Outlaws, Outrages and Outright Lies
Wandering Soul Blog
On a desert island, middle of a plague,
Love that never falters, never will it fade.
The only one to touch, nestled here at home,
Though we sorely miss the places we did roam.
In these turbid times, we pick each other up,
Though it should be empty, you did fill my cup.
Fifty years and holdin’, our time was always Golden.
My heart did you embolden, to you I am beholden.
LDT Larry and Karen’s 50thth Anniversary, January 21, 2022.
Main Menu http://www.azrockdodger.com
Life is just a gamble, a-rollin’ of the die,
might become a shamble, never knowin’ why.
Take a spin on the wheel, let the number ride,
if it’s y’er turn to deal, never stand aside.
Blackjack’s just a game, you win or you lose,
love is much the same, gotta’ pay some dues.
I headed off to Vegas, this time not alone,
Life has lots of stages, the future is unknown.
Pretty girl at my side, is she the one for me?
And never have I eyed, someone of such beauty.
The desert sun is settin’, as we’re rollin’ into town,
Forget about the bettin’, we are courthouse bound.
Our wager is our license, we head out on the Strip,
and if it all makes sense, it becomes a lifelong trip.
The Chapel of the Bells, preacher ties the knot,
There’s nuthin’ that dispels, the love that we’ve got.
Spent our money on a ring, we’ll dine at Burger King,
To each other we do cling, that ain’t no simple thing.
No matter where we ramble, it’s always you and I,
Life is just a gamble, a-rollin’ of the die.
LDT Jan 21, ‘22
Larry and Karen were married at the Chapel of the Bells, Las Vegas, Nevada on January 21, 1972.
Main Menu: http://www.azrockdodger.com
Book Link (Vol I): https://wordpress.com/post/azrockdodger.com/2114
APACHE JUNCTION, AZ. Virgil Stanley Thill crossed the Great Divide on January 8, 2022 after a short battle with lung cancer. Virgil was born to Rex and Marian (Wilson) Thill in Malta, Montana on October 27, 1940. He was raised in Glasgow and graduated from Glasgow High in 1958.
Upon graduation he joined the United States Marine Corps, in part, because he heard that they had a string of bucking horses at Camp Pendleton. Trained as a mechanic, he rose rapidly in the ranks and received a prestigious assignment to a Military Advisory and Assistance Group in Korea.
Upon leaving the Service he did ranch work and rodeoed for a while. A job with Montana Power in Havre helped him learn to operate and maintain construction equipment. He ultimately worked all over the West maintaining road construction and paving equipment.
Virgil eventually retired to Apache Junction, Arizona. Though Macular Degeneration robbed him of much of his vision, he continued to lead an active and productive life. He celebrated 31 years of sobriety last year. He loved the Lord, the NFL, the PRCA and PBR.
Virgil also loved children. His stepkids, nieces and nephews and younger cousins all adored him. He leaves behind his brothers John of Hico, Texas and Larry of Sierra Vista, Arizona, and stepchildren Debbie of Utah and Randy and Eddie of Montana.
Per his wishes, there will be no service. He wanted his remains to be sprinkled in a garden to help it grow. Please remember Virg with an act of kindness for someone.
Out Behind the Chutes
Life is like a buckin’ chute, comin’ at ya’ hard,
get’s a little better if yer brother is yer pard.
Big brothers are the best, I’m lucky I got two,
now one of them is gone, and I’m feelin’ blue,
They taught me how to swim and how to ride a bike,
in between they took the time to take me for a hike.
Limp and wet, Virg pulled me from the pool,
And as I coughed the water up, he wiped away the drool.
One time, Virgil saved me from electric shock,
You could hear me holler half-way down the block.
They bought our Mom a present and said that I chipped in,
When we played a game of cards, they often let me win.
They taught me how to shift and how to work the clutch,
Though at first it seemed, I didn’t have the touch.
They took me to the Church and to the Sunday School,
They hoped that I would learn about the Golden Rule.
They bandaged up my cuts and washed away the hurt,
Rode me to the ER, when my blood began to spurt.
They grew up and went off to serve our great land,
I was so proud of them that they took a stand.
Later they would pave the roads and put the dirt in place,
and I would still appreciate their wisdom and their grace.
Now Virgil, he is gone, we’re left to carry on,
No use to fret upon, his final curtain drawn.
He’s crossed the Great Divide, made his final ride,
And if I even tried, my tears I could not hide.
One day my time will come, at the end of my run,
But Lordy don’t be glum, I’m gonna’ find someone.
Saint Peter have you seen him in his cowboy boots?
I’ll betcha we can find him out behind the chutes.
LDT Jan 8, ’22
Main Menu: http://www.azrockdodger.com
Blog Signup: https://azrockdodger.com/blog/
There’s a Star-Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere….*
In the darkest days of the war,
did they know what was in store?
