Release

There,

At the end of the land,

I came upon the surging waves

Incessantly striving

To crawl upon the dunes

And continue their journey

But alas,

Their energy was spent.

Turmoil

Turned to peace within

As I listened to the dim roar

Of their anguish

Which seemed to release

The tension that had built

Inside me

And I, as well, rested.

Dreaming in Other Universes

Have you ever considered that maybe parallel universes are real and when we enter into our dreams we are actually travelling to one of those universes?

I've mentioned before that dreams intrigue me.  I wonder what triggers particular dreams.  I frequently wake from my dreams and remember them -- at least for a short period -- though that remembrance almost always fades quickly.  Occasionally there is one that is particularly vivid that remains for extended periods, even years.

I wonder if dreams are expressions of different aspects of our personality.  What if, for instance, a dream about running from something is an expression of a particular fear.  Okay, that's sounds like psycho-babble and doesn't really convey what I'm attempting to describe, let's try again.  Assume you dream of being stranded on an island and you are able to find food and water and build a fire and shelter; is it a projection of your "survival" instinct in dream form and the dream is your mind sharpening those skills in another parallel universe?

What if you are actually existing within some other dimension where the island is real and your mind is linked between this universe and that one?  The dream occurs when sleep allows us to touch that other dimension.  We, for the moment of the dream, exist within that other place.

The reason I am thinking of this today is that I've noticed that in my dreams, people and things sometimes don't have the same name they do in reality.  They may look the same and it may seem natural to call them "same", but they might have different names and possibly even altered personalities.  In the dream one name seems correct but, when I awake I know them/it to be something else.

I know the simplest explanation is just the jumbled swirl of chemicals and wiring that are in our brain, but it's interesting to speculate.  This morning I awoke dreaming of a C-47 Tilt Rotor craft delivering supplies that morphed into a V-22 Osprey upon awakening.  Was I in an alternate universe, or did my brain cross-reference "supplies", C-47 (WWII era) and V-22?  Maybe those three things are just filed in a similar region and the wiring and chemicals were just struggling to get it all sorted out.  I prefer to think I was somewhere else for a moment....

The Other Side

Even when the obstacles seem insurmountable

And the path ahead just fades and disappears

Keep moving, searching, seeking,

Have faith He will provide

A way to overcome your growing fears.

Though the way becomes quite narrow and you fear a mighty fall

Step forward with your eyes upon the prize;

Let one foot lead the other,

Don't look down but, trust in Him

And one day you will find to your surprise

You have reached the other side.

"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." -- Philippians 4:13

Taking Out The Trash

It's not as clear in the photo as I had hoped, but last night, right after sunset, there was a beautiful crescent moon and a single star (one of the planets) in the southwestern sky.  I thought it would make a great photo, but alas, photography isn't my strong suit.  Thankfully, the iPhone does a credible job.  Hopefully, someone more knowledgeable than me will comment with the name of the planet.

This morning we woke to a cold rain.  It is "trash day" so, I was out in the cold rain taking the trash down to the curb to be picked up.  I didn't really mind until I came back in the house and was hit by how warm it was inside.  You don't realize it until you feel the contrast.

Contrast applies to a lot of things.  It's amazing how our views and attitudes change over time.  We don't realize it until we have been apart from someone for an extended period.  It really hits home when you hear what some of the folks you grew up with have to say about politics.  Most of those I grew up with have similar views to mine, but occasionally I run across someone that is way out there.

Life experiences change us.  Struggles change us.  The people with whom we associate change us.  We are shaped by our surroundings.  It is important to keep that in mind as we go through life; that's why we should be certain we fill our minds and lives with good and positive and not allow the negative and evil to shape us.  I don't even want to read, or watch shows that include things that I don't want in my mind because the taint of them never goes away.

The "shape-ability" of our minds and attitudes is why propaganda is so effective.  It has been used as a tool of the political types since the first caveman decided to run for office.  The messages are shaped in ways that maximize their influence over our thinking.  Often what is said is clearly a lie, yet it lingers in the mind of the hearer.  It's taint connects it with other things and affects how we think about them as well.

Yes, even good people lie, but lying is a highly developed art form among those who would do harm.  To them it is merely a tool to get their way with you.  It seems to be especially effective in the realm of politics because it is so commonly used that it becomes difficult to discern what is truth and what is lie.  The sad thing is that it is so pervasive, there are many who believe the lie to be the truth and the truth to be the lie.

I suppose the image of the moon and star sent me down this path.  It reminded me of Islam and how it is a twisted religion that is a tool of political power.  Even though it was founded long after Christianity, it claims to pre-date it through the lineage of Ishmael.  It further subverts Christianity by weaving Jesus into the narrative as a prophet.

It is easy to see why many politicians who so readily embrace the art of lying also embrace Islam.   I'm not referring to those who support religious freedom, but to those who accept an oppressive religion such as Islam and then condemn Christianity. 

