In Honor of You, Dear Jason.

Thoughts of yesterday bring nostalgia.
Tomorrows bring hope and dread.
As long as you're beside me,
"Today", is the nicest thing said.
Quite a few years behind us
Only unknowns ahead
Today I'll cherish the moments
All worries we will shed
As we listen to the rhythm
Of the heart we call our own
Thanking our kind Creator
For love and you and home.

The Stuff of Dreams

You would think that if you worked on something for twenty years that then began immediately improving the world for the better and continued to do so for all of known time to such an extent that it has been named by some as the single most important invention of modern man, you would think that you would become a hero and die wealthy. Not so, at least not for Johann Gutenberg. The printing press, what did it do for the world? Well, without it the average person was at the mercy of the rich and powerful to tell them about the truths that we now hold to be self evident. Religion, politics, and commerce were all controlled by those who had books. When books became more available to everyone the world became a "brighter" place. Thanks to Johann the "lights" started to come on everywhere.... I am pretty sure Edison read some books too :)

So, what is the stuff dreams are made of? What makes a person press on in spite of extreme obstacles, like no money or time or encouragement? For some there is even the threat of death if they continue to press on. I think, for those who are only seeking personal gain their dreams will probably not extend much farther than themselves, but for those looking to make the world a better place, their dreams may likely become the reality that the rest of world takes for granted as commonplace. Once upon a time, not so long ago, and not so far away, the common thought was that the universe revolves around the earth. Nicolaus Copernicus proved otherwise, but sometimes I think there are people that still believe they are the center of it all.

By the way we started our "structured" book work type schedule today... I was obviously inspired by the book we read together... "Breaking Into Print" by Stephen Krensky

When You're Right

It is nice to be right.

Although.... it can get you into trouble. People don't like people who are right more often then they are. People don't like people who say..."I told you so". People don't like people that make them feel wrong, or less than, or stupid. So, if you happen to be right, especially if you happen to be right kind of often... it may be best to be humble about it, or at least to develop of strong sense of humor. You are going to need one.

Note to self: You have a lot to learn, don't be afraid to make mistakes.

Feeling Better

What happens some days? We are walking along, minding our own business, and WHAM! Life clobbers us for seemingly no good reason? Thus has been my experience through the years, and what I have learned is that kindness matters. A kind word from a friend, a hug from my spouse, a thoughtful note, they make all the difference, and the opposite is true. If someone is insensitive enough to kick us when we are down the damage can be so much worse at that time and the relationship repercussions can be practically irreparable. So thanks, to the ones that are thoughtful, and beware to the callous crowds. There are a lot of other people out there having a down day once in awhile, and sometimes more often then that. Watch out, you wouldn't want to tick off the wrong one. I am small potatoes compared to many.

A Bite of Life

Waiting for a letter that won't ever come.
Waiting for a job that will never be done.
Waiting for life to become what its not.
Waiting for a little to feel like a lot.
Waiting for death to sweeten its hue.
Waiting for dreams to become what is true.
Waiting for old age to turn back the time.
Waiting for a dollar to grow from a dime.

Hate not the bee.
Though honey lessens not the sting.
Hate not the see.
Though lies sweeten not the thing.
Hate not the work.
Though it means nothing.
Hate not the the day.
Though it refuse to sing.
Hate not the way.
Though it gathers no more wings.
Hate not the hurt.
Though it strengthen not anything.

Trying to tell the dog to not itch the fleas.
Trying to tell the garden to not grow the weeds.
Trying to tell the kids to not track in the dirt.
Trying to tell the heart to forget all the hurt.
Trying to tell the mind to accept what is dumb.
Trying to tell the bookworm, go out and have fun.
Trying to tell the tears, its not worth the fall.
Trying to tell the fears, don't worry, that's all.

120 or so...

120+! That is about how many critters we are caring for these days! We have 6 Nubian goats, 6 rabbits, 10 Cochin hens, 15 Cochin peeps, 5 Plymouth Rock peeps, 20 Guinea fowl peeps, 7 adult guinea fowl, 12 Ducks, 5 cats, 1 Yorkie, 1 parakeet, 1 Red-Eared Slider Turtle, 4 Goldfish, 2 frogs, 1 snail, 2 catfish, and at least 20 Fancy Guppies! I am thinking about starting to charge admission to the Pfleegor petting zoo! I really don't want this many animals, and we will be downsizing for winter here very, very soon, hopefully.

We didn't actually try very hard to have this many animals. They are just very prolific.... the bunnies were 2 before they were 6. The ducks were 2 before they were 14. The Guinea fowl were 7 before they were 27. The Guppies were 4 before they were 20+. And the Goldfish.... they were feeder Goldfish that we bought to "feed" the turtle. He decided he preferred their company :) I guess I can't complain about the lack of predators or having a turtle that has decided to be a vegetarian. I did actually buy the Cochin peeps. I wanted a rooster since we lost ours over the winter, but I didn't know where to get a Cochin rooster, so I had to mail order 15 peeps, since that is the minimum purchase. The hatchery added 5 Plymouth Rock peeps, as a bonus? Since I am not an expert at telling boy birds from girl birds we need wait awhile until it is more obvious. Then we will keep a few and share a few. God is good. And there is a livestock auction.......


postscript: That count is kinda low... I forgot to add the 10,000 or so Honey Bees!

Oh, Distracted Bean Snapper

Oh, distracted bean snapper
Where are your thoughts today?
Ends in the waste, beans in the pot
Not the other way
Come the months of winter
When wishing for a stew
All you'll have is wanting
If this job you do not do

Stages

Birth to 5.... foundation
6-12..... character
12-21...... experience
22-40....... practice and support
41-60....... investing
60- eternity.... legacy

In my humble opinion these are the stages of life.

Foundation~
Babies and toddlers absorb the world around them like no other stage of life ever. Breast fed babies are scientifically proven to have fewer allergies, fewer ear infections, less likelihood of obesity later in life, as well as the advantages of the mother's immunities and a strong bonding. A person can make it through life, and even thrive no matter what the first five years of that persons life were like, but language, health, and emotional stability hinge strongly on the first five years.

Character~
In my humble opinion the next stage develops the strongest character for better or worse. The person we are or become during this phase is the character we will continually lean on throughout the rest of our lives. We all have natural tendencies, but how we allow ourselves to give in to weaknesses or encourage strengths becomes evident and the cement hardens, so to speak, in this phase. We take that character on to the next phase and make of it what we will....

Experience~
How we treat others, how they treat us, people person or book worm, mall fly or computer nerd. The first job, the first kiss, driving, our first taste of independence, college or hard knocks......

Practice and Support~
We take those experiences and put our choices to work for us as adults with responsibilities, families, careers, dreams...... it really helps if there is a lot of support during this time, from community, family, friends, but it is possible to get by without it. Support allows more room for breathing, and laughing, and loving. Practice, practice, practice.... will it ever make perfect?

Investing~
Not likely to make perfect, but if we played our cards right, and if there was a little luck smiling in our direction, then at this phase there should be a nest egg incubating, a home mortgage somewhere in the processes, a bit of earth to call our own, or a shingle on the door. So that hopefully by the time our knees give out on us we will be able to rest... to retire.

Legacy~
Retire to what? That is the legacy. Who are we? What has the sum of our life added up to? Are we lonely or loved? Wealthy or fearful of how to pay for the next doctor bill? Are there grandchildren or pets or hobbies or vacation homes or books to write or stories to tell? Where will we end up, who will remember, who will care?

IMHO anyway......