Welcome to my World

Welcome to the domain different--to paraphrase from New Mexico's capital city of Santa Fe which bills itself "The City Different." Perhaps this space is not completely unique but my world shapes what I write as well as many other facets of my life. The four Ds figure prominently but there are many other things as well. Here you will learn what makes me tick, what thrills and inspires me, experiences that impact my life and many other antidotes, vignettes and journal notes that set the paradigm for Dierdre O'Dare and her alter ego Gwynn Morgan and the fiction and poetry they write. I sell nothing here--just share with friends and others who may wander in. There will be pictures, poems, observations, rants on occasion and sometimes even jokes. Welcome to our world!

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Giving Thanks

The sun shines brightly after a couple of grayish days. We did not get much rain but every few drops helps. And that being said, I realize just how much I have to be thankful for. I've been blessed with a truly amazing life--detours, bumpy trails and all! Looking back, I can see how various experiences and trials strengthened and refined me to who I am today and that perhaps it is my duty and destiny now to pass this along in my writing and share odd bits and pieces that few will now ever have a chance for. Even when I was growing up, those in cities etc. did not get those chances. It has been a marvelous journey!

Of course the biggest blessing any of us can have is friends and family. The people that hold key places in our lives ad hearts are treasures beyond price. I just got home from a week in Arizona seeing friends and family from my long sojourn in Cochise County and that was a great joy. I lived there longer than any place in the rest of my life and it is still a place that holds a part of me. However, you cannot go home again--not ever. Things and places change; people leave and memory adds a luster and gilding that reality does not reflect. So there is a trace of sadness but also joy in a return. Still, it was especially good to come home! And yes, Alamogordo and this homely little house and its yard, gradually shifting to become 'ours' by things we do, is truly home now. Six bright eyes, three waggly tails and twelve feet of dogs cavorted and barked and jumped up on me--lovely! Belle's shadow of a shadow lingered briefly, even though she had been with me in spirit for the drive as she was in reality many, many times in the past. It's all good.

I even added a new friend to the bunch. After connecting through one of those normally worthless sites and corresponding for a bit we decided to meet--he coming down from Phoenix where he lives and me up from Sierra Vista to Tucson. Joe and I have much in common, the nerdy kids with strict parents and not much money to throw around who had to grow up and make our own different lives to find who we were. He always loved the cowboy and old west stuff and I grew up on the trailing edge of the real old west so there was lots to talk about. It was a funny 'first date' which is a silly term for finding an old friend with a new face. But there will be more shared times. At this age, friends are the best one can ask for and those with much in common a rare surprise. I like to meet people who are not strangers from the beginning as that confirms my belief that we have lived and bonded before. Love in all its forms and hues is still The One True Thing!!!

This picture is from those early days, about 1960 or so! The little mule was named Beano--since he was marked in spots like a pinto bean. That shot actually appeared in an ad in Western Horseman mag when we were selling saddle mules for trail riders.

Another special friend sent me a text this morning--I have to agree--like him I have "bunches to be thankful for." No, you cannot go home again but you can carry home with you in your heart and those invisible silver chains that join hearts and kindred spirits across miles and even millenia. To all those special folk--and they know who they are!!--Brightest Blessings today and always to you and yes, for each and every one of you, today I give soul-deep thanks. You are my most special and sacred blessings! May we always be together at least in spirit.


And this is me at about seventeen holding the brother, Alex, who left us far too soon. Glad you are in a better place, kid, but I do miss you! But we'll meet again. Take care of some of those dogs, horses and mules for me now, okay? No work, just a pat or a scratch since they are in Fiddler's Green by the Rainbow Bridge...plenty of grass and room to romp.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Veteran's Day

This holiday came into being after World War I to commemorate the signing of the armistice treaty ending that war, which was done at 11:00 o'clock on November 11. For a time it was called Armistice Day. That was supposed to be "the war to end all wars' but humanity is a contentious bunch and as the Bible says there will be "wars and rumors of wars" until the Armageddon. I think that must be a true prophecy. We need to advance and grow much more wise and good before the cycle will end.

