tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21054849037782784672024-03-12T20:56:09.381-07:00klusmanpWriting from "The Cat Engineer"Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05316888968542827218noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2105484903778278467.post-24051166104423597342023-12-04T15:13:00.000-08:002023-12-04T17:39:24.634-08:00Squirrel Assist.<div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Out on a walk this morning I came across a squirrel in the road recently hit by a car. Looking closer I could see rapid breathing and no signs of serious injury except a small hint of blood in its mouth and nose. The poor thing was twitching and making pitiful little noises, and it was in the middle of the road exactly where another car might run it over. I was nervous about getting bit but I couldn't just leave it there, so I carefully picked it up and moved it to a sunny patch of grass.</span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5uzA2u0XCsuoQh7TOqQEPPgpB36tuNL_zHmRggNg0JFR3f7-pplS1ybyalQswhrNq26t7ToSGEfAwn7jzb7Bqin8UBol6yMX9dPC_lQ8s3bpFWSAR_K4XYQCTCPRWTILrS0Vce-9vMELx3XjqtGx1nujVbWQtGWDtNxUMHt1Uo-rO4-gwRPwouPRK43I/s1587/Injured%20sqrl%20crop.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="1587" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5uzA2u0XCsuoQh7TOqQEPPgpB36tuNL_zHmRggNg0JFR3f7-pplS1ybyalQswhrNq26t7ToSGEfAwn7jzb7Bqin8UBol6yMX9dPC_lQ8s3bpFWSAR_K4XYQCTCPRWTILrS0Vce-9vMELx3XjqtGx1nujVbWQtGWDtNxUMHt1Uo-rO4-gwRPwouPRK43I/s320/Injured%20sqrl%20crop.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Poor little squirrel friend continued to twitch and struggle, and I was certain the end was near when it suddenly jumped up and ran a short distance only to collapse on its side again. I watched it for a few more minutes as it repeatedly tried to run and collapse. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I went back to my house for a snow shovel hoping I could use it to move the poor squirrel to a more secluded spot.</span></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">When I arrived back to the squirrel friend I saw it up on its feet and moving. It ran underneath a van and appeared to crawl up into one of the wheels for shelter. I peeked underneath and I could see its tail hanging down from inside the wheel. I decided against trying to wrestle the injured squirrel out from underneath the van hoping it would recover and exit on its own.</span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7gkTtGGlkJdpcPzAFXtKrwnliOxCaZEFf4wKuQkbeB29hhQojKuzOGO7f_DTa8Nzr77R-LV37nC8RMIcwRzECn65qtgikR2X9U2ASals06ZEE00x7Xs78RgZEFg7Rj_8e2eV5uc2vP9TJi6PE-gTfqSHYnwM0vba883VtOTTXQjhypZJkiRq2eGxhNU/s2560/tire%20and%20tail.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7gkTtGGlkJdpcPzAFXtKrwnliOxCaZEFf4wKuQkbeB29hhQojKuzOGO7f_DTa8Nzr77R-LV37nC8RMIcwRzECn65qtgikR2X9U2ASals06ZEE00x7Xs78RgZEFg7Rj_8e2eV5uc2vP9TJi6PE-gTfqSHYnwM0vba883VtOTTXQjhypZJkiRq2eGxhNU/s320/tire%20and%20tail.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">A few hours later I came back to check on squirrel friend and offer some raisins, peanut butter (100% natural), and water. What appeared to be the same squirrel was enjoying some berries at the foot of a tree. I checked underneath the van and happily there was no squirrel inside the wheel. I wasn't 100% sure, but this squirrel under the tree looked pretty much like previously injured squirrel friend. I didn't ask for ID.</span></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejjZRLRyviX0iKjoy1BTYFhQXh5VJJrfU45Dv8qugzY2X9ErWjXdgtimgBh49fTXhUP0Q04Jh1gg4ib-c7vCROZKcyXp26t37D9vFhWU7NVGsSHaeBQJ5KKwoXq3-2vOGltoNpGaP_XotTRbCoCx567nud7dHIJtoS8ovREfrwIFW2ONv4uEXI-TY5Zc/s2287/food%20prep.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1362" data-original-width="2287" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejjZRLRyviX0iKjoy1BTYFhQXh5VJJrfU45Dv8qugzY2X9ErWjXdgtimgBh49fTXhUP0Q04Jh1gg4ib-c7vCROZKcyXp26t37D9vFhWU7NVGsSHaeBQJ5KKwoXq3-2vOGltoNpGaP_XotTRbCoCx567nud7dHIJtoS8ovREfrwIFW2ONv4uEXI-TY5Zc/s320/food%20prep.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">I set out the refreshments and whoever this squirrel was enjoyed a luxurious treat. After getting a full belly, squirrel friend retreated to another tree further removed from the road and climbed up onto a branch to rest in the late afternoon sun. I set the remaining food and water in a secluded spot under a nearby bush for whatever critter may enjoy.</span></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0K9J74TBatfdWHz6cmHUeJJDaYymCULeZpOK8jDzM85bo6kldcILy1DQECHOjpJ1VHJFfOefLJqgxqDgzzSgL5lc3iSQ15flFxKt8DvArLxoKnWwsvorVIgh2wN33Inc59ccOzvxI3CgQoSE7MCPfGZbe4BbotvcNM_5oOqT82FaRe91X5yYw2Uy1h7g/s2560/sqr%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0K9J74TBatfdWHz6cmHUeJJDaYymCULeZpOK8jDzM85bo6kldcILy1DQECHOjpJ1VHJFfOefLJqgxqDgzzSgL5lc3iSQ15flFxKt8DvArLxoKnWwsvorVIgh2wN33Inc59ccOzvxI3CgQoSE7MCPfGZbe4BbotvcNM_5oOqT82FaRe91X5yYw2Uy1h7g/s320/sqr%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNZ8wZ2DTl9PSmhjt_i2vjpI62SXCkbM4q36Q91luZ3gdvYkwxYz9IMPDqo2x9yAqhDvr4oWLZnoIot2C3dJO0jLuKgsQHyTeKjadmftJhBhNm1QgfDe4vf0_4xDRkvyPbxirXQijC4Mr2xH963KyLQPs_KuFW-1oVCjFzH2icd1zHSNmZtLxDNir_Zc/s2560/sqr%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNZ8wZ2DTl9PSmhjt_i2vjpI62SXCkbM4q36Q91luZ3gdvYkwxYz9IMPDqo2x9yAqhDvr4oWLZnoIot2C3dJO0jLuKgsQHyTeKjadmftJhBhNm1QgfDe4vf0_4xDRkvyPbxirXQijC4Mr2xH963KyLQPs_KuFW-1oVCjFzH2icd1zHSNmZtLxDNir_Zc/s320/sqr%203.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQMIRiDx3F8AuAM0BQ_REHHXiOtto-QKDEnsmOhoTsWstRRmYsqxdVNztP0y7KSA5cimNvgCiDhBWPWRKEv-fJG7XWbiZr1OwNTBkXi8lBx06Zjq6_gkV0BnSZxRicXorMyEiyeAJqHcG4CrUrMr2BISA14qEocsfn1uxDEY4ronH6_we2kFlkjQ5HIA/s1359/sqr%204.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="763" data-original-width="1359" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQMIRiDx3F8AuAM0BQ_REHHXiOtto-QKDEnsmOhoTsWstRRmYsqxdVNztP0y7KSA5cimNvgCiDhBWPWRKEv-fJG7XWbiZr1OwNTBkXi8lBx06Zjq6_gkV0BnSZxRicXorMyEiyeAJqHcG4CrUrMr2BISA14qEocsfn1uxDEY4ronH6_we2kFlkjQ5HIA/s320/sqr%204.png" width="320" /></a></div><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">I returned home to find Ashley kitty complaining of her own empty bowl, which I remedied immediately. Actually that's a lie. I wrote out a first draft of this blog post and THEN I filled Ashley's bowl. Poor kitty.</span></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZzVS1UKBqR4Th3gaEOTJfMpENDXYDrDoKMDO9svZnm12P-wAUtJyU4OwZNmW6WP2Bmfh_40mMFHRuWM2jB_ZszILrUPOBsVpH9dvFIOu3cGLIBhTTSmapfYabf8jOUFXEvCTYu9lw-xB7CeyTRrU48TKZt7QQD6BGvC1YHYowWFO9XolOQAHqpg8O4I/s2560/ash%20looking%20bowl.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZzVS1UKBqR4Th3gaEOTJfMpENDXYDrDoKMDO9svZnm12P-wAUtJyU4OwZNmW6WP2Bmfh_40mMFHRuWM2jB_ZszILrUPOBsVpH9dvFIOu3cGLIBhTTSmapfYabf8jOUFXEvCTYu9lw-xB7CeyTRrU48TKZt7QQD6BGvC1YHYowWFO9XolOQAHqpg8O4I/s320/ash%20looking%20bowl.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWeZGJWhmMvYQeIfqOjCVNDOtgFoOV4MI-5hN8tAGPUKWjfHuuZ_SE8MpnAvNWMT4ZLVsMEa7mBziDV-3Z5pNI4H_d5m4gVNQV2NIXsWwkF8FNmdNIoHChIucax8gCUfBwe3eDXd_GzabNQu6KPT9x4yarl7-U7JK4OQyqqS4RmZ4ZDkcZKK6gwNTtdQ/s2560/ash%20looking%20me.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWeZGJWhmMvYQeIfqOjCVNDOtgFoOV4MI-5hN8tAGPUKWjfHuuZ_SE8MpnAvNWMT4ZLVsMEa7mBziDV-3Z5pNI4H_d5m4gVNQV2NIXsWwkF8FNmdNIoHChIucax8gCUfBwe3eDXd_GzabNQu6KPT9x4yarl7-U7JK4OQyqqS4RmZ4ZDkcZKK6gwNTtdQ/s320/ash%20looking%20me.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDaOkQhWYEGZNjFjQWomfcFAVGMbD1WvfDWRCzprikPvRtNCy-2w-XrnI8R38W72hMpCsQ0nC_AI6tpCThAp_x-0nyJ-EtJKJexJtlaycPfNO1-944bg_BIf7s7toe4h7W6JVETGXBHEj-f3vDRSmzIqEW93wbO2zHkCh4iLOdo4pR2ft2bCSzc-BqfYM/s2560/ash%20meowin.