not dead…

“Mark Twain was undecided whether to be more amused or annoyed when a
Journal representative informed him today of the report in New York that
he was dying in poverty in London …
The great humorist, while not perhaps very robust,
is in the best of health. He said:
‘I can understand perfectly how the report of my illness got about,
I have even heard on good authority that I was dead. James Ross Clemens,
a cousin of mine, was seriously ill two or three weeks ago in London,
but is well now. The report of my illness grew out of his illness.
The report of my death was an exaggeration.’
the correct Twain quote concerning the rumors of his death / Metalfloss.com

(a growing mountain of boxes)

It’s been a long seven days…a week of exhaustion, confusion and frustration…
but not for reasons that many might be experiencing in this nation of ours…
I’m simply attempting to survive a major move.

And since I was coming up for a breath of air…I thought it would
be nice of me to let those of you who were interested, and those
of you who were merely curious, that I am still very much alive.

I may be on the other side of the state now, but I have managed
to get internet and even a television as of yesterday.
But life without a television this past week has been a blessing!
HA!

Lots to share, show and tell…but that will have to wait for now…
still very much busy with the tasks of unpacking, sorting and placing…

So stay tuned…
I’ll be back!

When I die, will they remember not
What I did, but what I haven’t done.
It’s not the end, that I fear with each breathe.
It’s life that scares me to death…
Lyrics Rise Against

focus

“Nor did demons crucify Him; it is you who have crucified Him and crucify Him still, when you delight in your vices and sins. ”
― Francis of Assisi

(statue in a yard in San Antonio, Texas / Julie Cook / 2014)

We threw caution to the wind
Living for the moment

Self centered, selfish, self
Focusing inward, never outward

As the hammer hit the nail

They did it
That was our familiar cry
It was all them, certainly not me
We claimed none of that

Again a hammer hits another nail

Blood poured out upon our hands
yet there was no acknowledgement
How could that be
Self becoming blood

Another nail is struck

Blood mixes with sin
Flowing down a tree
Spreading out over the dirt
I pick up the linen

Blood covers my hands
It doesn’t wipe off

Lightning streaks across the blackened sky
Was it the thunder which shook the ground
The bitter taste of bile swirls through a dry mouth
I didn’t do this, I swear

The women cry as the people turn away
Three times a rooster crows
There’s another one dead
As the body twists on the noose

The demons in hell are dancing
For once, this was not their doing

Hands still stained
Metal striking metal
There’s money on the ground
Was it just a dream?

Needing to hide,
We run to the shadows
Still claiming none of it
It’s all too much to ignore

Voices cry out
I hear my name
Clean hands reach for the blood soaked hands I hide

Eyes meet mine
Guilt is freely taken
Brokeness made straight
The demons dance no more

Shadows never lie
As Light now breaks the darkness
Battles rage no more
with Victory now at hand

We step out from the grave
The Price is paid in full
Death has lost again
Triumphantly Hope remains alive