...Good for you.

With minutes left in 2006 I wish you peace in the coming new year.
I wish you everything that makes you happy and healthy.
I wish for you peace of heart and head.
May you know God's Grace and find a quiet place when the world get's too loud and cruel.
May you be safe and share your blessings with others whenever you can.
To wonder, delight, the element of surprise, mystery and anticipation of all that life has in store that is good for you.
To God's Amazing Grace. For Faith to keep us going and hoping for all that is good for you and for me.

Take a deep breath and bounce right in to 2007, the second half of the first decade of the 21st century.

Lyrics to love and live by...

~India Ari sings from the cd Timeless by Sergio Mendez; "Kindness is Timeless, Love never goes out of style".
¤¤¤
~In Stevie Wonder's "Songs in The Key of Life" album (circa 1975) heart stopping melodies, masterfully complimenting mind expanding wonderful, words of wisdom, the following lines can be heard in "As"...Just as time knew to move on since the beginning and the seasons know exacty when to change, I'll be loving you...
Did you know that kindness knows no shame...
Did you know that true love asks for nothing...
Did you know that life has given love a guarantee...
Just as hate knows love's the cure, do know what I say is sure; I'll be loving you."

Lyrics laden with love, light & insight, fill me up;
Love it!!!

Lamenting on the 23rd

Do you ever feel so good you wish everyone in the world could to?
Do you ever feel so bad you want the world to go away?
Do you ever get so mad you want to yell, hit and run away?
Do you ever laugh so hard you hope it never ends?
Do you ever get choked-up and want to cry due to someone else's suffering?
Does your heart ever feel like it has broken into a thousand pieces?
Do you ever feel so blessed, loved and content?
Do you ever feel so isolated, lonely and alone?

To have everything, anything, a little or nothing at all and find a way to cultivate what is right, with honor, humble and noble all at once, and armed with the heart of a lion.

Tears of joy sparkle and shine and make the tears of sadness and grief go away.
In awe and wonder, recognizing beauty in the simplist, subtlest thing.
Precious, simple gestures of kindness bearing bold strength, quietly canceling out harshness, Magnificant humble hearts leave me breathless.
I wonder and wait, seek and find, give and receive sometimes good, sometimes bad, then just as lightening fast as the wind whips and whirls and makes bones ache... a sudden turn of events...the world changes. Change so constant, eminate, relentless, mysterious, insisting you marvel at the evololution of life and time, pleasure and pain, wreckless and abandoned or bracing yourself, ready or not for more of the same.

HOPE

The following was published in The Sun
March 2003*Issue 327
In one of the backpages Sunbeams can be found. Wise words of simple reflection are posted and stem from all walks of life. The compelling quote is without a title; However one word, one syllable sums it up; HOPE.

Stop thinking this is all there is...Realize that for every ongoing war and religious outrage and environmental devastation and bogus Iraqi attack plan, there are a thousand counter-balancing acts of staggering generosity and humanity and art and beauty happening all over the world, right now, on a breathtaking scale, from flower box to cathedral...Resist the temptation to drown in fatalism, to shake your head and sigh and just throw in the karmic towel...Realize that this is the perfect moment to change the energy of the world, to step right up and crank your personal volume; right when it all seems dark and bitter and offensive and acrimonious and conflicted and bilious... there's your opening. Remember magic, And, finally, believe you are part of a groundswell, a resistance, a seemingly small but actually very, very large impending karmic overhaul, a great shift, the beginning of something important and potent and unstoppable.

-----Mark Morford

Happy Birthday Twins

On September 23, 1957 Mark Allen Joseph joined the human race at 7:11am MST and twin sister Mary Ellen followed four minutes later after a brief stretch alone without a womb mate to curl up with.

It's been a hell of a ride, all the trail blazin and hell raisin, the lessons learned, all the life and living shared. The laughter and sass, the unspoken understandings, special and particular to twins.

Here's to twins, Mary and Mark. Happy Birthday you crazy puddin head twins!
Thanks for the memories, the joy and sterling times only twin brother and twin sister could understand and feel and hold close to the heart. The soul, the spirit, the tandem times of life double up, double the love, double the care and closeness.
Long live twins and the precious place only twins are allowed.

The Eve of 9/11

What a time line. Life in these United States before the day of darkness in our untouchable land of milk and honey. People waking up to begin a new day, pouring a cup a coffee, fixing a bowl of cereal, deciding what to wear to work or school.
Making plans and keeping appointments. The calls, conversations and usual activities.
Living out an average day, nothing special no warning. Just another day in paradise.

Who knew? Who would have thought the next day would hold such unforeseen, unimaginable moments. Ripping families apart, tearing, twisting, crashing, crushing blow after blow to countless innocent lives. Bring them back, let this be just a bad, bad dream. Oh My God. This can't be happening. Has it already been five years since the plotting of distruction on so many?

