Sunset times: taking time to enjoy our own company ... watching sunset by beach

Transformation is a process, and as life happens there are tons of ups and downs. It's a journey of discovery - there are moments on mountaintops and moments in deep valleys of despair. True love doesn't happen right away; it's an ever-growing process. It develops after you've gone through mountain/valleys, when you've suffered together, cried together, laughed together. Thank you for life, and all the little ups and downs that make it worth living. This past year has been something else; we’ve overcome obstacles, and set in motion opportunities that have changed our own individual lives. Believe me, our journey as a couple has not been a simple journey of progress ... it's opened my eyes to many things and many people. It's had its ups and downs and ins and outs. And I believe we've all been able to take something from that and grow in our own un-particular ways. One thing I've learned through all the ups and downs is that if you're doing things right, then you have a core group of people. Not just a core group like your homies or your buddies, but a group of people that has a good influence on you, who you respect and admire, and you know that if they're on your side, you're doing something right. Some have the ability to write melodies and to put lyrics that mean something: some would compose a wonderful poem or write a story where part of their life is left as catharsis the purging of the emotions or relieving of emotional tensions, some life is reflected by other means; especially through certain kinds of art, as tragedy or music. I built bridges for many years; trying to connect people in an effort to unite those I care-love instead of watch ‘em fall apart … if you've followed my gallery you certainly understand what I mean.

 

 

To speak about life and what people are going through in their every day ups and downs, the good times and the bad times. Country music has always talked about life, I think; that's what I've always loved about it …

 

 

When I'm out by myself in the open range....

 

hills to the north, the south and west...

 

the valley down below to the east...

 

I contemplate the land; just me and the almighty; I can't help to feel the immensity of the universe. The world becomes a place to explore; to discover, to see as if for the first time ... The words mom read many times come to mind: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" these words are played back time & again; I think of her, my family, the immense world and how insignificant I stand; its overwhelming yet, I am so grateful for all things received; the undeserved kindness of many gifts; especially the gift of LIFE~

 

I stand un awe & marvel at creation~

 

 

"Stardust"

 

 

And now the purple dusk of twilight time

Steals across the meadows of my heart

High up in the sky the little stars climb

Always reminding me that we're apart

 

You wander down the lane and far away

Leaving me a song that will not die

Love is now the stardust of yesterday

The music of the years gone by

 

Sometimes I wonder why I spend

The lonely night dreaming of a song

The melody haunts my reverie

And I am once again with you

When our love was new

And each kiss an inspiration

But that was long ago

Now my consolation

Is in the stardust of a song

 

Beside a garden wall

When stars are bright

You are in my arms

The nightingale tells his fairy tale

A paradise where roses bloom

Though I dream in vain

In my heart it will remain

My stardust melody

The memory of love's refrain

 

 

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For my wife "She makes my life Complete"

 

This is one of my wife favorite photos for many reasons. It has been shared among family members for one reason or another since my accident. Time passes on friends; its time for me to get back in the saddle; live as we do every day ... Life is for living, working too~

 

 

a melody very much liked by my wife ever since she saw the movie Stardust

 

ELY

 

 

While we sat by on the cool sand contemplating the golden hour display of light-colors; we begin to reminisce (Something we seem to do often lately for no apparent reason) we thought about the first time we took a walk along the dirt road at her parents' house many years ago. We must've been ten or twelve years ... we liked each other, we enjoyed each other's company; we walked and talked about the future, our dreams, goals, plans for future life not realizing at the time we would be spending the rest of our lives together so much in love. The affinity to complete each other's thoughts has been a source of joy for many years. The love we have for each other has been the ultimate goal one must feel when we say "We're in love" we by no means allow daily mundane tasks to obscure our feelings knowing how much we fought - endure to reach this stage in our life.

 

It was a summer, the summer of 65 or 66 or 67...

