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Writer's Notebook

Do you enjoy writing or reading poetry?  Most of the posts on Big Sky Buckeye are filled with poetry, but I also share short stories, photography, and a few surprises along the way.  You are invited to sit a spell and find something you like.  I enjoy sharing my curiosity through my writing.  You are welcome to like, comment, follow, share, or reblog a post.

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Each Tuesday my writing journey offers a trio of short poems, which are crafted in the time-honored style of Japanese Haiku.  Life’s simple moments offer a rich canvas to write from.  Thank you for stopping by, and you are encouraged to read more from Sweet Expressions.

My writing is supplemented by maintaining an active journal, which gathers thoughts from my Bible reading as well as sampling other bloggers’ posts.  Daily entries found in  From My Journal contain reflections about faith, life, and community for January 13.

You are invited to read a quote, updated on January 13 which features inspiration from the words of American pastor and abolitionist Henry Ward Beecher.  His reflections illustrate the blessings of a new day’s arrival.

Here’s my Baker’s Dozen, featuring 13 of my recent writings from the past couple of weeks.  Each post is linked to take you right to its location.  Other poems, short stories, and feature writings can be found in the archives (found at the top of the page), which will be updated frequently with past selections.  Enjoy!

Good Shepherd

From Jeremiah 31:2-3:  “Thus says the LordThe people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness; when Israel sought for rest, the Lord appeared to him from far away.  I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.”

Photo by Valentin S on Pexels.com

Brought out of wilderness

Darkness no longer speaks

Good Shepherd offers rest

Strengthened, no longer weak

 

Joyful journey of peace

Mountains singing with praise

Faith’s vineyards now planted

Harvest reaping God’s ways

 

Gladness fills every heart

Light rises to applaud

Good Shepherd gathers flock

Destiny’s Lamb of God

 

Redemption flows from love

Forgiveness sown from grace

Bethlehem bears God’s Son

Enemy gives up chase

 

Darkness replaced with hope

Mercy’s love fulfills peace

Good Shepherd quiets storm

Spirit transforms faith’s lease

 

Photo by Gantas Vaiu010diulu0117nas on Pexels.com

From John 10:14-16:  “I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me, just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father.  And I lay down my life for the sheep.  I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.”

From My Journal (1/14)

agriculture countryside daylight farm

Photo by Kerry on Pexels.com

From Big Sky Buckeye

The freedom promised through the acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior transforms the heart of a believer’s faith journey.

Do you write a daily journal?  This inspiring thought comes from my journal, and much of what is written in my journal comes from reading and commenting on other bloggers’ posts.  Thanks to many of you for adding so much to my journal.

(Updated January 14)

Sweet Expressions (Haiku Series #360)

Meant to Be

Wishing to dine out

Reservations all filled up—

Home’s dinner for two

Photo by Gary Barnes on Pexels.com

Still in Pajamas

Morning’s coffee spot

No longer waiting in line—

Brewing cup at home

Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com

Journey for Two

Gift-wrapped retirement

Immersed in new adventures—

Life’s blessed pairing

Photo by Ali Kazal on Pexels.com

From My Journal (1/13)

agriculture countryside daylight farm

Photo by Kerry on Pexels.com

From Big Sky Buckeye

The smallest of details at the beginning of each day sometimes make the biggest impact on one’s outlook for the rest of the day.

Do you write a daily journal?  This inspiring thought comes from my journal, and much of what is written in my journal comes from reading and commenting on other bloggers’ posts.  Thanks to many of you for adding so much to my journal.

(Updated January 13)

Henry Ward Beecher Quotes

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The first hour of the morning is the rudder of the day.

The sun does not shine for a few trees and flowers, but for the wide world’s joy.

Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887) was an American pastor and abolitionist.

Monday Memories: Haunting Storm

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Pleasant, mid-winter day

Warm winds decide to stay

 

Touch of spring thaws the air

Ideal life, not a care

 

Hidden, in frigid North

Cold destined to call forth

 

Prairie living unaware

Grass uncovered, and bare

 

Few cowboys work the range

Life will soon see big change

 

Barren land, overgrazed

Cattle wander, unfazed

 

Calmness warns of trouble

Winter’s wrath comes double

 

Arctic-fed winds stir up

Wet snow creates pileup

 

Haunting storm now arrives

Few cattle will survive

 

Blizzard smothers this land

Conditions, out of hand

 

Cowboys wait out fierce storm

Snow and cold, nasty swarm

 

Waiting, hours become days

Prairie, now winter’s maze

 

Cattle’s cries go unheard

Snow-blinded, vision blurred

 

Storm’s cruel hand, plays its cards

Life stops, prairie graveyards 

 

Montana artist Charles M. Russell captures the shattered blow of winter’s fury in “Waiting for a Chinook” (“Last of Five Thousand”) as depicted in this watercolor. (Courtesy of Pinterest)

This poem attempts to capture the daunting winter of 1886-1887 on the prairies in the Montana Territory when the Open Range’s cattle industry collapsed from its near annihilation.  Russell’s artwork says even more than words can describe.

Originally published January, 2021.

From My Journal (1/12)

agriculture countryside daylight farm

Photo by Kerry on Pexels.com

From Big Sky Buckeye

Sometimes it takes some effort and perseverance to scale the weekly peak of another Hump Day.

Do you write a daily journal?  This inspiring thought comes from my journal, and much of what is written in my journal comes from reading and commenting on other bloggers’ posts.  Thanks to many of you for adding so much to my journal.

(Updated January 12)

F. Scott Fitzgerald Quotes

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I never blame failure–there are too many complicated situations in life–but I am absolutely merciless toward lack of effort.

Show me a hero and I will write you a tragedy.

F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896-1940) was an American novelist and short story writer.  Much of his best writing occurred during the Jazz Age, with THE GREAT GATSBY being recognized as his best work.