best Selling Beers in the US

• Bud Light
• Budweiser
• Miller Lite
• Coors Lite
• Corona Light
• Natural Light
• Heineken
• Michelob Ultra Light
• Busch Light
• Miller High Life

Top 10 Best Selling Cars in the US-2006

• Ford F-Series
• Chevrolet Silverado
• Toyota Camry
• Dodge Ram
• Honda Accord
• Honda Civic
• Chevrolet Impala
• Toyota Corolla
• Nissan Altima
• Chevrolet Cobalt

Top 10 Best Selling Books of All Time

• The Bible
• Quotations from Chairman Mao Tse-Tung
• The American Spelling Book
• Guiness Book of World Records
• World Almanac
• The McGuffey Readers
• The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care
• A Message to Garcia
• In His Steps, What Would Jesus Do?
• Valley of the Dolls

Top 10 Highest Grossing Movies of All Time

• Titanic (1997)
• Star Wars (1977)
• Shrek 2 (2004)
• E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
• Star Wars: Episode I-The Phantom Menace (1999)
• Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006)
• Spider Man (2002)
• Star Wars: Episode III-Revenge of the Sith (2005)
• The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
• Spider Man 2 (2004)

Top 10 Most Expensive Colleges in the US (2006-2007 Tuition Year)

• George Washington University-$37, 820 per year
• University of Richmond-$36,550 per year
• Sarah Lawrence College-$36,088 per year
• Kenyon College-$36,050 per year
• Vassar College-$36,030 per year
• Bucknell University-$36,002 per year
• Bennington College-$35,250 per year
• Columbia University-$35,166 per year
• Wesleyan University (Connecticut)-$35,144
• Trinity College-$35,130 per year

Intro to an Evening Rain

Intro to an Evening Rain

The ring around the moon
Gives warning
That the rains are coming
And cold fills the air

We gather 'round the fire
For winter grabs hold
Deep in the valleys
And Ridges of ol'Tennessee

Aromas of cookies, pies and cakes
Fill your head.......
As your body aches for the days
Days of comfort, safety and youth

Soft cushions cover the chairs
From houses so far gone
But they linger on as your travels
Take you to the next abode

And the quilts your ancestors made
In their desperation for warmth
They wrap you oh' so warmly
As you drift off into sleep

It's January
And it's raining
In ol'Tennessee

3 Good-byes

We often use "Good-Bye" as a way of saying "I'll see you later"....but there are times when the "see you later" doesn't materialize.

I have had 3 Good-byes I have made.......and because of these, I rarely use the word today.

In grammar school, I became friends with a guy named Scott. As the days progressed, we became "blood-brothers".....in the literal sense. I can recall the day when we each cut our fingers and merged our blood....back in the woods, at the creek, in Lithonia, Georgia. It was a pact that he and I never forgot. In 7th Grade, Scott moved to Hawaii. I was devastated! But I later learned that Scott had a disease that, at the time, required his moving to a more tropical climate. I visited him during the summer, after I graduated from grammar school. I spent a month in heaven!

Many years later, when we were both college students, Scott came to visit me....on a weekend after we had both had finished exams. I said "Good-bye" to Scott, as I headed to Macon, Georgia....and he headed back to North Carolina. I never saw my dear "blood brother" again..........

Fast forward to 1978......I was standing in the driveway of my childhood home....waiting for the Navy Recruiter to pick me up. I had enlisted in the Navy for a 4 year tour. I shook hands with my Dad.....I hugged my Mom and said "Good-bye".....I was choked-up, but excited to take on my new adventure. I saw my Mom's tears....though she says she cried her last tears years ago......

Another fast forward.......I am now a grown "man", with kids in college. I learn that my brother, Mark, has a form of cancer that is so agressive that there is little hope. I arrange for my other 2 brothers, and myself, to meet with Mark.....it would be our last gathering. In the past, my brothers and I would annually gather in Blairsville, Georgia....to play guitars, eat chili, drink beer and just bullshit. We're guys, you know. This was not that kind of gathering. We talked with Mark....and walked through his own gardens....but the 3 of us knew....our Mark would not be with us much longer.

My brother was showing fatigue from our visit, so I sort-of started the long process of getting us out the door......and I made one friggin' mistake......I said "Good-bye" to my friend and brother.

I don't say Good-bye anymore......and that word is no longer in my mental dictionary.

A Space in Time.....

We gather to play....and play! Weekend of February 16th, 2007!

And we do this for our fallen brother, Mark.

Fly on, Freebird........we play for you!

Peace.......

The Boys in the Saddles.........

Never Said Goodbye-6 Years Gone

Never Said Goodbye-6 Years Gone


Pearl Harbor Day 2000

Survived the "calamity" of Y2K

And the year flows on by.......


The year draws to a close
As we prepare to gather

Christmas in Georgia
With all the family around

And I pass
And spend my time alone


I see you with Stash
In my own room
In old Tennessee

"Get up boy", you say
"Time to walk the ol dog".....

I rub my eyes......
What did I just see?

"Is that you, Dad?"

Silence.....nothing but silence.

I wander upstairs and stoke the fire......
The coffee brews and the aroma fills the room.....

I never did say goodbye, did I?

Farewell, friend.......until the next time.........

Walking My Path Alone

Walking My Path Alone

It's a lonely hike
When you walk your path alone

Lonely in the woods
With only the sounds of nature
To push you along.....

As you age in the wilderness
You ponder your past

And know......

The greatest fear I have
Is to grow old.....and alone........

I don't wanna grow old....alone......

Twirl to the Ground

It is the ever-present pressure from day-to-day living
What to rember and what to forget

Sometimes I think about those old high school days
A young "adult"...with all the answers
But what were the questions?

We wander aimlessly into true adulthood
And still the unknown questions are followed
By the true unknown answers......

Were do we go from here?

It's an odd feeling, as you meander through "middle age",
And those same ol' questions go unanswered.....
And then you approach the mid-century mark!

I recall the question from the back seat
Of a long car-ride....
"Are we there yet?"

As we twirl to the ground
Wondering if there is an answer
We ponder life.....

And then we understand........

There is now an answer

It is just the journey.........

The journey that does not end......until you finally rest.

Fare Thee Well........

Wooden Indian

Wooden Indian
Words and Music by John Denver

Now I was a red man
I was proud, I was strong
You were the white man
And you stole away my home

Now I am a wooden indian
Painted dreams inside my head
Times a where you bring me down
And make you wish that I was dead

Na na na

Now I was a red man
And my passing made no sound
You were the white man
And you drove me in the ground

Now I am a wooden indian
Standing silent in the rain
Swear with my grandfather's father
We're going to rise again

Na na na

Now I was a red man
I was proud, I was strong
You were the white man
And you stole away my home

Now I am a wooden indian
Standing silent in the rain
Swear with my grandfather's father
We're going to rise again

All My Quiet Places

All My Quiet Places


Stillness and quiet is such a rarity these days

The herds of cars and people rush on by me
To their daily destination of chaos and disorder
As I sit on a rock and watch them pass

There is no slowness in this world today
Only panic and stress formed out of our own mistakes
And I sit on a rock and watch them pass

But quiet places lay hidden in the deserts and forests
And beside rushing, snow-fed streams along mossy-green tapestries
While I lay on a rock and watch its waters pass

I cherish all my quiet places

Early Morning Conversation in Baltimore

Early Morning Conversation in Baltimore-Waiting for a Flight

I was sitting alone in a Baltimore Airport Bar....early morning, waiting for my flight....and a young soldier walked up to my table......

