Up and Down, In and Out, Laugh and Cry

Up and Down, In and Out, Laugh and Cry

December 27, 2023  /  Joe McClure

Up and Down, In and Out, Laugh and Cry

Scrooge to the Ghost of Christmas future:  “Spirit, you have shown a Christmas Yet To Come, which mingles great happiness with great sadness, what is to become of me?”  Scrooge Movie 1971.

I seem to always be quoting scenes from this movie about this time every year. This morning, this seems especially real. Yesterday I was saddened to hear that Jack Bassett died of a stroke early Christmas morning. I knew Jack from my days in radio. He was a talented, creative, honest advertising guy. I respected and appreciated him. I will miss him.

A few hours later I got a text picture of an ultrasound from Jason McKenzie. A quick phone call connected me to a very excited newlywed/soon to be father! What wonderful news from a great guy, at Christmas!

Now, this morning, I get news that Mike Venable has died. God bless him and Jill. Their life, and battle to live and appreciate life, has been an inspiration to me and countless others. I will miss him.

Now, as Gail and I get ready to go celebrate my grandson Alex Thor’s 9th birthday. I am reminded how happiness and sadness enter each of our lives. I prefer the happy times. I am grateful to have known these gentlemen. I am grateful to have known many friends, and relatives, who have passed on. I think of them often at Christmas. I hope you will remember your lost loved ones, and how they made you smile.  😊

I am happy to be here now.

I wish all of you out there a Happy New Year.

“May we all Live as long as we’re Alive”

   -------------------------------

Chestnuts are roasting and so am I

This Christmas movie is making me cry

Why, oh why, oh why, oh why?

Do I get the Blues at Christmas?

(Joseph W McClure @ 2023)

DAY OF THE DEAD?

Day of the Dead?

November 05, 2023  /  Joe McClure

The Day of the Dead?

I know, I promised to give you some more Adventures of Dooley and Me. We finally got home a few days ago, and I’ve had plenty to catch up on, and I’ll get to that soon. But my question today is: What’s this with the Day of the Dead? How have I gone 67 years and never heard of this phenomenon, er… day?  It’s apparently on a lot of people’s minds this year.

This time of year has been pretty weird for me for the past 4 years. The Irony of having open heart surgery on Halloween has never been lost on me. The bleeding out internally, having my heart stop, for some period of time, and being in a coma for 3 days, (apparently during The Day of the Dead) wasn’t part of the plan. Well… it wasn’t part of MY plan!

Well, this isn’t about me, as my sweet buddy Dooley nuzzles my hand for some love, today I’m thinking about, and remembering companionship from my furry friends throughout the years.

My very first pet was given to me by my Gramps. He was a sweet little Beagle puppy named Sam. My parents were NOT happy about this gift. Sam wanted lots of attention and was quite vocal about that… I came home from school one day and Sam was gone. I was told he escaped through a hole in the fence. I rode my bicycle around my neighborhood for a year calling Sam’s name. (the neighbors loved that!) I never found him.

Other pets early on involved cats, I had several as a child. There was Zero and P-40, a brother and sister who were constantly chasing each other around the house. Linus, an orange tabby, who ruled the house, (including my brother’s dog). Poco Skeekrah, which actually means “Little Voice” in two separate languages! And later there was, Smokey, Spooky, Shadow, Trixie, Mr. Rogers, Downy, Jinx, and Bill. (Bill was a sickly little fellow, in a litter of Kittens, his name was a result of all the Vet bills we paid.)

Then there were our dogs. The first one’s name was Valentine, a mostly black mutt who would stand out in the rain and bark, … constantly. We had to find Valentine a different home. The kids were scared of him. Then our neighbor brought over a beautiful Springer Spaniel we named Jesse. Jesse and Cotton the Cat got along very well and Jesse was everyone’s pet. They both lived happy long pet lives, we miss them.

Then there’s Boo. We met Boo on Halloween. He was calm, sweet, and loving at a party with 50 people in a crowded small room. His original name was Boogie, but we thought Boo was appropriate. Boo was great, you can read more about him at A Wagging Tail — Joe Songs Music   And there’s Dooley, he has his own blog.

I’ve had a few people wish me “Happy Resurrection Day” on Halloween and even now, The Day of the Dead. It seems a little blasphemous to call it that. But I know God was guiding all of those doctors, nurses, family, friends, and furry friends. I owe them every day I have left. I thank you for your love and support. And I’m wishing all of you going through your own Day of the Dead, remember them and smile through those tears…

Dooley at Jesse and Cotton’s resting place…

Hospitals

Hospitals

July 29, 2022  /  Joe McClure

I hate hospitals. Wait, that's not fair, I love hospitals. They save lives, then again … not always. People in the Hospital are sick. People who visit their loved ones in the Hospital are scared,  worried, afraid. But without the Hospitals (and of course the people working there)  well …            you know…

A Hospital is a place where Life Happens,  often at its most crucial point in time. A place where love, generosity, caring, hope, happiness, camaraderie, and family,  live… As well as a place where fear, hopelessness,  sorrow, loneliness,  and despair, live… It all comes together at the hospital. It's where the best and worst parts of our lives can occur. It's where we reckon with real honest to goodness life and death. And besides our prayers and presence, there's really not much many of us can do with this reckoning. It’s pretty much out of our hands.

