Friends
F riends
R eveal
I nvite
E ntertain
N ourish
D iscover
S avor
My four-wheeling friends savor the outdoors. We discover new vistas. We nourish one another’s spirits. We entertain one another, laughing and telling stories, teasing, sharing and encouraging. We invite other friends to join us. Nothing reveals who we are as well as who our friends are. Don’t forget to include your furry, four-legged friends, too. Friends are such a blessing!
My country has been taken
Prisoner as it makes
Prisoners of children.
Who absconded with
My country and turned
Its southern border into
A Hellhole?
What can we do,
What must we do
To take it back?
The poem below is one I found in a box of my mom’s favorite poems. She had this one memorized and used to recite it (along with others she had committed to memory) at various public gatherings and her Rebekah’s Lodge meetings.
FATHER
Used to wonder just why Father
Never had much time for play;
Used to wonder why he’d rather
Work each minute of the day.
Used to wonder why he never
Loafed along the road and shirked.
Can’t recall a single time whenever
Father played, while others worked.
Father never dressed in fashion,
Sort of hated clothing new;
Style with him was not a passion,
He had other things in view.
Boys are blind to much that’s going
On about ’em day by day.
And I had no way of knowing
What became of Father’s pay.
All I knew was when I needed
Shoes, I got ’em on the spot
Everything for which I pleaded
Somehow, Father always got.
Wondered, season after season,
Why he never took a rest
And that I might be the reason,
That, I never even guessed.
Wanted me to go to college
Dad was great on learning stuff
Always said that having knowledge
Helped a man through places rough.
But I thought it too much bother,
And I loitered day by day,
Wasting time, ignoring a Father,
Now I know I’ll have to pay.
Saw his cheeks were getting paler,
Didn’t understand just why;
Saw his body growing frailer,
Then at last I saw him die.
Rest had come, his tasks had ended,
Calm was written on his brow;
Father’s life was big and splendid –
And I understand it now.
Poet Unknown
Gentle, kind, considerate
These words describe my dad
Unconditionally loving
Always made me glad.
Everyone should be blessed
With a father such as mine
His faults were few and far between
Except when time to dine.
He burnt the the chicken to a crisp,
But he loved to barbecue
Steaks or hotdogs, ribs and such
Were treats he’d cook for you.
His favorite place was in a car
Driving to The City or Yosemite,
But when we arrived, he’d hate to stop
Even when I’d beg, “I have to pee!”
I’d ask him for help with my math
But he would always say,
”Go ask your mom, I don’t know –
I missed the lesson in school that day!”
He rarely darkened a church’s door
Unless a wedding or funeral required.
He said he had to work on Sundays
Or else, “Surely, you know, I’d be fired!”
Hah, that’s hardly possible, dear Dad,
You own the business; you’re the boss.
But even though we pleaded hard,
He’d never go. So much our loss!
A more endearing, Christ-like man
You’d never hope to meet.
He never spoke an unkind word,
And every stranger he was first to greet.
An alter boy when he was young,
He learned his Catechism well.
Church or not, as an adult,
He sparkled an angelic spell.
My dad was more than I could ask.
He loved me through and through.
Dad, I wish every girl and boy
Could have a Daddy just like you!
When my dear daddy, Sal,
Left behind his earthly pain
He took with him some items
But left behind the main.
He took his smile and chuckle,
His twinkle and his hugs,
But he left behind his calendars
And the fancy cut glass mugs.
He took his constant excuses,
Like “I missed that day in school,”
But he left his love of convertibles
(Our son thinks they’re pretty cool).
He took his love of walnuts
But the nuts he left behind;
They’re his daughters, Jan & Sally,
-And we’ve got his nutcracker, too-
(We knew he wouldn’t mind!)
Happy Father’s Day and Happy Crackin’ to all the nutty dads out there!
Follow Me
Follow me, little one –
I will not lead you astray.
Follow me, innocent one –
I’ll follow you someday.
While you are young
And growing more each day,
Let me guide your footsteps
In a safe and thoughtful way.
When you face some crossroads
And wonder where to turn,
Let me help you choose, and
Let me help you learn.
Soon enough you’ll find me
Needing help, seeking your advice.
But for now, follow me, my love –
Your company feels so nice!
For fifty-six years we have been
Partners in this world
Jointly taking all the crap
And all the love unfurled.
Never when first we met
Would I have ever guessed
Our union would result in this
A true unbridled test
Do you love me – really love
Enough to join the crew
Of volunteers at the Sr. Center
If so, show me – show me true
Don the apron, do your part
Wash the dishes – scrub
I’ll be here soups-cheffing
Preparing all the grub
Did I hear you acquiesce
Did you really say you could
Oh, my dear, you passed the test
Of course, I knew you would!
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
Time has no meaning
When the hour says sleep
But the mind won’t rest
It’s no use counting sheep
The sheep just leap
In endless white streams
Over fences and clouds
And steal my dreams
I toss and I turn
And finally give in
Time has no meaning
Much to my chagrine
So whatever the hour
Be it twelve o’clock or two
Come visit my blog
I’ll be sleepless with you
Sermon notes from 6/3/18 – Rev. Jean Johnson’s message inspired by Mark: 2:23 – 3:6 – filtered through the ears & pen of Jan Beekman
Let His Love Light Shine
We are servants of God,
So, do not lose heart.
The glory of God has shined
In and through us from the start.
Jesus Christ is our Lord.
He rose victorious from the dead.
His resurrection assures us
When we die, we’ll live instead.
The Lord surely restores us.
He guards and lovingly guides us.
The Lord, our God, is here
In us; seeking, He finds us.
Through the Holy Spirit,
God communicates. Hear Him speak.
We are called to carefully listen –
To obey boldly; don’t be meek.
Christ’s Glory is the glory of
Truth and Love shining through
In the midst of death and decay.
It’s forgiveness for me and for you.
God calls us to continually be
Followers in Truth and Love.
Our job is to live the Gospel message.
Let His Light shine through you from above.
Amen?
Amen!
Hugs to You !!
Inspire to Love
Let the SonShine!
You inspire me to respond
Learning to Live; Living to Learn; Learning to Love; Living in Love
