Dream Forgotten

Greetings from the blue collar metropolis of Houston, Texas. I am posting from way up north this morning. The photograph of the water lilies is from the sample photos that come with most PCs. It is appropriate for Houston since the humidity here in the summer is high enough on most days to grow this variety. However, this morning, the temperature is very moderate, and the humidity is surprisingly low. I just sat outside and enjoyed two cups of coffee. I was awakened this morning by the whir of the coffee grinder on the Cuisinart coffee maker. I thought it was the mosquito truck coming by for the nightly spraying, or perhaps my sister-in-law vacuuming in the dark hours before dawn. My mind defogged enough to grasp the significance of the sound and I patiently waited for ten minutes for the smell of coffee to ascend the stairs. I dreamed of blogging last night. I did not post yesterday, and I think it was some symptom of blog withdrawal. I imagined I had done a simple but effective Sunday post and I was going to try and use the image and theme in a clever extension I came up with. I believe most of my dreaming hours last night were spent writing and re-writing the piece. I was disappointed this morning when I couldn't find the image, or remember the theme. All that work and nothing to show for it. Well, this is the best I could conjure up on short notice. Have a wonderful Sunday. I'll plan to be back in the Valley by tomorrow night. Pappy

The Prohibited Zone

Many venues, (poetry contests, writing contests, etc.) ask you to submit items that have no political or religious reference. I would say if you are interested in people saying they like you, this is a safe way to go. However, if you like your eggs with a little salt, pepper, and hot sauce this formula will not be satisfying for very long. I don't like to stay on any one subject for too long, but I do like stirring the pot occasionally to let people feel the passion trapped inside. Many have been suppressed at work and home for so long, they bubble over when given the opportunity, and write long and many times entertaining commentary. Blogging is a fairly safe venue. This blog is open to views from the opposition. I don't guarantee they will pass without rebuttal, but I do not base my relationship with my readers (whatever that is in this shadow world of blogging) on their opinions. I do make one caveat here; If your religious beliefs or political stance threatens the life or well being of my family or country all bets are off. Otherwise, as I read the U.S. Constitution, you are free to form your own opinions and should not feel any obligation to apologize to me or anyone else for having them. I post all commentary if it is presented in a civilized tone. If I see we are falling into a lull of interest, I try and find topics I know people have expressed strong opinions on in daily conversation. I then try to present them with some humor and with enough explanation to cement the point I'm trying to make. Judging by the comment numbers and interaction of commenters with each other, I would say the practice has been successful. I know many people who read blogs and don't make comment. Sometimes I get e-mails from those who don't want their opinions aired in the global forum. I usually have to do some type of exercise akin to getting into an acting role to re-create some passionate feeling I had when things were in the now. I am very much an, action at the time of occurrence, individual. Once the impetus is gone, I get over things quickly. I do laugh at your rebuttal on occasion, and occasionally I moan when I know you missed the point, but I enjoy the interaction. I am firm in most opinions I've formed over long years of experience, but I am not closed to solid information on any subject. I have made changes in stances when I've been shown that I erred in my original conclusions (very rare). So, thank you for your patience and your participation when I wander into the prohibited zones. All of you enrich my life. Pappy (aka Cranky Pants)

Men, it has been well said, think in herds; it will be seen that they go mad in herds, while they only recover their senses slowly, and one by one. - Charles Mackay

O.K. Let's Settle Down

This is a British cow from the region where Wom and Jane Tigley reside. Tom is always providing us with great photos. This girl seems to be smiling at what we've been all worked up about this week. "Oh, I say. So much troubling talk about hurricanes and politics take a break, it's Sunday." All right Gertrude, we'll give it a rest. I hope you were able to exercise your right to free speech if you cared to do so. I also hope that our dialogue was beneficial in helping you cement your position on the things we talk about. I enjoyed all the comments. I know some were timid about saying anything, and I respect your decision in those matters that stir us to action. I think it is important to participate. As a nation we have rarely agreed on anything. That's why we have two political parties. Will Rogers said it very clearly, "The more you read and observe about the politics thing, you got to admit that each party is worse than the other. The one that's out always looks the best." I hope you enjoy the times when we agree to disagree. It's Sunday and I probably won't think about politics today. I am going to pray for those who were not so fortunate during the hurricane and see if there are opportunities for service in this area. I will also pray for our leaders, and our country in these troublesome times. Thanks for all who participate in this strange world of cybercommunication where we meet and discuss our lives with total strangers. Have a wonderful and peaceful Sunday.

