Bluebonnets

There are few things in this world that defy logic as much as traditions. Whether it be familial, religious, or just plain usual, traditions are often things that make little sense outside those that are participating. I try not to be cynical, as I know I fall into the category of a traditionalist in some aspects of my life, but Texas can sometime really take the cake when it comes to being "Texan."

However, as I was driving down the road today, I could not begrudge those that were stopped on the side of the road to take pictures amongst the bluebonnets. Maybe it was because they weren't holding up traffic (then I might have felt different.) However it is nice to see loved ones out enjoying an evening together taking pictures of their children or significant others amongst the flowers. It's a bit of quaint country flair amongst the big city lights. Although sometimes I question the wisdom of getting the kids out of the car on 183 in the middle of the day.

I promise you, in the span of 2 miles of busy highway I saw at least 6 families stopped at various patches of flora. Anyway, I hope that it was a pleasant evening for all of them. It is furthermore my hope that maybe one day out with the right person, you might find me taking pictures as well amongst Texas' favorite flower.

Storytelling

Those that know me well understand that I have a particular intrigue in the past time of storytelling. Whether it be by the written word or the visual stimulus of play or film, I truly enjoy watching a drama unfold. It is likely the reason I can even watch a bad film or read a bad book at least once to the end, despite how I might feel at any point during the adventure. The development of a plot via the twists and turns can be as complex as a riddle or as simple as a coloring book.

I believe that ultimately attracts me to these things is that I consider it a true gift. I pride myself in being able to see things in various steps along a paths that have not been travelled yet. I like to think that I can often see the larger picture as a whole and work myself through the measures and verse. However, despite that ability or lack their of, even the most forward minded person may be poor at relaying the story. It takes a certain gift to both have the foresight to see a story in its entire nature and the bends it must take, but yet not approach it as a formula or problem that must be explained or solved. It is the very ability to walk someone through a tapestry of concepts while maintaining the very mystery of the whole. It takes an ability to suspend the satisfaction of the solution to wallow in the happiness, sadness or worry of the process.

I wish I had more of this talent, and I am thankful for those that do. However, at this time, I'll be content in the ability to simply appreciate the gift others give in their stories.

Items in my life and some old writings

This is a long post, with a lot of stuff for personal use attached to the end:

Well I have officially relocated as of the past weekend. The effort has thrown me extremely behind at work and I still have a number of things around the house to be organized. I know it will all come together with time and patience, but it can still be frustrating. I'm going to try to include photos once all my furniture has arrived and I have everything placed accordingly.

Also this weekend will include the adventure of finding a church home. I obviously can't drive all the way to St Bart's anymore for Mass. That means it is time to look at some around the house. This is never something I enjoy but it is a necessary task. I'll probably start at Most Blessed Sacrament this weekend due to an old friend mentioning they enjoyed it last time I saw them. If not I'll have to look around. Catholic Churches are generally focused rather specifically on various aspects of ministry, and finding one that focuses strongly on young adults and scriptural study might be a bit difficult. Many focus on family life and social teaching, others on social justice and pastoral services. Some are very focused on youth teaching and catachesis. We'll see what happens.

Anyway, while I was going through my things I ran into some old notebooks: They had some old writings of mine in them. I wanted to catalogue them somewhere for future reference. Do not feel obliged to rummage through my scattered thoughts that follow if you do not wish:

Three strangers on a hill, Standing together, yet still alone, brought together for reasons of their own...

Have you ever felt like a man stuck on an island? Have you ever wanted to be that man? No worries, no cares, time just slips away.

Down that road:

C: G,D,C / G,D,C / G,A,Em / G,D,C
V: G-A-Em

Chorus:
Why, oh, why
Why, oh, why
Did you die for me on that very tree,
Why, oh, why

Verse I:
Three men walking along a dusty road
Two not knowing the one
They were sharing all their stories past
Underneath the midday sun
It wasn't until later that night
when he broke the bread
That they realized exactly who he was
Their savivor risen from the dead

Verse II:
Questions remain from my life gone by
and I hold them deep inside
How could you love a man like me
My heart so filled with pride
I know some answers I'll never find
And there are many things left undone
But I will choose to wait on you
Because you where willing to send your son

Bridge:
A specter comes and fades away
yet the feeling remains the same
You did come to me that dreary night
And you forever lived in me

Untitled:

I found myself, drowned in pride
wading deep in sin
Only if I'd known before
The love coming down from him
For then I would have sang to You
Falling to my knees
Gracious God, where have you been
moving within me
For you know where I am going

You know where I have been
For you know I've been forgiven
You know of my sin
You know every inch I move
You know every mile
Yes you know what's deep insde me
You know of my denial

So I cannot say, nor can I move
or be in You without Your wisdom
I long for You, I cry for You
I need Your Love and your Mercy
Because my life is a gift to You.

