Bubba's Place

Power Struggle

2012-03-12T09:50:00.001-04:00

The crying child squirms in the grocery cart

His mother plays her same disinterested part

He wails and screams over some small, denied treat

Until she relents in tired, sad defeat

Catch The Moment

2012-03-09T09:26:00.000-05:00

Stop

Look

Catch the moment

Time does not exist

When you focus down

On a single point

Wait

See

Take it all in

Pause every time that

Such things catch your eye

And live forever

Hurry up, Spring!

2012-03-08T11:48:00.001-05:00

Another rainy day

so cloudy, wet and gray.

It needs to go away.

Hurry up, Spring!

Winter lingers too long.

I miss the robin’s song.

Surely that’s not so wrong?

Hurry up, Spring!

I want the sun to shine.

I’m hoping for a sign.

Some green would be divine!

Hurry up, Spring!

How To Get All ‘Artsy’ With Your Photos

2012-03-07T10:03:00.000-05:00

Draw a thin white line across it, dividing it into two halves.

Copy the photo and paste it upside-down next to the original.

Make it black and white.

Make it black and white, except one part.

Block-in part of the photo with a shape - circle, star, heart, etc. - then make the rest one solid color (usually black).

Overdrive the contrast.

Overdrive the color saturation.

Put inspirational words across it.

Make it all blurry or pixilated.

Fade the edges or give them an old, torn look.

One word: Sepia!

New Messiah

2012-03-06T10:45:00.003-05:00

I want to take

the world’s problems

each, one by one

And work on them

both day and nigh

until they’re all gone

Focusing on

making the world

a much better place

Helping to

revive us all,

the human race

I’d help wipe out

pollution and

famine and war

I’d show the world

each, one by one

what love is for

Perfect Black

2012-03-05T10:01:00.002-05:00

Know this:

There is no

coming back

When light

fades into

perfect black

Put up

not your soul

as bargain

Earthly

goods too soon

will wear thin

Once the

price is set

and gold weighed

The last

vestiges

of good fade

Dust to

dust again

so they say

You’ll dwell

in perfect

black that day

Truth Is Many Things, Not One

2012-03-02T09:17:00.003-05:00

Don’t wonder what they hide

Rather, wonder why they do

There is more truth there

Than in whatever is hidden

Stage Fright

2012-03-01T09:43:00.002-05:00

I’m one given

to reflection

I like expressing

thoughts poetic

Inclined toward

introspection

Hoping to sound wise

not pathetic

Delving into

my emotions

Separating the

wheat from the chaff

Struggling to

share my notions

Hoping you will smile

but still not laugh

Sexecutioner

2012-02-29T10:34:00.000-05:00

Leering, steering, peering

Long exposure in the rain

Hearing, fearing, clearing

Lost composure once again

Staying, laying, playing

Relax and take a breath

Weighing, saying, praying

Distracting me from death

Buying, trying, vying

Seek to catch that beauty

Shying, crying, dying

Just to do my duty

Say It Plain

2012-02-28T10:12:00.003-05:00

When trying to explain

I must often refrain

From feeling so sure

Of words too obscure

Sometimes I will choose

Just the right word to use

One that fits to a tee

And will help people see

But never to impress

Though I must confess

I sometimes grow weak

For the words I could speak

I would love to flourish

A nice old word like “boorish”

Or inject a sharp “wrack”

Where a line gets off track

A “cantankerous rancor”

Would make my poor heart soar

“Viscous analogies” tossed

But then, what’s the cost?

A supercilious phrase

Can put folks in a daze

Their eyes start to glaze

My thoughts lost in the haze

So, though it’s a pain

To see the words feign

There is much to gain

When I just say it plain
-

Blah Blah Blah

2012-02-27T09:33:00.000-05:00

Plenty of people
just love to hear
themselves talk

But not that many
actually have
anything to say

Always

2012-02-24T11:12:00.000-05:00

Now is always Here

Here is always Now

Always live Here

Always live Now

Live Here, Live Now

Always

Women Of Substance

2012-02-23T10:51:00.000-05:00

Some men pine for thin beauties

Some men want catwalk queens

I like women of substance

Who don’t like causing scenes

Guys too often overlook

Women that don’t go strutting

Ones who aren’t attention-starved

And want all men a-rutting

I prefer women demure

I like the mood more subtle

Women confident, mature

Are ones I want to cuddle

A waif-like, waltzing woman

Her shoulder bones protruding

Looks so disinterested

Her face scowled-down and brooding

Where’s the twinkle in her eye?