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDaOkQhWYEGZNjFjQWomfcFAVGMbD1WvfDWRCzprikPvRtNCy-2w-XrnI8R38W72hMpCsQ0nC_AI6tpCThAp_x-0nyJ-EtJKJexJtlaycPfNO1-944bg_BIf7s7toe4h7W6JVETGXBHEj-f3vDRSmzIqEW93wbO2zHkCh4iLOdo4pR2ft2bCSzc-BqfYM/s320/ash%20meowin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">- The End -</div></span></div><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span></p>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05316888968542827218noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2105484903778278467.post-71174290389239957132023-11-12T17:00:00.000-08:002023-11-12T17:00:47.313-08:00A Cloud Can Never Die<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: large;">When you look up into the blue sky on a clear day you may notice that your favorite cloud is gone, and you are sad. You believe that your cloud has died, but a cloud can never die. A cloud can never die, it can only transform. A cloud will become rain, which falls to the ground to nourish the plants and animals. Some of the rain will collect into a stream, which flows into a river, and eventually makes its way to the sea. The sun will then warm the sea, and moisture will rise up into the air. The wind will carry the warm air back to you, and when it cools the moisture will form again into your cloud. A cloud can never die, it can only transform.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Over half of your body is made of cloud. If you take the cloud out of your body there is no YOU left. The clouds that are in your body today were floating in the sky at one time. The clouds in your body were also a part of someone else’s body. The clouds that are in your body have been a part of many different forms of life. When your loved one is gone you can look up into the sky and see them in the form of a cloud. You can wave to them and say, “Hello my little cloud. Hello my dear friend I see you up there in the sky. Have a good time floating free. One day I will join you, and we will float in the sky together.”</span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDS24XP-fx0RwWKZJBuakXOMPpqnzP3vWkautb8fiRgJ6-A016wbpBEnGSUjIsGIO7dL6HzFrCi9BQ7-8yhEa6ZJtEI1n_eXHHWJbw3sLDxiP_iA-b0KTKOGsB8YMtQoi-HJyKHd0wAASqPC-DnRJeM3oLM6hTbuqjAGYHejsRgsLX7_tJl55Sf3XPlVE/s1024/DCMEX-Cloud-Formation-1280px-1024x576.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDS24XP-fx0RwWKZJBuakXOMPpqnzP3vWkautb8fiRgJ6-A016wbpBEnGSUjIsGIO7dL6HzFrCi9BQ7-8yhEa6ZJtEI1n_eXHHWJbw3sLDxiP_iA-b0KTKOGsB8YMtQoi-HJyKHd0wAASqPC-DnRJeM3oLM6hTbuqjAGYHejsRgsLX7_tJl55Sf3XPlVE/s320/DCMEX-Cloud-Formation-1280px-1024x576.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">(Based on the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh)</span></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05316888968542827218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2105484903778278467.post-72857579536478799402023-10-04T20:39:00.007-07:002023-10-05T14:02:46.113-07:00Based on True Events with Poetic License<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">To Emylee with Inspiration From Emily</span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Paul Klusman</span></span><p style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">My friend Emylee says,<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">"All my poems lately are crap<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">And I don't want to write poems anymore."<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">But I feel like a person has good<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">And bad poems and the bad<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Ones have to get written before</span></p><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The good ones can emerge from<br style="outline: none;" />The heart or the mind or the hand<br style="outline: none;" />And make their way onto the page<br style="outline: none;" />Where they land<br /><br /></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">So that others can read them sitting there<br style="outline: none;" />Sipping coffee, tea, or beer,<br style="outline: none;" />Or wine<br style="outline: none;" />And tell themselves exactly which poems<br style="outline: none;" />Are terrible and which ones are fine.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">So I said, "Write them anyway."</span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">And besides who's to say<br style="outline: none;" />What is good and what is bad<br style="outline: none;" />Even Emily Dickinson wanted all her<br style="outline: none;" />Poems burned that she had<br /><br /></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Written when she was alive after she was dead<br style="outline: none;" />So she must have thought her poems were bad even though people likely said,<br style="outline: none;" />"They're better than the poems I've got bouncing around in my head."<br style="outline: none;" />So rather than burning Emily's poems they published them instead<br /><br /></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">And all the world delighted in the thoughts of a quiet reclusive girl<br style="outline: none;" />Who's pen could turn a grain of sand into a pearl<br /><br /></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Who's verse would only arrive<br style="outline: none;" />After she was gone back in the day<br style="outline: none;" />And was lucky to avoid... the trap<br style="outline: none;" />Of fame when she was alive<br style="outline: none;" />And might have been known to say,<br style="outline: none;" />"All my poems lately... are crap."</span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQrVOk4rDKVZSGLG1enQusUC6XpI4EIKieYhESx1FzdD-6MSTLsQgue_Bn2zXy2LEI1VTwsuRTmQ8uOVpUg31bBBQb3ITbXtvRgpcE48Vk7VJL8GxY3KdsmtIZ_48YKg96kRBLF-menGQh0otV8NexCt6stpwJIhIL2OsMMS6X1cfPooUswGSbYv7F4AA/s813/Em.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="813" data-original-width="624" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQrVOk4rDKVZSGLG1enQusUC6XpI4EIKieYhESx1FzdD-6MSTLsQgue_Bn2zXy2LEI1VTwsuRTmQ8uOVpUg31bBBQb3ITbXtvRgpcE48Vk7VJL8GxY3KdsmtIZ_48YKg96kRBLF-menGQh0otV8NexCt6stpwJIhIL2OsMMS6X1cfPooUswGSbYv7F4AA/s320/Em.png" width="246" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: none; text-align: left;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: none; text-align: left;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: none; text-align: left;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: none; text-align: left;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: none; text-align: left;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: none; text-align: left;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: none; text-align: left;"></p>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05316888968542827218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2105484903778278467.post-11745688803017918352023-09-30T09:54:00.005-07:002023-09-30T19:50:38.578-07:00Poetry to an Unknown Friend<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: x-large;">To an Unknown</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Paul Klusman</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">In the dark of night<br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">When I'm all alone<br /></span>When the cold is creeping<br />And all my friends are flown</span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />I turn to words of wisdom<br />Sent many years before<br />By another lonely soul<br />On a far off distant shore<br /><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Across the gulf of time<br />To reach my weary eye<br />To offer needed comfort<br />And light to read them by<br /><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This quiet salutation<br />Lifts my darkened soul<br />What simple little gift<br />To make my spirit whole<br /><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What kind and lovely grace<br />To keep me company<br />To chase away the gloom<br />And set my spirit free<br /><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now I send a greeting<br />To join you on your way<br />My unknown fellow traveller<br />Of a long and dreary day<br /><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As others have before me<br />Dropped pebbles in a pond<br />And sent a tiny ripple<br />Into the great beyond<br /><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I make this declaration<br />Dear reader be it known<br />This one eternal truth:</span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />That you are not