Crossing the Bar by Alfred Lord Tennyson

Sunset and evening star One clear call for me! And may there be no moaning of the bar, When I put out to sea, But such a tide as moving seems asleep, Too full for sound or foam, When that which drew from out of the boundless deep. Turns again home

. Twilight and evening bell, And after that the dark! And may there be no sadness of farewell, When I embark; For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place The flood may bear me far, I hope to see my Pilot face to face When I have crossed the bar. When Muhammad Ali died, his memorial service was long and the celebrities and dignitaries lined up to say something about the man "who floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee." Princess Diana had the royal procession, and Ronald Reagan had the Presidential funeral parade that featured the riderless horse with the backwards boots in the stirrups. This is what ensues when a celebrity, princess or politician dies, but what about those who pass without the fanfare. Today, Tripp (Robert Owen the third), as he was called, was the first of my classmates (from the great old school of St. Genevieve/ Gibbons Hall in Asheville, NC, passed away due to the ravages of hated cancer, complicated by ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease.) There will be no parade. Will Smith will not be a pall bearer, but the world is a little less colorful without our friend. For who sings the praises of a life lived day to day, as most of us do? That job is left to us who remain behind to celebrate ordinary lives of extraordinary individuals. We can recall with laughter how he loved to do things he really shouldn't have. Like the time he put noise poppers in his favorite teacher's, (Mr. Olsen's) erasers. It made him so mad, and even madder as he sat in his chair where Tripp had placed more poppers under each leg. Jo, who related a tale of how Tripp shot her with his BB gun and knocked her off her bike one afternoon after they had planned a party for the next weekend together, likes to remind us of the brilliant mind Tripp possessed and what a great loss it is. One of the best things that has happened concerning Tripp for me was his surprise birthday party last year. He made sure that I was found and invited. (I had been out of touch for 36 years.) I told him we had to get together every 36 years whether we needed to or not. It has meant a great deal to me that I was returned home through his actions, (shout out to Michelle M. too,) and I was able to be around through his short, difficult journey home. All that is left is to say thank you. Thank you to his family for their love and faithfulness. Thank you for the professional caregivers who contributed to his health. Thank you for the rallying of the SG/GH classmates to encourage him as much as we were able from the places we have scattered to build our adult lives. Thank you to Facebook for allowing us ongoing group discussion on the situation. Most of all, thank you Tripp for being you, giving us good memories and sharing your brilliant mind, mischief and history with us all. I am sure heaven is happy to have you with them today and there is a homecoming party going on for you. Say hello to your Grandfather, Dr. Robert Owen. Thank him for saving my Dad's life when he had appendicitis as a boy, so I can write this tribute to you today. He is now with his dog in the above picture. Throw the ball for him Tripp!!!!

BOHEMIAN RENAISSANCE LITERARY MAGAZINE

The first issue of Bohemian Renaissance has come off the press!! If you would like a copy, please send your request to bohemianlitmag@gmail.com. If you would like to submit any literary or art work for publication, please send a word or pdf.file to bohemianlitmag@gmail.com. Submit artwork in jpeg. format. The website is under construction and I will keep you posted on it's progress.

SOMETHING ELSE?

