"Come on Home"

The wood siding is warn and faded but still solid. The double front door with the matching screens hung with well oiled springs cause a familiar bang of wood and metal adding a low but unmistakable harmony to the their melody. There are no words to their song but they sing their message clear and loud: “Come on in …You’re home!” The thick and pungent smell of wood smoke hangs over the entrance embracing you like the stout but loving arms of your grandpa. Real or imaginary they hold you with the security most long for but find so evasive. You find yourself drawn, compelled, to place your feet on those well worn grooves, in steps where countless others have done the same pulling you up the porch past the swing and rocker through those doors and into a world that feels as warm and safe as the pile of grandma’s quilts you lay under on a clear cold morning, the smell of breakfast: eggs, bacon, pancakes, and coffee warming you inside while the quilts snuggle you as tightly as one of your grandma’s hugs. “You’re Home …Stay.”

The world outside melts away like snow in the warmth of spring and your cares trickle off your back like the small rivers such a scene creates. Inside you find all manner of things to occupy your time and attention from the smell of the pantry with all the food stores, to the treasures in the room under the stairs complete with candy, gum and the aroma of pipe tobacco. It is a carefree kingdom a place where problems are adventures; dragons to be slain, and the sound of the family carries the ring of “Excalibur” fending of all who would assail you. “You’re home …Rest.”

In the living room you find yourself under the strange anesthetic of the wood stove complete with water pan on top as makeshift humidifier. The chair you’re in clings to you issuing its challenge; “I dare you to move!” You cannot, you don’t want to. Your eyes grow heavy drugged by the heat of the stove almost unbearable. It works its magic and caresses your senses. Life becomes dreamy as you drift into the arms of peace there is no desire to wake. Nothing is pressing you, time has ceased. It is like the lullaby of a long car ride you never want to end as it rocks you gently only to be interrupted late in the night as your dad carries you to the warmth of your bed. The chair feels as secure as both. “Your home …Don’t worry.”

You search the recesses of your memories and try to locate the last time you felt like this; The snow storm, it completely shut everything down and the world stopped at least for a time, that had helped, but there was something else. As you close your eyes and drift off full of comfort like a big Sunday meal your mind is flooded with the faces of those who have and do, challenge, encourage, and hold you with a love unbreakable that finds it’s source in an unchanging uncompromising standard that is the “same, yesterday, today and forever” it is divine. “You’re home ….they are here.” They are after all, “home”. Some are blood, some are friends, some are memories having left us either by distance or death but they, by a standard so divine, so patient, full of joy, peace and truth are our “home”. Come on in maybe you’ll find it familiar or maybe for the first time you too will be home.

What's in your field?

A farmer went to the field excited to eat the fruit of his labor at harvest. To his dismay expecting a feast of corn, beans, potatoes, peas, and carrots, he found only thistle, crab grass, and dandelions. He sat on a pile of rocks and bowed his head in sorrow not really understanding what had happened. A friend passing by on his way home noticed the farmer and his sad state. "What is wrong my friend said the man to the farmer?" With a quiver in his voice and a tear on his cheek, the Farmer told him of his hopes and their demise. The Friend in innocence said; “how could this be, certainly you planted the desires of your heart so you could eat well didn't you?” Beginning to answer the farmer stopped short and in great turmoil remained silent. Then slowly deliberately he spoke; “It was my intent in the beginning to plant all those good things. My harvest does not lie for intents do not grow you see by my field what went into my ground and the fruit it has yielded.” The farmer went away empty and sad. The friend went away much wiser, determined to make sure his planted seed was good. As I look on the landscape of my garden the concern for a "good" yield lays heavy on my heart. My sons your lives are my garden and your actions the yield of my seed. It is up to you to work your land now for a good harvest in future generations.

here you go

It appears someone reads this after all! As I said before give me some idea what you think might happen. You might get to direct the story line or maybe you are the story line!

The Immortals; continued part V

That evening, in the shadows of the bleachers “he” moved quietly watching the team. Mike new something was up but was able to keep his mind and heart moving with the constant attention of his friends and the group of “ladies” he found himself in,

