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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.

The tabs at the top of this page offer quick access to my most recent posts and quotes. Additional tabs allow you to check out older posts dealing with the themes of Christian and general poetry, short stories, and other posts.

Big Sky Buckeye has been in motion since October, 2018. After retiring from teaching after 40 years, I was looking for a place to land. It has been a welcome blessing to meet other writers and readers.

My wife is also a gifted writer in her own right. She published her first book in July, 2025. With a theme of Christian family, BITS ‘N’ PIECES OF MY HEART, offers an outlet for her love of Jesus. The book is filled with short stories, poetry, and devotions for more mature readers. For younger children she shares energizing activities and fun songs. Her book is available on most online bookstore sites.

Monday Memories: Winter’s Final Walk

This poem is written in a traditional sonnet style with 14 lines, and each line contains 10 syllables.  I was fortunate to witness this park one day before the rising temperatures would begin transforming the park from its winter look.

Sycamore trees lose some of their bark over time. The whitest branches truly glisten in the winter sunlight.

Invitation from warmer winter day

Insisting on afternoon nature hike

Snowy Walnut Woods, waiting with sunshine

Feeling welcome, childlike emotions strike

 

Deep snow lining each trail, bright white border

Dressing in cozy layers, feeling warm

Park’s newest treasures, eager to explore

Thankful for winter’s freedom from snowstorms

 

Ancient sycamore tree branches glisten

Discovering cross-country skiers’ trail

Beaver dam holds back frozen Big Run creek

Precious winter moments bless, without fail

 

Looming big thaw will erase winter’s scene

Memories filling life’s unending screen

 

A wintertime beaver dam backs up the frozen Big Run. It might not survive the spring runoff.

Originally published March, 2021.

From My Journal (6/8)

agriculture countryside daylight farm
Photo by Kerry on Pexels.com

From Big Sky Buckeye

Quiet moments of solitude allow for time to heal and recharge.

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 June 8)

Mehmet Murat ildan Quotes

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A journey to the unknown shores needs a port, a ship, a wind; but more important than all of them: courage; courage to leave the known for the unknown.

The physicist calls the curtain flying outwards when you open the window–air current–while the poet calls it–the curtain’s love of freedom.

Mehmet Murat ildean (born 1965) is a contemporary Turkish playwright and novelist.

Each Wayward Branch

From Hebrews 3:5-6: “Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that would be spoken later. Christ, however, was faithful over God’s house as a son, and we are His house if we hold firm the boldness and the pride inspired by hope.”

Photo by Quang Nguyen Vinh on Pexels.com
Witness His steadfast love
Christ soars beyond earth’s light
Grace cascades from above
Shared blessings always bright

Refuge found full of peace
Christ endures forever
Mercy must always seek
Faith’s trusted endeavors

Surrounded by life’s thorns
Christ bears sin’s heavy weight
Perfect lamb never shorn
Heavenly path made straight

Encouragement descends
Christ wrapped in Father’s Word
Forged through fire, love defends
Truth shall always be heard

Harmony’s welcome tune
Christ walks ahead of man
Each wayward branch, He prunes
Strengthened, just as God plans
Photo by Ivan S on Pexels.com

From Psalm 118:28-29: “You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you. O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.”

From My Journal (6/7)

agriculture countryside daylight farm
Photo by Kerry on Pexels.com

From Big Sky Buckeye

Just as an athlete trains and strengthens himself for competition, we can do the same with our faith.

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 June 7)

Francois Fenelon Quote

Photo by Jessica Lewis ud83eudd8b thepaintedsquare on Pexels.com

Commit yourself then to God! He will be your guide.

From Isaiah 58:11: “The Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your needs in parched places and make your bones strong, and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water whose waters never fail.”

Francois Fenelon (1651-1715) was a French theologian, poet, and writer.  He has been widely remembered as the author of THE ADVENTURES OF TELEMACHUS.

Day of Discovery

Courtesy of Pinterest.

Being best of friends, Louis and Clark meet up at sunrise.  Not quite teenagers, this tandem of adventurers is ready to tackle a lazy summer day.

Their mothers have filled their backpacks with a nutritious lunch, and the boys’ eager spirits look forward to another day of discovery.  Walking a familiar trail, they head to their favorite fishing hole.

After a couple of hours without a single bite, Louis and Clark take a break to conquer their hungriness.  In the middle of lunch, they both feel a nudge to do a bit of exploring.  Setting aside their food, their curious minds race ahead with each step they take.

Hidden in a small grove of trees, an abandoned shack catches their attention..  With an open doorway and a single window with missing glass, they wonder who may have lived here years ago.

As they scamper through the inviting entrance, the boys’ imaginations move at warp speed.  The fragile and decaying walls breathe with echoes of voices from long ago.

Searching outside, they come upon traces of scat.  Being careful and quiet, they grab their fishing gear and retreat into the shadows of the nearby trees.

Right on cue, a young black bear appears.  He proceeds to walk into the shack.  Searching for a scent, the bear knows humans have entered his sanctuary.  He pauses to take a look outside.

Totally in charge, the famished bear holds a pair of backpacks filled with deliciousness.

Still in their hiding place, Louis and Clark remain as frozen as wax figures . . . and hungry.    

From My Journal (6/6)

agriculture countryside daylight farm
Photo by Kerry on Pexels.com

From Big Sky Buckeye

History chronicles our journey, but the future sometimes arrives brighter than promised.

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 June 6)

David Foster Wallace Quotes

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You will become way less concerned with what other people think of you when you realize how seldom they do.

Try to learn. Be coachable. Try to learn from everybody, especially those who fail.

David Foster Wallace (1962-2008) was an American writer and university professor of creative writing.