"Mind if I sit here? The bar is kind of full."

"No problem, man. Have a seat. I'm just hanging out."

"I've been flying all night. Hope you don't mind if I have a beer. I know it's early but it's been a long night."

"No problem with me....I might even join you! My flight is delayed because of weather down south....just trying to get home."

"Me too", he said....but I knew with his words, there was more to this statement. This guy had not seen home for a long time. And that's all he was looking for.

"Where've you been?", I asked....knowing what the answer would be....and hoping I was wrong.

"Iraq, man. 2 years for me. I've got a kid that I saw when he was born......he's walking now.....and I've never seen that, other than the pictures my wife could sneak through."

"Wow! How do you feel about that?"

He took a sip of his beer...and paused for a minute.

"I'm a little scared, man! I mean, you know....not the kind of scared like when I was in Iraq......it's different, you know?"

I took my last sip of coffee.....and waited for him to continue.

"You know.....it's kind of weird. I never pictured myself as a Dad....but here I am.....and I haven't been there. I haven't been there at all. I mean....what is the kid gonna think about me?"

"I think you'll know what to do when you finally meet up with him."......I had no idea what I was saying.

"That's easy enough to say......but when I touch down in Charlotte and see my girl....and my little man.....well....what do I do?"

I ordered this guy another beer......and one for me.....I could tell this wasn't gonna be easy.

"Be yourself.......give your wife a long hug and kiss......and take that boy in your arms.....it'll all come to you after that."

He paused for a minute.....took a sip of his new beer and sat there. The silence was deafening.

"You sure?"

"Man, I don't know.....never been there. I mean, I'm a veteran but I just can't relate to the hell you've been through.....and now you're coming home!"

"You're a veteran? Cool! When did you serve?"

"'78 to '82.....Navy. Iran hostage situation"

"Wow! That's before I was born! I read about that in History Class"

"Yea....thanks!"

"Sorry, man. I mean....well you sort of understand....right?"

I couldn't lie to this guy....it was different.

"No, man. I can't."

"Oh......ok......but you can see my concerns, right?"

"Yup.....I'm a guy just like you.....and life scares the shit out of me......even though I've not been in a war."

"It ain't the war, man.....it's my kid. Will he understand me down the road?"

I took a sip of beer and thought for a moment......and thought again.

"He will.....you just have to talk to him.....from your first day and going on...and don't forget your wife.....she's been there too!"

We took our last sips of beer.....he picked up his bag and I picked up my laptop.

"You good?", I asked.

"Yea, man....thanks for the seat....and the beer. I think I'm gonna be ok. I hope so, anyway."

"You will be....."....and I started to turn to my exit.....

"Hey man.....thanks. I don't think I could face this last flight without you letting me taking that seat."

"That seat is always waiting for a man in fear........and you'll beat that fear and find love in North Carolina."

"Peace my friend....I'll probably never see you again....but I'll never forget you.....you're ok."

"Peace to you, my friend.....now go find your love......and your son."

I left for Gate D17.....my new-found friend left for life.

Flo' n' Flo'

Flo' and Flo'
From clouds on high
And snows on top
Life she takes it
And forward she flows

Deposits she makes
Unlike those we humans long for
For what she passes
Is life

We watch her in wonder
And we wander with her watch
Treking along her banks
Of rocks and blossoms and life

Flo' and flo' sweet river
Flo' 'til you end
And flo' more
For all in all....you flo' for us

Seeds

SEEDS
Dry and dusty.

Flat and floating.

The Seeds drop from the cathedrals that surround the deep valleys.

And softly lay on the dying leaves.

The rains of November push them to their ultimate destiny.

With colours hidden and textures enclosed.

Trees

The Old Man and the Old Yellow Bike

The Old Man on the Old Yellow Bike
A Tribute to Dr. James Steven Johnson, Jr.

For as long as I've lived in Oak Ridge, the highlight of my day was to see the old man on the old, yellow bike. Several times a day I would see him riding his ancient bike up and down West Outer Drive....and he was always smiling. There were days when work or family matters would really get me down. And then, as I walked up the driveway to get the day's paper and mail, I would see this old man. I would smile and wave....he just kept peddling his bike....and would always pass on his unbelievable smile to me. That smile, coming from an old man on a bike, would wash away all my bad thoughts for the day. It was a daily ritual....unless it was raining. But with the first passing of the rain he would be out on the road again....peddling and smiling....and always looking forward. He never spoke but always acknowledged your wave or smile with his....and forward he would keep pushing.

Several days ago I heard through a church friend that this man had died. He died in the front yard of this family....doing what he loved to do.....riding his old, yellow bike.

I never knew his name, where he lived or what kind of life he had lived. He never spoke and we never introduced ourselves. I just waved and he just smiled.

I learned about this man through his obituary. And I am sorry we never got to know one another. But the memories I have of this old man will always be implanted in my mind.

Farewell, Mr. Johnson. I will miss your smile.....and your old, yellow bike.

September, She Comes

She breathes a heavy sigh....
A long breath for a long wait......
August gives in.......
And late summer storms roar through.....

She walks among her old friends.....
Calling out for those left behind....
Of books and papers...and old, lost friends...

She sneaks behind the olden bushes....
And slinks beside the ancient chimney....
Awakenend by the sudden blast....
Of trumpets on the battle field.....

"Arise", she calls out....
"Arise and awaken....I summon you now"....
"For the boys of Autumn have come to replace.....the Boys of Summer"........

And with one, lone whistle you hear........

"Touchdown!"........

Swept Under My Rug

Occasionally you have to do a little house cleaning. I was amazed at what I recently found....Swept Under My Rug......

A necklace....with the other half in the jewelry box of a long, lost girlfriend.

A coin from Greece...the night I discovered Ouzo.

A pressed Dogwood Flower, in a Bible, from a long walk in the woods.

Old concert tickets....for The Doobie Brothers, Allman Brothers, Grand Funk, Led Zeppelin, George Harrison, Seals & Crofts and Elton John.

Rock posters from a room that will never be slept in again.

An old slide rule....used by my Dad at Southern Tech.

An old calculator used by me in high school chemistry.

A high school letter, full of medals....signifying nothing.

The label from a bottle of Italian wine...the day some sailors decided to look over the bay of Naples....and watch the sunset....without the help of a bar....or girls.

And an old Yamaha guitar....with so many stories....yet untold.

Summer's Lament

The freshness of Spring wanders so lonely through the heat
And then she passes to beyond the edge
A new face appears and calls on the others

"Rise up", she says, "And show all your goods."