The door opened and “he” was greeted warmly. The well lit room revealed several students chatting and laughing though showing purpose in their meeting. “Hey” Scott, responded one of the group. “He” nodded a hello as he moved toward a lone figure standing by some refreshments. Hey man what’s up? Dave looked up at Scott and Scott leaned over and quietly responded to Dave. Dave’s look while revealing didn’t tell the whole story but when both He and Scott moved toward the door instead of joining the group at the table they all knew something was up. Dave the leader of the group as identified not by position but by activity was the oldest and most would admit one of the most passionate about morphing. It had been Dave that had taught so many how to take note of those who were well on their way to morphing. Tall, athletic and winsome he commanded people’s attention easily. Rumor had it he was one of the first to morph in the school in a long time. Tales of his prowess and immortality still lingered on the lips of those who longed to achieve not just immortality but notoriety in the inner circle, something the team was well on the way to doing themselves. To hear people talk you’d think the only thing that could have taken this guy down, would have been kryptonite. To look at him now one could only imagine, good looking as he was there was none of the swagger of the immortals and never did he speak about the feats of the immortals with any hint of envy or marvel. In fact it was just the opposite he would often upon hearing the tales of their recent events reveal a look of deep pain and sorrow. Dave unlike the immortals was genuinely concerned with those around him. You could see it in all his relationships especially with Scott.

Scott now there was one for the books. He had been the rising star in the circle of the immortals. Every one knew he would be legendary and renowned, until the day he met Dave. Even as an immortal Scott seemed drawn to Dave which is unheard of, once someone morph’s it’s as if they no longer exist. In the eyes of the immortals they are simply gone. In fact when you’re in their company it’s as if they look right through you; you’re just not there. That is what was so weird about Scott it was like from the first day Dave was even near Scott, Scott had not just noticed him, but taken no small bit of harassment for having left some of the antics of the “team” in order to talk with Dave. You have to understand those things just do not happen!

Scott and Dave turned to the group as they exited the room and said it’s time. We think tonight could be the night. The group murmured their agreement and the pair left headed to the party after the game and Mike.

“He”, Scott hadn’t been the only one watching Mike. Several meant to keep the way of the immortals going and protect people from the horrors of morphing were headed to the same place vowing to do whatever it took to spare Mike the pain of becoming mortal and losing all he (they)had and would gain.

More to come

It just might be possible that you're waiting for the next installment ......I'm working on it! the others had been done for a long time with the rest still ramblin around in my brain. O the basic outline is done just gotta fill it in so be paitent! in the mean time tell me what you think might be happening and lets see if you're right!

The Immortals part IV

No one caught it not even Matt, but he had.

The quick look up, eyes locking on the speaker, his weight shifting to the front of the seat, Mike had responded and he would be watching this one more now. He could tell, though it was small, it was the beginning and this quite, unassuming, almost invisible one, knew all to well the process. Yes he would be watching and proactive. The bell rang and everyone began to move out the door to their next class. Quietly he fell in behind Matt and Mike unnoticed so close his movements looked synchronized with the pair. Just as “The Team” was turning into their next class, just as Mike lifted his hand to let it slide across the rounded corner of the hallway into the room, he reached up and touched Mike’s hand; “Something about Ron last night wasn’t it?” He said and then he was gone. A chill ran up Mike’s spine and he almost lost the Timbit’s he had eaten; “How’d he know? Who was he? Why isn’t it bothering anyone else?” The rest of the day was uneventful. To take his mind off Ron and the mystery man, Mike worked hard at staying in the middle of as many conversations and activities as he could and by lunch it was turning into a good day. The plans were set for the game tonight, and then there was a new movie a bunch of them were heading to see and by the time they got out of it, they all would be ready to drop into a blissful state of uninterrupted sleep. He had almost made it through his last period when he caught something from the corner of his eye. It was only the briefest of moments but he had seen him and he wasn’t alone. There was no mistaking they were in the hall way pointing at and whispering toward Mike, then they were gone! As the bell rang Mike searched the hallway as He followed Matt out to the car. He tossed the keys to Matt and said “here you drive, I’m tired!” Matt gladly jumped behind the wheel and as they raced out of the parking lot Mike began to scan the landscape looking for his mystery man, the real reason he chose not to drive. As they passed the side street next to the school, a mass of student and parent vehicles waited impatiently, with horns blaring, engines revving, cars rocking back and forth alternating between the gas and the brake to get out. A car exploded into Matt and Mikes view spraying gravel and running the stop sign as it passed cars on the right shoulder, heading right for the side of Mike’s car. Stunned Mike glared out the window, Matt in an evasive maneuver first slammed on the brakes then hit the gas. The oncoming car would have broadsided Mike and Matt had Matt not reacted so quickly. The other car locked its brakes just long enough to avoid the accident and for Mike to get a good look at the passenger. “You idiot!” Matt yelled. He glanced at Mike. “Man what gives, they could’ve killed us! Well not really, but if we could die, that would‘ve been close. Hey you okay Mike? “Did you see him Matt? The passenger I mean, it was him!” “Him who?” “Him, the guy outside of 2nd hour.” “I don’t know what you’re talking about man!”

