My Love of Knot Tying

In recent months, I have been able to implement my love of knot tying into the 4-H Youth Development program. In the next upcoming weeks I am offering a knot tying class that is completely booked; and I have had great success and satisfaction in teaching kindergarten children how to tie their shoes.

My knot tying began when I was a boy, and my dad taught me how to tie knots on our sailboat.  Later, I perfected those skills as a Boy Scout. A few years before he passed away, he gave me his well-used Ashley Book of Knots, by Clifford W. Ashley, which is the world standard for knot tyers everywhere. Recently I found this poem which warmed my soul.

Ode to Rope
As I cast off for that very first time,
The “rope” in my hand has now become “line”.
And hauling the sails to the top of the mast,
That “rope”, now a “halyard” holds strong, taught and fast.
Then sailing in brisk winds full force on a beat.
The sails are trimmed in by that “rope” that’s a “sheet”.
And now at my anchorage with sails safely stowed,
I trust in that “rope” that now serves as a “rode”.
Through all my life I will never lose hope,
Of a reason or time to play with a rope.

By Lt/C Barry Briggs, S, of the Durham, NC Power Squadron, published in the August 1999 edition of the National Power Squadron magazine, The Ensign.

gus

Lay Servant Training - Let the Whole Church Say Amen!

In our Lay Servant class this past weekend we studied the book

Let the Whole Church Say Amen!: A Guide for Those Who Pray in Public,
by Laurence Hull Stookey, Published by Abingdon Press, ISBN-10: 0687090776, 2001.

March 17, 2017 Follow-up, this Tweet Wonderful story! Thanks @rachelnpr 'Out Of Wonder' Aims To Inspire A New Generation Of Poets  #IWantThisBook

Follows are some of the prayers I wrote from assignments. It was a very meaningful and (enjoyably) academic class. - spiritual, yet with meat and potatoes.

Adoration prayer
Oh gracious Father,
Whose love and grace is abounding,
Hear the prayers of hearts resounding.
To seek you purposely,
And serve each other selflessly.
In Christ's name, our Blessed Savior.
Amen

Collect Prayer
Oh Gracious God and knower of our hearts,
Who’s provided for us in time of need.
Bless us with purity of service,
When to others impart.
In Christ Jesus holy name.
Amen

Communal Prayer
Almighty God,
Who calls us to serve and blesses us with His presence,
In this small group in the world.
Thank you for your guidance, and
Thank you for confidence building to pray publicly,
As Jesus taught us to pray saying…
(The Lord’s Prayer)
Amen

Praise Prayer
Praise to you O Father above,
Who looks upon us with boundless love.
From the heavens to the Earth, on the land and across the sea,
We sing you praises ever to Thee.
In Christ’s holy name.
Amen

Benediction (group written)
Almighty God who lives and reigns forever.
Guide us as we depart.
Keep us safe so that we can perform your will
In the lives of others.
In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

The Power of Words. On Writing: Poems, Journals and Individual Expression

At the prison where I work, I was on Outside Post duty the other day and heard this story on NPR's On Being show by Krista Tippet.  I love this show.  Through this story I intellectually, emotionally and spiritually confirmed the writing of this blog and my personal, hand written journals.  It also convicted me of writing online, but not publishing all my stories publicly.  If you wish to read these other stories, more personal, with more detail, send me a note and I'll send you a link or personally email you my entries. Email to guskoerner@gmail.com

Here is the story from OnBeing.org that inspired me.  Thank you Krista.

By Naomi Shihab Nye

Your Life Is a Poem (Audio Interview) A must hear of 51 minutes.  Give it at least 15 minutes and you'll be hooked too.

Growing up, the poet Naomi Shihab Nye lived in Ferguson, Missouri and on the road between Ramallah and Jerusalem. Her father was a refugee Palestinian journalist, and through her poetry, she carries forward his hopeful passion, his insistence, that language must be a way out of cycles of animosity...

Thank you Naomi.

My A Dorm Canteen Poem

In the prison dormitory I wrote this for my inmates who moan, groan, weep and wail if they don't get to go to canteen. Canteen in prison is like a convenience store for us.  Items are limited and overpriced, but sometimes canteen food is better than normal prison meals.  They don't just sell food. In the canteen you can also purchase good soap, sweet smelling shampoo and deodorant - things that are not issued by the state. The canteen is also like a bank. When prison inmates pay back debts to other inmates, canteen items are the currency.  For example an inmate may say, "I'll write a letter for you for three packs of soup."

