Greatest Generation

We watch the movies but have no clue
The heroic battles they fought through
We think of France like a destination
Ignorant of our grandparents dedication


On this day the 6th of June
The kids are out of school at noon
But the greatest teens of yesteryears
Crawled ashore with blood and tears


Most have passed, having given their all
Long before we started to crawl
So let's not forget their sacrifice
Because just for you, they paid the price

Rein on Reich

Lines them up and paints their arm
Say it's so they do no harm
Stokes the flames of fear and hate
Rein him in and not too late

Waves the flag and we all march
Down the street and through the arch
Fakes the truth and sells the lie
Squeeze us all and then comply

Rolling back the hands of time
Change our rights must be a crime
Make it great as if it's not
Remove the blemish on the spot

Where this leads I do not know
Ride the boat and nav the flow

Line them up and watch the strike

Before we blend into the Reich

Don't Know

Don’t know who I was, while trying hard to decide

During all those moments pretending to be more than just a lie

Don’t know what I was thinking all those days, wasting my time

Waiting for my dream to arrive after a long steep climb

Don’t know how I got to this place, walking on this long and bumpy road

So many miles I’ve covered creating blisters or so I’m told

Don’t know when I turned away which eventually blocked my view

Causing each choice to fail until the day that I met you

Don’t why it took me so long to get it all so right

I must have had to earn it all before I could see the light

Don’t know where I was before you walked into my life

But the best decision I ever made was to take you as my wife

Parry the Poison

The more I learn, the more I don’t

Drags me to the pit, but I won’t

Digging my heels and stops me cold

Birthing a nation, or so I’m told

Prime time takes us that much closer

To the pretenders who are the posers

The book gives us the right to choose

Regardless of the end, all of us lose

Avoid the light and use your own

Slaughter the bull and set the tone

The time has come but it’s already set

All the cash won’t change the bet

So brace yourself and strap on tight

Take all you have and shun the light

The ride speeds up and just hang on

Before your choice is all but gone

Dunnit

at exuberant youth i have to laugh
i already took that photograph
doing things you think are new
which, years ago, i used to do

i'm old enough to be your dad
but the newest trick, your latest fad
is something i have done before
yet you bring it freshness, and do it more

i grew my hair down to my waist
and if someone said "try this" i had a taste
bell bottom jeans with flared cuff
and tie dye t-shirts.psychedelic stuff

i used to wear a leather vest
with no shirt to show off my hairy chest
golden hoop earring in my left ear
(if you pierced the right one it was considered queer)

yep, we were rebels without a cause
we had our love ins, we had our flaws
sugar cubes laced with LSD 25
at smoked out concerts, puffin' live

i played in rock bands, drove a 69' Stang
and always tried the latest thang
i loved the ladies more than life
even made a couple of them my wife

i see the kids on the scene today
their attitudes, the music they play
sometimes they surprise me, i cannot lie
but when i become my parents...it's time to die

i know i reached the highest highs
lived my life in laughs and sighs
and you young folks, my heart..you've won it
but believe when i say....
been there and done it

Quin Overman ( I think)

Immigraine

I might as well chime in on the immigration issue since I have read enough horrible comments over the past few days from people who wish we were living in the days of the founding fathers, but would be hung for sedition based on their anti-government comments. It’s scary to read how many people are ready to take up arms against the Federal government because of their own policies or beliefs. They are truly under the delusion that they are carrying the torch of God to rid the country of evil starting with the President. I understand that there are multiple sides to this issue such as the President is enacting too many executive orders, people are circumventing the process and the rest I choose not to mention.

These comments accuse illegal immigrants of being a drain on the system, but there are more people born in this country abusing the system than are doing so illegally. These immigrants are hardworking people who perform all the jobs that are “beneath” the average American worker like picking produce, cleaning offices and other labor intensive work.