alone</span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33gwiy8cI5JyDVscyh2nEpoAVzagnNy1dJvnm0MwWzJu-ugst-JIxNEtIhh7dIcOoSPJv1S7eAQCTkg1xysSmCODtB2dft6qSZUBloF1X7csyvRNpbYkCNMaoz30bWCiA8RoZs_ubrXte-yY3dxaPQr-NjUhTmvTNcj2N3ChryDheRLhyphenhyphensLVoh274GuY/s654/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-30%20at%2011.50.27%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="654" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33gwiy8cI5JyDVscyh2nEpoAVzagnNy1dJvnm0MwWzJu-ugst-JIxNEtIhh7dIcOoSPJv1S7eAQCTkg1xysSmCODtB2dft6qSZUBloF1X7csyvRNpbYkCNMaoz30bWCiA8RoZs_ubrXte-yY3dxaPQr-NjUhTmvTNcj2N3ChryDheRLhyphenhyphensLVoh274GuY/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-30%20at%2011.50.27%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05316888968542827218noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2105484903778278467.post-73747687954824301212023-08-30T18:45:00.005-07:002023-09-30T09:57:11.866-07:00Poetry about Fall<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Greeting to Autumn (Not Without Remembrance)*</span><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;">Paul Klusman</span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />Painting the tops of the tips of trees<br />With a palette of the colors of fall<br />As light grows short and the first hard freeze<br />Autumn comes to call<br /><br /></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">The last bright days make their final round<br />While leaves settle gently to the ground<br />I remember a love, what did become her?</div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">The radio plays, "The Boys of Summer"</div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />When my love's gone, when the radio plays<br />I will think of past days<br /><br /></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">Come out with your rakes, come out with your blowers<br />Tidy your yard with gasoline mowers<br />Pack the leaves into plastic bags<br />Throw away nature and fly your flags<br /><br /></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">On a sunny porch I watch birds and squirrels<br />As the northern wind gets draft deferrals<br /><br /></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">Meanwhile, like days going past in late October<br />Make the nights longer, cold and sober<br />The sun in his passing will sink down low<br />Late in the year to make shadows grow<br /><br /></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">We'll turn our shoulders to coming winter<br />While fireplace logs crackle and splinter<br /><br /></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">What a giver has, what a robber lacks<br />What connects us when we're apart<br />Like a silent flowing candle wax<br />The colors warm my heart</div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsNJQWcyRw6KESwqBvmirEinLXdIABw6-Ib71jMiRW0f2hDBCrFAc1_QRysrKS-V0hznQz14_CdcOwMCl2uu6-XGnLkHiK4NuN-T1N5arPQvktJ0FYbktHZ1lQwe90pk92UbXIGhXJqmnZvto6vrg12CMpovJnEQ0WeZKYZGuRgRFIWh7GxBTtCT9amQ/s1068/Vemront-Header-Image-e1570038273954-1068x600.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1068" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsNJQWcyRw6KESwqBvmirEinLXdIABw6-Ib71jMiRW0f2hDBCrFAc1_QRysrKS-V0hznQz14_CdcOwMCl2uu6-XGnLkHiK4NuN-T1N5arPQvktJ0FYbktHZ1lQwe90pk92UbXIGhXJqmnZvto6vrg12CMpovJnEQ0WeZKYZGuRgRFIWh7GxBTtCT9amQ/s320/Vemront-Header-Image-e1570038273954-1068x600.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>*This is a reply to "Greeting to Spring (Not Without Trepidation)" by Robert Lax<br /></span><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05316888968542827218noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2105484903778278467.post-23595976084094929392023-06-17T17:09:00.007-07:002023-06-19T09:38:41.341-07:00A tribute to my dear departed Oscar<div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">A Thousand Suns</span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Paul Klusman</span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Over the back of the top of the chair<br />Over the tops of the tips of your ears<br />The morning sun warms the cozy spot where<br />You spent all those happy years</span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br />The first bright beam from the eastern sky<br />Searches blindly where you used to lie<br />And kindly paints a golden hue<br />Lovely where I last saw you<br /><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Happily sleeping some days before<br />Now resting there no more<br /><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Still, the sun in his running hastens the hour<br />When a bird sings awake and opens the flower<br />When heat rises up and ripens the day<br />Joyfully come what may<br /><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">What joy you broke your earthly bond<br />Now shine in the great beyond<br /><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Casting your light over the mountains and seas<br />Over diamonds in the morning dew<br />Past the horizon and above the trees<br />Beyond the delirious, burning blue<br /><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Sure like a hawk and sweet like a dove<br />For the elders of daughters and sons<br />Forever set in the heavens above<br />You shine like a thousand suns</span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYPXZsvGqD3Zy6ORdH0MxswJMdOlI73Ff8hIgMxSYb2t2ODdiH_ktY6nfoVbBKpxAlG9_7jN40ffbrM85IrDKqSQha0Cygv1f3tA-BPQWh-WE84TPYwX48HryZJANc_Rog_zcdsTHTNwthrNpKIgodA3QCqU5LCYlIcAbuWi1Q6BOm_jqauH709L2/s2560/Empty%20chair.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYPXZsvGqD3Zy6ORdH0MxswJMdOlI73Ff8hIgMxSYb2t2ODdiH_ktY6nfoVbBKpxAlG9_7jN40ffbrM85IrDKqSQha0Cygv1f3tA-BPQWh-WE84TPYwX48HryZJANc_Rog_zcdsTHTNwthrNpKIgodA3QCqU5LCYlIcAbuWi1Q6BOm_jqauH709L2/s320/Empty%20chair.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05316888968542827218noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2105484903778278467.post-89572570690500068212023-05-25T09:00:00.003-07:002023-09-30T10:00:34.294-07:00Poetry. To my cat in his golden years.<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: x-large;">Ever More</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Paul Klusman</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">The light arrives on time<br /></span>Each day to mark the morn<br />We walk along a line<br />From the day we are born<br /><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Along the winding road<br />Until the journey's done<br />Stand before the ocean<br />To see the setting sun<br /><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Your boat is in the bay<br />And now an evening breeze<br />To call your soul away<br />Across the endless seas<br /><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">And when you do set sail<br />Towards that distant shore<br />Your sun then out of sight<br />I'll love you ever more</span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijz3FUrcKMQVwGJsOeUvczfuYscYFeTJILi1ZbxcvxBKbnLICXj8BQyzS_oaomCNb2f-Q7Jn-O22VWh1AzmXjwP24fetL6SbbAdLKwyh2CQ8JdigB0GuirdcAtHUdi21lyV-iPfGSMekg2SbSLS_WyGY4CntOmWJHDwPGtvxXZE6OiriwnN8Nrybx9/s2560/Oscar%20sunshine%20face.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijz3FUrcKMQVwGJsOeUvczfuYscYFeTJILi1ZbxcvxBKbnLICXj8BQyzS_oaomCNb2f-Q7Jn-O22VWh1AzmXjwP24fetL6SbbAdLKwyh2CQ8JdigB0GuirdcAtHUdi21lyV-iPfGSMekg2SbSLS_WyGY4CntOmWJHDwPGtvxXZE6OiriwnN8Nrybx9/s320/Oscar%20sunshine%20face.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05316888968542827218noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2105484903778278467.post-23395630388625488492023-05-02T15:35:00.002-07:002023-09-30T10:00:08.175-07:00A poem to my elderly plucky cat Oscar<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Borrowed Time</span><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Paul Klusman</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">My plucky cat my Oscar now<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Is thin and old and yet somehow<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">He holds his tail in sturdy cheer<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">And holds the line another year</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">"How much longer?" I ask my friend,<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">"Before you face your final end?"