The dreams of the present viewed in sleep long ago Bear no semblance to what I now see, Wishes fervently made with the best of intent Have passed by and never will be. Looking back through the fog of memories past I know now that the path I have trod, Seeming crookedly bent, twisting this way and that Has been mercifully guided by God. The pitfalls and dangers I couldn't observe Would have swallowed me up in their depths, So wand'ring along the strange course of my life I'm content to let Him guide my steps.
All posts by Peter
A Trip to Gettysburg
A while ago I decided to cash in a few of my hotel rewards points, secure a room somewhere near Gettysburg, PA, and make the sort drive north to go see the battlefield.
Now, I’m no civil war historian, so I’ll not bore anyone with a detailed description of the battle. However, for those who need a quick refresher, with the strong caveat that anything I write is subject to fact-checking and errors… The battle of Gettysburg was fought when the Army of Northern Virginia ventured north out of confederate territory. Virginia was suffering from the effects of the previous … Read the rest
Satan’s laugh
Hateful things in human thought Twisted minds this sin have brought Barking dogs pull at the chain Howling shrieks and moans of pain Mothers weep and infants cry Above the gate - ARBEIT MACHT FREI Shuffling feet of broken hearts Pause for families torn apart Wives and children stripped away Screams and cries that cannot sway One by one sent there and here For some the end is very near While others hear the orders barked For brutal labor they were marked The crack of whips and thud of fist The whimpered hope you're on the list Yet labor's toil… Read the rest
DC at night
Spent a cold night wandering the national mall with a camera and tripod. A brisk night, brisk walk, and some pretty cool pictures.
A Rant on Modern Science
When I was a kid, my best friend Zeke (not his real name) was what we all considered “fat.” In addition to being heavier than the rest of us, he had a complexion that would have been described as sallow, had a tendency for profuse sweating, bad teeth, and delayed mental development. He was different, and that made him a target. Aside from Zeke and one or two other kids in my elementary school, I can’t remember a single kid who would be labeled overweight by today’s standards. Fast-forward thirty years, and my experience would infer that Zeke would be … Read the rest
False Advertising
My wife will tell you I have issues — one of which is keeping a hold on my wedding ring. In some marriages, this could be a sign of infidelity or weak commitment, but thankfully for me, Liz understands me well enough to know that rings and I just don’t get along. One ring disappeared while I was riding my motorcycle and the cold air caused my fingers to shrink enough that the ring fell off while I was waiving at a biker in the oncoming lane. It disappeared along the freeway. Another disappeared when I shook cold water off … Read the rest
Buried
Bury me not in the cold an dark earth, Where the roots and worms churn the ground. Rather lay me to rest in the folds of your heart, Where your rarest of treasures are found.
Touristing
Updated with captions/commentary
One of the consequences of my career choice is that I tend to spend a lot of time away from home. Many of my co-workers who suffer from the same condition like to spend their free time and money while they are on the road on alcohol and public buffoonery. There is an all too common mentality among them that holds the rules don’t apply when away from home, and that it’s okay to indulge as long as word doesn’t get back home. I’ve never subscribed to this form of thinking, and as a result I tend … Read the rest
Hippochondriac
Harry the zoo hippochondriac was a wonderful pain in the butt. The zookeepers all sat and wondered what went on there inside of his nut. He never went out to enjoy the warm sun, and never would venture to swim, play, or run. He'd moan and he'd groan then flop hard in the hay, convinced some zoo patron had bubonic plague. When spring cottonwoods bloomed and sent tufts on the breeze, he was sure that pneumonia was what made him sneeze. Once a blob of dried mud stuck behind his left ear, convinced him he'd cancer and life's ending was… Read the rest
Leaving
Precise to plans I drew myself, To house my future and my past. Space for children, work, and play, Built strongly - made to last. Connected with community, Deep roots and friends abound. Invested in longevity, We'd planned to stick around. The children learned to love this place, We parents did the same. Now plans have changed, and we must go, A pawn in life's harsh game. In packing up and leaving here, I go as duty calls. With heavy heart and misty eyes, To cope where my lot falls.