Archive for November, 2006

“It’s a Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall”

November 29, 2006

Oh, where have you been, my blue – eyed son ?
And where have you been my darling young one ?
I’ve stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountains
I’ve walked and I’ve crawled on six crooked highways
I’ve stepped in the middle of seven sad forests
I’ve been out in front of a dozen dead oceans
I’ve been ten thousand miles in the mouth of a graveyard
And it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard, and it’s a hard
It’s a hard rain’s a – gonna fall.

Oh, what did you see, my blue eyed son ?
And what did you see, my darling young one ?
I saw a newborn baby with wild wolves all around it
I saw a highway of diamonds with nobody on it
I saw a black branch with blood that kept drippin’
I saw a room full of men with their hammers a – bleedin’
I saw a white ladder all covered with water
I saw ten thousand takers whose tongues were all broken
I saw guns and sharp swords in the hands of young children
And it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard, and it’s a hard
It’s a hard rain’s a – gonna fall.

And what did you hear, my blue – eyed son ?
And what did you hear, my darling young one ?
I heard the sound of a thunder, it roared out a warnin’
I heard the roar of a wave that could drown the whole world
I heard one hundred drummers whose hands were a – blazin’
I heard ten thousand whisperin’ and nobody listenin’
I heard one person starve, I heard many people laughin’
Heard the song of a poet who died in the gutter
Heard the sound of a clown who cried in the alley
And it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard
And it’s a hard rain’s a – gonna fall.

Oh, who did you meet my blue – eyed son ?
Who did you meet, my darling young one ?
I met a young child beside a dead pony
I met a white man who walked a black dog
I met a young woman whose body was burning
I met a young girl, she gave me a rainbow
I met one man who was wounded in love
I met another man who was wounded and hatred
And it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard
And it’s a hard rain’s a – gonna fall.

And what’ll you do now, my blue – eyed son ?
And what’ll you do now my darling young one ?
I’m a – goin’ back out ‘fore the rain starts a – fallin’
I’ll walk to the deepths of the deepest black forest
Where the people are a many and their hands are all empty
Where the pellets of poison are flooding their waters
Where the home in the valley meets the damp dirty prison
Where the executioner’s face is always well hidden
Where hunger is ugly, where souls are forgotten
Where black is the color, where none is the number
And I’ll tell and think it and speak it and breathe it
And reflect it from the mountain so all souls can see it
Then I’ll stand on the ocean until I start sinkin’
But I’ll know my songs well before I start singin’
And it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard, and it’s a hard
It’s a hard rain’s a – gonna fall.

November 29, 2006

November 25, 2006

Congratulations!

I celebrate!

November 25, 2006

    My best friends, Jordan and Robin, have just been married.  This is something that they have been working towards and looking forward to for a long time.  Jordan is the man whom I count as my comrade.  That means that he is the man whom I know.  Jordan knows who I am and what I value in life.  I also know what Jordan is passionate about and how he functions as he reaches for those goals.  I feel deeply grateful for his friendship. He has given me so much good, solid friendship that I really feel like he re-defined friendship in my life.  It feels too much for me to write about it on a blog.  For crying out loud, I think that too many intimate things are posted for everyone to read about and I feel quite opposed to that!  But that is simply a digression! I want to write five things about Jordan that I appreciate.

-He is a man of logic, he enjoys logic with his whole being, just like a hearty meal satisfies a hungry man.  I think this is because logic points him to the greater goal of Truth.

-He has learned the value of being true to himself.  He does not allow general consensus sway him from what he believes.  That is manly.

-He has a heart of immense compassion and also a keen sense of reality.  I believe that he understands many of life’s problems on a deep level and wants to help others where they are struggling.

-He has good taste for architecture, music (Wailin’ Jennys), art, and style.  This is important for a well-adjusted man.  Likes weak coffee too!

-He is following Jesus.  He wants to emulate him with more of his life each day.  I bless him.

Robin, the lady who is now his wife, is a wonderful woman.  I admire her for trusting Jordan with her life.  She is his dream.  God give you goodnight!

November 18, 2006

“I hope you find love everywhere”

He loves her.

November 18, 2006

   I want to do a tribute to my good friend, Vince, this weekend.  He was my faithful dorm mate and prayer partner during my time at Faith Builders. He has found the love of his life and is planning to be married this Saturday.  I am saddened that I cannot attend their wedding ceremony in person, but in my heart I am going to be there! Vince is:

-a man who cares to talk about things in life, hard things, weird things (we spent alot of time in the laundry room at FB doing that)

-a man who is introspective to the point of harming himself (I love you, Vince),  I think that it helps him to understand what is going on though

-a great reader and loves Calvin and Hobbes

-a man who befriended me and who struggled with me in hard times of life and who really cares about me, thanks!

-a gentleman, who cares to be real

-a man bravely taking the step of marriage; loving the woman, Lydia

I salute him!

November 16, 2006

In Minsk -Darrell and I

What to say?

November 16, 2006

    I had one of the strangest things happen to me last Saturday.  It happened in Warscawa.  The gals asked me to go with them to a Boleslawiec pottery shop ealier in the week and so we agreed on a time to do so.  Well, Saturday came and as I was coming home from my private tutoring in the morning, I was struck by the increased patriotism of the Polsih people as compared to the night before.  Then I it dawned on me.  Independence day!  I thought about our trip to Warscawa and wondered if all the shops would be closed.  Well, I never voiced my concern to Maria and Corleen until we were on the bus out of town.  I took it upon myself to find out whether the shop was open or not.  A few SMS’s and I was sure that trying to go “pottery shopping” was futile.  So, I was about to get off at the next bus station (abandon ship/ passengers) and head back to Minsk.  No use in going to Warscawa if our primary mission was defeated.  But the gals convinced me that we had had a hard week and needed to just get out of town.  I sort of agreed and stayed on.  Matter of fact, we thought maybe a “mall” would be open where I could buy some shoes.  I needed some.  So we get into Warscawa.  It was freezing cold and we walk the streets/ take a trolley to the “mall”.  We trundled around to the different stores (these were open) and even “shopped” for some draipery fabric.  I was thoroughly enjoying myself.  I even found some great multi-purpose shoes.  We bought some ice cream and enjoyed it on a balcony crosswalk in the mall.  I got up before the gals to stroll around in my newly acquired shoes.  When I was coming back they were whispering and laughing incessantly.  I thought it was strange, but was not too mystified.  They are girls.  Well, right at about five thirty, Corleen says she is tired and wants to sit down, so we found a small restaurant to eat supper (a treat).  During the whole time that we were finding a place to eat and even after we had our food, Corleen was SMSing non-stop.  I thought it was strange she was being so impolite, but she apologized and kept on SMSing.  She quit, put the phone in her pocket and started eating.  About three minutes later, I looked up from my bowl of soup and had the strange premonition that a friend from the past was approaching my table at a rapid pace.  My mind would not function!  It was Darrell Hershberger! Nah, it couldn’t be; he lives in Virginia.  But it was!  I was flabbergasted.  To make a long story short we embraced, I remained in a state of shock for the next fifty minutes, and we enjoyed a generally discombobulated discussion.  I must say that I have never had one of these surprises pulled on me before, though I have helped in several.  They are . . . good!  The folks did a great job of keeping things a secret!   Darrell and I spent some time together.  On Tuesday, he came over and I made spaghetti and sauce for us.  We had a great time.  At about 11:30, we walked into Minsk, down dark alleys and took some pictures.  Gladys and Wilbur Graybill; Milo and Mary Sue are here; actually they lest today.  Man, that is encouraging!  Take care.

Robin