A Sign Post Ahead – 100 Years – Closing Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

The batter swings and the summer flies.  The sands slips through the pinch and gives the illusion that it moves faster as the top half grows less.  I have so much in this life for which to be thankful.

I spent a wonderful evening with my Grandsons last night who were excited just to have me stay later.  I had a wonderful conversation with the eldest of my sisters (I would never call her old.  She is just older than the others).  Dad and I spoke earlier in the week.

Today will be interesting.  I know how it begins but little after that.  I can read the mile marker clearly and it is brighter than I hoped.  I only have a couple of real goals left.  The rest will be an adventure.  I have many books left in me and just need the time to get them out. 

I want to reduce possessions even further this year.  I would like to buy a place for my Son and the boys.  There are some places I would like to see.  Some of them easily attainable and some would take real work.  There are beautiful things in the world. 

Tomorrow is promised to no one.  I am thankful for today.  I still have much to learn and say and I hope, Dear Reader to keep your company for what is left of the journey.  Thank you for your time and companionship.  I love you and look forward to the day when the journey is complete and we can share a cup and bowl together.

100 Years – Five for Fighting

I'm fifteen for a moment

Caught in between ten and twenty

And I'm just dreaming

Counting the ways to where you are

I'm twenty two for a moment

She feels better than ever

And we're on fire

Making our way back from Mars

Fifteen there's still time for you

Time to buy and time to lose

Fifteen, there's never a wish better than this

When you only got hundred years to live

I'm thirty three for a moment

Still the man, but you see I'm of age

A kid on the way

A family on my mind

I'm forty five for a moment

The sea is high

And I'm heading into a crisis

Chasing the years of my life

Fifteen there's still time for you

Time to buy, time to lose yourself

Within a morning star

Fifteen I'm all right with you

Fifteen, there's never a wish better than this

When you only got hundred years to live

Half time goes by

Suddenly you're wise

Another blink of an eye

Sixty seven is gone

The sun is getting high

We're moving on

I'm ninety nine for a moment

Dying for just another moment

And I'm just dreaming

Counting the ways to where you are

Fifteen there's still time for you

Twenty two I feel her too

Thirty three you're on your way

Every day's a new day

Fifteen there's still time for you

Time to buy and time to choose

Hey fifteen, there's never a wish better than this

When you only got hundred years to live

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Second Thoughts – The Battle for Everything

Greetings Dear Reader,

Sometimes I will end the day with thoughts that are important to get out.  Usually I just write them and put them in my journal folder.  I have chosen that on occasion I will share them with you Dear Reader.

Every now and then something breaks.   It is deep down inside me and I can hear the crack and tear of heart and spirit.  Old voices long silenced by faith and following bellow from the depths reminding me that following Christ is a choice.  Unfortunately, it is a choice I must make every day.   

Some days, as in when the thing inside gets broken, are harder than others.   There are reassurances and epithets that others offer to make it better.   They are often lemon juice on the gaping paper cut.  I hit inconsolable moments where a tattered spirit and broken heart are all I seem to have. 

I hit one of those rifts in the universe of my journey over the last couple of weeks.  I still enjoyed Christmas and my time away from work writing and creating.   The wound, however, is still there.   Perhaps it is just that I am out of resources in certain areas.  Perhaps it is that I farther down the path but not further along the journey.   Perhaps it is that I am so saddened by the dangerous changes I see in the world. 

Likely I just need to give more of my inner workings over to Christ and allow him to carry me for a bit.   I love my Children and Grandchildren dearly.   They are solace when I get those moments of harmony with them.   They are beautiful creations of the Father and I delight in them.

Still I must explore the wound and see if I can find a way to mend.  “Something inside me is breaking.  Something inside says there’s somewhere better than this...”

If God Made You - Five for Fighting

Hey Kid... Your time has come to change

Though I need you more than I've needed anyone in any way tonight

Hey Kid... I know it won't be long

The Captain's calling...come to see you back where we belong

Something inside me is breaking

Something inside says there's somewhere better than this...

Sunset sailing on April skies

Bloodshot fire clouds in her eyes

I can't say what I might believe

But if God made you he's in love with me

Hey Kid...Do wishes count at all

Can you give me a sign...give me anything I won't tell a soul you told

Hey Kid...Will you hold me when I sleep

Will you find me when the tide decides that I got to leave

Something inside me is breaking

Something inside says there's somewhere better than this...

Sunset sailing on April skies

Bloodshot fire clouds in her eyes

I can't say what I might believe

But if God made you he's in love with me

Sunset sailing on April skies

Bloodshot fire clouds in your eyes

I can't say what I might believe

But if God made you he's in love with me

Something inside me is breaking

Something inside says there's somewhere better than this my love

Sunset sailing on April skies

Bloodshot fire clouds in her eyes

I can't say what I might believe

But if God made you he's in love with me

Sunset sailing on April skies

Bloodshot fire clouds in your eyes

I can't say what I might believe

But if God made you... he's in love with me...

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Second Thoughts – Mallards, Cubs, and Braves

Greetings Dear Reader,

Sometimes I will end the day with thoughts that are important to get out.  Usually I just write them and put them in my journal folder.  I have chosen that on occasion I will share them with you Dear Reader.

Last evening I spent the night at my final Mallards game of the season. There is one more home game but I will be on the road.  It has been a good season and I wish them the best in the playoffs.

The professional baseball world is topsy-turvy for me.  The Cubs are still the best team in the game and my beloved Braves are at the bottom of the bottom.  I am happy for my long beleaguered Cubs friends.  They have waited so very long to feel this hope and potential.  Since my Braves will not be in contention I hope the Cubs take it all if only to make my friends happy.