<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">"How many of your nine lives gone?"<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">"How many suns to greet the dawn?"<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">He does not answer as cats are wise<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">And never given to compromise.<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Pausing now for self reflection<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I consider how, in the other direction<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">My cat could ask the same of me<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">How many sunsets might I see?<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">How did we meet in time and space?<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">As ever towards our resting place<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">We step along the daily grind<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Side by side 'till one day find<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The other gone and walk alone<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The other gone and empty home.<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">But here for now your shining grace<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">And here for now your lovely face<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">To fill the hours of the afternoon<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">To feel your presence in the room<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">To share the joy of company<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">To hear the quiet symphony<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Of moments passing out of time<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Fixed here now in verse and rhyme<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">And breathing living sitting near<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I'm glad that you're still here.</span></div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div align="left"><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiig-zifqLGuBTNWOVBJj1_Roa2l1G_n5jz9H9xMKHS-xgRedty_rf1-ZHHIYlPxvP-zM1JRkIiUQRJqKd_LxoV--e1Dz2pgbi53Merem0SOWVTNgPt-yBcaW6uEzXot3kTKNzzY4zN3rjFkaK0EAa1U2_xoDACWSAfk6g1nipOQpLQ8-RI9rvBKzmH/s2560/Oscar%20sunbeam%20early%20May.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiig-zifqLGuBTNWOVBJj1_Roa2l1G_n5jz9H9xMKHS-xgRedty_rf1-ZHHIYlPxvP-zM1JRkIiUQRJqKd_LxoV--e1Dz2pgbi53Merem0SOWVTNgPt-yBcaW6uEzXot3kTKNzzY4zN3rjFkaK0EAa1U2_xoDACWSAfk6g1nipOQpLQ8-RI9rvBKzmH/s320/Oscar%20sunbeam%20early%20May.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05316888968542827218noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2105484903778278467.post-33957599774281064242023-03-06T09:45:00.020-08:002023-09-30T09:59:36.284-07:00Poetry on a Calm and Quiet Morning<div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Contento</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Paul Klusman</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I was sitting still, it was quiet in the room,<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">I was gazing out the window from morning 'till noon.<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">A sunbeam crept along the floor of the place,<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">And bounced off a wall and warmed my face.<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">The cat ate breakfast and gave himself a bath,<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">Then slept in the middle of the sunbeam's path.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">I was sitting still, it was quiet in the room,<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">I was gazing out the window from morning 'till noo</span><span style="font-family: arial;">n.<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">The clouds in the sky hung over the town,<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">And watched over us as the morning came down,<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">Against the burning blue, all thin and white,<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">And drifting </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">and</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">dancing</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> in slow delight.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">I was sitting still, it was quiet in the room,<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">I was gazing out the window from morning 'till noo</span><span style="font-family: arial;">n.<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">The hours slipped away like grains of sand,<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">Pouring out of time and sifting through my hand.<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">I asked the morning, "Should I be somewhere, somehow?"<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">The morning replied, "Right here and right now."</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi19E0m5CZHoq6cvdojHieI8FDuJkDP9nf1tnFQvXLI5hX2AgihHdwxYCkpXaZdACMG-Tx2IslfQE2Mx2j5URFwcD5Ux9Rz3dzuhsT9ALoaWlYc_hTJgBENLC-4AyI7z09uU0QZzvLrRzkgMViveFjzecOf2cVmefgYDPcYqHzVT16Byk5QHT8HD1P3/s994/Screen%20Shot%202023-03-06%20at%2011.29.35%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="609" data-original-width="994" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi19E0m5CZHoq6cvdojHieI8FDuJkDP9nf1tnFQvXLI5hX2AgihHdwxYCkpXaZdACMG-Tx2IslfQE2Mx2j5URFwcD5Ux9Rz3dzuhsT9ALoaWlYc_hTJgBENLC-4AyI7z09uU0QZzvLrRzkgMViveFjzecOf2cVmefgYDPcYqHzVT16Byk5QHT8HD1P3/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-03-06%20at%2011.29.35%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05316888968542827218noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2105484903778278467.post-42917458827286607362023-02-19T14:21:00.002-08:002023-02-22T09:03:54.856-08:00The Lump Under Covers<div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The lump under covers<br />Is where my cat lies<br />Hiding away from<br />The cold gray skies<br /><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Of winter the second<br />Month of the year<br />When scarce is the light<br />And slim is the cheer<br /><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I gaze out the window<br />At the barren trees<br />Waving stiff<br />In the chilly breeze<br /><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Now slipping a hand<span class="Apple-converted-space"> <br /></span>To the soft warm fur<br />My cat replies<br />With a soft gentle purr<br /><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">What grace to share<br />Some comfort somehow<br />What reason to be<br />In the here and the now<br /><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The days grow longer<br />We cannot stop spring<br />Out of the gloom<br />And born on a wing<br /><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">A song of hope<br />What promise to keep<br />My cat lifts his head<br />Then falls back to sleep</span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAOhIuAcSJtc4z-vIjgIgRilRH45g0fKGh0IXHy_Hd8PGVjd575k9583nZOPKvLs0UKVC49nD_6VzbDnSsUb4KmCU4dkruU2vNAKBSiuHYNuJZawl9UtMZFWrl1s8QXf6fBqd3Np3Vc2aY_nhZfWkKTdHbm_CcA_KzKMAfQw7qHwqEmBIoaf1YD8Jc/s2560/oscar%20warm%20cozy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAOhIuAcSJtc4z-vIjgIgRilRH45g0fKGh0IXHy_Hd8PGVjd575k9583nZOPKvLs0UKVC49nD_6VzbDnSsUb4KmCU4dkruU2vNAKBSiuHYNuJZawl9UtMZFWrl1s8QXf6fBqd3Np3Vc2aY_nhZfWkKTdHbm_CcA_KzKMAfQw7qHwqEmBIoaf1YD8Jc/s320/oscar%20warm%20cozy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05316888968542827218noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2105484903778278467.post-84655314570350470572022-12-21T12:30:00.005-08:002023-06-19T09:53:43.788-07:00Here for the Holidays. Original Song.