EASTER 1974

He was blind all his life, deaf the second half of his life. So, as you read the beginning excerpt of my father's  typed letter to me, remember that he could not see, nor hear anything. And yet I hope you—as I—will find JOY in his thoughts, and a ‘happy’ meter to his words.  Pop died one week after, on April Fools' Day.

Sunday Night March 25, 1978

Dear Steve, N., K., and J.

A happy Easter to you all, even if the weather feels like fall. 

The world itself keeps Easter day and Easter larks are singing.

The Easter flowers are blooming gay, and Easter buds are springing..

The Lord of all things lives anew, and all His Works are living too.

 Our crocus are blooming fine, and I noticed some buds on our daffodils and the tulips are still growing and the whole world is awakening with spring. A new birth for us all, including the wild animals and birds. Had a look at the pear tree and the buds are growing and the tree feels very much alive.

....<cut three pages>....

May the Risen Lord bless you and your family

This is my Happy Easter--to all you marvelous Peeps

With Love and PEACE! 

Steve E

Dreaded_letter_by_shirou_yuki
in Deviant Art

EXTRA 55-WORD GOOD FRIDAY

MR G...I just HAD to go ahead and 

get this one up, sorry so LATE.

Attention all Peeps!
There will be a hangin' here tomorrow
Guy and two freaks
We're lookin' for lots of sorrow
His Mom will be here, so
Please don't cheer too
Loudly

Bloody affair,
Real nightmare

Time: High noon
Prediction: Cloudy, dark,
So dark, that sun
Will look like dull moon
And He will come again...

 

Flash Fiction Friday: THE FAST LANE

Below is my humble contribution to

MR G-MAN who hosts every Friday

a 55-word Flash Fiction--Come join the fun!!!

OH! The trust placed on another!
The faith which I have for each
Who--careening--drives toward me
At death-dealing rates of speed
And I—moderately (ahem) ride
Opposite other side.
Why so fast, out of gas? Will it last?
Finally see woman speeding toward--
--WHOOOSHHHH! Oh, My God, is it...
It IS!!! 
mother?......

IMAGE: Speeding_by_Brukhar.png
In DEVIANT ART

(ONE SHOT WED.) LOVING DIMENSIONS

And we have never need to ask one another

About "how much is it you love me...?"

Nor "WHY???"

It is an entity simply known

Whose happenings are blown

From the sea, through sandy wind,

Of which none dare deny

Despite a concern to fly

Away, find another place to

Stay. Just to move, not fade.

And yet...yet I see in your face such

Calm, possessing mysterious beauty

And more mysterious serenity

You nod, ever-so-slightly, with grace

And yes I know, now I know for sure

I've not forever seen end of your sweet

Allure. Your avid, even thirsty desire is

To live, to be one with the universe.

Your wise counsel abides, and above

All that...your undying love.

 This is my One Shot Wednesday

IMAGE: 1. Levan_diarios de mis amores_01 

in Deviant Art

"SITTING AND THINKING IN FOURTH DIMENSION

 

THE SUN ALSO RISES

Being alone has its charm. I can just do what alcoholics can do best—sit and think!--grin! Actually, “sitting-and-thinking” is NOT the best place for an alcoholic. My thinking, my BEST thinking brought me all the way down to the bottom of the pit of my disease—alcoholism.

And so, here I am at 5 AM on a Tuesday morning—sitting and thinking. I am remembering those I have met along my rocky road working, learning, and living an AA way of life. Especially those who did not 'make it'. They were/are many. As I ponder this, it yet amazes me how many personally known suicides were a direct result of the anguish, the torment, all hope abandoned. At least 14 I can recall and name, since I stopped drinking. Any one of them could have been me.

I would have missed meeting with and knowing countless wonderful Peeps, and living countless wonderful experiences. Some of those whose paths and mine crossed are remembered fondly, but with wonder as to how are they? Moved away. Probably still sober, joyful, and freely happy.

One fellow I recall met with me every Saturday to go fishing in the intricately woven inland waterways which are everywhere here. That was during my Boating-Fishing Era. Don't even remember the circumstances of his leaving Naples—but it was NOT at the Sheriff's request.

Thousands of annual visitors to Naples return again and again to our AA meetings, but when they ARE absent, I do occasionally “sit-and-think” about them with fond memory and a prayer of thanks for letting us share some time and experiences.

