Seeing Shadows or Light…

      Too often we dwell in darkness, in the sense of how our sorrows and losses, failures and regrets, occupy that place where our soul is forever shrouded in twilight. It is a shadowy realm of our construction, the brick and mortar of its masonry made solid by our fears and doubts. It seems a fitting place to seek solace, but it is instead a prison to which we are both inmate and warden, and we abide there .. too often and too long…
What gives us our moment for both gracious pardons and daring escapes.. Is the light we let in, through windows of hope and forgiveness that are often forgotten, and by design far too small. 
What makes this so.. is when we can look to the shadow of us.. And instead let ourselves see the light shinning through that makes It.

 

 

A Southerner’s reponse to Jihadists

Hey ISIL I hear you got your Jihadity all pimped out and what not.. Gonna bring it to our door..
I have some Swamp Stomping, stand sitting, bog running, river riding Fellas who would love to me make your acquaintance.. Hell we will tell ya right where we are.. Come get some..

ISIL is a bunch of sorry Ass Basic Bitches!

…

Rant over

Things that make you grateful for being from the South.

Being introduced to boiled Peanuts
The food at potlucks.
The way a grandmother will call your name.…
The real meaning of the word Momma.
The quality of use in swear words.
Sunlight through an April fog.
The real meaning of the word Tubing.

And the things that just aint right about it.

Beer cans at boat landings.
Drunk parking at the waffle house.
Idiots on jet skis on the river.
The danger of driving on Sunday morning. (at least when my Grandmother was alive)
Skeeters.. them DAMN skeeters!

Hearing northerners complain about us.

Time to pack a bowl, pour a glass, and grab a favorite tome.

 

“Summer sunsets mark the end of lady lights long journey that began with the dawn. The least we can do is keep her company as she retires for the night”

Nineties proverb.

A hallowed day in reflection, and my opnions on the Same.

I am amazed at the diversity of opinions that have grown from this hallowed day, and how freely those opinions will be issued, this is both proof of the greatness of liberty, and how America is its faithful steward, while simultaneously being the reason for the attacks.
So.. a few points of clarity that can be found amidst MY opinion, (which I find really important, my opinion that is)

Those that attacked us were, idiot, zealot, ass clown, shit stain, f%^k stick wastes of human flesh. They are honor less cowards and anyone in the world whom might admire them … Go F&*k yourself and seek therapy.. in that order.
There was no justification at all whatsoever for what happened to innocent men and women this day, anyone who might be sitting drinking their soy latte while reading the latest issue of “White American Guilt” the How to hate yourself for being born American issue, you know the one that’s made from carbon neutral hemp , and feel incline to wax esoterically about how America deserved it for all the evil we do, instead roll up that mag and shove it where you put your 100% vegan coffee enemas(don’t worry, apparently the magazine is pre lubricated.. who knew)

This nation is a great nation, for though we have committed true sins against our fellow man, when held in contrast to both the history of other nations past and present, and the great deeds we have undertaken, we still are mans best hope for liberty and peace.

I am proud to be a citizen of the United states, not because of what that means for me, but because of who I can call my countrymen, and what rarified company that is.

The sights before us, and how time changes them.

Life often reduces us to constructs of thought that are at best, belligerent, and at worst, violent. We do this so easily, we seldom realize what they could mean ..in a different time or different place.

It is much more an act of dedicated effort to build notions that are benevolent and compassionate, but doing so is the best of things..

For from thought action is born.. and for good or ill, consequences are to be found, and histories written.. and from that we build monuments to remember them.

Time then brushes over consequences.. and histories are lost or changed

The monuments weather on the longest.. a lingering shadow of what the thoughts of men may do..and for this reason we should govern carefully our thoughts, for one day they could be the lingering stones upon mount or field.. and may govern how the thoughts of those beings who will follow us, and the actions they choose.

The bright side of being yourself, and what others say about it.

