Mama, I like things red.
Not some namby-pamby wine color
too scared to be red, but
Scream in your face
Fire engine loud red
The color that shouts
Damn, you’d best see me and take notice
‘for I run you over red
That’s me, mama.
The Red Woman
The scarlet woman they whisper about in church
I don’t turn my eyes downward for no one
These feet know where they’re goin’
without me check’in up on ’em every three seconds.
I wear red, mama, and
Hold my head up high
Proud of my scars and my smile that says
I been there and come out
whole on the other side
I wear red, mama, for the heat in my heart and my thighs
For the dark fire that burns in these black eyes
I wear red, mama,
Because I won’t walk when I can run
and I won’t whisper when I can sing
I wear red, mama, for all the joy you ever taught me.
I wear red, mama
For you
After a while, you learn the subtle difference
Between holding a hand and chaining soul,
And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning
And company doesn’t mean security
And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts
And presents aren’t promises
And you begin to accept your defeats
With your head up and your eyes open
With the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child,
And you learn to build all your roads on today
Because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain for plans.
And futures have a way of falling down in midflight
After a while, you learn
That even the sunshine burns if you get too much
So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul
Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.
And you learn that you really can endure…
That you really are strong.
And you really do have worth.
And you learn and learn…
With every goodbye, you learn.
When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you king for a day,
Just go to a mirror and look at yourself
And see what THAT man has to say.
For it isn’t our father or mother or wife
Whose judgment upon you must pass,
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one staring back from the glass.
Some people might think you’re a straight-
shootin’ chum
And call you a wonderful guy.
But the man in the glass says you’re only a bum
If you can’t look him straight in the eye.
He’s the fellow to please, never mind all the rest
For he’s with you clear to the end
And you’ve passed your most dangerous test
If the guy in the glass is your friend.
You may fool the whole world down the pathway of
years
And get pats on the back as you pass.
But your final reward will be heartache and
tears
If you’ve cheated the man in the glass.
Tucked away in our subconscious is an idyllic vision. We see ourselves on a long trip that spans the continent We are traveling by train. Out the windows we drink in the passing scene of cars on nearby highways, of children waving at a crossing, of cattle grazing on distant hillside, of smoke pouring from a power plant, of row upon row of corn and wheat, of flatlands and valleys, of mountains and rolling hillsides, of city skylines and village halls.
But uppermost in our minds is the final destination. On a certain day, at a certain hour we will pull into the station. Bands will be playing and flags waving. Once we get there so many wonderful dreams will come true, and the pieces of our lives will fit together like a completed jigsaw puzzle. How restlessly we pace the aisles, damning the minutes for loitering—waiting, waiting, waiting for the station.
“When we reach the station, that will be it!” we cry. “When I’m 18.” “When I buy a new 450SL Mercedes!” “When I put the last kid through college.” “When I reach the age of retirement, I shall live happily ever after!”
Sooner or later we must realize there is no station, no one place to arrive at once and for all. The true joy of life is the trip. The station is only a dream. It constantly outdistances us.
“Relish the moment” is a good motto, especially when coupled with Psalm 118:24:”This is the day which the Lord hath made” we will rejoice and be glad in it.” It isn’t the burdens of today that drive men mad. It is the regrets over yesterday and the fear of tomorrow. Regret and fear are twin thieves who rob us of today.
So stop pacing the aisles and counting the miles. Instead, climb more mountains, eat more ice cream, go barefoot more often, swim more rivers, watch more sunsets laugh more, cry less. Life must be lived as we go along. Testation will come soon enough.
Seems as tho this time of year brings out people who just can’t stand the idea of Christmas…They throw around their ‘rights’ and most of the time, schools, churches, and government buildings back down because of the lawsuit threat….
No one seems to get too upset with the twinkling lights of neighborhoods, or the crèche in people’s yards. Because of that, I think we should (that’s you and me and whomever) offer to purchase the areas where these decorations are displayed. Since I’m not a lawyer, there is no guarantee it would work, but I certainly don’t hear of many lawsuits regarding neighbors or private property.
I would be happy to rent or purchase the area where the ten commandments hang in the building discussed in the latest news. Working out who would dust it, or put it back straight should be relatively easy to accomplish. As far as the nativity scenes, I would be happy to rent the area for $1 for just the period of time needed to celebrate…
night-night grumpies…..merry Christmas joyous ones……for all the years ahead
Today we are experiencing what it is to be an American and enjoy the wonderful fruits of freedom. Don’t ever believe EVERYTHING you see on TV….
We see an Obamacare advisor being scrutinized under oath…not under the fear of being jailed or murdered. That is the way freedom works.
We see children and small adults damaging storefronts in Berkeley…not because of the lack of freedom but because OF freedom.
We see the same in New York City and in Ferguson, Mo…..and although we may not agree….it is because OF freedom that we do see it.
We see police departments acting with restraint 99% of the time, and we see the ugly 1%, not because of the lack of freedom, but because OF freedom.
