The Batter Swings and the Summer Flies – Closing Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

The world is working its way to gray.  The sun rises a little later every morning.  The memories of this summer will long linger for me.  The trip to the ocean was great.  The Disney trip was magical for my Daughter.  I shared some great times at the pool with my Grandsons and Son.

The pool is closed and has a covering of Locust leaves.  The water is too cold for swimming now anyway.  The last week of September will be swallowed by the wind.  Before long my windows will be decorated by morning frost.  The world will move towards the closing of the year.

Some of the classics of Autumn are on the horizon.  My Son mentioned apple picking and pie making.  My local grocer is already featuring cranberry sauce and bread crumbs.  Those moments of crisp clean air will surprise me with deep breaths and the feeling of being energized by cold.

The seasons move in their courses without regard to our wish for another swim, another campout, or another inning.  The year seems to have slipped by so quickly as we usher in its last quarter.  As life moves on with the seasons I can look back on the memories of summer and look forward to the next one.

More importantly what I must do is embrace and cherish the moments.  I must take the time to enjoy every fiery maple leaf and brisk breeze.  I must remember the needs of others as the world grows colder.  I must see my life reflected in the seasons.  I must find Christ in the moments and follow.

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.”

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The Batter Swings and the Summer Flies – Harvest Home

Greetings Dear Reader,

Yesterday I was privileged to show our local farmer’s market to a couple of friends.  One can tell that the true harvest has begun. It seems everyone has zucchinis the size of a space station.  Giant Kohlrabi is in fashion as well.  

There are vegetables and flowers available in so many varieties.  I tried a Hush Cherry for the first time.  It was quite delightful.  The honey kiosks were crowded with bees that seemed to be demanding the return of their hard won nectar.

The visit with my friends was fun. It also put me in mind of how much abundance we have.  It is good to celebrate he harvest but only if we also give an eye the hungry homeless who sleep in that same space after the market is over. 

I pondered as I walked the square the difference it would make if everyone attending donated a small amount to Second Harvest.  How many micro-moves could be made to make a macro difference? 

As the harvest is gathered hunger will remain.  When the snow and wind clear the sidewalks around the capitol the homeless will still be there.  Their needs will be the same.  Those in our town with hunger challenges can get help but even our town does not do enough.

I have found some ways to increase my ability to make a difference.  I hope you can do so as well Dear Reader.  It is not my place to dictate but I am free to hope. 

Come Ye Thankful People Come – Leigh Nash

Come, ye thankful people, come

Raise the song of harvest home

All is safely gathered in

Ere the winter storms begin

God our Maker doth provide

For our wants to be supplied

Come to God's own temple, come

Raise the song of harvest home

All the world is God's own field

Fruit unto His praise to yield

Wheat and tares together sown

Unto joy or sorrow grown

First the blade and then the ear

Then the full corn shall appear

Lord of harvest, grant that we

Wholesome grain and pure may be

For the Lord our God shall come

And shall take His harvest home

From His field shall in that day

All offenses purge away

Giving angels charge at last

In the fire the tares to cast

But the fruitful ears to store

In His garner evermore

Even so, Lord, quickly come

Bring Thy final harvest home

Gather Thou Thy people in

Free from sorrow, free from sin

There, forever purified

In Thy garner to abide

Come, with all Thine angels come

Raise the glorious harvest home

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.”

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The Batter Swings and the Summer Flies – Pumpkin Spice Everything

Greetings Dear Reader,

Over the last few years the norm has become that the advent of Autumn turns everything pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg flavored.  The Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spiced Latte’ (PSL) leads the charge.  Whilst I enjoy them they are really just an over priced caffeinated hot milkshake.

It used to be that the fall would yield the odd homemade pumpkin bread.  I am always willing to have a piece of pumpkin pie.  Some of the products that have adopted the pumpkin spice are understandable.  Others seems a little absurd.

