Across the Aisle

Henry Clay was selected as one of the five greatest Senators in history which was partly based on his ability to compromise. One of his nicknames was the Great Compromiser due to him being able to reason intelligently and responsibly with all parties. Webster's dictionary states that the word compromise means "a settlement of differences by mutual concessions; an agreement reached by adjustment of conflicting or opposing claims, principles, etc., by reciprocal modification of demands"



To compromise seems to have lost all importance over the years. In the past, an elected official whose actions led him to work with his opponents and find a common ground for the common good was seen as an achiever and a patriot. Ronald Reagan and Tip O'Neil did not always share the same political ideology but they found ways to agree enough to make a difference and retain their mutual respect. How our country became so divisive and fragmented is surprising based on our history, but today there is more of a separation of ideas and beliefs than ever. That separation has spread to intolerance and morphed into hate. Isn't it time to recognize that it's OK to be different and to reach across the aisle to find a place in the middle?

Casting Stones

"Let him who is without sin cast the first stone" is a passage from John 7:53-8:11. This story in the bible teaches compassion and self reflection concerning the persecution of a woman accused of adultery. These words demonstrate personal examination and self judgement.


Whether you are a follower of an organized religion or an atheist, it might be wise to reserve judgement on others when said judge is imperfect. Whether it was politically or spiritually motivated, the Governor of Arizona made a decision to veto a bill that discriminates based on a belief of intolerance. If people believe that they are as flawed as I am, then show the compassion and love that Jesus preached and gave his life for, but for those people that believe in this bill feel that they are without sin, then please by all means cast the first stone.

Walk That Step

If I step into the dark will you hold my hand
And guide my way to the promised land
Will you embrace my love with all its flaws
Acquitting me from the breaking of laws

Will you smile at my missteps of mindless endeavors
And hold me tight today and forever
Walk me down to the aisle of dreams
Barefoot we go into cool water streams

So let's step lively to the beat of love
Tip toeing to the melodies from high above
Swaying to the tunes that's all around
Blending our hearts to the eternal sound

Embrace me tenderly and never let me go
Invite me along to explore your Van Gogh
Paint my mind with your colors of light
And I will love you till the end with all my might

I Believe...

I believe that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don’t even know you.


I believe that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.


That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.


I believe that the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

That sometimes when I’m angry I have the right to be angry but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.


I believe that just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don’t love you with all they have.


That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you’ve had and what you’ve learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you’ve celebrated.


I believe that it isn’t always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.


That no matter how bad your heart is broken that the world doesn’t stop for your grief.


I believe that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.


That just because two people argue, it doesn’t mean they don’t love each other. And just because they don’t argue, it doesn’t mean they do.


I believe that you shouldn’t be eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.


That it’s taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.


I believe that you should always leave loved ones with loving well wishes. It may be the last time you see them.


That you can keep going long after you can’t.


I believe that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.


That we don’t have to change friends, if we understand that friends change.


I believe that no matter how good a friend is, they’re going to hurt you once in a while and you must forgive them for that.


That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.


I believe that you either control your attitude or it controls you.


That regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, that passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.


I believe that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.


That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.


I believe that money is a lousy way of keeping score.


That my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.


I believe that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you’re down, will be the ones who help you get back up.




Author Unknown

Different Kind of Hood

Every two years I am reminded of what it is that separates us from the lower life forms. All of the nature shows demonstrate that the animal world is territorial and probably due to a lack of communication, the animal kingdom settles their disputes with aggressive behavior. I don't know if humans developed these same traits by observing animals or if it just comes natural to us, but we have excelled at it far beyond anything another mammal can imagine.

So every 2 years I am continually surprised at humanity's ability to put aside the world's conflicts to spend 3 weeks in friendly competition in a series of games called the Olympics. I've seen young men and women hugging and respecting each other during an event even during the most disappointing moments. Many who don't understand the person standing next to them but have an honest and sincere connection with people from all over the world. If this could only happen the other 101 weeks.

Day of Hearts

Day of Hearts

This day is special but not for the flowers

Or the gift that took me so many hours

This day is memorable but not for the dinner

When I struggled to impress, as a beginner

This Day of Hearts should be of love

To celebrate, this gift from above

For so many years, I had no feeling

The love inside, I was concealing

But now this day, finally rings true

It means so much, because I have you

My long lost life finally starts

So I thank you dearly for this Day of Hearts

For the Summer

Rollin' through these hills I've known I'd be comin'
Ain't a man alive that likes to be alone?
Been a while since I seen my lady smilin'
Have I been, have I been away so long?

