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About bigskybuckeye

Born in the Big Sky Country of Montana and now living in the Buckeye State of Ohio, Richard is the creative mind behind Big Sky Buckeye. Retired after 40 years of teaching, I enjoy writing, photography, traveling, and following a healthy lifestyle.

Haiku Series #46 (Life)

Gathering

Family Scattered

Coming together at last—

Mountaintop Christmas

woman on snow covered area near house

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Not Yet!

Retirement arrives

Rocking chair waits in corner—

Having too much fun

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The Poet

Searching for lost words

Crafting special poems at dawn—

Mission accomplished

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G. K. Chesterton Quote

black haired woman hugging gray pillow near glass panel window

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True contentment is a thing as active as agriculture.  It is the power of getting out of any situation all there is in it.

From John 14:27:  “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.   I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”

Rebel and the Red-Neck Bears, Chapter 1

brown wooden house near trees

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Deep in the woods stands an enormous and beautifully built cabin.  The cabin has been the most magnificent home in the immense woods for many years.

The cabin provides a well-to-do home for the Red-Neck Bears.  They keep the inside of their cabin looking pleasant, and the yard is always maintained to look better than any found in the woods.  Someone always asks, “Why are they called the Red-Neck Bears?”

The Bears always wear colorful red scarves around their necks.  The bright red color separates them from the other bears that live throughout the woods. The Red-Neck Bears are a family filled with plenty of sophistication and class, and their lifestyle is the envy of all who live in the woods.

Some may feel that they already know the story of the “Three Bears” from childhood stories from long ago, but this is the sequel that few have ever heard of.  Sit down now, relax a spell, and enjoy the story.

True, there are three bears.  The family’s patriarch is Papa Bear, a mighty beast with a loving and soft heart.  His lovely wife, Mama Bear, keeps the home running smoothly with tender love and care.  Their child, Baby Bear, is so grown-up now that Papa Bear likes to refer to him as Junior Bear.

The Bears awake early on this warm summer morning (as they always do).  Each puts on a fresh and clean red scarf as is the family’s tradition.  Mama Bear prepares the usual breakfast of porridge (some habits never change).  As expected, the porridge is much too hot for anyone to eat so the family leaves their cozy and comfortable cabin for a quick, morning walk while the porridge cools.

Now, let’s see where the rest of the story goes.  Remembering of course, this is a sequel in the storyline of the “Three Bears”, aka “Red-Neck Bears.”

While the Bears are away, mischief arrives in their front yard.  A curious and sometimes naughty thirteen-year old boy, Rebel, stumbles upon the cabin.  He has run away from his family who live in the big city on the other side of the woods.  Rebel is always in trouble back home, and his parents have threatened him with a harsher life filled with fewer privileges until he shapes up.  He is on his way to becoming the most obnoxious of all juvenile delinquents.

As Rebel steps into the yard, he quickly discovers three four-wheelers parked in a perfectly straight line, just like they have been waiting for his arrival.  The Bears enjoy taking rides throughout the woods on their splendid machines.  It can be quite exhilarating to experience the vastness and beauty of the woods while riding these sporty vehicles.

Rebel jumps on the gigantic four-wheeler, but the seat feels much too large and too hard.  He accidentally spits out his hunk of bubble gum, and it lands squarely on the seat.  Looking to his right, he moves to the next four-wheeler.  The seat fits better, but it feels much too soft.  Frustrated, Rebel deflates one of the tires just because it seems like the right thing to do.

Jumping off, Rebel steps over to the final machine.  Everything feels just right as he sits on the seat.  He eagerly cranks up the motor and takes off for a spin around the front yard.  Being a city kid, Rebel has never driven anything like a four-wheeler.  He quickly loses control.

Crash!

A mammoth maple tree blocks the path of the small four-wheeler.  Unhurt, Rebel hops off.  He seems unfazed by the damage done to the tree, much less the mangled front end of the machine.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer Quote

achievement confident free freedom

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It is only with gratitude that life becomes rich.

