Thankful for Forgiveness

On this seventh and final day of Thanksgiving Challenge I am thankful for forgiveness.  We all need forgiveness because none of us is perfect; we do things we shouldn't.  Without forgiveness this world would be even more violent and full of hate than is already evident.

Forgiveness is the foundation of Christianity.  God provided a pathway to forgiveness for our wrongs against Him and each other by sending His Son to earth to fulfill the requirements necessary for our forgiveness.  When we forgive others it is a reflection of the model provided for us by the Creator of the Universe.  The price we pay is the sacrifice of our pride -- it is the placing of "self" in submission to God's Will.  It is acknowledging Him as supreme rather than ourselves.

I am thankful that I am forgiven.

"For God so loved the world He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." -- John 3:16

"Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you." -- Acts 13:38

Thankful for Health

On this Day 6 of thankfulness challenge, I am thankful for my health.  It is easy to take our health for granted until we have problems.  I have been very fortunate that there have been no major health issues to face.

It seems that I have reached the age when many of my contemporaries are dealing with bodies that are wearing out.  I read on social media of knee replacements and hip replacements, of surgeries and heart problems.  So far, knock on wood, I've not had those difficulties.

I have found that walking/moving/staying active is the biggest boost to how well I feel.  The more active I am, the better I feel.  If there are periods when work, or weather, chains me to a chair, I begin to feel as if my energy level is diminishing.  The longer it occurs, the worse the feeling until I no longer want to do anything and begin to feel unhealthy.  If I will intentionally, or otherwise, get plenty of exercise in a day, I feel better.  It doesn't have to be strenuous, just enough to get the circulation moving -- to elevate the heart rate from normal.

I think we all are called to an active lifestyle.  We are not made to remain stationary.  We are made to go and to do as long as we are alive.  Not only is it true of our bodies, but of our minds as well.  We need to keep active and engaged mentally as well as physically.  Read a book, work a puzzle, solve the worlds problems at coffee with your friends -- do something to keep your mind engaged.

I suppose I am thinking of this from the perspective of my age group, but it applies to all ages.  Go and do, work and play, remain active and relevant because once you stop doing those things your body and mind will begin to die.  Okay, we begin to die the day we are born, but our time on this earth is brief, make an impact while you are here and don't hasten the day when you will move on to the next adventure -- leave that in God's hands.

"Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well." -- 3 John:2

Thankful for Agriculture

On this fifth day of challenge I am thankful for agriculture.  It seemed appropriate that on this day that is often marked by feasts and the gathering of families and friends that my focus be on that which is the "hands and feet" of providing us with the food we eat.

The grain sorghum in the photo above might not seem like the appropriate photo to represent food, but this field southeast of Amarillo, Texas, to me represents perfection in the agricultural "arts" for lack of a better term.  We don't normally consume sorghum directly but, they do in many parts of the world -- especially in Africa.  In Niger, of which I have previously written, Millet is a primary crop; it is a very close relative to what you see in the photo.

Many parts of the country are still harvesting this years grain crops.  The wet spring delayed planting and in many areas the crops were late maturing.  There are some still harvesting corn with snow on the ground.  A blizzard is crossing the Plains today and those involved in raising livestock are out in it caring for the animals which will eventually end up as food on our plate.

Without agriculture it is likely that I wouldn't be sitting at this computer.  Agriculture allows us to differentiate our labor so that we don't spend the majority of every day out gathering fruits and nuts and hopefully shooting or, trapping wild game for our sustenance.  A single farmer in the United States feeds many, many people, freeing the rest of us to pursue other things such as developing technology.

It is thought that agriculture is the foundation of civilization.  Without it, we would be dispersed about the countryside in small groups that would be able to maintain a subsistence through the hunter-gatherer lifestyle.  Farming allowed us to concentrate in cities for mutual protection which led to systems of governance due to the close daily interactions with others. I suppose that particular "benefit" might be questionable in a lot of minds today due to the poor behavior by many of those who hold offices within those current governmental structures.

Wherever you might be on this day of thanksgiving, be thankful for those who produce the bounteous food which you consume.  Be mindful that there are many throughout the world who don't have enough to eat and consider ways you might help those less fortunate -- and don't just consider -- do.  The greatest sign of thankfulness is a willingness to share with those in need.

Happy Thanksgiving.

"Celebrate the Feast of Harvest with the firstfruits of the crops you sow in your field.  Celebrate the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in your crops from the field." -- Exodus 23:16

Thankful for Shelter From the Storms

Here on Day 4 of this week of thankfulness I am thankful for shelter from the storms.  A major snow storm is sweeping across a large part of the country and there will be those who are out in it -- some to take care of their livestock, others in emergency services and others who are traveling.  I am thankful to not be in it and I pray that those who must face it will do so in safety.

It is easy to take the homes in which we live for granted.  The homes in which we live -- especially here in the United States -- are often large and far beyond our needs.  I've been in places where most of the homes were built of mud bricks and there were many people living in spaces smaller than the average bedroom of an American home.  I've seen homes built of scrap wood and metal and cast away cardboard boxes.  I've also seen the homeless living on the streets in our own cities.

