The Taylor Swift Connection

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Jan 23, 2015 16:43:57 GMT -5 @jolene said:

I read recently where Billy Joel said he hasn't done any new music in so long because the public has enough of his private life. I do love Billy. Saw him in concert in Kansas City many, many moons ago. He took off his shoes and socks and danced on his piano. : )

How's it going with your family Michael?

Jerry Lee Lewis used to do quite a lot of antics on his piano too!

I think I responded earlier about my family and my brother Jim...as usual I avoided my feelings and only complained of others. It may be a self protection think...not dealing with my feelings. There has been a lot of tears shed from us...though I have 3 sisters...none of them acknowledged his death. They made a few remarks but other than that life goes on. Yesterday that dark cloud came over me while I was working...I threw the hammer as high as I could while telling God that he was...(a lot of bad names).
I really don't like our creator at this point and really wish that he would slide me down a one way rail to hell...it make no difference to me. At times like these everyone grabs for God...thanking him for their tragedies. I am really having a hard time believing in some hippy that is the son of God...and all the tall tails that have been written and rewritten by bible kings. I am totally dumbfounded at how I can attest that there is no God...and then throw a perfectly good hammer at him...still haven't found it.

I need to let this anger go...it is killing me...literally. It is nice to have you as a friend Jo...you and Kora always have a nice vibe going. Dreamin out loud was supposed to post on this forum...but I am sure she has better things to do...with living and all.

Actually...I don't want to go to Hell...really don't...so if there is no God ...there is no heaven or hell. Is it my worst mistake to forsake the savior?

I don't really know what to say about this time other than the boys need direction...I will encourage their belief in God...and help them to not go astray.

That is the least that I can do for my brother...that and bring a bunch of great bar b que to them tonight. Maybe I should find my quiet place!!!

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Michael,

I understand all about anger. Mine always knocks me flat after what needs doing gets done....and then come all the emotions I suppressed to get through and get by.

It's so very human to get angry Michael. It's an honest emotion.

I don't have any pretty words here but I understand why your angry and how it can blindside you, no matter how much you go through the motions and actions of moving forward. All I can tell you is that it gets better. Not in a heartbeat or in a minute or an hour or a day but in our own time and space.

Be kind to yourself my friend. It's okay to feel what you feel. It's okay to rant at the universe. It's okay to be mad and frustrated at God. It's okay to question His existence in a world where your pain is so fresh and deep.

Now about that hammer.......hammer's come and hammer's go but sweetie, don't you be throwing another one up in the air. It might come down on your head and we need you to be Michael.

[kora]

nash - I can understand your being sad and angry, and probably lonely, too, for your brother, who was so young. It sounds as though the two of you had a special relationship. As everyone will tell you, no matter how hard it is for you now, it will get easier, bit by bit, and day by day. I wish you could find something to occupy your time and your feelings to help with your loss. For me, that would probably be tai chi and meditation. Take care, and try one step at a time.

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Jan 27, 2015 16:00:38 GMT -5 @jolene said:

Michael,

I understand all about anger. Mine always knocks me flat after what needs doing gets done....and then come all the emotions I suppressed to get through and get by.

It's so very human to get angry Michael. It's an honest emotion.

I don't have any pretty words here but I understand why your angry and how it can blindside you, no matter how much you go through the motions and actions of moving forward. All I can tell you is that it gets better. Not in a heartbeat or in a minute or an hour or a day but in our own time and space.

Be kind to yourself my friend. It's okay to feel what you feel. It's okay to rant at the universe. It's okay to be mad and frustrated at God. It's okay to question His existence in a world where your pain is so fresh and deep.

Now about that hammer.......hammer's come and hammer's go but sweetie, don't you be throwing another one up in the air. It might come down on your head and we need you to be Michael.

Jo your writing is right to the bone...beautiful!

I only wish that I may some day write as well. I think that is what gets me the most...the someday part.

It is universal to say to relations...and friends ...someday we will get together and visit.

Though someday never arrives...or does it?

When we pass on...maybe that is the unavoidable...some day.

I brought them some beef brisket and pulled pork last night...man those boys were hungry.

I felt the friction between the two brothers...my nephews...and I seemed to feel my brother there.

Cory dropped off his boys...my great nephews ...to eat and was going to split right away.

I pulled him aside and stuffed his plate with pulled pork and sent him to eat at home with his wife.

Whew...thanks for listening you guys.

They (my nephews) are making the same mistakes my brother and I made...and the great nephews will carry on the tradition...unless.

Unless someone makes the decision to lead...you know...make someday today.

Oh about God and I...I believe that he is used to my ranting at him...

Of all the terrible things that I have said about him...with all the hate in my being...it is weird that I don't get the reaction that I desire.

He is silent...even when I am swinging a sword at him from the mountain top in a thunderstorm...he never strikes back.