Give me a ready smile

Soft and curvy sexiness

Gives cause to pause awhile

A woman should have soft hips

To notice when you meet her

A woman should have full lips

It makes her kisses sweeter

In the bed, when lights are low

And hands begin to wander

Finding her eagerness there

Will only make me fonder

I don’t like pointy elbows

That poke me while I’m sleeping

I’d rather have some cushion

When morning birds are cheeping

Put some meat upon those bones

Enjoy some down-home cooking

Women who can strut their stuff

To me are so good looking

Don’t despair, you sweet ladies

Over a weight that’s higher

I promise there are still men

Who see you with desire

So don’t starve yourselves trying

To meet some skewed ideal

Eat good food and exercise

And love your curve appeal

Here and Now

2012-02-22T09:32:00.000-05:00

We always wish we were

… somewhere else

… something else

… someone else

… or in another time

Instead of being happy with

… where we are

… what we are

… who we are

… and when we are

Snowfall

2012-02-21T10:11:00.003-05:00

Snow falling down

In big fat flakes

Covering town

And frosting lakes

Snow falling fast

Dusting the trees

Billowing past

Up to the knees

Snow falling hard

Browns turning white

Buries the yard

Lost overnight

Snow falling slow

Starting to tire

Sun sinking low

Stoke up the fire

Advice

2012-02-20T09:14:00.002-05:00

People are always offering the same advice:

Just be yourself!

But that’s not a very appealing option

if you don’t like yourself.

It’d be better if they’d say:

Just be whomever you want to be!

Prejudice

2012-02-17T09:26:00.000-05:00

Prejudice is learned

Sometimes it’s earned

But usually not

That’s all I’ve got

Small World

2012-02-16T09:18:00.002-05:00

I live in my small world

traveling in tight circles

I poke and prod at corners

trying to know everything

But no matter how bold

or how loud my passions

I catch but brief glimpses

of the wonders out there

It’s always lingering

just beyond my grasp

Barely tangible yet

infuriatingly near

Some big secret hiding

right here in plain sight

Noticeable only enough

to make me long for more

Dark And Light Thoughts

2012-02-15T09:38:00.000-05:00

Bombs are painted black;

the color of death.

We are scared of night’s blackness

or the endless dark in an abyss.

We say truth is the light;

that light guides our way.

We welcome the warm sunshine

or the brief ray of a smile.

Playful Heart

2012-02-14T10:16:00.000-05:00

One, three, five

seven and nine

You can be

my Valentine

Two, four, six

eight and ten

Don’t matter

how or when

Ten, eight

six, four and two

It’s so

easy to do

Nine and seven

five, three, one

Come along, we’ll

have some fun!

Morning Rite

2012-02-13T09:54:00.002-05:00

Slumbering, lumbering

Moaning and groaning

Bed creaks, bones creak

Turning on hot water

Hissing and dripping

Washes over me

Pelting me, melting me

Unstiffening joints through

Loosening muscles too

Lather, rinse, repeat

Exit almost human again

Dry body brush hair

Brush teeth wet spit

Pop deodorant top

Dressing piece by piece

Belt socks shoes watch

Pour hot brown-black in cup

Slowly come back to life

龍 Dragon

2012-02-10T09:41:00.001-05:00

I am a dragon

Without scales bright

No broad wings nor long tail

Nor breath of fire

I’m a scorpion

Without pinchers

No exoskeleton

Nor sharp stinger

I can still fly high

Without broad wings

No tail needed to sting

Nor infect you

I work my words

Without restraint

No need to show mercy

Nor compassion

What Progress?

2012-02-09T09:51:00.000-05:00

My time machine is stuck in Neutral.

Exercise

2012-02-08T11:16:00.000-05:00

I’ve been going to the gym

I’ve been trying to get slim

Why is it taking so long?

Am I doing it all wrong?

It’s far too much work

To do the clean and jerk

And run a mile or two?

Much too hard to do

I’m trying to take it slow

I bend and curl and row

And twist and turn a lot

And sweat when I get hot

Then, feeling rather frail

I stepped upon the scale

Surprisingly I’ve found

I’ve lost another pound

Despite feeling so tired

I also feel inspired

And though my feet are frying

I know I’ll keep on trying

Whisper

2012-02-06T09:41:00.000-05:00

I don’t want to be

a voice yelling out loud,

promising the moon

and all the stars you see…

I just want to be

a whisper in your ear,

saying that it’s you

that matters most to me.

55 Words of Wisdom

2012-02-03T09:22:00.000-05:00

You keep waiting

for your life to just

suddenly be special…

… but it already is!

You usually know

when you meet someone

from your past…

But you never know

when you meet someone

from your future.

Do not be a willing slave

and follow popular opinion…

Rather, become the master

of your own convictions.