Please don't misunderstand me, there are many Christians who are focused on the wrong things and act just like the zealots of Islam; they focus on the law and the ritual and are quick to condemn others who don't believe as they do rather than living a humble life helping others.  Everyone is tainted by the lies in some form or, fashion.

Now that I have rambled from a beautiful crescent moon and planet to trash to lies, politics and the differences in a couple of religious beliefs, it is time to tie back in the one piece that seems to not fit the others -- the trash.  Maybe it's time to take out the trash politically. 

Persistence

Sometimes we feel that what we do

Is just a waste of time;

It's out of bed and off to work

To make another dime

And in the bigger scheme of things

We wonder what it's worth,

It seems to suck the life from us

And takes away our mirth.

Just think about the ocean

And tides that never fail,

The crashing waves upon the rocks

That seems to no avail,

Then pick up a grain of sand

And hold it in your hand,

A tiny thing that once was part

Of rocks upon the land.

Each day the waves came crashing down

Until it broke apart

Into a pile of tiny grains

There where the land does start.

Face those boulders on the shore

That seem to ever stand

Keep pounding at them every day

Until they're merely sand.

Blindly Naive

The lowly Armadillo

That doesn't see so well

Has big ears and pointed nose

And hide that's like a shell.

He roots around in rotting leaves

To find a grub, or worm;

Blithely going on his way

About this Terra Firm.

If you stand quite still and wait

He'll walk up to your feet

But, if you move then you can bet

He'll beat a fast retreat.

He came up from the southern lands

Now, Texas is his home;

Adopted by the Lone Star State

O'er most of it to roam.

He decorates our highways

Throughout much of the year

Where he wanders in his blinded state

Not knowing any fear.

It's there he is defeated

By the giant metal beasts

That make him highway pizza

For Vultures in their feasts.

He reminds me of so many folks

Who go about their way

Doing all the things they do

Each and every day

Ignoring efforts by a few

Who wish to gain more power

From seats way up in Washington

Within their Ivory Tower.

Beware my friends and give them heed,

Whatever else you do,

Don't let them take away your rights

'Cause they'll run over you.

The Bigger Picture

Today's post goes along with the one from yesterday.  Goal setting and visualization are just part of the puzzle; you have to have a reason for moving forward.  Ultimately, we need to find a dream -- a passion -- that thing for which we each were uniquely and wonderfully made.

Do you have an Eldorado,

A shining city of gold

That dances on the horizon,

That draws you on so bold?

Why do you rise in the morning?

What makes you take a chance?

What pulls you over the obstacles

Without a second glance?

Is there a dream that fills your mind

And keeps you on your feet

When you look around at others

Slumped in their defeat?

If not, then you must find one

And shape it all your own

Until it fills your waking thoughts

And soaks into your bone.

We're made to strive for better,

To overcome our fears;

We're made to pour into it

Our blood and sweat and tears.

Find your Eldorado,

A passion for your soul,

It will provide the reason

To reach your every goal.

Emotions, Visualization and Sales

A long time ago I figured out that deadlines are great motivators to accomplishing a task.  When we have a specific time by which to have something complete, we are likely to be finished by that time.

I also figured out a long time ago that I have difficulty setting specific goals and then sticking to them.

Think about those two things for a minute; if someone else establishes a goal for me -- a task to complete within a specific time -- I almost always am able to get it done, but I have a hard time if I am the one setting the task and time of completion.  What does that say about me?  It's not a lack of self-discipline, it's either a lack of self-motivation or, it is a lack of inability to determine what needs to be done and how long it should take for completion.

Even though I have difficulty setting goals and sticking to them, I have learned to do it.  That doesn't necessarily mean that I like to do it, but I do like the results.  It's all about the results and a willingness to pay the price to achieve those results.

We all fight inner demons when it comes to accomplishing the things we want in life.  We find ourselves doing "busy work" that creates the appearance of working toward our goals when in reality, it is just something to make us "look" busy -- to give us a sense that we are doing something, even if it is likely it is the wrong things.  Overcoming those things which hold us back is a matter of growth and maturity.  There are some things we may never outgrow, but if we identify the things that hold us back, we can at least begin the process of changing those behaviors and mind-barriers that restrict us.

For me, visualizing the result is probably the most effective motivation.  Visualization is more than just a mental picture -- it includes the feelings of satisfaction and enjoyment that come along with completion.  As much as I would like to say that cold, hard logic is the answer, it is not; we are emotional creatures and depend on emotion for motivation -- even if that emotion isn't necessarily a proper one, such as greed, or envy.

If you struggle with goals, change the nature of how you set them.  Many years ago when I was training sales people I taught them that if they focus on making a sale to a new customer they will quickly become disappointed.  Instead, make it about the number of calls you make on that prospective customer.  If, on the average, it takes 9 calls on a new prospect in order to make the first sale to them, focus on accomplishing those 9 calls.  Make a list of reasons to go see them -- to have contact.  After that first contact in which no sale was made you still accomplished your goal and could feel good about it.  The attitude switched from "they weren't interested" to "that's one!"  Usually, long before that 9th contact, a sale was made.  Not only did their focus change, but their attitude changed in a way that was palpable to the prospect.  Their positive attitude at accomplishing their goals came through rather than the negative attitude which comes with an expected failure.