There can be few things associated with the growth of the individual spirit that bear more credence than those things relatable to “being yourself”

There are an endless litany of books, quotes from books, people who speak of the books and their quotes, people who get the quotes wrong but say them anyway, and there is always that scandalous rebel that “Makes up their own quote”

Now I am unrepentantly guilty of all of the above. From the inference to a favorite book, to a quote from here or there , the mangling of either or, and the “Making it up as I go “ which I enjoy most.

I always found it Ironic how people continuously associate how they are “being their own person” by referring to someone else’s notions as why they are..

Yes I indeed said I have been guilty of the same, but as Time has gone by on this merry road of life I have walked/ stumbled/  ended up face down in the ditch/ upon, I have found that for better or ill, I enjoy most those moments when I declare myself as myself, by sayings things that are just me.

Sure it is important to relate to others by pointing out why something somebody else said is the reason your “being yourself” but every now and then own it, and say something that is all you.

At  least that’s how I see it.

I say ” Do you, and wait for the applause.”

You can quote me if you like…..

Better days even if there are no Better nights.

Better days even if there are no Better nights..

Sun in the rain. The Sun Dawg Cafe’. A Bohemian Oasis of food, philosophy and Style

Sweet Potato Chili…, Rum Soaked French Toast, Or the incomparable Mango Dawg…

These are just some of the most extraordinary creations by Ray and Rachel (Yes I put it in that order, yes they get the irony, and no.. they don’t it find funny ..) Husband and Wife proprietors of the Sun Dawg Café.

Located at the corner of the Outwardly ordinary and mundane( actually its Main and Otterman in Greensburg, PA.) The Sun Dawg may be eight  rough steps down beneath the street, but a mile and more above the curve when it comes to slow lean ambiance, and fantastic reinventions of the classics of Americana Café Fair.

Ray and Rachel, (yeah I know… I know….) are clearly in the groove of doing what they Love, doing it with some serious style, and providing a culinary experience that has me pouring over the menu like a Klondiker who wonders how many nuggets he’s got in his pan, shining in the sun.

Take for instance Sweet potato Chili….I have to tell you that the name alone had me curious for the sake of it, but just one taste and I am hitting it harder than a B- List has been  Just out of Rehab. To put it more seriously, it was culinary brilliance.

And That’s the thing.. the Menu is filled with such treasures as can be seen on an old school chalkboard that teases you with its casual presentation, hinting at its ever changing nature that beckons you to try them all before they are gone. Added to this is a gem of equal value which is the genuine connection that Ray and Rachel forge with each and every customer who finds there way down the rain clad steps to this bright and friendly abode.

This more than anything, this fusion of place and being and food and soul makes at least for me, the Sun Dawg Café a place to find yourself, and if you can’t find yourself, then this a place to start and have some damn fine food along the way.

I could write more.. but Instead I will leave this hanging in the air.. Pumpkin spice Cinnamon Rice Crispy  Delight..

Nuff Said..

https://www.facebook.com/sundawgcafe

Feldan’s Fury(A peek into Eaglesong, Book One of the Eun Trilogy)

What Say you

While writing Eaglesong I began to fall in love with the characters and what they represented to me. It was both unexpected and a source of real enjoyment. The bond of friendship(A central theme throughout Eaglesong) is best appreciated between The Centaur, Wynsik, and His Fellow Ogre Buster, Feldan IronBelly.

     Feldan got to his feet, and staggered over to his friend. Wynsik was hurt gravely, he could tell. The centaur was still conscious and he turned his head as best he could to face his friend.  “This may be our last battle together.” He said with some effort. Feldan nodded and choked back tears to say “Aye, that it might.” The dwarf then smiled and winked at his wounded friend, then looked to the giant who was trying to get the plainsman’s beast from his back.  The dwarf took a deep breath, and straightened his helmet.

Then Feldan went berserk.

Mugs had never known such…

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