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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.

To Be a Child

blue jeans

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Life staying simple each day

Small children learning, God’s way

 

Like a skilled potter’s clay

Growing up in amazing ways

 

Lives filling with unique freshness

Creating moments of tender newness

 

Parents providing support and love

Following God’s example, from above

 

God watching His only Son

Caring for His little One

 

Pure gentleness touching with kindness

Lighting the way with fondness

 

Each moment charging with adventure

Experiencing delightful walks with nature

 

Little things appearing awfully big

Playing, sandbox shovels seriously dig

 

Miniature cars creating a parade

Playing with confidence, never afraid

 

Small puzzles offering a challenge

Showing off a newfound talent

 

Pictures take-off, ready to fly

Finding a favorite book nearby

 

Caring sister, like none other

Loving Bubba, her big brother

 

Baby starting out, lovingly cute

Playing music, like a flute

 

A toddler replacing the baby

Bringing out endless energy, daily

 

Parents watching with loving smiles

Thankful for every precious mile

child playing sand with shovel and truck toy

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Choose His Path

photography of mountains under cloudy sky

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We have a clear path to choose

Anything else, we definitely lose

 

A godless enemy brings emptiness

He prowls and waits, eager to strike

His path only leads to unhappiness

Our lives feel like a bursting dike

 

We see the good life in front of us

But the light comes with false hopes

Glamour and riches without the fuss

Darkness clouds over life’s periscope

 

Gloomy doom brings promises, so empty

A champion bears our guilt and shame

There is a better way, filled with plenty

Life truly means more than just a game

 

The Light of Salvation chases away the dark

Christ bears our wounds at a bloody cross

The enemy slithers away, gone is his spark

Jesus’ Holy righteousness reaches across

 

Our loving Father sacrifices His only Son

His shed blood atones for our sinful ways

An empty tomb declares, Christ has won

Accept me and follow, He proudly says

 

We have a clear path to choose

Anything else, we definitely lose

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Count Your Blessings

donut with sprinkles

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This rhyme was anonymously posted on the wall of a small donut shop.

As you travel through life brother

Whatever be your goal

Keep your eye upon the donut

And not upon the hole

From Psalm 23:5-6:  “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life.”

Haiku Series #32 (With God)

Negativity

Turn negative off

Stand on God’s eternal Word—

Trusting in the Lord

bible blur christ christianity

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Lost

Faith running empty

Encouragement now arrives—

In God’s healing truth

person wearing shirt standing near tree

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Rejoice

Did you hear the news?

The cold, dark tomb is empty—

Jesus has risen!

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Dietrich Bonhoeffer Quote

man holding clipboard inside room

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Action springs not from thought, but from a readiness for responsibility.

From James 1:22-24:  “But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.  For if any are hearers of the Word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like.”

Start Bailin’

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Milt and I push his small rowboat into the lake’s calm waters on a sunny, early morning.  Fishin’ is absolutely on our minds.

Milt’s boat has stood the test of time, and she definitely looks it.  There are patches here and there, scrapped and worn paint, and even some mismatched planking on the floor.

Rowing the boat far from shore, we arrive at the very best place to fish the lake.  The deep water covers the territory with the biggest fish around.

We both become quite involved with our fishin’ as we cast again and again, hoping to catch the big one.  We fail to notice the threatening skies above.  A mother-of-all thunderstorms appears heading for the lake, and we sit directly in the crosshairs of its vicious aim.

Before we can even think about rowing back to the safety of the shore, Milt and I feel the tiny craft being engulfed by the torrents of rain and the white caps of the charging waves.

Our clothes and fishin’ tackle become soaking wet in a few short minutes, and then the boat begins to list to the starboard side.  She’s taking on water much too quickly.

Looking more anxious by the second, Milt shouts out, “Start bailin’ now!”

Watching my tackle box floating away, I yell back, “With what?”

sea under white dramatic sky

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Daniel Pennac Quotes

pile of five books

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We human beings build houses because we’re alive, but we write books because we’re mortal.

All it takes is one teacher–just one–to save us from ourselves and make us forget all the others.

The grief dug by those who leave makes the nest of those who arrive in the hearts of those who hope.

Monday Memories: Loving Duo

This poem was published in December, 2018.  The two dogs were part of a family for many years, and their passing just weeks apart made for a  difficult time to deal with.  I was blessed to know this loving duo, and this poem was written as a tribute to them.

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Scooter and Sydney become life-long best friends

A collie and a beagle loving each other to the end

 

Scooter is a handsome male, steady as he goes

Sydney is a beautiful female, smiling with a glow

 

Scooter stands steady and reliable as anyone can see

Sydney fills time with energy and spirit like a busy bee

 

Scooter enjoys taking long naps by a window in the sun

Sydney would rather discover a backyard path for fun

 

Scooter shows off a well-mannered and warm deposition

Sydney’s sneaky behavior may put her in a bad position

 

Scooter savors his food ever so slowly—never in a hurry!

Sydney devours hers ever so quickly—always in a flurry!

 

Scooter never becomes too excited on any given day

Sydney feels hyper and animated with plenty of play

 

Scooter manages to keep his life always quiet and neat

Sydney steals Scooter’s food—being so sly and sweet!

 

Both dogs make each other’s life first-class and real

Each leaves many memories filled with extra appeal