<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Here for the Holidays<br /></span>Paul Klusman<br />(For guitar chords see further below)</span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'll be here for the holidays<br />I'll be here with you<br />Snow flakes are flying<br />Keepsakes are warm<br />But I'll be here with you<br /><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'll be yours through the Yuletide Season<br />I'll be at your side<br />Greetings through letters<br />And the telephone line<br />But I'll be at your side<br /><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'll be home on New Year's Eve<br />When midnight comes around<br />Out with the old<br />In with the new<br />Quiet without a sound<br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'll be with you days and nights<br />I'm with you never fear<br />We'll weather the winter<br />And hope for the spring<br />And lucky another year</span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />With luck another year</span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQmx3GmbTSdplQbb-l5eZ7WmybVxtfBoch1RxG-sBJc7aSSGLd218b2pL_9u3nSEbrFwc7gvN4QpslbWXYjsESOwJD41XQny0ZsAcIyNGiuhfGiX0IrH5eSS4HfmSVGgSmlvOx74j4O7-M-Ug3N6y_dx0uyyZJB_nfj3qytCmRqzTduPKRDVW1Igw7" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="456" data-original-width="769" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQmx3GmbTSdplQbb-l5eZ7WmybVxtfBoch1RxG-sBJc7aSSGLd218b2pL_9u3nSEbrFwc7gvN4QpslbWXYjsESOwJD41XQny0ZsAcIyNGiuhfGiX0IrH5eSS4HfmSVGgSmlvOx74j4O7-M-Ug3N6y_dx0uyyZJB_nfj3qytCmRqzTduPKRDVW1Igw7" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Here for the Holidays<br /></span>Paul Klusman<br />(Including guitar chords - see comments for YouTube video singing and playing guitar)</span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="font-size: medium; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Intro<br />G/Em7/Am/D7<br />Strum 2 measures G<br /><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'll be here for the holidays <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>G/B7<br />I'll be here with you<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Am/E7/Am<br />Snow flakes are flying <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Am/E7<br />Keepsakes are warm <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Am<br />But I'll be here with you <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>G/D<br /><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'll be yours through the Yuletide Season <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>G/B7<br />I'll be at your side <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Am/E7/Am<br />Greetings through letters<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Am/E7<br />And the telephone line<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Am<br />But I'll be at your side<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>G/C/D<br /><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'll be home on New Year's Eve<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>G/B7<br />When midnight comes around<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Am/E7/Am<br />Out with the old<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>D/D with 1st string 3rd fret<br />In with the new <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Am/Am with 1st string 2nd fret<br />Quiet without a sound <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>G/D/D7<br /><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fingerpicking instrument break same as previous verse except no D7 at the end.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'll be with you days and nights <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>G/B7<br />I'm with you never fear <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Am/E7/Am<br />We'll weather the winter <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Am/B7<br />And hope for the spring <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>G/A7<br />And lucky another year<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Am/D/G</span></div><div style="font-size: medium; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />With luck another year <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>C/Am/G</span></div></span></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05316888968542827218noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2105484903778278467.post-63582603907140198992022-11-29T20:34:00.000-08:002022-11-29T20:34:27.917-08:00Winter Thermo Cat<div style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Late in the year as days grow short<br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">As nights grow long and colder<br /></span><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">A creeping shadow on my soul</span><br /><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Another year I’ve grown older</span><br /><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">November’s gale chills the bone</span><br /><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">December’s sky is gray</span><br /><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">The summer sun now is spent</span><br /><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Winter comes to play</span><br /><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">What heat may bring for remedy</span><br /><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Against the growing gloom</span><br /><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">A tiny furry space heater</span><br /><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">In a corner of the room</span><br /><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Soaking there in a sunbeam</span><br /><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Solar power technology that</span><br /><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Energizes this heat sink</span><br /><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">This thermodynamic cat</span><br /><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">The pockets of energy contained within</span><br /><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">The fluffy insulation</span><br /><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">To store the sun now visiting</span><br /><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Through morning’s short duration</span><br /><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Tuck the nose under a paw</span><br /><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Tidy as you please</span><br /><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">For the stingy master of the house</span><br /><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Keeps a chill seventy degrees</span><br /><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">And when the sun sinks towards the west</span><br /><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">When no more light is found</span><br /><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">My faithful feline furnace</span><br /><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Asks to come around</span><br /><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Whereupon my lap he settles</span><br /><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">To seek what heat may be</span><br /><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">For warmth that we may share</span><br /><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">My winter cat and me</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdhw-eUHTkF5hlWRyPPRBWQFDVSMX0BecJ7le9bc1ISd_gSsOseYx-OWfqutynq7tvr-uWmbDU4gGgfH0n4P2DEy965l8GKkbassMGNTtLK99ZeJjbcHmuDkvU0R-1BZlYNV9cUaIXWBzlKY9kJ2gcKtBYUHJtGlf-UzcIfftPhmXBzEsF-VxpqoY/s848/winter%20cat%20thumb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="848" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdhw-eUHTkF5hlWRyPPRBWQFDVSMX0BecJ7le9bc1ISd_gSsOseYx-OWfqutynq7tvr-uWmbDU4gGgfH0n4P2DEy965l8GKkbassMGNTtLK99ZeJjbcHmuDkvU0R-1BZlYNV9cUaIXWBzlKY9kJ2gcKtBYUHJtGlf-UzcIfftPhmXBzEsF-VxpqoY/s320/winter%20cat%20thumb.