Another Blogger!

I have recently added my son, Stephen, to my blogroll. You can scroll down my page and find his name on the right side of the page or you can just type in his address: http://stephenbrannen.blogspot.com/ and go there. If you like good commentary, you will like his blog. I know he would love to hear from you.

What Causes War?

Thought I'd post a quick blog. The quickest way I know to do that is to copy and past my latest poem. It's about "War" because that's the subject that was given on the Mississippi Writer's Guild Poetry contest. No, I'm not entering it into the contest, but I thought I'd share it with you. Here it is:

What Causes War?

The land of peace and plenty is the place I long to see.
A land in all it’s beauty is the place I want to be.
A land where hate and senseless war will never cross the mind.
A land like heaven far away that we all hope to find.

If we would stop the wars we fight at home and overseas?
Perhaps we’d have the freedom to live just the way we please?
Ah…just a dream that I have had, but it shall never be,
As long as here on earth men rule with pride and vanity?

Never having all we want, and wanting so much more,
We never really understand that it will lead to war.
This demon that we seem to have that calls us past our need,
Is nothing more than selfishness. It’s nothing more than greed.

I have enough, but give me more. I want more than I need,
And I will get what e’er I want if I must make you bleed.
This driving force is deep within my selfish sinful heart.
That’s why I find it easy, and enjoy my foolish part.

I boast of my possessions and my selfish disregard,
Because I learned the hard way that I have the winning card.
So, if we must engage in war to satisfy my mind,
I’m confident that I will win and take the spoils I find.

Oh, foolish man! Have you not read the book that does declare,
The truth we all should live by if we’re happy any where?
It’s not the stuff that we receive that gives us that great peace,
But it’s contentment with the things we have within our reach.

---Lowell A. Brannen

Ready...Set...Survey

If I look in your glove box, what will I find?
Car book, registration and insurance papers, cell phone charger, and maybe some mint or gum wrapers.
What jewelry are you wearing?
My wedding band
What is something your friends make fun of you for?
Acting silly or dumb. Sometimes I am dumb, but my friends think that I am just acting silly.
When was the last time you saw the second person on your list?
What list?
What is in your pocket right now?
A handkerchief. By the time I am ready to leave the house, I will have my pocket knife, some change, my keys and my wallet. In my shirt will be a pen, my date book and my reading glasses. All set and ready to go!
Where was your default picture taken?
In my front yard.
Who do you know that is in jail?
No one right now. Thank you Lord!
What was for breakfast this morning?
Oatmeal, rasin toast and fruit.
Something irritating about your living situation?
All the little odds and ends, in and around the house,that need fixing up.
Where are you right now?
In my home office, here in Cleveland, TN.
What was the most interesting thing that happened today?
I noticed that we collected only one can of garbage this past week. It's just 7:30am so, give me some time and I sure hope something more interesting happens.
When was the last time you got blood taken and why?
Maybe two months ago so the doctor could keep a check on my blood, making sure that it reads ok.
What were you doing at midnight Friday night?
I can't remember that far back! Probably checking my email.
Do you have a best friend of the opposite sex?
Yes! My wife.
Where were you three hours ago?
In bed sleeping.
What's for dinner tonight?
Not sure, but there will be one of those delicious blueberry slush drinks that my wife makes.
What makes you cringe?
Filth. I mean anything that is beyond dirty. You know, like nasty!
What was the highlight of your week?
My wife said that she believed her birthday this past Saturday was the best ever.
Taken any medicine lately and for what?
Thanks be to God, I am off all medicine.
Would you rather have straws for legs or slinkies for arms?
Maybe straws for legs because I could hide them with pants.
Of your friends, whose car do you want?
I don't want anyone else's car but I wouldn't mind having one like 'Grancee' has. Only 'Janis-62' and 'Grancee' know who I am talking about.
What is the last issue you thought about?
I thought about entering one of my poems in the Winning Writers poetry contest.
Do you fake bake?
I don't even know what that is.
What was the first thing you thought when you woke up?
"Okay, It's time to get up."
Something you dream about most of the time?
Most of the times when I dream, they are different.
When was the last time you hysterically cried?
Don't know if I have ever 'hysterically' cried. But I did a lot of crying while on medication for hep-c.
Was anyone with you?
Sometimes.
What was the last thing you got in the mail?
Snail-mail Spam, i.e. junk!
Tomorrow...?
Don't know. Every day is a new day.
I don't know about tomorrow. I just live from day to day.
I don't borrow from it's sunshine, for it's skies may turn to gray.
I don't worry o're the future, for I know what Jesus said.
And today I'll walk beside Him, for He knows what is ahead
Many things about tomorrow, I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow, and I know who holds my hand.
Who/What do you sleep with every night?
My wife and my c-pap.
Have you met anyone new in the past 24 hours?
No.
What are you doing after this?
Probably will put a power point message together that will be used to make church announcements.
What will you be doing at 8pm tomorrow?
I plan on being in church at that time.
What are you saving your money up for right now?
Regular saving - Well I just used some of it to pay my taxes.
My secret stash - A laptop computer, or a ham radio, or a mandolin, or maybe all of the above. If my wife finds out about my secret stash, it's all over!! :(