Old Age

Old age?
As the sun rises each day, seemingly ageless, casting light across the land, night shadows diminishing as daylight creeps into every nook and cranny- It would be great to not just think but to know that our earthly form would react in the same manner as the creatures of the land- As the warmth of the sun has the desired affect, they stir to a state of wakefulness and irrespective of their length of stay on this earth as they still maintain a level of activity that belies their age.

Us humans- supposedly the highest order of intellegent life form- as the years multiply we start to go into a state of physical collapse- muscles weaken- oxygen levels can drop to a danger level - digestive systems start to fail. Man with all his knowledge of the universe hasn't really got the ability to know how to look after his/her own body. We wait until things are in a state of chaos physically then we hit the panic button -- "my waist- I've gained 10 inches - how could this happen?" Hey, usually I'm 168lbs but now I'm 250lbs - what has happened?

Very few blame themselves for obesity- it's always the availability of fast food take aways etc, cake kitchens etc- never does anyone admit the truth - "It's my own fault" I couldn't be bothered to eat sensibly. If people cared more about their bodies, the fast food chain would either cease to grow or their menu's would change drasticly. Old age need not be the curse that it is - maintain a set level of physical activity daily and you would remain active and able for a hell of a long time.

My DAD could out run me when I was 12-- he was only 72 at the time. He'd be up at sunrise, split the wood for the day, feed over a thousand chooks, gather the eggs, clean the chook run, spend at least all morning in his vege garden, stop for lunch, smoke his pipe and read the paper, check any suspected breaks in the boundary fences, split some more wood for the coming morning, come in and have a pipe and possibly another rum, then clean up for the evening meal. As darkness settled in he'd make sure that all of us kids were tucked in for the night- with a playful dig in the ribs for each of us, he'd bid us good night then retire to his bed also- until sunrise, he'd sleep soundly- 4am he'd be up and moving around getting things ready for when mum and I had milked the cow, fed the calf and pig and brought the milk indoors. This daily routine found the whole family very fit and very healthy- no days off school, no days stuck in bed-except for when we got the usual kids diseases - measles, etc.

We had no electricity, no running town supply of water, no hot water on tap, nearest shop was 5 mile across country, nearest town was 30 mile, no car, we had a couple of saddle horses- and at the time there were 8 kids- we never knew hunger, drank fresh milk and ate fresh veges every day and walked 3 mile to school. When we sold the farm and moved into town, Dad was bored- nothing really needed doing- he was dead within 2 years- died of boredom more than anything else..

That is how I see old age and it's affect on us-- all self inflicted- therefore in truth we only have ourselves to blame- not society, fast food outlets, cigarette companies, or other types of enterprise-- We ourselves, created the need for them to exist..

cheers mate Arthur.

The Old Gas Station

The Old Gas Station

The service station trade was slow.
The owner sat around,
With sharpened knife and cedar stick.
Piled shavings on the ground.

No modern facilities had they,
The log across the rill
Led to a shack, marked His and Hers
That sat against the hill.

"Where is the ladies restroom, sir?"!
The owner leaning back,
Said not a word but whittled on
And nodded toward the shack.

With quickened step she entered there
But only stayed a minute,
Until she screamed, just like a snake
Or spider might be in it.

With startled look and beet red face
She bounded through the door,
And headed quickly for the car.
Just like the three gals before.

She tripped and fell -- got up,
and then in obvious disgust,
Ran to the car, stepped on the gas,
And faded in the dust.

Of course we all desired to know
What made the gals all do
The things they did, and then we found
The whittling owner knew.

A speaking system he'd devised
To make the thing complete,
He tied a speaker on the wall
Beneath the toilet seat.

He'd wait until the gals got set
And then the devilish guy,
Would stop his whittling long enough,
To speak into the mike.

And as she sat, a voice below
Struck terror, fright and fear.....
"Will you please use the other hole,
We're painting under here"!

Written by an Australian Friend

Put to the test

In the shade of an old gum tree
by the banks of a dried up creek,
I rest my head on the saddle,
My mind drifts off in a dream.

The memories come flooding back,
Of times so long ago-
When I was only just a lad
full of dreams with no where to go.

I still recall so clearly
the day I set out on my own;
I packed my bags and said good bye
I'd decided to go alone.