A Dorm Canteen

What will this afternoon bring?

I'm proud the dorm is so clean.

Rain may bring a mess,

But we'll do our best.

To help you get to canteen.

Everyday I leave notes in the window or speak with the inmates in a large group to motivate and encourage them to do better. To remember there is life beyond prison for most of them, and to do their best to better themselves.  Overall they are responding well to this type of encouragement, but some of my words are more accepted than others.  When I read this poem to them, they thought I was weird.

As you know the limerick is my favorite way to express short thoughts in the form of a poem. A limerick is a humorous, frequently bawdy, verse of three long and two short lines with a rhyming pattern of aabba.  These were popularized by Edward Lear in the late 1800's who wrote this:

There was a young lady of Niger

who smiled as she rode on a tiger;

They returned from the ride

with the lady inside,

and the smile on the face of the tiger.

For more information on limericks, just Google it.  There is boat loads of information on this style of poetry.

Call Your Mama

One word daily is better than a thousand words yearly.
Kind words are always appreciated dearly. - gk

Write a note, make a call to a loved one. It will bless your life and theirs.

This Week's Limericks

My Friday Note to Sandy

Today is Friday!
Wa Hoo! It's my day! (and yours)
May it be blessed,
Free of stress.
And your greatest challenge be child's play.

gk
3/18/2016


Outdoors Geometry
(Oh, the Wonderful Wedge)

Useful is the polyhedron,
Made of steel, preferred in Sweden.
Most call it a wedge,
Used with a sledge.
By lumberjacks before winter season.


Mathematically, its plane geometry.
Working equally on pine, oak and mahogany.
Splitting wood fine or coarse,
It works like a horse.
The finest of low technology.

gk
3/16/2016

A Tribute to Wimpy

I'd gladly pay you Tuesday, for a Hamburger today!
No, I'm not Wimpy, or the Galloping Gourmet.
A hamburger for lunch is,
The climactic ever-best is,
A sandwich, a bun, some cheese and mayonnaise.

gk
3/14/2016

This Week's Limericks

Sunrise Over Edgewater (My Drive to Work)
I set out and I’m greeted by sun on the rise,
Blue and pink glowing - blessing my eyes.
The animals stirring.
The birds are a chirping.
Beaconing all of mankind to arise.

gk, 3/7/2016

The Romantic Elephant
There once was an African elephant,
Who learned to paint with great eloquence.
He courted his sweetie,
With art and graffiti.
On a tree with picturesque elements.

The Chewing Giraffe
A giraffe from afar Mozambique,
Kept a chaw 'tween his gum and his cheek.
Other animals didn't get it.
They said, "You'll regret it,
You'll be hooked in less than a week."

This next one is a tribute to my wife Sandy.  The other night she just got home from work and  was watching our grandsons.  At the same time she was cleaning the house and cooking a marvelous rib dinner with fixins.  This was all done between 6 and 7 pm.  She's such a champ and I appreciate her so much.

My Daytona Woman
My wife, Nana and sweetheart,
Faster than Daytona and Earnhart.
At cookin' up dinner,
She's a First Place Winner;
and shows all evidence of a good heart.

The Tootsie Roll
We all enjoy a Tootsie Roll.
Of which I’m willing to pay a toll.
The chocolate is sweet,
and is such a retreat.
It has to be good for one’s soul!

gk

A Song That Knocked My Socks Off, Way Back When

As some of my readers know, I teach at a state prison. I was talking to one of my best Inmate Teaching Assistants today who is an excellent and published writer. He's been incarcerated for 30 plus years with a life sentence to go, so he's not real tech savvy. Our inmates have zero access to email or internet.

Today he asked me what a blog is, and why people write them. To make a long story short, I told him people write blogs with different themes, thoughts, purposes and passions; but I write mine so someday my children and their children (and beyond) will know what their Papa Gus was like. I have my own Papa Gus, whom I know nothing about. He passed away shortly before I was born.

This song popped up for me this week from out of nowhere, and I just had to mention it. The first time I heard it, it knocked my socks off - significant for me, therefore I write about it. My son Chris introduced this to me back in (like) 2003 and it rocked my spiritual world. It still does with the memory of me being far from God back then, and this brought me to my knees in surrender. If you know it, you'll agree.  If its new to you, I think you'll like it.  The lyrics are still profound to me, so I included them below, and of course linked associated sources.  The genre is Christian Ska.