"Rise up, I say....for the butterflies and the bees...
The hummingbirds and squirrels have emptied their cupboards....
They have come to visit your stores!"

And suddenly the old ones rise.....and take the stage.
The ones who return each midsummer and tempt the travelers
With exotic treats and perches to rest on

But slowly they pass.....they wither in the heat
The rains disappear and the earth separates as its skin parches to nothingness
And the weary travelers move on.....

"Come back", she cries. "We can offer more, if you wish!"
But her voice bounces off the barks of the trees....
And the withered petals of the old ones

And Summer slowly fades into Autumn.....
A time for rest...
Before the long, cold sleep......

Look Way Back

Sometimes I have to look way back
And force my mind to wander
To old dirt roads and rusty nails
And Coke bottles to squander

To midnight treks along the creek
And summer storms that thunder
Or baseball games with the neighborhood gang
Or old graveyards to plunder

Then up the road to Sharon's house
To ride horses on the trails
Or sitting with Stash up on the hill
And watch him twitch his tail

Back out to the garden in a hot, July sun
To water the tomato plants
"Quit whining, boys", ol' Dad would say
As he'd pull up on his pants

To find a turtle or a frog or two
And ask where they are going
And yet another summer day ends
With Autumn winds a blowin'

The days grow shorter and time runs fast
As school rapidly sneaks upon us
We gathered paper, pens and books
And wait for the yellow bus

Those days are gone, and long since passed
But visions come to see me
I wish I had those days back now
But that can never be

Sometimes I have to look way back
And force my mind to wander
To old dirt roads and rusty nails
And Coke bottles to squander

Now What?

We both sit there in the living room
Pretending to watch tv
And show some interest in what happened today
Are we listening?

"Good supper, Mom" or "Good supper Dad"
As though there is a crowd in the room
We respond generously
And continue to eat

We take the "old people's" walk
Through my gardens and flowers
Through my own made meadows
And past the dogs

They look at us through their confused eyes
"Where is your youth?", they ask
And we slowly walk towards their prison
Set free only in the afternoon

We settle into bed
You with your book and me with the TV
Egyptian Mummies or Star Gate?
Or do I roll over and look for sleep?

Now what?
We did what we set out to do, right?
Now what?
It's lonely in "this ol' house".....

Go to sleep, Juniper........
I'll see you in the morning........

Our Pastures Begin

And so it begins.....

A new dawn and a new becoming......

Where did the little feet go?

Where did the never-ending questions about life wander?

They left suddenly, on a day that was dreaded.......

A day we longed for yet and yet hoped would never come.....

They now pave their own lives

Searching for what we could not find.......

Solitude? Peace? Hope?

We now pass the torch to those who may be able to do.......

What we only hoped for.......

We wish you peace!

Again, the morning

She comes too early
And sometimes too late

She beckons me to call on a new birth
And I restrain.......

Why do I resisit?
Why do I continue?

I long for simplicity.....
I long for the land.......

I long for a peace that can't be found...and no once else can provide

I have to find that on my own......

And peace I will discover...........

And on my own terms...............

Ever The Spring

There is one moment in time that is constant
And the moment is the Spring

Spring is reliable
Spring is sometimes slow to show
But show she does

The purples and blues
The reds and pinks
And yellow........

I love Spring........
My efforts from the last fall
Are abundant in the show
And the show goes on for ever on

Can you taste the fragrances?
Can you feel the rebirth?
Can you live?

I live for Spring and all her luxuries.......
And I am always amazed the surprises in store......

For this year......
And the coming years........

Minstrel from Galilee

Minstrel from Galilee

He toured the land with music in his words
Attracting both young and old
While fires raged backstage

He talked of peace while war drew near
And never lifted a sword
While fires raged backstage

His following were often poor
Or homeless or rejected
While fires raged backstage

He led them down another way
And only asked that they listen
While fires raged backstage

He left them crying on a hill
And parted with forgiveness
While fires raged backstage

He promised a reunion tour
And has restrung his guitar
As the fires still rage backstage

Age

Age
Jim Croce

I’ve been up and down and around and ’round and back again
I’ve been so many places I can’t remember where or when
And my only boss was the clock on the wall and my only friend
Never really was a friend at all

I’ve traded love for pennies, sold my soul for less
Lost my ideals in that long tunnel of time
I’ve turned inside out and around about and back and then
Found myself right back where I started again

Once I had myself a million, now I’ve only got a dime
The diff’rence don’t seem quite as bad today
With a nickel or a million, I was searching all the time
For something that I never lost or left behind

I’ve traded love for pennies, sold my soul for less
Lost my ideals in that long tunnel of time
I’ve turned inside out and around about and back and then
Found myself right back where I started again

And now I’m in my second circle and I’m headin’ for the top
I’ve learned a lot of things along the way
I’ll be careful while I’m climbin’ ’cause it hurts a lot to drop
When your down nobody gives a damn anyway

I’ve traded love for pennies, sold my soul for less
Lost my ideals in that long tunnel of time
I’ve turned inside out and around about and back and then
Found myself right back where I started again

Daylight Again

Daylight Again
Stephen Stills

Daylight again
Following me to bed
I think about a hundred years ago
How my Fathers bled

I think I see a valley
Covered with bones in blue
All the brave soldiers that cannot get older
Been asking after you

Hear the past a' calling
From Armageddon's side
When everyone's talking and no one
Is listening
How can we decide

Do we find the cost of freedom
Buried in the ground
Mother Earth will swallow you
Lay your body down.

When I Was 10

So long ago and yet I remember
I was 10 in 1968...a year of troubling turmoil.....

*Nixon was elected President and his "faithful" sidekick VP was Spiro Agnew

*There were rumors of The Beatles having problems...talk of their break-up began

*Flower children controlled San Francisco....and 14th Street in Atlanta

*"The Great Speckled Bird" newspaper was the talk of the town in Atlanta

*Martin Luther King was gunned down in Memphis

*Robert Kennnedy was gunned down in LA

*David Crosby and Stephen Stills begin to play guitars together

*Soviet Union forces invade Czechoslovakia

*North Korea seizes the USS Pueblo, claiming the ship was spying

*In Viet Nam, the Tet Offensive begins

*Classical Gas by Mason Williams is released

*Boeing 747 made its maiden flight

*London Bridge sold to Robert McCullough for £1 million

*Helen Keller dies in her sleep in Connecticut

*Saddam Hussein becomes the Vice Chairman of the Revolutionary Council in Iraq after a coup d'état

*US spacecraft Apollo 8 enters orbit around the moon

Seems pretty lame today, doesn't it?

The Christians and the Pagans

The Christians and the Pagans
Dar Williams

Amber called her uncle, said "We're up here for the holiday,
Jane and I were having Solstice, now we need a place to stay."
And her Christ-loving uncle watched his wife hang Mary on a tree,
He watched his son hang candy canes all made with red dye number three.
He told his niece, "It's Christmas Eve, I know our life is not your style,"
She said, "Christmas is like Solstice, and we miss you and its been awhile,"

So the Christians and the Pagans sat together at the table,
Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able,
And just before the meal was served, hands were held and prayers were said,
Sending hope for peace on earth to all their gods and goddesses.