Our families who knew each other very well as best friends usually do; would get together for no reason other than enjoy each other's family-company. Grownups met inside dining dancing having a grand ol simple time; we the young ones sat in the front porch drinking out tea or lemonade while we talk to each other in groups. There were plenty of us coming from a large family combined with my girlfriend's smaller family of four. The adults begin to dance ... I heard the sounds of mom's favorite song playing in the small record player once; twice who knows how many times! What I know is, the lyrics-chords of Nat King Cole have stayed in my mind ever since. Mom and Dad loved to dance; Stardust played and they danced...

 

That summer evening in my parents' front porch house while the evening fell I asked her for a dance; she said yes! We begin to dance in our own peculiar teenager awkward way to the same song my parents were dancing inside ... I could see my parents and her parents dancing inside through the screen door while my grandparents watched everyone with a smile! Grandma winked at me as if she could read the sheer happiness I was experiencing for the first time in my life! At the time I had no idea of the significance of such moments; now I have come to appreciate how much life has blessed us by providing such deep roots to plant us firmly on solid ground; thus enabling the brain-heart to have solid foundation on which to withstand the turmoil's of daily life. We continue to dance, our slow out of zinc moves were of little significance; all it mattered was we were dancing for the very first time. I'd look at her face, timid, happy, I saw my face on her pupils something never seen-done before. While we dance, the sounds-sights coming from inside our house were mesmerizing; my parent's sight enjoying life made feel so proud so happy! I wanted to be just like dad! I wanted to hold her in my arms to move as he did with such control and ease...

We danced for a while then we decided to walk along the road leading to the cattle guard connection us to the county road which led to the nearest town almost an hour away. We just walked and talked followed by our siblings who carried on as if attending the best carnival only seen once in a great while in the city. The moonlight was shining brightly on our faces giving a certain glow

We could hear the music, the sounds coming from the house; my grandmother had come out to the porch followed by grandpa lending a hand; they sat on the swing placed specifically at the end at her request watching us from a distance without interrupting our own simple country life merrymaking. Those moments mean so much to us now especially under present circumstances. Even now, I can close my eyes the memory of such vivid times playback in my mind as if I was there today.

 

 

Forward in time several years...

We wanted to celebrate our first wedding anniversary; made plans traveling to the city almost two hours away for a special time. First, dinner at La Louisiane followed by drinks and dancing at The Roaring Twenties; last a night cap at The Night Hawk. We had no idea what a romantic weekend this would be...

 

We arrived at The Roaring Twenties located outside city limits. This was no ordinary ballroom. It was a place where special occasion prompted one to be at their best to enjoy an evening of big band music and dance. A table next to the dance floor is was reserved for us making it easier to engage in what had become a favorite pastime; music was playing, we danced ... suddenly as we made our way to the center the band stopped; the band leader announced they would next play a special request for Mr. & Mrs. on their first wedding anniversary; the song: Stardust! We were amazed! We smiled at each other for only we knew what the song meant; closed our eyes to continue dancing for what seemed only a few seconds, when the music stopped playing; we opened our eyes to realize we were the only ones on the dance floor followed by applause! No one knew we were going to be there; we were alone, no friends had been invited yet when we the song was over and I asked the band leader who made the request he simply said: The request came to the office by mail for today at a certain time; as soon as I saw you dancing I knew it had to you. We danced for hours staying till the last song was played...

 

It must been around two AM; I drove back downtown to our next stop; The Night Haw! All the dancing had me thinking of a meal and some drinks. We went in, the place was not crowded possibly due to the time; we made our way to a table across from the stage where a musician was playing his guitar next to his friend providing some entertainment for those night revelers such as ourselves whose night was still young! We ordered some food, drinks were served and we eased into our chairs for some relaxation. In the background the guitar was playing softly when my wife suddenly whispered something to my ear which I could barely hear; she repeated it a bit louder and we both stopped on our tracks to focus on the stage. Guess who was playing? None other than Joe Walsh and Don Felder of the group The Eagles playing Hotel California! In almost a cappella they sang the entire 8 min. song to an audience of less than forty! It was an amazing time! Us sitting there steps away from these two amazing musicians listening to what seemed to us an almost private concert of one of the most famous songs! It was incredible!

 

Done