I've often said before that I do not glorify or enjoy anything about war. it is ugly, brutal, horrific and a sad reflection upon humanity in general but it happens and there are times when violence, bullying and aggression have to be met in kind. In those times our soldiers are so important. Gordon Lightfoot in his song Don Quixote said it well; "see the soldier with his gun who must be dead to be admired."  Too often that is true.
So today we remember and honor all who have given so much since the birth of our nation to sustain and support our way of life and make us safe here at home. Only on a couple of occasions has our peace and security in our own land been broken--Pearl Harbor and 9-11. Those 'days of infamy' live in most memories and not happily. I was not around for the first but remember well the second.

This shot shows the Blue Angels (Navy flying team) going past the Statue of Liberty at an event a few years back. Both Navy and Marine pilots have flown in this elite group. The Navy and Marines are very closely affiliated but argue like kinfolk often do!

As a life member of the VFW Auxiliary, I took part in many ceremonies and commemorations of various dates important to the military community. Perhaps Veteran's Day is the greatest of these. I read this verse for one such remembrance back in 1986 when Post 10342, Huachuca City, AZ had just begun the color guard later to become state color guard for State and later National VFW Commander Allen "Gunner" Kent, who was a former Marine.

                     Veteran's Day
 I hear the drum roll in my mind
     and then I see, before, behind,
the Silent Legions marching past
   to join the Great Parade, at last....

 From Flanders Fields and Iwo's sands,
    from nameless near and distant lands
where they have fought, bled and died
   for to uphold the Nation's Pride
and secure the Peace and Liberty
  today enjoyed by you and me...

Each heart with praise should overflow
   and gladly search for ways to show
that we remember and we care
   and at least in spirit share
their sacrifice, their gift, their pain.
  We know they did not die in vain.
   
The torch still burns: we carry on
   the flame kept bright by those now gone.
They're marching still, they're fighting yet;
   and so must we...lest we forget.

             
Author's Note:  Written for a tribute for Veteran's Day 
and first recited at a ceremony held by VFW Post 10342 and its Ladies Auxiliary on 11 November 1986 in Huachuca City, Arizona.  Permission granted to use at no cost for any patriotic purpose supportive of the
sentiment in which it is written with credit of authorship to be given.  Published in an anthology by World of Poetry,         GMW. (c) 1986

BTW the photo of me was taken a couple of years later, when I was wearing that color guard's uniform. In keeping with our post being in Huachuca City, we called ourselves The Thunderguard and we were the only group in the VFW per a national commander at that time who had both post and auxiliary members in the same uniform! I was mostly the photographer but did march and carry a flag at times which I felt was a high honor. We had good esprit and for several years made a fine showing around southern Arizona.

Happy Birthday Marines!!

November 10 is the anniversary of the founding of the Marine Corps! In many military installations around the world and chapters of the Marine Corps League (retired and former Marines' fraternal organization) tonight will see festive balls and similar events to celebrate.  While I am not involved in any of this now I know and revere the history of the Corps and honor the service of all Marines from the American Revolution to this very day. Even now many Marines are serving in the Middle East, at embassies and with other military organziations of the US forces around the world. May God or Godde or however you name your primary deity hold the living in protective and caring hands and enfold those passed with eternal loving care.

I especially want to honor the service of two very dear to me:

Staff Sergeant James L Walton, service in China (1949) and Korea--Inchon, Pusan and the Chosin. Jim departed to the Great Parade November 2, 2003. May he rest in peace and enjoy the precious company of fallen comrades.

E-4 David D Walton, service in Desert Storm and now serving in law enforcement in Cochise County, Arizona.

I want to share a couple of verses which have appeared in a number of places, poems I wrote to celebrate my two personal heroes.

The Last Muster

Selfish in my love and needing
I resisted this final goodbye
But time marches on so relentless
And the last formation drew nigh.