I met once a lady who seemed to have lived much of the same life I had lived—drunk...then sober. We did walk a bit and talk a bit. She, a singer, asked me to play my violin. We chose a spot in a park, where I played Ave Maria, and she sang. One of those rare never-to-be-repeated-nor-forgotten moments, folded—not faded-- into banks of memory.

My wife I met in Alcoholics Anonymous--she had been sober 5 years. That was 20 years ago.

Sharing in sobriety is not simply giving and receiving. It frequently becomes a mutually spiritual connection between Peeps, which I had never, NEVER enjoyed prior to the gift of this, my second life!

One hour from now I'll go to my early morning AA meetings, full of gratitude for the gift God gave me, Alcoholics Anonymous, without which I would have died many, many years ago, because I was one of those helpless, hopeless ones, who at age 40, was given a second chance. Maybe I'll meet some soul, a stranger (but not really!), struggling with his own life in the bottle, wanting so strongly to climb out. And maybe, just maybe, we will help one another.......I'll sit for one more minute, and “think about that”--grin!

In LOVE and GRATITUDE. PEACE!

Steve E

the_day_the_sun_rising_by_tomsumartin-d388e2d
in DEVIANT ART

"I'LL BE BACH"--WILL YOU BE BEETHOVEN?

Until Monday, I'll just be dropping in as time permits, to visit your posts. Going to the Atlantic side of Florida (Stuart) for an AA Pow-wow. A learning experience...and FUN! With sober Peeps! What could be a better life? I've lived several--believe me (grin)--and THIS way is by FAR the best. JOY is my wish for you ALL....and PEACE!
Steve E

J.S. Bach was a busy man, composer, father. He composed thousands of works. He was father of 22 children--or was it 28? I forget. So maybe did HE? 

But ya gotta admit to "busy"--grin!

So--did Schwarzenegger wish to be a musician?  He said, "I'll be Bach!"

This is my MAN, Ludwig Van Beethoven. The question was asked, "Who wrote Beethoven's great NINTH?" The answer: Beethoven! GAWD, am I ever smart--grin! His quartets and several of his symphonies are, to me, the closest I'll ever be associated--in this life--with near PERFECTION! 

What an HONOR God allowed me (and many) to make music, and for 70 years of violin playing, to interpret the creativity of this musical GIANT!  So grateful! 


LOVE and PEACE...see you Tuesday morning!

Ludwig_Van_Beethoven_by_mitia_arcturus via DEVIANT ART

 Bach_by_two_ladies_stocks via DEVIANT ART

CANVAS OF DIMENSIONS

UPDATE: BUT WHO CARES--GRIN!

DIET NEWS:  Two weeks into my fast. No food. 

5-(chocolate!) Medifast Powdered drinks and 

lots of water each day. Scales read 250, down 

20 pounds. Next 10 pounds go slow. Feel just 

G R E A T...this, my weekly update. 

 

Our sky this day, one color--

A beautiful blue, cloudless

No white, no grey, almost

Like a broad canvas, on which

An artist 'sees' something more

Than a blue mantle of infinity

 

The Creator of artistry and talent:

God Who will soon brush in a few

Fluffy, puffy rolling foggers in white and  gray

And throw some darker blue at the canvas

I was randomly shooting tree-parts

(Because I LOVE trees, 

like brothers and sisters in Nature.)

And this thought appeared:  God has 

ALREADY placed some colorful designs

of what Only He can make,

These stand tall in our yard

and I just had to 'show' to you:

Oh! How I marvel at the imperfect perfection

Of Palms, which bend with every windy direction!

A couple more 'tall' girls and boys:

In thirty minutes of my pleasure

God allowed me to display here 

Some of His handiwork in 

Design, Arts and Craft and more.

What you cannot see, 

besides the ground--

Is the enthusiastic Gulf breeze.

Since no clouds to push around

It gently caressed the face of...ME!

Steve E

DIMENSIONAL ROOMMATE

Oh! My KING

Kisses for you

As you kiss me wetly.

Lick ME, my face, my arms

NO--Not everywhere! Settling

Enthusiastically, you fling your feet

TO CLIMB on me each time we meet.

