“They saw their injured country's woe;
The flaming town, the wasted field;
Then rushed to meet the insulting foe;
They took the spear, - but left the shield.”
―Philip Freneau
Saturday, December 10, 2016
Kisses...
When the stories we are told start to fall apart...
It's just LIFE –– life as it always has been and always will be –– till one day it ends.
Dere ain' nuttin' you or I could do about it, so why worry?
REAL life is what happens in the sanctity of that small, tragically underrated space between our ears –– the only place where we get to pick and choose.
The peaceful luxury of being able to think and imagine is the greatest privilege –– and the greatest power –– we will ever know. And it is all we will ever truly need to fulfill our lives.
While shepherds watch'd their flocks by night, All seated on the ground, The angel of the Lord came down, And glory shone around. "Fear not," said he, for mighty dread Had seized their troubled mind; "Glad tidings of great joy I bring To you and all mankind."
"To you, in David's town this day, Is born of David's line The Savior who is Christ the Lord, And this shall be the sign: The heav'nly Babe you there shall find To human view displayed, All meanly wrapped in swathing bands, And in a manger laid."
Thus spake the seraph, and forthwith Appeared a shining throng Of angels praising God, who thus Addressed their joyful song: "All glory be to God on high And on the earth be peace. Goodwill henceforth from heav'n to men Begin and never cease."
Text: Nahum Tate, 1652-1715; based on Luke 2:8-14 Music: Yorkshire carol, ca. 1800
Oddly enough considering my "conservative" values, I have always been grateful that my equally "conservative" mother was an unabashed patron of the Black Market during the Second World War. She considered doing her best to promote the good health and well-being of her family as first and foremost. I was a mere babe-in-arms at the time, and later a toddler, and mother was determined that nothing as unimportant as a WAR was going to deprive HER child –– or her husband either for that matter –– from enjoying the good things of life.
We were PROTESTANT Christians, and therefore believed that life was meant to be enjoyed to the fullest extent possible. The idea of embracing poverty, martyrdom and self-sacrifice as a perpetual way of life was completely foreign to us.
We also knew that life, as it began was entirely wild, and that it was from the terrifying freedom of an aboriginal existence that we had slowly evolved, and that meant that all we had gained came about from making the best use of circumstances possible for our own benefit.
In addition we were New Yorkers and that meant we routinely came into contact with all manner of characters foreign, domestic, eccentric, laudable –– and often decidedly questionable no doubt. We never tried to deceive ourselves as to what and whom we were dealing with, however.
I've always regarded it as a great privilege to have been raised in such a rich and varied environment filled with contrasts, and wish everyone could be as fortunate as I was.
If that be true, FJ, –– for whatever reason –– all I can say is that God, –– who ALWAYS works for our ultimate benefit, no matter how else it may appear ––, does, indeed, work in mysterious ways His wonders to perform.
IF the Russians were instrumental in saving us from a Fate Worse Than Death, surely it is the HEIGHT of IRONY, n'est-ce-pas?
I would take it as positive proof that God really does have a sense of humor, which I know many –– who dare to deem themselves faithful –– want always to doubt.
By sending Hilladragon packing It looks to me that Russian hacking, Whatever else it may be lacking, Has been OUR best interests backing!
In a frenzy boorish bad temper at their recent catastrophic loss DC Marxicrats are fully exposing themselves for the fiendish fools they have always been.
I heard the bells on Christmas Day Their old, familiar carols play, And wild and sweet The words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
And thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along The unbroken song Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Till, ringing, singing on its way, The world revolved from night to day, A voice, a chime, A chant sublime Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Then from each black, accursed mouth The cannon thundered in the South, And with the sound The carols drowned Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
It was as if an earthquake rent The hearth-stones of a continent, And made forlorn The households born Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
And in despair I bowed my head; "There is no peace on earth," I said: "For hate is strong, And mocks the song Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: "God is not dead; nor doth he sleep! The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men!"
Meh!
ReplyDeleteIt's just LIFE –– life as it always has been and always will be –– till one day it ends.
Dere ain' nuttin' you or I could do about it, so why worry?
REAL life is what happens in the sanctity of that small, tragically underrated space between our ears –– the only place where we get to pick and choose.
The peaceful luxury of being able to think and imagine is the greatest privilege –– and the greatest power –– we will ever know. And it is all we will ever truly need to fulfill our lives.
While shepherds watch'd their flocks by night,
ReplyDeleteAll seated on the ground,
The angel of the Lord came down,
And glory shone around.
"Fear not," said he, for mighty dread
Had seized their troubled mind;
"Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and all mankind."
