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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.

Rule of Three

pancakes with strawberry blueberries and maple syrup

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Have you ever thought about the Rule of Three?

Life is amazing when “three” brings more to see

 

Making pancakes for a breakfast for me

Why enjoy a short stack of only two

When you can taste a big stack of three

 

Daughters bring a father happiness and glee

Witnessing the unforgettable births of two

Even more amazing to be delighted with three

 

Looking at the calendar for dates open and free

A two-day weekend offers much fun for all

Hmm, why not add one day and make it three

 

A morning walk with nature is thrilling to me

Finishing two miles with much energy left

Let’s add another mile and walk for three

 

Attending a circus tomorrow for a nominal fee

A show with only two rings just won’t do

Thank heaven P. T. Barnum expanded to three

 

A basketball game grows late as the seconds flee

Shouting out, the coach wants a two-point shot

Sorry coach, but I’m prepared to drain a three

 

Listening to music that brings meaning to thee

Some music just doesn’t work as a twosome

So Peter, Paul, and Mary sing tunes as three

 

Dancing as a couple with a two-step are we

Someone challenges our dancing with a new step

Now we enjoy our dazzling dancing with three

 

A chef prepares a breakfast omelet for free

Starting with two eggs certainly isn’t enough

He brilliantly adds another egg to equal three

 

Shopping for a stunning dress to impress me

She can’t decide on which one or two to try

So my wife brings home a cute set of three

 

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost follow thee

A poet pauses to give thanks to above

The Holy Trinity makes a blessed three

 

Little Treasures

adorable baby baby feet beautiful

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My life matures with treasured blessings to enjoy

Being with grandchildren brings rich love and joy

 

God blesses us with these matchless wonders

Hearing their playfulness louder than thunder

 

The Lord has blessed my role as a grandfather

Bringing love opportunities without any bother

 

Morning arrives with my coffee cup filled

Thinking of grandchildren spawns a thrill

 

Some live close, others reside farther away

Praying for each one helps to start my day

 

Their parents feeling blessed with each child

Allowing me to call each one my grandchild

 

These children march through remarkable lives

Offering vivid moments which continue to thrive

 

Photographs authenticate each child’s life story

Filling my appetite with incredible love and glory

 

God has glorified me with these little tikes

Reminding of humble times, forever to like

 

 

News Flash

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Local newspapers remain a stalwart source of information about local, national, and international events.  Reporters–who doggedly pursue facts about news, stories, and editorials–bring accurate, timely, and insightful reporting and writing.  Journalism is still alive and free, and it needs to remain so to preserve a democratic way of life filled with personal freedoms.  The following events were taken from headlines printed in recent issues of The Columbus Dispatch.

A talented surgeon is told that he is too old

Yet his precise skills remain amazingly bold

Japanese culture makes mothers do it all

While fathers sit back and stand “small”

Medical pot is peddled to those with special needs

Others want more to feed a habit filled with greed

Autonomous vehicles may soon be here

For some, there remains much to fear

A nation’s leader continues to repeat the identical spiel

When will the citizens grow tired of his worn-out deal?

A big city overwhelmed by a barrage of fresh snow

Are those snowplows parked there just for show?

With winter dragging on indefinitely into another week

Cars need to beware of potholes, flat tires they seek

Polar bears occupy an isolated, Russian Arctic village

Climate change pushes hungry bears south to pillage

Mother Nature flexes her muscles around the clock

Homes threatened by flooding, highways blocked

A former house of worship sits vacant and very alone

With inspiration, a creative family turns it into a home

Mankind remains fascinated with exploring outer space

A newly discovered moon near Nepture makes its case

Newspapers print informative stories every day

They bring truth and facts with realness to say

 

 

 

Just Checking In

typing writing keyboard working

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Sending a priority email to my boss an hour ago

A quick reply would be prized as time is my foe

 

Facing an ever-approaching deadline

The pressure is building—not so fine!

 

Writing one more email might do the trick

“Just checking in” doesn’t sound so slick

 

Hearing no reply yet by the middle afternoon

Would another email bring an answer soon?

 

Sensing desperation as the clock winds down

Frustration fills my heart with a gloomy frown

 

Composing again—Sorry, but I must persist

“Just checking in” again, I must clearly insist

 

Receiving an email, which is long overdue

An automated message comes to my view

 

Using “Just checking in” as the subject line

These three words “really” are never fine!