It Feels Good Just A Little

2012-02-02T09:48:00.001-05:00

It feels good to live just a little

It feels good to give just a little

It feels good to learn just a little

It feels good to burn just a little

It feels good to freeze just a little

It feels good to sneeze just a little

It feels good to yearn just a little

It feels good to turn just a little

It feels good to shove just a little

It feels good to love just a little

It feels good to taste just a little

It feels good to waste just a little

It feels good to take just a little

It feels good to bake just a little

It feels good to toke just a little

It feels good to poke just a little

It feels good to breach just a little

It feels good to reach just a little

It feels good to rage just a little

It feels good to age just a little

It feels good to bet just a little

It feels good to get just a little

It feels good to trick just a little

It feels good to lick just a little

It feels good to play just a little

It feels good to stay just a little

It feels good to joke just a little

It feels good to soak just a little

It feels good to dream just a little

It feels good to scream just a little

It feels good to hurt just a little

It feels good to spurt just a little

It feels good to drink just a little

It feels good to think just a little

It feels good to bruise just a little

It feels good to ooze just a little

It feels good to wink just a little

It feels good to link just a little

It feels good to sleep just a little

It feels good to weep just a little

It feels good to feel just a little

It feels good to kneel just a little

It feels good to know just a little

It feels good to show just a little

It feels good to hear just a little

It feels good to fear just a little

It feels good to wait just a little

It feels good to hate just a little

It feels good to cream just a little

It feels good to beam just a little

It feels good to rum just a little

It feels good to bum just a little

It feels good to need just a little

It feels good to bleed just a little

It feels good to chill just a little

It feels good to drill just a little

It feels good to wear just a little

It feels good to bare just a little

It feels good to try just a little

It feels good to cry just a little

It feels good to gauge just a little

It feels good to wage just a little

It feels good to let just a little

It feels good to net just a little

It feels good to say just a little

It feels good to pray just a little

It feels good to steer just a little

It feels good to veer just a little

It feels good to teach just a little

It feels good to leech just a little

It feels good to blink just a little

It feels good to sink just a little

It feels good to cruise just a little

It feels good to lose just a little

It feels good to reap just a little

It feels good to keep just a little

It feels good to pet just a little

It feels good to wet just a little

It feels good to pay just a little

It feels good to lay just a little

It feels good to throw just a little

It feels good to crow just a little

It feels good to heed just a little

It feels good to lead just a little

It feels good to drill just a little

It feels good to fill just a little

It feels good to beat just a little

It feels good to eat just a little

It feels good to choose just a little

It feels good to booze just a little

It feels good to fry just a little

It feels good to sigh just a little

It feels good to pour just a little

It feels good to whore just a little

It feels good to chase just a little

It feels good to race just a little

It feels good to care just a little

It feels good to dare just a little

It feels good to pair just a little

It feels good to tear just a little

It feels good to pay just a little

It feels good to lay just a little

It feels good to cheer just a little

It feels good to leer just a little

It feels good to weigh just a little

It feels good to say just a little

It feels good to buy just a little

It feels good to fly just a little

It feels good to hum just a little

It feels good to come just a little

It feels good to soar just a little

It feels good to roar just a little

It feels good to brace just a little

It feels good to face just a little

It feels good to thrill just a little

It feels good to kill just a little

It feels good to rut just a little

It feels good to cut just a little

It feels good to lie just a little

It feels good to die just a little

Love Triangle

2012-02-01T09:08:00.000-05:00

Andy was a dandy

who liked to eat Candy

and Candy didn’t mind

one bit.

Randy was quite handy

planned to marry Candy

but Andy didn’t know

that shit.

When Randy met Andy

on a beach so sandy

and found out he could scratch

that itch.

Both Andy and Randy

said ‘to hell with Candy’

and they ran off without

that bitch.

Good in Bad

2012-01-31T11:27:00.000-05:00

Even

the worst things

can serve

the good

as bad examples.

Just Another Day

2012-01-30T09:55:00.000-05:00

While the boy

day-dreams

like he is ever

just a clown

While the girl

sits and screams

like she has ever

worn a crown

While the fan

always seems

like it is ever

slowing down

While the sun

stretches beams

like it is ever

gonna drown

Unusual

2012-01-29T08:25:00.000-05:00

I don’t like the unusual because it’s cool or hip or so random or weird...

I like the unusual because it’s fun or funny or makes me think or feel.

I like it because it’s not the same as everything else…

Because it’s beautiful.