Here it is...

World Without End (YouTube) A Must See!
by Five Iron Frenzy
Album (wiki-link): The End Is Near, 2003.

For all the deepest thought compiled, philosophy
to laws of physics,
no one's ever heard or seen,
a more beautiful thing,
than this love that saved us.

[Chorus:]
In the soundless awe and wonder,
words fall short to hope again.
How beautiful,
how vast your love is,
new forever,
world without an end.

The very spark that burns the stars,
drew near to me today,
the God of everything that is,
whispered in my ear that His love is boundless.

This last verse of the song reminds me of what I experienced in, Return To Escalante, Moments of Solitude. "The very spark that burns the stars, drew near to me today, the God of everything that is, whispered in my ear that His love is boundless." Boundless as the stars in the heavens.

If you like this, I'm glad.  Please share it with your friends and join me on Twitter @guskoerner

Thank you for Tomorrow

It's been a while since I posted last, and I try to remind myself of the primary purpose of this blog. This is my journal that I share with others.  Although sometimes my ego gets the best of me and revels in the fact that a particular article may get a few hundred "reads", this journal is to record my thoughts and feelings.  If others can relate to what I write, or find some comfort in my words that is all the better.

The following poem is on the dark side, but don't get confused with my words - I'm filled with joy.   Sometimes I just have days of contemplation where I wonder of could or could have done something different to reach my full potential.  I put my faith in God and my best to do the next right thing.  I look back on my past as a text book to learn from, not making the same mistakes again, and repeating behaviors that bring joy to me, my family and others.

The Man I Could Have Been (Thank you for tomorrow)

Father, help me to be true to myself, to others.
Help me to follow in Your ways and not look back,
Help me to see and tend to the needs of my brother.
Help me to love another as You loved me.

The man I could have been,
The man I should have been.
If I only could have met my potential
For the things that were essential.

Been the son that was always there,
The brother to my flesh,
The friend of those who befriended me,
A loyal man to prove the test.

The man I could have been,
The man I should have been.
If I only could have met my potential
For the things that were essential.

If I could have worked harder on being a good father.
Studied more for the degrees that keep the score.
If only I could have been the man who loved my wife,
Like Christ loved the Church more than His life.

The man I could have been,
The man I should have been.
If I only could have met my potential
For the things that were essential.

Thank you for tomorrow.

Gus Koerner, July 7, 2015.

Sandy Poem Number 27

Sandy Poem Number 27

A day isn't a day without you by my side,
I thank the Lord every day you chose to be my bride.

I love the way you make me feel, I love the way you smell.
I love the way my heart chimes on, because you are my Belle.

I love the way you treat me,
With patience and respect.
You help me and encourage me,
Ne’er do you neglect.

You’re the model of kindness,
With those you interact.
Giving, caring and gentle,
Is not for you a special act.

Sure you’re not perfect,
No one is of course.
But when it counts, when trouble mounts,
You are a Light source.

A woman of God, thank you.

I love you Sweetheart.

- gus

More Limericks

This is a continuation, Part II if you will, of my original story Limericks on March 30 of this year... I can tell you right now, there will probably be several follow-ups to this!  What can I say?  I'm a nerd.

Why I Love Limericks
I love limericks no ending.
They rhyme 'round a tree's always bending.
They're short and so sweet.
But longer than Tweets!
My thoughts and my feelings extending.

This was 157 characters w/spacing.  I need to create the Tweet-able  > 140 character limerick!

The Family Bookkeeper
She used to use the name Swift.
She's a master to the definition of thrift.
She saves us the nickels,
So there's always a pickle.
And we're never a ship that's adrift.

Thank you honey for watching our family finances.  I love you.

I Miss My Kids
In Florida there are tall, bushy trees,
And some that are short to your knees.
I miss my kids bad.
Because I'm their Dad.
In they're activities I'm always so pleased. :)

I know the transition here is weird, but I live in sunny Florida and my kids live across the globe in China, California, Florida, Texas and Utah. Texts, calls, Skype and Facebook are how we communicate - the 21st Century Family!

A Tribute To Harley

Harley was our adopted son and little brother from June 2002 to April 8, 2015. We're all going to miss him.

I talk to him when I'm lonesome like;
And I'm sure he understands.
When he looks at me so attentively,
And gently licks my hands;
Then he rubs his nose on my tailored clothes,
But I never say naught thereat.
For the good Lord knows I can buy more clothes,
But never a friend like that.