Those emotions are critical to our well-being.  If you find yourself struggling, think about what emotions are coursing through you and then find ways to overcome the negative ones.  Failure feeds failure and success feeds success -- not because of the completion of the task, but because of what it does for us emotionally.

Wishing for Spring

Yes, it's still winter here, but you can tell from the picture that my mind is on spring!  We had cold rains yesterday and it was a miserable day for anyone and anything that had to be out in it.  Those cold rains, though, are building soil moisture that will give the grass a nice boost when the weather finally warms.

I wasn't able to write a post yesterday due to an early meeting.  I prefer early meetings; it seems the mind is sharper early in the day.  That may just be an indicator that I'm a "morning person."  I'm not sure I buy into the whole "morning person/night person" concept, I think we can train ourselves to be either; it's just a matter of conditioning.

I think a short nap after lunch is ideal.  I learned that way back in about the 8th grade when I worked for a farmer that required a brief nap after lunch which I ate with the family.  We would adjourn to the living room where he would lay back in his recliner and I would stretch out on the floor for about a 30 minute nap before heading back out to the fields to work until dark.  It made a lot of sense on those long summer days when we started shortly after daylight and didn't finish up until almost dark.

I've known a number of successful people who take a nap after lunch almost every day.  One was a business partner who owned a number of profitable businesses.  If you needed to talk to him after lunch, you had to wait until after his nap was over because the "gatekeeper" wouldn't let him be disturbed during that time.  I think his approach must be a good one because there are few people I know any more productive.

I used to think I needed to work through lunch when I had too much to do to get done in a day.  I learned that I got more done taking a break.  I would sometimes take my lunch to the park and after eating would take a brief nap.  It always made the afternoon better.  I was more alert and more productive.  Our body needs that brief restorative period to remain sharp.

I guess it's the sight of those cows in the picture that has caused me to think about naps.  In my mind I can smell the green grass, hear the flies buzzing in the lazy summer heat and the sense of drowsiness that comes with it....

Another Year

As the years roll up behind me

All the things I think I know

Fade into the passing time

As on my way I go.

As the writer said long years before

There's nothing new to see,

What's happened on this spinning earth

Again will someday be.

You'd think we'd learn from what we've done,

Mistakes no more repeat,

But, often it's just wishes

That go down in defeat.

Wisdom comes along the way

To those who give it heed

It serves us well if we but hear

It's voice in time of need.

Passing time has made me gray

And wrinkled up my face

But, I'm still here and learning

Simply by God's grace.

A Special Birthday Bouquet

Today's a special day for one

Who has stuck with me through the years;

There has been some laughter

And there have been some tears.

In many ways we're opposites,

In others we're the same,

She even puts up with my jokes

Though the humor is kind of lame.

She's smart and good with people

Which she likes to be around

While I tend to keep to myself,

Hide and not be found.

She loves her kids and grandchildren

And prays for God to bless

Them in every way

And hopes for their success.

She likes to cook and bake and such

And does it very well;

She makes my favorites often

As by my waistline you can tell.

She's still young at heart and keeps herself

Attractive just for me;

I'm proud of her for being

All that she can be.

Today she's turning ______,

I'll be nice and leave that out,

But, if you have the chance,

Give her a birthday shout.

The Silent Distance

Scents of dust

And juniper

And dry grasses

Fill me with longing

For the far horizon --

Not as a destination

But, as a journey

Into the known

And unknown --

Beckoning

Ever onward

Into the silent distance.

Weather, Calving and Political Football

It's strange weather time here in northeast Texas.  It was 64 degrees at 6:00 a.m. with an expected high for the day of 54.  I think The Weather Channel is a bit off on their forecast.  By this evening we will be in the low 30's if they get that part correct.

Wide weather swings are hard on cattle and other animals who live out in it.  We have had rain the last few days that wasn't heavy, but was persistent.  Now, with a day of clearing, we get a 30 degree swing in temperature.

This is also the beginning of calving season for many cow herds in this area.  I'm sure that with the cold front pushing through there will be new babies born and their first wobbly steps will be cold ones.  Their mother will lick them dry and nudge them to get up and find the source of warm nourishment they vitally need.  Then they will lead them to a protected place and let them lie down and rest for a short while before making them get up again and nurse.  The process of leading them to a protected place is critical because it forces that newborn to gain control of those thin sticks underneath them so they will be better able to escape predators which might be lurking nearby.

If there is wind with the cold front that is also helpful because scavengers like the Black or, Mexican Vulture, have a more difficult time detecting the scent and are less likely to attack the cow and calf.  Coyotes rarely will go after a newborn unless it is injured, or the mother had difficulty in the birthing process and is unable to defend it.  They may watch from a short distance, but unless a "sure" opportunity is presented, they typically will move on in pursuit of a small rodent or, some other meal.