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></span></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05316888968542827218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2105484903778278467.post-85054083939179373282022-11-16T18:13:00.001-08:002023-02-22T09:08:25.315-08:00Spooky Snoring Cat. A Halloween Tale.<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">As late one day as the light grew dim<br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">As the sky was gray and somber<br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">The limbs of the trees danced in the breeze<br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">Their shadows grew ever longer</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">As still was the house as silent was I<br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">As creeping was the gloom<br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">Then a slight vibration in a singular location<br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">From the other side of the room</span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">A sound I heard and then again<br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">Then thrice and four times more<br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">I turned in fright and there the sight<br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">Of my cat and nothing more</span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">’Twas my cat and nothing more</span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">HIs whiskers twitched in a far off dream<br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">Snoring in deep repose<br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">Asleep in his chair completely unaware<br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">Filtering oxygen through his nose</span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">“Awaken!” said I in an urgent cry<br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">Bring your senses now to bear<br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">For spirits haunting and I am wanting<br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">Even now in this darkening lair</span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhL8sw-PNaxQbm0qxszVPfVnWGL66HX6JP_UC1DtkUBwClN9HlK0_2VFG1Om9se5U_Jdhvhld-oiA0H7HixHrgOHgBHoKdkxt8kZzKkKuy2EnMOSZo7T_q_Y6tskEKZ4pELF8-fZFPfFlxECSBdxYVjNeY_s_KzrT118ifBJdgX0Jx_GXncb6j4fh-J" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="476" data-original-width="845" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhL8sw-PNaxQbm0qxszVPfVnWGL66HX6JP_UC1DtkUBwClN9HlK0_2VFG1Om9se5U_Jdhvhld-oiA0H7HixHrgOHgBHoKdkxt8kZzKkKuy2EnMOSZo7T_q_Y6tskEKZ4pELF8-fZFPfFlxECSBdxYVjNeY_s_KzrT118ifBJdgX0Jx_GXncb6j4fh-J" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Alert Predator</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>Your sharpened eye your senses true<br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">Your triangular pointed ears<br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">Discern what might with coming night<br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">Be cause of all my fears</span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">Leaves are swirling out my door<br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">Omens on the brink<br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">Ravens gathering squirrels scampering<br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">Dishes piled in the sink</span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">Rise up cat and join the fight<br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">We two must act as one<br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">Defend the light against the night<br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">Lest we be undone</span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">By creeping foes in the darkened corners<br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">Of betrayal and of treason<br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">For you and I the time is nigh<br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">Of this most ominous season</span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">Presently I turned with steely eyes<br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">Back to my cat wherefore<br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">Now at the end my drowsy friend<br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">Was there asleep once more</span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">My cat was asleep once more</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">Hello you’re supposed to be this great hunter</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">Attuned to everything<br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">With razor claws an the ends of paws<br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">Ferocious predator king</span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s fine.</span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">Just keep on sleeping it’s fine.</span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">Don’t worry about me you just relax.</span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">Don’t want to wake you.</span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">Don’t… want to wake you.</span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">You hear the can opener just fine.</span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">You’re there for the can opener EVERY time.</span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">Ferocious hunter!</span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">Ferocious predator!</span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I suppose I’ll do the dishes then...</span></span></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05316888968542827218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2105484903778278467.post-15300782256159388792022-09-23T11:29:00.003-07:002022-09-23T11:37:44.246-07:00Thunderbirds over my house.<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">Two F-16 Thunderbirds are flying over my house this morning to promote an airshow this weekend. I have mixed feelings about this. As an engineer/pilot/aviation nerd this is one of my all-time favorite airplanes, particularly as you see it here with no bombs or missiles. It represents a milestone in aircraft performance and flight control technology. It is known to be one of the most powerful and best handling jets of all time, and I once heard a pilot describe it as the most fun airplane he had ever flown. It was first deployed in the late 1970s and remains an effective combat aircraft today. But as much as I admire the F-16 I wish there wasn't a need for it.</span></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCYu1CmMY4O36Lyr-r-6xn6xCF6xFoicSf0n_15DbhhN21zoFuS9dxsx2qTmgo0EcAJWmTVZl4lGr1iNlEhk3MlwVHMlxLwLBEvwZemuJE3-OxbqnLQ_2T2nGgxgf-VhmJN0a9cah4kRWVLMtOK9GmB2OmFx1cTHTE01A16rJ0cl_Zy8lHOROnMrVS/s996/Screen%20Shot%202022-09-23%20at%2011.43.07%20AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="996" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCYu1CmMY4O36Lyr-r-6xn6xCF6xFoicSf0n_15DbhhN21zoFuS9dxsx2qTmgo0EcAJWmTVZl4lGr1iNlEhk3MlwVHMlxLwLBEvwZemuJE3-OxbqnLQ_2T2nGgxgf-VhmJN0a9cah4kRWVLMtOK9GmB2OmFx1cTHTE01A16rJ0cl_Zy8lHOROnMrVS/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-09-23%20at%2011.43.07%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">General Dynamics F-16C</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Helvetica; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">When I was in my early 20s I wanted to be a military pilot and flying the F-16 was my greatest ambition. I interviewed with two Air National Guard units that flew F-16s and was considered a strong candidate for pilot training. I didn’t make the cut the first year I applied, but I was encouraged to submit an application the following year. For purely selfish reasons I decided to not pursue being a military pilot after those first interviews. I felt a small personal stunt plane would be just as much fun as an F-16 and far less of a commitment than signing up for military service.