"To you, in David's town this day,
Is born of David's line
The Savior who is Christ the Lord,
And this shall be the sign:
The heav'nly Babe you there shall find
To human view displayed,
All meanly wrapped in swathing bands,
And in a manger laid."
Thus spake the seraph, and forthwith
Appeared a shining throng
Of angels praising God, who thus
Addressed their joyful song:
"All glory be to God on high
And on the earth be peace.
Goodwill henceforth from heav'n to men
Begin and never cease."
Text: Nahum Tate, 1652-1715; based on Luke 2:8-14
Music: Yorkshire carol, ca. 1800
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
The shepherds then fell asleep...
ReplyDelete...and the S.P.I.V.'s took over.
ReplyDeleteOddly enough considering my "conservative" values, I have always been grateful that my equally "conservative" mother was an unabashed patron of the Black Market during the Second World War. She considered doing her best to promote the good health and well-being of her family as first and foremost. I was a mere babe-in-arms at the time, and later a toddler, and mother was determined that nothing as unimportant as a WAR was going to deprive HER child –– or her husband either for that matter –– from enjoying the good things of life.
ReplyDeleteWe were PROTESTANT Christians, and therefore believed that life was meant to be enjoyed to the fullest extent possible. The idea of embracing poverty, martyrdom and self-sacrifice as a perpetual way of life was completely foreign to us.
We also knew that life, as it began was entirely wild, and that it was from the terrifying freedom of an aboriginal existence that we had slowly evolved, and that meant that all we had gained came about from making the best use of circumstances possible for our own benefit.
In addition we were New Yorkers and that meant we routinely came into contact with all manner of characters foreign, domestic, eccentric, laudable –– and often decidedly questionable no doubt. We never tried to deceive ourselves as to what and whom we were dealing with, however.
I've always regarded it as a great privilege to have been raised in such a rich and varied environment filled with contrasts, and wish everyone could be as fortunate as I was.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
LOOK WHAT WE MISSED. AIN'T YOUR OLD HEART JUST A-BRIMMING OVER WITH GRATITUDE?
ReplyDelete____ Hilladay Howl ____
There’s nothing to tout.
There’s nothing to buy.
The stores have run out.
Your funds have run dry.
Hillaclaws is staying in town!
For her mill you are grist.
She thinks fun’s a crime,
She clenches her fist,
When you seek a good time.
Hillaclaws is staying in town!
She monitors your reaping.
She’ll ration what you take.
Whatever you try keeping
She will grab for her own sake!
So, you’d better not preen,
You’d better not prance.
It won’t please the Queen,
She will look askance.
Hillaclaws Upon You Will Frown.
Hillaclaws is staying in town!
She’s the dumpy broad
With the big fat ass.
SHE’S STAYING IN TOWN!
So funny watching faux-progressives and assorted Clintonbots falling over each other on the 't'wos Putin wot did it!' flap.
ReplyDeletePeople still believe a word the CIA and Deep State tells 'em?
Operation Mockingbird, the sequel...
And where oh where is the resident CRYPTOGRAPHER to help decipher the latest message?
ReplyDeleteWas it written in Inspeak, or Obscurantese? My feeble brain can't tell.
Au secours! Aidez-moi, s'il vous plait.
JOYEUX NOEL et BONNE ANNEE!
I agree, the conspiracy to deprive Hillary Clinton of the Presidency was simply too great once the Russians joined our vast right wing conspiracy
ReplyDeleteIf that be true, FJ, –– for whatever reason –– all I can say is that God, –– who ALWAYS works for our ultimate benefit, no matter how else it may appear ––, does, indeed, work in mysterious ways His wonders to perform.
ReplyDeleteIF the Russians were instrumental in saving us from a Fate Worse Than Death, surely it is the HEIGHT of IRONY, n'est-ce-pas?
I would take it as positive proof that God really does have a sense of humor, which I know many –– who dare to deem themselves faithful –– want always to doubt.
By sending Hilladragon packing
It looks to me that Russian hacking,
Whatever else it may be lacking,
Has been OUR best interests backing!
WOO HOO & MERRY CHRISTMAS!
#gottagoputincalling
ReplyDeleteNow trending!
Seems more like a vast DNC/Clinton conspiracy to shoot itself in the foot, then score an own goal with it!
ReplyDeleteIn a frenzy boorish bad temper at their recent catastrophic loss DC Marxicrats are fully exposing themselves for the fiendish fools they have always been.
ReplyDeleteI heard the bells on Christmas Day
ReplyDeleteTheir old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Till, ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said:
"For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!"
~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882)