from a student

"87% of all statistics are made up."

-- Daniel Fiore

In response to an inquiry regarding copyright

Of course of course Michael, you can use it as you please, But there are a few legal stipulations. Please read the fine print:

*The above forewording may not be recreated, re-represented, and/or relicensed in a manner that does not directly institute one of the following motives of republication: Wooing and/or poetic impression upon susceptible female parties, being presented as evidence in a casual or formal debate upon whether one party has indeed been bestowed with the divine talent of literal expression, or insertion into a verse of one's own at a location where it would fit better than pair of fresh nikes on a gypsy's foot.*

Love

Briefly It Enters, and Briefly It Speaks

by Jane Kenyon


I am blossom pressed in a book,
found again after two hundred years...

I am the maker, the lover, and the keeper...

When the young girl who starves
sits down to a table
she will sit beside me...

I am the food on the prisoner's plate...

I am water rushing to the wellhead,
filling the pitcher until it spills...

I am the patient gardener
of the dry and weedy garden...

I am the stone step,
the latch, and the working hinge...

I am the heart contracted by joy...
the longest hair, white
before the rest...

I am there in the basket of fruit
presented to the widow...

I am the musk rose opening
unattended, the fern on the boggy summit...

I am the one whose love
overcomes you, already with you
when you think to call my name...

A story for and from any rambling boys abound

(from a windy mountaintop in Conemarra)


During my restful homebound days, I paint the road abroad
a green of grasses fences divide
some sheen of unattained...
let the tongue of travel unravel, let me crawl from this mouth of rest
eager to pave a road of love with bricks of lust I am sure
through dark desert, over mountains I will pace,
I will make it to the mirage, that novel glisten that miles could not distance.
but on arrival it seems that these hedonistic wings have fanned
flames to embers and drooled hot coals to cool.
So beware when feeding the rambling soul, rambling man beware
don't go digging graves and forgo gold for glistens in the distance
know that some mirages melt in hands, are only candy for the soul
learn to moderate a lustful binge, dont go dulling eyes familiar.
because that thirsty tickle
might turn to a numb rub
and at last a callous separates you from the touch that you once loved.



- Ev







Don't let the reflective verse give the wrong imdpression, I am having a great time!!

RELUCTANCE

....
Ah, when to the heart of man
Was it ever less than a treason
To go with the drift of things,
To yield with a grace to reason,
And bow and accept the end
Of a love or a season?

__ Rober Frost

Novena to St Gerard Majella

Recite this prayer for nine days to the Patron of expecting mothers.


Almighty and Eternal God,
we thank you for the gift of St.Gerard
and the example of his life.
Because St. Gerard always had complete faith and trust in you,
you blessed him with great powers of help and healing.
Through him, you showed your loving concern
for all those who suffered or were in need.
You never failed to hear his prayer on their behalf.
Today, through St. Gerard's powerful intercession,
you continue to show your love
for all those who place their trust in you.
And so, Father, full of faith and confidence,
and in thanksgiving for all the wonderful things
you have done for us,
we place ourselves before you today.
Through the intercession of St. Gerard,
hear our prayers and petitions,
and if it is your holy will,
grant them.

Amen.

A letter home from an Irish son

"Mother, father, brother,
All is well with me
and I write to remind you if
ever your homebound hearts
envy my youthfully spontaneous
longitudinal disparity, Keep in mind
this path of mine has cut not across
a place so fine as the stead
where you now pass the time.
There's no place like home
Love-EV"


Posted for the family so that all may enjoy it's richness

a poem for today

i thank you God for this amazing day by e.e. cummings


i thank you God for most this amazing
day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky;and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes

(i who have died am alive again today,
and this is the sun's birthday;this is the birth
day of life and love and wings:and of the gay
great happening illimitably earth)

how should tasting touching hearing seeing
breathing any-lifted from the no
of all nothing-human merely being
doubt unimaginable You?

(now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened)

Bilingual-Bible Study

Puedo hacer todo a través de él que me dé fuerza.
(I can do everything through Him who strengthens me.)
Philippians 4:13

Un hombre no vive en el pan solamente.
(Man doth not live on bread alone)
Deuteronomy 8:3

The worth of a spouse

Is not held in pounds Sterling,
Is not scaled in earthly stores,
Is not ledgered in labor saved.

Is a welcomed caress,
Is a healing word,
Is faithfulness that does not wane.


jpR

Disclaimer: The author is not responsible nor will he indemnify any and all liabilities for a reader's encounter with an angry "significant other" now or any time in the future.

Prayer During Pregnancy

"Through morning sickness,
Deliver this child in good health to me.

Through mood swings,
Deliver this child in good health to me.

Through added pounds,
Deliver this child in good health to me.

Through swelling ankles,
Deliver this child in good health to me.

Through heartburn,
Deliver this child in good health to me.

Through unknown fears,
Deliver this child in good health to me.

Through labor pains,
Deliver this child in good health to me."

Patricia Hauze

Anthem ~ Leonard Cohen

Ring the bells that still can ring,
Forget your perfect offering,
There is a crack in everything,
That’s how the light gets in...

A Thought for the future

"The good we gather today will provide a smile tomorrow."

jpR

The Blessings of July

Warm nights,
Sunny days,
Blue sky with patches of white,
The fawn loses it's spots,
Butterflies are endless in sight,
The garden and orchards bear fresh rewards,
The children's play is intense,
Pinics abound,
The campers are in the woods,
Families live outside,
Young love has a start.


jpR

Today's run

I am going to run out an old railroad spur for some eight (8) miles today. The line was placed there for use in the local coal digs. Those mines have not been used for fifty (50) years or more.

There had been a great many underground cuts created well before the turn of the century. Too many shaft locations were never reoorded or lost. There's coal left below the surface but it's too dangerous to mine!

Nature has over grown the land and uses the stilled path for her own needs. Lots of undisturbed wilderness is to be enjoyed by the adventurer.

One can't help reall the earliest time in the old coal fields. Just a small pile of coal dust may be found where once great steam locamotives and heavy shovels roared around the clock.

Maybe a ghost or two is about the place? No one has camped there as long as I can recall.

Our country was built on such labor. Coal from these fields was used in the production of weapons during the Civil War. It is a place of honor.

Great fun ahead!

jpR

Little boy with globes of play

Little boys of playing age will upon encountering a ball in any size begin to play. They will kick, hit, throw, and chase with delight any sphere presented.

Their enthusiasm for such sport is universal and needs no introduction or instruction save that for safety’s sake. Hence the call arises from the mother to “Take that thing outside!”

The intensity of play is increased exponentially by adding a second boy into the contest. Indeed, want neither of food nor drink will assuage the frantic pace of struggle to control the ball away from another contestant.

Passing time or failing sunlight will not affect the small boys’ intent. The ball dominates, possesses, and owns the children’s life.

Only the mother’s persistent concern over damage from dehydration and starvation will end the boy’s game with the ball. Excessive sweat, thirst, and exhaustion are part of the small boy’s reward. His early retirement to slumber is the mother’s gain.

jpR

Dedicated to my big sons who yet play with orbs of sport.

Three Fawns

Three fawns emerge from wooded lay,
On to open pasture to romp and play.

Stopping in seize heads lift to peek,
Source of fresh sound and image seek.

Newly born senses shorten the look,
Allows my check to be closer took.

With peace and joy the three behave,
Until beauteous mother enters to save.

Dashing full flight from off the floor,
Into the thicket all to be seen no more.

A part of such misadventures lend,
To old eyes delight of share in pretend.

jpR

Dedicated to those elderly woodsmen who may follow the deer no more.

A caution to those of us who pray

Prayers we send to God in suplication, e.g. "God send me XYZ to end this need" may actually be answered with a WTZ. Thus God offers us His covenant.

Take care least we offen God by refusing His choice as not the XYZ of our request.

If we pray then we believe,
we trust,
and we must accept.

Amen!


jpR

More Independence Day Stuff

There are only six (6) or so WWI vets alive around the world today.

My mother's uncle serve in the US Army in WWI as a medic in a hospital in France. He never saw a trench or any combat. He lived to be over 100 years old.

Thanks to all those who served!

jpR

The 4th of July

I hope everyone will celebrate this day in some way and say thanks to all who struggled and struggle for our Independence.

My father served with Patton's 3rd army in WWII. He was wounded. Dad is gone now but this day he is recalled as the young boy who lied about his age and went to war at age 15!


My son's favorite holiday..."because there are fire works and I don't have to buy anyone a present."


A best present may come in the form of a family visit!

jpR