 

 

 

 

Sweetest Dream

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Sleeping at night brings pleasurable dreams my way

Dreaming of sugar-filled treats most every single day

 

Tasting a doughnut filled with vanilla cream

Allowing my sweet tooth to sample a dream

 

Advising the doughnut to vanish and scamper away

Appearing next, freshly baked cookies wish to stay

 

Smelling the melted chocolate and cookie dough

Rolling over, my taste buds scream out to know

 

Dashing dreams of cookies, a delicious pie arrives

Looking at coconut cream is a mammoth surprise

 

Tossing in bed, my mouth anticipates the sweetest taste

Cruising into my dream, appears a cake—freshly baked

 

Licking my lips, velvety-rich chocolate cake will be my fate

Sampling the moisture-rich texture seems a perfect mate

 

Closing my fantasy suddenly, my mind stirs awake

Remembering to manage my sugars is no mistake

 

Envisioning so many tantalizing, indulging treats

Controlling sugar levels will be a bitter-filled feat

 

Using humor is one way that I have taken control of my Type 2 diabetic condition.  I have pretty much abstained from sugar-filled treats (some of my past favorites are described in the poem).  Presently, I am no longer considered pre-diabetic, but I continue to maintain a healthy lifestyle with proper eating, taking meds, and exercising.

 

 

Elfchens by O

adventure clouds dawn daylight

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Olivia

opposes opportunity

on oriental Okinawa

overcoming ordinary or outdated

obstacles

 

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Photo by Jayant Kulkarni on Pexels.com

Oscar

owing obedience

obtains oceanic oddities

out of ornamental oysters

outrageous

 

body of water near rocky mountain

Photo by Tabitha Mort on Pexels.com

Olympia

Oregon observations

outdated, obsolete, oddball

occupies oneself on occasion

optimistic

 

bird-animal-owl.jpg

Photo by Skitterphoto on Pexels.com

Otto

old, odd-looking

operates over Oslo

orchestrates opaque, oversized owls

odd-sounding

 

 

 

 

God’s Mighty Fortress

low angle view of tower against clear blue sky

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I awaken with a heavy heart today

Sleeping later than usual if I may

 

My thoughts are with those in dire need

Hoping their lives will blossom to please

 

When a person cares about others nearby

Feeling their sadness and sorrow going by

 

It causes me to really stop and think

Dashing my energy whenever I blink

 

I feel like running to those who suffer so

Forgetting the many miles that I must go

 

I reach for my Bible at this morning hour

Reading God’s word that forever towers

 

His amazing grace and love always fill me up

Plugging the vacuum of a sinner who’s corrupt

 

My Bible journey transports me to Psalm 31

Allowing the words to reach out, one by one

 

I pursue refuge with my almighty God, my Lord

Delivering to me His righteousness, like a sword

 

God has created a holy, mighty fortress for all

Carrying all of us to a safe place before we fall

 

Lord, remove me from this netting that holds thee

Allowing my troubles to fall as I drop to my knees

 

I extend my troubled hand out to His

Guiding me to bless Him and all that is

 

My Lord has redeemed me to stand firm

Sending me forth to help others in return

 

Waking up on a morning when my own heart was indeed very heavy, God transformed my attitude in His way.  Before writing this poem, I was reading a short devotional, and the Biblical text sent me to  Psalm 31:1-5.  Use the link to read these inspiring verses.

 

Forgiving Wind

big wooden cross on green grass field under the white clouds

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God has used the wind for His purposes since the very beginning of time.  From Genesis 1:2-3:  “the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.  Then God said, ‘Let there be be light.'” 

The wind chimes sing this morning with so much to say

Playing inspiring music that turns calmness aside today

The music brings warm comfort to one’s heart

Reminding at dawn of past memories to restart

These rich images from the past arrive so clear

Blessing one’s spirit with nothing ever to fear

With a renewing spirit bursting from God’s mighty fame

Sending forth meaningful counsel in His glorious name

The day’s agenda stands ready to roll out once again

Traveling faithfully forward with no desire to ever sin

Yet, this blessed life may again stumble today

Asking for God’s forgiveness with little to say

The old rugged Cross comes forward into one’s sight

Witnessing Christ’s red blood brings courage to fight

Just as the wind chimes tell again of God’s loving soul

Walking with Christ refurbishes a life that is now full

 

 

Fairy Tale Dream

woman reading a book

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Jack hurriedly climbs the lofty beanstalk

Hoping to take Cinderella out for a walk

 

Cinderella looks out her window, slightly bitter

Left with Little Boy Blue, her tiny, glass slipper

 

Little Boy Blue feels like enjoying an afternoon nap

Hearing Snow White calling awakens him in a snap

 

Snow White hopes the Seven Dwarfs hurry back

Fearing the Big Bad Wolf will hide her in his sack

 

The Big Bad Wolf plans to enjoy a scrumptious feast

Hiding from Little Jack Horner who lives in the East

 

Little Jack Horner feels too full to devour a pie

Leaving the sweets for Jill who says, “Oh my!”

 

Jill loses her footing, tumbling down and down

Causing Jack to wake up, with a sleepy frown

 

Little Jack’s wonderful dream felt pleasing and fine

Reminding him that more stories wait for next time