Big Sky Buckeye

A writer's journey continues

Circle of Life

Posted on July 15, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

**Photo by Jonathan Borba on Pexels.com**

Children and grandchildren

Each fills precious treasure

Hug this “Circle of Life”

Family time’s pleasure

Watching young daughters grow

Teaching lessons of love

Taking delight each day

Dad, where’s my softball glove?

Time moves much too quickly

Each day shares its rewards

Daughters become women

“Circle of Life” records

Transforming life’s landscape

Mastering how to crawl

Cherishing grandchildren

Grandpa, will you play ball?

Robust “Circle of Life”

Family roster grows

Memories made each day

Lifetime’s delightful rose

Some of the best poems are written from from the heart. Such is the case with this poem; created from just a thought about family and its blessings. My wife and I have been blessed with five daughters between our Montana and Ohio families. Our grandchildren now number ten. Our own “Circle of Life’ has indeed been a blessed one.

Monday Memories: Sweetest Love

Posted on July 12, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

Love springs eternal in many, beautiful forms

Helping to ease some of life’s angry storms

A mother focuses on her handsome new boy

Rocking him fast to sleep, she’s filled with joy

A teacher reaches out to his unsettled class today

Filling the room with learning, discovering a way

A nervous man asks a pretty woman for a date

Dreaming, could marriage be their future fate?

A son calls upon his ailing mother quite often

Bringing love that helps her illness to soften

A mature couple capturing romance from afar

Tying ribbons of love, reaching heaven’s stars

A young girl eagerly waits by the window all day

Jumping into her father’s lap with much to say

A caring wife prepares a meal by candlelight

Inspiring a time of love with her man tonight

A family cherishes togetherness for all

Adding gentle love that will never fall

A romantic husband brings flowers to his bride

Adding fragrance and beauty, their love amplified

A young couple ties marriage’s knot with “We do”

Cherishing their love, feeling deeply rich and true

God sends His Son, offering His greatest gift

Washing away our sins, lives no longer adrift

**Photo by Gustavo Fring on Pexels.com**

This poem was written and published back in February, 2019. In looking at its original form, I found an opportunity to improve a few flaws in its presentation.

Back From Hiatus

Posted on June 30, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

**Photo by Ricardo Esquivel on Pexels.com**

Greetings Big Sky Buckeye readers, fellow bloggers, and visitors! I have returned to writing and blogging after a three-week hiatus.

My recent journeys took me from the Buckeye state of Ohio to my native state under Montana’s Big Sky. After being marooned for about 15 months, my travels seemed different in many ways. Perhaps some of these observations will wander into my writings from time to time.

My wife and I traveled by car, and we covered the distance from Ohio to Montana in four days. Taking our time allows us to stay rested and looking forward to each day. We journeyed through Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.

Much of our time was spent with my mother who has been recovering from the loss of her husband (my stepfather) as well as two recent surgeries. My other siblings have also been stepping up to help out as well.

We also enjoyed time with the rest of our Montana family with the exception of our youngest daughter and her husband (more about their amazing adventures in a later post). Seeing our two other daughters and their families as well as my father filled in what limited time we had.

For the first time, we were able to meet in the flesh our 18-month old grandson for the first time. The pandemic has kept us at home until now. It was wonderful to see our four other Montana grandchildren, ranging in ages from 16 down to 3.

Being away and busy, I just didn’t have time to keep on very many posts by other bloggers. I am eager to catch up, and I promise to reply to all comments as quickly as possible.

As a writer, it will feel good to be “back in the saddle” once again. Blessings to each and every one of you.

Monday Memories: Oh Brother!

Posted on March 29, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

Oh, Brother!

Sometimes people look at me in a sort of puzzlin’ way

They just don’t appreciate my approach to each day

Through their eyes, I must be an utter red-neck

They fail to understand my life, not one lil’ speck

Some say I have an accent when speakin’

Darn if I know, I’m just talkin’ and seekin’

Before I digress too much further, let’s see

I live in America, lookin’ always to be free

My Daddy taught me the major differences in life

Between right and wrong, always love one’s wife

My Mommy shared her love of nature’s delights

Her bountiful garden, with colors always bright

Growin’ up in an awfully small, yet welcome place

Life remain’ balanced and gentle, a relaxin’ pace

Joinin’ the U.S. Navy at the earliest possible age

Livin’ on an aircraft carrier, like workin’ in a cage

Comin’ ashore to meet a lady for a date

Becomin’ my lovely wife and first mate

Receivin’ a degree with honors from Silage Tech

Not regrettin’ my time there, never wantin’ to fret

My best friends live and labor on farms and ranches

We hook-up on Saturday nights for fun-filled dances

Livin’ in the countryside, but drivin’ to my job in town

People say I’ve been too busy, never makin’ a sound

Can’t they see who’s followin’ me down the walk

Two lil’ youngins, brothers lovin’ to play and talk

My two boys, Pete and Re-Pete, makin’ me proud

Even when their horseplay gets a tiny bit too loud

Oh, Brother!

**Photo by Necati Anil Cakirman on Pexels.com**

What’s Your Rush?

Posted on March 25, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

**Photo by Craig Adderley on Pexels.com**

Driving fast down time’s hectic road

Passing new sign’s life-changing mode

Hey busy people, “What’s your rush?”

Best to paint life with brand new brush

Slow self down, before passing by

More to life than hello and bye

Coffee’s better with second cup

Take time to really size life up

Spend precious moments, call your friend

Each minute pays big dividends

Look around, lend others your hand

Playing music on life’s bandstand

Time spent with young children at play

Ageless, feeling younger each day

Neighborhood walk with man’s best friend

Rounding out life’s perfect weekend

Share love with your special someone

Lighting rainbows with rising sun

Cruisin’ along life’s peaceful street

No rush now, enjoying each treat

**Photo by Julia Kuzenkov on Pexels.com**

Single Timeless Moment

Posted on February 27, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

From Psalm 90:1-2: “Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”

Life’s amazing blessings

God’s Book of Life unfolds

Single timeless moment

Richer than any gold

Man and woman find love

Fragile lives share restart

Single timeless moment

Merging into one heart

Forsaken child needs home

Foster parents reach out

Single timeless moment

Love sows, ready to sprout

Student facing failure

Here comes love’s helping hand

Single timeless moment

Teacher pulls from quicksand

Family in crisis

Unemployed, dreams stand cold

Single timeless moment

Job opens, God beholds

Disaster strikes city

Many answer God’s call

Single timeless moment

Kindness stands ever tall

Sin’s temptation knocking

Christian brother steps up

Single timeless moment

Christ refills empty cup

Darkening, hopeless world

Father’s infinite grace

Single timeless moment

Love reaches out, embrace

From Genesis 9:11-13: “‘I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.’ God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.'”

Monday Memories: God’s Miracle

Posted on February 22, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

Published in April, 2019, this faith-based poem remains the most viewed post on Big Sky Buckeye. The theme of family and adoption hits close to home, and this poem honors a family very dear to my wife and I. Their story has been a true and rewarding journey of faith with our Lord.

God always manages an astonishing plan

He stretches His hands across the land

He spends six days building His creation

Then, He smiles at His brilliant sensation

Again and again, God shows He is in charge

His Holy presence looms, caring and large

His Book of Life satisfies with infinite pages

He sends His Son as a sacrifice, for the ages

When our Savior rises on Easter morn

God proving, His love will always adorn

A woman grows up, dreaming of more

She longs to be a wife with love to soar

She looks forward to being a mother

God would have it this way, no other

A devoted man with his son, will now deploy

Her sacred marriage brings to her much joy

She becomes a wife and mother in one day

Wow! God’s plan brings much delight today

Alas, something is missing in a life filled with peace

An unfilled yearning to bear a child, the final piece

Through much prayer, faithful words to offer

This couple places their trust with the Father

A young girl appears, needing a loving place

They become her foster parents, with haste

Over time, this girl discovers love, with such vastness

Her home permeates with love, without any sadness

But wait—the story carries on for a year

Now adoption lies ahead, without fear

Father, mother, son, and now a daughter

God’s love touches all, thicker than water

Praise God, our heavenly Father this day

Praise His miracles that astound and say

God always manages an astonishing plan

He stretches His hands across the land

Guest Post from Mrs. Buckeye: “A Very Special Day”

Posted on February 4, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

I recently enjoyed my birthday, and my wife blessed me with the gift of this delightful and loving poem. She is an incredible writer in her own right. As I read this poem, I definitely feel 65 years young.

**Photo by Valentin Antonucci on Pexels.com**

It was a very special day.

The family and the world were so blessed.

It’s still a very special day.

We need to celebrate it to the best!

The Father gave a precious boy,

to grow and learn, and become a young man.

He was meant to bring precious joy,

as God teaches us daily that we can!

This precious boy became that man.

From God, and parents, and his teachers too,

he learned and grew to have a plan,

showing young minds too, all that they could do!

A proud and successful career,

as a teacher, coach, and sports A D, too.

He served boldly then forty years,

guiding his students on as they pursued!

Not only did his work stand out,

but, he helped raise his three beautiful girls,

to ladies of faith, there’s no doubt.

His example shines out into the world!

He is a very special man,

son and brother, husband, dad and grandpa,

A teacher who loves Jesus, and

a man who worships our God with much awe!

It was a very special day,

when our precious Father gave him his birth.

We celebrate this special day.

God’s gift of life filled with His Holy worth!

Monday Memories: Memories

Posted on December 7, 2020 by bigskybuckeye

**Photo by Dominika Roseclay on Pexels.com**

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

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

Thanksgiving at Home

Posted on November 25, 2020 by bigskybuckeye

From 1 Chronicles 16:34: “O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever.”

Another Thanksgiving

Patiently waits on deck

Staying safely at home

Asking for a rain check

Missing our family

Sending our blessed love

Watching over our home

Holy God, high above

Remember gatherings

From numerous years past

Memories still linger

Let us not be downcast

Past months filled with darkness

Yet, family stands strong

Boosting one another

Faith in God, sings along

Chairs around our table

May look empty this year

But, God’s blessings offer

Love, filled with grace sincere

**Photo by RODNAE Productions on Pexels.com**

While my wife and I will be celebrating the blessings of Thanksgiving at a table for two, we will still be thinking of our family in both Ohio and Montana. We have much to be grateful for.

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