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The Mississippi river indicator stood at 56.9 feet & falling today as I came through and was predicted to crest and finally began to fall. He is foreman here but works as hard as anyone, I should show him how to be lazy. They also have another facility that is operating at another port on the other (high) side of the river. Darrell says that they are deliberately posting the lower levels to keep people from worrying as he watched it rise another 4 inches today. hmm... For comparison, there are earlier pictures here: http://darrellcirilo.multiply.com/photos/album/8/Darrell_Work#3.JPG and here: http://tejasmidget.multiply.com/photos/album/13/Work#3.jpg
We are coming to the end of a great season of learning a few things from nature. We've experienced a swarm of migrating ruby throated hummingbirds, yep, these cute little birds fight, (one stayed a couple of days too long guarding his booty) we've watched plants shudder when we douse them with cold water, and we've learned a few botanical names. I also bricked over our old two step with some old world brick in anticipation of our old age. We are greatful for a full season. :) try adding text here again.....
One of the things that I like most about this new place is the
unobstructed view of the night sky. Before, the trees crowded over the
lawn, the drive, and the house so that when you stepped outside, hardly
anything was visible.
I can't help but notice how the stars seem to form deliberate patterns
in the sky, almost like a picture book, or hieroglyphics, or a code of
some sort. Many shapes seem to be pointing at something, like
directional signals, but what they are pointing to is just beyond our
view. If you look away, your peripheral vision picks up even fainter
signs and the stars just out of your central vision are brighter than
when looked at directly. It is a beautiful view, best seen around 4
A.M. when the moon is furthest and the sky is dark. If it is possible,
they seem to have drawn closer than when I was a boy.
Some may say that it is just gravitational pull that aligns the stars
in such a unique and precise display, others may look and say it's just
random.Yes, I've seen the movie, "a beautiful mind" and it's not like
that. Astrologers and seamen see them for what use they may serve.
Ancient peoples may have seen them as gods. There seems to be something
mathematical, and logical, about the placement of the stars, but the
scale is so grand, that we cannot comprehend.
Whatever is the answer to this mystery, I can't help but believe that
there is reason in this picturesque scenery, that it has been put
there for a purpose, that it is writing in the sky. Whatever the
motive, it is deliberate and well placed, and can be enjoyed by
skeptics, and scholars, and laymen alike.
For centuries, man has looked to the sky for answers, but has not been
able to come to any significant judgment, only hypotheses, and theory,
all vague, and inconclusive. I believe it is more simple, that is why
it escapes us, it's splendor overwhelms our senses and we try too hard
to unbelieve. When my
grandchild is here, we enjoy pointing out the moon, and the brightest
stars, and they bring wonder to us both, as she seems to accept them
more easily as they are, without prolonged explanation.
continued to restore a damaged mural, went to an office birthday outing for our accountant, Patti Jenkins, aka Kailani's other grandma (born on holloween....really).
I have just passed another milestone, my ninth year anniversary on my present job. There was no fanfare, no bells, whistles, or confetti, not even an acknowledgment of a goal seldom reached in the notoriously revolving door of the hospitality business. In my young and restless days, I would have strongly considered moving on after five, so, how did this happen? Maturity, you say? Complacency? Losing sight of a vision of always moving up and onward? I can tell you now, those restless feelings are still there, but somehow, somewhere, they are reshuffled to the back of the deck, to make room for the different hand that has, more recently, been dealt. Impulse gives way to reason, and desire yields to necessity. If there is one bit of advice I have for the new generation, it is to make the most of the spontaneity and vigor with which you envision life's challenges and crossroads, for these are the moments that will define you as you approach that "oh, so far off middle age". Seldom is life so generous as to give you that second chance, which is in us all, to start anew, and if by circumstance we do, we are not the same. There is no fearless desire to run naked through the woods (although I've done it a time or two at far, far, too old), there is no expediency to being number one in the crowd. There is no longer "Me" and "Now". There is however a different kind of boldness. I am not afraid of things that go bump in the night. No longer do I fear hunger, or illness, or unemployment, nor despair, because I have been visited by all these things, and I have endured, and I know there will be tomorrow. With our increasing age comes our greatest strength, and this is experience, and the wisdom to pass it along to our children, and to theirs. In this day and age there are many who may contemplate that there is no God, or, there must be many Gods, but now, more than ever, I can fervently say, and without a doubt, God bless my children, and keep them from harms way, for where I lead them, they will follow.
The direst foe of courage is the fear itself, not the object of it, and the man who can overcome his own terror is a hero and more. - -- George MacDonald
We are spending the day indoors, nothing pressing. Darrell & Heather has gone to the Balloon Festival and flea market in Vidaila, he was in charge of the river barge for the firewiorks show Friday night. My grandbabies are with their other Grandma, i suppose. Anthony has chosen to go to his Grandpa's house early this morning. My baby boy Curtis spent the night with his friend and doesn't come home till late evening. When he returns, I sing him a few phrases of the song "It's Only the Wind" (your children are not at the door) by the Areno Bros., and ask him if he knows the song. He doesn't. We have slowed down enough to watch the DVD 'The Passion' which we have had for a while. Ah, melancoly.