Life wasn't easy at the start,
The going was sometimes hard;
I wanted to be a drover-
I didn't know where to start.

I moved all over the country,
Travelled north, south east and west;
I covered a lot of country
before I was put to the test.

He was tall, lean and rugged,
His face was as dry as your boot;
His nature was warm and friendly
as he asked:- Now, what can "you" do?

I've done a bit of mustering,
Some drafting and branding as well;
Broken in a few horses-
How good I am, time will tell.

He showed me a string of horses,
A big roan stood out from the rest-
Catch and ride that fellow-
We 'll soon put you to the test.

I took a bridle in my hand,
Wandered over to the brute-
Cautiously I reached out my hand
and slipped the bit in his mouth.

He stood still as I saddled him,
Then led him away from the rest-
I led him around for a little,
Trying to calm this beast.

As I swung into the saddle,
Feeling confident and brave,
I had to grab leather-
No other way could I have stayed.

The horse was alive and bucking,
Using every trick in the book-
Don't know how long I stayed on him,
Nor how long it took.

Although my body was aching,
I knew I had passed the test;
The old drover walked up to me--
Come on. let's join the rest.

In the shade of an old gum tree
by the banks of a dried up creek,
I often lay here dreaming",
of the time I was put to the test.

A H Andersen Hull

A Firefighter's Prayer

A Firefighter's Prayer

When I am called to duty, God
Wherever flames may rage
Give me the strength to save some life
Whatever be its age

Help me embrace a little child
Before it is too late
Or save an older person from
The horror of that fate

Enable me to be alert and
Hear the weakest shout
And quickly and efficiently
To put the fire out

I want to fill my calling and
To give the best in me
To guard my every neighbor
And protect their property

And if according to Your will
I have to lose my life
Please bless with Your protecting hand
My children and my wife.

Amen.

~Author Unknown~

For My Online Friends

not fancy~not plain,
just a gal riding life's mystery train
my adventure in time... journeys to experience
new people to meet - friends to make

internet junkie, yes that is what i am
on my days off, if you're like me i know you understand
life is what you make of it, this i truly believe
from my heart i give you what makes me tick

everyone shares or so i believe,
i demand little of you or little of life,
silliness, fun, ~ seriousness at times
no intention of harm, yet no secrets i keep

only giving you friendship that is not to forsake
net friends hold msytery of voices not heard
faces not seen, yet trust is of our common bond
we share so much - laughter, tears, smiles within

you touch my heart - keep me strong inside
no matter what my strength is or how it sounds
i accept you as you are - believe in your gift
thank you for being a warm and kindly true friend

these few simple words are dedicated to you,
you've shown your true colors sharing with me
i accept with pleasure your ultimate gift
''Friendship"

Septembers Song
Journal Entry
Spring 2002

1000 Marbles

The older I get, the more I enjoy Saturday mornings. Perhaps it's the quiet solitude that comes with being the first to rise, or maybe it's the unbounded joy of not having to be at work. Either way, the first few hours of a Saturday morning are most enjoyable. A few weeks ago, I was shuffling toward the kitchen with a steaming cup of coffee in one hand and the morning paper in the other. What began as a typical Saturday morning turned into one of those lessons that life seems to hand you from time to time. Let me tell you about it.

I turned the volume up on my radio in order to listen to a Saturday morning talk show. I heard an older sounding chap with a golden voice. You know the kind, he sounded like he should be in the broadcasting business himself. He was talking about "a thousand marbles" to someone named "Tom." I was intrigued and sat down to listen to what he had to say.

"Well, Tom, it sure sounds like you're busy with your job. I'm sure they pay you well but it's a shame you have to be away from home and your Family so much. Hard to believe a young fellow should have to work sixty or seventy hours a week to make ends meet. Too bad you missed your daughter's dance recital."

He continued, "Let me tell you something Tom, something that has helped me keep a good perspective on my own priorities." And that's when he began to explain his theory of a "thousand marbles."

"You see, I sat down one day and did a little arithmetic. The average person lives about seventy-five years. I know, some live more and some live less, but on average, folks live about seventy-five years." "Now then, I multiplied 75 times 52 and I came up with 3900 which is the number of Saturdays that the average person has in their entire lifetime. Now stick with me Tom, I'm getting to the important part." "It took me until I was fifty-five years old to think about all this in any detail," he went on, "and by that time I had lived through over twenty-eight hundred Saturdays. I got to thinking that if I lived to be seventy-five, I only had about a thousand of them left to enjoy."