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmHxeyVGClaNU_HD65VdH3oulSCsKos6YDIeVkQajjl85z-flpkFdmWE06TytFD47zNmg3deLacqbnmJIEQTF0Khnl46A90Hqh3AsjGyQMJUGSMbzQJGIdXBrNWfZIJyck9LBRW93qVQTSAeVIxvgfeG1-ull5Eby0hRvzf0xmlEKy6Ge00l6K20m/s640/parked.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmHxeyVGClaNU_HD65VdH3oulSCsKos6YDIeVkQajjl85z-flpkFdmWE06TytFD47zNmg3deLacqbnmJIEQTF0Khnl46A90Hqh3AsjGyQMJUGSMbzQJGIdXBrNWfZIJyck9LBRW93qVQTSAeVIxvgfeG1-ull5Eby0hRvzf0xmlEKy6Ge00l6K20m/s320/parked.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Pitts S-1S</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">So many years later I have come to understand that our military has not always been employed in the interest of “Freedom and Democracy” as we were all told growing up. We have a dark and sad history of imperialism and bullying other sovereign nations around the world. I find it ironic that today any friction with China is tempered by our economic ties, and the opposition we provide to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is by way of indirect military aid and cash. It is pretty safe to say no United States Air Force F-16s are flying over the skies of Ukraine right now.</span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">I understand the need for a strong defense, but I honestly believe our imperialist history and bloated military industrial complex are compelling evidence of something far more sinister than a “strong defense.” Military competition does push the envelope of technology, and earlier military jets gave us the Concord which I think represents the ultimate hotrod. The flight control system of the Space Shuttle very likely had lineage with the F-16, but then again so much of the technology of the Space Shuttle came out of the 1960s Space Race, a far more noble competition.</span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Empires rise and fall, and I believe it is time for the US to follow in the footsteps of the UK and pull back our control and domination around the world. After shutting down George W Bush’s two costly failed wars our military budget is increasing not decreasing. I find it maddening that we spend literally millions of dollars to have pilots fly F-16s around for fun while halting free vaccines for Covid-19. This horrible virus has killed over a million people in the US alone and continues to kill well over 100,000 per year. As a cancer survivor it feels particularly galling to have these planes flying over my house while I anticipate an upcoming vaccine booster that the Federal Government now refuses to cover.</span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Still, the F-16 is one gorgeous airplane.</span></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05316888968542827218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2105484903778278467.post-78764398823643938632022-09-08T16:00:00.002-07:002022-09-09T13:38:01.550-07:00Poetry. About a hungry cat.<div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The Song of Cat Hunger</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">By Paul Klusman</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The saddest bowl near the corner of regret</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">in the kitchen of despair<br /></span></span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Sits empty and barren for all to see</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">as my cat bears witness there.<br /></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">How tragic the sight how somber the scene</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">how bitter before sad eyes,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: arial; white-space: pre-wrap;">That the world may know this hungry soul</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial; white-space: pre-wrap;">who calls with mournful cries.<br /></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">For wanting fed how long the wait?</span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">it's been an hour at least!<br /></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">For keeping hope in the heart of this</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">gentle and noble beast,<br /></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">That providence bring after eternity</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">of starving pitiful, poor<br /></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The bountiful feast inhaled with glee,</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">then barfed upon the floor.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXf56dHwzVZywT_3Gi1Kt8lTkM8_ZUZNAbwzdDx2HlTA_v4JLNf_2kgRL8rWjxI09IW_K3Io_-KZhgD7uEpeCXL4UCkARiUyxd9nn-K9qAnYJlwf5q4LJSaAKaQkaE42dSZvP2hDAXLDpKhxZWp1HQdXfDhVQbepqGidk4AhFNiqWETayEFB49eoA6/s1407/Screen%20Shot%202022-09-08%20at%205.57.38%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="835" data-original-width="1407" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXf56dHwzVZywT_3Gi1Kt8lTkM8_ZUZNAbwzdDx2HlTA_v4JLNf_2kgRL8rWjxI09IW_K3Io_-KZhgD7uEpeCXL4UCkARiUyxd9nn-K9qAnYJlwf5q4LJSaAKaQkaE42dSZvP2hDAXLDpKhxZWp1HQdXfDhVQbepqGidk4AhFNiqWETayEFB49eoA6/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-09-08%20at%205.57.38%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><span id="docs-internal-guid-61552c8f-7fff-b9ec-dff7-7a8398ae7fda"><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05316888968542827218noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2105484903778278467.post-65887500727314766102021-11-29T22:15:00.004-08:002021-11-30T07:59:44.205-08:00Poetry. The Road Not Taken. By Robert Frost. Condensed by Paul Klusman.<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">In a forest stood a man named Frost</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">It seems he was perfectly lost</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Glancing east and west</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">And overly obsessed</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">With opportunity cost</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DCv4Mpznz3k/YaXD4vSSWNI/AAAAAAAAAfY/D8FnYe6yn-Yt38EajpmLfkor6on-psLTACNcBGAsYHQ/s274/Kyle.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="181" data-original-width="274" height="181" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DCv4Mpznz3k/YaXD4vSSWNI/AAAAAAAAAfY/D8FnYe6yn-Yt38EajpmLfkor6on-psLTACNcBGAsYHQ/s0/Kyle.png" width="274" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05316888968542827218noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2105484903778278467.post-23453845624699923982021-11-27T18:05:00.011-08:002022-01-17T12:49:05.759-08:00Poetry. The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. By Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Condensed by Paul Klusman<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">A Mariner wrote an endless rime</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">About ships and a terrible time</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">It went on forever</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The reader could never</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Make it to the last line</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JBnINTyEIQw/YaLkYlSVKII/AAAAAAAAAfE/5RvKpy61Vwc6QLuXggSwQ_eyJnlNb-_BACNcBGAsYHQ/s257/reading%2Bwith%2Bskulls.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="196" data-original-width="257" height="196" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JBnINTyEIQw/YaLkYlSVKII/AAAAAAAAAfE/5RvKpy61Vwc6QLuXggSwQ_eyJnlNb-_BACNcBGAsYHQ/s0/reading%2Bwith%2Bskulls.jpeg" width="257" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05316888968542827218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2105484903778278467.post-7154749175277508562021-11-27T16:50:00.002-08:002021-11-30T08:02:14.600-08:00Poetry. I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud. By William Wordsworth. Condensed by Paul Klusman.