We all need to be thankful if we have a place to get in out of the cold, but we also should be mindful that there are those who don't.  This thanksgiving season is a good time to reach out to those in need and help where you can.  In thankfulness, share your good fortune with those who are less fortunate.

"Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter -- when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?  Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard." -- Isaiah 58:7-8

Thankful for Books

On this third day of self-imposed challenge to be mindful of thankfulness, I am thankful for the written word -- for books.  The photo is of a small section of the "Great Works" series as chosen and published by Britannica many years ago.  We acquired this set long before we could afford to do so because we strongly believe an understanding of such works is important to a complete education.

The written word is a storehouse of knowledge that is ever evolving as we collectively learn more and more about the world around us.  As I view those in the photo, the works of Ptolemy stand out to me.  He wrote three primary works, "Almagest," "Geography" and "Tetrabiblos."  The first, "Almagest" is important in that it is the oldest surviving comprehensive treatise on astronomy.  It is geo-centric in that it places the earth at the center of the universe, but it describes the universe as a set of shells revolving about the earth (this implies the earth as a ball).  He included only the area of the sky visible to him due to limitations to travel during his lifetime.  His mathematical models enabled one to accurately predict the positions of many celestial bodies such as major star constellations, the sun and the moon, based on the time of the year.  They provided a foundation for navigation.

In Ptolemy's work, "Geography," he published locations of the "known world" of the ancient Greeks based on a coordinate system similar to that used today.  His calculations, utilizing degrees of arc, established relative positions of various places according to their positional relationship to the equator and the polar circle as well as to each other (again implying the earth is a ball).  The coordinate system was also an important foundation to navigation.

We must use wisdom when reading what others have written.  It is clear that much of what we "believe" to be factual at a particular point in time is later proven to be incorrect, or incomplete.  With written records of our thoughts we can build on what others before us have recorded of their own thinking and by doing so, we are able to advance our own understanding.  Without the written word, we would have to rely on oral tradition which evolves quickly due to imperfect memory.  Many of us have played the game in which a "secret" is whispered in the ear of the next person in a circle.  After several iterations of passing the "secret" along it becomes almost unrecognizable.

Reading and writing are the most important skill sets we can teach our children.  If you can read, you can learn almost anything.  Yes, some things require hands-on aptitude as well, but a basic understanding can be gained from books which makes acquiring the manual skills easier.

I am thankful that my parents read to me as a child and through them I gained a love of books and learning that I have passed on to my children and they, in turn, will pass on to theirs.  One of my greatest pleasures is to read to my grandchildren and to see their joy in hearing the oft-repeated stories.  There is nothing better than a bunch of kids sitting on the lap or, the arm of the chair, or standing to the side, or behind as you read to them.  Yes, I am thankful for books and how they connect us through the generations.

"Jesus did many other things as well.  If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written." -- John 21:25

Thankful for Family

In Day 2 of my self-imposed thankfulness challenge I am thankful for family.  I am thankful for the small feet, the large feet, the help, the messes, the fun, the work, the questions, and all the other things that come with family.  Not everyone has the good fortune to have family in their lives.  If you do, be thankful, no matter how messy the relationships can sometimes be.

Thanksgiving is also a time when the impact of missing family members hits home a little harder than it might at other times.  It is because when the family gathers, those who are no longer there stand out by their absence.  Those are the times when we need to remember that our faith will bring our families back together again in a place without sorrow or, troubles.

The Thanksgiving holidays always meant hunting when I was growing up.  It meant chasing the elusive quail through the Sandhills, or out on the Draw.  It meant the occasional wild turkey dinner because Grandpa used to go deer hunting on the weekend before Thanksgiving and if he could bag one, Grandma would cook it for Thanksgiving Dinner.  She always had a "store-bought" one in reserve just in case.

Family together means games and noise and sometimes flared tempers.  There might be a few tears here and there too.  The gathering together exposes how we've grown apart and changed.  It is important though, to renew our bonds and allow our hearts to be filled with the presence of those most like us genetically.  It is in our DNA that we feel a connection to family that transcends our differences.

I pray that this Thanksgiving you are able to spend time with family.  If it isn't family of the genetic sort, I hope it is those with whom you feel a bond, a closeness, a connection that fills that part of you that needs family in your life.

"Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him.  Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth.  Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.  They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate." -- Psalm 127:3-5

Thankful for Opportunities

I realize that it's a few days early, but it seems a good time to think about Thanksgiving.  Actually, every day should be one of thanks, but what I plan to do is to have a week of Thanksgiving.  On each day this week I intend to write of something for which I am thankful.  I would encourage any of you who read this to do the same.

I will begin with being thankful for opportunities.  We don't all have the same abilities, or talents, but we are all given opportunities to use the ones that we have.  It seems the more times I step forward and accept an opportunity, the more of them come my way -- and the more rewarding they become.