"The Immortals" part III

The next morning Matt woke with a start. His head hurt and he felt a little off but it was nothing new. He began a mental list of the night’s activities taking time to linger over some of the better ones. It was still hard to believe they could pack so much into one night with so little time, most kids had no curfew, his seemed almost unreasonable, 12:30; most of the good stuff was just starting to happen. Jimmy was in rare form last night. After he downed that magnum, how could he drive like that? He took three out-a three races in that beat up truck he was unstoppable. Then when he drove through the side of Ole man Hosner’s barn and the main support beam come down on his truck. That was crazy! Like always though he’ll live to drive another day and so will his truck, can’t believe it didn’t get destroyed. It looked better than before the Barn. His mind just started to ponder that “reality” when he was jerked back to “now” by his mom’s voice; “Matt, hurry up I got to go and I’ll drop you off …you know I can’t be late.” Matt called back; “It’s okay, Mike is picking me up!” His mom headed out the door and as always shot back; “No Tim Horton’s you guys head right to school!” “Okay mom, I hear you!” He already knew they’d stop and like always stroll in three quarters of the way through first period. They’d drop off the Ice Cap to the security desk and pick up their pass or simply nod at their first hour teacher who would ask how their night was. She really didn’t want an answer …she knew, …she was there.

Mike’s horn blared as Matt headed down the stairs and out the door to the car. “Okay, Okay, enough already! You get any sleep last night? I slept like a rock man!” Mike looked over at him as he got in, eyes red and blood shot. “You don’t look so good.” Mike groaned and said; “I slept like crap!” “Michael, such language!” trying to mimic Mike’s mom’s indignant tone. “You should speak using a more intelligent vocabulary!” Mike replied; “Knock it off! First I downed a few more drinks just to stay loose and not think about Pete and Ron, then I was up all night pueking until I passed out! I wouldn’t have come to day ‘cept I want to play in tonight’s game!” The Pete and Ron thing, slipped right by Matt like he didn’t even hear it. “Are you kidding the game and then the extra curricular are the main stay! Now let’s head to Timmy’s we need some coffee!

Matt and Mike, really more Matt relived the nights activities, making plans for the game that night, as well as for the weekend. Like clockwork “The Team” walked into school three quarters through the first period and dropped off the “Ice Cap” to security, picked up their pass and headed to first hour. Strolling into the room everything was as it should be. Some students were catching up on their sleep, others were involved reliving their antics from the night before. Ms. Smyth was in the thick of it too and in rare form. She was laughing and recounting her version of the “barn” story complete with dramatization. This was always interesting, in her early thirties most of the parents didn’t approve of her values including her taste in dress nor her interaction with the students, but the students did especially the guys. Matt and Mike had just found their places when the class was interrupted by the office intercom. “Ron Sanders to the main office please, Ron to the office.” The class stopped long enough to take note of the name, but the usual cat calls and drawn out aaawwwwwwwwwh was strangely missing in fact no one seemed to pay attention except Mike, a small response, but to someone watching a response none the less. No one caught it not even Matt, but he had. The quick look up, eyes locking on the speaker, his weight shifting to the front of the seat, Mike had responded and he would be watching this one more now. He could tell, though it was small, it was the beginning and this quite, unassuming, almost invisible one, knew all to well the process. Yes he would be watching and proactive.

New Stuff

If you're an adolescent, work with them, have them, or care about them check out this blog by teens for teens; http://www.therebelution.com/blog/ and read their book "DO THE HARD THINGS"
OUT

The Immortals part 2

Certainly they had heard of this, but never had they or anyone they knew seen such things. In fact, most people considered it a myth. You were either immortal or not and those who were not, simply were that way from birth. You could tell the ones who just didn’t have it in them. They were compliant, got along with the adults, you could just tell. It’s not to say they never had fun or crossed the line, it just wasn’t there habit, rather due to an over active conscience or firm conviction in mortality, they were a lost cause over all.

In an instant he went from crying softly to an angry explosion. “Don’t you dare try to tell me I’m wrong! I saw it!” The veins in his head were bulging and his face shown red. Whatever this guy had seen it clearly freaked him out and several in the group, in fact it was on that note that everybody began to make their exit, leaving the team and Brad (it was his house) the only people with … “Hey what’s your name?” Calming down, he replied; Pete. “Well Pete, we’re about to leave you need a ride?” “Yeah that’d be great.” “I’m Mike and this is Matt.” “Yeah I know you’re the team,” Pete said.

As they left the driveway Mike turned to Pete and said; “What were you and Ron talking about before this happened?” “Lots of stuff,” Pete said. “I still can’t believe he’s gone, what happens to you after you morph?” “I’m not sure, but it ain’t good!” “What was He thinking?” Matt asked as he glanced in his rearview mirror. “That’s the problem he was thinking way too much!” Pete replied. “He kept talking all day about how he couldn’t sleep last night and his cell was off, the cable modem was down… “Yeah when you got nothing to do, nights are the worst. They say more people morph at night than any other time.” Matt said. Mike voiced everyone’s thought; “You think that’s why no ones ever seen one?” In unison the rest of the car muttered a slow quiet “Yeah.” Each finished the ride humming, listening to their ipods, drumming out beats to the music in their respective seats, anything to drive away, not give in, block, the gnawing desire to contemplate: something they knew innately but needed to keep repressed. In fact this scene was played out all over this town and across countless others in the whole world. Individuals trying to continue running in body and brain so when they lay down at night they immediately slip into a state of unconsciousness, having no chance to think of anything especially morphing. As they pulled into Pete’s driveway and he got out, Mike and Matt both said; “Hey man be cool. Maybe it was all a bad dream, just keep moving till you crash …you’ll be fine!” Pete told them thanks for the ride then turned toward his house but hesitated, turning he looked toward the car and spoke. It was to Mike and Matt but his voice and stare were hollow as if sharing a message with an unseen universe; “There is NO WAY …It didn’t happen.” It was more like he had made a decision one many who had seen the drama played out, would repeat this night. Now he had proclaimed his truth and it was over, …at least for him.

The Immortals

No one knows when they first discovered the gift, ability, or state of being ...whatever you might call it. Some say it started with the '57 Chevy others the rumble seat. Certainly there were the random stories of legendary individuals of old who seemed to go beyond normal and push the envelope gaining them fame. People like Ghangis Khan or Alexander the Great. From more recent days those who were pioneers in the art; Elvis, Bruce Lee, and Buddy Holly, until we've reached the pinnacle of today with men like Mic Jagger and David Hasselhof (Just kidding here!) leading the pack. Of course these are still only amateurs when compared to the skill level today’s average individual has reached as they walk the path, and today most walk the path. It’s like a fountain of youth, a life of extreme adrenaline, a never ending ride of pleasure, a life of self indulgence, self will, and self design. The best part is you’re invincible on the path, you are Immortal and in the company of “The Immortals.”

"See Ya!" He ran out the door taking only a moment to reach the waiting car. "Where we headed?" asked the driver. "To your house!" He replied with a tell tale smirk. "That's what I told them". He pointed over his shoulder at the house they were just pulling away from. "They are so dumb! Be nice for a little while, do a couple things around the house and youre' good to go!" They headed to the latest event they had cooked up meeting the girls and like so many nights before, worked hard hammerin out as much fast and furious living any kid their age could think of. Just as they were about to leave their last destination heading back into the world policed by mere mortals, the door exploded open almost hitting them in the face and a white faced friend staggered in and fell at their feet. "Look it's another saturday night!" (code for: he's wasted again) and they all started laughing. They watched as he slowly staggered to his feet and after several attemps he looked up, they all stared in expectation waiting for his typical slur of words and the projectile vomiting which would most definately follow. Already his body was convulsing involuntarily getting ready to expel any and all contents of his stomach. They all backed up in concert as if pushed by an invicible hand still laughing, waiting for what was to come. Standing and lifting his head to face the onlookers, they watched as he opened his mouth and with one last spasm of his body, their laughter choked and they gasped as instead of the expected, he let out a ghastly moan filled with the gutteral sound of sucking air, trailing off in a final high pitched cry, it seemed to come from a soul being crushed, suffocated by something terrible. Rushing forward the questions came in waves, battering their friend they seemed to be physically pounding his body as with each new wave he would try to respond and then simply continue that body wrenching sob alternating between gulping and hiccuping for air and that awful eerie cry. Taking command of the situation the team as they were known, moved everyone back and standing on either side of the fallen one, they gathered him up and walked him over to a chair and with unlikely gentleness sat him down. "Now, what happened?" the rider of the team spoke. Slowly they began sifting through their friends unconsolable tears to find the source of his emotional pain.

"I told him! I told him over and over again not to do it! But Ron said he just wanted a peek, a quick look inside, I even offered to bring him next weekend if he would just not go through with it. The next thing I knew he was gone. I turned my back for just a second to checkout this chick, and he was gone. I ran around the corner heading for the place but it was too late. It was horrible man kinda like 'Alien' meets 'Arachnaphobia' egg sack. I've never seen a metamorphasis before. He ...it ..I" He trailed off and began to cry quietly

“No way!” The group exclaimed; “You didn’t! That’s impossible! No one has ever seen a metamorphosis in our life time!” The whole crowd murmured in agreement.

Certainly they had heard of this, but never had they or anyone they knew seen such things. In fact, most people considered it a myth. ..... Stay tuned