"So I went to a toy store and bought every single marble they had. I ended up having to visit three toy stores to roundup 1000 marbles. I took them home and put them inside of a large, clear plastic container right here in my workshop next to the radio. Every Saturday since then, I have taken one marble out and thrown it away." "I found that by watching the marbles diminish, I focused more on the really important things in life. There is nothing like watching your time here on this earth run out to help get your priorities straight."

"Now let me tell you one last thing before I sign-off with you and take my lovely wife out for breakfast. This morning, I took the very last marble out of the container. I figure if I make it until next Saturday then God has blessed me with a little extra time to be with my loved ones... "It was nice to talk to you Tom, I hope you spend more time with your loved ones, and I hope to meet you again someday. Have a good morning!"

You could have heard a pin drop when he finished. Even the show's moderator didn't have anything to say for a few moments. I guess he gave us all a lot to think about. I had planned to do some work that morning, then go to the gym. Instead, I went upstairs and woke my wife up with a kiss. "C'mon honey, I'm taking you and the kids to breakfast."

"What brought this on?" she asked with a smile. "Oh, nothing special," I said. "It has just been a long time since we spent a Saturday together with the kids. Hey, can we stop at a toy store while we're out?

I need to buy some marbles."

"Being A Mother"

We are sitting at lunch when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of "starting a family." "We're taking a survey," she says, half-joking. "Do you think I should have a baby?" "It will change your life," I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral. "I know," she says, "no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations.."

But that is not what I meant at all. I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her - I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes. I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing will heal, but that becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable.

I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking "What if that had been MY child?" That every plane crash, every house fire will haunt her. That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child die.

I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub. That an urgent call of "Mom!" will cause her to drop a souffle or her best crystal without a moment's hesitation.

I feel I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood. She might arrange for childcare, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think of her baby's sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of her discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right.

I want my daughter to know that everyday decisions will no longer be routine. That a five year old boy's desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's at McDonald's will become a major dilemma. That right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in that restroom.

However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother. Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself. That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give it up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years, not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs.

I want her to know that a cesarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honor. My daughter's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the way she thinks. I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child. I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic.

I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war and prejudice. I hope she will understand why I can think rationally about most issues, but become temporarily insane when I discuss the threat of nuclear war to my children's future. I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike. I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or a cat for the first time. I want her to taste the joy that is so real, it actually hurts.

My daughter's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes. "You'll never regret it," I finally say and then I reach across the table, squeeze my daughter's hand and offer a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all of the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this most wonderful of callings.

This blessed gift .... that of being a Mother.
by Dale Hanson Bourke

Inspiration

"If we live in the sun, we will never experience darkness.

But, symbolically, we left the sun and descended to earth and, because the earth turns around the sun, we are alternately in shadow and in light.

As long as we remain outside the sun, we must accept this alternation: day and night, light and dark, activity and rest, good and evil.

Not only must we accept it, but we must also know how to make use of it.

For example, how do you make use of the night?

It is wonderful: you sleep, you do nothing and, in the morning when you wake up, you have regained all your energy, you have rid yourself of wastes, and you are once again ready to work.

Why then do you not learn to make use of your suffering and your obstacles?

To make use of suffering, you must integrate it, that is to say you must incorporate it as raw material in your activities.

As in chemistry, in which no substance, even the most toxic, is rejected, everything can be used for the good if we know how to proceed."

Omraam Mikhaël Aïvanhov

Blind Man

One day, there was a blind man sitting on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet and a sign that read: "I am blind, please help." A creative publicist was walking by and stopped to observe. He saw that the blind man had only a few coins in his hat. He dropped in more coins and, without asking for permission, took the sign and rewrote it. He returned the sign to the blind man and left. That afternoon the publicist returned to the blind man and noticed that his hat was full of bills and coins. The blind man recognized his footsteps and asked if it was he who had rewritten his sign and wanted to know what he had written on it. The publicist responded: "Nothing that was not true. I just wrote the message a little differently." He smiled and went on his way.