Through the years I have had numerous opportunities to do things that have made a positive difference for others.  Some have been small and some much larger (at least to me).  They seemed to increase in frequency the more that I stepped out in faith and accepted them when presented.  They also came after prayer.

Sometimes I think we fear opportunities because they usually come with risk.  One risk is that of failure.  Another is that they take us out of our comfort zone.  That's where faith comes in.  God gives us opportunities in order to help us to grow.  Until we attempt what we have never done, we don't know that we can do it.  If it is something you are comfortable with doing, it really isn't an opportunity.  Real opportunities stretch us beyond our comfort zone into a place where we must trust that God will provide what is necessary to get us through.

My prayer is that God will continue to bring opportunities my way and that I will have the faith to accept them when they come.  I pray the same for you.  I am thankful that God cares enough about me to provide opportunities for my growth.

"...I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move.  Nothing will be impossible for you." -- Matthew 17:20

Pushing Forward

Sometimes determination is the only thing that keeps you moving forward.  It is something that happens in the mind -- a decision -- that no matter the obstacle, you will continue.  It isn't always rational.  It may be that the thing we are bent on accomplishing is of little or, no consequence and when we have completed the task there is no value in the chore, but only in the fact we drove ourselves to do it.

That is my thought this morning as I write.  I don't know that what is said here makes a difference to anyone, or anything, but it is something I have set for myself to do each day.  Some days, like this one, I struggle to find a subject about which to share but, there are other days when the words seem to flow easily.

I think that in every task we face, there is often a point at which we must make the decision to push on, no matter how we "feel" and no matter how much success we have experienced in what we are doing.  It is something that I faced almost daily in jobs that involved selling a product or service.  After several rejections, the next call can sometimes seem pointless.  I had to remind myself that it was a "numbers game" in which only a percentage of contacts would result in a sale, therefore, it wasn't about facing rejection again, it was about finding that small percentage who would say yes to my offering.

I suspect my writing is the same in that there are times when my words resonate with the reader and have a positive impact and there are times when they are simply words on a page.  I have to remind myself why I am writing -- I write to hone my craft.

Whatever it is that you do, always remind yourself of the reasons that you do it and push ahead; push through the obstacles and the days when it seems pointless.  Determine to continue forward no matter how you feel or, how others respond to your efforts.  Do it for your own growth.  Do it because whether you know it or, not, you have been called to do it at this point in your life.  Keep putting one foot in front of the other and find joy in what you do.

Biscuits

Homemade biscuits and wild grape jelly

Are mighty hard to beat;

Especially when you first get up

And crave something to eat.

Add a side of bacon

And maybe scrambled eggs;

It'll put a little spring into

Your fresh-woke, wobbly legs.

Some people like to skip

The first meal of the day

But, I need something filling

To send me on my way.

I can't live on coffee,

Although I need its boost,

Without it I might as well

Just stay upon my roost.

I'm glad the one I married

Is such a talented cook

And rustles up the things I like

That aren't always in a book.

She's not much on breakfast

Eaten early in the day

Though she might grab a little snack

Somewhere along the way.

One thing she will do for me

That I appreciate

Is to make a little extra

Biscuits for the plate.

They were fresh last night for supper

And I ate more than a few.

I'll eat some more this morning

Yep, that's what I'll do!

The Chant Goes On

Buyers gather around the ring

To hear the auctioneer sing

"Look at these beauties!

Nice young Tiger-Stripe Heifers.

They'll make some dandy cows!

Let's start the bidding."

The chant begins to fill the air

And I look to see who's bidding there

As the Master with the silver tongue

Rolls up the bids I see nary one

With upraised hand

There in the attentive crowd.

Oh, wait, a finger by the nose,

The guy that's wearing farmer clothes,

I'm pretty sure he wants those girls

And over on the other side

I think he might be bidding too,

The one in the bright blue plaid.

He's got his card up by his chin

And taps it every now and then,

That's got to be the way he makes a bid.

Look, there in the back row

By the lady in the in the yellow cap,

I think he might be another one.

Pretty soon we hear, "Sold!"

And those heifers head out in the cold

As we find out that the buyer

Was "Kyle 3X-2"

So, they're headed out west

To wheat pasture for a few months.

"Look at this nice set of light steers!"

The caller chants to calm the fears

That this bunch might just be a wreck

When they get to their destination

Several hundred miles

From where they were born.

"Let's start the bidding...."

Romanticized Ungulates

The American Bison is an animal of folklore which borders on the mythological.  It once roamed over most of what is now the United States, but was almost exterminated in the late 1800's when Federal Policy determined it was the fastest way to gain control of militant tribes who dominated many areas of the continent.  At risk of being controversial here, I will state my position that the various wars fought for control of the North American continent were no different than other wars fought over land throughout history.

Some have argued that the American Bison should be reestablished on its original range -- or, at least a portion of it.  The primary area proposed includes the drier portions of the Great Plains which stretches from Montana to Texas.  Called the Buffalo Commons, the proposed 10 to 20 million acre reserve would allow the Bison to migrate freely as they once did.