The food was great, the tree plugged in, the meal had gone without a hitch,
Till Timmy turned to Amber and said, "Is it true that you're a witch?"
His mom jumped up and said, "The pies are burning," and she hit the kitchen,
And it was Jane who spoke, she said, "It's true, your cousin's not a Christian,"
"But we love trees, we love the snow, the friends we have, the world we share,
And you find magic from your God, and we find magic everywhere."

So the Christians and the Pagans sat together at the table,
Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able,
And where does magic come from? I think magic's in the learning,
'Cause now when Christians sit with Pagans only pumpkin pies are burning.

When Amber tried to do the dishes, her aunt said, "Really, no, don't bother."
Amber's uncle saw how Amber looked like Tim and like her father.
He thought about his brother, how they hadn't spoken in a year,
He thought he'd call him up and say, "It's Christmas and your daughter's here."
He thought of fathers, sons and brothers, saw his own son tug his sleeve, saying,
"Can I be a Pagan?" Dad said, "We'll discuss it when they leave."

So the Christians and the Pagans sat together at the table,
Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able,
Lighting trees in darkness, learning new ways from the old, and
Making sense of history and drawing warmth out of the cold.

The Return of the Hummingbirds!

The hummers are coming! The hummers are coming!

This is one of my favorite times of the year. Time changes, spring flowers are abundant and the annual migration of the hummingbirds is in full swing. They have already crossed over the border of Georgia and Tennessee and are headed my way.

To track their northern migration progess, go to:

http://www.hummingbirds.net/map.html

Enjoy......

Things We Say Today That Would Have Been Alien in 1976

I was thinking about language yesterday and decided to compose a list of common phrases today that would have sounded so strange when I graduated from high school in 1976. Here you go........

Shutdown Windows and Reboot.
How much memory do you have?
Hey, gas was only $2.50 a gallon today!
Have you considered outsourcing that line?
I was IMing my friend last night and.......
Scan that in pdf and email it as an attachment.
After you swipe your card, just enter your PIN.
Why don't you try Googling it?
You can double your miles if you stay over to Saturday.
My IPOD isn't fully charged.
I did wireless at Starbucks.
Did you read his Blog yesterday?
Haven't you checked your email today?
I'll bet WalMart has it cheaper.
I wonder if Homeland Security is on top of that?
Can you burn me a copy of that?
I sent it by PayPal!
I beat Spider 5 times yesterday!
Would you like that Biggie-Sized?
Viagra would help that "little" problem.......
Are you "practicing" safe-sex?
Just download it from Napster.
Run, OJ, Run....(ok, that one actually made sense in '76).
Dude, you gotta Dell.
What's your cell number?
Can you set us up on conference call?
FEMA blew it!
Just hit Ctrl-Alt-Del...but only once.
Man, I'm covered up in Spam!
Time for a power lunch.
I'll have a Sam Adams.
Did you do prenups?
I pinged him but he wasn't in.
Are your virus definitions up-to-date?
Just send her a text message.

And so it goes.........

When the Rain Falls Cold

Winter slowly recedes into Spring
With rains that chill the soul
Fires still burn in the old, rock hearth
Steam still collects inside on the window sills

Buds of colour emerge from winter's grip
Softly, they explode into rainbows
Silently brushing the canvas
And perfuming the cool, night air

Fingers of ice collect on the green leaves
And melt into the decaying leaves
They fall into the warmth of the earth
And are not seen again

Teams of goldfinch huddle around the feeder
Taking in the last of the free meals
Cardinals show their new fashion
And the humming birds stare into the glass

Birdbaths overflow into the hostas
Redbuds turn lavender
Buttercups pop up
And the Lenten Rose bows down to her children

The Reliable Friend

She creeps into my life
When the crisp, late winter mornings
Meander into the warmth of an early spring afternoon

She brings me new hope
When the death of coldness silences my senses
And revives my numbness from February

She wanders through my gardens
Searching for the path to walk this season
And lays her visions deeply into the blankets of old, rusty leaves

She spreads her orange rays across the new seedlings
And wakes them from their months of laziness
Her arms are raised as she conducts her orchestra of youth

She is as reliable as age
She returns every year....and always on time
Welcome Old Sol...my True Reliable Friend

I Believe.....

More things I believe....
~With apologies to Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy~

I believe most Americans get their exercise walking up and down the snack food aisle at WalMart.

I believe "W" is proof that evolution didn't pan out in Texas.

I believe that light bulbs have built-in self-destruct timers designed to execute at 2AM when you have to go to the bathroom.

I believe there are aliens inside me and they come out of my belly button at midnight to move my furniture around.

I believe cats are interstellar terrorists.

I believe traffic lights are over-rated.

I believe Pat Robertson should run for president....in Iraq.

I believe the basketball season has been on-going for 20 years.

I believe books have too many words and not enough pictures.

I believe convenience stores are not very convenient.

I believe toe nails serve no useful purpose and should be banned.

I believe the US Post Office should require their employees to pass an English test.

I believe aspirin is the leading cause of headaches.

I believe lawyers should not be allowed to breed.

I believe the internet causes cancer in laboratory mice.

I believe Bob Dylan is still on tour.

I believe Billy Mays (Oxy-Clean Ka-Boom commericials) should stop shouting at me.

I believe teachers should be required to take a polygraph test and THEN be allowed to teach the truth.

I believe Congress members should have Social Security taxes taken out of their paycheck.

I believe there are WAY too many types of printer ink cartridges.

I believe the numbers on a telephone should be aligned identical to those on a calculator.

I believe Thanksgiving should be expanded to a week-long holiday...and there should be a football game playing around the clock.

I believe the work week should be Saturday and Sunday and the weekend should be Monday through Friday.

I believe paper clips annoy me.

I believe Spam (the "food") does not have an expiration date.

I believe the toilet handle is on the wrong side of the tank.

I believe Frank Zappa ate too much Yellow Snow.

I believe God is frustrated....and she's getting annoyed.

Walkin' Down Main Street

I remember.....

Hangin' out in Gilbert's Garage on Johnson Street
The ol' pipe-stove in the back of the garage
And the pile of coal off to the side of the office
The apple trees and the pecan trees
And cats........

Walkin' in Cofer Brothers Store
The dirt floor in the front
And the squeaky, wooden floors in the back
The old, oak barrel that held the pickles
The peppermint stick candy for a penny a piece

Cruisin' through Brookton's
The only place in town that sold bellbottom jeans
And the shirts of flowers and rose gardens
And an electronic cash register

Wonderin' through Allen Pharmacy, where I worked as a teenager
The old remedies on the shelf under the Rexall Brand
Mr. Cagle in the back of the store working on another ancient watch
Sittin' in the waiting area and playing checkers with the Veterans

Walkin' under Farrell's gas station overhang and smelling the gas from the pumps
Hangin' out with the guys who pumped the gas and changed the oil
Puttin' pennies in the gumball machine...2 for one penny!