A house so empty, where have they gone? Where are my children, so far from home? My heart is longing, for thier voice so near. No need for rushing, don't shed a tear. They will return in a moment or two. Meanwhile thou, I feel so blue. Sigh.
It is 3:30 am and I have just returned from being summoned to extract guests from a stalled elevator, I say stalled because the term stuck, which everybody uses, just doesn't fit in this case. Its like I learned quickly when first being introduced to the oil field and La. gumbo (mud) several years ago. You're not stuck if you're moving, however slightly, because sometimes you can worm your way out, with a backwards and forward motion. Anyway, as I was saying, being awakened from a deep sleep at 12:47 A.M., it is at first difficult to realize who you're talking to on the other end of the phone, as I was not awakened by the ring, the telephone was thrust in my hand in the middle of the night. Then when you understand the nature of the problem, you know the party on the other end of the phone is clueless as to what to do in emergencies (used loosely here), and is not understanding your simple instructions as to how to remedy this situation, and is not going to be able to follow simple procedures. Sigh. I am already dressed, and on my way, I have called in route and know the guests have already gotten themselves out, via yelling and cursing loudly, for they are quite drunk, as is nearly everyone else I see this time of morning, and have managed to damage the doors and make certain the elevator is inoperable. Of course, this only gives a secondary reason to continue on my way, I must now survey the damages, and return my elevator to service if possible, I must also determine the cause of the previously mentioned "stuck" condition. There is a single shoe and an unfortunate coyote in the highway as I persist on my duty call. I think maybe they are the lucky ones, their job is done. I arrive at work, and retrieve my service keys, and find that the outer door has been kicked out by my inebriated guests in their frustration and realization that the security (another term used loosely) guard is unable to help them. These doors have served faithfully for just over 77 years and they have been compromised inside the space of a half hour. I make sure the guard understands this has happened on his watch. There is no need for anger, I am satisfied with showing this person how very simple it is to reach across from the second elevator, and unlatch an undamaged door, with a broomstick, as were my words while on the phone. I discover first the reason for the stopped elevator, by accessing the top of the car and traveling down the hoist way on inspection. A misalignment of the roller cam on the inside car door and the outer hallway door, a couple of washers behind the roller fixes the problem. As for the outer door, which is wooden, it takes more coaxing to return it to its proper position inside its frame, and I create even more damage to affect the repair. Ah, well, I can worry about aesthetics another day, what's important now is make the elevator car useful. I am home, but awake now, and fatigue feels slowly slipping in. Sometimes I ask myself why I have for so many years always managed to get these jobs which require a pager, and 24 hour on call duty. Then I look around my home, and I understand, this is why, duty calls. bc
Today I picked up my check for the completion of the fountian. Somehow, there is no ecstacy in doing so. This is not fully why I take on seemingly impossible tasks, things that are in the very least daunting to the ordinary layperson, and quite challenging to the very talented. I do not know what drives people on the hunt, only to be let down after the kill. I suppose I love the thrill of the chase, rather than the final conquest. It is a curse of the well known and infamous. Howard Hughes and his Flying Boat, Napolean and Prussia, Hitler and Poland, they all had something in common, they were not satisfied with triumph, they wanted more. There was hollow victory in winning.
The most dangerous moment comes with victory. Napoleon Bonaparte
There are inevitable events which cause you to contemplate the very real purpose in all of the menageries and hodgepodge of life. I am reminded of these events as I approach my 46th birthday, this year on Fathers day, and I had the sudden impulse to take the toy dachshund off the top shelf where it resides in my bedroom, and go and show it to my Mom, who is visiting for the night. I remind her that I received it as a gift from her on my 11th birthday and that he will be 35 years old in a few days. Somewhere in the recesses of her mind, for she is touched by the ravages of time, when years grant you only happier memories, she recollects and says matter of factly, Yes, I remember that.
I am reminded when she slips as she holds my face in her hands and says, How is my Daddy?, and when I don't respond, a sadness comes in her eyes as if she realizes her mistake, and she looks away. I am thankful that I am here for my children, to watch them grow and mature, and I know that I will not be here always, as it will be their turn to teach their children, for this is the circle of life.
I miss my Dad, and wish that he could be here to help me guide my boys as only Grandpas can do, but it was not his choice to go, so he passed the mantle to me, and I will do my best to make fine fathers of my young men, and yet, I regret the loss of some years when I did not fully understand the responsibility that I was left with.