The concept, first mentioned in a 1987 essay, has received much attention -- especially among "First Americans" (American Indians) and many that I will call "emotional ecologists."  I have to admit that it does have a certain romantic appeal.

The image above was taken in a feedlot in Kansas several years ago.  These animals were from a private herd established on the Smoky Hill River.  They were destined for a processing plant in Salina, Kansas, which specialized in "Buffalo" meat.  Many fans of American Bison tout the lean meat as being healthier than beef from cattle.  Both cattle and American Bison are in the same Family, Bovidae, and the same Sub-Family, Bovinae.  Because of this, they can be crossbred and virtually all of the American Bison found in the United States carry at least some Bos taurus genes.

I find it interesting and symptomatic of limited understanding by those who support the Buffalo Common concept that it would merely be replacing one type of Bovine with another.  After all, the area proposed by proponents is currently occupied by cattle ranches which supply nutritious beef to consumers.  Many more pounds of beef can be produced on the same amount of land in a shorter period of time with cattle than with bison.  Bison are inefficient in the feedlot and take much longer to reach a marketable condition.

Some would argue that Bison, through their grazing behavior, are better for the environment.  Many cattle herds are being managed in a similar manner through rotational grazing systems.  Methane production by the animals is named as one of the culprits of negative climate impact.  I don't really think it is an issue.  Estimates of the number of Bison that once roamed the continent vary greatly -- from about 10 million to over 60 million.  There are more cattle today than there were Bison, but there are also many more people consuming the meat.  Methane production by Bison was likely higher on a per head basis than in cattle today.  I think blaming climate change on grazing ungulates is pointing the finger in the wrong direction.  The greater culprit is burning of fossil fuels in our planes, trains and automobiles -- which would still be used by tourists to go see the roaming Bison on the Buffalo Commons.

Cornflakes on the Driveway

Leaves upon the driveway,

Like dry cornflakes in a bowl,

Swept into a neatly crafted pile

Until I turn my back upon them

Just to set aside my broom,

And the autumn breezes

Send them skittering away

To reclaim their corners

And sheltered spaces

Where the eddies

Leave them in swirls

And piles

To crunch beneath the feet

Until cold rains come

And they are tracked

Into the house

Adhering to the soles

Of boots and shoes.

Perspective

Sometimes keeping proper perspective is a matter of examining things through others point of view.  Things look very differently from the bottom looking up than they do from the top looking down.  This is important for managers to keep in mind when they interact with those below, or above, them in a corporate structure.  It is something every employee should consider.

The same could also be said for perspective based on age.  A child sees the world very differently from a teenager who sees it very differently from a young adult and so on until you, hopefully, see the world from the point of the aged who have a wealth of experience from which to draw that has helped to shape their view of things.  Growth and the passage of time changes how one views people, places, things and events.

Wealth is relative, but it also can change ones perspective.  If you are struggling to put food on your table you see the world very differently from someone who can't spend in a year what they make in a day.  Yes, there really are people who have that kind of money; they have no concept of poverty yet, they are often the ones who dictate policy.

When dealing with others, it is important that we take the time to try and understand their perspective.  Doing so has been one of the most valuable things I learned through the years.  It has served me well in management, in sales and in life.  I have to admit that I have not always been successful in my attempt to understand other perspectives, but the effort has always been rewarding.  People respect you for trying if done sincerely.

Conflict sometimes is the result of a failure to understand other perspectives.  When you find yourself in a situation where you are in disagreement with others, spend time seeking to understand their perspective.  Generally it will provide insight into why your views are different and sometimes even provide a pathway to resolving those differences.

The image at the top of this page was taken from an old bridge looking down into the water below at the reflection of the sky above.  In this single image there are three perspectives represented.  The first is from the bridge looking downward.  The second is from the water looking upward.  The third is less obvious, but it is from the bridge looking upward via the reflection in the water.

I think the lesson from the image is that we all will see more clearly if we focus upward.  If we keep our eyes on the Father we aren't looking down on anyone and we all will see essentially the same thing.

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." -- Hebrews 12:2

A Mighty Presence

My thoughts soar

Beyond the ability

To express

With earthly words

That which

Fills my heart

And senses

As I desire to share

With you

The joy

Of knowing God's presence.

"Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them.  Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the Lord, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth.  He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his truth."  Psalm 96:11-13

A Country Road

Let me off the highway

On some old country road

Away from all the cars and trucks

That carry many load

Of freight to destinations unknown.

I prefer my unknown to be

What's just around the bend

And I don't want to hurry

As down the road I send

My thoughts toward the next adventure.

I've found adventure to be a

State within my mind

That I might stumble into

As if I'm deaf and blind

Until it springs to wake me from my sleep

Which is the sleep of one who

Blindly follows the same trail

As everyone else in this old world

Whose destiny it is to fail

To escape the ordinariness of existence.

I don't want a life of being ordinary

But, instead want something different

That when I leave this old world

Will have been one well spent

In making it a better place.

Many Doors

Some doors look more promising than others.  The thing about doors is that you never know what is on the other side until you pass through.

