Over the River and Through the Woods

A Thanksgiving Journey

What has become of our traditions ?  I can remember the days when families would get together and celebrate Thanksgiving eating until they almost burst. We looked forward to the holidays for months, patiently waiting and hoping every one in the family would be able to attend.

There were no arguments, just good discussion on everything from politics to religion . Everyone’s opinion was respected and no one even considered insulting someone in the family. Just good natured ribbing.

I needed a battery for my cordless mouse this Thanksgiving morning, needing to get some exercise, I decided to see if there was a slim chance Wal-Mart would be open. Approaching Wal-Mart I noticed the parking lot was full of cars and I should have no problem getting my battery and returning home. Then it hit me, What is going on in our country?

Since when do we need to go to Wal-Mart on Thanksgiving, or Easter, or any other holiday for that matter? Whatever happened to the days when families actually celebrated the holidays? Stores don’t need to be open on the holidays, if Wal-Mart wasn’t open today, I would just buy the battery tomorrow. I remember the days when there weren’t any stores open on Sunday, let alone a holiday, it wasn’t even considered. It was almost sacrilegious to even think about shopping on Sunday. Sunday was reserved for church and family life.

I grew up on a dairy farm, so there was work to do regardless of the day of the week, however only the necessary duties were performed, if other work needed to be done, such as baling hay, it was only done under extremely necessary circumstances. Family life was the priority.

My how times have changed, now family life, in a lot of cases has a low priority, often shoved  behind less important functions. Many in the younger generation no longer want to participate in family functions. They consider it more important to hang out with their friends.

To many, Sundays and holidays mean nothing any more, it’s just another day of the week.

When did we go from patriots marching half naked with no shoes down ice covered New Jersey roads, soldiers surviving a brutal winter at Valley Forge, or marching across France and Germany to free holocaust victims to today where ordinary citizens are subjected to humiliating body scans at airports?

Something is definitely wrong.

Think I’ll buy my battery tomorrow.

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George Washington’s 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation

 

 “Whereas it
is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty
God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to
implore His protection and favor — and whereas both Houses of Congress
have by their joint Committee requested me ‘to recommend to the People
of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be
observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of
Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to
establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”

“Now therefore I do recommend and assign
Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of
these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the
beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be —
That we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble
thanks — for His kind care and protection of the People of this
Country previous to their becoming a Nation — for the signal and
manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of His Providence
which we experienced in the tranquility, union, and plenty, which we
have since enjoyed — for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we
have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our
safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately
instituted — for the civil and religious liberty with which we are
blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful
knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which He
hath been pleased to confer upon us.

“And also that we may then
unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great
Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and
other transgressions — to enable us all, whether in public or private
stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and
punctually — to render our national government a blessing to all the
people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and
constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed — to
protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have
shewn kindness onto us) and to bless them with good government,
peace, and concord — To promote the knowledge and practice of true
religion and virtue, and the encrease  of science among them and us
— and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal
prosperity as he alone knows to be best. — Given under my hand at the
City of New York, the third day of October in the year of our Lord
1789.”

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Batesville Indiana, The Old Iron Bridge

Many people remember crossing this historic bridge as they entered or left Batesville Indiana. Offering passage over the busy New York Central Railroad tracks, it became an icon of the community.

Having been constructed many years before, it had become too narrow for modern day traffic. Tales were told about how two cars couldn’t meet on the  bridge, people would often wait on one side or the other for an approaching car to safely pass before proceeding on.

However this myth just wasn’t true, I remember one night. I was driving my brand spanking new 1965 Ford Fairlane Convertible to Napoleon to see some friends. I may have been going slightly over the posted speed limit. Thinking of everything but my driving, I suddenly found myself and an approaching car meeting in the middle of the structure.

There was no time to stop, slowing down to the speed of sound and easing over as far to the right as I could, we safely passed and both went on our way. No harm , no foul.

Among the younger male crowd there was also a long standing tradition to see who could drive from the bridge to Youngman’s Garage in Napoleon in the shortest amount of time.

At that time,the world’s record was  held by another Napeleonite at 9 minutes and 40 seconds. Jim Youngman , my trusty navigator and timekeeper and I knew, that with proper planning, we could set a new all time world’s record.

Anyone who knows the area realizes that the 13 miles of highway between Napoleon and Batesville is extremely hilly and curvy, making it very difficult to make any real time. This would take some thought.

After discussing our attempt at the world record for many weeks, charting the course, and deciding the best possible time to attempt the historic run, we decided that just before dark would be desirable, as there was less traffic on the roads. Safety was one of our main concerns as we wanted ourselves and others to live to tell about it.

 There were no rules as to what route we needed to take, so it was decided to take the Salem Church Road,and turn right on county road 350W, thereby eliminating some curves and hills. It would also mean we would need to travel less distance in Napoleon,we could save some time  by eliminating as much  town driving as possible.

The appointed time had arrived, it was time to make history! Entering the bridge in my 1952 Pontiac ,straight eight, four door sedan , no one was coming and race was on! Luck was with us as we raced down 229, not a car was in sight, all was going well as we made the right turn onto Salem Church Road, we could see that a new world’s record was within reach.

Turning left onto CR350W , it was only a matter of time until a new champion was crowned.

As we made the right turn onto Wilson Street in Napoleon , we were on the homestretch, all we had to worry about was crossing busy Hwy 421 , luck was still on our side, not a car in sight. With smoking brakes and a smile on our face, we coasted into Youngman’s Garage parking lot. The Timex told the story: 9 minutes 30 seconds.

We were the champs, we had gotten our 15 minutes of fame in 9 minutes and 30 seconds.

Several years later, as highway traffic increased and rail traffic decreased, the bridge was torn down and replaced with a grade crossing. Can’t have any fun at all anymore.

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Gary has been a writer/ photographer for over 20 years, specializing in nature,landscapes and studying native cultures.Besides visiting most of the United States, he has traveled to such places as Egypt,the Canary Islands,much of the Caribbean. He has studied  the Mayan Cultures in Central America, and the Australian Aboriginal way of life.Photography has given him the opportunity to observe life in many different parts of the world!

He has published several books about the various cultures he has observed.

For more information and a link to his hard cover and Ebooks,and contact information: please check his website.www.commonsensejourneys.com

Your comments appreciated

There is an extreme shortage of common sense in today’s world,
I often think back to what my parents and grandparents believed and said, at the time I thought they were totally out of their mind and ignored it. I now wish I would have listened and followed their advice more often.
It is in this light I have decided to publish some of my random thoughts based on the views of our ancestors.

Thanksgiving Weather Forecast

Turkeys will thaw in the morning, then warm in the oven to an
afternoon high near 190F. The kitchen will turn hot and humid, and if
you bother the cook, be ready for a severe squall or cold shoulder.

During the late afternoon and evening, the cold front of a knife
will slice through the turkey, causing an accumulation of one to two
inches on plates. Mashed potatoes will drift across one side, while
cranberry sauce creates slippery spots on the other. Please pass the
gravy.

A weight watch and indigestion warning have been issued for the entire area, with increased stuffiness around the beltway.

During the evening, the turkey will diminish and taper off to leftovers, dropping to a low of 34F in the refrigerator.

Looking ahead to Friday and Saturday, high pressure to eat sandwiches
will be established. Flurries of leftovers can be expected both days
with a 50 percent chance of scattered soup late in the week. We expect a
warming trend where soup develops.

By early next week, eating pressure will be low as the only wish left will be the bone.

John Stretch Park Lake Okeechobee Florida

Sharkeys Pier Photo Art by lifejourneysimages
Find other Florida Photography at zazzle.com

John Stretch Park located near the small town of South Bay in southern Florida is an interesting place to take a little break from the long drive up highway 27 from Fort Lauderdale or Miami on your way to parts unknown .

Situated on Lake Okeechobee , it is a small park featuring some of the old pumps and equipment that had been used in the past to control the flooding in this part of the state .

Shown here is an old Nordberg 1655 Horse Power diesel engine that served for many years. This 11 cylinder engine only consumed 65 gallons of fuel per hour, and thus was capable of pumping 1,861,392,900 gallons of water in the same time period.

With the introduction of newer more efficient engines it was retired in 1989.
 Bring your picnic basket as there are plenty of tables available to enjoy a small lunch before resuming your journey.

 Gary has been a writer/ photographer for over 20 years, specializing in nature,landscapes and studying native cultures.Besides visiting most of the United States, he has traveled to such places as Egypt,the Canary Islands,much of the Caribbean. He has studied  the Mayan Cultures in Central America, and the Australian Aboriginal way of life.Photography has given him the opportunity to observe life in many different parts of the world!

He has published several books about the various cultures he has observed.

For more information and a link to his hard cover and Ebooks,and contact information: please check his website.www.commonsensejourneys.com

Your comments appreciated

 

 

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Siesta Key Sea Oats

Siesta Key Sarasota Florida

One of the top ten most beautiful beaches in the world, Siesta Key Beach beckons to anyone who may want to kick back , relax and forget about the world’s worry’s, if only for a few hours.

Many clumps of sea oats dot this beach, adding to the beauty and serenity of the area. The white sandy beach, which always feels cool to the feet is perfect for beach walking, far from spring break crowds, the area enjoys plenty of escapees from the north land without the normal college crowds.

Located just an hour south of Tampa International airport, Siesta Key is  conveniently located near such popular attractions as Disney World and Epcot.

Gary has been a writer/ photographer for over 20 years, specializing in nature,landscapes and studying native cultures.Besides visiting most of the United States, he has traveled to such places as Egypt,the Canary Islands,much of the Caribbean. He has studied  the Mayan Cultures in Central America, and the Australian Aboriginal way of life.Photography has given him the opportunity to observe life in many different parts of the world!

He has published several books about the various cultures he has observed.

For more information and a link to his hard cover and Ebooks,and contact information: please check his website.www.commonsensejourneys.com

Your comments appreciated

 

 

 

Love for Others

As we travel through life ,  change is inevitable. As we approach certain milestones in life it is only natural  to have our thoughts and values evolve into something new .

Marriage, having children , the death of a parent or loved one , as well attaining the age of 30 , middle age, or reaching what some regard as retirement age, these milestones all normally bring on new realizations concerning the meaning of life and our relationship with others.

Not only do we change, but the people around us change as well , not only because of their new realizations, but as a result of our new attitudes and how they adapt to them.

Through all of this , how do we continue to love them as we did before?

We can only accept them as they are, and allow them to be themselves. We don’t have the ability or right to make them into something they aren’t. They can only learn these life lessons for themselves, no one can do it for them. As one travels through life, we drop old patterns , habits, and wants.  We become someone else, not only do the cells in our body completely  replenish every seven years, our whole persona  undergoes a transformation.

If they can’t, or we can’t relate to their/our  new life pattern, or if the purpose for us being together vanishes, they too will vanish from our lives. Oftentimes they will develop what we would consider destructive patterns, this is an indication to us it is time to move on.

 One has to love himself enough to not be brought down by what we consider self-destructive people, if we don’t , we will keep attracting that sort of personality until we are brought down. They are simply on a different life path than we are, all paths are valid, and one path isn’t better or worse than another, just different. All paths have the same destination so we will meet up again, when our spiritual paths again cross and are compatible.

 The best thing to do is understand that they are on their own journey ,it isn’t either good or bad, it is only different than ours, give them our love and understanding and let them go on their way.

The lessons for this relationship have been learned and it is time to move on to bigger and different adventures . As this  is understood, many positive events begin to occur. Starting on a subconsciousness level, our life situation changes, souls who we are more compatible with begin entering our life, creating a more positive environment in which we can learn,love, and prosper.

Thus by loving others unconditionally, letting them evolve at their own pace, our own lives become richer, fuller, and more prosperous.

I would welcome any thoughts or comments you would have.

Affirmations

Do affirmations work?

You often hear it said by the non-believer that affirmations don’t work. When you understand what an affirmation really is and when you look back on your life, you can only agree with the notion that correct thinking and attitude do indeed make a difference.

Often it is thought affirmations are a conscious effort to plant in the subconscious mind as well as the universe a desire or thought about how we would like for our future to play out. While this may be true, there is much more to it than that.

Charting one’s life is more about a continuous thought process than spending fifteen minutes every morning in meditation. Saying affirmations is only part of the process, if we spend fifteen minutes every morning meditating and the rest of the day complaining or having negative thoughts then the time spent meditating is pretty much for naught. It’s like taking batting practice for the big game , but not believing you can get a hit. Your negative thoughts have just wiped out any chance of success all of your practice could have produced.

I view affirmations and thoughts as being prayers, we are continuously thinking every day, all day. Our thoughts and feelings are prayers or affirmations. The things we thing about is the fodder for fueling our future.When you look back , you have to realize that the way you thought and acted is what has determined where you are today .

Regardless of our beginnings, whether they be humble, or if you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth, your thoughts have determined where you are at this moment in time.

I know souls experience hardships in life that create environments that seriously hinder their advancement, socially and economically. However many people have over come extreme hardships while others who have had a so-called easier time of it accomplish very little. In itself that proves what a positive attitude and correct thinking can accomplish.

A morning affirmation, or time spent meditating sets the tone for the day, it can wipe out any negativity and create an environment where one is placed in the right frame of mind to continue thinking positive thoughts ,while developing a good attitude and leading one in the direction to make a positive change in his or her life.

It doesn’t matter what life gives you, you can turn it around. Words and thoughts have power, speak and think carefully and wisely , change your thinking and your life will turn around, maybe not overnight,but it will turn around.  Stay consistent and make a choice on a daily basis to think the thoughts that make you feel good, in time positive changes will be seen.

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The author has been a writer/photographer for over thirty years. Specializing in nature and landscape photography, as well as studying native cultures.

His travels have taken him to most of the United States, as well as Australia, Belize, Egypt and the Canary Islands.

He has studied the Mayan culture of Central America as well as the aborigines of Australia. Photography has given him the opportunity to observe life in various parts of the world.

He has published several books about his adventures.

For more information, please consult his website,www.journeysthrulife.com.

Your comments welcome

Manifesting your Desires

Written by: Gary Wonning

Manifesting Your Desires

Often times it is asked,”How do I manifest the things in  my life that I want, need, and desire?”
Is it possible for us to create our own destiny? Is it possible for us to not create our destiny ? Is it sinful to even think that we can control our life, isn’t that up to God and we are helpless to what destiny fate has to offer us?

As one travels through life, if they are aware at all of the circumstances and situations that evolve in life, it becomes obvious that we do create or manifest our destiny. Just think back through time and remember what you were thinking several years ago, or some of the actions taken in your youth. You can’t help but realize the actions and thoughts you had at a younger life have made a profound effect on the life you are leading now.

I think these thoughts create in some the false belief that the future cannot be changed, one is forever doomed to a life of misery because of actions taken at an earlier time. True some results can’t be changed, however that doesn’t mean the future is bleak.

Every life situation is a learning experience, there are no accidents in life, everything that happens to us is a result of us volunteering on some level of consciousness to have the opportunity to evolve and learn.

Once you realize this , your life changes ,Slowly, you begin to take responsibility for yourself, by yourself, and you make yourself a promise to never betray yourself and to never ever settle for less than your heart’s desire. A sense of power is born through self-reliance.

Through all of life’s disappointments your dreams will come true. Just follow your heart, and don’t settle for less, never let go of your dream.
Pray, not for material things, but for the wisdom and strength and confidence to preserve, to face each day and each challenge until your dreams have come true, and you have reached your goal.

You are a living expression of God, the God force acts within and through you, get out of the way, don’t limit God’s power,just let it happen.

Even though you have to look out for yourself , never forget to keep other’s welfare in mind also, always meditate so that the outcome will be for the highest good of all concerned. That doesn’t mean to meditate or pray for what we perceive as the highest good,or the easiest ,most desirable path, but rather let the God Source determine the highest good. We as humans, being co-creators, have the option as to pursue what is offered to us or wait for the next possibility.

. We as humans don’t really know what is best for another, they are the only one’s who can determine that, all we can do is let them make their own choice, based on the information available at the time.
 
Now you can follow me on Kindle.

Gary has been a writer/ photographer for over 20 years, specializing in nature,landscapes and studying native cultures.Besides visiting most of the United States, he has traveled to such places as Egypt,the Canary Islands,much of the Caribbean. He has studied  the Mayan Cultures in Central America, and the Australian Aboriginal way of life.Photography has given him the opportunity to observe life in many different parts of the world!

He has published several books about the various cultures he has observed.

For more information and a link to his hard cover and Ebooks,and contact information: please check his website.www.commonsensejourneys.com

Your comments appreciated

 

Perfection:What is it?

Written by: The Bashful Country Boy

Perfection: What is it?

There are many definitions of perfection, depending upon our frame of reference. Some would say it is total commitment or being at one with the universe, or accepting “What is”.

Personally, I think it is knowing we can and are able to choose our destiny.

Regardless of the chaos currently in our lives , we have to understand it is all for a reason. Many times we cannot comprehend the purpose until sometime after the chaos ends. Often times we are so distracted by the disorder,it leaves us unable to contemplate it’s meaning.

The thing to remember at this time is that all of creation is in order. Everything is created out of chaos, even our own total being. we are supplying the cast and circumstances of this dream called life.

Our “Dream Time”, as the Australian Aborigines would call it, is being played out by us after being created by us and our co-creator , God.

In order to attain “Perfection” everything in life was created by us on some level of consciousness. The purpose of this is to enable us to learn and grow , thus enabling us to finally  learn the lesson . After we finally “Get It”, the challenge will no longer manifest and we can move on to another learning experience.
 
One step to obtaining perfection is to realize that our thoughts have power, however we are more powerful than our thoughts, hence we can change our thoughts and change our life.

As you get older you will realize this is true,as you begin to realize that life has given you exactly what you wished  for and thought about. In the process one realizes he is more powerful than imagined, it is miraculous to realize that you are running your life, you are not being run by your thoughts. You have more power than your thoughts , they only have as much power as you give them.

You have to understand that your thoughts only have as much power as you give them, the more attention given , the more power they have over you.Give them no attention and their power is taken away and they disappear.

Every time you make a decision, you are evolving and creating a new reality, a reality different than previously chosen.Putting the whole thing in perspective, you are turning your life into a heavenly existence or descending into the chambers of hell.

Once this is realized, you can send your life in the direction you want by changing your thoughts. It enables you to let go of the past , the mistakes and regrets,and focus on the future, strive for perfection, and have an opportunity for a second chance.

Now you can follow me on Kindle.

 The author has been a writer/ photographer for over 20 years, specializing in nature,landscapes and studying native cultures.Besides visiting most of the United States, he has traveled to such places as Egypt,the Canary Islands,much of the Caribbean. He has studied  the Mayan Cultures in Central America, and the Australian Aboriginal way of life.Photography has given him the opportunity to observe life in many different parts of the world!

He has published several books about the various cultures he has observed.

For more information and a link to his hard cover and Ebooks,and contact information: please check his website.www.commonsensejourneys.com

Your comments appreciated

 

A lifelong spiritual journey, available in both hard cover and Ebook.