My Braves did prosper in their former home town this week, sweeping a series with the Brewers.  My real baseball happiness this year has been enjoying the Mallards with my family.  It has been a warm muggy season.  My Grandsons have been more engaged in the game.  They both have sung at the game in front of thousands of fans.  I have seen my Son really relax and enjoy baseball.

The metaphors of baseball still run strong in my heart.  Every individual on the field matters even if they never touch the ball.  Every moment of the game is one of potential.  I am learning that it is so  both on and off the field.  The opportunities’ to be kind and loving to those around me abound.  The chances to be patient and  grateful to the staff occur nightly.. 

In the microcosm of each game is this temporary community of people in a united purpose.  They all want the same thing; a win.   I watch my Son set the example of cheering and not booing to his Sons and I am proud of him.  I see my Grandsons begin to understand the game and am delighted.

Mostly though I am constantly reminded that every season, game, inning, and pitch has potential.  Any at bat can turn death into a fighting chance to live.  Last night the only score was a two run home run by the opposition.  That single swing of the bat was enough to change everything.

Soon the air will turn crisp.  The Mallards players will return to their respective colleges.  The Braves will start their off season.  For the sake of my friends and my pastor I hope the Cubs are the last team standing as October heralds the end of the season. 

What I will carry into the winter where baseball and the green world sleeps is this:  I have a deeper love for my Children and Grandchildren through the common threads of the baseball seam.  I have a deeper love of Christ through the lessons of potential taught in the cathedral of the diamond. 

Eventually my heart will run out of summers.  For now I will embrace hope.  I will hope for better fortunes for my Braves.  I will hope that my family will embrace the journey of faith; even those who are in their winter of discontent.  I will journey through the deep midwinter in hope for a better outcome.  This is baseball and this is life. 

The Riddle – Five for Fighting

There was a man back in '95

Whose heart ran out of summers

But before he died, I asked him

Wait, what's the sense in life?

Come over me, come over me

He said

Son, why you got to sing that tune?

Catch a Dylan song or some eclipse of the moon

Let an angel swing and make you swoon

Then you will see, you will see

Then he said

Here's a riddle for you

Find the answer

There's a reason for the world

You and I

Picked up my kid from school today

Did you learn anything causin' the world today

You can't live in a castle far away

Now talk to me, come talk to me

He said

Dad, I'm big, but we're smaller than small

In the scheme of things, well, we're nothing at all

Still every mother's child sings a lonely song

So play with me, come play with me

And, hey, dad

Here's a riddle for you

Find the answer

There's a reason for the world

You and I

I said

Son, for all I've told you

When you get right down to the

Reason for the world

Who am I?

There are secrets that we still have left to find

There have been mysteries from the beginning of time

There are answers we're not wise enough to see

He said

You looking for a clue

I love you free

The batter swings and the summer flies

As I look into my angel's eyes

A song plays on while the moon is high over me

Something comes over me

I guess we're big, and I guess we're small

If you think about it, man, you know we got it all

'Cause we're all we got on this bouncing ball

And I love you free

I love you freely

Here's a riddle for you

Find the answer

There's a reason for the world

You and I

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

On Giving Thanks – Veterans

Greetings Dear Reader,

I hate war.  It is one of the few things I truly hate.  Were it in my power war would not exist, full stop.  Unfortunately it does.  People decide the values of others or wanting their possessions makes it allowable to kill them so we have wars.  This means that when the war ends we have veterans.

I hate war but I love our veterans.  I am thankful that there are men and women who are willing to risk it all so that I can safely sit in my Victorian office and write my books and musings.  I am thankful that I get to look them in the eye and express my gratitude.  My heart tightens and my eyes moisten when I ponder the good people who carry physical, mental, and emotional scars so that I can have this privilege.   

I am thankful and want every veteran to know that I am.  I care about your pain and sacrifice.  You are why I vote when I don’t feel like it.  You are why I cherish the freedom I have.  I love you and honor you.  I know we do not do enough for you. 

As I pray I ask God to heal you.  I ask him to bring you peace.  I ask him to provide for all your needs.  I get it that no one can really know until they have been you and I allow you that solitude.  All that you have done matters.  All that you have endured has value.  All that you have lost cannot be measured. 

What I am left with feels so inadequate but it is what I have.  I pause today to humbly say the only thing I can – THANK YOU.

Freedom Never Cries – Five For Fighting

I took a flag to a pawn shop

For a broken guitar

I took a flag to a pawn shop

How much is that guitar

I took a flag to a pawn shop

I Got me that guitar

What's a flag in a pawn shop to me?

I Saw a man on the TV

In a mask with a gun

A man on the TV

He had a ten-year old son

I Saw a man on the TV

His son had a gun

He says that he's coming for me

I never loved the soldier until there was a war

Or thought about tomorrow

'til my baby hit the floor

I only talk to God when somebody's about to die

I Never cherished Freedom

Freedom never cries.

I wrote a song for a dead man

To settle my soul

A song for a dead man

Now I'll never grow old

I wrote a song for a dead man

Now I'm out in the cold

What's a song to a dead man to me?

I never loved the soldier until there was a war

Or thought about tomorrow

'til my baby hit the floor

I only talk to God when somebody's about to die

I never cherished Freedom

Freedom never cries...

You can cry for her

Die for her

Lay down your life for her

Kiss and wave Goodbye to her

Anything at all

You can cry for her

Die for her

Make up your mind to her

Anything at all

There's a baby on the doorstep

Wailing away

There's a baby on the doorstep

Longing for the day

There's a baby on the doorstep

Who'd give his life to take

A flag to a pawn shop

A flag to a pawn shop

May he forget why he is crying some day

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store."  ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)