Some doors lead to adventure while others lead to safety. 

Some doors are works of art and others are barely functional.

Sometimes you just want to escape and there is usually a door you must pass through in order to do so.

Some doors are constructs in our mind that hide the things we wish to suppress.

Also in our minds, we create doors that lead to imaginative wanderings.

Writers of fiction pass through many doors.  In science fiction there is a door into tomorrow.

I've always thought it would be handy to have a door through which upon passing you would immediately arrive at a destination of your choosing -- you might call it an instantaneous transporter door.

Country music is full of doors.  The line, "swinging doors, a jukebox and a bar stool" comes to mind.

There are doors to our heart, doors to our minds, doors into our very lives.  We hide behind doors.  We pass through doors.  We open them and we close them.

Doors divide the compartments we create that each separately contain parts of who we are.  They are the portals of connection between the disparate pieces of our existence.

Some day we will pass through the door "to the other side."

What do you do with doors?

"Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." -- Matthew 7:7-8

The most important door of all stands between us and eternity:

"Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." -- Revelation 3:20

Doors give us a sense of control.  They are a nexus -- a link.

If you think about how doors connect the compartments of our lives you can almost visualize the model of an atom made with Styrofoam balls and straws.  Could our lives be an abstraction of what is happening at the molecular level?  Might they also be a model of the Cosmos?

This door has apparently been one into speculative wandering.  It's a good thing I left a trail of bread crumbs to find my way out.  Uh, oh, here come the birds....

Do You Ever Ask "What If?"

It is sometimes necessary to stop and ask "What if?"  By that I mean that we should occasionally consider present circumstances and through reasoning, project what the future consequences might be.  The following fictional piece is a result of that thought process:

The knock on the door was loud and unexpected.  I had been sitting at my computer for the last hour searching the Dark Web for recipes on how to prepare a beef brisket I had come into possession of through a black market friend of mine.  In spite of all efforts to the contrary, an underground economy in animal proteins still survived.

It was too late to silence my illegal generator but, after quickly closing my Browser window, I went to the door to see who would interrupt my peaceful Sunday afternoon.  It was an officer from Homeland serving me with notice that I was being removed to one of the reservations that had been established in southern Texas.  The notice was not totally unexpected since I was an unrepentant “rural” who refused to move to the megalopolis and was not an employee of the government.  I had ten minutes to gather anything I wished to take with me on the trip; there was no appeal.  While I gathered my things the officers dismantled my satellite receiver and confiscated my computer.

Ever since control of the country had fallen into the hands of the “Democracy for All” party, what few remaining liberties we had fell quickly to the tyranny of the state.  The proliferation of laws “protecting” the rights of "the people" had eliminated almost all freedom to do as one chose and replaced it with the all-encompassing control of those in power.

Virtually all food was now imported from other countries or manufactured in the large syn-food factories springing up across the country and what had previously been farms and ranches now were being turned into vast parks to serve as a playground for the rich and famous.  Those of us who once had fed the world suddenly found ourselves unemployed and unwanted wards of the state.  Formerly thriving communities were now mostly vacant except for the remaining holdouts like me who would stay until forced out.

It was futile to resist since the officer serving the warrant was backed by almost thirty police in full riot gear.  Other troops were scattered up and down the street doing the same to my few remaining neighbors, so I politely invited them inside while I began gathering my things.  I had known this day was coming since all utilities and other services had been cut off in recent weeks in an effort to “encourage” holdouts to cooperate.

I had no idea what conditions were like on the reservations since communication with them had been strictly controlled after they were established earlier this year. There was no indication in the summons about what to expect.  I grabbed several boxes of energy bars and a few changes of clothing.  The rest of my pack was filled with items I thought might be useful for trade.

Because of my cooperation, the officers were vigilant, but reasonably easy to get along with.  The one in charge watched my packing and offered affirmative comments as I made my selections.  He wasn’t like many of the power-hungry troops that were employed by the state, but was just a guy doing his job.

The helicopter trip to the temporary departure detention facility was short.  There was little air traffic, or ground traffic for that matter, since the only people authorized to travel were either government employees, wealthy political donors or, celebrities.  The waiting area was filled with small family groups with wailing children and a few old timers like me who had resigned looks on their faces.  Most of the younger resisters were either dead or, in hiding.  The few present in the facility were handcuffed and under guard.  It would do to watch them upon arrival since most had nothing with them and would be desperate for supplies when they got to our destination.

It all began with a coup in Washington.  Legal processes had failed to accomplish the ends of those who wished to overthrow the elected leaders and retain their stranglehold on power.  With the collapse of their efforts, the militarized agencies of government which had been secretly stockpiling weapons for years, were deployed at the behest of the “deep state.”  It was in their interest to maintain the status quo, so they were a willing army.  There had been only a few pockets of open resistance and those were quickly overcome.  Besides, most firearms had been confiscated in the first round of raids by federal forces.