Busy Hands

2012-01-27T09:51:00.000-05:00

I sometimes like

a mindless task

so I am free to think

I contemplate

life’s mysteries

coincidences link

I ponder things

most curious,

some amuse, some frighten

Through logic or

experience,

seeking to enlighten

I think things through

as best I can

try to find some meaning

Though I sometimes

don’t see the point

and find myself just leaning

Hoist The Sails

2012-01-26T09:59:00.000-05:00

Singing songs of sailing ships

Whaling shanties bold and loud

Though I’m not a-sea at all

Just a-struggle in a crowd

Drifting in an online sea

Aboard this tiny blog-ship

The wind is good, my sails full

The waves rise high and then dip

I know not where I’m headed

My old compass is failing

I don’t mind my map is blank

I’m glad just to be sailing

The Essence of Change

2012-01-25T09:54:00.000-05:00

The essence of change comes from inside. Changing the superficial does not change the essential, just as changing the superficial you does not change the essential you. You can’t erase inner flaws with a new outfit. You can’t overcome lack of personality by getting a tattoo. You don’t become a new person just by changing your hair.

For real change, you need to work on the inside. Find the things that limit you, the roadblocks to becoming a better person. Remove that which keeps you from being helpful and honest and good. Nurture that which brings you peace of mind. And the changes inside will be reflected on the outside.

Bad Joke Time

2012-01-24T09:16:00.002-05:00

Jade was a hooker who would pretend to be a dog walker so the cops wouldn’t hassle her. She always had two or three dogs on leashes while she was working. She would get new dogs once in awhile so the cops wouldn’t wise-up.

Gabe was a older guy who was a regular trick of Jade’s. He was always nice to her and her dogs. But he had a hard time remembering the names of the dogs, since she was always getting new ones. This irritated Jade, since it was part of her cover, and she liked dogs, but he was a good customer so she wouldn’t say anything.

One day Gabe found Jade walking her usual route with a couple of dogs. He came up and, as usual, started off by making friends with the dogs. He patted their heads and said, “That’s a good boy, Spike… there’s a good girl, Sadie.”

Jade was irked and said, “This isn’t Spike and Sadie, it’s Frenchie and Bella! Honestly, you always get the names wrong. You saw them just two days ago! Why can’t you remember their names?”

Gabe replied, “You know what they say…

You can’t teach an old trick new dogs.”

Year Of The Dragon

2012-01-23T10:01:00.000-05:00

Born a dragon

and scorpion

But not Chinese

nor Lebanese

Still I feel it

inside me yet

Some direction

of connection

Never explained

somehow constrained

I feel its pull

deep down and dull

Or strong and keen

borderline mean

To fly or sting

with fire I bring

Another sense

intelligence

Something to say

a dragon’s way

Busy Day

2012-01-20T07:51:00.001-05:00

Busy day, busy day

So much to do, no time for play

No time for talk, so much to say

Busy day, busy day

Snowing Finally

2012-01-19T10:53:00.000-05:00

Finally it’s snowing

Fat white flakes are blowing

Accumulating

Been waiting patiently

Hoping so eagerly

Anticipating

So now I stop and stare

Fluffy stuff fills the air

Everywhere I see

It brightens up the night

And makes the world turn white

Snowing finally

PIPA/SOPA

2012-01-18T10:13:00.000-05:00

If you

post

a post

saying

you’re not

going to

post

a post

because

today is

a day

of protest…

Doesn’t

posting

that post

undermine

your

very

intent

and

thus

contradict

the

effort?

Freeway Drive

2012-01-17T09:37:00.000-05:00

Freeway drive

Cold morning

Sun piercing

Traffic slight

Warm inside

Watch roadside

Chimney smoke

Rides skyward

Straight upward

Travel there

Get something

Miss nothing

Heading back

Wheels whirling

Smoke curling

Back To Tony Packo’s

2012-01-16T15:01:00.006-05:00

Yesterday my wife and I, on a quest to buy a new HD camcorder, found ourselves headed to Toledo when all nearby Best buy stores in Michigan were out of stock. Luckily, it was also a perfect excuse to go back to Tony Packo’s Café for lunch.

(You can read my post about our first trip HERE)

We drove down I-75 to Toledo, then took I-280 across the Veteran' Glass City Skyway, commonly referred to as the Toledo Skyway Bridge.

We took exit 9 and, after a couple of turns, were at the restaurant, located at the corner of Front and Consaul (a.k.a. “Nancy Packo’s Way).

Inside they have hundreds of autographed ‘buns’ (actually rubber, not bread) from various celebrities…

This time, instead of their famous franks, I decided to try the stuffed cabbage combo with a Hungarian hamburg (like a hambuger-sized meatloaf) and some Dumplings Paprikas on the side. Like before, I found the food to be delicious, spicy and hearty. Also, much to my delight, Ohio now sells Yuengling beer, so I had a nice glass of draft - a perfect compliment to their wonderful food.