Black Vultures, on the other hand, if they spot a cow in the birthing process, will surround her in large numbers and try to kill the baby -- even before it is completely delivered.  They will drive the cow to distraction, sometimes causing her to step on the calf and injure it.  They may remain around the cow and newborn for hours after birth until hopefully, the cow is able to get the calf up and moving to safety in the brush where the birds are less able to get to it.  Often, she is totally exhausted by that time.  In this area, a large percentage of calves lost at birth fall to the vultures.

I suppose this isn't really a subject most people want to read about on their Saturday morning.  It's not enjoyable to think about, but it is the way the world works.  There are predators and vultures at every turn trying to take advantage of the helpless and defenseless.  One of the worst was recently removed from a high position in the Iranian military.  The event seems to have disturbed a bunch of other vultures -- many of which are in our nation's capital.  They are ones whose predatory ways could be stopped by the voters in their home districts.  It's too bad the people who keep them in power are deluded into believing they should remain in office.

On a related subject, the behavior I saw on videos of the signing of papers of impeachment really did remind me of vultures.  They surround and look for every opportunity to pounce on the one who ordered that one of their own be removed from this earth.  I guess when you think about it in those terms it makes more sense that they would behave in the manner they do.

Vultures have a place in nature.  The Black Vultures are an invasive species in this country.  The vultures in Washington are an invasive species in this land of freedom -- they want to take our freedom away.  Black Vultures are also prolific.  It seems there are more and more of them every year.  The same thing is happening with the DC vultures.  Maybe that's what they should re-name their football team since everyone has been up-in-arms about calling them the Redskins.  The "Washington Vultures" would be an appropriate name for the team which represents those in power...

I didn't intend to get political when I started out this morning....

House For Sale

For Sale,

One old farm house.

Needs paint

And minor repairs.

Back porch roof leaks.

Known locally

As that haunted house

But no bodies

Have been found

To date.

Will consider

Any reasonable offers.

Immediate possession.

Cash preferred.

Call Morticia for more information.

(The image credit goes to my Realtor spouse who saw this gem yesterday.  It's not really for sale, but she's had a few that looked about like it....)

Thundering Sales

This morning we woke to thunder rolling across the sky.  My selection of images of storms is virtually non-existent.  I love to watch them, but I never think to take photos.  This one isn't very representative because it is still dark outside and the heavy feeling in the air is nothing like the shower shown above.

Of our two dogs, one curls up at the back of her doghouse if there is any hint of thunder or, rain, while the other goes out and stands in the yard looking at the sky.  I don't know if he likes the rain or, is just curious as to what all the noise is about.  It's interesting to see the differences in their personality.

People are the same way; some like the storms and others want to hide until they pass.  I have a tendency to want to go watch them.  I'm sure I've written before about watching storm clouds while growing up.  I've seen lots of tornadoes and violent storms through the years.  That's part of growing up in the Texas Panhandle/South Plains area.

Back to personalities, though; I've always been intrigued by different personalities in people.  I like to observe and see how other people react to things or, how they react to other people.  I suspect it is part of what has helped me be effective in sales -- reading people.  Once you understand someone's personality, it is easier to determine what motivates them and how they make decisions.

Often, it is difficult to unravel what "makes people tick."  Personalities can be highly complex.  An example just happened to fly by as I was typing the previous paragraph -- a tiny gnat-sized flying critter passed in front of me.  I swatted it out of the air and it landed on the screen.  I then used my finger to remove it from the screen.  I was first annoyed by the bug, then was gratified at knocking it out of the air, irritated that it landed on the screen and then pleased that I was able to get it off without leaving a smudge.  Similar sequences of emotion pass through a prospective customer when you are presenting to them.  You have to learn to read those things in their body language, facial expressions and comments.  When you can do that effectively, you can zero in on the positives, avoid the negatives and improve your chances of completing a sale.

Now, how did I go from thunderstorms to sales?  Beats me.  I'll leave that to someone else to decipher....

A Worthy Mascot?

I've sometimes asked the question

Of myself, if no one else,

About the nature of the coyote.

Is he really a great predator

Or, just a scavenger?

Whichever doesn't mean that much to me

Except that I have noted

He is quite the survivor

And seems to thrive;

No matter where you look

He's always there.

I grew up watching cartoons

Of him and the roadrunner

And the ineptitude with which he was endowed

Is certainly misleading

Because it is probably

The opposite of his character.

He finds a way,

In spite of urban encroachment

And hunting pressure,

To prolifically occupy

A special niche in the environment.

Perhaps he could best be described

As an opportunist

With a knack for finding ways

To overcome adversity.

I think I will adopt him as my mascot

Because that is the type of character

One must have in this

Old crazy world

Which seems to think up is down

And left is right

And the roadrunner always wins.

Morning Fog

The sound of droplets falling

From the heavy leaves

Breaks the silence

Of the blanketing stillness;

Enfolding,

Holding.

