Among us walk men
Of a most serious bent
Earthlings quite earnest.
Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird.
There also are those
With more frivolous outlooks
Inclined to amuse.
Jim Varney in his role as Ernest T. Bass in Ernest Saves Christmas.
Such as this Ernest.
Who contrary to his name
Was anything but.
Every now and again I am struck by the need to create a work of art using my keen eye and able hands. On those occasions I’m usually walking through a Michael’s craft store with a couple of extra bucks in my pocket and a good case of amnesia.
Because no matter how often I purchase paints, or pencils, sketchbooks, or canvases, I am totally incapable of drawing anything more complex than a primary yellow sun with a happy face and straight rays poking out all around.
Yet I conveniently forget this simple fact over and over again.
There is something about a blank piece of paper that fills me with the burning desire to create. All that’s missing is a bit of talent.
Here’s my newest purchase: 
Notice the beautiful sketchbook? Oh, the possibilities!
Notice the color pencils? They are not sharpened, and I have no sharpener at home.
So, for at least tonight the sketchbook is safe from my fumbling attempts at creating art. I think I just heard a papery sigh of relief.
Peace, people!
Bottom of the
Ninth.
Pitcher’s team has a
One run lead.
He spits.
Sunflower seeds,
Shells fly,
On the mound
Surveys the bases
All around
Steps down and
Spits again.
Runners on
First and second.
No outs.
Top of the order.
No outs!!
Pitcher takes the
Mound.
Fire in his eyes.
Catcher signals 1,
Moves his glove
Low and inside.
Pitcher nods.
First pitch–
Batter tees off
Catches ball’s
Bottom, pops it
Straight up.
“Infield fly!”
Yells ump,
“Batter’s out!”
Ball dribbles to
Mound.
Pitcher catches
Runner off second,
Tags him
Trying to get to
Third.
Runner from first
Caught in rundown
Between one, three, and
Six.
Triple play
Saves the day.
Good game, good game!
Let’s go to Dairy Queen!
Studly and I coached Little League softball and baseball teams for many years. One of the most difficult aspects of the sport for kids to understand is the infield fly rule.
It took me awhile to understand it, too, but I think I’ve got it now:
If there are fewer than two outs with runners on first and second, or first, second, and third, and a fly ball is hit that can be fielded by a player in the infield, the batter is automatically out and runners advance at their own risk. Basically it’s protection for the runners, but try explaining that to an 8-year-old batter whose ball goes uncaught and is called “out!” Tears often ensue.
In the words of Tom Hanks,
Peace, People!
Everyone come home;
Home to our sweet Mother Earth.
She craves attention.
She nurtures us all
Gives without thought for her self
As all mothers do.
Happy Earth Day. Do something nice for our mother today.
My link looks very much like the
Links on either side. Weld line
Slightly off-center, but solid;
Strong. Meant to hold fast when
All else fails. The weakest link is
Still much stronger than no link.
Human-forged or machine-made,
Iron, steel, gold, silver, brass,
Shared responsibility. 
I. I’m good at that stuff
Marking time like a pro, so
Watch me do nothing.
II. Count on someone else
To worry with the schedule
I’ll be marking time.
III. Who might benefit
From time marked yet unwasted?
Lizards, cats, and me.
Peace, people!
Zip into the kitchen
Stare at your bowl
Meow for a treat
Stretch!
Tear into the living room
Skid on the tile
Take an urgent bath
Spot your tail
Make a run for it
Around and around
Stop and scratch
Behind your ear
Take another bath
Find the highest point
Make the leap
Pace lion-like above the fray
Before jumping from
Counter to floor
Attack your sister
Act alarmed at her hisses
Raise a paw to ward her off
Take another bath
Collapse on the rug
Sleep.
Our cat Patches is an odd mixture of paranoia and sweetness. She’s sure that every thing and everyone is out to get her, but she is convinced that I am her Mama. It’s a pretty cool gig.
Peace, people.
Dang these sound good! Reblogged from shirleysheaven.wordpress.com.
Enjoy this video of my nephew, Beto and his business partner, Dan. Then start thinking about a trip to Hobbitenango!
Out in west Texas
On the wide open prairie
Thunderstorms are fierce.
From miles far away
One can observe their approach
Exhilarating!
But in Florida
Surrounded by lush forest
Lightning surprises.
Rains pound all around
Drumming in relentless force
Crashing thunder booms.
There is no telling
When the next crack will occur
Heart stopping each time.
Blurry photo of a medium sized turtle. I spoke to him and he scurried back to the safety of the forest.
Praying for Eyebrowz 