All of a sudden from one day to the next we find out this land, yours and mine, becomes vulnerable to acts of hatred, terrifying to those who call America home. The melting pot of the world, taking in huddled masses, the tired and poor in pursuit of a better way of life, opportunities, happiness and liberty. Who knew such chaos would take place the following day? Who knew such ugly, unspeakable acts of cruelty would transpire? The panic, fear that would unfold the next day as the whole world watched in disbelief would change everything from one day to the next.

God help us all.

Be Nice

Wouldn't it be nice if nobody ever felt unloved,slighted,mad,frustrated,overheated,cheated,overworked,underpaid,
mistreated,misjudged,abused,neglected,forgotten,disrespected,abandoned? Would it be nice?

If everybody was more about
RESPECT,Being Fair,peace,kindness,LOVE,compassion,
balance,tolerance,forgivness,patience,tenderness,simplicity?
Wouldn't it be nice?

A Little Shumn Shumn

One thought after the other, hopefully in a positive direction. Moving forward, feeling like blazing a trail, no regard or consideration for failure. Have at it, just do it and all that jazz. Make something happen, make something good happen.Make someone happy, recognize, acknowledge, accept, appreciate, care and more of the same.

Moving about looking for the next best thing... Of value, significant, interesting, insightful, funny, fascinating, ferocious, precious, bright, beautiful, brilliant, spiritual, sounds, sights, smells, tastes, all senses, sensations ready at the helm, watching and waiting on the ready alert.

The Question Is

QUESTION IS…

Where would we be without certain things in our lives? Where would we be without priceless things to enjoy and feel good about and take comfort in from this cruel, crazy, beautiful world?

Where would we be without the fluttering butterfly, so simple, splendid and majestic? Where would we be without singing birds? A candid choir of natural sound. Without our awesome pets, good friends and family who loves us, where would we be? Without the brilliant sun that shines radiantly from God’s eye, the feel of a gentle breeze as if from the sweet breath of an angel, where would we be?

Without sweet freedom, freewill, choices, awareness of goodness, kindness and Grace, compassion, respect and reverence for life, I ask you, where would we be?