Dreamin' through Crowley's furniture store
Thinkin' about that first apartment and how that lamp would look in the corner
Thinkin' the fabric on that sofa burns my eyes
Lookin' at the price tags and hurrying out the front door

Jumpin' cross the railroad tracks
Thinkin' 'bout the time the Goatman came to town
Or when the train wreck evacuated the town
Or puttin' pennies on the track before the train came through town
To squash 'em and put 'em in my pockets

Landin' up in the ol' feed store
Where the men of the town gathered to buy their seeds for the spring planting
And the Mary Jane candies..oh, the Mary Jane candies
And yet more checker boards.....

Endin' up on Bruce Street
A place you weren't suppose to go..."you can't go there, white-boy"
And listenin' to the ol' black men playin' their blues
On banged-up, Woolworth's guitars
And wantin' to understand...and to dance!

I miss my ol' Main Street
But she is gone.........
She is gone.............

I was walkin' down Main Street
And I remember.......
Lord, don't ever take this away from me!

Good Night, Lithonia......we hardly knew ye!

Trouble in the Fields

Trouble in the Fields
Nanci Griffith & Rick West


Baby I know that we've got trouble in the fields
When the bankers swarm like locust out there turning away our yield
The trains roll by our silos, silver in the rain
They leave our pockets full of nothing
But our dreams and the golden grain

Have you seen the folks in line downtown at the station
They're all buying their ticket out and talking the great depression
Our parents had their hard times fifty years ago
When they stood out in these empty fields in dust as deep as snow

And all this trouble in our fields
If this rain can fall, these wounds can heal
They'll never take our native soil
But if we sell that new John Deere
And then we'll work these crops with sweat and tears
You'll be the mule I'll be the plow
Come harvest time we'll work it out
There's still a lotta love, here in these troubled fields

There's a book up on the shelf about the dust bowl days
And there's a little bit of you and a little bit of me
In the photos on every page
Now our children live in the city and they rest upon our shoulders
They never want the rain to fall or the weather to get colder

You'll be the mule I'll be the plow
Come harvest time we'll work it out
There's still a lotta love, here in these troubled fields

Boots of Spanish Leather

Boots of Spanish Leather
Bob Dylan

Oh, I'm sailin' away my own true love,
I'm sailin' away in the morning.
Is there something I can send you from across the sea,
From the place that I'll be landing?

No, there's nothin' you can send me, my own true love,
There's nothin' I wish to be ownin'.
Just carry yourself back to me unspoiled,
From across that lonesome ocean.

Oh, but I just thought you might want something fine
Made of silver or of golden,
Either from the mountains of Madrid
Or from the coast of Barcelona.

Oh, but if I had the stars from the darkest night
And the diamonds from the deepest ocean,
I'd forsake them all for your sweet kiss,
For that's all I'm wishin' to be ownin'.

That I might be gone a long time
And it's only that I'm askin',
Is there something I can send you to remember me by,
To make your time more easy passin'.

Oh, how can, how can you ask me again,
It only brings me sorrow.
The same thing I want from you today,
I would want again tomorrow.

I got a letter on a lonesome day,
It was from her ship a-sailin',
Saying I don't know when I'll be comin' back again,
It depends on how I'm a-feelin'.

Well, if you, my love, must think that-a-way,
I'm sure your mind is roamin'.
I'm sure your heart is not with me,
But with the country to where you're goin'.

So take heed, take heed of the western wind,
Take heed of the stormy weather.
And yes, there's something you can send back to me,
Spanish boots of Spanish leather.

The February Snow Angel 

February's Winter Rose

February's Winter Rose

The dark days of January fold into the past

And with the subtle transition comes new meaning

The coming of the new Spring

The early announcement of things to come

As the Lenten emerges from the now brown and crumbling leaves

Its strength, greater than winter's mighty, cold winds, shows perserverance

Its wisdom, greater than the Psalms of years gone by, shows depth

Its courage, greater than the peoples who once walked this Ridge, shows stamina

Its beauty, greater than Aphrodite, shows the vibrancy of nature....in all her glory

And so the Lenten Rose has once again risen from the cold, frozen soil

And reminds us of the coming......

Lenten Rose

And Then She Waltzed Away

Snow fell that day and its melting covered the roads and trees with ice
As the waltz began
With every new word a life began
She danced and sang the songs she heard around her
And she waltzed.....

The days became weeks
Weeks turned into years
With every new story a life continued
And she waltzed.....

Words of colour and paragraphs of images
Blossomed onto the pages of her own stories
She listened through the ages and captured the thoughts in ink
And she waltzed.....

Faded and wrinkled pages of tales left long ago
Can be found in every drawer
Unfinished thoughts and symphonies wrestling with the spaces
And she waltzed.....

The lilac room lies still today as the rains of January pour in
The images captured on film and parchment lay scattered across the old dwelling
She left them as they were
And then she waltzed away.....

Telegraph Road

Telegraph Road
Dire Straits

A long time ago came a man on a track
Walking thirty miles with a pack on his back
And he put down his load where he thought it was the best
Made a home in the wilderness

He built a cabin and a winter store
And he ploughed up the ground by the cold lake shore
And the other travellers came riding down the track
And they never went further, no, they never went back

Then came the churches then came the schools
Then came the lawyers then came the rules
Then came the trains and the trucks with their loads
And the dirty old track was the telegraph road

Then came the mines - then came the ore
Then there was the hard times then there was a war
Telegraph sang a song about the world outside
Telegraph road got so deep and so wide

Like a rolling river. . .
And my radio says tonight it’s gonna freeze
People driving home from the factories
There’s six lanes of traffic
Three lanes moving slow. . .

I used to like to go to work but they shut it down
I got a right to go to work but there’s no work here to be found
Yes and they say we’re gonna have to pay what’s owed
We’re gonna have to reap from some seed that’s been sowed
And the birds up on the wires and the telegraph poles
They can always fly away from this rain and this cold
You can hear them singing out their telegraph code
All the way down the telegraph road

You know I’d sooner forget but I remember those nights
When life was just a bet on a race between the lights
You had your head on my shoulder you had your hand in my hair
Now you act a little colder like you don’t seem to care

But believe in me baby and I’ll take you away
From out of this darkness and into the day
From these rivers of headlights these rivers of rain
From the anger that lives on the streets with these names
’cos I’ve run every red light on memory lane
I’ve seen desperation explode into flames
And I don’t want to see it again. . .

.......from all of these signs saying sorry but we’re closed
All the way down the telegraph road

The Snow Covered Path

I woke up in the woods today.....
It was quiet....it was cold and it was still.....
It was winter.

There is little that stirs in the cold.....
There is little that you can see...in the winter......
Life has gone underground.

Underground......
The warmth does not change.....
It remains constant.......

And where else, in life, is constant more constant than in the woods?

A Ripple In Winter

There are years when winter is shy.
Winter decides, in his own time, when to reveal his power.

January is always a subtle time to show his strength.
You can march into your gardens, with weapons in tow,
Demanding respect and allegiance.