I am tired
I am tired

Can I come home for the summer?
I could slow down for a little while
Get back to loving each other
Leave all those long and lonesome miles behind

Through the years I have learned
Some things worth the tellin'
And you'd be right in guessin'
That each and every lesson they were hard won

I am tired
I am tired

Can I come home for the summer?
I could slow down for a little while
Get back to loving each other
Leave all those long and lonesome miles behind

You'll follow her wherever she goes
You love her and you just wanted to know
That you'll follow her, you'll find a way
'Cause you love her and you just wanted to know

Ray LaMontagne

You and Me

Wanna pack your bags, Something small
Take what you need and we disappear
Without a trace we'll be gone, gone
The moon and the stars can follow the car
and then when we get to the ocean
We gonna take a boat to the end of the world
All the way to the end of the world

Oh, and when the kids are old enough
We're gonna teach them to fly

You and me together, we could do anything, Baby
You and me together yes, yes (x2)

You and I, we're not tied to the ground
Not falling but rising like rolling around
Eyes closed above the rooftops
Eyes closed, we're gonna spin through the stars
Our arms wide as the sky
We gonna ride the blue all the way to the end of the world
To the end of the world

Oh, and when the kids are old enough
We're gonna teach them to fly

You and me together, we could do anything, Baby
You and me together yes, yes

We can always look back at what we did
All these memories of you and me baby
But right now it's you and me forever girl
And you know we could do better than anything that we did
You know that you and me, we could do anything

You and me together, we could do anything, Baby
You and me together yeah, yeah
Two of us together, we could do anything, baby
You and me together yeah, yeah
Two of us together yeah, yeah
Two of us together, we could do anything, baby

?? to reach the end of the world

Dave Matthews

Simple Things

If the wind takes me away on a rainbow breeze
And I strap on tight this harness of ease
I search deep down into my instrument of strings
And revel in the joy of the simple things

Tip toe away from the mis-stepping prose
Deflecting the bullets of the erected nose
And dive way down into the deepest rings
In my desperate search for the simple things

Off on the horizon lies the furtive feast
The one I seek who lets me release
With golden hair and crystal springs
She helps me embrace the simple things

Comfortably nestled in her arms within
Coupled together with a Cheshire grin
Captured I am when she starts to sing
As I mesh and blend into the simple things

Leavin on a Jet Plane

All my bags are packed I'm ready to go
I'm standin' here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye
But the dawn is breakin' it's early morn
The taxi's waitin' he's blowin' his horn
Already I'm so lonesome I could die

So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
Cause I'm leavin' on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go

There's so many times I've let you down
So many times I've played around
I tell you now, they don't mean a thing
Every place I go, I'll think of you
Every song I sing, I'll sing for you
When I come back, I'll bring your wedding ring

So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
Cause I'm leavin' on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go

Guitar Solo

Now the time has come to leave you
One more time let me kiss you
Close your eyes I'll be on my way
Dream about the days to come
When I won't have to leave alone
About the times, I won't have to say

So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
Cause I'm leavin' on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh baby, I hate to go

Cause I'm leavin' on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go

John Deutschendorf

Just Breathe

Yes, I understand that every life must end, aw-huh,..
As we sit alone, I know someday we must go, aw-huh,..
Oh I'm a lucky man, to count on both hands
the ones I love,..

Some folks just have one,
yeah, others, they've got none, huh-uh

Stay with me,..
Let's just breathe.

Practiced are my sins,
never gonna let me win, aw-huh,..
Under everything, just another human being, aw-huh,..
Yeh, I don't wanna hurt, there's so much in this world
to make me bleed.

Stay with me,..
You're all I see.

Did I say that I need you?
Did I say that I want you?
Oh, if I didn't I'm a fool you see,..
No one knows this more than me.
As I come clean.

I wonder everyday
as I look upon your face, aw-huh,..
Everything you gave
And nothing you would take, aw huh,..
Nothing you would take
Everything you gave...

Did I say that I need you?
Oh, did I say that I want you?
Oh, if I didn't I'm a fool you see,..
No one knows this more than me.
As I come clean, ah-ah...

Nothing you would take,..
Everything you gave.
Hold me till I die,..
Meet you on the other side.

Melody Miss

Black and white is the color of the world
The grays filled in to complete the swirl
The music of the mind adds the fading hue
A harmonic rainbow when I met you

My cup stands full in the light of reason
I sip it slowly so late in the season
The taste is sweet and delicately mellow
Like a moaning scale on a finely tuned cello

Burrowed in the warmth of her Cheshire smile
Buzzing with light as I walk the mile
The melody of the note gets me in tune
Like a warm summer breeze in the month of June

I play these chords from a well rehearsed sheet
Learn each verse till I am complete
I strum on through and prevail in the song
Wrapped in her harmony right where I belong

Erase the Black

I don’t want to think about the things I can’t control
Or the slippery mud in the deceptive hole
I don’t want to ponder about the wiles of the world
The red blanket mysteries of a simplistic girl

Not any of the pain or the long winded sorrow
Just the right plan for a better tomorrow
I want to hold on tight and skate on through
To that utopic place that you and I grew

So take a walk through the hallway of dreams
And avoid the door of the tortured screams
We'll scratch and crawl up the hill of fate
And wash away all fear and mistake

So here I am with my arms out wide
For you to pack your bags and rest inside
Shed your bricks and rest right here
Born to travel to your frontier

Shed the load that you carry every day
Like a semi-sweet dessert on a golden tray
Open your heart and never look back
And give me your love and erase the black

