Abrasive flow

Snap of static electricity
Filling the streets
Energy abuzz, movement, unrest

Red ants marching to an unheard tune
scattering forces, unforeseen doom

Tires screeching, licks pavement, abrasive flow
Leave my mark, that's how it goes

Silent peace sits near, not for
Begging mercy, sobs at the scars

Turn it off, and one can see,
such movement doesn't really
have to be
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It's been a long time since I've blogged, but this one just came to me. I suppose it is in light of many headlines that are in our local area news, however, when I first began feeling/writing it, it was more toward my part of the hood. I find it interesting how things come to me, I am beginning to not question them and just go with the flow. I really need to write more.

Da Hood

Da hood is the place that I call home
Da hood is the place where one can feel so alone
Da hood is the place where you see things that are sad
things that are scary and others down right bad

Da hood can creep up on you and take you by surprise
Da hood has no respect, better watch out or it might be
your demise

Ya try to blend in with the crazy ole ways,
perhaps ya wont' be noticed and they'll merry on their way

Da hood takes what it wants, if you got what it needs
Da hood hurts anyone, self respect.... oh pleeeease

Try do what's right, while keeping your kin safe,
An education of the other side, da hood has lessons you
can take

Learn to keep your eyes open
Learn when to uproar, learn when to be silent
and sadly to ignore....
And most of all you learn what's wrong,
A sad state of affairs.... cuz doing something right
.... Da hood seems lost forever more....

Through my soul this day

Sitting alone with my thoughts
Thoughts of Mom
Tears flow freely
Forming Sobs.... I miss you

I am overtaken by a strong scent of Lilies
Can it be? I close my eyes and grasp my hands tightly
The scent is overpowering around me, it envelops me

Is that you? I wish I could see, I wish I could hold
Through tears of sorrow turned to joy I know
you came through my heart and soul this morning
with the Glory of God this beautiful Easter Morn.

For He has risen and you are by his side in Heaven
One day we will meet again. I Love you.

Hold on

It's amazing how we, as humans, feel the need to "hold on" to everything.

I write this as a general statement, not an all encompassing one.

In the past I have held on to many things that weren't necessary.... some material things, some not. Just in case you know.... just in case.

Does holding on to things hold us back?
Does holding on to things keep us from moving forward?
Does holding on to things make us better?
Does holding on to things keep us from growing?
Does holding on to things keep us from the paths that call to us?

Many questions whirl through my mind. Perhaps the best question to ask one self .... "Is holding on necessary?" "what's the benefit" "and for whom"?

Perhaps the better question to ask oneself is "are you ready to let go? Are you ready to let go and allow yourself to fly"

B I C Y C L E, B I C Y C L E, ....

I want to ride my bicycle I want to ride my bike, ..... Queen. Can you hear the tune?

Well, I haven't, I must confess, rode a bike in ... well quite a long time. It's been at least 4 years or greater! So finally, after the poor things have collected dust, tires gone flat, fixed, gone flat again, and a bit of rust here and there, we decided to get them properly cleaned, tuned, and given a once good over.

Today we pick up the bikes, purchase 2 helmets (which by the way are waaaaay better than any helmet I've ever owned... guess you get that when you go to a bike shop)... anyhow, we ride the bikes home (about 1.5 - to 2.0 miles). Oh boy... talk about out of shape. My legs were actually talking to me. Seriously! This scares the heck out of me. Barely 2 miles and I feel it? And to think I am going to try kick-boxing next week? Hmmmmmmm perhaps I need to rethink that. Perhaps I might not be able to move after all of this.

What it does tell me is that I've been too sedentary for too long. Life is busy, yes. Work is busy, yes. There is always an endless amount of chores to do, yes. However, as my beautiful niece shared with me the other night.... "you know, you just have to schedule exercise in to your day". Brilliant! Really Brilliant! Now the trick is to "KEEP" that "APPOINTMENT of exercise".

I vow to try. Tomorrow a hike trip is planned, and I'm certain that will be enjoyable. Perhaps even later today another small bike trip (don't want to overdo it all at once).

The weather is great, it calls to us outdoorsy type of folk. I guess the weeds can still be pulled, it's just I'll be sure to leave 20-30 minutes for good 'ole outdoor exercise... and in time, it won't feel like exercise at all but it will rather be quite fun!