We got to speak with the manager, Kevin, who had let us come in early our first visit. I’d worn my Tony Packo’s t-shirt, which was appreciated by quite a few people there. After eating we visited the gift shop and picked up a few goodies.

Once again we were impressed not only with the excellent food, but with the friendliness of the staff at Tony Packo’s. We felt like friends instead of customers. That sort of thing is far too rare these days.

We look forward to our next visit. If you haven't been there, GO!

P.S. To our friend, Irving -
We may not have seen you this trip, but we haven’t forgotten you!

Snowfall

2012-01-13T09:55:00.000-05:00

The snow is finally falling

Descending to the ground

Some find it quite appalling

To have the snow around

But I think it’s quite pretty

Making all a whitish-blue

I think it’s such a pity

Some can’t see the world anew

Balance

2012-01-12T09:45:00.000-05:00

Don’t tip the scales with more hate…

There are lives hanging in the balance.

Persistence

2012-01-11T10:51:00.000-05:00

Some days I just

Don’t feel inspired

Perhaps it’s just

That I’m too tired

But there’s no need

To dwell in sorrow

I only need

To try tomorrow

The Time Is Won!

2012-01-10T09:43:00.000-05:00

Indigo Spider's Sunday Picture Press (Better late than never!)

2012-01-09T14:28:00.001-05:00

News Item:

After several attempts at updating the group's overly-conservative dress, the GOP was forced to execute all six members of their once-popular boy band, The Young Republicans. The group, remembered for such past hits as "Gimme (A Tax) Shelter and " Gotta Loophole For Ya, Girl", has been replaced by the new group, Newt Kids On The Block, who's break-out single "G.O.P. For You And Me" is still racing up the charts since its debut earlier this month. Dates for their upcoming tour are to be announced some time next week.

Phase-Shift

2012-01-09T12:59:00.000-05:00

Dr. Emmett Duram stepped into the phase chamber and the door slid closed behind him. He watched Will the technician through the radiant glass, punching buttons, turning dials, moving levers and checking his read-out screens. Will leaned forward and clicked on the microphone, “Okay, I’m all set, Dr. Duram. You ready?” Emmett took a deep breath and stated calmly, “Ready when you are, Will.”

Will typed in the command to start the sequence. He saw the lights dim briefly as the generators kicked in, drawing significant power to fire the beta wave transmitters. It took a lot of energy to create beta waves of such frequency and strength, and they were dangerous and tricky to control, which is why they were limited to twenty seconds at a time. Through the thick protective glass, Dr. Duram’s whole body seemed to blur as the beta waves increased in frequency. Soon the technician saw the tell-tale image-doubling that signaled the phase-shift was beginning.

Inside the chamber, Emmett’s vision of Will was slowly overlapped by a secondary image, like seeing two things at once. Soon the secondary image became the dominant one, and a few seconds later Will faded away totally, leaving Durham staring into a now-familiar room. Emmett stood very still. Phase-shifting didn’t allow for much movement, so you had to just use your eyes. It looked like a fairly ordinary room. Its familiar feel had led them to theorize that the room was in some other dimension, perhaps an alternate version of their own reality.

The room’s view wasn’t perfect, being dark and out of focus, but he could see a small window on the left side and a doorway on the right. The edges of the room’s view were sharper than the middle, which was fairly dim. He looked around, straining to see more. For a second he thought he detected some movement, but then the timer went off and the beta waves subsided, taking the mysterious room’s image with them.

He stepped out of the phase chamber, excited but frustrated. “Well?” inquired Will, “See anything new?” “Nothing new” he grumbled, “There has to be a way we can increase the duration or clarity, something we haven’t thought of yet.” Will nodded,“We’ll keep on trying, Dr. Durham. We’ve gotten this far, right? We’ll figure it out.” Emmett smiled, “I sure hope so.”

It was a quarter to midnight in the old house. Dale sipped his black coffee and gazed at the video monitors surrounding his. The team had been set up for hours, hoping for a repeat of last night’s extraordinary events. The ghost sightings they’d documented in the past had been vague at best; a few blurry images, some brief muffled whispers, random meter reading surges. But last night had been different. So different, in fact, that the team had sworn to stay there as long as they possibly could. He looked over at Reggie, busy tweaking settings on various beeping meters and sensing probes. Meanwhile, Sarah was staring out the window into the darkness, obviously bored. She was like that, restless unless there was something happening. She certainly hadn’t been bored last night.