Runaway Hearts

If I thought about it for a very short time
I could come up with a reason to believe
That you and I would take that climb
To the heights that I couldn’t conceive

We could step out in the cool autumn night
And glide through the blanket of breezes
I would embrace your soul with all my might
And give you all that I have that pleases

Let’s set sail away upon the seas of life
Head straight into the wind and hang on tight
Cut through the waves like a sharpened knife
And keep on going deep into the night

Or jump aboard my black iron horse
Strap on our bonnets and put on our shades
Fill up the tank and plot a new course
Follow that road until all fear fades

Maybe we board a soaring red jet
That takes us away to places unknown
It will fly us high above all the regret
And enjoy the view that life has shown

So let’s pack a big bag and make the plans
For a trip that will take us the rest of our years
You’ll have all of me and these two hands
To cradle your heart until anguish disappears

Homeless Heart

She ran to the door looking for a letter
It’s been six months and maybe he’d forget her
She thought of that day when they kissed goodbye
But in that mailbox was no reply

She read all the papers and saw it on display
She chose a side but would rather not say
Missed him so much she could hardly breathe
Small town quilts compelled her to weave

They all whined about their jobs and money
And the late night guys who think they’re funny
Life goes on but not for her
She stares into space, it’s all a blur

Then one day she got the call
He’s not coming home and that’s not all
A scenic drive like they’ve done before
An IED and then no more

His pain is over and hers’ just begun
All he will miss including his son
She gets out of bed and bravely fights on
To teach her boy why daddy is gone

Crystal Blue Lists

Walked all day and got nowhere
Hitched a ride on the train of despair
The map is wet with these tears of mine
Searching for the path by popular design

Straining against the drops of time
That soaks my face well into my prime
Years of carrying this hole in my heart
Good little soldier with an imaginary part

So I built my list in spite of those who cried
That you can’t create love with a user guide
But I dug in my soul and fashioned a girl
With spunk and wit and a heart of pearl

Soft and fair with eyes of teal
A smile that shines but does not reveal
Deeply blended with passion and grace
Contented and crawled into her ardent embrace

Lounging in the fragrance that is her song
I smile at the tune at where I belong
The lady of gold and blended style
With the discerning look and Cheshire smile

3rd Sunday in June

This use to be a day of joy and pride
She’d run full speed and cling to my side
This use to be a time of special meaning
Swelled with love forever gleaming

I never realized how lucky I was
Took it for granted just because
Always tomorrow and not right now
Too busy for her I must avow

So much time has passed me by
I’ve lost my baby and don’t know why
They all say that she’ll come around
After maturing and standing her ground

But now I sit in this empty room
Finding ways to explore my gloom
While all other father’s celebrate their kid
I torture myself with whatever I did

Valenmiss

Time as it was, I cared for it not
Too many flaws, I’ve long forgot
A different time, a stunning defeat
So very far from my tender sweet

That day for lovers and tender kisses
Only to be left with swings and misses
No candy, no card or crimson rose
Soul was blackened, but starting to glow

Now I see with my waking eye
A kindred spirit, I cannot deny
Her crystal gaze in my velvet dream
Whisks me away on a cloud serene

Infectious smile and discerning look
Fills my mind like a picture book
Because on that day, that very spot
Returns the feeling, believe it or not

But still I’m waiting in the warming sun
Bark stripped away and protection undone
Looking to the day my valentine
As if this was all happening by design

Midnight Dreams

Jumped on the wind and hitched a ride
Miles of meadows that I took in stride
Gliding past rivers and mountains galore
Floating up high as I explore

Soaring in the clouds while scanning below
I noticed a strange but unique road show
My point of view was distorted at first
So I dove and raced to quench my thirst

Landed softly and crept along
Secretly hoping that I wasn’t wrong
Sneaking among those without being seen
She caught me in her glance serene

Dizzy at first, I was stunned by my host
Crystal eyes, half woman half ghost
She opened her tent and led me inside
Removed all reason for me to hide

She sat far off but stared intently
And then touched my arm ever so gently
Speechless I was for the very first time
Feeling almost guilty of a shameful crime

She rubbed my neck and I started to faint
An incredible feeling with no complaint
The room started spinning and then went dark
I woke up later from the light of a spark

I saw her fade with a wink and a smile
Dressed in silk with class and style
She whispered good bye and then disappeared
Gone for good, is what I feared

But every night when I am tired
I race to bed no matter how wired
In my dreams I’m looking to see
The mystical woman waiting for me

Golden Wink

Hidden beneath the shell that owns her
Lies a gift inside that she can't transfer
The auburn tiger with a touch of fox
Draped inside her golden locks

Mandolin wind and a serene smile
Sting me with your unique style
Every day that I glance your way
Perform my part in this passion play

A prop I am in this show of shows
Where I am headed, no one knows
Stirs my drink with a slice of lime
Let’s sleep away till breakfast time

For now I’ll settle for that fluttering wink
The special one that makes you think
Slowly sipping my Cabernet
Dancing along in this furtive ballet