Soul Music

When I was a kid I thought “soul music” was exclusive to black people and only “hippies” listened to the music of Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix. I don’t know if my conservative catholic school upbringing in the 60’s had anything to do with my ignorance or just sheltered me from the vast world out there. I’ve since come to appreciate that just as a rose is still a rose by any other name so to is “soul music” color blind and the river that crosses cultures. “Colored music” represents the shades and hues found in musician’s names, song titles and lyrics. “Soul music” comes from the spirit and core of its creators and takes on its own distinctive meaning to the listener each listener.
The origins of “soul music” is a combination of Gospel music and rhythm and blues with roots that go deep into Africa and Europe, into the far reaches of our world and can be heard loud and clear in a broad spectrum of music.
In downtown Albuquerque one summer evening in the mid-70’s, where several blocks of Central Avenue, also known as “The Mother Road” and Route 66 were blocked off for what was called at that time “Saturday Night Downtown”. I stopped to listen to a group of mariachi’s perform when I heard someone comment on what a soulful sound mariachi’s make and how the sound of the trumpet player was the most soulful sound she had ever heard. I had to think about that. I thought about how shortsighted I had been for thinking that soul music was just something people like Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and the Supremes and the Temptations did. It was an epiphany for me when I realized soul music was really about passion, pain, joy and any number of intense feelings we live with in our lives.
Another time I was walking around the cemetery where my twin brother, Mark is buried. I thought I was alone in the cemetery except for all the dearly departed resting in peace. It was a profound feeling of isolation and melancholy but what was even more profound were the sudden sounds of a bagpipe player waling out “Amazing Grace” up on a grassy hill off in the distance. The sound suddenly burst into the stillness of the cemetery sending a chill up my spine, it was the most soulful, sorrowful and hauntingly beautiful sound I have ever heard. I stood in awe of the moment. It was like a dream as the air resonated with strong, vibrant yet piercingly, mournful music.
Switching gears we take a spin, a musical colorful cruise for the fun of it, a joy ride with musicians and music filled with color, limitless, boundless color.
Aretha Franklin and Bruce Springsteen both rode in a “Pink Cadillac”, “Lets Stay Together” with Al Green, Lee Greenwood, James Brown and Jackson Browne, Barry White, The Average White Band and Maurice White of Earth, Wind and Fire. Many a song has been created with our country’s red, white and blue in mind. “Off we go into the Wild Blue Yonder,” one song rings, while Nat King Cole crooned about “The Orange Colored Skies.”
“A White Christmas”, a red nose reindeer… and “Silver Bells”, are all the rage in December. Fleetwood Mac sang about “Silver Springs” and Bob Seager ran with The Silver Bullet Band. Dobey Gray, The Indigo Girls, and Simply Red laid bare, their true colors along with Leon Redbone. UB40 liked “Red Red Wine” and my hometown enjoys the colorful music of; Red Wine, Los Blue Ventures and Purple Haze.
Leon Russell and George Benson each have their own take on a “Lady Blue.” Blue Oyster Cult had a rugged sound and Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes asked, “What Does It Take”? The New Riders of The Purple Sage, Deep Purple and Black Sabbath played rock hard. Pink Floyd, Pink and The Red-Hot Chili Pepper’s just tell it like it is where Snoopy’s association with “The Red Baron” is magic.
“Blue Eyed Soul” has been plentiful with the likes of Elvis “Don’t Step on My Blue Suede Shoes” Presley and “Blue Christmas”. I couldn’t believe Boz Skaggs was white the first time I heard “Lowdown”. The “Fab Four” invaded the US in their “Yellow Submarine” and a Green Apple record label followed. So many Blues singers and musicians past and present, black and white, conveying intense feelings of regret, remorse, love gained and love lost, expressing excitation, exhilaration and inspiration. The list goes on as familiar stories are told with passion and pain, joy and grief.
The Moody Blues sang about “Knights in White Satin.” Melba Moore and Melissa Manchester referred to “Midnight Blue” in two different songs. More out of the blue include; “Jackie Blue,” “Blue Moon,” “Blue Monday” and “Blue Velvet.” Willie Nelson and Elton John both sang about “Blue Eyes” while Crosby, Steels, Nash and Young sang about “Sweet Judy Blue Eyes”. No way can I not mention one of my all time fav’s; “Crystal Blue Persuasion” by Tommy James and the Shondell’s.
Procol Harum did an obscure number called “Whiter Shade of Pale, and ”Carlos Santana sings about a “Black Magic Woman” in addition to Ella Fitzgerald, so smooth with “That Old Black Magic”. Alannah Myles was sassy doing “Black Velvet” and “A Black Pearl” was big during the summer of 1969. There was a “Black Bird” singing in the dead of night while a “White Bird” flew it’s way into A Beautiful Day and “Una Paloma Blanca” enjoyed a spotlight in the 70’s with Tony Orlando and Dawn who “Tied A Yellow Ribbon Around the Old Oak Tree”. The Rolling Stones sashayed about with “Brown Sugar”. Barbara Streisand made beautiful music in “A Star Is Born” and “Evergreen”. The late 60s spawned “My Green Tambourine” the national anthem of flower children everywhere. “Green-eyed Lady.” And Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” were a couple of eye catchers while “Green Sleeves” carved a place for itself in the elegant world of romantic classics.
Three Dog Night declared; “The world is black, the world is white, together we grow to see the light.” Diversity celebrated in harmony as Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney echoed thoughts of peace in “Ebony and Ivory”.
“Pink Polka Dots” and “Purple People Eaters”, bubble gum music at it’s best. Nothing got couples dancing closer together then Chicago’s, “Color My World,” a popular love song in l975 and Homecoming theme song for many a High School around the country including Del Norte High School, my alma mature in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I have no doubt, overlooked several colorful musical mentionables... in any case I had a great time retracing memories while recalling the wonderful world of music that has accompanied me through life. The heart and soul of good music, heard loud and clear, softly, quietly in countless styles of music. Music that tugs at your heartstrings, exciting crown jewels of the music world. Lyrics coinsiding with rhythm and ryme, taking you away. Exuberant. Lush, rich, colorful and comforting. Call it soul, r & b, c& w, classical, jazz, rock, rap, rave pop, punk, gospel...if it stirs the soul, its “Soul Music”.

TURN IT UP!

Flickering Flame 11/04

Expect this and get that.
Love, the endless well we draw from,
Refreshing our hearts and weary souls.
Drink until you are full and thirst again.
The worst pain I've ever known,
The best joy I've ever felt,
It's true, It's you, the sun,
The moon, and the stars.
The flame of life, flickering,
Dancing along, unforgiving, potent, bold,
The tiny flame flickers, casting light so brilliant and real.

23

My favorite day of any month is the 23rd. I just like the number 23 all the way around. It's a good number, well rounded, doesn't want any trouble.
It's a rather soft, forgiving number, unassuming and easy to take.

Whenever I got to pick a number for my uniform in sports; Guess what number I choose? YOu guessed it...number 00. No just kidding, my first pick was always number 23. What's your favorite number? Do you have one? No pun intended. My twin brother and I were born on September 23rd, that's probably where it all started. Heehehehhehe...

