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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.

Hidden Treasure

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Autumn expectantly arrives across the land

Bringing to the thick woods, a merry band

Threesome of hikers search for the lost cabin

Hiding in the forest, ready to make life happen

 

This time of year is special and waiting for a reason

Journeying together and meeting every fall season

Years have not been kind to this old place

Providing shelter, not much else to taste

 

Cozy and pleasant, with one gigantic room

Building a fire to bring warmth to us soon

No electricity, no indoor plumbing—that’s right

Waiting is a weathered outhouse—out of sight

focus photography of a ignited firewood

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Kitchen wood stove awaits its initial directions

Starting up its fire, offers dinner’s selections

Water and supplies need to be packed in

Realizing this old cabin, ain’t a Holiday Inn

 

Aroma of burning pine logs, fills the indoor air

Relaxing in this hidden cabin, without any cares

Darkness comes early to this quiet place

Reading by candlelight, at a leisurely pace

 

Early morning arrives with light frost outside

Smelling brewed coffee and pancakes inside

This rustic cabin remains a cherished treasure

Escaping the 21st Century, for simple pleasures

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A few months back, I wrote about family treasures in Little Treasures and the experiences of walking with nature in Hilltop Hiker.  You are invited to read these poems in case you missed them.  Thanks for spending some time with Big Sky Buckeye.

 

Pre-Dawn Splendor

 

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Pre-dawn light slowly brightens the dark sky

Encouraging the night to salute its good-bye

 

Night’s closing remnants offer one concluding look

Winking back, crescent moon appears, like a hook

 

Crisp, cool air reposes its gentle hand

Rising sun will shortly warm the land

 

Morning dew moistens the grassy, green meadows

Frolicking rabbits chase each other in the shadows

 

Pungent odor permeates the pre-dawn air

Marking its territory, a skunk doesn’t care

 

Multitudes of birds announce the coming day

Sending out a chorus of joyful songs of praise

 

Deer graze in lush fields for a moment longer

Eating tender, green shoots to grow stronger

 

No human eyes have awakened quite yet

Sleeping in a cabin, seems like a sure bet

 

Nature wakes up to the arrival of summer daylight

Presenting God’s creation, with abundant delight

 

In what ways do you enjoy experiencing God’s awesome creation?  If you desire more of my photography, which features much of nature’s beauty in Montana and Ohio, you will find it my Photo Gallery.

Grandpa’s Doughnuts

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Grandpa snuck away from Grandma one morning.  She was busy with her quilting, and he felt an urge to satisfy his sweet tooth.

Just down the street, a little doughnut shop waited with the hottest coffee and the most treasured, sweet creations ever made.  Without Grandma nearby to fuss at him, he could enjoy coffee, doughnuts, and some conversation with whomever dropped by the shop.

He orders the usual:  coffee with his two favorite doughnuts.  Boston-cream and maple-covered long john, each looks mouth-watering and delicious.

Behind him, the shop’s door opens, and two little children bust in with giggles and way too much energy.

“Grandpa, Grandpa!”  His grandchildren, Ben and Lydia, just happen to discover where Grandpa is hiding out.

A moment later, Grandpa is enjoying coffee, spending time with two very special children, and sharing his doughnuts.

There will be another time for enjoying doughnuts, but loving Lydia and Ben . . . Precious!

 

Nature’s Magnificence

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Natural wonders stand in amazement each day

Praising God’s creation each step along the way

 

God’s magnificence forever amazes and astonishes

Leaving all people amazed with all that He promises

 

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef rests beneath the sea

Hosting a vastness of marine life for everyone to see

 

Africa’s Victoria Falls fills visitors with awe and wonder

Creating the unbelievable, “The Smoke That Thunders”

 

Asia’s Mount Everest stands high above the rest

Offering Sir Hillary and others a courageous test

 

Europe’s Black Forest welcomes Germany as its home

Hosting thick, dense evergreens, many and never alone

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North America’s Grand Canyon divides the land

Carving through rock by the Colorado, like sand

 

Middle East lands reach below the level of the sea

Separating Israel and Jordan, the salty Dead Sea

 

Between America and Canada rumbles Niagara Falls

Consisting of three separate falls, many travelers call

 

New Zealanders appreciate a fiord, called Melford Sound

Offering rainforests, waterfalls, towering peaks to astound

 

Europeans travel to the Swiss and Italian Alps for enjoyment

Photographing the Matterhorn brings more for deployment

 

This poem writes about nature for a short review

Inspiring others to describe more of these views

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Nature definitely shows off God’s vast and stunning creation.  There is no doubt that this list could go on and on.  For example, I left out Yellowstone National Park, which I have had the pleasure to visit a few times.   Do you have any natural wonders to add to this list?  If so, let’s have a conversation in the comments.  Best wishes to all of you!