But power comes as it will....

Your demands are laughed at......
Your respect is laughed at............
Your allegiance is laughed at........
YOU are laughed at.......................

Did you really believe you could control the forces you cannot see?
Did you believe you could develope your own evolution?

Then you, my friend, are a fool......
Back-up and look again.......you are NOT in control. You are only the caretaker.

"I Don’t Like Thursdays"
(To the tune of “I Don’t Like Mondays” by The Boomtown Rats)

The cortisone shot he got today
Is starting to take hold
And nobody’s gonna really give a damn
About the pain he says he’s in
And the boss doesn’t understand it
He thinks he’s filing worker’s comp
And he can see no relief
‘Cause there is no relief
What relief do you need to be shown?

Tell me why?
I don’t like Thursdays
Tell me why?
I don’t like Thursdays
Tell me why?
I don’t like Thursdays
I want to shoot
The surgeon down

The knife’s cutting edge is kept so clean
Before it dives into the pain
And the wife just sits in the waiting room
As the preacher walks the floor
Will he ever be able to function?
Not like he really could before
And he can see no relief
‘Cause there is no relief
What relief do you need to be shown?

Tell me why?
I don’t like Thursdays
Tell me why?
I don’t like Thursdays
Tell me why?
I don’t like Thursdays
I want to shoot
The surgeon down

Now he lies in the bed with his arm upright
As he tries to find the spot
That will let him rest without the pain
That shoots just like a dart
And the preacher slowly vacates
He’s done all that he can do here
And he can see no relief
‘Cause there is no relief
What relief do you need to be shown?

Tell me why?
I don’t like Thursdays
Tell me why?
I don’t like Thursdays
Tell me why?
I don’t like Thursdays
I want to shoot
The surgeon down

Now the wife just grades her stack of tests
And wonders what she taught
And the preacher leaves for another place
To save another soul
As the pain flows through his body
He wonders why he had the cut
And he can see no relief
‘Cause there is no relief
What relief do you need to be shown?

Tell me why?
I don’t like Thursdays
Tell me why?
I don’t like Thursdays
Tell me why?
I don’t like Thursdays
I want to shoot
The surgeon down

A Sip From The Ole Vinyard

It has been almost a month since I have written in this age......and it becomes a new age for this aging, old wizard. It has been a sort of a revival, combined with an evolution of the mind and my own kindred spirits.

And the spirits wash over me in a shower of rejuvenation. New air flows through my lungs with no dams to hold back the freedom to exhale.....and enjoy. During this renaissance (if you allow me to choose that term for my remodeling), I have experienced the hell that The Beatles (The ancient Wise Ones) spoke of in their tune "Cold Turkey".

Easy? No.

By choice? Yes.

Recovered? Never.

As Mr. Baggins wrote...."The Road Goes Ever On"....and so it does.

Through the turmoil of changing the daily ways of living, I struggled through every damned minute of the day. In time, it eased.....but I knew that for only a 10 minute journey down the Turnpike, I could rejuvenate my body back to a comfort that was afforded me for over two decades.

"No".

I said "No....damnit, NO!"

This time I wanted it and needed it. The changes are reflected in my diary on another page....you can find it, if you search.

I now walk among my gardens and can smell their fragrance...even in Winter. There are aromas that surround my body and mind that I thought had left me forever......they have returned. Although they are of the ancient ruins and have remained constant and unchanging...they are new to this aged body. Rainbows of flavors and scents, which I had convinced myself had left this world, flow through my new found senses.

I was wrong.

They were all were around and awaiting my return....just hidden from my senses......knowing that, in time, my soul would gain control....and walk the path meant for my feet.

I have returned!

Though my feet are uncalloused, they longed for the woods of old....and the memories these feet and hands longed for are returning........stop and smell the flowers.....you really don't know what you've missed until you left the path.

I left that path........and I don't expect to return. "In fact....I intend NOT too!"

And so it was......Bilbo left the Shire forever..........

Misty Mountains?

Ovation?

Takamine?

Yamaha?

It's all music.......just pluck the strings......and sing!

The Album List

Ok, so I'm showing my age with the title. Perhaps it should read "The CD List", but you get my point. I've been fortunate to have lived through many years of great music. I decided to compile a list of the albums that I believe every lover of "popular" music should have in their library......they are in no particular order.

• Pet Sounds-The Beach Boys
• Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band-The Beatles
• Revolver-The Beatles
• Sticky Fingers-The Rolling Stones
• Dark Side of the Moon-Pink Floyd
• London Calling-The Clash
• Highway 61 Revisited-Bob Dylan
• Low Spark of High Heeled Boys-Traffic
• Harvest-Neil Young
• Sittin' In-Loggins and Messina
• Idlewild South-The Allman Brothers Band
• Laid Back-Greg Allman
• Songs in the Key of Life-Stevie Wonder
• Tapestry-Carole King
• Recovering the Satellites-Counting Crows
• Rumours-Fleetwood Mac
• Dog Days-Atlanta Rhythm Section
• Nick of Time-Bonnie Rait
• Ram-Paul and Linda McCartney
• Late for the Sky-Jackson Browne
• Who's Next-The Who
• The Captain and Me-The Doobie Brothers
• Silk Degrees-Boz Scaggs
• Aja-Steely Dan
• Sweet Baby James-James Taylor
• Aqualung-Jethro Tull
• Ghost in the Machine-The Police
• All Things Must Pass-George Harrison
• Hotel California-The Eagles
• Manassas-Stephen Stills
• Born to Run-Bruce Springsteen
• Workingman's Dead-Grateful Dead
• Rock of Ages-The Band
• Souvenirs-Dan Fogelberg
• So Far-Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
• Turnstiles-Billy Joel

There Is A Quiet

It is November.......
As dusk settles in and night comes early
There is a quiet

It is a quiet full of soothing sounds......
The rustle of leaves scattering as a deer searches for the last acorn of the forest
A scramble on the roof as the squirrel rambles home to the warmth of the nest

It is a quiet full of soothing aromas....
The wood smoke from a nearby chimney
The fragrance of the last of October's flowers

It is a quiet full of soothing comfort......
The warmth of a flannel-covered bed
The touch of a loving body with the trace scent of the day's activities

It is a quiet full of peace.....
The forgiving crackle of the evening fire
The sparkle of heaven's lights

There Is A Quiet.....and it is mine.

Ultraphonic-The Boys from Stockbridge

I don't usually endorse a product (or any particular person) on my site. There's my disclaimer for which I am about to ignore.

Occasionally a band comes along that makes you turn your head and say "WOW! Who's that playing?". I have recently been exposed to a band out of Stockbridge, Georgia through my brother, who has been doing some technical work with the boys. I am impressed.

The Boys from Stockbridge are called Ultraphonic and deserve a listen. Their website is located at: http://ultraphonic.net/

On this site you can download free MP3s for your listening pleasure....and I encourage you to do just that. This band is loaded with unique talent and their sound is something that has been missing from the stage for many years.