I wanted to post a quick shumpin-shumpin on the 23rd of July. I did just that. Hope your week goes well. That is all. Over and out.

Froggy

The following entry is an excerpt from “Fill It to the Top” & “The Twin Chronicles,” Two story books written as gifts for my family: Christmas 1994 &1995.

FROGGY

A bowl of corn flakes, a piece of toast, maybe some chocolate milk and we were off to see Froggy. Froggy lived next door in Fofo and Florence’s backyard in the wishing well that was made of rough mortar and baseball-size rocks.

The wishing well was falling apart. It was more than half-way filled with dirt, bits of bricks and a variety of items like small broken pieces of charred wood and tiny pieces of concrete, chunks of thick, green, brown and blue colored glass.

An old wooden fence separated our backyards. We had to slide a loose slat over so we could walk through. Just a few more steps away… our friend, comrade and much to our delight; waited Froggy, Our treasure and gold mine of joy. The first time we spotted Froggy was serendipity at it's finest! After that first chance encounter with our friend there were many planned visits.

We sat comfortably on the short stack of lumber next to the well, leaning over to look inside. There was plenty of space for someone to sit on the wall of the well and it was the most perfectly wonderful place to be in the world.

The day Mark and Mary, four year old twins, setting off just after breakfast to hunt, not exactly knowing what they were hunting for. What a discovery! Froggy was all but weathered and brittle, broken bits of discolored sponge. Our find, nestled, just so, cozy, comfy, and always happy to us.

Froggy was quiet, we didn’t care, we managed to communicate and talk about everything and nothing at all. We enjoyed the company of our friend and getting lost in the magic of youthful innocence. Those lifeless pieces of dried up sponge came to life. Our special little friend was as old as time and as brand new as the first light of day.

The short visits seemed so timeless. We reveled in our little self-contained flights of fancy where our imagination took us to far away places, questions answered, observations made and wishes granted.

Froggy enhanced, entranced and enchanted the lives of two people forever. I hope you have known a friend like Froggy somewhere in your life as well.

Happy Birthday Sophie!

And a very Good and Happy Birthday wish to Mark's Hunny Bunny and my precious SOPHIE! Happy, Happy Birthday to you Sophie!!!

Here's to all the goodness you have shared with me, for all the days and nights you have sent good thoughts, blessings and prayers my way, for fun times, tender times, good laughs, for being such an exemplary member of The Hunny Bunny Brigade and for being such a good big sister to Mark & me.

All God's Blessings to you always.

Now go give 'um hell in the wild blue yonder!

xo,

me

Congratulations!

The following was a fictitious sample memo requested by a prospective employer some years ago. I dug it up and felt like posting it here. I think I'll start entering a few other published items of mine for the fun of it. I'd like to do the tighten up with this Blog site. The Dog Poet has a hell of a Blog thingy going on, quite impressive and makes me think; "That's what this little bloggy want's to be like when it grows up". Anywhooo:

MEMO TO:

Mr. Orbit Popejoy,
Director National Space and
Aeronautical Administration
Washington, DC 61723

Dear Mr. Popejoy; September 23,1962

Please accept my Congratulations on the official start of NASA and your position as Director of this extraordinary project!

We as a nation embark on a landmark endeavor only imagined before.
An assignment of this magnitude requires nothing less than the highest degree of excellence, and nothing more than the complete commitment of a brave, bold heart and mind.

The responsibilities of this program are vast and present unfathomable
possibilities. We are challenged with the distinct opportunity to blaze many trails in the advancement of human kind through space
exploration. The cost is understood and will be tremendous. And by the Grace of God, the trials will serve as a reminder to fully appreciate the tribulations.

I look forward to an exciting and productive alliance with you as the
United States of America propels itself into a new era of discovery.

Sincerely,


John F. Kennedy,
Commander In Chief
United States of America
Washington, DC 23123

Cc: R. Baron, Director of Mission Control, NASA
Cc: J. Rocket, Vice President USA
Cc: S. Hawkings, Ph.D. Physics, Astronomy, and Science-MIT

Bloggity Blog

This Blogging stuff is so 21st Century. It's like tagging, tatooing & leaving some type of mark for God knows who to come along and see whatchoo got to say. "Bruno Was Here." Hey, I'm over here. Do you give a shit?
A platform for venting, ranting, raving about whatever you please. Here's where I'm feeling particularly grateful for Freedom of speech and expression in my little corner of the world. Or at least that's what I think.

I heard an NPR http://www.npr.org/ story the other day about a group of people that were thown in jail for praying in the privacy of their home. They were Christians in mostly Islamic territory. Americans and many others are spoiled, and take for granted our freedom to do so much, say whatever to whomever, where ever. God speed to those who know such oppression and even more ugly, unimaginable darker sides of unjust humanity.