It had been six weeks since the orders for mandatory removal to temporary housing in the cities had been broadcast.  It would take months for the federal forces to complete the process.  There were rumors that many in the military were opposed to the new powers and planning something, but news was being tightly controlled and the stories couldn’t be verified….

Rare Moments

As I peer into the dimming sky

At the setting of the sun,

Before the stars appear on high,

Before the day is done,

There is a moment

When the world stands still.

"Midway" - Worth Seeing

We decided to take in a movie yesterday.  The weather was lousy and not conducive to much enjoyment of anything outdoors, so we went to see "Midway."

I have to admit that I was skeptical of any "remake" of one of the great war movies of my youth, but I was completely impressed by this one.  It was better in many ways than the one made back in 1976. 

The Battle of Midway, which occurred between June 4 and June 7, 1942, was a major turning point in the war in the Pacific.  After Pearl Harbor the U.S. needed to strike a blow against the Japanese carrier groups and in the Battle of Midway successfully destroyed four Japanese carriers.

After the "intelligence failure" of Pearl Harbor and the disastrous impact it had on the Pacific fleet, the U.S. determined to strike back.  Several initiatives were launched including Doolittle's Raid against the Japanese homeland (April 18) and the Battle of the Coral Sea (May 4-8).  The Doolittle Raid was largely symbolic in that it showed the ability of the U.S. to strike Japan, but it also was a psychological blow to the Japanese who believed their country was invulnerable to attack.  The Battle of the Coral Sea was the first major sea battle involving opposing carrier groups in which the sea forces never sighted each other.  The battle was fought from the air.

I won't spoil the movie for you, but I do highly recommend you go and see it.  There are a couple of minor "historical glitches" in it, but overall, extremely well done.  The biggest surprise to me was Woody Harrelson as Chester W. Nimitz.  He played the part perfectly.  I also would encourage you to follow the links and read the history before you go to see the movie. 

Weather On My Mind

Sunshine this morning,

Rain tonight,

Winds howling,

Carrying a bite;

That's the forecast for today

But, I'll go on my merry way

Because where I grew up

That was normal for the fall --

Except the rain of course.

Rain was a rare luxury

Much appreciated

Unless it was the middle of harvest

Which it still is.

Here?

Why,

Sunshine

And warmth

And light breezes

And falling leaves

Are typical this time of

Year.

Yoda, Priorities and Pathways

I realize that it is Fall and the weather is changing quickly, but this springtime image is one of my favorites.  It carries a lot of meaning for us because this is a picture of the site where we thought of building a house.  We no longer own these cows or, the land.  Things change and we decided our best option was to sell them.

It is interesting how things change through the years.  Many of the hopes and dreams of our youth fade into the reality of our present.  We move forward in the belief that the path we are on is the correct one that will lead us to our dreams.  I believe that if we are in tune with God's Will for our life, that is true, but I also believe that if we are within His Will, he sometimes changes our dreams to match the path He has put us on.

Letting go of one dream and grasping another sometimes takes time and the transition isn't always a smooth one.  I know many people at this stage in life who have "settled for" their current situation.  I hope I never "settle for" but, keep on reaching, striving, doing, working to make a positive difference.  What we do with our lives really does matter even though we often think it doesn't.  The impact of a word or, deed on the life of someone else can reverberate down through generations to make either a positive or, negative impact in the lives of many.  We need to be certain that each and every one is positive or helpful.

The most important things in life have nothing to do with what we accumulate or, the trips we take; they are the things that impact eternity.  Everything in this life should be focused on our relationship with God, not on the things of "self."  By "the things of self" I am referring to those rewards we think we deserve -- trips to foreign lands, big houses, fancy cars, a life of ease.  All of those things are focused on "self."  Instead, the important things are those focused on others.  The Bible is clear that we should first focus on our relationship to God and second, on our relationship to others. 

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.  The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself." -- Mark 12:30-31

We aren't yet certain what the next chapter will bring, but I am looking forward to it.  In the words of Yoda, "Difficult to see.  Always in motion is the future."  (from "The Empire Strikes Back")

Ultimately, there is only one thing that is important for determining the next step in life's journey.  I woke this morning with these words ringing in my head:

"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.'" -- John 14:6

Pink Flowering Dogwood

We are finally getting some fall colors around here.  This is a pink flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) that is in our front yard.  It is one of my favorite trees because of the flowers in the spring and the deep red leaves and bright red seed clusters in the fall.

I have often wondered how the dogwood got its name and find it is thought to originate from its use in treating dogs with mange.  The wood is dense and very hard and has been used for making golf clubs among other things.  There aren't many wooden shafted golf clubs around anymore.

Where we live is on the western edge of the range of native dogwood trees.  There are a few scattered throughout the woods in our area.  Most of the wild ones seem to be of the white variety.  Often, there are wild dogwoods alongside wild redbud trees which create nice splashes of color as you travel through in early spring.

