On the Air: Regrets.

 

Dick Clark as DJ oh so long ago

..And...We're back, taking calls to answer the question of "Regrets?  Looking back on my life..."  First caller on line one.

Radio Bob: So, let's hear it, big fella.  What can you say looking back on your life?

Anonymous:  I'll state it clear...I've lived a life that's...uh...full.  I've traveled down each and every highway...

Radio Bob:  So, you're a traveling man, who lives in cheap motels? Away from the family, huh.  Any regrets?

Anonymous: Regrets?  I've had a few, but then, too few to mention…

Radio Bob: Oh, one of those.  Love 'em and leave 'em?

Anonymous: I did what I had to do...saw through without exemption...


Radio  Bob: Let me guess:  you planned each careful step, right? Had to, I imagine.

Anonymous:…More, much more than this, I did it my way….

 Radio Bob: O-kay, but were there times?  Didn't you ever think you bit off more than you could chew?  You know, the balancing act?

Anonymous: But, through it all…I ate it up and spit it out…faced it all and stood ta…


Radio  Bob:  I see.  A life of love, laugh, and tears, right?  Yours or your family?  Ever think about 'em?  I mean, didn't you ever think about losing them?

Anonymous:  I’ve had my share of losing, but…now I find it all so amusing!  To think I did all that and…

Radio Bob: AMUSING? But, you’re not shy, are you?  Not humble at all! I bet you shout...

Anonymous: Oh, no, oh, no, not me!  I did it my way!

Radio  Bob: Well, then, what IS a man, not a sleezy guy like yourself?  What has he got?  If not his family, what is important?

Anonymous: Yes!  If not himself, then he has naught!  To say the things he truly feels…

Radio  Bob: NAUGHT? NAUGHT? Big word for a obnoxious man. Sure, but these are not the words of one ...?

Anonymous:  ...who kneels!  The record shows…Yes!  I took the blows!

Radio Bob Well, I'd love to land some blows on you, you narcissistic bastard.  You got a record, a felony record?
  

Anonymous:  And did it my way!  Yes, it was my way…

Radio Bob:  Right, buddy.  Whatever you say.  Next caller, line 2...

                                                    YouTube, about 3 min. long

This was a post from the 2012 April Blog Hop.  I reposted it in 2018.  So, I'll wipe the dust off, and see what you think of it.

Write like there is not tomorrow! Write!

 YouTube: about 2 + minutes, 8 year old in a library

 

Starting to write can start young, really young. For me, the first thing I wrote was a letter to Ralphie Edwards.  I was almost 5 and it was a very brief romance. 

The missive consisted of assorted  alphabet letters with drawings of birthday cakes interspersed randomly. 

It was a fine achievement for a preschool child with grand aspirations to become a writer

                           

These were the Wednesday Words for last week: Mine, child, foundation, careful, bird,  dig, sadness, lemon, attach, breakfast, time  This is what I created from these gems of language:

Samuel carried the yellow bird down into the mine, careful to hang the cage where miners could see it.  It was just another day of digging, for Samuel who had been in the mines since he was a child, 

For the miners, coal was the foundation of their community. Love it or hate it, Samuel did not feel the sadness that came over the town in a black cloud.  He did not have time to escape the rumble of a cave-in.   

The bird had died, and so had Samuel. 

This is from my dark side. I decided long ago that a short story is concise, requires careful word selections.  Did you find the words in the less than 100 word story? What would you write?

YouTube, about 45 seconds

This was written by River - drifting through like:

This is an awesome way to make a post that uses these words! The following story was written by River - drifting through life She is a gentle writer, uses words well.  There will be other offerings there for the reader to enjoy. Please visit her site.

Under the blossoming lemon tree, I gaze at you as you gaze at me, the words of an old favourite song coming to mind, "oh, sweet child of mine". 

We have made it successfully through our first month together and I believe our foundation is solid. I feel such love when you attach yourself to my breast each breakfast time, you drink your fill as your tiny fingers dig in and your toes curl with the pleasure. 

I shall teach you as you grow, to appreciate the little things in life, birds and butterflies, flowers and growing vegetables, the gentle salmon pinks of sunrises and the deeper sunsets too. 

I shall teach you to be careful with your words when speaking with others, that you do not unwittingly hurt with them, there is far too much hate and sadness already in this world you have been born into. 

What could you create?  I'd love to see what that is.  You can post your work at your own blog site and/or the above site.  If you choose to publish at your site, please link it back to River's site--- River - drifting through life--- where other bloggers have posted their literary works.

 This Wed. Words was  created by Delores at Under the Porch light, which she no longer keeps active.  She is a sweet  lady, wrote some great poetry.  She passed the baton to several bloggers including River - drifting through life at the above address. 

Hope you enjoyed my own literary triumphs.   

             10 year old published author, YouTube, about 2 min.

 

Aretha Franklin nails the songs.