I knew that the trumpet had sounded,
Knew you would answer that call,
Realized it was right, good and proper
And found I could smile after all.

Your step was not quite as steady
But you held your head high and proud
As you strode out to join your comrades
In that parade for the heavenly crowd.

Once again that small band of brothers
Stands assembled upon Fiddler's Green.
I blink when once more the young faces
Square shoulders and brave hearts are seen.

My eyes haze with tears as the sight fades
But I know 'tis the truth I have seen
And my heart spills pride, joy and sorrow
For my Hero, my Love, my Marine.
                                4 Nov 2003 GMW (c)

A Marine's Mother.  .  .
 Just the other day, it seems,
   you were still my little boy,
chasing butterflies and dreams
  with the effervescent joy
of childhood.  But today
  you return, and what a change‑‑
not the youth I sent away
  but a man, completely strange.

"Mom, we call this 'dress blues'. . . ."
  Whose is this stern eyed face?
From close clipped hair to shining shoes
  who is this man in my son's place?
There's so much I can't recall.
  When did your voice become so deep?
When was it you grew so tall?
  Was I blind or just asleep?

Yesterday your gun was a toy‑‑
  now you tower above the crowd,
and this man, grown from my boy,
              is making me so sad, so proud. . . .

                                                GMW,  1983 (c)
                                                                For David

Tomorrow I will add another one or two which celebrate Veteran's Day and the service of all who have given so much for our nation. All gave some; some gave all! Peace and blessings are asked for each and every one of them! May we never fail to give thanks and honor their sacrifices. Freedom is not free!!

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Good Causes and Giivng Back

This will be short as I have out of town compnay and will be out sightseeing most of the day but this is important!!

First, I'm an avid fabric artist as you may know and get much of my material from www.equilter.com.  Here is the scoop on a special project they have started to help the Sandy victims!

***
Tonight I am putting out a call to quilters all over the country, to donate 5000 quilts to the victims of Hurricane Sandy.

You donated over 3000 quilts for 9/11 survivors, and over 2000 quilts after the Japan tsunami. I just KNOW that you are all asking - what can I do to help? As the media begins to report more of the vast destruction from the storm, I know more of you will be moved to
make and donate comfort quilts.

So we are going to work in partnership with
Timeless Treasures Fabrics to provide the means to collect and distribute your quilts to those most in need.

The first phase of this effort is over the next 3 months: Timeless Treasures is offering us not only their warehouse space, but also their staff for the huge task of processing the thousands of packages we expect to receive in response to this need.

We are working to identify multiple trusted organizations to distribute your quilts in the hardest hit areas: Rockaways, Long Island, New Jersey, and Staten Island are locations that need us the most right now, where we can channel this relief to those in need quickly.
I have posted guidelines for this massive relief effort on this page, and we ask you to read through ALL the details carefully before contacting eQuilter's Customer Service with any questions.

Please do NOT contact Timeless Treasures - so we can let them focus their resources on receiving the quilts.

Ship your quilt to New Jersey by a trackable method to confirm receipt, and be sure to put a label and message of comfort on the back of your quilt!
Feel free to share the link for the project page!

We are also going to work with Mission of Love to get a truck full of relief supplies to devastated areas that are not receiving Red Cross or FEMA aid. On Saturday night we will also issue a challenge for matching funds, to fund this relief effort...watch the newsletter for more information.

Many thanks to Ellen and David Brown at Timeless Treasures, Victoria Findlay-Wolfe who is helping us identify distribution points, and Kathy Price at
Mission of Love. Thanks to many others who are helping us identify relief organizations this week. Our biggest thanks to all of you who are making and sending the quilts!!!

sharing your Passion for Fabric...
Paul and Luana Rubin


***
Next we know there were many pets impacted by this disaster too. My favorite organization to help with that is www.bestfriends.org/  They are hard workers, totally dedicated and the bulk of donations goes directly to good work--little overhead and admin as everyone works!!! I just sent them a check in Belle's memory and will do more as I can!

Thanks friends and more soon!