While not comprehending the dictionary meaning of the word mysterious completely, I stand in awe of some of the world's mysteries. The definition was 'eluding explanation, while simultaneously arousing inquisitiveness.' I have never seen so many three dollar words put together in one sentence!
I believe the word mysterious needs to be just that, mysterious. Just think how boring this world would be if we knew everything. I like a good challenge every once in a while and definitely do not want to know everything about everything.
I truly believe some things are better off being left mysterious.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Tradition
Jean and I make new traditions every once in a while, like picking blueberries on the fourth of July. With us both having lost our parents, and with us having no children, many would consider our traditions unusual, but we don't. Come Christmas Eve, we were always doing something with my side of the family, but this year will be different. Christmas day was always at Homer and Sue's, Jean's folks, but this year things are different. The traditions that I had, as a young man, have all but vanished, but that is all right.
This year, with almost three weeks off, a new tradition just might begin. We have decided to take the Natchez Trace Parkway from Nashville all the way to its end in Mississippi. There will be so much Americana to take in, on this trip, and other two or three day trips to come, that we feel a new, special event just might be born.
The traditions of shooting fireworks on Christmas Eve, and not being able to go to sleep in anticipation of a visit from St. Nick, have been replaced. We now enjoy eating finger foods and all the baking that the holidays bring. If you see smiles on our faces, you will know it is from all the sights, sounds, and smells, rather than from all the presents we received. As Hank would say:”it's just a family tradition”.
This year, with almost three weeks off, a new tradition just might begin. We have decided to take the Natchez Trace Parkway from Nashville all the way to its end in Mississippi. There will be so much Americana to take in, on this trip, and other two or three day trips to come, that we feel a new, special event just might be born.
The traditions of shooting fireworks on Christmas Eve, and not being able to go to sleep in anticipation of a visit from St. Nick, have been replaced. We now enjoy eating finger foods and all the baking that the holidays bring. If you see smiles on our faces, you will know it is from all the sights, sounds, and smells, rather than from all the presents we received. As Hank would say:”it's just a family tradition”.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Nap
This week's word is something I have very much experience with. I am a nap taker. As a kid, I never remember being very good at quietening myself, and taking a rest, but when I turned thirty, I discovered naps, and am real glad I did.
What is wonderful about my situation, is that my naps have no effect on me sleeping at night. I can get a good night's sleep, get up in the morning, eat breakfast, open up a newspaper, wake up a coupla' hours later, do a few chores, eat lunch, open up a newspaper, get up after a few hours nap, go out and do a few things, and my night of rest is never affected.
Before he passed, my father-in-law, Homer, used to tell me that I got way too much sleep. I would argue with him that I did not get too much sleep, that I got just the right amount of sleep. I look at it this way, there is a lot of evil in this world, I am off in a major Metropolitan area, with time on my hands. I can spend that time running the streets, taking a chance on getting into trouble, or I can spend that time napping. My choice is napping. I very seldom have nightmares, and often have pretty neat dreams, and they are free!
For many people in the world today, there never seems to be enough hours in the day. Taking a nap is such an unheard of luxury for so many. A rested body and a rejuvenated mind is so much more efficient that a person CAN afford a little downtime, and get just as much done.
Well, I guess I could go on, but, I feel a nap coming on. Maybe my dream will continue!!
What is wonderful about my situation, is that my naps have no effect on me sleeping at night. I can get a good night's sleep, get up in the morning, eat breakfast, open up a newspaper, wake up a coupla' hours later, do a few chores, eat lunch, open up a newspaper, get up after a few hours nap, go out and do a few things, and my night of rest is never affected.
Before he passed, my father-in-law, Homer, used to tell me that I got way too much sleep. I would argue with him that I did not get too much sleep, that I got just the right amount of sleep. I look at it this way, there is a lot of evil in this world, I am off in a major Metropolitan area, with time on my hands. I can spend that time running the streets, taking a chance on getting into trouble, or I can spend that time napping. My choice is napping. I very seldom have nightmares, and often have pretty neat dreams, and they are free!
For many people in the world today, there never seems to be enough hours in the day. Taking a nap is such an unheard of luxury for so many. A rested body and a rejuvenated mind is so much more efficient that a person CAN afford a little downtime, and get just as much done.
Well, I guess I could go on, but, I feel a nap coming on. Maybe my dream will continue!!
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Seasons
The word 'seasons' brings back memories that were probably gone forever were it not for these blogs. I have memories of not having anything to do in Paris, but never memories of not enjoying the beautiful, ever changing seasons that Paris and Henry County have always afforded.