 

"John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd are two brothers with a rockin' blues band and a vision from God to save the orphanage where they grew up in one of the greatest comedies of all time. Blues Brothers, released in 1980." A brief synopsis of an awesome movie.  

   Aretha Franklin: Think

Aretha Franklin: Respect

This was a movie to be remembered, even after 40 years. John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd go on quest and along the way, their adventures cannot be summarized in a short post.  

But, probably the most memorable of the movie's songs are performed by Aretha Franklin.  Her voice is fantastic, beyond description.  She is convincing, acting as well as music, what she really wants from her loser husband is respect and for him to just think.  Don't we all feel that sometime or another.

Can't say more than that.  

Teach your children well

 

                                                Crosby, Stills, and Nash

You, who are on the road
Must have a code that you can live by
And so, become yourself
Because the past is just a goodbye

Teach your children well
Their father's hell did slowly go by
And feed them on your dreams
The one they pick's the one you'll know by

Don't you ever ask them, "Why?"
If they told you, you would cry
So just look at them and sigh
And know they love you

And you (Can you hear?) of tender years (And do you care?)
Can't know the fears (And can you see?)
That your elders grew by (We must be free)
And so, please help (To teach your children)
Them with your youth (What you believe in)
They seek the truth (Make a world)
Before they can die (That we can live in)

And teach your parents well
Their children's hell will slowly go by
And feed them on your dreams
The one they pick's the one you'll know by

Don't you ever ask them, "Why?
If they told you, you will cry
So just look at them and sigh
And know they love you

What  do you think when you hear this song ?

Wednesday Words Challenge

 

Every Wednesday, bloggers are challenged to fit unrelated words into a blog. This  last week, the words were:  field, frog, smell, check, visit, gate and/or abandon, immune, temple, hand, habit, minister.  It's a fun to have a different genre and fit the words into a creative post. 

River  Awesome writer, go check her out.

 I posted this at the above address, where other bloggers are also posting their offerings for all to read. 

Freddie snuggled into the field grass watching  the front gate where cars were checked in. Being Mother’s Day, one family had come to visit their mom, brought large bouquet and lunch from Taco Bell. The frog could smell the tacos and re-fried beans.  Last year they had brought Kentucky Fried. How the prodigal adults stooped so low was sad.  Freddie hopped off, into the pond.  Next year? Who knows. Next year, maybe Wiener Schnitzel will be driving through the gate.

What could you create?  I'd love to see what that is.  You can post your work at your own blog site and/or the above site.  If you choose to publish at your site, please link it back to River's site where other bloggers have posted their literary works.

 This Wed. Words was  created by Delores at Under the Porch light, which she no longer keeps active.  She is a sweet  lady, wrote some great poetry.  She passed the baton to several bloggers including River at the above address. Hope you enjoyed my own literary triumphs.   

She will survive.

 

I do not  know why I felt I had to post this.  Her song appeared in my brain; my brain is pretty important and seldom/never lies to me.

 So, here you go. Gloria Gaynor sings it so well.

'Tis a Holy Day

 

Saint Patrick's Day: At King David’s Pub and Winery

(Scene opens in Heaven, at David's Pub.  Seamus and Patrick are sitting at the bar.  Patrick is asleep, with his head on the bar counter.)

Seamus (St. James):  Say, Paddy, now.  Wake up, you idjit. 

Padraig (St. Patrick)/Paddy:  Ah, Seamus.  Can ye not leave a good saint to a daecent sleep?

Seamus:  It’s yer people there, Paddy.  They’re at it again.  (Leaning over his pint, looking down on the velvet green)

Paddy:  Oh, Mother of God, is it that day already?

Maire (St. Mary):  Paddy, was it ye who called?  Oh.  (She looks down on Dublin.)  So.  Yer Irishmen are at the celebratin’ yer Holy Day.  The day ye up and died down there.

Paddy:  (Looking down) So ‘tis, Maire.  And would ye look—Chicago has dumped green into ta rivers again!  As if that meant a ting, Lord help us.

The Lord God: (enters with angels singing and clouds billowing)  Was it ye, Paddy, that called m’name?  (Seamus and Paddy vacate their pub stools immediately.)    David, here, be a good man, and pour me a glass of cider.

King David:  Aye, My Lord.  The best Yer Hands ever made, here Ye go.  Have at it. (David pushes the glass over to God, who has settled down on a stool.)

The Lord God:  So, Paddy, what’s troublin’ ye, up here in heaven? 

Paddy:  Oh, it’s the Irish people agin.  They’re after celebratin’ my holy day with all sorts of carryin’ ons.  And it bein’ Lent, ‘tis a sad ting ta behold. 

The Lord God:  (quaffing a satisfying amount of apple cider) Well, ye know, Paddy,  People ha’ forgotten jest what I did for them, sendin’ ye to Ireland.  They were a terrible mean clans, worshippin’ trees and such, ‘fore ye taught ‘em about the Trinity and my son Jesus.