I have gleaned much from my Dad, taking little pieces of his life, and applying it in my own, whether consciously or not. The man I first feared, then loved, then later learned to admire his talents and his wisdom, which even now, seem beyond his years. If only, as my children take small pieces of my life, they will be as applicable for them. These pieces I give freely in hopes that they may live. The strain in my back that keeps recurring since I climbed a tree to help my oldest earn a few dollars on a limb removal job which was more challenging than he first perceived. The concern in my mind when I acknowledge that my middle child is not as mechanically inclined as his brothers, yet I take comfort in his passion for the outdoors and landscaping and his love of animals. The ache in my forearm which sometimes wakes me in the night comes from throwing fastballs to my youngest, to help him become a more confident player. These pieces of myself I give freely and will give many more until I must reluctantly pass the mantle on, for this is my circle.
I can again recall my Dad in his last months as he painted my 'new' house and as he came to dine with me at my job because I seemed so proud of my endeavors. I later found out that he was unable to digest the meal without much pain due to the damages from the radiation therapy he was receiving. And, as my Mama goes with us to the ballpark to watch her grandson play, and to share in our enjoyment, her discomfort with the bleachers and the insects are sometimes visible, yet she is happy, she is giving.
I can see my brothers and sisters and their children in my minds eye, as they give out little pieces of themselves, unselfishly, and I smile.
I have been left to assist my Mama and I am standing outside of the unlatched and slightly ajar door to the ladies room because the lock is tricky and may lock her in. There are people with stares, there are funny looks, and just as an official comes back for a second time to look at me, my Mama rescues me by latching her elbow in mine, she is ready to go. And now, you see, we have come full circle. byron c
Just took it for granted up untill i was asked what it was about. "..Labor Day...is devoted to no man, living or dead, to no sect, race, or nation." said Samuel Gompers, founder and longtime president of the American Federation of Labor. I guess i could have never learned that and not missed anything.
Checked on the new outdoor restaurant where i will be installing my newest fountain thursday and the guy wants me to erect an antique streetlamp in another area of the courtyard. Needs re-wire, retro-fit light, paint, and mostly just make it stand up, weighs about 300lbs and top heavy. Told him i'd think about it. sounds like work.
Why does today seem to be plodding along? must be because i left work early. Thought I'd give you all one of my cheesier poems, cause i know you guys are starving for the arts:
The Artist
I am an artist, tis plain to see, everything is a must to me. I can plunge toilets with both art and style, I'm most times willing, for that extra mile. I challenge anyone, to walk in my shoes, for they would beg God, to take what they choose. For no one in a right frame of mind, would choose to walk, in this state of mine. I walk it alone, and I'm proud to say, I would do it again, any old day! The Plumbers Prayer by byron c.
i penned this one when my bosses fiance asked me if I were an artist (I was finishing up the touchups to the ceiling mural at the time).
I have just passed another milestone, my ninth year anniversary on my
present job. There was no fanfare, no bells, whistles, or confetti, not
even an acknowledgment of a goal seldom reached in the notoriously
revolving door of the hospitality business.
In my young and restless days, I would have strongly considered moving on
after five, so, how did this happen? Maturity, you say? Complacency?
Losing sight of a vision of always moving up and onward? I can tell you
now, those restless feelings are still there, but somehow, somewhere,
they are reshuffled to the back of the deck, to make room for the
different hand that has, more recently, been dealt. Impulse gives way
to reason, and desire yields to necessity.
If there is one bit of advice I have for the new generation, it is to make the most of the
spontaneity and vigor with which you envision life's challenges and
crossroads, for these are the moments that will define you as you
approach that "oh, so far off middle age".
Seldom is life so generous as to give you that second chance, which is in us all, to
start anew, and if by circumstance we do, we are not the same. There is
no fearless desire to run naked through the woods (although I've done
it a time or two at far, far, too old), there is no expediency to being
number one in the crowd. There is no longer "Me" and "Now". There is
however a different kind of boldness. I am not afraid of things that go
bump in the night. No longer do I fear hunger, or illness, or
unemployment, nor despair, because I have been visited by all these
things, and I have endured, and I know there will be tomorrow.
With our increasing age comes our greatest strength, and this is experience,
and the wisdom to pass it along to our children, and to theirs. In this
day and age there are many who may contemplate that there is no God,
or, there must be many Gods, but now, more than ever, I can fervently
say, and without a doubt, God bless my children, and keep them from
harms way, for where I lead them, they will follow.
-----byron c.
The
direst foe of courage is the fear itself, not the object of it, and the
man who can overcome his own terror is a hero and more.
- -- George MacDonald
"Go placidly amid the noise & haste & remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly & clearly; and listen to others, even the dull & ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud & aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain & bitter; for always there will be greater & lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not fein affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity & disenchantment it is perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue & loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a Child of the Universe, no less than the trees & the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the Universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors & aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery & broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy." -Max Ehrmann ["Desiderata"]