I have this feeling that he is the kind of entity that loves your anger to be directed toward him...the stronger the better.

It may prove in a way that I truly believe...even more so than the front row pew sitters...more profound.


I must mention the hammer that I threw...straight into the sun...it was gleaming.

I lost the view of the hammer in the sun and never heard it hit anything...it is gone.

After we ate last night at my brothers us menfolk went out back to kick around and talk.

I kicked up an old piece of iron...it was a hatchet/crowbar/nailpuller and an anvil that could be used as what else?

A hammer!!! A glorious rusted gift that actually forms a cross with a shadow...must be 50 years old or more.

I asked the young men if I could have the relic...they all wondered why...I told them that I will tell them someday.

I told The story of the hatchet and the hammer and how the story is being played out as we speak.

They seemed to understand.

This tool is now a symbol of my brother that I will cherish until my personal someday comes.

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Jan 27, 2015 16:26:01 GMT -5 kora said:

nash - I can understand your being sad and angry, and probably lonely, too, for your brother, who was so young. It sounds as though the two of you had a special relationship. As everyone will tell you, no matter how hard it is for you now, it will get easier, bit by bit, and day by day. I wish you could find something to occupy your time and your feelings to help with your loss. For me, that would probably be tai chi and meditation. Take care, and try one step at a time.

Well thank you Kora...you have an old and wise soul...I shoulda scratched the old part...though I feel how I feel.

That I why I like this forum...not too many people are here to see me make a fool of myself...I like it here.

The world is going too fast...I asked the kids last night over and over again to put those things up (phones)...they thought it was funny.

Why text people while you have people right there...they are more aware now...I hope so anyway...it's still nose to a screen I bet.

I am working on some plans for a lot of hiking this spring...I told the boys...no devices...they agreed...ha!

I have a few pretty big projects going on to take my time away but I like the the tai chi meditation idea.

I have this rock point only 100 yards across the creek...it is so peaceful...I named it Patriot point.

This will be my last place that I will make my last stand in case of a SHTF scenereo...see... I stay busy!

Music to me is the ultimate therapy for my feelings...oh yes...

All the things that are invisible are the things we need for survival.

Thank you for caring Kora...that speaks volumes about your character...

some things change and some things remain the same....kindness will never go out of style!

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I thought that I would post the video related to the Taylor photo above.

She was NOT crying for me...but I bet that she would...if she could...I think that she should.

It was taken as she was leaving the arena after performing the song "Ronan"

There is a very nice and sad story behind this song...

youtu.be/tvN7BOAQn9I

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Michael,

Your doing a wonderful thing with your nephews. : )

I'm enjoying church these days. After all the years of hubby's liberal church full of preaching against others we're finally in a place where people don't believe the in church for political purposes but are there to read and study the Bible and worship God. There is such a glow when the folks there talk about God. They are so excited about learning the Bible.

Of course, we've been studying John and who doesn't love the book of John? : )

The video of Taylor singing Ronan brought tears to my eyes.

[Deleted]

Jan 28, 2015 14:55:30 GMT -5 @jolene said:

Michael,

Your doing a wonderful thing with your nephews. : )

I'm enjoying church these days. After all the years of hubby's liberal church full of preaching against others we're finally in a place where people don't believe the in church for political purposes but are there to read and study the Bible and worship God. There is such a glow when the folks there talk about God. They are so excited about learning the Bible.

Of course, we've been studying John and who doesn't love the book of John? : )

The video of Taylor singing Ronan brought tears to my eyes.

Thank you so much for your kindness Jo...and understanding.

I don't know where to speak of religion so might as well be here....

There is a great place in Arkansas to go to...Eureka Springs and their passion play...here's a link.

www.greatpassionplay.org/

They have a bible museum there that has pages of the original bible...the one written before King James came along.

The curator of the museum said that the man who wrote the original bible was eventually killed by the James gang?

I like to break down the history of how and where and have no real idea if this happened or not...do you know about this?

I had to look for this guy on you tube that we knew as teens...and found him...and he is still preaching!

Enjoy... youtu.be/o55C5QSn050

[Deleted]

Michael,

Once a Harley guy, always a Harley guy. : ) Kind of like once a music fan, always a music fan, eh?

[Deleted]

Jan 29, 2015 16:35:08 GMT -5 @jolene said:

Michael,

Once a Harley guy, always a Harley guy. : ) Kind of like once a music fan, always a music fan, eh?

Haha...thats a good one Jo...actually ...my brother Jim's best friend Chris knew Mike Warnke the preacher.

When Jim died Chris came out of the wood work and lo and behold...he is a big time priest.

I suppose all those years of bad influences led him to it...they will visit in June...for a memorial.

Oh and music...I couldn't shake it off...if I tried!

[Deleted]

I'll post this here...read if you dare...stare if you care...ramblings.

Destinations

I thought I had walked for days; for days I walked and walked and there was nary a thought of where I was going, just that I was on my way.