Growing up in an area with few trees, I probably have a greater appreciation for them than most people around here.  Trees around here are about like weeds at home (hmmm...I guess I still think of the Texas Panhandle as home); if you give them any space, they will take over.  We constantly must  monitor our flowerbeds for seedling trees growing in them.  If you don't pull them when they are small, they quickly become large problems.  Many people who don't deal with them in a timely manner find cracked foundations and damage to their homes from trees sprouting near them.

I suppose most people take such things for granted, but it is interesting to me because of my early years without many trees.  Maybe in my old age it just doesn't take much to keep me entertained....

Telemarketers and Politics

Do you ever have one of those days when you want to go completely off grid?  Yep, I do too.  It's the constant bombardment from telemarketers.  It's "open enrollment" time and the telemarketers are calling 3 or 4 times a day.  Now, they are even sending text messages.  I wonder if the companies funding all of the unsolicited calls will ever figure out that they are wasting their time on me!  There must be enough gullible souls out there that make it worth their while.

It is extremely difficult to be anonymous anymore.  You can't even pay cash for something without them asking for a phone number or, e-mail address.  Society is just a small step away from requiring your fingerprint, or some other form of permanent identification in order to do anything.  It seems there is something in the book of Revelation about that.

Some would argue that "if you have nothing to hide, what difference does it make?"  My response is that it is a matter of freedom.  If your every movement is tracked, you are not free, merely an animal in a cage to be exploited by your masters.  I suppose there are enough people who prefer a state of dependence to the risks of freedom; that's why the voters keep sending the same people back to Washington.

Personally, I would prefer to take my chances without their "nanny state" control.  Let me make my own choices with how I spend my money and my time.  I'm willing to take some physical risks if it means not being subjected to "police state-like" conditions at airports and courthouses.  Have you noticed that the heaviest security measures are in place to protect the lawmakers?  Think about that for a minute.  Why are they so concerned for their own security?  Perhaps they think "their subjects" will be upset when they eventually become wise to the fact they are "subjects" and not free citizens.

So, how did I get from telemarketers to security around the lawmakers?  Do you really think your Senators and Representatives get bombarded with telemarketers all day long?  I feel certain their phone numbers are kept out of the lists they sell to the companies that are making the calls.  Come to think of it, most of the telemarketers are selling insurance.  Now, I wonder whose pocket the lawmakers are in....

Metaphorical 'Possum

Sometimes you feel like a 'possum on a wire

Way above the ground;

You just start running from the dog

To a place you can't be found.

One thing leads to another till

You find you're in a bind

And rescue from your predicament

Is something hard to find

So, you sit and you think, "What do I do?

I'm stuck here in the air.

I wasn't aiming to end up here

And this just isn't fair!

There's two solutions come to mind

To solve your little fix;

The first is to keep on going

And the second you will nix

Because it involves a mighty fall

Straight down to the earth.

It's something you'll avoid

With all that you are worth.

So, you just keep right on going

Way up on that wire

Hoping you can hold on

And your hands and feet won't tire.

Maybe you will find at the end

Of your precarious way

That you have reached a better place

At the end of an awful day.

I Hope You Voted

It is the responsibility

Of each and every citizen

To remain informed,

To be involved

And to exercise the

Privilege to have their voice be heard,

Whether in protest

Or, in support

Of the actions of those

We have sent

To represent our interests.

In this culture of "placing blame"

Be the one

To take action.

Imagination and Scenic Places

Some places fuel the imagination; White Sands National Monument is one of them.  This image is one sent to me by my daughter from their recent trip to New Mexico.  It is a place I have never been, although I have been very close to it.

The monument is within the Tularosa Basin which is also contains Holloman Airforce Base and the U.S. Missile Test Range.  The basin was home to many ancient cultures before the entry of the Spaniards in the 1500's.  Few places have seen such a sweeping transition culminating in the testing of missile defense systems and nuclear weapons.

The white dunes are composed of gypsum which is widely mined and used for such things as fertilizer, plaster, sidewalk chalk and drywall.  It is a wonder the dunes are intact rather than a part of someone's living room!  Alabaster is a variety of gypsum and was used by sculptors in ancient civilizations for some of the most beautiful pieces ever created because of its whiteness.

I remember a a child taking trips to southwestern Oklahoma to visit my Dad's family.  Just outside of Duke, Oklahoma, is the American Gypsum plant.  The soil in that area is full of gypsum.

In many places across the southeastern part of the Texas Panhandle, in the Rolling Plains region, especially near the rivers which cross the area, are outcroppings of gypsum.  Sometimes it is in friable crystalline layers embedded within the red clay soil and in other places forms large crystals.  The Old English word for gypsum translated as "spear stone" because of these large crystals which resembled a spear tip.

As a fertilizer, gypsum is a source of sulfur and was once known as sulfate of lime.  In areas where the soil is deficient in sulfur and calcium it created almost miraculous results.

Gypsum can be a problem in the water -- especially in natural water sources where it is at concentrated levels.  It causes a brackish taste and potentially, diarrhea.   If concentrations are too high, livestock will seek other sources of water.

To me, the dunes inspire thoughts of alien landscapes.  Apparently Steven Spielberg thought the same thing because if you are a fan of "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" you will recognize the landscape in part of the movie.  Click on the link to read about it.