Orlando has my condolences and well wishes. Saturday night’s massacre was not about gays or guns, it was about across the board hate and maybe something more. The LBGT community feels targeted. The Hollywood folks and left leaners came out about the evil of guns, gun owners and more control of guns. The man who perpetrated this horrific act of violence was a follower of an extreme cult-like “religion” which teaches hate. Its doctrine preaches across the board intolerance and excusable murder to those who do not follow the guidelines and lifestyle of this cult. Guidelines that can be interpreted to suit those who judge at any time. It can be broken down into the simplest terms. The followers of this cult hate where they live, they hate their poverty, hate their government. They come to the United States and other freer European countries. They hate that the new home is not like the old home. They want it to conform to the practices that they abhorred and kept them downtrodden in their own country, even though they are offered a good life in their new environment. This mindset cannot, nor will not progress to allow for the 14 centuries of change that the world has undergone. Whether it be for right or for wrong, no one can deny that the world is no longer as it was in the days of their prophet. Omar Mateen, like the Tsarnaev brothers grew up in the United States. All three had ample opportunity to expand their horizon with public schooling, and for further education if were so inclined. They were not required to give up their heritage. As American citizens, they had the freedom to worship, live and do as they like. Instead of embracing the lifestyle and opportunity here as many generations of American immigrants have done since before the seventeen century, they chose to jump on the same tired, radical doctrine that their parents left behind in their home country. All the schooling, kindness, television, libraries and other educational media could not root out the hate that is part of this archaic cult religion. It is true that Islam feels that homosexuals should be killed. They do this in Middle Eastern countries. It is true that Islam feels that women should be second class citizens with males being the only human beings with any civil rights at all, or even the right to life, as they can be murdered if they are perceived “bad” for any and all reasons. It is not guns that took on animated life and limbs, driving to Pulse nightclub to kill people. That took a human hand, heart and mind. Guns are not the only way to kill. Cain killed Abel with a rock. In centuries past, there were swords, axes, knives, mace ball flairs, nun chucks and the list goes on and on. These don’t even touch on poison, asphyxiation or other ways to cause death. France has one of the toughest gun laws of any country. Why didn’t that save Charlie Hebdo or the people in the last massacre? https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2015/01/09/france-has-strict-gun-laws-why-didnt-that-save-charlie-hebdo-victims/ Gun laws are not the answer as criminals do not follow laws. Perhaps it is something more, if Alex Jones is to be given credence. http://www.wnd.com/2016/06/alex-jones-on-orlando-massacre-its-a-government-cover-up/ It is ironic that gun massacres have been so prevalent in the last eight years. To be honest, it is probably a given that the current administration thought they would have more gun control by 2016. Instead, they only increased gun sales exponentially. AMERICANS WILL NOT GIVE UP THEIR GUNS!!!!!!!!!! What if the government is instigating these events to gain greater control, not just of guns, but of the citizenry? It wouldn’t be unheard of, it has probably happened in other places in one way or another, at some time. Cuba’s guns were taken away, then Castro became a dictator. A Cuban, or any communist country, or Nazi Germany immigrant that went through these types of political upheaval will be more than happy to tell anyone why citizens should NEVER, EVER give up their guns. Could the violence and bloodshed be a little something more, like buy one get one free? The Democratic presumptive presidential candidate is treading some serious legal water right now. The current administration says it will not interfere with any departmental investigation, but is extremely defensive and blocking almost every effort. The White House itself is blocking Clinton’s emails until after the election. http://en.apa.az/print/244818 If it were as simple as hate, or lack of guns, this would not be the crisis that it is. Unfortunately, no one wants to define in in hard terms or call it by its real name. Americans are fighting an uphill battle against an unseen, unpredictable foe. It is a foe that can easily show up in the clothes of a friend, a neighbor, a classmate or an elected official. Unless the line is drawn and the citizenry are willing to acknowledge the evils that are working in the background, this violence and hate will not stop, but increase.

Bared Expectations

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bared-Expectations-Collection-Candace-Hardin-ebook/dp/B00SK6DLJ8 My book of poetry available on Amazon.com

Today's Hit Parade - or - He Said / She Said

Recently, many people have made remarks that perhaps they will have to eat in the coming days. The First Amendment guarantees the right to free speech and everyone is entitled to their opinion. Everyone has a right to live their lives as they see fit. That being said, here are some highlights of possible crow, for later consumption: Event - Beyonce’s half time performance at the Super Bowl with various captions, one being, “stop shooting us.” Retort: Stop breaking the law, going for the gun and bashing in a cop’s face, as happened with the Ferguson MO incident. Perhaps, that might lead to positive results, worth a try anyway. Quote – Mitt Romney says there is a bombshell in Trump’s taxes! Retort: Really, Mitt? The time to grow a pair was in 2012 when you tiptoed around your opponent in the presidential election, and gave us four more years of the current administration. Please, Go Away! Event – Leonardo DiCaprio finally wins an Oscar. Uses stage to stump for his delusional global warming cause. Retort: What about your yachts and use of your plane? Do you think those might leave a carbon footprint, or is all that jibber for the ordinary Joe trying to make a living? Quotes – Former Mexican president Felipe Calderon was quoted as saying that Mexico would never pay for Trump’s “stupid” wall. Another former Mexican president, Vicente Fox, dropped the “F” bomb in an interview about the question of the wall at the border. Retort: Maybe Mexico won’t write a check for the wall, but it is going to come out of their pocket when, “Juannie” comes marching home. They will need places to live and employment for a eleven million or so people. That is going to leave a mark on their wallet, no doubt. Event – A Marine was forcibly ejected from a stump by Bill Clinton for his wife for simply asking a pertinent question. His question was in regard to her Bengazi scandal’s involvement. Retort: Since when was the First Amendment repealed? As a person in the Armed Forces, he had a right to know if Hillary was elected CIC, would she abandon him or his regiment in their time of need. What is this trend that prohibits the general public from asking questions about the actions of such as Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama? Why would these officials be above the law and their responsibility to the American People? Finally, the cherry on top, the straw that breaks the camel’s back, the crack you stepped on to break your Mama’s back and the moment you have all been waiting for! Quote – From Al Sharpton, Raven Simone, Cher, Whoopi Goldberg, Samuel L. Jackson, et al, Who swear to leave the USA if Trump or a Republican is elected to the presidency. Retort: In the immortal words of the character Curly Bill, played by Powers Boothe in Tombstone, “Well….Bye!” http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=tombstone+curly+bill+quotes&view=detailv2&&id=556F25EDCAAE9D3F7F812BC5F8EC5BE0373F0157&selectedIndex=0&ccid=3ocREN%2b9&simid=608016792758390544&thid=OIP.Mde871110dfbd507d750fea046c26b5ddo1&ajaxhist=0 That, boys and girls, is today’s hit parade of idiots and their ramblings. Stay tuned for more as the election season progresses!!!

Please Stop

The day after Super Tuesday has shown that the people have spoken. Hundreds of Democrats left the party to vote Republican. They have made a major win for Trump. If this trend continues, Trump should receive the nomination. If the RNC continues its tantrum about the legally elected candidate, we will have another Democratic president. The USA cannot survive 8 more years of a Democratic administration. I don't know what Trump or Cruz might do good or bad. I do know what a liberal tax and spend administration can destroy. Solidarity - please!!!!

Hometown Issues ( Photo of my Grandparents, Father, Uncle and Sister - 1959 Canton, NC)

The RNC and the DNC, along with the out of touch liberal media have their own ideas about what is important for the 2016 election. It is a shame how out of touch these judgmental, wealthy elitists are when it comes to what is important to the average person on Main Street. America is a country formed by the original rebels who left Europe to make their lives in the manner they deemed best, following God, Family and Country, with their own values. All they wanted was an even chance to succeed, regardless of their birth status. The United States was created with this at the heart of her Doctrine and the Republic that deemed all men equal. The pieces of the United States come in all sizes. There are the large cities, small towns and everything in between. Today’s topic is one example of the hometown fabric that has built the shining place on the hill that so many have been inspired to call home. The place is Canton, NC, a small mill town in the Appalachian Mountains. There is a paper mill there that has been in existence for over a hundred years. It built the town up around it, and supported many a generation through depression, world war and a declining manufacturing environment and overall economy. As the song Papertown by Balsam Range says, “This ain’t just another Papertown, it’s the one that I call home.”http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=papertown+by+balsam+range&&view=detail&mid=739A67B3D8EBA2025EF4739A67B3D8EBA2025EF4&rvsmid=739A67B3D8EBA2025EF4739A67B3D8EBA2025EF4&FORM=VDMCNL&fsscr=0 My Grandfather raised his family working there. He began as a logger at eighteen years old, then moved up to machinist in the mill. His three children, educated by the fruit of his work, became an engineer, a chemist and an artist. My Father worked in the mill as well, and I spent 13 years of my life in Canton, NC. It was common for generations to find their living in the mill. The mill has gone through so many changes as the world reacted to events beyond their control. Today, you will find the mill in operation, but at a greatly diminished capacity in comparison to years past. It has affected the town. It was the largest employer in the area. It provided living wage manufacturing jobs to the population. There is a lot less money to support the commerce that once thrived in the downtown area. This story is one of the key issues that really matter to the people who will vote for a new president in 2016. Watching the news, it seems to be a matter largely ignored and is so far and away from what the media and party officials claims to matter to the average Joe and Jane. The people want to work and earn a living. They want to know that if they send their children to college, there will jobs for them to fill to make their investment pay off. Canton is one location, but Detroit is a prime example of manufacturing that built America and the international trade agreements that have brought about its demise. Last week Carrier announced that the company would be moving the manufacturing to Mexico. Ford just announced they would do the same, citing lower wages, improved logistics and a wealth of free trade agreements.http://conservativenewsroom.com/news/ford-makes-massive-announcement-trump-was-right-on-this-issue/ The American People want to know what the next president is going to do to bring the jobs back to the USA! They want to earn their standard of living and be free to make their own lives as they see fit, without the government sticking their noses in everyday lives. The People built this country with their generational hands, and can do so again with just a chance to work. Neither do they need or want everything free from an oppressive, controlling government. The reason, “Make America Great Again,” has caught fire is because it can and needs to be done again. It is not important who leads America to greatness again, it is important to remember that the leader will have a mighty following. Americans are a proud, headstrong bunch, and the “powers that be” have completely and totally underestimated the heart of the people!