We can be provocative or prestine with our rhetoric. It's our call here @ Bloggerzville. One never knows what one will find. I myself have not dug into anything too terribly raunchy as a blogger, the need for that hasn't struck me yet. Well, unless you count that "But crack" antecdote, that one day? Now in my back yard sharing grinz-n-giggles with palz over drinks and such is another thing. Don't get me wrong I can get raunchier than raunch...but here? Nah, it could come back to bite me on the ass.

Anywhoo, Peace out until next time I want to ramble, rant or rave about God knows what.

Mother Nature Matinee & The Late Night Show

So the long and short of it goes something like this;
The weekend started with the most beautiful double rainbow.
All the colors of the spectrum so elegantly placed across the eastern sky as far as your outstretched arms can reach.

I can't find a roll of film to capture the awesome phenomenon. Phooey.
Well then we'll just marvel at the rainbows while we can.

The rains continues on and off throughout the weekend and as we wind down Sunday night,
I do a double take on the magnificant moon. Big, bright, bold and beautiful. It's the kind of moon that is eye popping and catches you unaware. With a glance...there he is, the man in the moon, as crystal clear as can be.

The drizzle, then the pounding, pouring rain. It turns torrential in a hurry, everything and everybody is drenched and soaking wet. Lighting bursts out with explosive, intimidating force, crashing into the heavens as the bolts of electricity darts and thrusts in flashes of fury.
The thunder rumbles and roars, crackling, crashing into the spectacular display of arial excitement.

It's been fun to witness all of the natural sights and sounds of these past few days.
An Extravaganza! Powerful & Humbling!!!

Daylight, Dusk & RAIN

My favorite time of day, when the sun has just set. Night pushes the daylight to the side. A Yinny/Yangy thing going on. The moment is a study of dichotomy as the sky is lit with hovering shade.

The light here is magical and the sunsets are a sight to behold. The sphere melts into the horizon with brilliant blood reds & blazing orange, yellow & bright white. The Sun bursts with a kaleidoscope of stunning streaks of sterling silver & pure gold. The colors of a bruise resonate with slivers of black & blue & purple reaching out with one more bold curtain call of color. Onlookers applaud with an ovation of inspiration, wonder and awe.

The air is sweet with the recent visiting rain. The thirsty earth begs the sky for more cool liquid refreshment, replenishment that offers rebirth to wilting life. People, pets, plants & trees seek relief in search of water. The relentless harshness of the sun creates crusty, dusty hot days of summer. The land and river beds cracks and cries, desperate for water, anything to keep from shriveling up, dropping dead and out of sight from heat exhaustion.

Then the rain, the wet sweet thrust of aqua pouring over like a blanket comforting an unsettled infant, quenching many a thirst, prompting a prayer of gratitude to the rain maker.
Ahhh the rain, how sweet it is.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Ahhh the Rain, how sweet it is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

July 2006

Well here we go, plunging right in to another month resplendent with balmy weather, fireworks, brunching with great former coworkers, radio airtime & Happy Birthday wishes to all you birthday babies of July!

To be productive or loaf on a hot, humid, sunny day?
That is the question and these kind of decisions I like.
No doubt the feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment will follow after taking care of a few chores, that's a good thing no doubt.
On the other hand lounging around, taking it easy doesn't sound to awful either. I think I'll take care of biniz and then lounge about, yeah that's the ticket and actually already in place.

June 2006

As June winds down a new moon is poised to bring other things to light.
June has been one of those emotional roller coaster type jobbies. So I set my sights on July, starting with the Fourth of July and all of those childhood memories...swimming, sweating, rolling around like puppies with my twin brother. Getting bit by a black or red ant was a typical Summer thing. Brother or I would somehow manage to step on a nail. Brother seemed to meet up with those pesky nails more oftne than me and a trip to get a vaccination would immediately insue especially if it was a rusty nail, tetanus or some such shot to eliminate the possibility infection.

Just rambling basically, wanted to get one more tidbit in on the last day/night of June.

Here's to a good Summer 2006, all the typical Summer time activities and goings on and the great memories of Summers past that surface and take us back to those balmy dog day mornings, afternoons and nights.

Day Dreamin

"What a day for a daydream"

Livin' on the grid is a love/hate thing. You know the webs of line that streams across the sky. Makes you wonder how much more challenging life would be yet simple at the same time without the wires, lines, maze of complex electrically charged connections into our safe havenz.
Many a bird call them parking spaces as they perch & sing their cheerful songs on the lines.
Telephone calls are made, cable & TV programs are received, utilities are produced, computers are plugged in & city living goes on accompanied by the black n metallic ropes strung along hither and yon.

Glen Campbell sings; "I am a lineman for the county", yes those lines are multipurposeful, sometimes annoying and even more necessary for city living then we know.

