In these 'worst of times' for modern history, we all have our break out moments. We need to escape, to run free, wild and feel the wind in our face, the world fading behind with no particular place to go. And when I say all, I mean all. This guy was all in for a round trip, 34 mile, 70 mph interstate run with us to pick up groceries-just to escape for a bit. Gotta love em. I sure do!
Wow! That’s a lot of wind!
Buckle up buddy. It’s going to be a long ride.
‘Earl’ Knievel, AKA Anole Fonda
You would think he’d be ready to disembark once we reached our destination. But noooooo...
That was really great, but think I'll ride up here for the trip home.
Ummm...driver...what's the hold up here? Have to get back to the fam, you know?
And speaking of Social Distancing.....
this couple seemed to be practicing it well although the 'nester' was having some negative feedback from the hungry baby.
Okay, I think 50 yards is far enough, dear....dear...
But it's so much quieter over here, and I have all this preening to do...
I think the saddest part of this pandemic moment in our history is that it is all consuming, then add to it the fact that we are now being ‘ruled’ by a leadership which does not lead at all but is rather dragging those of us who still have morals and a conscience to slaughter on a hook, and things look grim. The ones who have decided to drink the kool aid are marching to Frankenstein’s castle with torches held high, ready for destroying the terrifying enemy, whatever the ruthless leader decides that is.
But today was set aside as a special day, to celebrate Mother Earth and bring awareness to conserving her beauty, resources and gifts. I saw nothing of this celebration in the news. It was only on social media by the same people who are fighting the insidious movement to disband all measures which have been put into place to try and preserve the very creation which sustains our lives here. Do these greedy men think their money is going to save them or are they so fearful of the truth that they can’t imagine the dire consequences of what will happen to the human race if we don’t effect a change now.
I cannot fathom a world without these things....
My grandson was born on Earth Day. Today he celebrated another year of life on this planet. He is proud to be an ‘Earth Child’, and even at his young age understands about preservation and sustaining life. I got to share a few minutes by video with him. They were due to come visit us next month but it can’t happen now due to the virus. But we are happy for technology at this time. We cannot allow ourselves to be so focused on the issue of this challenging virus that we ignore the methodical dismantling of all the measures that have been put into place in recent years to ensure our children and their children have a world to grow old with.
Can you look at this face and say, “I don’t care what you might need as long as I get to keep my money safely in my own bank account until I die.” ?
Happy Birthday Earth Child. Never give up working towards what is best for the good of everyone.
I have mindful, intelligent children and grandchildren who deserve the best this life has to offer. Seeing the wonder on a child’s face is the most magical moment I can imagine.
We had a Space X launch today. My birthday boy actually got to see it by video in one of those serendipitous moments I love...
Mother Earth is still here and she will remain. It is we who tread with dishonor upon her face that are in danger of extinction.
Footnote: We considered other options; but The USS Enterprise is out for repairs-Scottie broke the transporter, Han Solo died and Skywalker won’t come out of his cave.
Rock on, fellow explorers. This started out as part of Linda Hill’s SoCS prompt which was using the word ‘joint’, but I think I broke all her rules. Still, check out her blog for other posts and to meet some great writers and well, just good people. Meanwhile, enjoy some music...
From old travels. Squeaking in under the wire for Norm Frampton’s Thursday Doors prompt. I don’t always have the opportunity or the doors to participate; but rifling through my image files brought back some sweet memories from our time in Georgia.
We took a mini trip to Savannah, which was on my wish list for our adventures while living there. We did have quite a few outings, and the time we spent in Savannah was filled with history, good food and some sweltering walks. I blogged about some of the day-scursions on my other blog but thought I would share these special doors with you from our day visiting the train museum.
I think you’ll enjoy the these Dan! They may be familiar and some you may not have seen. So, before the clock strikes midnight let me show you some doors...
This was fun, imagining a handcar trip down the line. Hey, there is a door back there, and it leads into the railroad museum with miniature train sets!
I really wanted to go in but it was still too early to be open. We didn’t pass it again. 😞
Here are some train doors of old cars in the outdoor museum yard. This is the largest working RR museum I have ever seen. There was even housing for all the equipment used to make engine and railroad parts. There was an exhaust chimney in the yard for the boiler that serviced the machine shops.
Finally a door I could get next to. We actually went inside a couple of cars but most had to be done by tour only.