Give the boys your ears and listen to just a few of their original tunes as well as their remake of Neil Young's classic "Old Man" and I'm sure you'll agree that Ultraphonic is about to take off. You'll definitely return to the site for more.

Let the "Ultraphonic Revolution" begin!

Bad Pumpkin after one night of freedom. He's grounded, of course! 

Two Trains Have Left The Station (Your Viet Nam)

There are two trains that have left the station. One is a train bound for war. The other is a train for peace.

The death count of American troops in Iraq is approaching 2,000. The make-up of these deaths crosses all boundaries.......all races.......male and female. Most are young Americans from YOUR generation. Are you watching? Are you concerned? Will you act?

This war in Iraq certainly cannot be truly compared to the war (conflict) in Viet Nam. That war lasted from 1965 to 1973. More than 58,000 American troops lost their lives during Viet Nam. It was American's longest war. Do we have another Viet Nam brewing? Let's hope not but I am beyond worried.

I have many concerns about the situation in Iraq. But my greatest concern is the apathy being shown by today's youth. During the Viet Nam War, American youth took to the streets to protest the war. The movement stretched from coast to coast, campus to campus. The youth were tired of the senseless killing of their own and decided enough was enough. They waged a war on the older generation of this country......the leaders in Washington as well as their own parents. Our parents' generation, for the most part, supported what our leaders said or did, regardless of the end result...a sort-of Blind Faith in leadership. It took time and many conflicts, but slowly our parents joined in the fight. The flag-covered coffins began to roll into small town America.....the children of small town America. Slowly, the majority of Americans began to question the motives and decisions of our elected officials and climbed on the train to end the war. A major turning point in the struggle occured on Kent State University in Ohio. It was there that the youth war turned ugly. Four students were killed by the American National Guard. American youth killing American youth. It was a call to arms! Now granted, there were issues on both sides of the conflict and they seemed to boil over on that day. But the shooting deaths of these students sent a message to the folks back home....the parents of the college students. The message was very clear....the establishment had now made the decision to shoot our own citizens. There was now a two-front war....one is Southeast Asia and one at home.

I have not seen a major reaction to the war in Iraq other than some small groups gathering outside the Bush Ranch in Texas or a few arrests in Washington. All I see is apathy.....apathy not only from the youth but from all generations. Have we given in to the powers of the elected ones....the chosen ones who dictate how we operate? This too is Blind Faith and our leaders are convinced that because we have not reacted then we accept the course. Are they wrong? Do we have to wait until the polls open to express our views? Do we even have any views to express?

I urge the campuses across America to become vocal once again. After all, when the troops are stretched so thin that all the "bases" can't be covered, you bring in "fresh troops". And where do you get the fresh troops? Salem College.....ETSU....Clemson....UGa....Ga Tech....UT...Berkely....a high school in Henry County, or Boiling Springs, or Colorado Springs or Krypton or Conyers or Knoxville or Clinton or Oak Ridge...the list goes on and on. And folks there won't be any discrimination when it comes to pulling you out of school. Male, Female, Black, White, Latino, Oriental........the only ones that might possibly escape the pull are the children of our elected officials. They write the laws the to protect themselves....they are NOT protecting you.

There are two trains that have left the station. One is a train bound for war. The other is a train for peace. Which train did you board?

Save The Whales!

Save the Whales!
Country Joe McDonald

When my grandpa was a boy, he went down to the general store
Saw a picture book of a whales shooting its spout and flashin' its tail
Then he got a sailor's dream 'bout cruisin' around on the salty sea
Joinin' up with a fishin' crew to go out and get him a whale or two
Tell me what kind of men are these who sail upon the salty seas
Up in the rigging in the afternoon, swabbin' the decks and sharpenin' harpoons

Hooray and up she rises
Hooray and up she rises
Hooray and up she rises
Early in the morning

Hooray and up she rises
Hooray and up she rises
Hooray and up she rises
Early in the morning

Shanghaied by the light of the moon, put out from Boston in the middle of June
After six months out at sea, and nothin' but death and misery
Set out on a three-year cruise, a union ship and a union crew
And after six months you begin to see, that whalin's not what it used to be

A modern ship and a modern crew with sonar scopes and explodin' harpoons
A mechanical boat made outta steel, a floating machine built to kill the whales

Hooray and up she rises
Hooray and up she rises
Hooray and up she rises
Early in the morning

Hooray and up she rises
Hooray and up she rises
Hooray and up she rises
Early in the morning

There're lots of whales in the deep blue sea, we kill them for the industry
We drag 'em 'longside and chop 'em in two and melt 'em down and sell 'em to you
There hardly is a sailor alive who can keep the tears from his eyes
As he remembers the good old days when there were no whales to save
Now we can thank the companies for scouring the deep blue seas
Looking for ivory and perfume and oil to light your living room

Hooray and up she rises
Hooray and up she rises
Hooray and up she rises
Early in the morning
Hooray and up she rises
Hooray and up she rises
Hooray and up she rises
Early in the morning

When my grandpa was a boy, he went down to the general store
Saw a picture book of a whales shooting its spout and flashin' its tail
Then he got a sailor's dream 'bout cruisin' around on the salty sea
Joinin' up with a fishin' crew to go out and get him a whale or two
Tell me what kind of men are these who sail upon the salty seas
Up in the rigging in the afternoon, swabbin' the decks and sharpenin' harpoons

Hooray and up she rises
Hooray and up she rises
Hooray and up she rises
Early in the morning
Hooray and up she rises
Hooray and up she rises
Hooray and up she rises
Early in the morning

Top 10 Scary Things to do For Halloween

Top 10 Scary Things to do For Halloween

10. Tie a string around your cat's tail and put his feet on fly paper; place the cat in the bushes and pull his tail when the kids show up for free candy.

9. Instead of bobbing for apples play bobbing for habaneros.

8. Carve your pumpkin into the shape of a nuclear mushroom. Do not light the candle.

7. Play Michael Jackson cds outdoors until the sun rises. You may be arrested for obscenity but what the hell. Crank it up! "Cause it's da Thriller"!

6. Before you go to bed, put the leftover candy on the front porch; place a mousetrap in the bottom of the candy dish.

5. Send your kids on a scavenger with the list written in invisible ink.

4. Buy a big screen tv and install on the front porch. Play "It's A Wonderful Life" and confuse the crap out of the neighbors.

3. Tie broomsticks all around your front doorstoop....make sure they hang low enough to bop the older kids in the head but NOT the real kids. Geez....don't they ever quit Trick or Treating?

2. Go to Kroger and buy out their supply of Charmin; go to the Great Smoky Mountains and begin.

And the Number One Scary Thing to Do for Halloween:
(Drum roll please.....)


1. Dress up like ol George W and run around saying that Presidential Term Limitations have been eliminated and you're gonna run for 8 more years! Everybody loves W, right?

Gerbalism-The Way to Enlightenment

My frustration with "organized" religion has given me no choice but to establish a new religion. Hey, we haven't had a new one in over a week.