Toss that apron, roll up those sleeves,
let’s go beat those Nazis.
No more calls for America First,
we see the world at its worst.
Send our sons off to war,
we must avenge Corregidor.
Make this world a better place,
inspiring all the human race.
Stand for justice, Rule of Law,
don’t be Freedom’s last hurrah!
Show them all what Freedom is,
stopping tyrants is our biz.
We respect the Rights of Man,
the Constitution is our plan.
We lift up the other fellow,
Be he Black, Brown or Yellow.
Don’t take away his vote,
he is not your scapegoat.
Cancel all that hate,
before it is too late.
Serve the nation well,
ring out Freedom’s Bell.
If Democracy has died,
you, at least have tried.
A banner so star-spangled,
has all of us entangled.
Let’s do a course correction,
We don’t need no insurrection.
LDT Jan 6, ‘22
*In the dark early days of World War II, Elton Britt inspired the nation with the song, “There’s a Star-spangled Banner Waving Somewhere”. America put aside its differences, abandoned its selfish isolationism and went to work making the world a far better place. We became the Beacon of Democracy for the Free World and the oppressed peoples of other lands.
Main Menu: http://www.azrockdodger.com
Blog Sign-up: https://azrockdodger.com/blog/
Elton Britt’s version of “There’s A Star-Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere” (1942)- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwxVLQcG9pA
I don’t watch many movies.
I rarely recommend them.
The Netflix film, Don’t Look Up is an exception.
It is a parody of and a metaphor for our time.
The plot includes:
A catastrophe facing humanity.
A nerdy scientist who becomes a sex symbol.
A beautiful whistleblower who must be silenced.
Media obsessed with celebrity and scandal.
A government in denial.
A bombastic President driven by power and image.
A tech guru with too much influence.
A coverup.
Exploitation of a crisis for political gain.
Decisions based on greed instead of science.
Conspiracy theorists screaming “HOAX!”
In the end a cataclysmic event destroys all life on the planet. One gets the feeling that this finale was well-deserved. The film is artfully produced and the acting is superb. Jennifer Lawrence gave an exceptional performance. Don’t Look Up gets five stars from me.
Perhaps the most poignant part of the movie was Yule’s prayer as the end draws near:
“Dearest Father and Almighty Creator
We ask for your Grace tonight, despite our pride
Your forgiveness, despite our doubt
Most of all Lord, we ask for your love to soothe us through these dark times
May we face whatever it is to come in your divine will with courage and open hearts of acceptance
Amen”
That old truck was faded red,
it had a big hole in the bed.
Blue Flame Six beneath the hood,
as I recall, it ran real good.
Granny gear to get it goin’
no matter what it was towin’
Cowboy tough, like the Old Man,
it made the Thills a two car Clan.
Starter pedal on the floor,
mash the gas, let her roar.
Broke off key in the switch,
Johnny says, “That ain’t no glitch.”
Old screwdriver does the trick,
that ignition lock to pick.
Livin’ at the edge of town,
might as well drive around.
Mom and Dad, they won’t mind,
got no license of any kind.
Johnny takes the wheel with pride,
Virgil sits on the passenger side.
They had me ridin’ in the back,
Mom would have a heart attack.
We can’t drive it on the street,
we take the dike to be discreet.
Weave along the bumpy trail,
we’re too young to go to jail.
Johnny steers while Virgil shifts,
Tie rod’s loose, the front-end drifts.
Brakes are fair, tires are rotten,
but look how far we have gotten!
Cross the tracks by the river bank,
far from home, damn good prank.
See that cop out eyin’ us,
hope he don’t make a fuss.
Jurisdiction is a damn good thing,
city cop can’t end our fling.
Grindin’ gears, we turn around,
time to be homeward bound.
Oh, to be that kid in the back,
drivin’ on an old dirt track.
Learnin’ how to make our way,
In that beat-up Chevrolet.
LDT Jan 1, ‘22
Eventually all three of us got to drive Dad’s ’50 Chevy pickup. My first drive was probably the most catastrophic. I missed my turn, jumped the barrow pit, took out a fence and put Dad’s head into the windshield. I was 12.
Main Menu: azrockdodger.com
Blog Signup: https://azrockdodger.com/blog/
Little village by the sea,
the simple life was the key,
A sandy beach, a coral reef,
the China Sea, its own motif.
Farmers, fishers, hard workers all,
soil to till and fish to trawl.
Sweating in the bath house steam,
refreshing tropic island dream.
Children in their sailor suits,
off to knowledge, their pursuits.
Toni’s Restaurant for fried rice,
that Kimiko sure is nice.
Akadamo wine, the local hooch,
not unlike a naisan’s smooch.
Orion beer is made right here,
make you see not so clear.