The quiet morning fills me

With the peace of presence

For nothing is stirring

Except the gentle dripping

All

Around.

Peace and Purpose

After the storms have passed

There is peace.

After the storms have passed

There is rest.

Sometimes

It is best

To sit

And contemplate

The peace

Rather than to 

Rush headlong

Down the same

Worn paths.

In the peace after the storm

Seek purpose.

In the peace after the storm

Seek meaning.

Then

You can best

Determine

The path

Forward

To the next

Adventure

Awaiting

Just ahead.

Variation, Behavior and Blame

They say that variety is the spice of life and I agree; doing the same thing day after day gets old quickly and my productivity diminishes when that is the case.  I thought the image of this "tiger stripe" steer was fairly representative of variety.  He was part of a group we bought a couple of years ago.  These were on grass for a brief pre-conditioning period before going into the feedyard.  They grew well, performed well and made a little money in spite of the huge variation in the pen.

Variety is good for some things, but not for others.  Because of the genetic variation in this group of cattle, the tendency for them to "grow apart" as they aged was even worse than normal.  They were ready to harvest at different times.  Fortunately, they were finished at a facility that was willing to "top the pen" which means they shipped them to harvest in groups as they were ready.

These days, this kind of discussion causes a very negative reaction among many people.  Talking about "harvesting" these animals creates a feeling of revulsion.  I personally think it is because we anthropomorphize them through making pets part of "family" and watching television shows that focus on the "cuteness" of animals as opposed to their true nature or, purpose in the ecosystems they occupy. 

Cattle, quite simply, are born to be food.  It is their primary purpose for being on this planet.  They are a mobile, reproducing, energy harvesting machine that stores the energy from the sun which is first captured in plants and then concentrated in the tissue of the animal for later consumption.  They are uniquely and amazingly suited for that sole purpose.

The natural world is designed to function in ways we are only now beginning to understand.  All of life on this planet is dependent on energy from the sun for survival.  Each animal, including humans, is designed to fit specific niches in the environment.  Within those niches, animals tend to attempt modification of the environment to suit their own specific needs.  A great example of this is the beaver which builds dams in streams which change the water flow and thus the surrounding local ecosystem.  Sometimes those beaver dams get taken out by the raging torrent of a flooding river.

Humans are by far the worst at modifying the environment.  We lay acre after acre of concrete and asphalt that alters the planet.  Sadly, in our ignorance of the impact we have, we change the earth to the point that in some places it is to our own detriment.  Flooding and altered weather patterns can be a result.  Because of our egocentricity, we tend to place the blame on other things.  Right now, one of the primary objects of "blame" is animal agriculture -- the production of food from animals.  It seems strange to me that we would blame a natural process for issues resulting from our unnatural behavior.  That's not exactly accurate -- our alteration of the environment to suit our purposes is part of our natural behavior, it's just that we have the ability to understand and reason through the facts that point to the ultimate consequences of that behavior; the planet will fight back. 

Enrichment

Time is but the measure of

Growth, death and decay

From which new life springs

To grace the day

With beauty.

Sometimes I seem to think in "greeting card" fashion.  My mind says, "that's deserving of a poem" on the one hand, but on the other says, "that's too much work!"  So, we get a single verse.  Still, this old rotten log with the moss and lichens -- hollow from where the heart wood has been consumed -- deserves recognition.  It was only after I had looked for a time that I saw the new tree growing up from among the detritus.

Hopefully, each of our lives will be like this old tree; we may not leave much behind, but if it nourishes the growth of those who follow, our time here will be well spent.  May you enrich the lives of those around you in all that you do.

They Went That Way!

Trails have always interested me.  It may seem strange to most people, but I wonder things like, how many times did an animal have to  pass over that same stretch of ground for the trail to become obvious?  Was it one animal or, multiple animals?  How long did it take for it to become a developed trail?  Do they have road crews that survey the path and remove any obstacle? -- maybe add gravel or, pavement?  Okay, maybe not the part about the road crews, but the rest of the questions really do cross my mind when I see game trails in the woods or, the pasture.

Animals are as much creatures of habit as are people.  It's something that hunters learn because those habits make the animal predictable.  It's also something landowners learn because trails cross fences too -- or, more likely go under them.  I've seen where the feral hogs have crossed under a fence to the point they create a deep mud hole that can become so bad cattle will exploit the opening.

Why do we tend to follow the same old pathways time and time again?  I was strongly reminded of that fact yesterday as I spent a good portion of my day on Interstate 35.  It is a pathway chosen by far too many people.  When I got to the north side of Waco (I was heading north) I decided I had enough of the fun and took the back roads the rest of the way home.  I breathed a sigh of relief when I could look ahead and not see a single car.

I definitely prefer the back roads.  I also prefer to get off the beaten path when I'm out in the woods or, the pasture.  I want to go places where there are few or, no tracks.  I want to see and do things never seen and done before.  I want to be the explorer, the path finder, the first to break the trail.  Hand me the machete and let me cut through the jungle on our way to some new place.