Serpent

Thank you to the wonderful folks in Hospice who shared and created this silently, but separately line by line. Our 6 weeks together were a Blessing.

Serpent in the sky
Flying high soaring through the clouds
with no set destination
my day just passes by
I have wonderful dreams in my head
Memories calm me when I'm feeling blue
Is that you, Serpent in the sky?
Where are you going?
Are you going to land and be with me
That would be wonderful
Can you hear me call your name?
I wait for you, Serpent in the sky.

Blessings abundant to you my Family and Friends.

Barney (aka Patty)

When?

Just wondering when on many things. Trusting God in his plan that all will be as it is best to be. Waiting, wondering, waiting, and traveling back in time through my heart.

You Got me Under Pressure...

Can you hear it.... the tune of ZZ Top and the lyrics.... "You Got Me Under Pressure"....

I'm not thinking music though, or even Rock 'n Roll, I'm thinking about "pressure". What happens when one is under pressure. Is this good? Is this bad?


"Mom, just remember that Diamonds are made under pressure".... said out of the mouth of a child. An interesting and profound thing for a child to say. I must say that I like it! A statement that is bold and wise beyond her years.

So... what do you do when under pressure? Do you crumble, do you jump ship, do you give up? OR do you shine.... like a diamond. I say wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all just shine. If we look deep enough and are still enough we will see that we really do shine.

Dare to Live, Dare to Love, and always Shine.

Blessings to you my family and friends.

Long time no write...

It's been a long time since I've written. Mostly by choice, and secondly... let's be honest here... I simply have not had the energy or anything that I've felt I wanted to blog about. So why am I writing today? I don't know.

Today is a day of reflection and rest for me. To put it bluntly I scheduled this day off a long time ago and I'm glad I did - I really need the down time, the time to be alone, a time to reflect.

It's been a good day thus far. Visited Dad, lunch with sister, the errand I needed to run can't happen because it's a City Furlough Day (oh well...not meant to be)... and now I am alone, here in front of the computer typing. Listening to the thrum of the CPU and the clicking of the keys. Cars drive by outside.... where is everyone headed to?

I have photos of Mom I'm going through. At times I smile really big, and sometimes I feel a tear coming on. Mostly I feel like it's still not real... as if my Mother is just on a really really long trip or something and she'll be back. She will be back. I know, however she will not.

She is enjoying eternal life with our Lord Jesus Christ. What a glorious place to be. To want her back would be selfish.... now I wait. I wait for the day all of the family will be reunited again. That makes me smile.

With that I am going to end this rather aimless blog, and just enjoy being quiet and still with absolutely nothing to do but think, perhaps meditate and give thanks for the Blessings in my life.

Until I write again.... be Blessed.

Barney (aka Patty)

Writer's Block

W R I T E R S B L O C K - - - To write creatively one must write daily, at least 20 minutes... a day... every day. 20 minutes isn't that much time, however... and I say this with some seriousness (is that word?) to be able to write 20 minutes every day can sometimes be challenging. It is especially challenging when writer's block sets in.

I am faced with that today, right at this moment. I have a number of thoughts whirling about my mind (some would call that ADD) however, I call it creativity.... the real trick is to capture one thought then expand or write one's feelings/thoughts/about it. Sounds simple? Not really.

Some thoughts whirling around in my mind... God, children, family, swimming, work, exercise, beauty, love, loneliness, death, life, the lost, the forgotten, friends, birds, money,.... and these are just a few of the things whirling around. Talk about overload! Wouldn't you say?

Which brings me to something I use to practice, but have not in a very long time. Meditation. Meditation quiets the mind, focuses the body, mind and soul. It takes practice, daily practice, just like writing. Begin small - 20 minutes a day and soon you expand to 30, 40, even 60 minutes a day.

So perhaps this writers block has brought me back to meditation, and how beneficial it can be. Actually an interesting and round about way to come to that, buy hey, I got there.

I expect as my meditation practice grows so will my writing. Just like a ripple in the water, small at first and larger as it expands. Now that certainly is a good start. Yes indeed, I'd say it's a good start.

To my fellow writers, family and friends, I wish you many blessings this day and every day.

Barney (aka Patty)