Life Passages

It's summer and everything is for the most part green or brown. One of the interesting things about blogging is getting to share in another's life. I am amazed at the variety of ways people share their existence with others. Photos, stories, poetry, art, and even daily accounts give us a window into life both past and present. The presenter cannot divorce his past. So, as hard as we try to disguise ourselves, we still leak through in the things we create. It is also interesting to post something and have others comment on it. Even in comments on the same item we find a variety of ways to look at the content. I wrote a series of three Haiku some time ago each starting with the same first line. Some of you contest poets may even remember the name of the poetry form, I can't recall it just now. It is a fairly transparent theme, but I'd be interested in your take when you read it.


Twisting leaf in wind.
Green, it moves with limb and twig
youth has strength to spare.

Twisting leaf in wind.
Red, it leaves its lofty perch
color to be seen.

Twisting leaf in wind.
Brown, it’s blown from place to place
no one knows it’s there.

Everything is vague to a degree you do not realize till you have tried to make it precise. - Bertrand Russell

Five Blogs That Make My Day.

This was an honor to receive. It reminded me of Clint Eastwood's knarly character, Dirty Harry who was famous for his quote, "Go ahead punk, make my day." That's why I read other folks' blogs. I think Kathie of Sycamore Canyon was on my list of original favorites (and still is). I first heard of blogging through Keanan Brand when I sent a poem for critique. This was followed by an e-mail request from my first cousin Beth who wanted me to look at her blog. I didn't know I would become so enmeshed in this electronic phenom. I can only nominate five and I know many have already been nominated, so I'll try and not nominate twice but I may. So, if you have already been nominated you need not feel obligated to repeat the exercise. Just enjoy your second or third nomination.

The rules for this award are:

1) Write a post with links to 5 blogs that make me think and/or make my day.

2) Acknowledge the post of the award giver (Thank you Kathie!)

3) Tell the award winners that they have won by commenting on their blogs with the news!

Here are my five choices:

1. Adventures In Fiction: A Writer's Journey. Keanan Brand. An honest and eclectic look at the writer's life, and interesting and informative information on how to become a better writer. Thanks for introducing me to the blogging world.

2. Crumbs From the Corner: Adventures in Woolgathering. The Elementary. Consistently good stories from the heart. I enjoy her writing and her comments. Tell Mater I send greetings.

3. Eagles Roost. Eaglewing writing from Canada. Thanks for the great reviews of all sorts of entertainment media along with a glimpse into your life. One of my first commenters when I started. Thanks for the critiques and the support.

4. Life at Willow Manor. Willow. One of several wonderful contributors who help me stay in touch with the finer things in life. Thanks for all your supportive and encouraging comments.

5. Birdbath Chronicles. Lavinia Ladyslipper. Interesting posts on all sorts of diverse subjects from family to fine art. Lavinia is the most prolific commenter in the blogging world today.

There are many more. Check my favorites list, as well as the sites I frequently visit. Congratulations!

Cloning Bloggers

Some things have to be believed to be seen. - Ralph Hodgson

Good Morning Blog Land. We had rain this morning. Nothing like sweetwater to bring this old dry soil to life. I know some of you were praying and it looks like you got through. Yesterday, my brother who has been known until now as L. B., (Loco Bro.) in annonymous comments posted mostly on my blog, got more good news from the doctors at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. He is in remission and all his physical markers are returning to normal. Two answered prayers in one day is a good day in my book. Well, you know me, with five months of doing this under my belt I am encouraging new folks to take the plunge. Now, Loco Bro. has created his own blog site. He has become acquainted with many of you from reading the comments you leave on my site. He is also a regular, but previously silent, visitor to your sites. The photos I am posting do not do him justice. They are the only recent ones I have on my computer.

He sent me this photo back during the heavy chemo days when all his hair fell out. He looked in the mirror one day and said he had to laugh because he looked like the comic character, Uncle Fester, from the Addams Family series. He found a cape and light bulb and had his wife take this picture. The picture at the top of the page is his "new hair" picture. It came back and is doing well. I thank you for your support in prayers and comments (which he reads) as he continues to battle to regain his health. He will be blogging at Carey's Corner, so when you have time go by for a visit.

Puzzled

In this print by Currier and Ives there are more animals present than one might think at first glance. If you are into exercises of this nature, you might want to try and find them. I use the print to illustrate my current thoughts on blogging. Some of you have stopped with your daily contributions, but continue to visit those sites you enjoy. Others are trying to fit in and gain readers. The fox in the print is puzzled. The print itself is a puzzle. I think the same is true of our blogging efforts. I not making judgements in this piece, I'm just thinking on cyber-paper. I started out to force myself to write some everyday. My secondary goal was to let a group of total strangers, for the most part, read some of my work. Beyond that, I didn't know enough about blogging to have an idea of what to expect. I didn't know if there was protocol, I had no idea what a meme was, I had never seen a blog until I started this one, and I sure didn't know whether comments were expected on every visit. I know many more people visit my blog than leave comments because I installed a counter after the first month or so. I'm still experimenting. I like to take blog trips occasionally and see what others are doing, but I don't always feel compelled to leave a comment. I usually do, because I know how nice it is to have other people tell you how talented you are. But, sometimes I just like to sneak in and sneak out. Probably trying to re-live some aspect of my former profession.

Here are my newest thoughts on the blogging scene. I will probably stop participating in photo days. I'm not a photographer, and I think it waters down what I am trying to do. Now, I'm probably going to sneak around and look at the pictures of those photographers I enjoy. I like it when you have something on your blog you would like for me to see, and I especially like it when you ask me to come by and look at it. I think that helps me save time. If you think I'd like it tell me. If you enjoy engaging in banter with me on things I write about, I will oblige you. I am going to try and pre-post some lite items for the next few days as I will not be in front of the old computer until after next Wednesday. I am also going to de-activate the comment feature for these days to keep my inbox from exploding. I will reactivate when I return. The comments feature will be on through Saturday.

What do you like?

The east side of the Carrizo plain, in the Temblor Range,
about 50 miles due west of Bakersfield, California.
Photo taken by Barbara Mathews, May 14, 2005.
Nothing man can do could ever equal the glory of God's creations.
The Day GOD SPILLED THE PAINT!

Spring means many things to folks all around the world. Usually, it is associated with the post winter blooming of beautiful flowers and wildflowers. I have written several poems about Spring. It has a magical quality about it to help us look past some rough weather, flooding, and insect swarms. It signals the rebirth of the Earth's beauty after the drabness of winter. If you are one of those who helped me get started in this maddness we call blogging, then you may have already read some of the things I have posted lately. A select few have gone back and read some older posts (and I thank you), so you may see a poem, essay, or story repeated occasionally with a new title and hopefully a new lead-in. I have several short stories that would require posting in a series of no more than three parts and I would like to know if you would read them like that. There is one in an older post if you would like to see an example. It was entitled "The Season" and was posted March 21, 2008 through March 23, 2008. Also, please let me know if you like soapbox essays, poetry, nostalgia, or humor better. I am going to try and get my ADD under control enough to do some advance planning for these posts to take the pressure off my early mornings. I will be reading your comments and I will hopefully respond with stuff you like to read.


COULD AUGHT BUT GOD MAKE SPRING?

Could aught but God make spring?
Purples, greens, whites, reds.
Tuned songbirds’ voices sing.
Could aught but God make spring?
New life to winter’s dying bring,
as unto us though we were dead?
Could aught but God make spring?
Purples, greens, whites, reds.


It was beautiful and simple, as truly great swindles are. - O. Henry

Blog Central

Thank you all for contributing in such a big way yesterday. I am not alone in my mania. I thought I would take you on a stroll through the creative world of Blog Central. In this picture, I have gone to the kitchen for another cup of coffee. If you find any misspelled words in my posts it is not because I don't have a dictionary handy, it's because I sometimes to lazy to pick it up. I also use spell check when it is functional, but I sometimes like my original spelling better. I'm a firm believer in not restricting the creative child inside.

But I do believe in using some limited restriction on one of the children I babysit on occasion. His mother told me duct tape was not to be used anymore.

Since gasoline has gone out of sight, I converted my John Deere into a multifunction vehicle. I call it a John Darley. I can mow the lawn and then run down to the store without having to change vehicles.

As we say out here in the Southwest, "I guess I'd better be making tracks." Have a great weekend.

Ahhh. A man with a sharp wit. Someone ought to take it away from him before he cuts himself. - Peter da Silva

Blogging 101

I was up last night trying to imagine how many people were up and trying to come up with something amusing to put on their blogs. I have been blogging for four months now and I'm writing the freshman course, Blogging 101, for your edification. There are no warning labels posted before you click on that "Create Blog" button at the top of the page. No statements about addiction, life consuming passion, strange new friends, or memes. Someone probably talked you into trying it - I think it's time to try and remember who that was and have a serious talk with them. Do you ever feel overexposed? I'm no photographer, but I'm sitting on top of the send button so my Sky Watch Friday post gets a first read on the other side of the world on what's left of Thursday on my side of the world. I'm looking for things colored yellow, or green to photograph, or something so spectacular it needs no comments. What's up with all this stuff. I now feel some obligation to people who, like me, are becoming an office fixtures.