Typhoon rages, pounding waves,
shelter in the coral caves.
Goncho-San is ichiban,
up until his pay is gone.
Domo arigato, is thank you,
Sayonara means adieu.
Just a piece of paradise,
its simple life will suffice.
Let the rich have Waikiki,
Kin Beach is for guys like me.
Heaven waits to take me in,
at a place I called Kin.
LDT Dec 26, ‘21
Kin Village is located on the East coast of Okinawa. It is just outside the gate of Camp Hanson, where I was stationed for parts of 1964-65.
GLOSSARY:
Naisan- Young lady (Josan in the Japanese main islands)
Goncho-San- My nickname on Okinawa. It basically means Four Eyes and is used to describe anyone who wears glasses.
Ichiban- Number One, the best, as opposed to Number Ten (the worst).
Main Menu: http://www.azrockdodger.com
Blog signup: https://azrockdodger.com/blog/
Somewhere snow is falling, as families gather ‘round,
happy voices calling, hear their joyful sound.
Somewhere a fire crackles, warming up a heart,
casting off the shackles, no more to be apart.
Somewhere an infant lies, beneath a Christmas tree,
got her Grandma’s eyes, that smile she got from me!
Somewhere there are packages, wrapped in paper bright,
bought with workman’s wages, hoping that it’s right.
Somewhere children laugh and sing, while playing in the snow,
if the dinner bell should ring, it is time to go.
Somewhere a weary soldier, boards a late-night flight,
finally out of danger, he’ll make it home tonight.
Somewhere hats and coats, are piled on a bed,
there are many throats, waiting to be fed.
Somewhere a star will beckon, for he who chose to roam,
perhaps tonight we reckon, he will make it home.
Somewhere I have tossed, some verses from this poem.
It’s good that they are lost, they brought the darkness home.
Somewhere it is Christmas, may hope and joy renew,
A time for joy to buoy us, the Lord will get us through.
LDT Christmas ‘21
The lost verses:
Somewhere….
Somewhere there’s a chair, for one who isn’t there,
we’ll offer up a prayer, from those of us who care.
Somewhere a nurse is crying, she’s lost another one,
there ain’t no lack of trying, with everything she’s done.
Main Menu: http://www.azrockdodger.com
Another year is drawin’ down,
I’m sittin’ in a one-horse town.
The gold that glittered long ago,
went somewhere I can’t go.
There’s been trouble strife and pain,
enough to make us all complain.
Lost some ones that we held dear,
will those grey skies ever clear?
Lost some hair and hit a cow,
but to gittin’ old I’ll disavow.
Grounded the Millennium through,
is the lot that Kathy drew.
MS slowed the lover’s dance,
three diseases, what’s the chance?
When it comes to Christmas time,
will I find a happy rhyme?
A Norther blows and chills the land,
showin’ us the Master’s hand.
Snow falls on the mountain peak,
and somehow things ain’t so bleak.
Mint fresh air revives the heart,
time to make another start.
Thinkin’ back two thousand years,
ain’t no reason for these tears.
A Savior came for you and me,
full of grace to set us free.
Guess it’s time to string the lights,
set my spirits to new heights.
Wrap a package oh so pretty,
came all the way from Kansas City.
Wind the garland ‘round the tree,
hang some tinsel for all to see.
Ol’ Santa Claus will come this year,
‘cuz he knows that Diamond’s here.
Her Dad might make it in his truck,
if the weather holds, he’s in luck.
The gals will be cookin’ up a storm,
‘cuz at Christmas, that’s the norm.
We’ll tear into a pile of loot,
while Nikki checks it with her snoot.
Friends and family gather ‘round,
makin’ such a happy sound.
Rip the package open now,
later on, we’ll have some chow.
For Shooz there’ll be a mousy toy,
but Xena wants the real McCoy.
Nikki hides her bone from Sport,
it’s still there at last report.
Me, I’ll get a tool or two,
of its use, I’ll have no clue.
Ma, she’ll get some baubles fine,
they’ll get worn on down the line.
Though Kathy wants her car keys back,
she won’t be drivin’ no Cadillac.
Watchin’ football all day long,
Hey that Ref got it wrong!
Holdin’ Diamond in my lap,
rockin’ ‘til she takes a nap.
Finally comes the time to eat,
take one last look at my feet.
Plates piled high with sumptuousness,
cannot wait, the food to bless.
Dig on in, there’s plenty here,
you can diet all next year.
We’ll hide the scale ‘til New Years Day,
resolutions get made that way.
Merry Christmas! We all shout,
This ain’t no time for me to pout.
Guess I sort of like this day,
Cuz it takes the blues away.
LDT Christmas 1999
Main Menu: http://www.azrockdodger.com
blog signup: https://azrockdodger.com/blog/
Outlaws, Outrages and Outright Lies