There, that rear part of you, my sweet...

Beats continuously: beat, beat, beat!

 

I shall call you Lucky

My ever-faithful puppy

NOTE: HERE is where I had chosen to plant myself when I move back. Of course, I knew that well-ordered room had been KING LUCKY'S private quarters. No wonder his name is Lucky!
 

I had been there through the morning doing taxes today, and decided to take a short See-esta. Guess who pushed in right along beside me, for his nap! SURPRISE!!! I have a roommate--grin!

DREAM DIMENSION

PSYCHEDELIC DREAM

Hello, do I know you?
Why do you look at me like that?
You are smiling!
Your eyes even smile
Why do you not speak?

I know--so many questions.

How many more miles
To where I am going?

Oh! your mouth is moving,
That is a good sign!
But I still hear nothing.
Speak louder. Please.

When do we leave this place?


Here on the highway
I feel very peaceful.
Calm. Like on a boat
Atop shining sweet sea.
Afloat

Hey! Are you listening?
It's as if you do not hear.

--Why.....
You don't know I'm 'talking'!

Oh, my!
Something here is not right
I'm lying down
You are standing
Picking me up--

LET ME DOWN!

I won't drown.

I can walk.

Nooo, I cannot...
Nor talk,
nor hear,
Believe I've lost my sight
Yet I do not fear


All is right, OK
I'm in love
In love


Where, where is she?
Is this how we
Set each other free?


Coming to my finality
Here is what I think
This, the last reality...

PLEASE!
Tell them--I did not drink!

psychadelic_dream_by_fleetofgypsies: Deviant Art

SUNDAY MASS IN FOURTH DIMENSION

A group of us are here Sunday morning for an old-fashioned Latin High Mass. We are riding 40 miles out from Naples into the Everglades to visit once again this most beautiful place.  The whole mass is sung--in Latin--except the homily (spoken English).

AVE MARIA, FLORIDA--ORATORIO (CHURCH)

This is how I was raised in the Catholic Faith. (Spirituality came many years later--still working on that!) This celebration takes me back more than 70 years, so please allow me freedom here to express my remembrances of Joy.

A well-trained, youthful, enthusiastic Ave Maria University choir is singing, as is all the congregation who remember the Latin (I do!). Three priests are celebrating. Our group from Naples (AA Peeps!) is sitting up front, because that is where I like to be, up close..."Close Encounter"?

This Oratorio seats 2,000 and IS a church to all who come here. Hundreds of students attend daily mass here. (Two masses during the week are Latin low masses.) On Sundays, this 12:30 PM is the only High (sung) Mass, the serene beauty of it lasts 90 minutes!

Please take a few  minutes to view this short video of Ave Maria Oratorio, located in the 'new' city of Ave Maria, Florida. Only 7 years ago this was cow pasture. For now I will not, simply cannot describe the town and the university. OMG! but it IS all so wonderful. Everywhere we walk it is like stepping on the Yellow Brick Road in "WIZARD of OZ". 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABSTENSION DIMENSION

THIS IS MY 55...and I'm still alive!!!!

To stop being drunk
I don't drink.
To stop being fat
I don't eat...
Simple, yes?
Yes!

No advice needed on this
Done it before
With success
But unless
Doctor says "OK"
You must stay away
From my fad

Many tell me, "It is BAD!"
With fourteen pound loss
In seven days--
I'M SO SAD--grin!

Join the Flash Fiction Friday 55 in

exactly 55 words--anything. Then put your URL in a comment to G-MAN 

BENCH, LOVE, POEM, in FOURTH DIMENSION

Image for this post is my 'header' (above)

Looking for a new header, I said "You choose".

As this bench appeared at edge of sea

I 'felt' a poem arise in me.

This is dedicated to Thee

Who dresses my blog

In sweet raiment

A BENCH OF WOOD

A POEM OF LOVE!

FOURTH DIMENSION

This, the tale told

By a wood bench

Where two sat

By the hour, by the day

And sometimes by night

She, and he,

Came here to be

Alone

With the sea

And with God

Together worshiped

Creation

And Creator.

They, these two,

with prayers of love

Blessed all

Which is seen

And unseen

From wooden seat by seaside

With glass canes probed

Walls of rocks and sandy

Shores of Sea Serenity

Each shared dreams

Of their history

Of mystery--

How they met,

How they bet.