From the snowy hillsides and icy roads to the scorching summers and the wonderful Kentucky Lake, to everything coming back alive after a cold winter, to everything showing that death can be a beautiful thing, in the fall, I have seen some changes in Paris. My favorite season used to be fall, but, because of Jean, it is now spring. Back when we were dating, I asked her what her favorite season was, and without any hesitation, she said spring. I asked her why and she said 'rejuvenated life'. Fall is a beautiful season, but is beautiful because everything is dying, spring is beautiful because new life is beginning.
Several years ago I spent fifteen months in Los Angeles, and went through all the seasons. I arrived at the end of January and it was 60 and brown, then spring came and it was 75 and brown, then came summer and it was 85 and brown, then came fall and it was 75 and brown. I have not been there in a long while, so I don't know how it is now, but I did not like it then, and I imagine I would like it less, today.
As a sidebar, this year I witnessed the most beautiful, the greenest, the coolest, the wettest summer, in Paris, that I have ever seen. It was truly an amazing sight to have green all summer.
I think I am fortunate to call Paris home.
From the snowy hillsides and icy roads to the scorching summers and the wonderful Kentucky Lake, to everything coming back alive after a cold winter, to everything showing that death can be a beautiful thing, in the fall, I have seen some changes in Paris. My favorite season used to be fall, but, because of Jean, it is now spring. Back when we were dating, I asked her what her favorite season was, and without any hesitation, she said spring. I asked her why and she said 'rejuvenated life'. Fall is a beautiful season, but is beautiful because everything is dying, spring is beautiful because new life is beginning.
Several years ago I spent fifteen months in Los Angeles, and went through all the seasons. I arrived at the end of January and it was 60 and brown, then spring came and it was 75 and brown, then came summer and it was 85 and brown, then came fall and it was 75 and brown. I have not been there in a long while, so I don't know how it is now, but I did not like it then, and I imagine I would like it less, today.
As a sidebar, this year I witnessed the most beautiful, the greenest, the coolest, the wettest summer, in Paris, that I have ever seen. It was truly an amazing sight to have green all summer.
I think I am fortunate to call Paris home.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Soul
In the mid sixties, when my sister was in high school, I learned the one handed part of Heart and Soul, a three handed piano song. Linda would play the two handed part and I would come in with the one handed part. Still, today, I can play those notes. In the early seventies, the Godfather of Soul, James Brown, was a popular entertainer and I went to one of his concerts, in Memphis. Also, Soul Train, a popular dance show, came on the television. In the early eighties, I became buddies with a black electrician, named Eisenelle, who cooked me my first soul food. Turnip greens, soup beans, hog jowl, and corn bread made for a mighty fine meal for this southern boy gone north. In the very late eighties, I met my soul mate, Jean. At the time, I never thought of her as my soul mate, but that is what she has become, and that is what she will always be. In the mid nineties, Jean met a pipe fitter on her job, from Paris. His nickname was Soul Dog.
The soul, in religion, is the eternal part of a living being.
When I first became serious, thinking about Heaven and Hell, I came upon a Scripture that has meant very much to me over the years. Matthew 16:26 says, “For what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” God has kept my soul, nourished it, kneaded it, loved it even when I was very unlovable. There is so much that this poor soul lacks in the knowledge of God and His Way, but as I pray, as I read His Word, as I meditate on His Truth, more of His plan is revealed.
I believe that when my time here on this earth is no more, that my soul will spend forever and forever in one of two places. I want to spend eternity, with God, in Heaven, so I need to spend my remaining days securing that goal. Satan is a wily character, and knows just what my weaknesses are, and wants me to spend my eternity with him in eternal damnation. I am very weak, in myself, so the only way to prevent the devil from taking my soul, is to believe in God, and ask for His help. I know that He is on His throne and cares deeply for my soul.
The soul, in religion, is the eternal part of a living being.
When I first became serious, thinking about Heaven and Hell, I came upon a Scripture that has meant very much to me over the years. Matthew 16:26 says, “For what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” God has kept my soul, nourished it, kneaded it, loved it even when I was very unlovable. There is so much that this poor soul lacks in the knowledge of God and His Way, but as I pray, as I read His Word, as I meditate on His Truth, more of His plan is revealed.
I believe that when my time here on this earth is no more, that my soul will spend forever and forever in one of two places. I want to spend eternity, with God, in Heaven, so I need to spend my remaining days securing that goal. Satan is a wily character, and knows just what my weaknesses are, and wants me to spend my eternity with him in eternal damnation. I am very weak, in myself, so the only way to prevent the devil from taking my soul, is to believe in God, and ask for His help. I know that He is on His throne and cares deeply for my soul.
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