Well, there was so much more to the day but I am confining it to the doors. Happy Thursday everyone. I’ll be glad to feel free to venture out and explore again real soon. Stay safe.
Obey the signs, unlike our friend. Guess he thought it was okay since it wasn’t a landing strip..🙄
Remembering a music legend. We have lost some beautiful humans in the past few months, both famous and not. The world seems sadder somehow just knowing they have moved on. It was with a heavy heart that I learned about the passing of John Prine, iconic folk singer of the 60’s and 70’s, his songs remaining relevant to this day. His songs are ballads, filled with heart, soul and the bare grit that is human life. He succumbed to the Coronavirus.
As a teenager, I sat with friends belting out sing-a-long style to his voice and the voices of those who brought his words to life. Some of those, sadly, have moved on as well. John Denver took us through our angsty years and I still miss him. He wrote songs made famous by musicians like Kris Kristofferson, Bonnie Raitt, George Strait and Miranda Lambert, to name a few. Marianne Faithfull, who recorded duets with John, is also dealing with this unconscionable virus across the ocean, but is reportedly doing well.
So, let’s all raise a cup to his humor, his talent, his heart and his smile. (Maybe make it Nyquil.😉)
This one seems most poignant at this time. If you knew John, you can understand and share in our sorrow. If not, take a moment to listen to his words and explore what else you have missed.
This first verse to an old but perpetually relevant song by Simon and Garfunkel has been a recurring theme for me throughout my life. In the mystical moment between asleep and awake lie the revelations that sear the soul, the brilliant 'Aha's' that I try to grasp even as they slip once more into the chasm of oblivion.
My heart cries to capture them and share these truths with the world; but, like glistening drops of morning dew, they disintegrate when touched-shattering into a million molecules that disappear into the atmosphere once again...waiting. They wait for us to be ready, to be worthy, to be willing to hear and to accept the truth of what they are, what we are and what we have done, and what we must do to be at peace with the universe as we were in the beginning. Before the desire grew too big, before the killing, the willing that all would be gained at any cost.
We have moved so far beyond our connection with our earth home that our children don't know the histories any more. The struggles that made us strong have been stuffed into closets to collect dust along with the musty bones of those whose blood was shed forging the path that brought us to our comfortable place. The face of humanity has changed from eager hunger for growth and transformation to bored apathetic impatient expectation.
Is it too late, have we gone too far? I see kindness still reaching, hear the teaching of the wise ones-their voices rising above the cacophony of technology. The drone of witty repertoire, edgy, cool and quippy but without context.
Listen to the old for they have lived a life and made it this far having listened to those who went before. Who has lived who hasn't committed sin, hasn't lived in error, and hasn't changed from the long road? A wise man once said, "Whoever sees his life and feels he knows the answers to all the questions can be certain he does not even know the questions."
Listen to the young without judgment and know that they are learning. Do not allow their toys to raise them, their peers to teach them or their activities to be their only companions. Parenting means being present, being aware, and it is not for the faint of heart. Being your child's friend should be your last priority. A good parent will know the friendship of their grown children once they reach their own maturity.
It is said that parenting is a thankless job and it can seem that way for many years. Now that my children are grown I feel their thankfulness in every conversation we have, see it in their beautiful faces and the lives they are creating every day. Sometimes we didn't like each other when they were young but we always loved one another. Love is neither easy nor disposable.
Good relationships are hard work. We are not put here to 'fix' each other or to mold our relationships. We often have to suffer through changes, for we all change as we grow. Sometimes those changes are too great to sustain our relationship; yet sometimes, if we are patient we can catch up to one another again, find that even ground and see one another with new eyes. Relationship can be a metamorphosis of love from awkward caterpillar to resting cocoon to magnificent flight. Don't give up when you realize you are actually separate persons with your own ideas, goals and desires.
Know that you are never alone. Especially when you are all alone. It is in those moments, in the absolute quiet that descends like a blanket around you, that you can be still and know that love is that blanket. Close your eyes and see it, feel it, accept it. It will be the most complete love you will ever know.
Never be afraid to share your thoughts, your love or your ideas. Keeping treasures hidden away is like stealing from those who will value them most. Failure is not death and fear is the antithesis of Love. Only love is real. All else falls away in its light. Hold on to the Light.
And the people bowed and prayed
to the neon God they made
and the sign flashed out its warning
in the words that it was forming
and the sign said,
"The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls
