I Once Had Me A Cowboy....

Not a failed rock singer
Turned country music star.
A real Cowboy
Hands unclean from
Buildin' things--
Bridges mostly.

Texas born and raised,
My Cowboy's word was enough,
A handshake his signature.
Compassionate stranger--
Loyal friend to those broken,
Strugglin' to survive a
Rocky-steep, narrow, and
Perilous path from
Perdition to
Redemption.

A story-teller of
History, yet always 

Movin' forward.
A patriot and outlaw-rebel,
Kind, fair, and brave,
Trustin' and Believin'
In the virtues of
God, Flag, and Country--
Blindly loyal
To None.

Oh, I wish I could find me another
Old-soul of a Cowboy with
Wisdom and Humility,
Childlike and Innocent,
Thankful for simple pleasures--
Gazin' at stars full of
Solace and Hope
In the Vastness of a
Night's sky,
The Beauty of
Spaces Wide-Open
In a jaded and
Expedient world:
"Where have all the
Cowboys gone?"

"Where Have All The Cowboys Gone"

Paula Cole

Our "Anniversary Waltz..."

We just discovered each other

Tonight when the lights were low

One dance led up to another

And now I can't let you go

So tell me I may always dance

The Anniversary Waltz with you

Tell me this is real romance

An anniversary dream come true

Let this be the answer 

To our future years

Through millions of smiles 

And a few little tears

May I always listen to

The Anniversary Waltz 

With you

Let this be the answer 

To our future years

Through millions of smiles 

And a few little tears

May I always listen to

The Anniversary Waltz 

With you--

Al Dubin, Dave Franklin

"Anniversary Waltz,"

Connie Francis

To my life partner, soulmate;  husband, best-friend

Love always, Donna

"For What It's Worth:"

  

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Inspired by

F. Scott Fitzgerald

"A Change Is Gonna Come,"
Aretha Franklin

"The Cruel War," Paul Stookey and Peter Yarrow

The cruel war is raging, Johnny has to fight
I want to be with him from morning to night
I want to be with him, it grieves my heart so
Won't you let me go with you?
No, my love, no

Tomorrow is Sunday, Monday is the day
That your captain will call you and you must obey
Your captain will call you it grieves my heart so
Won't you let me go with you?
No, my love, no

I'll tie back my hair, men's clothing I'll put on
I'll pass as your comrade, as we march along
I'll pass as your comrade, no one will ever know
Won't you let me go with you?
No, my love, no

Oh Johnny, oh Johnny, I fear you are unkind
I love you far better than all of mankind
I love you far better than words can e're express
Won't you let me go with you?
Yes, my love, yes
Yes, my love, yes

"The Cruel War"

Sandra Bernhard cover

The first day of the rest of my life...

Frank Zappa

Dearest George, 

This second year of "life without you" has been a challenge emotionally, coming to grips with a new reality as well as creating new hopes and dreams alone since those we built together have been altered if not completely destroyed.  And now after two years I’m going live my life because I know you wouldn’t want me or any of us stuck in a cycle of mourning.  

I’m making new friends--if not a lot.  But I’ve never needed a lot of friends.  However, these friends and I have so much in common—our bond has been easy to develop, not challenging to maintain due to differences in the way we see the world first and foremost.  I’m building a “tribe" of love and mutual respect.  Now I dare to be, embracing happiness with the knowledge I am not alone.  None of us are. 

I'm making concrete plans to celebrate "being" and "living."  I'm creating new traditions.  I'm seeking out peace and enlightenment.  I'm getting back on track with "business" I've put on hold, while giving-in to grief completely in order to heal.  So I’m very enthusiastic and even joyful to experience the present while looking forward to the future, learning from the past.     

I will always celebrate your life and milestones.  I will always have a profound love for you, and thank God every day for the gift of having you in my life. You changed me fundamentally as a person, teaching me how to be a more compassionate human being--to listen even when letting go.  And for you I will always be eternally grateful.

God is good--as you've have always tried to tell me, but now  I finally understand.  You and I still gaze at the stars together; we always will. 

Love always my angel,

Donna

"When I grow to old to dream," Oscar Hammerstein II

We have been gay Going our way Life has been beautiful We have been young After you've gone Life will go on Like an old song we have sung When I grow too old to dream I'll have you to remember When I grow too old to dream Your love will live in my heart So kiss me my sweet And so let us part And when I grow too old to dream That kiss will live in my heart And when I grow too old to dream Your love will live in my heart Oh your love will live in my heart

"When I Grow To Old To Dream"

Linda Ronstadt

Ordinarily Extraordinary

"Being ordinary is fine. Despite all the funny things, the glorious achievements we see, and people’s wonderful lives on Facebook etc, is it healthier, emotionally, to let go of comparisons, of what people we don’t really know, think?

Most of us are ordinary at most things, but I’d like to offer a proviso. We are not born into equal circumstances with equal DNA mapping. Even through effort alone, we are all still better at some things than others," "The Fear Of Being Ordinary," Susan Lattwein, February 22, 2014.

"Corner of the Sky,"

William Katts,

Pippin