We depend on this stuff, livin on the grid. We freak out when the lights go out suddenly during a storm, out of control, so dependant upon grid living. Would love to build my own self contained, environmentally sound earthship like the ones found in Taos, New Mexico.
Yeah, that's the way to live. Someday perhaps.

Anywhoo, just day dreamin, Good day to you...peace out and all that jazz~

Happy Birthday Pink!

"They say it's your Birthday,"well Happy Birthday to Ya!!!!" -The Beatles

"You must have been a beautiful baby, cuz baby look at you now."

"On the day that you were born the angels got together and decided to create a dream come true ~ so they made `you." - The Carpenter's

And how lovely and precious you are.
What a better person I am because of you,
and how much richer this world is with you in it!
xo,
me

Summer Solstice

The longest day of the year huh?
Better to live it out peacefully, make merry and pass it on.

When the fall rolls around and it gets colder, the day's seem to close in on the night sooner than later, people seem to get cranky and have a shorter fuse. Folks and bones get a bit more brittle and stiff.

I beleive I'll soak up the sun, let it bath me with radiant goodness and be glad that I am in the middle of a special time of year while I can.

It's Pink's birthday on the 22nd. How precious and wonderful for the world.

Fireflies ><

Steaking, bouncing, rolling along their way to the next place in the world, moving across our path, placed there as if by divine appointment. Getting on about their business to take into our hearts, so simple and inspiring, pulling at our heart strings with a quiet voice we either hear and consider with sensitivity or we don't.

We don't see fireflies in this neck of the woods, island, part of the world etc. Unless you count the guy, walking with the purpose and confidence of a young buck sure of himself; the doctor, pilot, banker, bronco buster. The youngish looking fellow traversed the busy intersection with an energetic stride. Rush hour traffic scurried to and fro as the firefly went about his way with the dignity of a nobel giant. His walking stick guiding his path, navigating him along the street and sidewalks.
Did I mention the guy was blind?

Another firefly that caught my eye, I'd like to note while still fresh on my mind; A youngish girl driving down the boulevard crying, weeping with what looked like seering pain on her face. It was a split second glance that made me wonder what made her cry?
Did she just receive bad news, an argument, grief stricken perhaps? maybe just raging hormones? Whatever prompted that pain, I could almost feel it myself. You know letting go of tears is letting go of toxic waste, isn't so bad except for the safety factor while driving, actually is a good place to have a good cry.

Another firefly I happen to come across today was also spotted in passing while driving on the road. She was an elderly women walking, bent, small and delicate in stature, humble and unassuming. She wore a scarf on her head, perhaps to hold her newly done hair together or to protect her from the sun? The modesty of elders is humbling and keeps my ego in check as a reminder of how to go about my daily walk in life. Keep it real, simple and unpretentious. I think I have a thing or two thousand to learn from fireflies. ><

Wild Hair ~

Do you ever feel like just running a muck? You know, throwing caution to the wind, getting the proverbial "wild hair," especially right smack dab in the middle of the work week to raise hell and do things that are totally off the wall, out of sight and out of the ordinary.

Those times are so rare, fleeting and far between. I suppose that is why they are so delicious and such a treat. Extraordinary moments create an alchemy that thrust us into the future with a brave, bold, brazen, beastly, beautiful heart and leaves the mundane in it's wake. Yet it is the mundane, the thick and heavy times of everyday stuff that also keeps us sane and on track.

I look out for & forward to those precious beads of time that bare witness to the child in us, the fun loving, uninhibited, narley, rock 'um, sock 'um kid in us who is just dying to cut loose and soak-in delight, wonder, excitment, that priceless place that fuels our engines and reignites our enthusiasm, energizing us so we can carry on & contribute to the world.

While not looking too hard as it can not be forced... I know somewhere down the road I'll run into that shiny "Radio Flyer" of a time sure to propell me into an experience of goodness, to savor and cultivate and remember for years to come.

Under the Influence Of The MOON ;O)

...and how very sweet it is! The night air settles from a day full of energy, action, life. Reflecting on a fun two days including music at the zoo with Sisters Morales, surrounded by well taken care of animals from a wide array of various species of exotic, tropical & wild animals, an even wilder parade, radio air time, dancing, eats-n-drinks a GoGo plus dancing. Prayer & communing with the Holy Spirit, a drive out to the country plus a Sunday night walk with loved ones and my precious dog, Sunny Marie, a Boxer, she's great! The weekend winds down as we slowly, almost reluctantly turn our attention to the week and what it holds, hoping and expecting goodness.

TWINS

It is a special thing to be a twin.
It is a razor sharp pain when your twin braves his own final frontier
I'm happy you are in that most Perfect, Powerful, place of Privledge & Peace
Will I ever forget you? Never.
Will I stop being your twin? Never.
Do I ache to have you around? No doubt.

