rancherwriterpoet

Poetry, musings, reflections, life

Archive for the tag “memory”

RIP, DEAR PRADA

Yesterday was Father’s Day. It turned out to be an eventful day around our house. I received the customary phone calls and the usual assortment of Father’s Day cards. And I am so grateful for my children and grandchildren. So, thanks to all my family and especially to my “Rancherette” wife.    However, there was a moment of sadness yesterday. If you are a pet lover as we are, then perhaps you may understand. We have many animals around our home. Chickens, geese, dogs, and they all seem to cohabitate with each other, within certain parameters of course. We love each and every one of them. So it is with that certain sadness we grieve a bit over the loss of one.

Prada, a beloved standard poodle, lost her bout with cancer. She was two weeks shy of her 10th birthday. She was an exceptionally sweet dog with a like disposition. In all of her days, I never heard her bark. She never growled. If there was ever a dog that smiled, she was the one. She was shy, yet playful in her own way. Never a cross word with any other dog. She was small for her breed and never had puppies.  She loved peppermints as do all of our dogs. However, she was terrific at “helping” to unwrap the mint. When we let the dogs run from their kennels in the afternoon she would hang around in order to get an “extra”.  It was almost like a game with her. I’ll miss that.

I do not know God’s plan for animals. He certainly must have enough love for each. It is with a certainty that dogs bring about a sense of belonging in the world. They serve a purpose. In my life I have had many dogs and a few cats. I have loved each and every one and each has brought joy to my life in one form or fashion. The remaining dogs in our kennels must sense a loss in some sort of way. I suppose they grieve a bit as well. So this new day breaks and our lives continue and the days move forward.  This will happen again and again. I will never get used to it. RIP, dear Prada.

COUNTDOWN

There is something about the human race and time that intrigues me. Seemingly, we humans are always counting down for some event to take place in the future. Those awaiting a birth of a child face a countdown to a time that is somewhat difficult to determine, nevertheless, the countdown cannot come soon enough, especially for the one giving birth.

Those facing retirement count down the days until it arrives, then wonder how it happened so fast. The students in school count down until summer. Of course, the teachers are much more in the countdown mode than the students. Those waiting to experience graduation, whether it be middle school, high school or college, all count down until the fateful day. In each case there is a transition from one situation to a different development. The middle school graduate counts down to becoming a teenager, the high school graduate counts down to becoming a university student and the college graduate counts down to employment.

New Year’s Day finds most of America and the world enjoying the countdown until 12 A.M., although many cannot remember it the next morning.

I noticed that those in the know have advanced the doomsday clock to two minutes, thirty seconds until midnight. This is a symbolic clock that sends a message of nuclear oblivion when it reaches midnight. That particular countdown is unnerving to say the least.

This past year 2016, social media light up the airwaves with a countdown until the presidential election. It doesn’t matter for which political side you were rooting, it mattered when it was to take place. And the time arrived. One candidate surpassed the other. Certain individuals threatened to leave the country if a particular candidate won. The other side began the countdown as to exactly when that would happen. As I write this the countdown has to be reset each day for I have seen no exits from these personalities.

Then the countdown began until inauguration day. It arrived. Half the nation is happy and half the nation is not. I’m thinking someone should start a countdown as the when the two halves can come together on a common goal. Naaa, too much to ask. But God is in total control. His countdown is the only one that matters.

Until then I have it on good authority that the baseball season is upon us. As I write this, the countdown until spring training is 16 days, 13 hours, 39 minutes, 34 seconds and counting. http://www.springtrainingcountdown.com/#sthash.BcTqhy1P.dpb

Texas Rangers pitchers and catchers report Wednesday February 15. Opening day for the Texas Rangers is April 3, 2017 at home against the defending American League champions Cleveland Indians. 65 days 2 hours 43 minutes 35 seconds and counting:    https://days.to/until/mlb-season-opening-day

Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd.
Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack,
I don’t care if I never get back,
Let me root, root, root for the home team,
If they don’t win it’s a shame.
For it’s one, two, three strikes, you’re out,
At the old ball game.”

Songwriters: ALBERT VON TILZER, JACK NORWORTH

This countdown works for me. What countdown are you working on?

Politics and…

For quite sometime, I have resisted the impulse of entering into the forum of presidential politics. I can resist it no longer. With all due respect to Nancy Guillory, a surrogate for Bailey and Lexie, I borrowed a recent post written by (?) Bailey A. Guillory. Bailey is an Airedale and president of Airedale Home Security. He posted a picture of himself all dressed in his patriotic finery. He pondered the question, “is it too late to throw my paw in for President?” He noted that he had a “good plan for security with zero tolerance towards thievery and violence. He believes in takin’ a bite outa crime.” His platform sounds very encouraging to me.bacon-and-warm-beds-for-everyone

His running mate, Lexie, his baby sister, (Is that legal?) remains confused, but Bailey states that in the dog shows, they at least have credentials and papers.

baileys-presidential-run 

Now this post was made in jest, I think, however, it caused me enough concern to evaluate seriously the general election for president and the current crop of candidates.

I have been of voting age since 1960. I cast my first vote for president in that year. I have never failed to vote since then. My politics have changed over the years, I suppose that comes with age. If you are anywhere near my age, then you have seen good candidates and not so good candidates. Some I liked and some I did not. However, there has always been one for whom I voted. Usually, I made my choice early and stuck with it. That does not seem to be the case this year.

I do not have a perfect record for always voting with the winning candidate. I generally have respected the outcome for it is not about winning or losing, it is about electing the best candidate for our country. I understand that we human beings disagree over who we think is best for our country.

For the most part, even though I may have disagreed with the winner I do not ever recall having to decide between the “lesser of two evils”. I have never seen candidates with such unfavorable ratings as the nominees for 2016. Seriously, are we about to elect a candidate that 60% +/- does not like? No candidate seems to elaborate on platforms or policies, but mostly derogatory statements about the other candidate. Throughout our history, there have been numerous elections tainted by subterfuge, mistrust, chicanery and outright name calling. However, this election seems to surpass all the previous elections.  I remain convinced it is still the best system in the world, however flawed it may be.

As I write this, there are 35 days before election day. Come election day when I vote, I hope I have made my decision by then. As of October 3, 2016, there were 1,896 declared candidates for president, according to the website, Ballotpedia. No mention of Bailey and Lexie. I may need all 35 days to decide.

I must make a choice. Will it be the “lesser of two evils?” Bailey, you and Lexie are looking good.

Strictly my opinion, you may feel free to disagree or not.

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