So Welcome to Gerbalism....just follow these steps to inner peace:

• Accept that only through Gerbals (not hamsters) can you find inner peace and sanctuary
• When in a pet store, ask to hold all the Gerbals held captive...then set them free one by one....this act of freeing Gerbals will guarantee you a place in aquarium heaven (lid not included)
• Never eat meat at the buffet. You can survive on sunflower seeds and lettuce. Adding dressing will require you to confess your sins to a higher Gerbal
• Keep a Gerbal in your home, free to run up and down the stairs all night long. Put the cat(s) out first, for murder of Gerbals is a sin that has no forgiveness
• Pet the Gerbal before each meal and allow the Gerbal to bite you often. After all, true inner peace requires pain first.
• Always clean up after your Gerbal. These tiny morsels are your way to enlightenment (wash hands before handling the Gerbal again)
• Should your Gerbal enter into the Gates of Gerbalia, place the remains in an decorative jewelry box and tape securely before burying under the Apricot Tree. Always bury Gerbals under Apricot Trees. If you do not have an Apricot Tree, Home Depot has them on sale this week for $19.99

More Things I Don't Understand

Continuing the quest for knowledge:

• Where do all those socks actually go? You know the ones....the ones that disappear in the dryer.
• Why is it that the buttons on blouses are on a different side than those on shirts?
• How does a coffee bean know to not include caffeine when growing?
• What was that first guy thinking when he saw a chicken plop something out its rear and decided to eat it?
• Why do strawberries wear their seeds on the outside?
• What training do "training bras" actually provide?
• How does a thermos know when to keep something hot or cold?
• Who decided it would be fun to put all those subscription cards throughout magazines?
• Just when WERE the "Good ol' Days"?
• How does the gas pump know when I've put enough in the tank?
• What is the shelf-life of Spam? Does it even HAVE a shelf-life?
• Do turtles change shells like hermit crabs?
• Why don't they make flavored glue to go on envelopes?
• Why is it that when I blow my nose my head feels like it's shrinking? Is snot actually brain matter?
• And on that topic, what is the purpose of snot? I mean, I have a sinus infection even as I write, and that stuff just keeps on producing! Why?
• What do I do with all those remotes in my house?
• If I enter *.del on my phone, will the telemarketers be deleted?

Seasons Change

I can feel it
The subtle crisp of an early Sunday morning
A warm cup of a coffee offering vibrant streams of moisture to the air
The fallen leaves as they crunch with each step in the woods

I can taste it
The harvest of new apples plucked from their home for so many months
The last hints of pollen from the late season blossoms attempting a final chance for continuing
The salty hulls of boiled peanuts captured in a tin cup from an old iron kettle

I can hear it
The dying sounds of tree frogs as they cling to the branches of late summer trees
The endless cries of the night crickets as they sing one final song for their lovers
The autumn breezes as they take over the watch from the summer winds

I can see it
Slowly emerging colours in the tops of the hardwoods
Ghostly fogs appearing as the sun climbs over the hills
The orange moon reaching out from the bowels of space and time

Seasons Change

Dialogue (Parts I and II) 1972

Dialogue (Part I)
Chicago-1972

Are you optimistic 'bout the way things are going?
No, I never ever think of it at all

Don't you ever worry, when you see what's going down?
No, I try to mind my business, that is, no business at all.

When it's time to function as a feeling human being will your Bachelor of Arts help you get by?
I hope to study further, a few more years or so...I also hope to keep a steady high.

Will you try to change things...use the power that you have, the power of a million new ideas?
What is this power you speak of and this need for things to change? I always thought that everything was fine.

Don't you feel repression just closing in around?
No, the campus here is very, very free.

Don't it make you angry the way war is dragging on?
Well, I hope the President knows what he's into, I don't know.

Don't you ever see the starvation in the city where you live...all the needless hunger all the needless pain?
I haven't been there lately, the country is so fine...but my neighbors don't seem hungry 'cause they haven't got the time.

Thank you for the talk, you know you really eased my mind. I was troubled by the shapes of things to come
Well, if you had my outlook your feelings would be numb...You'd always think that everything was fine.

Part II
We can make it happen
We can change the world now
We can save the children
We can make it better
We can make it happen
We can save the children
We can make it happen

Observations on a College Campus-2005

I drove to the campus of East Tennessee State University (ETSU) on Friday. ETSU is located in Johnson City. The purpose of my visit was to replace a dorm refrigerator in my daughter's room with a new one....one that actually works. Additionally, she wanted to be home during the weekend of "Mom's" birthday. It's only a 2 and 1/2 hour drive up and, after you get through the congestion of Knoxville, it's quite a scenic road trip. I arrived before my daughter had finished her final requirements of the day so I pulled the refrigerator off the back of my truck, loaded it on hand trucks and hauled it to a nearby picnic table under some large oak trees. It was 20 degrees cooler (at least) under the tree and quite comfortable. As I sat there, looking like the old man that I am, I began to notice a pattern on campus. I was sitting in front of the dorm and watched as the students hurried to their next class or to lunch....many were hauling out their laundry and suitcases to begin their weekend trip home. The campus parking lots were filled with cars so I expected a lot of noise with that many students around. But the campus was strangely quiet. While I saw a lot of students walking, with backpacks loaded, there was no chatter that I expected for a campus filled with young people. Instead the students walked alone and spoke softly into cell phones. At first I thought it was but a few students making plans for the traditional Friday night parties. But the use of the cell phone became more frequent. In fact, each and every student had one of these marvels of technology up to their ear. And to make matters more troubling, most of the students had their IPods in the other hand and were listening to music in the other ear. Strange, I thought. What happened to true conversation?

Now I have to admit I was trying to compare my experience of a college campus from 1976. This is a campus in 2005....some 29 years later. But do we not talk to each other anymore? Have we "progressed" so far that talking to a live person is no longer necessary? I can recall walking across campus for my 8 AM Economics class with several friends and always talking about something.....the date from the night before (if you were lucky enough to have a date or could afford one)....the latest Bruce Springsteen album (not CD, mind you).....the latest rumor that the Beatles were getting back together.....what band was playing at Mules tonight.....were we ready for the end of the week Econ exam.....how'd we do on the literature exam, taught by "Bloody Mary"......have you played the new Asteroids video game in the student center.....who put the laundry detergent in the fountain in Bear Gardens (or Beer Gardens as the students called it)........there was always something to talk about. Now granted, we didn't have cell phones or IPods....the best we could do was a nice 8-track or cassette player in the car (if you could afford a car), a great stereo system in the dorm room and a dime for the payphone in the lobby. And you didn't have the luxury of compact discs....everything was vinyl and these albums were stored in stackable peach crates. I guess we had no choice but to talk to each other. How ancient, I thought.

My concern about the whole experience is the loss of social interaction, among students today, because of our technology. Once out in the "real world", will these young adults be capable of having a converstation around a meeting table? Will they be able to discuss problems from last night's production run on the evening shift? Will they have the necessary tools to actually function socially? Will they be able to come home from work and talk to their spouse (or significant other....this is 2005, you know) about their day at work?

Time will tell.....or tell on us!