She got up from her window-side seat and walked over to Dale. “Play it again,” she said, “I want to see it just once more.” Dale smiled, reaching over to click open the video-capture file from the previous night, glad to do something besides stare at static monitors. He clicked “Play” and the screen flickered as the current feed was replaced by the previous recording, though it looked much the same. He fast-forwarded until the time signature read twenty-three hundred hours and fifty-nine minutes, then he clicked “Play” again. Reggie hopped up from his equipment and joined them to watch the video they’d all watched dozens of times already.

A few seconds later there appeared a slight glow between the doorway and the window. It grew a bit brighter and larger, taking on the basic shape of a person. After about ten seconds they could clearly tell it was a man, but the features were fuzzy and indistinct. Sarah’s voice on the recording asked, “Hello, can you hear me?” When the man didn’t react she asked again, “Can you hear me? My name is Sarah. I’d like to talk to you.” A few more seconds passed, then the glow quickly faded to black.

A cold shiver went up her back again as she sat back. “Amazing, isn’t it?” said Reggie excitedly, “The beta readings were off the charts, too! I just hope it wasn’t a one-time occurrence, y’know?” She smiled, “I sure hope so.”

Sexy To The Bone (55)

2012-01-06T09:26:00.000-05:00

I want to be strong and lean and tone

I want to be sexy to the bone

My middle’s pudgy, yes it’s true

I like to eat, what can I do?

I don’t like having flabby thighs

I guess I’ll have to exercise

I’ll keep on working out until

They make an instant fitness pill

Annulus

2012-01-05T09:25:00.000-05:00

Another year has passed

I thought that it would last

It all went by so fast

To melt into the past

Another year has gone

The new one on its dawn

The curtains now are drawn

As I stand here and yawn

Auto-Off-On

2012-01-04T09:12:00.002-05:00

There’s a tricky switch

on my coffee maker…

It’s got three positions:

Auto, Off and On.

Auto is the timer: It waits to make the coffee.

Off is off: It doesn’t make the coffee.

On does not wait: It makes the coffee now.

It’s tricky is because it’s hard to move.

It tends to move suddenly

and all the way, left or right,

whichever direction you’re pushing.

Turning it Off takes repeated effort

because the switch skips right past it.

Auto to On, or On to Auto.

But that’s how it goes with extremes…

Left is Left and Right is Right

and the middle is hard to find

because it lies in-between.

Some say the middle is easy

because it plays both sides

and does not make choices.

I believe just the opposite,

because the middle requires balance

to considers the ebb and flow

as the stream bends and turns.

Choosing one bank or the other

you must leave the flow behind

for that still, false security.

Your bank seems steady and safe

and you disparage the other side

while the stream erodes both away.

Snowstorm

2012-01-03T10:47:00.000-05:00

Someone shook our snow-globe world

Now fluffy flakes swirling in the wind

Vision obscured by a curtain of white

Winter descends upon us once again

New Year

2011-12-29T09:31:00.002-05:00

The old year wanes thin as the new year looms near

The mill wheel of Father Time finds new grist to grind

Around the world calendar pages are flipped or ripped

Last year’s days get swept into the past too fast

We hope time will linger, finger to lips, shhh…

Grilled Ham & Swiss on Rye

2011-12-28T09:20:00.000-05:00

Butter

Rye Bread

Onion

Swiss Cheese

Spiral-Sliced Ham

Swiss Cheese

Onion

Rye Bread

Butter

Spatula (flip) ---->

Hot Pan

STOVE

No Experience Necessary

2011-12-27T10:04:00.002-05:00

One does not need experience to have ability

One does not need ability to have comprehension

One does not need comprehension to have appreciation

One does not need appreciation to have understanding

One does not need understanding to have compassion

One does not need compassion to contribute

One does not need to contribute to have knowledge

One does not need knowledge to have achievement

One does not need achievement to have experience

Decisions

2011-12-23T10:14:00.002-05:00

Where we have been before

The past has gone away

Where will we go from here

We decide every day

It’s all about choices

The path that we each take

Determined by every

Decisions that we make

We each can choose to be

Soothing or more violent

Doctor or prisoner

Benefit or detriment

Sometimes it’s so easy

To lead ourselves astray

Sometimes it’s very hard

To find a better way

Each step makes a difference

So mind its direction

Choose the straight and narrow

And strive for perfection

The Week-After Club

2011-12-22T10:11:00.000-05:00

With Thanksgiving barely over, Christmas fast approaching, and New Year's hot on its heels, I'm sure many of you folks are feeling overwhelmed by this holiday season, as we so often are every year. And it's not just the end-of-the-year holidays that do it to us - there's Valentine's Day, the 4th of July, Labor Day, Memorial Day - not to mention birthdays, anniversaries and other special days people celebrate with family and friends.