The trouble is, there has always been someone there before us.  Unless you were born at the dawn of the human race it is unlikely you will find anywhere on this planet that hasn't been fully investigated -- maybe not within human memory, but you can bet there will be evidence of humans if you look closely enough.  I envy the astronauts who will be the first to set foot on faraway planets at some distant time in the future.

I guess I've always had a tendency to go my own way.  Sometimes I get strange looks from others because of that proclivity, but that's okay with me.  If you tell me "they went that way," I'm likely to strike out in the opposite direction.  I like to make my own paths.  I suppose I'm just a contrarian by nature.

One Step at a Time

In this world of anger, hate and fear,

Seek peace in contentment.

Follow the path set for you

One step at a time --

Even when you seem to be alone.

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things." -- Philippians 4:8

Facing Fears

Making a decision

Means facing consequence;

You can jump right in the pen

Or, sit there on the fence.

But, if you stay upon that rail

Instead of being bold

You'll never gain a single thing

Except for getting old.

Nature's Energy Food

I picked up this small handful of native pecans off of our front sidewalk.  They aren't very big but they are very flavorful.  It's probably because their oil content seems to be higher than many of the cultivated varieties.  That oil makes them high in energy.  We had a pecan pie made from some off of the same tree for Thanksgiving.

Most people in this part of the world don't bother with the native pecans since they are so small; they prefer the cultivated and grafted varieties that produce much larger nuts.  As a consequence, most of the smaller, native pecans are wasted.  Some, of course, are eaten by wildlife, including the pervasive squirrels which seem to be the most prolific of the local fauna.  Many, however, are buried by the squirrels to come up as trees in the spring.  I never would have thought that I would view seedling pecan trees as weeds.

One of our dogs -- the redbone coonhound -- can smell the pecans in the ground.  We find her digging them up from where the squirrels had buried them.  If you watch, you will see her sniffing around the yard until she comes across one of the subterranean treasures which she then will dig up and eat.  I'm sure the shell isn't good for her, but I don't know how to stop her from doing it.

Growing up I wasn't a big fan of pecans.  I still don't care for pecans in cookies -- except for Pecan Sandies and maybe a few others where the nut has been ground to tiny pieces.  I definitely don't care for them in chocolate chip cookies but, I have found that as an adult, it's hard to beat a Pecan Pie.  My preferred way to eat it is on top of a bowl of Bluebell Ice Cream.

This was a bumper crop year for pecans in this part of Texas.  A number of people have mentioned that their trees are loaded and I have observed it to be true as I drive about the area; it's easy to spot the clusters of nuts hanging high on the bare branches.

Every few days I will walk around the front yard picking up the pecans that have fallen.  I often find half-eaten ones that the squirrels got to first.  They waste an awful lot of them.  We should be getting close to the end of the crop since most have fallen from the trees.  Now, I just need to get them all shelled....

Deep Roots, Spreading Branches

I find that trees are illustrative of many things in life.  I have used the above image before, but it seemed appropriate to use it again.  It is of an ancient oak tree that grows deep in the woods on what we call "the island" which was our name for a location which was between two creeks on the land we recently sold.  This particular tree is probably about double my age, but is an example that is fitting.

Yesterday, two things occurred that were reminders to stay connected to my roots.  The first was a phone call from an uncle who said one of his New Year's resolutions was to do a better job of staying in touch with people.  I deeply appreciated the call and took it as a reminder that I should do the same.  The second was getting together with a small group last night who had roots to my home town.

The comparison to the tree is that we shared a common beginning and that included many memories and points of connection.  Like the tree, however, we have grown and spread our branches through children, grandchildren and the experiences we each have that took us places far from our roots.  The amazing thing is how we were drawn back together primarily because of that shared origin.

It isn't as though we all were close in our formative years, but one of our number seemed to be the common denominator that drew us together.  Such people are rare and to be treasured.

Wherever you go and wherever you grow, don't neglect your roots.  They are the anchor that keeps us grounded into fertile soil which is what allows us to reach our potential.  I pray that 2020 will be a year of reaching for the sky.  Just as the branches of this tree strain upward in their quest for the strength and energy of the sun, my you reach for the strength of The Son.

"I can do everything through Him who give me strength." -- Philippians 4:13

Iconic Inspiration

As promised, above is an image of the completed puzzle from the post of a few days ago.  I apologize for the poor quality of the image, but puzzles are highly reflective of light and it is difficult to get the picture without a bright glare.

The puzzle was a Christmas gift from our grandchildren.  It was challenging in all of the normal ways, plus the fact that I couldn't use my usual method of assembling the border first and then filling in the interior.  Because of the unique shape, the border pieces often looked like interior pieces and vice versa.  It also had a peculiar cut to the pieces so that the corners often didn't match and what looked to be space for one piece ended up holding two or, more.

The theme of the puzzle was perfect; "Images of Texas."  There were a couple of items that seemed a bit out-of-place, however, such as putting the pelicans in the deserts of West Texas near El Paso and including a few saguaro cacti with the free-roaming horses in what might be the Guadalupe Mountains which should be where the pelicans are, sans saguaro, of course, since that particular cactus is native to regions further west.  It is found in the Sonoran Desert, not the Chihuahuan Desert, which covers parts of western Texas.

I realize there is limited space in such a puzzle, but other iconic images of Texas might have been included such as The Lighthouse formation in Palo Duro Canyon, or something representing technology such as NASA or, the computer industry of Austin.  They left out the oil and gas sector, miles of giant wind turbines, cattle feeding, farming, and most importantly, the diversity of people that grace our great state.

I am quite certain the puzzle was designed by a non-Texan and built in another country.  I didn't check the box to see.  The images chosen for it, though, are revealing in their nature; they show what people who didn't grow up here think of when Texas comes to mind.  Western films, many of which were made in Arizona or, northwestern Mexico, are the reason for the inclusion of saguaro.  The modern mindset that the energy business is "bad" and wild horses are "good" also comes through in the chosen images.  Inclusion of the Alamo is interesting because it represents so many things.  Its iconic facade moves a Texan's heart into his throat and fills him with a patriotic fervor that inflames the will to fight against the odds, even with knowledge that ones own efforts are merely to buy time for and to inspire those who will continue the battle.

It is also interesting to me that the images on the puzzle include a number which appear to be at sunset, or twilight.  I wonder if such were subliminally implanted in the creators mind due to the idea that such a place -- Texas -- was fading; that it was, or is, in the twilight years of existence; I would choose the bursting light of sunrise instead.  There is something which subtly differentiates the two times of day which comes across even in photographs, or paintings, if composed correctly.  I choose the optimism of sunrise rather than the pessimism of sunset. 

Even today, in many ways Texas stands alone -- apart -- a lone star resisting the tide of socialism that is sweeping the coasts of our country.  It isn't the resistance represented by the Alamo, but one more nearly represented by the central figure riding out of the flag with the blue of loyalty, white of purity, red of bravery and a single star which represents unity of all for God, state and country.

Yeah, I'm Texan through and through and proud of it.  The pride isn't one of being better than others, it is the pride of being tied to values which transcend the passing fads and vagaries of political winds with adherence to a code of independence reflective of those who fought and died for freedom rather than subservience to a government -- no matter the form of tyranny or, bureaucracy.  I pray that Texas will remain true to those values and that throughout the world (no matter where puzzles are made) we will continue to represent those things which inspire.

Resolutions, Intentions and Wishes

In this new year in which my sole resolution was to write more, I'm struggling to write.  I suspect the old boy in the image above might have some pungent commentary regarding my resolution.

What is the reason that causes us to fail in implementing our resolutions?  I suspect it is simply the root of the word itself -- resolve.  We fail for lack of resolve.  That leaves two solutions: 1) don't make resolutions for which you haven't already developed the resolve to complete or, 2) develop some resolve!

I think all of us have good intentions.  That is what most lists of New Year's resolutions is in reality, a list of good intentions.  I'm sure there is a legal definition of intent because it is a word used in certain criminal charges such as "intent to kill."  I'm thinking of the word more in the way of a wish perhaps?  We all wish to be better and to do the things we know we should do, but we fail to back that wish with "intent" or, better yet, "purpose."  We merely think that by wishing a thing it will be so.

I suspect many of you who made resolutions for the new year are experiencing similar struggles with executing on those "wishes."  I believe the best approach is to adopt a resolution of working on one thing at a time, throughout the year, throughout your life.  We all know of areas in which we need to improve.  For some, it might be a simple bad habit such as failing to take out the trash on a regular basis.  For others, it might be some destructive behavior such as smoking, or eating too much.  The key is to select a single area for improvement and to focus on changing your attitude and your behavior in incremental steps.  Set goals regarding that behavior.

For me and my goal of writing, it is to set aside a period of time each day in which I write.  I already have that time and you are reading the result.  This is because of a resolution that I set about 1 1/2 years ago.  The next step in that journey of "writing more" is to set aside an additional period of time each day in which to write -- not merely just to assemble words on a blank page, but to focus on something a little more in-depth than the daily post to this blog or, journal if you prefer to call it such.

It might not actually seem to be contributory, but I have read more the last couple of days.  Reading what others have written can help develop one's own writing skills.  The words of others provide examples of structure, style and content which may or, may not be applied to one's own work.  One of the things I am reading currently is a diary kept by Captain Harry C. Butcher, USNR, called "My Three Years With Eisenhower."  It covers the years 1942 through 1945.  If you know anything of history, you will immediately associate that period of time with Eisenhower's role in World War II as the Commander of Allied Forces in Europe.  If you are a student of WWII, I highly recommend the book.  It is highly readable.  My daughter loaned it to me some time back and I am just now getting around to reading it.