When I say to not believe everything you see on TV…it means ‘sensation’ sells…..Those who only see the United States on overseas television or on laptops, u-tube, or phones…..see only what is going on in a few square miles of this country.
When in doubt, ask those who have been robbed, carjacked, or beat up and how their police force (99% of the time) have provided care, understanding, hours of work, and successful jail terms, for those having been violated.
When in doubt, ask those who escaped Southeast Asia during the Vietnam, Iraq, those who escaped ISIS’ grip, as well as those from Central America why they chose to leave there and come here… It wasn’t because of the freedom they left….it was because of the freedom they were willing to die for, that they came.
My America is not perfect, but it is the best for me. The US Armed Forces watch over my country, the town government I live under give me electricity, and gas, and schools, and good roads. My state cares for my towns and county, my food, my drinking water, and the police system,( local, state, and federal), show me gratitude, fairness, and keep me safe.
In response to what my government, my state, and my town offer me, it is my responsibility to be a good citizen of same. Just because I may be allowed to act stupid, say stupid, or live stupid, doesn’t men I should be stupid.
It is time for Mr. Gruber to make his presentation before the committee tomorrow…..As I previously stated on 11/22…..it is also time for us to take his remarks very very seriously. Why….because we are stupid….stupid not to read the paper, or listen to the news, stupid to think we are going to get something for nothing, stupid to be so lazy as to let others lead us down the primrose path, and really stupid for not admitting to any of the above!
Mr. Gruber has the key to open the door of change…but that can only happen when our representatives in government use them….It is time to let the chips fall where they may. Business does it every day….it is called ‘learning from mistakes’ and then acting on them. Tenure of any government employee should be abolished, thereby freeing up the ability to be a government who works for the people and thru the vote of the people.
Have been paying attention to the demonstrators in cities lately….those walking with signs and screaming and wearing masks…..When stopped by network news and asked why they were there and what they were demonstrating for, the answers came 5’5″ tall children……They liked to yell into the camera mostly with answers like….’we are tired of this’……’we want to be heard’…..’they can’t ignore us now’……’we’ve had enough’…..’no more killing of innocent people’, etc, etc.
This will be short……..not one person has a plan…not even a bad plan. No one pulls out a type written list of how they think their town, or county, or state should go about making a change. Phones are not ringing at city hall…asking to have special meetings with the police, mayor, or the city council. No groups are meeting regularly to review the outcome of past court cases involving racial overtones.
There are not groups contacting lawyers and putting together enough money for retainers, to look into past wrongdoings.
There are very few who say that some people of color and some Caucasians actually did break the law, by not following the law, being on drugs, drunk, or stealing…..that crime does actually occur by locals who want to do the crime.
Someone in those groups need a 5 minute plan….a week plan, a something plan on how to make a difference…….or……maybe….. that’s not what they really what they want to do after all.
We are in a holiday season in these states, that celebrate many victories. Thanksgiving came about only because of people being dissatisfied with their former government, their ability to make a living, and how they were denied the opportunity to practice and preach their own personal beliefs.
These ways of life were so important to families across the Atlantic..that they gambled their entire lives to pursue liberty and a democracy. Today, if we re-read the stories, we are reminded of strife of hunger, disease, and frustration.
Celebration came when change came….and change was separating government and religion, respecting others rights (as Jesus and other leaders spoke of) and, again, learning to live together.
Some days it is evident we have come a long way….the road has been rocky, ugly, and bloody, but those before us, being united for common goals, have constructed a foundation to guide us for years to come.
Democracy…..allows us the freedoms to choose how we live, under a series of
laws created in all of our best interests. Since we did not come to these shores ‘united’, we have and are still learning to live together.
Racial tension and religion seem to be the toughest to deal with. In 2 or 3 more generations, it is my opinion, racial problems will be a thing of the past. Our youth, for the most part are blending into one beautiful and content group and I am so proud of them.
Fairness, however, is sorely lacking, as seen by outbursts in Ferguson, Mo., Oakland, Ca., and other cities. It warms my heart to see neighbors beginning to help neighbors by talking, cleaning, and preparing as a unified city begins to heal.
So as we all begin tomorrow, when we hear the latest on CNN and FOX, let there be a pledge to remember others……remember those who have lost family members to violence, and chose not to take to the street. Remember those who have lost family members to drugs and chose not to blame blindly. Remember those who have lost family members to gunfire from unknown origins, and chose not to burn their stores and hurt the innocent.
These are also the suffering, who painfully live their daily lives just as lonely and distraught as the families in Ferguson, and Oakland, and Detroit.
We have laws, we have our vote, we have our neighbors, and our church. It is kind of like receiving a recipe from a friend and finding out it isn’t as good as they said…..just because you have the recipe doesn’t mean you have to use it over and over. If it’s bad, it’s bad, get a new recipe….Same with your town, your city council, your neighborhood, and yes, your kids.
It’s time…..like getting the baby to sleep all night by letting them cry themselves to sleep. You’ll feel guilty, won’t like the screaming, and the following of rules, but that too will pass, and like the baby, it will be quiet once again.
seriouslyscorpio 