If my dog is barred by the heavenly guard
We'll both of us brave the heat! Both poems by W. Dayton Wedgefarth

And This Poem...

The Dachshund's affectionate
He wants to wed with you:
Lie down to sleep,
And he's in bed with you.
Sit in a chair,
He's there.
Depart,
You break his heart.

by E.B. White

Just Before the Last Supper

As Good Friday approaches I contemplate the last days of Jesus Christ before he was crucified.  In particular this year, I have compassion for Judas, yes the Betrayer of our Lord.  If he had not given Jesus up to His pursuers, someone else would have and then we would be blaming them.  Was Judas a necessary part of the eternal plan?  I don't know.  How did he feel afterwards?  (I'd love to read your comments on this.)

The Gospel of John 13:1-2 (NRSV)

Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him.  Shortly after this, Jesus washed the feet of the disciples and broke bread with them, knowing in advance of the betrayal.

I wrote this poem, considering the plight of Judas Iscariot, and the guilt he must have felt.

"Cinder blocks tied to my ankles, ropes bind my hands.
I sink below the surface, feet down to the sand.
I stretch to reach the light above.
Gasping, but not enough air.
God help me up and free me, out of this despair."

I'd also like to share some of the words of this song How Can It Be, By Lauren Daigle which is popular right now on Christian radio.

I am guilty

Ashamed of what I've done, what I've become

These hands are dirty

I dare not lift them up to the Holy one

You plead my cause

You right my wrongs

You brake my chains

You overcome

You gave Your life

To give me mine

You say that I am free

How can it be

How can it be

I cannot leave this story on a guilt laden note of sorrow, because it does not end there!  The story continues in John 13:31 to verse 35 and gives us The New Commandment...Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

Jesus shows His disciples, even Judas Iscariot and Simon Peter who betrayed Him that His love was greater than the price of their betrayal.  Shouldn't we do the same?  Can I do that?  God please help me, not for my sake, but to follow you and be a Christ example to someone who does not know Him.

Limericks

I've been obsessed with limericks lately, starting with The Pelican, which I think I found on NPR, and it became the impetus of my sudden rhyming enthusiasm.  This jewel was written by Dixon Lanier Merritt, in 1910, and it moves me so in such a funny way, it causes me to think in rhyme, all the time!  After The Pelican are my own which I came up with in the last two days inspired by events in my life. I think I'm finished now.

First this...

The Pelican
A wonderful bird is the pelican,
His bill will hold more than his belican.
He can take in his beak
Food enough for a week.
But I’m damned if I see how the helican.

Now here are mine...

The Fid (a tool for rope work and knot tying)
My Fid has been missing for weeks,
I found it tonight with much glee.
It was right where I laid it.
I'm glad cuz I made it.
I use it for knots that I keep.

My husband he lost his best Fid,
Then blamed everyone and the kids.
His mind he's a losin',
For simply not choosin',
To remember the things that he did!

Pillow Thief
I now have a wife who's a thief!
She never causes much grief.
My pillow she'll take, Before I awake.
She denies it in great disbelief!

Covered Dish
Oh the joy of community eatery!
Enjoying each other so leisurely.
The dishes diverse,
We sit and converse.
Getting to know one another so easily.

Slumber
My sweet wife is sound asleep.
She lies in a slumber so deep.
But soon she'll awake, and coffee partake.
She's a blessing to all whom she meets.

Misbehaving Students
In prison they come to my school.
They can stay if they don’t act the fool.
If bridges their burnin’ they don’t get no learnin’
That is the primary ground rule.

Mean Ramona
There once was a man from Daytona,
That married a bike chick Ramona.
He rode on the back, but she cut him no slack,
And dumped him on this side of Pamona.

Old Mr. Forte’
I wonder how old Mr. Forte’ has been?
Since ‘76 he’s been in the pen.
The sweetest man you've met in your life
39 years now for killing his wife.

Squirrel Chaser
Harley chases with fleas on his knees.
All of the squirrels plum up the trees.
All he wants to is play, but he never will say,
The squirrel language version of 'please'.