  

Seamus:  Yer right, My Lord.  An’ Paddy drove out them there serpents, and done all them miracles.  Ye did right good work, there.  (Seamus pats Paddy on the shoulder, who nods and perks up a bit.  Maire sits down next to The Lord God.)

The Lord God:    ‘Tis my desire that ye shake the Irish up a wee bit.  Paddy, ye go down to yer holy wells—there’s one down near Cork I’m partial to.  Stir the waters up a bit when there’s a group there.  And, Maire, go to some of yer holy grottoes, and send some tears down the cheeks of yer image.  That’ll make the Irish think a bit.  I bet ye’ll see more pious Irish at Mass come Good Friday. 

 

 Seamus:  I’ll go along with ‘em, My Lord, jest to keep ‘em company.  (The three saints exit.)

The Lord God:  (watches the saints depart, and laughs softly) Ah, there go some fine saints.  Glad I made ‘em.  (He leaves the pub in a cloud of glory, with angels singing.  David gathers up the glassware, and hums “When the saints go marching in…”  Scene ends.)

This was originally published in March 2012, again in 2021.  You may have read it already. But you can always read it again. Slain'te.

Won't Back Down

 

 At this time of history, the world has turned upside down, taken some wobbles, and now we must continue to stay strong in what we believe. Information is garbled, depending on the journalist's point of view.  Either we go along with that, or we examine what is true and what is not true.

Tom Petty, I won't back down

I miss Tom Petty.

Over his career, I have listened to his songs, heard what he was singing. Now I am understanding what he was saying.

                              I will stand by you, Rascal Flatts

          Where do I stand in these scary times? I will Stand my ground, and I won't back down.          

                                            

What about you?  Stand your ground?

                               

                                         

      

The Last of Us: Pedro Pascal

Obyren Martell, readying for a fateful battle with the "Mountain".

Today I cut my final tie to the Game of Thrones series.  

My "Stark"  tee is going into the Goodwill bag.  My "dragon" tee went long ago.  I had socks too, but they are lost in sock hell.

It was inevitable.  One can only hold onto the love and fascination of such an elaborate show for so long.

I will still, however, love Pedro Pascal. He was cocky, his costumes were amazing.  Now,he is the Mandalorian, and he has all the attitude needed.  

  

Whoever the costume designers were, they did some amazing things in this series.  

 

 The Mandalorian, in a Star Wars saga

 

 The Last of Us takes place in a dystopian society.  Rough times. 

  Are there any movies or series that finished that you recall?  Any actor who has transferred to another role? What actor stands out as a reason to watch him/her in a new role?

 

Note to bloggers: I have been having a hard time getting my comments to show, unless I okay cookies.  Somehow I will overcome.

Star Spangled Banner

 

Flag that was flown over the battle of Fort Henry, in Smithsonian

 

Chris Stapleton, 2023 Super Bowl

Little guy singing his heart out.

                                                                Pentatonix 

No one took a knee.  Not one. The athletes were told that they would be fired on the spot.  I don't think any of them wanted to take a knee. Peer pressure is a cruel thing to force on players.  

Now, what?

Knocking on Heaven's Door

                                     

I was shocked, confused, bewildered

As I entered Heaven's door,

Not by the beauty of it all,

Nor the lights or its decor.

 

But it was the folks in Heaven

Who made me sputter and gasp--

The thieves, the liars, the sinners,

The alcoholics and the trash.

 

There stood the kid from seventh grade

Who swiped my lunch money twice.

Next to him was my old neighbor

Who never said anything nice.

 

Herb, who I always thought

Was rotting away in hell,

Was sitting pretty on cloud nine,

Looking incredibly well.

 

I nudged Jesus, 'What's the deal?

I would love to hear Your take.

 

How'd all these sinners get up here?

God must've made a mistake.

'And why is everyone so quiet,

So somber - give me a clue.'

 

'Hush, child,' He said, 'they're all in shock.

No one thought they'd be seeing you.'

JUDGE NOT!!

 

Remember... Just going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car.

Every saint has a PAST...

Every sinner has a FUTURE!

Anonymous poet.

 

 

                                              Knocking on Heaven's Door, 4 min. long

 

 

Happy Birthday to you!

 

God is having a birthday party!

Driving in French Valley, California, four-year old Clara looked up at the sky, seeing hot air balloons floating over her.

"Oh, look, Grandma!  God is having a birthday party!

God's Party from YouTube 

 

Why, yes!  God is having a birthday party!

"Whose birthday is it?"

Why, it can be everyone's birthday!

 

TO ALL MARCH BIRTHDAYS, GET BALLOONS.  YOUR CHOICE OF LARGE OR SMALL.

To all birthdays in March! Sla'inte!

 

 This is a re-post of 2017. Clara is now 16, and still loves balloons in the sky.