From Colossians 3:15-17:  “And let peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body.  And be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.  And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

Hallelujah!

From Luke 2:1-7:  “In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered.  This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.  All went to their own towns to be registered.  Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David.  He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.  While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.  And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” 

nativity scene christmas decor

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Hallelujah!

Angels sing, from heavens above

Glory forever, to a newborn King

Praising Emmanuel, as they sing

 

Hallelujah!

Virgin Mary, mother to this Son

Jesus will be His blessed name

This world, never to be the same

 

Hallelujah!

Born in a bustling hamlet, Bethlehem

Chiseled in history, forever renowned

Baby in a manger, shepherds found

 

Hallelujah!

God with us, in flawless human form

Walking in our steps, we will trust

Witnessing a Cross, our Savior must

 

Hallelujah!

God lifts the veil of His great plan

His Son will bear our bloody sins

Forever, God’s flock will say “Amen”

 

Hallelujah!

All bow, take a bended knee

Praise our Savior in prayer

Darkness leaves, Jesus cares

 

Hallelujah!

God’s divine, sacrificial plan

Jesus comes in person, to save

He overpowers sin and the grave

 

Hallelujah!

Birth of this blessed, Holy child

Peace and joy, we will follow Him

His righteousness, a lasting hymn

backlit cemetery christianity clouds

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Haiku Series #45 (Montana)

Winter Tranquility

Peace and solitude

Cross-country skiing beckons—

Awesome Montana

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River’s Birth

Three rivers join up

Mighty Missouri River—

Headwaters . . . God’s gift

aerial photography of body of water

Photo by Devon Schreiner on Pexels.com

 

Winter Paradise

Lone Mountain summit

Powder blowing all around—

Skiing the Big Sky

 

action activity adventure cold

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Jonathan Edwards Quote

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Resolution One:  I will live for God.  Resolution Two:  If no one else does, I still will.

From Romans 6:10-11:  “The death He died, He died to sin, once for all; bu the life He lives, He lives to God.  So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

Monday Memories: Twelve Forgettable Christmas Gifts

Here is a humorous poem filled with amazing, and quite forgettable Christmas gift ideas.  I am not sure if I see one for me, but perhaps you will find something unique for yourself.  The poem was published in December, 2018, and it has been updated.

man in santa claus costume

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Imagining a zany list of gift ideas for another year

Let’s make Christmas cool again, as it comes near

 

Sitting here tonight in Ohio’s Buckeye land

Not too certain about Santa’s helping hand

 

Hoping that special gifts will await under the tree

Thinking that “some” might be pleasing for thee

 

A self-stirring coffee mug looks quite neat

Stirring my cup o’ Joe will be an easy feat

 

Christmas tea bags offer a fresh twist

Leaving my cup filled with a tasty mist

 

Is that Darth Vader defending the door?

Inflating him brings fear and much more

 

I’m not really into checking Twitter most of the time

Looking at a set of framed tweets, could be just fine

 

My stocking might be filled with a hockey stick snow brush

Cheering for my beloved Blue Jackets on the ice is a must

 

Someone spies a cassette tape collection of familiar songs

Wondering where to find a cassette player that is long gone

 

Golf ball finder glasses will most likely do the trick

Searching for each wayward shot in rough so thick

 

My daughter tempts me with chocolate Brussel sprouts

Wishing for “just” the sweet chocolate, leaves no doubt

 

A senior moment’s memory workout DVD should be slick

Keeping my brain’s recall functioning, makes a great gift

 

Coffee drinking in the morning, wine sipping late at night

Using a “Flip Over” glass, makes switching work just right

 

Last of all, needing to conceal every doughnut so sweet

Receiving a doughnut mug may hide it—isn’t this neat!

 

Warming myself in front of a blazing fire this cold night

Hoping that another lump of coal, will never be in sight

 

Charles Swindoll Quote

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We are faced with a series of great opportunities, brilliantly disguised as unsolvable problems.  Unsolvable without God’s wisdom, that is.

From Psalm 34:19:  “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord rescues them from them all.”