Author Archives: bigskybuckeye

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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.

Heavenly Tranquility

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The inspiration for this poem comes from a recent post from Leola who is an inspiring Christian writer and photographer.  Please visit her “Road Trip to Montreal” by way of the link below.  I thank her so much for allowing me to match her garden photography with my poetic words.

via Road Trip To Montreal #4 — mycreatorscreation

Enjoy an image from Montreal’s Botanical Garden, courtesy of mycreatorscreation.

Life sometimes motors along much too fast

Leaving us hungry for something that lasts

 

A journey to a big city, feeling so alone

Thinking I should have stayed at home

 

I am not used to being in the big city, yes

Realizing my Lord has put me to this test

 

The final morning arrives, thank goodness

Dreaming of any place, filled with fullness

 

My morning walk takes me to a hidden place

Parking itself near a stadium, comes a taste

 

A botanical garden erupts with vibrant color

Blossoming the landscape, like none other

 

Colors of every imaginable shade and hue

Beholding God’s brilliance, eternally true

 

My eyes capture incredible memories that last

Experiencing heavenly tranquility, what a blast

 

God brought me here today for a special reason

Planning to share His love, no matter the season

 

 

 

 

 

Diabetic Shadow Arrives

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person holding black tube

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Being diagnosed (officially) with Type 2 Diabetes back in 2016, I was not really committed to improving my health.

When the outset of diabetes showed up at my doorstep, my weight was not an issue.  Exercise had become a forgotten word in my daily life.  I was teaching and very active in the classroom so I sort of figured that my constant activity should count as some type of exercise.

My eating habits were generally healthy except for a passion to eat certain sweets, breads, and pasta.  Honestly, I can remember buying a whole pumpkin pie or a dozen donuts to scarf down in a couple of days.

Why worry, my health had been generally great (“boring” as my doctor told me).  My cholesterol levels had been borderline for many years, but I was facing few complications from it.

Early in 2016, distressing news finally showed up at my doorstep.  My health numbers were elevating to much higher and detrimental levels.  With cholesterol levels going higher than ever before, my doctor took more tests, and A1C became my new score to worry about.

Here are my lab results from 2014, 2015, and the first half of 2016.  Remember now that HDL is the “good” cholesterol component and LDL is the “bad” one.

Date Cholesterol HDL LDL A1C
Feb, 2014 218 42 154 NA
Feb, 2015 222 41 162 6.4
Feb, 2016 249 42 179 7.5

As the above numbers indicate, my numbers were going in the wrong direction as of February, 2016.  In an upcoming post, I will discuss more of this journey with my diabetic shadow.

Charles Spurgeon Quote

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backlit beach christian dawn

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A tried Christian grows rich by his loses, he rises by his falls, he lives by dying, and he becomes full by being emptied.

From James 1:2-4:  “My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Memories

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sunlight beaming on green trees

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Thanks for the memories

 

For sunrises, spectacular and refreshing

Feeling God’s creation, always fetching

Let me witness one more, very soon

 

Thanks for the memories

 

For teaching for forty years, now gone

Being retired, yet singing a new song

Each day feels precious and engaging

 

Thanks for the memories

 

For daughters special and sweet

Always making this heart tweet

You make me smile every day

 

Thanks for the memories

 

For travels across this vast land

Witnessing God’s creative hand

I look forward to seeing more

 

Thanks for the memories

 

For seeing grandchildren grow up

Their blessings overflow my cup

How truly marvelous they are

 

Thanks for the memories

 

For nights watching films from years ago

Classic stories and acting, tied in a bow

Enjoying movies and popcorn at home

 

Thanks for the memories

 

For finding love before growing old

God’s promises come true and bold

Never say never to His amazing grace

 

Thanks for the memories

 

For writing poetry and sometimes more

Allowing my new passion to fly and soar

Thankful for wonderful readers like you

woman sitting on chair using black ipad

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This poem’s theme is inspired by Bob Hope, one of America’s greatest entertainers.  He excelled in vaudeville, Broadway shows, radio, film, and television.  He may be best known for the many shows he did for American troops overseas.  In 1938, Hope and Shirley Ross performed the song “Thanks for the Memory” in the film “The Big Broadcast of 1938.”  Adapting lyrics in future years as needed, the song became Hope’s signature song whenever he performed.  Here are a few lines from “Thanks for the Memory.”  Enjoy!

Thanks for the memory
Of rainy afternoons, swingy Harlem tunes
Motor trips and burning lips and burning toast and prunes
How lovely it was
Thanks for the memory
Of candlelight and wine, castles on the Rhine
The Parthenon, and moments on the Hudson River line
How lovely it was
Many’s the time that we feasted
And many’s the time that we fasted
Oh well, it was swell while it lasted
We did have fun, and no harm done
So thanks for the memory
Of crap games on the floor, nights in Singapore
You might have been a headache, but you never were a bore
I thank you so much

 

Charles Swindoll Quote

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man wearing black hoodie on rock edge

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God takes us through struggles and difficulties so that we might become increasingly more committed to Him.

From 1 Peter 4:12-13:  “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when His glory is revealed.”

Haiku Series #16 (Montana Prairie)

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Fleeting Speed

Prairie-fueled sprinter

Solitary wanderer—

Pronghorn speeds away

herd of brown doe walking on field

Photo by Brett Sayles on Pexels.com

 

Harvest

Gentle breeze blowing

Rippling waves of amber grain—

Harvest time awaits

sunset cereals grain lighting

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

 

Summer Storm

Dark thunderclouds form

Bringing devastating harm—

Escaping storm’s wrath

lightning and tornado hitting village

Photo by Ralph W. lambrecht on Pexels.com

Back to School

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Another school year has arrived in America.  I can fondly remember the return of school both as a student and later as a teacher.  The classrooms will come alive with the energy of countless children under the instruction of caring teachers and staff.

boy in brown hoodie carrying red backpack while walking on dirt road near tall trees

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Store advertisements passionately proclaim

Ending another summer’s leisure and games

 

“Back to School” cries out across the land

Sounding like a hit song from a rock band

 

Lazy, easy days of summer are sadly ending

School days are approaching, no pretending

 

Summertime and kids at home will very soon end

Cheering parents welcome school, ready to begin

 

Teachers feel invigorated and all set to go

Preparing classrooms for learning to know

 

Families make ready for the kick off of school

Buying supplies and clothing—honestly cool!

 

Schools stand ready with a spotless shine

Cleaning, waxing, and repairs look all fine

 

Everything looks prepared for one more year

Learnin’ bout the three R’s, no reason to fear

 

Attention all children, wake-up and now hear

Ringing school bells announce far and near

 

“Back to School” has arrived for all

Moving forward from summer to fall

three men standing near window

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