Gambling on long life together

They won--each with the other

The game of life.

Two had sat here

Hours...days, years...

And sometimes nights

Delighted with none

But one-plus-one

Combined, equated

To ONE!

The bench of memories and dreams

How vacant now seems

(But vacuous--

Is anything ever?)

There is room now

For two who

Love much

To sit by night,

By day, to say,

"I love you so.

Don't ever go."

Room made for them

By two who so

Deeply cherished

Each one's soul

That

As angels watched...

Two one night ascended

To heaven, lightly--

Holding hands--tightly.

Posted for One Shot Wednesday

IMPERFECT LOVE--A POEM

WHERE GOES MY HEART THERE GO I

Couple years ago I 'met' in the blogs, Artist Extraordinaire MANON DOYLE and have then and ever since LOVED her work, and her soul!  Manon sketches her very own heart carefully into every piece. Please, for your enjoyment and a "lifting up", visit her blog
Blessings have descended upon me from this chance meeting, and through Manon I've been led to some of the finest artists in the world, some of whom I'm trusted to call 'friends'. Imagine--me, the farmer-boy-violinist (no longer a BOY--grin!)

My Poem For This Week

 A DIMENSION OF IMPERFECT LOVE

Samantha is her name
She stopped, stayed--
Made her claim.

My name is Samuel
Nearly the same,
As I'm the guy who am
In "Sam and Sam"...

We met, fell in love
Lived a while in La La land
Played naked in the sand.

She began to speak of
The fallacy of our love
"Fantasies are not from above.
They're like an unhurried shove
Toward confusion, illusion
Delusion..."

So please
Enact no rule
For the school
Of life.

Always shall be memories
Which become histories.
They are our mysteries:
The past will last
Because it becomes
Our present--
Our future.

--Steve E

FLASH FICTION 55...A BOTHERING PEEP

LET'S START OVER

 "How are you?"

"Fine!"

"Are you really fine?"

"Well, now that you ask...."

"Ahaaa! Then you are NOT so 'fine'?"

"Why do you want to know?"

"Oh, I'm needing some new gossip.

Besides that, you look just TERRIBLE"!

"Do I thank you for that, or..."

"No, simply tell me, is anything bothering you?"

"Yesss......Y O U !!!

For MORE FLASH 55, go see

MR G-MAN

HOW EMPTY OF ME TO BE SO FULL OF YOU!

 OBSESSION

How empty of me, to be so full of you!

This is a poem of simple love

It is not another

Just about lust

It is about..oh..being not too near

But, Umm..close enough to hear

Our minds churning, turning

Two hearts beating, burning

No form, formality

Only true reality.

When here or there

As I grin and bear--

Desperation, Separation,

Reparation too is on the menu.

But soup is before dessert

This, forever--

Soup before dessert

Whensoever!

Sometimes trust looks out from

Its hiding-places, dark, secret presumptions.

Once lost, hope is gone, to all but God alone,

And us moving from presumptions to resumptions?

"When again will she trust me?"

Is the familiar cry

And answered by

"Not before you're TRUSTWORTHY!"

(Oh, My! Ohhh MY!)

So? Let's rejoice!

Each of us is a Masterpiece

Created by THE Master,

By chance? No!

By God's CHOICE...........

God is Eternally Sculpting

Unceasingly carving, chipping away,

While each one, with our free will

Has a 'right' to invite Him to stay...

 Only one soul-life, mine--I can save.

WHEREVER you go--or I shall be

Let us continue to grow, change, behave

In ways good or not, but differently

Is society concerned with my sobriety?

No!

It would be only if I HAD none...

So

As if my life had stayed undone.

A falsehood: obsession--

Time for confession

Untie me, set me free

Unbind Thee...now, see?

LOVE, newly risen

Nevermore a prison

Thus I discovered, uncovered

This, to find and remind

(As Janet Jackson--yes, SHE!

Sang these words just for me--grin!):

"How empty of me

To be so full of you..."

Ah! The simplicity.

Ah! This, how true!

For us Peeps

Love...and PEACE!

Lagniappe: One of my (bad) habits--order dessert first.

THEN eat (less?) food! Cannot understand 

WHY I keep gaining weight--grin!