The new sign read: "Today is Spring and I cannot see it."
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sometimes we need to change our strategy. If we always do what we've always done, we'll always get what we've always gotten. And remember too, sometimes it's not WHAT we say, it's HOW we say it!!

Alone at Four

Mom, please come in and comfort me, for you must hear me weeping,
Please sing to me and cuddle me and stay 'til I am sleeping.
I feel so much alone here, though you're right next door in bed,
Please lie to me and tell me that there's no such thing as dead.
And let's pretend, at least for now, there'll always be us three,
For soon enough you'll both be gone, and no one left but me.
As just today I've learned new words like heaven, death and dying,
Oh, hurry Mom, and dry my tears and help me stop this crying.
Why must I be the younger one and so the last to go?
Why did I learn of death at all, I'd rather never know.
Can you tell me, Teddy, though you're just a little bear,
Why grown-ups think that four year olds don't have a single care?

Thanks for sharing ~ Written by a Dear Friend

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons
than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantmentit
is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.

Texas Dreamer

a child of ten pumping gas way back then
a lasting impression was made
by a customer who came in
just a pickup truck and horse trailer
a cowboy hat, big belt buckle and southern drawl
said he was racing horses, was from Texas an' all
from that day on i dreamed of the day
i would go to this place where horses 'n' cowboys reign
with my school atlas tucked under my arm
i began to travel and explore this land
learned what i could - someday i'll go there,
i truly would
we grow up and follow our destined path
childhood dreams are set aside
long years past i still see that tall Texan,
wearing a ten gallon hat, blue jeans, boots
~ whistling a tune
vivid in my mind, deep in my soul
i have travelled Texas often, yet only in books
i have crossed the state from end to end
Amarillo, Brownsville, El Paso, Ft Worth
a passion followed along many paths
now in my pick-up i travel at last.

Journal Writing 01/99

Speed River 2

Adventured along the river farther west of the area of the first photos shared.. Time was near noon, day was bright, sunny, absent of a breeze yet cool in temperature.. Greenery was nonexistent..

I appreciated the babbling sounds of the water.. Ice ladened tips of the tree branches danced in the foam as each met the rivers compliance of movement.. In the quiet I sensed in my soul the urgency of the river as she prepared for the new season.. All the river offered at this time was a special settling confirmation of simplicity that drenched my soul with serenity..

Birthday Wishes

Birthday Wishes

deep down inside my heart
there is a special place
it's weaved with pretty paper
lacy ribbons and fancy bows
butterflies gently flap their wings
sprinkling fairy dust in the air
radiant hues of blue, red and gold
dance within each blossom of life there
within the lining of my hearts garden
my picture of you comes to mind
your graceful smile, delicate voice
twinkling eyes, your beauty abounds..
i seldom say how i feel ~ i am flawed that way
yet stored within my heart that is true
is 'i love you' ~
it's forever - always - never forget
i will love you as long as we both live
my wish for you - of reality ~ of fantasy
heightened by butterflies gentle flapping wings
dusting your beauty, silent and tender
always and for now on this your 15th birthday

Mack Titan Train

Have you ever been stopped for being overweight? Recently, an Australian trucker exceeded his weight limit by almost 3 million pounds. However, 70-year-old John Atkinson didn't get in trouble. He was competing in the "Guinness Book of World Records" competition for pulling the most trailers. Atkinson won top honors by hitching his Mack Titan up to 113 loaded trailers and pulling them just longer than the length of a football field. The total weight was 2,865,980 pounds

Sillies

Starkle starkle little twink,
who the heck you are I think,
I'm not under what you call,
the alcofluence of incohol,
I'm just a little slort of sheep,
I'm not drunk like tinkle peep,
I don't know who is me yet,
but the drunker I stand here,
the longer I get,
Just give me one more drink,
to fill me cup,'cuz
I got all day sober to Sunday up.

Speed River

Photo above is the Speed River in Hespeler.. looking west from Guelph Avenue.. Day as you can see is overcast, no evidence of snow, and typically of pre-spring the grasses are little more than hues of brown..