The idea of IHOP making pumpkin pancakes I get.  Twinkies have been flavored with chocolate and key lime so pumpkin makes sense.  I have make homemade pumpkin cream cheese.  Oreos get flavored with everything but the pumpkin ones are a keeper.

I guess that M&M’s and Skittles are not too far afield.  Pumpkin spiced toothpaste seems absurd.  I have had pumpkin wine and beer and likely will not again.  Pumpkin spiced margarine seems like a big tub of mistake. 

We try to inject what we like into everything.  Business tries to capitalize on the popularity of a flavor to make profit.  We obsess over something to feel good.  The combination of the two is how we end up with pumpkin spiced vodka, tacos, and antacids. 

It is our nature to do the ridiculous with what we like.  It is our obsession that drives us.  We do the same thing with our relationship to Christ.  We try to Jesus Christ latte’ everything.  We make bracelets, t-shirts, and tattoos that proclaim our obsession.  The problem is that no matter how we wear it on the outside it does not matter unless it is on the inside.

There is a crisp bright beauty to the spice and flavor of Autumn.  The genuine thing is refreshing and alive.  It is in following Christ with our hearts that we find the genuine thing.  We do not need to force him into everything.  He will permeate it all if we simple follow and love.  I will find him everywhere I look for him.

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 ͡°)

The Batter Swings and the Summer Flies – The Fall Classic

Greetings Dear Reader,

Twenty-one years ago the summer ended with my beloved Braves winning and winning.  They took the world series and dominated the division for the next fourteen seasons.  This year, with only a couple of weeks left in the season they are at the other end of the race.  Thanks to the Twins they are not the worst team in baseball but only by a narrow margin.

The baseball season, however, is apocalyptic.   The Chicago Cubs are the best team in baseball.  They have already clenched their division and may finish the regular season with the best record in the game. 

This could be the year that the Cubs take it all.  This makes me happy for my friends who are Cubs fans.  It has been a long dry time for them.  Once the Braves are out of it I really have little interest in who wins as long as it is not the Yankees. 

By the time the fate of the Cubs is decided the air will be chill and the trees almost barren of leaves.  If there is a game seven of the World Series it will be played on November 2^nd.   Most thoughts will have turned to post Halloween candy sales and where to find the best turkey.  Depending on the weather a game could even be snowed out.

Time will flow and the world will move on to Christmas and the New Year.   As I enjoy the movement of the season I will enjoy the changes around me.  My thoughts will mostly be on the unfolding of Advent by then.  Still the fall classis is one of the beacons of hope I see through the year. 

As winter descends from the north a portions of my mind will turn to Spring.   I will await the heralds of new life and new chances found in the new leaves, warming air, and opening day.  As the summer flies away I do not wish away the Autumn and Winter but I always move through them with the hope of new life and new opportunity.

It is the way of following Christ.  There is always hope.  There is always another chance.  Death gets turned back to life.  The hope of the resurrection is renewed.  The world moves in series in the unfolding spiral that is life.  It is always in the following that joy is found.

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 ͡°)

The Batter Swings and the Summer Flies – Opening Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

As Autumn official arrives at 9:21 AM Central time I am pondering the adventures of the summer.  There were more than anticipated and they were amazing.  Autumn, however, is also a time for adventure.

Baseball is nearing the playoffs.  Some of the maples have already begun to show red.  I yearn for the smell of fires and damp leaves.  The air is already cooler and less humid.  The week has been filled with the latter rains in abundance.

As I mentioned earlier in the month the seasons reflect so much about the journey.  The transitions and changes come whether we wish them or not.  It is the way in which we dance with those changes where we are found.  Who we are is revealed.  What we value is exposed. 

Before my heart runs out of summers I want to assure that I am ready for Autumn.  This will be a short transition.  The things that reflect the world to me in this change are simple but I wish to ponder them.  As always you are welcome to join me Dear Reader and I cherish your thoughts and questions.

The Riddle – Fiver for Fighting - John Ondrasik

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 swinging 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 cause in 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’re 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 hiding 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 ͡°)