Monday, October 21, 2024

In between




Between Ramah and Bethel. 


Judges 4:5.


My thoughts today are upon this journey between Ramah and Bethel, of the places we have rested, paused, dwelt and even turned back in our journey toward Tabor, with Jabin's chariots in pursuit.

Santa Fe


 Sanity Fe


I know it’s time

When upon politics i entwine

To load the yak

And sanity soon

Trickles back

Santa Fe

Goliath


 Goliath


He was the runt of the litter of boxers and Artance Raker of Shadeville gave him as a puppy to my daddy in Crawfordville for he couldn’t keep up and he didn’t have that smashed in boxer nose or those clipped ears. But what Artance missed was lil Goliath had the best disposition and showed it by quickly winning us all. We gave him several pet names, all to which he responded, Bosepbus, Rackisnap, Bo, Bob White, Lithy. He was so highly favored he rode shotgun or else he’d nudge his way into your lap, wherever the family went. About the only flaw I ever saw, or was it, was how, when we lived in Williston, when upon the long chain by the parsonage, and the brothers playing basketball across the street would have the ball stray toward him, he wouldn’t let them get it. They’d holler until someone heard and would come out, crawl under the house and throw it back. I don’t think the parsonage committee cared for him and I recall a few times a brave spokeswoman would say we must get rid of him. Goliath didn’t like those chained up days. When we moved to Lake City, at the parsonage on the lake, growing old, he whined one day to go outside. He immediately ran out and into Alligator Lake, catching an otter. Then, at the old home on Vickers where we had moved after my father retired from the FUM, down with dropsy in his legs, Bosepbus whined to get out, going immediately to uncover a huge frog in the bushes. The next day, unable to get up,  Dr Smith  cried as he put him to sleep. We carried him up to Crawfordville where he didn’t have to be confined on a chain or small yard and made him a fine resting place under the cool azalea’s where he loved to lay. Good runts don’t often come along. Goliath was one fine giant of a runt.

Balms of Gilead


 Amid the balms of Gilead 


Fridays can be days one looks forward to or days we dread, as we have that sixth sense, today they fire me, or the all come crashing down reality, unexpectedly, they did. It happened for one such. It’s happened to me, more than once. You never handle it gracefully. You fill your box and awkwardly go. 

And so all Friday, I dwelt beneath the cloud. 

Toward the end of day, finishing up at Dacier in Dowling Park, there in a side room off the main desk, an older gentleman was crooning on his guitar to the elderly lady residents. Love songs. But then, he began to sing the old hymn , the Love of God. I lingered. It was the balm from Gilead needed. I trust my friend with the box of belongings found her balm of Gilead too.

The art departs

 The art departs 

To the hearts

In far far parts


Look who winked

 And look who winked 

While the sunset wowed

Slipping quietly down

Making the rounds


In the strut line


 In the strut line


There I was suddenly on the strut line

 Not a lick of camo on to conceal me

I dropped to my belly just in time

Setting the camera by feel blindly.


And so they passed within a few feet

They never even took notice of my clicks

Feathers iridescent in the shaded heat

I finally rose and took home several ticks.

Emily


 I hide myself within my flower,

That fading from your Vase,

You, unsuspecting, feel for me-

Almost a loneliness.


Emily Dickinson

Two in the bush

 Two in the bush


Beats one in hand


Shaker tractor

 The Shaker tractor


The faithful oxen so useful for so much in the day.


Judy Hancock

 Tracks of her   by john clare  

 Osceola and his friends in her woods still roam...Mostly along the trail of deer and bear...In unseen silence I know they are there....Its but a  faint whisp carrying them along....Early if you come just before the dawn....before the lifting of the misty....You can see the tracks of Judy....softly with her puppy tagging along....


Vote

 Today is the first day of early voting. I texted my neighbor to take me when he goes. He hasn’t replied.

Sister and i will go tomorrow if not today i suppose.

MAGA.

Neighbor went without me. Said he other things to do. Rick asked me to lunch but i missed the text. Will go Wed.
Melanie voted. Said it was steady.