I try to imagine that place where you are now and someday meet up again.
Will we be Twins again? Hope so.
I remember sitting on the wooden fense eating honeysuckle, talking about everything and nothing at all with ancient wisdom and childlike innocence.

The days were simple and sweet, sweaty and silly.
The life and times of Twins are special, & include many unspoken understandings.
Who will ever take your place? No one. I'll only have the one Twin and he is YOU.

Thinking of you is bittersweet yet satifying to know certain Twin things that can only be felt and brought to bear as life goes on for me.

Thinking of you Brother with Love.
me

Tears

Tears of Joy & Laughter, Anguish, Loss & Love

Tears of Anguish feels like drops of fire & fear.
To feel a loss with piercing pain, particular only to you, wraps itself around your aching, grieving heart while love nudges at your memory.
The sooner those tears fall, the better to be done with.

Tears of Joy makes my heart skip a beat and want to march along with yours as we are accompanied by pure delight !

Andrea Bocceli sings Amore, "Under the Desert Sky" as I am moved to the point of tears. My heart fills with a particular emotion,
unexplainable, that only tears know how to convey. Bocelli exudes such passion as soulful crescendo is aimed right at my heart and head.
How very rich!
The rhythm of the music & sound of his voice is so compelling as to capture a wonderful, marvelous moment meant for you to consume with gusto. Serendipity at it's finest, as spectacular as fireworks blazing with glorious noise, exploding with color and excitement.

The raw, real moments in life that stir your soul and keep you going and wondering what's next and how will we get through it?
To be as happy and healthy as we can be and pass it on.

What a Day

Man! Talk about one long and intense day. It's so interesting to work with teachers who want to be better teachers. The challenge is tremendous as the standards are raised all the way around. To obtain particular licensure, certification and higher levels as educators...quite the undertaking. The logistics are collossal and makes for a full day of addressing details, questions & concerns. Mucho writing required which I love.

The art of communcation can be exquisite, exciting and exilerating all at once. Expression & conveying information, the challenge for me is to say what I need to say as efficiently and effectively as possible, then move on to the next matter of importance.

Thank God I work with outstanding people who are highly driven to get things done in a timely manner and with diplomacy, tact, intellegence and a level of professionalism and respect that naturally warrants extreme cooperation. I do it gladly and feel privledged to be in such a distinctive position as to support educators in their pursuit of excellence.

It's satisying knowing you are even a small componant in the enhancment of the quality of life for educators as well as the students who are most assuredly on the receiving end of the equation. Can somebody say; "Amen"?

May all your dreams come true.

I wish all of our good dreams and wishes could come true. Don't you?
I wish I could always feel good and healthy and the world would recognize the importance of treating one another with more RESPECT and less wrecklessness. Even a little tweeking insofar as more kindness less impatience type-thing.

I suppose that world is eutopia, nirvana, shangrala. But then whose to say we can't feel a bit of heaven or euphoria now. It's as if whatever we say, that's the way it is. and so it iz.

As the merry month of May winds down I think of the Mother of Jesus, I think of an exciting time of the year when life blooms and air moves with, well yes pollen and such, but much more than that. The air is full of anticipation, excitement, the promise of something, someone, someplace and something different, new, fresh and mysterious. Makes you wonder.

May your heart be full of peace, with the capacity to share that which is good, true and kind.

Remembering

Here's to the men & women, boys & girls, dogs, cats and all those who have somehow managed to bring peace and joy into our lives.
We thank you for making our lives more livable today.

The soldiers and unsung hero's whose lives were taken from this earth we THANK YOU for sacrificing your life in the name of freedom, liberty and yes justice for all.

Today we remember the Champions who can no longer be seen walking the face of the earth but who remain very much in tact as a shining example of what it means to march on in the face of danger, defying death and finally entering God's Glory, existing now in eternal peace and comfort. We owe you more than we realize and are sincerely grateful to YOU.

Wisdom of Kahlil Gibran~Timeless

The following are a few of my favorite thoughts from Spiritual Sayings of Kahlil Gibran; (His Life span 1883-1931)

"Souls are fires whose ashes are the bodies."

~ "The butterfly will continue to hover over th field and the dewdrops will still glitter upon the grass when the pyramids of Egypt are levelled and the skyscrapers of New York are no more."

~ "The chemist who can extract from his heart's elements compassion, respect, longing, patience, regret, surprise, and forgiveness and compound them into one can create that atom which is called LOVE."