I had neither anticipation nor excitement. There was no expectation of what it would be like once I arrived at my destination. I had no idea where my destination was, there was no direction; no map of the way.

I was too young to know any different. I was too young to fear, I had no experience to tell me there was anything to be afraid of. I was too old to fear, I had plenty of experience to reassure me that there was nothing to be afraid of. Young... Old... what are these?

When did I transcend my youth and enter into the old? When did the old take hold of my ankles and drag me into the darkness of the aged? Or was I confusing old with aged when instead, it was actually wisdom?

Wisdom. When does one possess wisdom? How does one know he has wisdom? Where does she find this wisdom and how does she come to possess it?

I walked and I walked and I thought and I thought of where I had traversed from and where I traverse to and still I have no answers to tell, nothing to comfort my questioning mind, nothing to give me hope, nothing that reassures me that the path I am on is the one that will deliver me to my... destination.

Destinations are not the same as destiny; we are not destined to arrive at one particular place at one particular time. But then,why do we call this place of our arrival our destination? Originally, the word destination meant the action of intending someone or something for a particular purpose.

Perhaps I've been walking and walking and there simply is no place to go, no one waiting for me to arrive, nothing to anticipate as I keep walking and walking...

Maybe this is my destiny, my purpose, my fate. I am destined to walk without knowing.

Destined sounds so ominous and foreboding, as if I were doomed from the outset. Then I should stop this walking and stand still until I know what is expected and whether or not I am expected.

Is there expectation? And who expects me? Fate is preordained. Is this fate?

My fate is not preordained or I would have no choice and no reason to do this or that; go here or go there. Whatever will be, will be... without any interference by me or anyone or anything else... it will just be.

So, I may decide to sit down right here and think about this a bit longer. It will have no consequence either way if I do or do not. Fate.

If it is fate and fate is indeed predestined and unchangeable then fate will find its way to me wherever I am; whatever I do. I should not fear it or rejoice in its arrival. It simply will be what it is without any forethought or intention.

If I have a choice and my destiny is changeable depending on my choices then how will I know when I have enough information to properly make this choice? My destiny could turn for the better or it could turn for the worse and I would have no way of knowing until I have arrived. And, again, how will I know I have arrived?

If my destination is a purpose intended for me, who is intending it? Where do these intentions originate? And for what end?

Does someone else have control of my purpose? Does someone else's intention define my purpose and wouldn't that also define me? What a thought to think, someone else's intention defining me!

Then who am I? Am I who someone else says I am with a purpose intended for me that is not of my own choosing?

I suddenly feel... wiser. I am not young and I am not old. I am not expected and I don't know what to expect. I was sure I had choices but now I'm not so sure and perhaps there is no such thing as certainty,

though I certainly think I have been walking and walking for days and days and I nothing has changed,not even the scenery - what I see, I see again and again - it repeats, much like life. Life repeats with

nary a change except for names and faces and maybe forgotten places... I have counted the hours, the days, the months, the years and this I know for sure - I change. I don't know who determined it, fated it,

intended it or destined me to be all these hours, days, months and years... but I am not the same as I was a moment ago.

I think I have arrived.

[Deleted]

I really like this version of..."Shake It Off"!

[Deleted]

While Swift blocks Fall Out Boy from the summit, the band reaches a new high, soaring 10-2 thanks to new album.

Despite an 8 percent drop in activity, Taylor Swift returns to the top of the Billboard Artist 100 (2-1), logging a record-extending 14th week at the summit (dating to the chart's July 2014 inception).

The Artist 100 is the first weekly ranking dedicated to measuring artist activity across Billboard's most influential charts, including the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart, Top Album Sales and the Social 50. The Artist 100 blends data measuring album and track sales, radio airplay, streaming and social media fan interaction to provide a weekly multi-dimensional ranking of artist popularity.

Fall Out Boy Scores Third No. 1 Album on Billboard 200

Swift fends off Fall Out Boy, which vaults 10-2 (marking a new peak), powered by the arrival of its album American Beauty/American Psycho. The band roars by 207 percent in overall Artist 100 points, with 80 percent of its total from album purchases, as the new set bows at No. 1 on Top Album Sales with 192,000 copies sold, according to Nielsen Music. (It starts at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 218,000 album equivalent units.)

Rounding out the Artist 100's top five, Ed Sheeran holds at No. 3; Meghan Trainor dips 1-4 after leading chart last week when her debut full-length Title topped the Billboard 200 and Top Album Sales; and Maroon 5 retreats 4-5.

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Native Wisdom
So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart.
Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours.
Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life.
Seek to make your life long and Its purpose in the service of your people.
Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.
Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and bow to none.
When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the food and for the joy of living.
If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself.
Abuse no one and nothing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision.
When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way.
Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.
Chief Tecumseh

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The meaning of meaningless...