A Family Prayer

Every family has challenges great and small, but if they come together in faith, the hardships become more manageable and the bond can be made stronger. Even in major hardships such as death and divorce, we need to seek help from our Father in heaven to minimize the hardship and pain, and have faith and hope for a better day ahead. In my poem you'll see how I mention the perfect example Jesus gave to us, how we are all human and need to forgive ourselves and others. That is what I wish to express. I hope you get something from it. - gus

Precious Savior, dear Redeemer,
Please bless our family now.
Relieve us from our humanness,
The ties that hold us down.

As nature reflects Your goodness, love,
Let us see Your loving face.
Upon our needs and deep desires,
Let us feel and share Your grace.

Giving and forgiving is your example shown.
Selfless love for all to receive,
Shown by Your life, and on the cross,
A gift for all who need relief.

And Father one more thing.  Please bless us and our washing machine. It doesn't agitate, but we do. Thank you. Amen

Angel Friends

Count your blessings though you don't see how.  See the goodness that you have right now.

Angels watching over us when we lose our way. Who're there in the form of friends and family and listen to every word we say.

Angels watching over us when we think all's lost.  Showing the loving arms of our Savior who paid the final cost.

Angels watching over us when that loved one says goodbye.  Who encourages us to keep going when we don't want to try.

Angels showing us daily in the form of children and friends, wrapping their arms around us, as we begin to mend.

Count your blessings though you don't see how. See the goodness that you have all right now.

New Sun On The Horizon

New Sun On The Horizon

A couple has formed, their relationship new, where nothing can go wrong for the sweethearts two. A few years pass, and suddenly what was cute is now not so much.  The cuddling at night is now barely a touch.

Harsh words are spoken, sweet gestures gone. One thing leads to another and they wonder what went wrong. Trust is broken, hearts saddened, love dwindled, yet they both hope it can be rekindled.

So they come together with a hope to mend something that was never meant to end. The strife between a husband and wife can pull the joy right out of life.

But when the two strive to be one, a new beginning has begun and they can start to see the rays of the sun.

Gus Koerner August 13, 2014, 11:40 pm

Beautiful Soul

I wrote this, not to one of my children, but in response to what one of my kids is going through.  After seeing the movie Les Miserables, the 2012 version, the character Fantine (Anne Hathaway) sings the song, I Dreamed A Dream, which is I think, the saddest song I've ever heard in my life.  No kidding.  After reading the lyrics privately, I realized that even though I've had struggles, its nothing to compare with what challenges some people face.

I've had some dark days in my life but, by the grace of God made it through them.  Each day gets better, but we have to try, if not for ourselves for our loved ones.  We are so blessed if we only realize it. Here it is.

Beautiful Soul

There’s a light within my eyes, a day of hope a day of giving.
The feeling of despair is gone, and suddenly feel life’s worth living.
Let us praise the God on high. Let us thank Him for the beauty.
Of our soul that needs Him most, to share the grace that's our duty.

So if you’re lost and torn with fear, know there’s one who holds you dear.
Just close your eyes and ask for help, and He will hear your prayer sincere.
Let us praise the God on high. Let us thank Him for our beauty.
Our souls are crafted after His, He shares His grace by love not by duty.

For my children, nieces and nephews, and anyone who seeks healing.
Inspired by the song from Les Miserables, “I Dreamed A Dream.

By G. Koerner, July 26, 2014, 10:35 PM

Navigate The Storm

Click to enlarge.

Oh Lord, the waters are so great and my boat is so small. -1

Sometimes life gets turbulent, uncontrollable, yet there's one who's there all the time; invisible, but present none the less.

He holds out his hand to rescue us, to keep us from drowning in our own ocean of anxiety and despair.

Our gasps of desperation will call Him forth.  But why do we wait so long?  Let us call Him now, before the gales come, to help us navigate the storm until the waters calm.

Gus Koerner
July 22, 2014
-------------------
-1 This line is based upon the quote by an unknown author, Breton Fisherman's Prayer.  Accompanying image, The Storm on the Sea of Galilee, Rembrandt, year 1633. Photo credit Wikipedia.  Scripture Reference Luke 8:22-25.

Meditation on Forgiveness

Father in heaven, thou art great.
Creation beacons us to see
Wonders of your glory.

Father in heaven, thou art kind,
Mercy endless to abound,
Free to those who seek it.

Father in heaven, I have sinned.
Lord Jesus cleanse me with your blood,
Let me be your vessel.

Loving is my Father dear,
Forgiving all who stray away,
From your most wise precepts.

Father in heaven, I am blessed,
Beyond what man can comprehend
Help me bless my brother.

By G. Koerner
July 21, 2014