Each celebration brings with it a period of mad dashing about, making arrangements, buying gifts, organizing menus and countless other things that take up our time and energy - and money. And the holidays can be the most stressful of our yearly celebrations because we have to contend with all the other procrastinating celebrants out there preparing for their holidays at the same time. Small wonder so many people turn into Scrooges each Christmas.

But I've got a solution for you: It's called The Week-Before Club.

The concept is simple: Celebrate everything a week earlier. Instead of celebrating Christmas on December 25th, club members have their Christmas on December 18th. Instead of the 4th of July, we celebrate the 27th of June. Thanksgiving for The Week-Before Club members falls on the third Thursday of November. Our Easter is on the Sunday before the full moon following the vernal equinox. (Etc, etc...)

The Week-Before Club also works for birthdays, anniversaries and other personal dates we all celebrate. After all, remembering the reason for the celebration is what's important, not the calendar date itself. And if the week before isn't available for some reason, you can always celebrate the week after instead. (Not recommended for Christmas, since the week after is New Year's Day.)

Thus, all holidays are celebrated a full week ahead of the majority's. There are fewer crowds, less frenzy, and you can actually relax on the holiday itself. Travel plans are easier and cheaper, since you avoid not only the rush of people but those nasty holiday price hikes. The stores still have plenty in stock, rather than facing the empty shelves left behind by last-minute shoppers. (And wouldn't it just be nice to not be one of them?)

So do yourself a favor: Next year, join The Week-Before Club and start celebrating everything a week earlier. You'll be glad you did!

Awakening

2011-12-21T09:13:00.000-05:00

The first of

first-things-first

is making the coffee

Yes, even before

visiting the bathroom

I can’t even remember

my usual routine

before the coffee

After that,

all things are possible

Missing

2011-12-20T09:28:00.000-05:00

I miss those

who are gone

even more

at the end of the year

The holes

they’ve left behind

seem bigger

Empty echoes

in my mind

where they once dwelled

Maybe because

of the holidays

Maybe just backlash

from all the times

I’ve pushed their memories away

during the rest of the year

Drink offers no relief,

it only makes me tired and sad

I try to hide myself

in familiar comforts

like music,

playing the same old songs

But they just don’t

sound the same

anymore

There are missing notes

I feel their absence

keenly

when I

would have

otherwise

been singing

Faint sounds

drift back to me,

now and again,

on cold winter winds

I seek solace

in other distractions

but, in the end, nothing

replaces the nothing

crowding within my heart

Then

I hate myself

for wallowing in sorrow

There are many

who suffer

– truly suffer –

struggling every day

without food

or shelter

or love

living alone

in a cruel, uncaring world

My own woes

ring so hollow

in comparison,

sounding grossly selfish

whenever I step back

to reflect upon them

But logic gives

no absolution

and does not change

how it feels

And though I remain

grateful

for the good things

I have in my life,

I can never

overlook

that which is

missing.

Rhymes with “Hakuna Matata”

2011-12-19T09:55:00.000-05:00

This is a re-posting of a list of phrases I came up with that rhymed with "Hakuna Matata".

All the images were found online by searching for words in those phrases.

A tuna frittata…

Festoon a piñata…

Lampoon Joe Montana…

A lunar regatta…

(That's the actual title of this artwork)

A spoon of banana…

A goon from Havana…

Harpoon a piranha…

(Neither harpoon nor piranha here - but I liked it!)

Platoon of koala…

¿How soon is mañana? (Sums up most work weeks)

Maroon red bandana…

Raccoon Enchilada…

BuddhaRocks Project: Day 7

2011-12-17T08:00:00.013-05:00

White bear

I see you there

You seem to glow

Are you friend or foe?

Whether friend or foe

I like how you glow

Nice seeing you there

White bear

BuddhaRocks Project: Day 6

2011-12-16T09:27:00.000-05:00

Keep the dream, it’s best of all

Reality just lets you down

A dream is perfect, without flaw

The truth will only make you frown

The things you see inside your head

The thoughts imagination brings

Are great ideals we’d have instead

The real world holds few such things

Why should you waste all your time

Pursuing plain and real goals?

Perfection is the hill to climb

So see what, in your mind, unfolds

BuddhaRocks Project: Day 5

2011-12-15T10:38:00.000-05:00

Rows and rows

of beautiful baubles

Precious things for sale

So many choices

the mind wobbles

Treasures bright or pale

Made in

a far-off factory

Or in some tiny shop

Each tells

a different story

If you will only stop

BuddhaRocks Project: Day 4

2011-12-14T09:59:00.000-05:00

BuddhaRocks Project: Day 3

2011-12-13T11:01:00.000-05:00

Love is simple,

yet very profound

Thaw out your heart

and love can be found

BuddhaRocks Project: Day 2

2011-12-12T09:09:00.002-05:00

The well is deep

From which I draw my tears

BuddhaRocks Project: Day 1

2011-12-11T08:00:00.002-05:00

Why resist my quenching rain?

I know you thirst; it’s very plain

One kiss would make things okay

You’re tight-lipped and turn away

I held back too many years

Now my rain turns into tears

Vision

2011-12-09T10:14:00.000-05:00

I faced the great plain

Grasses to the horizon

The sun rose as I sang my song

To the Four Winds

I sang out my name and

Sang of my tribe

I sang of my ancestors

My father and grandfathers

On the wind I heard

A bone flute playing far away

Then I closed my eyes

And in my mind I saw

The smoke of a thousand fires

Coming like a great heard of buffalo

The thick, gray clouds hid the grasslands

And I could not see

I heard screaming and running and crying

Many who were confused, lost and afraid

And I called out to them

To come towards my voice

Slowly, through the smoke

I saw many animals approaching me

Deer and squirrels and rabbits

Coyotes and bears and hawks

All manner of creatures

Running from the smoke

Suddenly they all cried out,

“Save us! Save us from the smoke!”

Then I opened my eyes

And saw only the grassy plain before me

No animals and no smoke

No running or crying or screaming

So I turned away

To walk back to my people

I Don’t Play Guitar No More (55)

2011-12-08T20:00:00.005-05:00

I don’t play my guitar no more

Not since you walked out that door

It don’t sound like it did before

I don’t play my guitar no more

I no longer sing in the shower

My heart just ain’t got the will-power

Soaking my head for an hour

I no longer sing in the shower

You too can join in the fun at G-Man's: Friday 55

Keynote Speaker

2011-12-08T09:28:00.002-05:00

It’s said that,

in polite company,

one should avoid discussing

religion, economics or politics

The key to religion

is to pacify

the lower class with having less

The key to economics

is to encourage

the middle class to strive for more

The key to politics

is to protect

the upper class from other classes

Small wonder then,

in polite company,

that we so often discuss

religion, economics or politics

Weight A Minute

2011-12-07T09:24:00.002-05:00

Could my gut get any fatter

and would it even matter?

How I wiggle and I jiggle

and not just when I giggle

All this extra insulation

is no cause for celebration

I’m definitely displeased

with the aching in my knees

Need to get up off my seat

before I cannot reach my feet

Abduction Of The Hohners

2011-12-06T09:31:00.000-05:00

I dug-up the Hohners

Washed-up on the beach

I rinsed off the sand and

I tested the bellows

They were in good order and

I did well in accompaniment

But a call came in and

Nobody was there to answer

Then someone took the Hohners and

Hid them amidst the auction rubble

Boxes on shelves with guitars and

Someone singing Loudon Wainwright III

I could sing along, but I never knew

Who took them or where they went

You’re rather a goose

In the short-term country club

Yep... Feels Like Monday Again!

2011-12-05T11:11:00.001-05:00

Friday Funny

2011-12-02T09:29:00.000-05:00

Isn't paste used to glue stuff together?

Don't be fooled by cheap imitations...
Insist on the original Boudreaux's Butt Paste!

Different Drummer

2011-12-01T11:26:00.000-05:00

Seems I was born years too late

Out-of-step with the current date

It’s hard to explain how I feel

Why modern gadgets lack appeal

I like stuff basic, not too complex

Simple things, not ‘What-the-heck?’s

Books with pages, not with screens

Flannel shirts and old blue jeans

Telephones that stay at home

Not going everywhere we roam

Going outside for fresh air

And just taking pictures there

Smelling flowers, drinking tea

Senses don’t work virtually

Hearing music played out loud

While amidst the swaying crowd

Conversations with a friend

Face-to-face, not hitting “send”

This constant contact without rest

Texting, Tweeting, Friend Request

Can’t replace a simple kiss

Or other joys in life I’d miss

Call it Karma or call it Fate

I was just born much too late

Goodbye, November

2011-11-30T10:21:00.001-05:00

Goodbye, November

With skies turning gray

Hello, December

With snows come to stay

Goodbye, November

With leaves a-falling

Hello, December

With friends a-calling

Goodbye, November

With blustery thunder

Hello, December

With holiday wonder

Goodbye, November

With harvest days

Hello, December

With lights a-blaze

Goodbye, November

With a heavy heart

Hello, December

With a brand new start