George Benson sings; "LOVE REMEMBERS what we forget...every little thing"

In God We Trust

Here's a pearl that I came across today, it's out of a site called "God's Daily Promises" It goes like this: "LORD, there is no one like you! You ride across the heavens in majestic splendor to help us when we cry out to you. May we experience you today as our refuge and sense your everlasting arms of protection and love holding us. I praise you for your faithfulness and unparalleled power!"

~ GRACE. It is a most Perfect, Powerful, Peaceful place of Priveledge we will ever know.
It's magic, it's all the goodness your heart & head can ever imagine and hardly hold. GRACE is miraculous, has kept me alive. It fills me up.
I highly recommend it as something to look into, get upclose and personal with. It's the stuff dreams, kindness, compassion, humility, forgiveness and wonder are made of. It goes a long way and is as exciting, mysterious and beautiful as the best of the best in life.

GRACE can clear your blood shot eyes, and clean the cob webs in your brain. Say it, live it, breath it in, take a big drink from that well of replenishment and soon you will know what all the great thinkers and sages, philosophers, wise men and prophets have professed to all who will hear the good news. It's in our hearts all along. It's life, love and more of it. It's GRACE. Ahhh WHOO AHHHHH!
Thank you God! Thank you life. Keep us safe and mindful of all that brings PEACE and share it generously.

Finally, we can sigh a sigh of relief, even in times of pain, grief, sadness, darkness, despair and desperation, with the assurance that certain elements, unseen but surly felt, untouchable as a heart bursting with joy, gladness and good news.

We can say we have been given the keys to life. The Holy Grail has been discovered outright, it's been right here all along. AhhWhoooAHHH! Don't you love it? Have at it...and so it is, and as very Precious as YOU.

...But their happy.

On my way home today, minding my own biniz, cuz you know, I don't want no trouble. I see a bicyclist up ahead, nothing unusal there, however as I get a bit closer to said bicyclist ; a big 'ol eyesore of butt crack practically slaps me in the face. OUCH! Needless to say it wasn't pretty, even if the buttocks in question wasn't oversized, which it was.

Now I am a subscriber to the notion that if someone has the confidence enough to wear something, be something, say, do, etc.whatever, and is comfortable enough with it, it's really none of my consoin. BUT, pun intended...ass crack staring you down like a mad dog foaming at the mouth is just wrong.

Well, I guess it doesn't matter, as long as they are happy.
Obviously the bike rider was not bothered by the horrendous exhibition of massive skin, interrupted only by one long dark vertical schism running north and south of his posterior for all the world to shudder at.

Lyrics, Procrastination y Mas

It's been a busy day. I love it when you enjoy your work, your focused, busy and the day flies by. I like what Paul Simon says about flight; "You got to learn how to fall, before you learn to fly." That really doesn't have anything to do with work, well it does sort of, as my learning curve is currently rather highish. Another line I love from a Paul Simon tune; "Some people never say the words; I love you, but like a child, their longing to be told". So dreadfully true.

I sure am good at procrastination. Case in point. I should have my greasy carcass in the gym burning the butter right now. But no, I'd rather drag ass and cruise ebay and other time waisterz...Que sas, manana? Definately, although it sill isn't too late to jet off and jump on a cardio machine at least. We'll see?

Lazy ass....I heard that.

I'm seriously thinking about getting into Yoga, not the Yoga Bear variety, Oh that's Yogi Bear isn't it? Something recently caught my attention about it. Yashtonga (spelling ?) Yoga in particular. This temple of mine is busting at the seems, not healthy or happy about it and craving/begging me to change course. The transition internally as well as externally will no doubt, have an extremely positive effect on my overall well being.

Better git. Goodnight sleep tight, don't let the bed bugz bite and if they do hit 'um with a shoe like I alwayz do. hheeheeeheee....OH

By The Light of The Silvery Moon

And how I love the light of the silvery Moon.

Did you ever notice the man in the moon?
Really, it is actually a profile view of Fred Flinstone.
He's looking in a northwesterly direction, toward the northern hemisphere. No kidding, it's perfectly clear, weather conditions permitting. Same thing with the Aurora Borealis, weather conditions, atmospheric pressure, etc., this phenominan can be detected from the top of our own Watermelon Hill.

Sleep well all you Precious Heads of the universe...and if I die before I wake I pray the Lord my soul to take and sprinkle bits and pieces on everyone like the salty dog that I am....he he he...OH

Goodnight Gracie!

If It's Not One Thing It's Your Mother

I do adore my Mother, no doubt about it.
It's just that sometimes as Prince would say,
..."she's never satisfied" sometimes. And sometime's
things are completely harmonious. I like that.

Anywhoo, Here's to my Mother and all the goodness
that comes along with that precious treasure in my life.
Love you Mom!!!! Happy Mother's Day and God Bless you~

...So Anyway

Wow!
Where have you been all my life?
So 21st Century.

We'll talk, Oh we'll talk.