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Happy Thanksgiving!

Our warmest wishes for you is to have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

It is a day to watch parades on the television, probably overeat from a heavily laden table (if you are lucky), take a nap, enjoy the companionship of loved ones and friends, or perhaps even to just relax and enjoy the peace and quiet.

Whatever your day consists of, we hope that you take the time to list all of the blessings which fill your life. Some are obvious, and others are not. Some you think of frequently, while others pass you by without your noticing. Some do not get any of your attention at all until something negative impacts it. Sometimes, the negative takes it away for a long time, if not forever.

Thanksgiving has always been a day for doing exactly that: Change your focus from what you do not have and are striving for to what you already possess. It does not matter if it is a nickel when you need it, or lots of cash at the right time.

Just notice: Can you walk? Can you talk? Can you sing? Can you use your hands freely? Do you have your health? Are you working your way through a health challenge? Can you eat whatever you like? Can you see? Can you hear? What beauty surrounds you?

There are so many people who do not have those blessings for they are either unable to do them for whatever reason or their life situation prohibits/inhibits it.

Life is made up of a lot of simple things which pass us by like a ship in the night if one does not take time to focus on them. We miss many blessings just because we do not see them. Look at your surroundings to see the beauty, life, and laughter that are there – no matter how small or insignificant it may appear. Just know that what you bless increases.

Gather your loved ones and friends, be they near or far, into your heart and thoughts. Bless them one and all.

How about you? What do you choose to focus on today?

God’s blessings upon your journey!

Examples of Beauty:

Rocky Mtn Fall

Rocky Mtn Fall

Rocky Mtn Autumn Snows

Rocky Mtn Autumn Snows

Torcky Mtn Snow Storm

Rocky Mtn Snow Storm

Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle

Deer

Deer

Vaghn Lake

Vaughn Lake

Trappers Peak

Trappers Peak

Life

There are two things more certain than paying taxes: Life and Death.

We all die, but too few of us really live!

My Epitaph

Gaze upon this empty shell

But shed no tear

For it served me well.

 

There were many things

It couldn’t do

So I’ve slipped it off

Like a well-worn shoe.

 

When I wore it,

There was pain…

It got burned by the sun

And soaked by the rain.

 

When it got old,

It couldn’t run

Or hop and skip

Or dance in fun.

 

Chairs and beds

Had to be arranged

To keep it warm

When the weather changed.

 

Its hair thinned out,

And its eyes grew dim…

A burst of energy was

But a dreamy whim.

 

The body grew wrinkled,

But the brain increased.

Knowledge and wisdom expanded

As mobility ceased.

 

Life’s run is over now.

The spirit seeks a better place.

Time for the old body to rest,

But, wow, what a race!

The Only Failure

The only failure in life is to not attempt to begin again, so try again and do not be afraid to fail, again.

Nature renews herself year after year.

Are we humans not endowed with a Can Do Spirit?

Think about it: Since when did you become so timid and afraid to choose to take a risk in life and love?

What Now?

When a man has traveled far places,

Leaving footsteps on foreign land and distant shores.

 

When he has walked over lofty rugged mountains,

Wandered his valleys and fished his many streams.

 

When he has sown his seed, nurtured his offspring,

Spoken his thoughts and satisfied his thirst for knowledge.

 

When he has fought his battles, ran his life’s long races,

Feels his flame grow dimmer and the horizons of his vision weaken.

 

When dreams fade and hopes are but a study in futility,

And he no longer does for himself, but must rely upon others.

 

Growing older, feeling weaker,

Lapsing into periods away from reality — —

 

Feeling less and less like a man.

What Now?

Africa

This poem comes from Autumn Leaves:

I hear the cry of Africa,

See her saddened plight —

Lackluster eyes, no hope or dreams,

Watch day and night.

 

Listless resignation,

Men gaze o’er vast parched plains,

Useless to plant in dried-out earth,

Waiting for blessed rains.

 

People far past anguish,

No more tears to shed,

No food, no clothes,

Hard earth for a bed.

 

Hunger pains diminished,

No longer feeling pain,

Too little food, too late,

And no one to blame.

 

I hear the cries of Africa,

Mourning on the winds,

In wake of death,

Starving hands reach quietly for their friends.

 

Haunting face of children

As hunger stalks this land.

No quarter given, and death lurks

For both beast and man.

 

Women stand bewildered,

Eying their helpless brood,

Wasting away, to laugh no more

For simple lack of food.

 

I hear the cry of Africa,

Wafting o’er the dry blasted sand,

People of proud heritage,

But what future in this drought-stricken land?

Building Blocks

This thought comes from Autumn Leaves:

As even coral reefs die

When certain conditions exist,

The building blocks created

Over years on top of tireless years

Just crumble and decay

Back from whence they came.

Coral reef

Coral reef

Viet Nam Remembered

This poem comes from Autumn Leaves for “Viet Nam Remembered”:

A few quiet moments,

Gazing at each name.

A moment of respect

In drizzling rain.

 

This polished black “V”

Gashed into the earth,

Names of dead recorded

Instead of birth.

 

As I stood there soaked

In beleaguered calm,

Recalling memories of buddies

In a place called Viet Nam.

 

I remember young faces,

Etched in grimy fear.

Muddy fatigues sagging,

Weighted down with gear.

 

Orange blossom napalm flashes,

Jellying up a hill.

Sweating soldiers cuss

While mustering their will.

 

Incoming rockets roar

Amidst bursting mortar shells,

No thought of Heaven

In this little piece of Hell!

 

Med-E-Vac choppers lift off,

Another wounded body gone.

Ashen-white face reveals

A friend left alone.

 

Maybe these inscribed names

Fit faces in my mind.

Scenes vivid and real

Forever enshrined.

 

Although it’s officially over,

Still there’s no end.

As I stand here quietly

With memories of friends.

 

Who has the answer,

Why we fought this war?

What did it accomplish?

What was it all for?

 

The answer now has become muted,

Grown hazy over time.

But you’ll never forget them

When you see their shrine.

 

Bronze at Viet Nam War Memorial

Bronze at Viet Nam War Memorial

Viet Nam War Memorial

Viet Nam War Memorial

 

 

Chakras

This comes from Autumn Leaves:

I am —

Pulsating,

Vibrating,

Lotus lit,

Flowing,

Calmly free,

Energy forces,

Dancing light,

Centered,

Waiting

To Be.

Ira Stiles

This poem comes from Autumn Leaves:

I remember Ole Ira Stiles,

Used to come to town now and then,

Spreading warmth with his ear-splittin’ smile,

And, just as suddenly, gone again.

 

Nobody knew where Ira called home;

He seemed to wear all that he owned.

The big friendly smile never left his face,

Except when he bowed his big head in grace.

 

I’m told a certain sweet thing fell in love

With Ira’s big smiles.

When news reached him of the maiden’s whim,

Ira quickly covered some miles.

 

Folks never saw his smiling face again,

But have you ever touched a star or held the wind?

Sometimes I think of “Ole Smiling Ira,”

But I believe his last name was really ‘Mariah.”