There are three main groups of folks at a hospital. Those that care for the sick, those that are sick, and those who love the people who are sick. All these people are under the pressure of their role. God bless them…

I have watched Life Happen in the hospital from two of these roles, as a patient and a visitor, and they both require courage.

I have a friend in the hospital now, he’s preparing for Open Heart Surgery. My longest time in the hospital as a patient (more than a couple days) was due to Open Heart Surgery. I’ll have to admit to a bit of PTSD after being there for a few hours. I also have to admit feeling the Love, Happiness, Hope, Faith, and Joy for Life amongst the fear and helplessness that a Hospital can bring…

I hate Hospitals, But I Love the people in them …

Left Behind

Left Behind

December 25, 2021  /  Joe McClure

Left Behind

Here's a thought for those of us who've lost loved ones and are missing them this Christmas.

We're still here for a reason,  a purpose... seeking that purpose not only gives life meaning...  Finding that purpose...  gives us true grateful lasting Joy... spreading that Joy may very well be why we're here...

Christmas Blessings to all of us this Christmas Season!  And may the New Year ahead bring Love and Joy to our Loved ones and the World! 🌎

Joe McClure

A Wagging Tale

A Wagging Tail

December 13, 2020  /  Joe McClure

A Wagging Tail

It’s happening, very soon, an event that we were told 3 or 4 weeks ago would come. We hoped it wouldn’t, that some miracle would happen, but it hasn’t…It’s just a day or two away…

This sucks, it hurts, it’s hard to watch, to see unfold, to lose our buddy, our companion for the past 12 years, our sweet dog, Boo.

We found out a few weeks ago that it wasn’t a sinus infection, it’s an aggressive cancer that’s growing in his sinuses, through his skull, his brain, and his nasal passages. “We’re sorry” they said, it’s gone too far into his brain to remove.

It didn’t seem to bother him much, other than those sneezing fits and that awful yucky stuff draining out of his nose. We didn’t really know what to expect, the doctors weren’t much help, they described several horrifying scenarios, told us to watch him and sent us home.

We figured if he could wag his tail, he was happy, and we’d keep him happy. About 3 days ago, he quit wagging his tail… We know it’s time to say goodbye to Boo, his soft ears, big Boo smile, and wagging tail.

I’ll miss Boo as my hiking companion, he loved to explore the woods with me.

Boo loves to sleep on my feet, or under my chair, next to the bed, in the middle of the doorway, by the fire, … Okay, … Boo loves to sleep!

He loves the kids, the grandkids, and granddogs as much as they love him.

He loves to sit on the porch and keep an eye on things.

He welcomes everyone with a hearty bark and a wagging tail.

He knows when I need some doggy love. Last year about this time, when I came home from open heart surgery, Boo was there, looking after me, wagging his tail and lifting my spirits. He just stopped by to see me now, he knows I’m sad.

Did I mention his wagging tail? When Boo wags his tail, he does it with his whole body. From head to tail, his body undulates as if he is doing some kind of Big Boo Waggy Dance! He has a big tail too. More than one toddling child has been wacked to the floor with that happy dance!

I miss that happy dance already. I’m going to miss our sweet dog Boo.

Scars

Scars

October 26, 2020  /  Joe McClure

The water can hide things, … treasures, dangers, histories, old habits, the past,, the present, the future, Remnants of all of the above...You don't know what’s hiding underneath. The sand is uneven, the waves unpredictable,  there may be something alive... or dead... What is underneath is hidden... at first…But if you study the surface, you can tell there is something underneath ... you can tell … It’s like a Scar on the water.

Scars... I have them, I'm almost a year out from my OHS CABG X3 (technical jargon for those who've had their rib cage sawed in half and their heart rebuilt) They're not as ugly-scary as they were almost a year ago, I'm not sure if they're healing or just been covered over with new skin. They remind me of their presence … Every.Day …  I don't have to look at them, I can feel them ... Every.Day ... Maybe someday they'll fade away … maybe not. I think I would miss them if they did, they've taught me a lot, and somedays I need some reminding of what I’ve learned ...

Today will be Different …  Today… I'm at the Beach… Today … I'm going to take off my shirt, show my Scars to the Sun, and the World, and expose the World to my Scars... maybe they can teach each other something... (I hope I don’t scare anyone!)

Our Scars are our earned badges of proof that we can Suffer … and Survive. They are not always visible to the world or to anyone, but if we honor them with Our Sunlight, they will Heal...

I will Live out Loud … Today. There is Hope in Today, the Future, Tomorrow... Soon. There is Hope in the Water, in the Waves, in the World… In the Sunshine… In the Light …  We can Heal! We can Laugh! We can Love! and We can LIVE!

Know the Rain

Know the Rain

August 21, 2020  /  Joe McClure

  Sometimes it Rains. Listen to it. Feel the cooling freshness of it. Can you hear the Song in it? Does it make you want to Dance? Does it make you want to Cry? Walk in it, Dance in it, Sing to it! 

The Rain will listen to your Song, but You must listen... You must stop... Be still. Before you Dance and Sing, you may have to feel its Loneliness... Despair... Pain... Accept the Wonder of the Rain... the cooling wet... let it wash over you... let it wash through you. Let it soak into your clothes and your soul... until you shiver... until you long for the Sun. For as surely as the Rain will Fall, the Sun will Rise... but not Now.  

Now is the time for Rain... Know the Rain ... Know its Song... Know that it is for You... Now... Tomorrow it may sing a different song... but... Now... it sings... for You... Find it, Sing it, and Know that it is Beautiful... Know that it is Yours ... Know that You are Beautiful ... Know it Now... 

What I Came For!

WHAT I CAME FOR!

August 05, 2020  /  Joe McClure

Joe McClure

What I Came For!

In the Heart of the Deep Forest, you can't actually see the Sunrise. But you can feel it, coming through the mist of the morning, as birds and leaves begin to flutter, getting ready to sing their wake up song. The Forest and I wait, in Anticipation, like a child waits for his surprise birthday party, on the other side of the closed door, knowing something is coming, but what? ...

 Father Sun opens the door, finds its way down into the Forest, slowly pushing aside the mist and the leaves to finally shine itself down to the Forest floor, exposing the Forest' beauty to itself and its Natural Inhabitants. And Me, the Immigrant Child, trying to blend in, so as not to disturb or interrupt its natural rhythm and existence, lest I destroy its Loveliness. 

Today the Lord will give Me what I came for, and I will Leave, with Joy, Knowing the Cycle repeats. Every Day... Every Year... Every Lifetime...

Click here to listen to my song: The Time Is Now

Make It Sunday!

MAKE IT SUNDAY!

August 01, 2020  /  Joe McClure

MAKE IT SUNDAY!

It's Sunday! A day of rest, a day to get right with God, the Universe, Family. A day to take a Breath, a Smile, a View. A day to Notice, Dream... Believe. 

Most days lately I can't tell you what day it is, but most Sundays I can. Maybe it's the Preachers on TV, the Grandkids coming over to swim. Maybe it's the Yearning in my Heart to connect with Something, Someone, Some Presence... Bigger than Me...

 What if we could make every day Sunday? What a nice day to Settle in, Feel right with the World, the Maker, our Kin, and our Friends ... a day we could Relax, and accept the Peace we so long for... Thank you Lord for this Day, help me appreciate its Beauty, and its Unique Perspective...

Go to Them!

GO TO THEM!

August 01, 2020  /  Joe McClure

The Water, the Mountain, the Sun and the Sky. Are always there, you can't always see them, but they're there. Go to Them, drink in their healing wisdom, feel their power, be awed by their beauty, be washed by their raining joy, and share it with those you Love. Believe in that Power, and know the Love that is there. It will envelope your Heart, your Being, your Soul, and give you the Strength, Stamina, and Courage to go on...

"So when the Sun Comes Creepin' through your window tomorrow,
and warms your room with its Light. Know that Love does the same for your Heart and your Sorrow, and you'll be doing alright" From "The Sun Came Creepin" Joe McClure - Listen here!

It's Who You're With!

IT'S WHO YOU’RE WITH!

July 31, 2020  /  Joe McClure

I've been spending a lot of time lately (well okay, a lot of years) trying to find just the Right Place. The perfect place to Write, the perfect place to Enjoy Life, the perfect place to Play and Sing, the perfect View, the perfect place to Be Happy, the perfect Peace... Those places are so rare and hard to come by... well, maybe they don't really exist, maybe it's my attitude, my state of mind, maybe they're in my heart, not my head.

 I remember back in college, having a discussion with a good friend about life, (and girls) and we concluded: "It's not What you do, it's Who you're with." This morning I decided: "It's not Where you are, it's Who you're with". 

I've been With Myself for several days now... Apparently... Sometimes...I'm not very good company...😃

Click here to listen to my Song: The View From The Top

Hope Is Important!

HOPE IS IMPORTANT

July 20, 2020  /  Joe McClure

In the early, early morning, before the dawn, there's a mist upon the mountains that clouds our view of the trails ahead. We are unaware of the challenges, hardships, beauty, joys and wonders we will encounter. But as the sun appears, and the Sky changes from gray to blue, there is instilled in us, a Hope, an eager anticipation for the day ahead. This Hope is important. It will bring us into a new day with strength and courage, and it will replenish our Souls with Wonder and Beauty. God has blessed us with this day. Let's see what He has in store for us!

A New Day!

A NEW DAY!

July 19, 2020  /  Joe McClure

The Rooster crows, the Chimney Swifts chatter, the Birds sing their Song of Summer morning. The Sunrise Stillness slowly awakens to the Inevitability of a New day, a New chance, a New beginning...
What will We do with this Blessing God has given Us and the World?