Crazy Days

in my crazy world, somehow i seem to spend endless hours accomplishing nothing more than breathing.. at times i even wonder if that is worthwhile.. spring seemed just around the corner with the arrival of early migrating robins and grackles.. weather had for near two weeks been so pleasant.. sunny, cloudless bright blue skies, warmth in the air that encouraged all who had the daylight time reason to sit in a lawn chair with refreshment in hand and soak up the beauty of it all.. typical of this time of year what was so beautiful all changed in a night.. snow of near 2 inches deep covered the ground one morning a few days ago.. with it came bitter cold, gloomy skies and winds that turned the snow that lay on roof tops into blizzard-like conditions..

as i stood at the window looking out over the yard the situation of the day reminded me of my kid days when in my mothers wisdom she felt a need to keep me from my outdoor space.. she believing the conditions too cold out there for me.. me the kid whose spine rippled in shivers of the cold she created around me with her presence..

take care, be safe

Spam

If you come to my blog and want to leave a comment please do so.. You will be asked to verify your post.. what this means is you will need to copy a few alpha/numeric symbols as you see there and place it all in a box.. In doing so you are saying you are not a machine or composite of.. Most spam is generated by systems non human in nature.. and are unable to clutter my life with garbage.. If you don't leave a message thanks for stopping bye..

take care, be safe

A Trucker I Am

by the light of the moon
my love and life falls into my space
i drive the land, chase twinkling stars
destiny is all mine, this is my place
alone i am in days and nights
off to my shopping mall

lakes, rivers, streams, grasses, the pines
wolves, bear, moose, deer, fox ~ big cats
all before me, all too see
in my world, where i feel so free

i follow the dotted line
North America is where i will be found
this is my home, my safe haven
seeking above and beyond
experiencing wide open space

i will dance in the rain ~
let snowflakes melt on my face
appreciate what will be - consume it all
authorize visions to grow
stand tall, triumphant and free

my thoughts are with you tonight
safe and snug in your beds til daylight
the land i must wander
i will be on the road again tonight

take care, be safe

Septembers Song
11/01

Where Does Your Heart Beat?

the day is coming to an end
it is now time to say good-bye my friend
you have been the never ending best
especially through all my computer duress
i'm sorry to say it's time for me to go
as now is the end of my rest

for the land i must wander
along the dotted line
out there with the ribbons of steel
across the land
into the sunset and darkness of night
guided by evening stars so bright..

i will soar like an eagle
chase rainbows
elusive pots of gold
dance in the rain drops
feel the gentle breeze upon my soul
that is where my heart will beat now

take care, be safe

Septembers Song
05/01

"Barn"

Solitude

Long before dawn, again this morning it is cold here ~ yet liveable.. Sitting alone on the deck bench, I sip my coffee, light my smoke, absorb and relish the silence.. The full moon now although low in the westerly sky, glows with beacon force.. My senses of the stillness absorb me.. Not a wisp of air current ~ ever so calm ~ peaceful ~ soundless.. If there truly is a heaven, this has to be it.. WOW!! Reclusiveness truly is all mine. ~~~~~~~ The above was a journal entry I made in mid January 2005, while I lived in wedded "HISS" in Whitney TX.. At the time, I was unemployed for 35 days thanks totally to an Immigration screw up.. I spent my free time home alone at the Barn.. Eventually Immigration set things straight, I was re-instated with the company I drove truck for and running the Interstates again..

Web of a Spider

darkness has come again to the land.. outdoors the air has a sweet aroma, within a hint of calmness.. a clarity i welcome.. another day has passed without much mind turmoil.. 5th of march is coming though.. i wish the day long past.. a wedding anniversary.. would be 3rd in many that i wanted to experience within love with him.. his abuse i could not tolerable.. his private life mattered more to him. his family knew not of me. he made me his caged animal within boundaries of his liking. i lived in "our" house separate of him until he had time to share.. he was my spider. he free of me while he gloated on his pedestal of unworthyness to his family.. he haunted my soul of dignity and truth - until i left..

1st Post

Not certain where to start here.. Play the game I suppose much like the rest of my life.. Like a dirtroad with many potholes, and washboard ruts that bounce the truck in all directions.. You can see it all in the distance, know you should slow down but all you really want to do is hit it full speed to see where you will end up.. You think you are in control, yet chances are you will not get through it unscathed, yet you keep your foot into it..

take care, be safe

Septembers Song