<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">A dude thinking he was a cloud</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Saw flowers dancing in a crowd</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">On his couch did he lie</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">With an inward eye</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">His mind with shrooms endowed</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GFFkOkPEtek/YaLSTM6_tSI/AAAAAAAAAe0/IVp3z9P-TD4NnPK-XOGvntN9QWxCyXVNgCNcBGAsYHQ/s888/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-11-27%2Bat%2B6.48.06%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="887" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GFFkOkPEtek/YaLSTM6_tSI/AAAAAAAAAe0/IVp3z9P-TD4NnPK-XOGvntN9QWxCyXVNgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-11-27%2Bat%2B6.48.06%2BPM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05316888968542827218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2105484903778278467.post-23635139496527698702021-11-27T16:46:00.001-08:002021-11-30T08:02:44.887-08:00Poetry. Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening. By Robert Frost. Condensed by Paul Klusman.<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">A man many miles from bed</span><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Near trees in a horse-drawn sled</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Paused on his course</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Of the man thought the horse</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The cold must have gone to his head</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SfBi3dOzb5Q/YaLRWaWaLnI/AAAAAAAAAes/QxwBwUWf0KEmrLH1oEhtgKqJkt7nYNb-wCNcBGAsYHQ/s399/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-11-27%2Bat%2B6.45.08%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="399" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SfBi3dOzb5Q/YaLRWaWaLnI/AAAAAAAAAes/QxwBwUWf0KEmrLH1oEhtgKqJkt7nYNb-wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-11-27%2Bat%2B6.45.08%2BPM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05316888968542827218noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2105484903778278467.post-3865917836875253102021-11-27T16:40:00.005-08:002023-03-06T23:31:53.895-08:00Poetry. Man from Nantucket. Revised by Paul Klusman.<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">In Nantucket a man there was</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Anatomically blessed because</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">He performed a feat</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I can't repeat</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">For the sake of profanity laws</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6gnlqENhrzc/YaLP3-tUeYI/AAAAAAAAAek/vMDdzTPkJ3cogzeYhVZ9X_pBja_6nTUdQCNcBGAsYHQ/s762/nantucket.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="762" height="253" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6gnlqENhrzc/YaLP3-tUeYI/AAAAAAAAAek/vMDdzTPkJ3cogzeYhVZ9X_pBja_6nTUdQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/nantucket.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05316888968542827218noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2105484903778278467.post-61740047860468171822021-10-27T20:52:00.002-07:002021-10-27T20:54:00.628-07:00Poetry. About my poetry.<div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Patterns<br />By Paul Klusman</span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br />The thing about poems<br />That I often write<br />Some follow a formula<br />Some don’t</span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-piok4C3tOFU/YXoeXxSj2KI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/mEIwLtBp_8k7nJVafh7PI6MIeCzyeVZywCNcBGAsYHQ/s600/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-10-27%2Bat%2B10.47.38%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="600" height="239" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-piok4C3tOFU/YXoeXxSj2KI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/mEIwLtBp_8k7nJVafh7PI6MIeCzyeVZywCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-10-27%2Bat%2B10.47.38%2BPM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05316888968542827218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2105484903778278467.post-81678200460473857032021-08-13T20:16:00.001-07:002021-08-13T20:16:27.611-07:00Poetry. About gratitude.<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Cat Food</span><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">By Paul Klusman</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The thing about cat food</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">It's what I feed my cat</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Although he never tells me</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I think he's grateful for that</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a-UAlX8TGDA/YRc1fk-9M_I/AAAAAAAAAdc/KnLML2-3ExsMo4Yn_k1hLQpMWrMuzONYQCNcBGAsYHQ/s502/Cat%2BFood.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="502" height="223" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a-UAlX8TGDA/YRc1fk-9M_I/AAAAAAAAAdc/KnLML2-3ExsMo4Yn_k1hLQpMWrMuzONYQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Cat%2BFood.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05316888968542827218noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2105484903778278467.post-25398063435183907852021-08-13T08:41:00.003-07:002021-08-13T08:41:38.951-07:00Poetry. About sanity.<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Oatmeal</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">By Paul Klusman</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The thing about oatmeal</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">It's always boring and plain</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">It would drive some crazy</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">It helps keep me sane</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hVGLvOFjpl4/YRaSmnYnaxI/AAAAAAAAAdU/IRV65hx8xyA937HKveSp9GIyvPjT4BM7QCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/oatmeal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hVGLvOFjpl4/YRaSmnYnaxI/AAAAAAAAAdU/IRV65hx8xyA937HKveSp9GIyvPjT4BM7QCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/oatmeal.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05316888968542827218noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2105484903778278467.post-30644990855274424942021-07-30T09:30:00.003-07:002021-07-30T09:31:23.361-07:00Poetry. About uncertainty.<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Oranges<br />By Paul Klusman</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br />The thing about oranges<br />You never know what you got<br />Some are sweet and juicy<br />Some are not</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r60b9ABLZ9g/YQQpC_EhqrI/AAAAAAAAAdI/6K8AV6negSoppTv8HL95h5TJZ217PI5zQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/orange.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r60b9ABLZ9g/YQQpC_EhqrI/AAAAAAAAAdI/6K8AV6negSoppTv8HL95h5TJZ217PI5zQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/orange.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05316888968542827218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2105484903778278467.post-6967793385157456612021-07-21T11:12:00.007-07:002021-07-22T20:58:21.537-07:00Poetry. About tasks.<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Hard Boiled Eggs<br />By Paul Klusman</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br />The thing about hard boiled eggs<br />You never know what you got<br />Some are easy to peel<br />Some are not<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ar9p6lD96NU/YPhjbWbk4aI/AAAAAAAAAc8/pd7slY7jggU2IZO-2B2OvjmnLPzjo_YxwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/egg.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ar9p6lD96NU/YPhjbWbk4aI/AAAAAAAAAc8/pd7slY7jggU2IZO-2B2OvjmnLPzjo_YxwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/egg.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05316888968542827218noreply@blogger.com1