Ribbons:
(Written on the balcony overlooking a small town in Northern Spain)

Can ribbon flow like a river?
Endless folds in a see of blue and gold
A rhythm ever changing, yet undefined
Clean chords in harmony with life

Breezes blow with an unending beat
Wonderful sounds flow like a mountain stream
Positions change, but the heart remains
Foriegn tongues, foriegn eyes meld as one

Life slips by to the sound of a rushing finger
Up and down a scale they go
All together they are all as one
They are in the primordial beat of a song lost long ago

Untitled:

I - C - II - C -III - C - C
I & III: E, B, E, B, E, B, E, B
II: Em, D, C, Em, Em, D, C, Em
C: A-E, A-E, A-E, G-D-E

Verse I:
I stood in a valley, and looked to the sea
Walls all around me, no place to be
I was alone, feeling my pain
All pressures building, driving me insane

Chorus:
For the Lord, You are a mountain
Yes God, Spanning the Sea
Oh Lord, You are a mountain
So High, where everyone can sea

Verse II:
I was forgiven, because of your mercy
Cured of my blindness, and now I can be
One of the members, spreading you word
Searching for your face, so your voice is heard

Verse III:
Standing Before you, I fall to my knees
Who will you send Lord, let it be me
Guided by wisdom, you will provide
All of the words, I'll say with pride

Precious One:
(written for a friend on her birthday)

I - C - II - C - III - C
Last two lines in final chorus repeat*

Alternating chord progression:
G-D-E7- C
G-C-G-D

Verse I:
How can a man not be thankful
to find a person like you
Someone who takes the time to
cheer him up when he is blue
You are prescious, one of His daughters
being salt and light to the earth
Could God have sent a more precious angel
to share her life as she is able
I can't wait for the chance to
celebrate with you at his table

Chorus:
Now hop, skip, turn around
The Lord has made you from the ground
Raise your hands up on high
we want to celebrate your life
Of what you've done in His name
Spreading the word of His fame
Oh let your joy shine through
of how the Spirits within you

Verse II:
Now another day in your presence
a testiment of His love
It's so easy for me to see
Jesus Christ within you
I thank the Lord every moment
for his gift to us
Dear live, all your waking days
sharing mercy and kindness
To think another year has passed
and reflect on all we've seen
Every single, little blessing
Every single, little dream

Verse III:
As I write this very song
gaze along, down your path
seeing all your adventures
Oh, I can't help but laugh
You smile as you prance along
the path prepared just for you
Bringing with you all your friends
so they'll enjoy it too
I could write so much more
but I risk going too long
So keep your heart open wide
and may your love remain strong

Sorting through the mundane.

This afternoon I put some things in the wash, hung up clothes in the closet, ran the dishwasher, etc. Exciting right? Yet, so many moments of our days are filled with these simple and routine tasks and they are always less than exciting. I suspect its either the repetative nature of them or the fact that there is no surprise or alternate ending to them. The clothes always end up where they are supposed to be, the dishes always end up clean. However, these things are necessary so we persist in doing them.

Sometimes I feel this way about writing. Maybe that is why I am so inconsistent in responses to emails or writing on this very blog. It is hard to make such simple tasks exciting to a myself, let alone a reader. Yet sometimes when you stop and take the time to look and think about these little tasks, there is some interest that might be had.

I was sorting through my closet, and realized I had some pretty old sets of clothes in there. The first thing that struck me is that I should probably discard of some of them and give them to the Salvation Army. However the second thing that struck me is that some of them are from when I was back in High School. I still have a number of my button down dress shirts from them, and that is just crazy. I never wear the stuff anymore, but to think I have moved countless times taking those things with me, and its always like that when I move. I find some small piece of my past that I held on to. Often has little value than to contain the essence of a memory long forgotten. Still some of these tokens I still pack up gently as if they are prized possessions even if the person or place they represent are long gone figures of my past.

These simple and yet often unimportant trinkets hold the key to a thought, a feeling, a memory of someone or something I once cared for or still do. Anyway it was a nice moment of reflection, that I hope to run into again along my regular daily path. And who knows, I might just add a few things along the way.

I hope all my friends and family out there are safe and blessed. I care deeply for you all.