How'd The Surgery Go?

Just to let you know that Janis' "surgery" went well. Notice, I put "surgery" in "" because it wasn't regular surgery, but it was a procedure. It was done in the doctor's office. The procedure is called 'electrolysis'. I guess it is a lazer type surgery where the eylashes are zapped so that, hopefully, they will not grow again. The procedure has about an 80% success rate, and if it happens to be in the 20% failure rate then she will be a candidate for the more pervasive surgery. Your prayers will be appreciated. One thing Janis and I both have noticed, She has slept very good the last two nights. I think one night she didn't even wake up during the night. That is unusual. She has been restless and unable to relax her leg and/or hip muscles at night when she lays down, resulting in very little sleep. Once or twice she slept only about 2 hours. Now how that can be related to her eyes, I don't know, but it makes me wonder. This will be the third night. We'll see how it goes.

One more thing I want to add to this blog. Saturday, we went to Merciers Apple Orcherd in GA. We have been going each year for about three or more years now, with friends from church, Nathan & Tammy McConnell. It's just a fun thing to do and we get a supply of good apples, plus some other apple products - apple sauce, apple butter, apple cider, apple fritters, apple pie, you name it. Now, Janis and I didn't get all of that but it was available. By the way - apples are good for you, you know. Have you heard the saying, "An apple a day will keep the doctor away"? Well, I guess Janis and I won't need the doctor for a while. I usually eat at least one apple a day, sometimes more. Now it looks like I may have to eat two or three or they may spoil before we eat them. I guess we could cook some apple pies etc., but Janis works and doesn't have a lot of time to experiment, so I guess that means I could do it. You think maybe I could? If I give it a try and it turns out well, I'll let you know, but if I don't try it, or if I do try it but it flops, I probably won't even mention it again.

Apple Poems

Apples

Helen H. Moore

Apples, apples, what a treat,
Sweet and tart and good to eat.
Apples green and apples red,
Hang from branches overhead,
And when they ripen,
Down they drop,
So we can taste our apple crop!

Apples in Autumn

It's hard to eat apples,
Without my front teeth,
But apples in autumn
Are really a treat.
The apples are squooshy
Down under my feet,
But those from the tree
Are still crunchy and sweet!

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

Not Me, But You!

I don't know what to title this poem. I thought about, Not Me But You, Making the Transition, Passing the Wand, Passing the Crown, and I have even thought about, Passing the Buck! I would be delighted if you would let me have your suggestions. Whatever the title, here it is:

Why can’t I ever be the one
To win the races I have run
And get the crown of victory,
Instead of all those who beat me.

I worked so hard to pass the test
And tied to be my very best,
But after all was said and done,
It was somebody else who won.

I tried so hard to get ahead,
To be accepted and be led
To higher grounds and lofty heights,
To touch the stars and see the lights.

Oft-times I never stopped to see
The many people there by me
Who cheered me on, along the way,
Who cheered me on, most every day.

But I was rushed and hand no time
To shake their hand and be so kind,
‘Cause I could only see my goal.
It took my all to play my role.

About the time I thought I’d win,
I’d stumble because of my sin.
I’d try then to regain control,
But I had lost my heart and soul.

‘Twas not just once nor twice nor thrice,
Continuously I’d see my vice
Arise and distract my intent,
And then my anger I would vent.

My friends would gather all around
And pick me up from off the ground.
They’d dust me off. I’d hear them say,
Keep running friend. Be on your way.

Well, I have since resigned the race
Now that I can not keep the pace.
Besides, it’s hard to pay these dues.
So I’ve hung up my running shoes.

I’m now content to stand aside
And cheer you on and watch your stride.
So, if you ever need some friends,
I’ve found the time to make amends.

Run on my friend and don’t slow down.
I want to help you win your crown.
I’ll find great joy down deep within
If I can see, I’ve helped you win.

The crown awaits, it’s there for you.
Go for it now. You’re crown persue.
Do not look to your left nor right,
It’s there for you. It is in sight.

--Lowell A. Brannen

Friendship

Well! It was such fun hearing and reading the comments on my last poem, I think I'll do it again. Obviously, the title came after the completion of the poem. Here it is:

Friendship

Since you liked my poem so much, I thought I’d write another.
One that I thought all would view, plus sister and my brother.
This poem doesn’t have the tone, that grips you at the heart,
But if you want to read it still, be sure it’s not ‘in part’.

This message may be silly, and it may be serious.
I do not know which way I’ll go. It’s so mysterious.
What ever comes is what you’ll get, ‘cause that is what I’ll write.
It may be something meaningful. It may be oh, so trite.

Let me start by saying this, “You now are my good friend.
I do not want to say a thing that brings it to an end.
A friend is very good to have, when / if you need someone,
But even better is a friend, to help you get life done.

We sing together and we pray, and worship our Dear Lord.
We do it in the church you know? It really isn’t hard.
What we really ought to do is worship on the street,
For God deserves our highest praise wherever we may meet.

Someone may be in great need, and if they watch us pray,
It may entice them to the Lord, by just the words we say.
We’re not ashamed to make it known; the blessings of our God
He really wants to bless all men who walk upon this sod.

If they approach us with their need, will we turn them away,
Or will we give them our friendship if only for a day?
Jesus gave us His friendship for all eternity.
He wants us just to share His love, and do it just for free.

Hey, now I see where this has gone. I really didn’t know,
That it would be about friendship; and kindnesses we sow.
So let this be a message clear, for everyone to see;
If we want to make our mark, then friendship is the key.

– Lowell A. Brannen

Here's my latest poem

For lack of a better title, let's call it:

The Sighs of a Sluggard

The day has come, the day has gone,
And here I sit. I’m all alone.
The day was short, and not so kind,
I could not satisfy my mind.

Were you out there? I should have known.
You did not speak. Then you were gone.
But then I thought, Why should you care,
About my plight, or my despair.

I had the day just like you did,
And all day long, My face I hid.
I could have called, or visited,
But here is what I did instead:

I sat me down upon my chair,
And focused only on the air.
I only thought of me myself,
And all my dreams upon the shelf.

I viewed them over in my mind,
And knew that they were left behind.
What a wise man I’d have been,
If I had only let you in.

Time and time and time again,
I know you tried to be my friend,
But I refused to let it be,
Because of my concern for me.

Why, oh why did I do wrong,
By doing nothing for so long?
Now, it’s gone. My days are spent.
And for this sin, I now repent.

— Lowell A. Brannen