I don’t know if this order is allowed under the constitution or whether these people should continue with the process as is, but I do know that the boiling hatred that is commonplace in social media is sadly indicative of the wave of ultra-radicalism in this country. I have many friends who believe in a political party other than the one I follow and debate it responsibly. My wife and I do not always agree on the same issues, but her intentions are purely motivated by her love of this country and the hope that her party can improve it. It is not based on the pure intolerance and alarmingly dangerous rhetoric I have read online that makes me wonder where this country is headed as a Republic.

The Train of Life

Some folks ride the train of life,
looking out the rear,
Watching miles of life roll by,
and marking every year.

They sit in sad remembrance,
of wasted days gone by,
And curse their life for what it was,
and hang their head and cry.

But I don't concern myself with that,
I took a different bent,
I look forward to what life holds,
and not what has been spent.

So strap me to the engine,
as securely as i can be,
I want to be out on the front,
to see what I can see.

I want to feel the winds of change,
blowing in my face,
I want to see what life unfolds,
as I move from place to place.

I want to see what's coming up,
not looking at the past,
Life's too short for yesterdays,
it moves along too fast.

So if the ride gets bumpy,
while you are looking back,
Go up front, and you may find,
your life has jumped the track.

It's alright to remember,
that's part of history,
But up front's where it's happening,
there's so much mystery.

The enjoyment of living,
is not where we have been,
It's looking ever forward,
to another year and ten.

It's searching all the byways,
never should you refrain,
For if you want to live your life,
you gotta drive the train.


Marv Hardin

Will of the Way

Dusty is the mind that dwells in the past.

Digs up the bones and makes a cast

Crusty is the soul that throws the rock

Shouts down freedom from across the block

They slam down the gavel to govern your thought

Wrapped in a shroud that someone else bought

They bred you to believe in only their way

Because God forbid you start to stray

We left long ago to find our own path

Made some mistakes without taking a bath

Heard what we wanted and pondered the rest

Choices were made to determine the best

Wore many shoes but not forgotten

Some enlightened but others were rotten

Insert your intolerance not in my mind

Your biased opinions that make you go blind

So I remain myself and not swayed by the rants

Or march to the drone like an army of ants

But breathe the clean air of the will of the way

And treat a fresh start just like a new day

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.

Why Wait?

Another day is here that spurs men to wait online at the local grocery store with an armful of cheap flowers and generic balloons. Why do some people put so little effort into showing their loved one how they feel? If this is the most important person in your life, then a little bit of creativity would be in order. I would rather receive something home made that expresses a person's emotion than a last minute shallow attempt at displaying affection.

I understand that life creates obstacles to overcome daily that interfere with our ability to shower our person with gifts and events. Working extra hours, taking care of the kids and maintaining a home all tug us in different directions. I get how it can squelch the opportunity for creativity. But why wait for a holiday to express these feelings. It's the little things in life that get the most appreciation. It's understanding what makes your partner happy and doing that regardless of how much it may be inconvenient. Valentine's Day is a great holiday and should be celebrated, but why wait for that day when there are 364 other perfectly good days for showing your love?

My Fair lady

It's amazing what triggers a memory whether it is a sound, a smell or a sight. I was watching the Olympics the other night and heard the music that the skaters were using for their routine. Not exactly a memorable song unless you grew up watching My Fair Lady. A song so simple but so powerful enough to raise an image of a time where the most important woman in my life was my mother.

It sounds silly now since I am well grown and she's been gone for over ten years, but there was a time that my mother was everything to me. She was matriarch, model and Marine all wrapped up in one self made mystery. She was one of a pack of similar sisters who grew up in the Depression and came out the better for it. She was the template that I now measure all women against. An independent soul who can shift from Mother Teresa to Miss Demeanor in a moment and deliver each with equal enthusiasm. There were many times that I deserved the punishment I received for being a rambunctious boy but I never held it against her because it never seemed personal, just business. So thank you Olympic skaters for reminding through a song called "I could have danced all night" that my mother is always just a sight, scent or song away.

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