Anyway, back to resolutions, intentions and wishes; it is still early in the year.  Don't set them aside just yet, but realize that changing habits is difficult.  The best approach is the incremental one.  Also, expect to fail, but understand that failure, in the case of changing habits at least, doesn't need to be permanent.  It's like falling down; don't just lay there on the sidewalk complaining, get up, brush off, staunch the bleeding and get back to it.  We all carry scars.

Now, to schedule additional writing time today....

Trash or Treasure

I went with my Realtor spouse to view a piece of land the other day and in an isolated area near the back of the property we came across this interesting piece of art placed strategically near a pond.  One can only assume the proprietor to be some eccentric character wishing to brighten the otherwise normal landscape with this beautiful object which must represent something particularly special.  It certainly caught our eye.

It reminds me of a George Strait song, "The Chair."  Also, the interesting assemblages of Stanley Marsh III in the Amarillo, Texas, area come to mind where he has artwork erected on his various properties such as the "Feet of Colossus" wearing athletic socks.  I suppose both Strait and Marsh are connected through another song, "Amarillo by Morning," which was the first George Strait song I ever heard.

I was, quite frankly, surprised that there wasn't a mound of beer cans beside the chair.  If that had been the case I would merely have attributed its presence to some typical backwoods East Texas hunter who eschewed the typical camouflaged blind for a more open position from which to pursue his sport.

Perhaps the chair was placed there by some mother deer who wanted a place to sit and watch her children playing in the meadow.  The location being somewhat remote, it is likely she would have had a book in hand rather than the pervasive cell phone, while watching her offspring gamboling through the tall grasses as she sipped a tall glass of iced tea.  Cell service was definitely spotty, but the camera on mine worked perfectly.

I never cease to be amazed at the things one finds when people are oblivious to the visual impact of their surroundings on others.  We are all guilty on some level of normalizing objects which to others are annoying on some level.  I find this greatest among pet owners who become insensitive to accumulated pet hair on their furniture and rugs.  It becomes acceptable through its pervasiveness.  As the spouse of a Realtor I am frequently reminded that such behavior seems to be the norm rather than the exception.  It is astonishing the number of people who wish to sell their property and won't even take the time or, effort to conduct a thorough cleaning.  That failure can be expensive.

Caring for that which one has the privilege of having within one's care is the very definition of ownership.  It can be as simple as properly disposing of the trash rather than parking it in the middle of a pasture.

The Cycle of Change

I've heard it said that the way we start a new year sets the pattern for the coming year.  If that's the case, it will be one of getting up early!

There's a certain symmetry to writing 2020.  I realize after looking at the image above that I might should have spent a little more time and "drawn" it rather than writing.  It is a little sloppy.  I'm sure someone who is versed in analyzing handwriting will have something to say about the way I failed to close my O's.

I'm sure that many of you have resolutions for the coming year.  If you are so inclined, please comment with some of them -- they must be suitable for all audiences.  If you are not so disposed, that's okay as well.  My list is short this year; write more.  Yes, as I write this I am acknowledging that I need to write more -- no, not necessarily longer posts on this blog, but serious writing.

I wonder what this new decade will bring?  The History Channel says: "In the Roaring Twenties, a surging economy created an era of mass consumerism, as Jazz-Age flappers flouted Prohibition laws and the Harlem Renaissance redefined arts and culture."  Will the 2020's be a repeat?  After all, we are seeing a strong economy and "mass consumerism" is definitely the norm.

If you look back to the 1820's there were some interesting things happening.  Maine and Missouri became states, President Monroe announced the Monroe Doctrine, Moses Austin and his son Stephen F. Austin were establishing a settlement at San Felipe in the Mexican state of Texas, Napoleon died on the island of St. Helena, aluminum was discovered and the Rosetta Stone was translated.  Oh, and the Democratic Party was created.  That one is particularly interesting since they broke off from the Democratic-Republican Party over Andrew Jackson who was much like our current President in that he was supported by the rural parts of the country and known for his stubbornness which gave rise to the donkey as the symbol of the Democratic party.  My how history runs in cycles.  I expect a new party to break off from the Democratic party in the 2020's; it will be the Democratic Socialists.  It will occur after backlash over the rising socialist tendencies creates a split within the party.  It might happen as early as the next election cycle.

Also, in 1826, the first photographs were taken and in 1829, a patent for the "first typewriter" was filed.  There is some question as to it actually being the first, but it is the first that was well documented.  Both of those inventions contributed to this morning's post.  It is amazing to me that both have been replaced by the hand-held computers we carry around with us everywhere we go which are known as cell phones.  I suspect that name will soon be replaced by something more encompassing of their functionality.

What will the decade of the 2020's bring?  Any predictions out there?  Will we return to the moon?  Make it to Mars?  Will we see the 30's bring another depression such as followed the 1920's?  Perhaps the 2030's will be more like the 1830's and Texas will secede -- this time from the U.S. rather than from Mexico.

Enough of the prognostication.  Maybe I should add a resolution to focus more on the present?  I like science fiction too much for that.  I also like history.  Maybe if we balance the two....