Pistachios and Poison Ivy

My daughter knows of my interest in all things agriculture and sent to me this image of a Pistachio orchard in New Mexico which she took on a recent trip there.  Pistacia vera is the primary cultivar of Pistachio grown in the United States.  The tree is a native of Central Asia and Iran still accounts for over half of the world's production.  The U.S. is the second largest producer with about half what is produced by Iran.

Like a number of other fruit and nut trees, Pistachios are vulnerable to many diseases so, they are frequently grafted onto root stocks from species that are more resistant.  Oak and Mesquite are commonly used to provide the root stock for many of the Pistachio orchards in the U.S.  Since Pistachios do best in dry climates, drought tolerance is also a consideration.  In the image above, there appears to be an irrigation system.

Pistachios are members of the Anacardiaceae Family which also includes poison ivy, sumac, mango and cashew.  Plants of that Family produce an oily substance called urushiol which is an irritant.  I am very familiar with this particular irritant since I am currently recovering from a recent brush with poison ivy.  Apparently there is varying sensitivity among people to the urushiol and I seem to be among the more sensitive.  The concentration of urushiol on the leaf surface of the poison ivy is often highest in the fall.  Silly me, I figured spring was the time to most fear the plant.

Urushiol is an oleoresin that is absorbed very quickly by the skin.  The toxin is recognized by the dendridic cells (Langerhans cells) which then migrate to the lymph nodes where they present the template for the toxin to the T-lymphocytes (aka "killer" T-cells), stimulating them to travel to the site of contact and begin production of cytokines and cytotoxins that seek out and destroy the urushiol.  This reaction is what causes the blistering and eventual death of the skin cells at the point of contact.  The T-cells literally kill the infected cells to rid the body of the toxin.

I have never been a big fan of Pistachios.  Others in my family absolutely love them.  I wonder if the affinity/adversity to them is related to susceptibility to the effects of the urushiol?  Something to ponder on this fine Monday morning....

Gather Around

In this world that has become divided

By the fractiousness of power,

Be the one to gather around you

Those in need of protection,

Those who are different,

Those whose experiences don't match your own,

Those from whom you will learn

Wisdom.

"Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.  Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." -- 1 Peter 3:8-9

What Do You See In the Clouds?

What do you see when you look at the clouds

Way up in the sky?

I see dreams and other things

As they go floating by.

Sometimes I see an eagle

Swooping in a dive

Or, maybe there's a clown

Doing the hand jive.

Then there's lipstick smudges

Spread across the page

Of some romantic novel

That is all the rage.

Just let imagination

Take unfettered flight

Upon the wonders there above

And marvel with delight.

What do you see in the clouds?

A Ghost Deer

Tiny rivulets of sweat trickled down the sides of my face and I could feel the same inside my shirt as I stood motionless, waiting, watching.  A massive white tailed deer buck had been visiting the meadow for weeks, but he was shy.  I was determined to take his photograph because no one would believe me when I described him.

I had a clear view of the area where he often came to graze as he watched over his small harem of does and nearly mature fawns.  Although his charges would eat the kernels of corn spread by the automated feeder, he was never tempted.  His tiny band was photographed frequently by the game camera stationed near the mechanical device that spread the temptation, but he always stayed just out of range as if he knew the location of the small, rectangular camouflaged box strapped to a nearby tree.

The long lens of my camera was preset on a focal point far out in the meadow where I expected the forest giant to appear.  I had seen him there from atop the hill, but at almost a half mile distance, I could zoom in with binoculars for a look, but my camera gear was inadequate for the task, or never at hand when needed.  The only way to obtain proof was a closer shot.

The sounds of life surrounding me indicated that my disruption of the natural order had been accepted and as long as I remained still, my presence would be unremarked by the fearful wild creatures that shuffled through the fallen detritus or, flitted from tree to tree and weed to weed.  I had become part of the woods.  Even the dragonfly, which had been darting constantly, found a branch on which to sit and rest, only yards from my face.

My shirt was soaked.  My muscles ached.  My mind was falling into the stupor of near sleep as the drowsy afternoon wore on.  I knew that vigilance was required, but the adrenaline had seeped from my pores and no longer provided the needed edge of hyper-awareness.  The constant drone of insects was lulling me to daydreams which obscured my sight with images generated internally.  Movement was necessary or, I would soon be asleep.

I flexed my muscles as I stood, watching.  Tensing and relaxing failed to relieve the discomfort so I began to slowly twist my body to stretch the aching tissue.  In doing so, I became slightly off balance and took a single step to prevent my falling.  When I did so, out of the corner of my eye I saw the buck bounding away to escape into the dense foliage near a point at the end of the meadow.

It is no wonder he is the king of the woods.  My tiny movement almost 200 yards away was enough to send him racing to cover.  He remained a ghost, not captured by the camera lens.  

(This piece is purely fictional, but contains many elements of reality.  It was inspired by the simple image of the dragonfly and memories of the many deer which visited our meadow.)