Community of Ville’s

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The French language uses the suffix of “ville”

Five unique letters deliver geography a thrill

 

Several notable references survive in films and more

Amityville brings horror, Pleasantville’s drama scores

Other Ville’s convey fascination, charm, and renown

Writer Dr. Suess creates Whoville as a fictional town

Across America, adding “ville” to a settlement’s name

In the Appalachians, this suffix spawns greater fame

 

Singer and actor Dean Martin calls Steubenville home

The Ohio River flows next door, free to sing and roam

The unique Y-Bridge spans the confluence of two rivers

Zaneville’s rich history fascinates with much to deliver

 

Television land creates Hooterville as a fictitious place

Now, all aboard the speedy Cannonball train with haste

 

Yesteryear’s canals transport goods to Ohio towns

Lockville preserves canal locks, easy to be found

Once known as the “Dry Capital of the World” to all

Westerville forbids alcohol sales with a resolute call

 

The Great Depression brings suffering on a great scale

Shanty towns called Hooverville’s offer no hope and fail

 

Its largest pumpkin ever, amazingly weighs nearly a ton

Circleville’s Pumpkin Show offers annual food and fun

Denison University stands proud and resides in Granville

Legendary Woody Hayes begins a career filled with thrills

 

Many other communities use “ville” at the end of their names

Do the readers have more to add so we can play a quiz game?

 

Especially in the United States, there are many communities with names that end with “ville”.  Do you know of one to add to Big Sky Buckeye’s list?  You are invited to write a comment.  In closing, I should remember and thank Mrs. Will, my 7th grade geography teacher, for a job well done!  

Sometimes . . .

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Sometimes . . .

A heart and soul experience nothing but emptiness

Searching for a life overflowing with more happiness

Family and friends stop over, sharing bushels of love

Extending God’s righteousness, working from above

 

Sometimes . . .

A body no longer feels as young as it once was

Declining, outdated, and ancient, just because

Changes in a lifestyle produce renewal of life

Experiencing energy again, without the strife

 

Sometimes . . .

The day fills with shadows of darkness, without light

Questioning why this life no longer continues to fight

Next day’s sunrise brings a sustaining change

Illuminating the way, because God is His name

 

Sometimes . . .

This job generates nothing, only constant distress

Feeling passed over by others who perform less

Then one day, opportunity knocks at the door

Receiving that promotion, evens up the score

 

Sometimes . . .

Life feels like walking the treadmill all day

Ending out of breath, with nothing to say

Faithfulness enters a heart with a new intention

Accepting God’s grace, a total transformation

 

When life brings us challenges, our faith is sometimes challenged.  We just need to remember that our God is a righteous and faithful one filled with immense love and thanksgiving.

Here are some previously published poems that explore a variety of life’s challenges.  May we always remain faithful towards our Lord.

 

Final Shot

I have been enjoying some fun with writing micro short stories.  Here is my second attempt with 99 words.  Enjoy the suspenseful surprise at the end!

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Photo by Markus Spiske temporausch.com on Pexels.com

The gymnasium thunders with cheers as the Bears steal a pass and score to lead by a single point.

The game clock counts down the final seconds.  Whistle blows!

One of the Bears’ starters falls with injury.  A little-used sub enters the contest, appearing anxious to enter the big game.

To seal victory, the Bears only need to pass the ball inbounds.  Beneath the opponent’s basket, stands a wide-open player—the sub!

He cleaning catches the pass, faces the basket, and shoots.

Score!

Oh my!

Game over!

The eager sub just scored the winning basket for the other team.

 

If you enjoyed this small taste of my short story writing, perhaps you are ready for one of my previously published short stories.  While these are longer in length, they have proven to be quite entertaining.

God’s Masterpiece

From Isaiah 65:17: “For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind.”

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From the beginning of time

God’s creation changes each day

This eternal blueprint conveys mastery

His design takes center stage

His earthly canvas presents wonder

Artistic palette of colors astonish

His imaginative mind never ceases

Earth’s treasures continue to impress

Traveling around this awesome planet

Breathtaking venues await our call

Majestic mountains loom high above

Immense beauty reaches the clouds

Rolling plains shine with beauty

Grasslands thick with green tapestry

Swift rivers travel for months

Mountain-fed water reaches blue seas

Dense forests blanket the terrain

Trees of every description stand

Endless oceans bombard distant shores

Continuous tides frolic with beaches

Wide canyons stretch above rivers

Featuring amazing sculptures and hue

Desert sands infinitely scatter themselves

Continually sifting from God-inspired winds

Days launch with illuminating sunrises

Nights commence when the moon rises

God continues molding and shaping

Praise His incredible creation forevermore

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Rejoice with more from our Lord in these previously published poems: