Monday Memories: Still a Desperate Man

Country music artist, Eric Church, released “Desperate Man” back in October, 2018.  After hearing the song, his lyrics inspired me to write one of my earliest poems about a desperate man after hearing the song.  This poem has been updated from the original.  

Waking up in the morning much, much too late

My alarm clock was telling me to sleep and wait

I’m still a desperate man!

 

Opening my bank statement one afternoon

A positive balance won’t come anytime soon

I’m still a desperate man!

 

Looking forward to a hot shower early in the morn

The frigid, cold water tells me this is not the norm

I’m still a desperate man!

 

Forgetting to check my car’s fuel gauge

The gas runs out, and my emotions rage

I’m still a desperate man!

 

Turning on my bathroom light, around midnight

The bulb burns out, and leaves me in a fright

I’m still a desperate man!

 

Returning home after a long week on the road

Discover the fridge conked out, nothing’s cold

I’m still a desperate man!

 

Arriving at work on a cloudy, rainy, gray day

My boss tells me to permanently stay away

I’m still a desperate man!

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Lori Gottlieb Quotes

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Most big transformations come about from the hundreds of tiny, almost imperceptible, steps we take along the way.

Dating is about grand romantic gestures that mean little over the long term.  Marriage is about small acts of kindness that bond you over a lifetime.

Take My Place

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Have you ever thought?

About the significance of a chair

Providing comfort and relaxing care

 

Chairs, many in number

Starring in all sizes and shapes

Making for countless escapes

 

Summertime in the backyard

A sturdy, relaxing hammock waits

Making afternoon naps an ideal fate

 

Looking for a cool place to sit

Bean bag chairs, ready for fun

Comfortable seats for everyone

 

A rocking chair seldom sits alone

Inviting story time for two

Grandma reads, right on cue

 

Every living room offers choices

A colorful sofa seats two, maybe more

Crowding together, let’s not try for four

 

Extra chairs needed at an event

Arriving much, much too late

A folding chair will be my fate

 

Summer sun, surf, and sand

Sitting at the beach, carries the day

Relaxing under brilliant, sunny rays

 

Energetic, little people arrive

Parking themselves in tiny banana seats

Rocking with laughter, enjoying some treats

 

An oversized recliner, in a corner

Always my best and most favorite place

Stretching out to relax, by the fireplace

 

Before you go, I have one request to ask

Will you please “take my place” in this special chair

The dentist is eager and ready, with genuine care

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I must be honest and admit.  Visiting the dentist isn’t one of my favorite places to be.  I’ve endured the removal of four wisdom teeth (in one visit) as well as the preparation needed for a crown.  How do you feel about going to the dentist?

Haiku Series #40 (Humor)

Ugly

Charming afternoon

Errant shot finds the thick woods—

Golfing ain’t much fun

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Oh my!

Beautiful park bench

Offering a short respite—

(Absent) “Wet Paint” sign

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Greed

Black Friday looming

Stores now offer Preview Sale—

Coming a week early

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Hole-in-One . . . Not!

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Pete lines up his tee shot on the 172-yard, Par 3 hole.  He is playing for fun at Lake Hills Golf Club, and the 14th hole offers an opportunity to add a bit more practice to his round of golf.

Since the course is nearly empty, Pete decides to hit a dozen tee shots at the green.  He has brought along his three young sons (Glenn, James, and Gene) to shag balls and allow their mother a respite back home.  She will definitely appreciate a break from the high-energy boys.

As Pete hits each tee shot, his sons’ eyes follow each golf ball.  Each boy calls out different shots, and these will be his to locate in a few minutes.  After all, their father didn’t bring them out to the golf course just to fool around.

While most of the shots miss the green, a few have managed to find the putting surface.  The cup is somewhat hidden by a slight rise at the front of the green.

Eventually, Pete is finished with his extra practice.  He turns the boys loose to locate the wayward shots, with orders to bring back all of the golf balls not on the green.

The three brothers scamper down the short fairway to begin searching and locating the eight balls which never found their intended target.  The experience feels almost like an Easter egg hunt, except the June day offers a mild and sunny, early summer afternoon.

As the boys make their way back to the green, each has located his assigned golf balls.  Pete calls out to the boys, “There appears to be a missing ball.  Did anyone miss one of my bad shots?”

The brothers shake their heads in affirmation that all of the balls have been recovered.  Three golf balls lie on or close to the putting surface.  Gene wonders out loud, “Where is the fourth ball?”

James casually walks over to the cup and takes a peek.  He shouts out, “The ball is in the hole.”

Glenn jumps up and down with excitement, “Hey Dad, you made a hole-in-one!”

The three brothers are charged up and want to tell others about their father’s amazing shot.  He defuses their enthusiasm when he humbly explains, “The shot cannot count as an official hole-in-one.  Remember, I hit a dozen tee shots.”

While Pete’s three sons hold on to this special moment in secrecy, they will never forget when their father hit his “once-in-a-lifetime” shot.  Amazing!

 

Monday Memories: Thanksgiving Memories

Today’s memory goes back to November, 2019.  Remembering past Thanksgiving gatherings with family long ago, creates images to last a lifetime in this updated poem.

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Remembering annual family gatherings from years past

Enjoying special, blessed times which will last and last

 

Filling Grandma’s packed house with people from near and far

Seeing aunts, uncles, and cousins—as numerous as the stars

 

Feeling the crisp, autumn air—possibly snow on the ground

Arriving with abundant food and family love to pass around

 

Pitching in, many helping hands prepare the meal

Eating together on Thanksgiving is a very big deal

 

Catching up on life from several corners of the state

Thanking the Lord that all arrived safely on this date

 

Listening to exciting conversation that fills the tiny house

Disappearing from a kitchen corner, a frightened mouse!

 

Preparing so many favorite and delicious treats

Tasting each will make today an awesome feast

 

Setting up Grandma’s sizable dining room table with care

Deciding where each family member will sit, here or there

 

Providing for extra places to eat in the living room

Anticipating that all of us will be eating very soon

 

Smelling the huge turkey roasting in the oven until finally done

Carving this bird and splitting the wishbone, most delicious fun

 

Pleasing everyone’s taste buds, with a gathering of yummy dishes

Adding stuffing, mashed potatoes, and yams to everyone’s wishes

 

Saving room for a sweet symphony of delicious pies

Savoring a slice of pumpkin or many others—Oh my!

 

Exchanging stories, playing cards, and watching football

Realizing too soon that the time says, “Goodnight to all”

 

Departing for home, before everyone’s bedtime arrives

Blessing our family time, this thanksgiving feels so alive

 

Smiling from her large window, Grandma feels so much love

Looking forward to experiencing peace, from the Lord above

 

 

 

 

Dale Carnegie Quotes

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Develop success from failures.  Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success.

Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain but it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving.

Haiku Series #37 (Life)

The Writer

Words coming to mind

Poetic wonders ignite—

A craftsman’s pen rolls

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Oh, yes!

Waking to aroma

What’s baking in the oven?

Fresh, delicious bread

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School Day

Walking to school each day

Forever uphill each way—

Looking for a ride

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