I feel I must perform. Women from all over the world are telling me how to dress and what they would like for me to write. Their husbands drop by from time to time to see if I am actually doing it. My wife said I should be used to it by this stage of my life, having benefited from the influence of a mother, wife and two daughters. I think it just may be the volume of information on what I should do every waking minute of my life that has my processor working overtime. People visit and leave comments and I have tried to make it a practice to answer as many as possible. That was no chore when only two people a day stopped by, but now I running out of witty remarks. I also try and visit the blogs of those who faithfully respond to mine, but there are so many, I can't spend much time there so I'm sure I'm missing some good stuff. It's similar to cell phone usage - A great idea that has spun out of control.
I'm seriously thinking of just getting on my yacht and saying bon voyage. However, I know I would worry. When people don't post for a day or two I wonder what terrible things might be happening in their lives. I don't even know them. Their profile photos are cartoons, shadowed eyeballs, feet, animals, or landscapes. How can anyone become attached to that? I don't know where they're from. They leave cryptic clues like, Canada, East Texas, Somewhere, WA, and places I've never heard of. Some don't even blog in English - what's up with that? Some challenge my political views and a few staunch Democrats won't admit they are coming by anymore. It is an unexplainable compulsion, this blogging phenomenon. If you have written Blogging 201, I would appreciate a copy. When I go on vacation in a few weeks I'm going to try and go "Cold Turkey". I'll let you know the side effects when I return.

Laughing at our mistakes can lengthen our own life. Laughing at someone else's can shorten it. Cullen Hightower

Eclectic Ramblings

I'm kinda working with a blog hangover here. As a fairly new blogger, I don't always know what I'm getting into. I have a nice group of friends who stop by and comment on a regular basis, and I then respond. Yesterday I ran into this warp speed mania entitled "Sky Watch Friday." Apparently some self proclaimed village idiot named Wom Tigley has come up with the idea to play blog tag while looking at the sky all over the world. I didn't know the rules so I bit (without any sky photos posted). I went to his site and commented and signed in electronically as instructed. Well, before I could get back I had all these commenters from all over the world pinging me and asking where my sky pictures were. I grabbed my electronic equivilant of a brownie box camera, ran outside, pointed it skyward and snapped a couple of sky pictures. I then posted them to shield myself against mob action by the other participants. It turned into a whirlwind afternoon of responding to all the commenters, as is my custom, and visiting their sites. So many talented people out there. I enjoyed my journies, but I'm a little tired today. Some of you leave some big shoes to fill in the blogging world. It really was a fun new experience. I will be better prepared for my next attempt. I have set some new ground rules to prevent overload.

How about this young deer? I've heard of piebald horses, but I've never seen a piebald deer. These photos were sent to me last week and were reportedly taken in upper Wisconsin. Just thought you might like to see them too.

Well it's Saturday already and I'm going to see what's available to look at in our area and get out in the beautiful fresh air and sunshine today. If you want to add some international flair to

your blogging then give Sky Watch Friday a go as they say across the pond. On friday post some pictures from your area of the world with some sky showing. Add commentary appropriate for the pics and then go to Old Wom's site and sign the register. The idea is to visit as many of the responder's sites as you feel you have time for and view their contributions. Have a great Saturday. Wom Tigley aka Tom Wigley blogs under the title "Welcome to Wiggers World."

Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds... Albert Einstein.

Blogging

While I was out watching the Mesquite trees bud last night, I thought a lot about what it is that some of us do everyday. Sharing with family and strangers stuff we have been storing up until the technology caught up with us and provided us with a vehicle to do so. I have been trying to wrap my mind around the draw. Why do I want to know what others are thinking, and what is it that makes me stay and look, or read, what they have to say? So, I have a few questions for those of you who come by. Do you have the answers to the questions posed above? Do you read previous posts? Do you comment? Do you read the comments on others' sites? I generally do not read previous posts unless the current post is compelling. I do try to comment, because this exercise is like throwing darts in the dark. You never know if you scored unless someone tells you. So, based on your answers, I will decide if I need to go back and capture some of my previous posts I think others might like, and re-work, and re-post them. I have only been blogging for about two months and I've only had the stat counter on for about a month so I really can't tell. I hope by now you are asking the question in your mind, "Why did he lead with the picture of a gym when talking about blogging?" Well, if you've made it this far through the blather, you have your answer. Just to get your attention. I really do find it humorous the things we do here in this country to maintain some level of physical fitness. We order a triple beef burger with cheese and large fries and top it off with a Diet Coke. I hire my yard work done and go for a long walk while the guys are working. What a country. My gym has mirrors. A lot of guys like to stand in front of the mirror and work out. I try not to see myself in the mirror. I had just finished an arm pumping exercise on a seated bicep machine, and I was really feeling the burn, so I decided to take a sideways glance at my guns. My first impression was not of my biceps, but the appearance of what looked to be an inflated inner-tube under my tee shirt at about the waist line. I felt defeated. I was wondering if I needed to stop by the hardware store for a "Wide Load" sign before I went to the grocery store. Have a great day, bon appetit.

Not only is the universe stranger than we imagine, it is stranger than we can imagine. - Sir Arthur Eddington