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CJ Sutherland May 2018
56% of the world
Do not believe in religion
In God

I wonder how they determine
The difference between right and wrong
IF the doctrine does not exist
Then the 10 Commandments
Do not have meaning
Since it’s in the Bible

  How is the moral compass defined  
A Very famous atheist defined
The moral compass
Two principal rules;

1)   IF it feels good do it
2)  If it’s good for me,it’s good
If it hurts me, it’s bad

  Religion as a whole Is under attack
Those who read the Bible know
This is foretold in the book of Revelations
  
We are all human we make mistakes
  No Religion is perfect
   Just because some members are bad
Does not make the entire Religion bad

If we exterminate the Doctrine
Where does that leave us
AS A SOCIETY

Just look at the world today
With LACK of moral fortitude
How do we wrap our heads around
Children that **** their sibling or parents
MASS shootings; in churches, at concerts
In Schools, nowhere is safe
With No defined reason WHY
  People are angry, demanding protection
  With no answers, safety is an Illusion
How far will you go
To protect someone you love  

Were do we go from here
Atheist want Christian to not only
Except their way of life BUT
To also denounce their beliefs
  If the Christians doesn’t fall in line
They’re branded biased and prejudice
  What about a Christian’s right  
To practice their religion

Christians plant seeds
Searching for Devine intervention
And their purpose of life
But are Crucified for their belief
Because they are unwilling
To sacrifice their eternal soul
Christian Are bullied to teach beliefs
to their children
That are in direct conflict to their religion
  Atheist use the word TOLERANCE
      
What atheist’s should understand
Christian’s can love a person
but not except their actions,
We inherently know right from wrong
We are all brothers and sisters in Christ
  It is not for a Christian to judge another
THAT IS GOD’S JOB

For those who don’t BELEIVE
In a higher power
Am I to understand that
The sum of all life is
To get up,go to work,
Search for the almighty dollar
Go home, go to bed, wake up
To do it again, and again...
The only purpose to
Keeping up with the Jones
Buying,  acquiring, collecting,
Brand names, flashy things  
Is THAT the motivational  goal of life  

Is That as good as it gets ?
At the end of life, to die
Fade to nothing, no afterlife
  
He who dies with the most toys wins!!
It’s about stuff????
  Does that mean
YOU are the God of your world
What about those like me who died and had a near death experience and talked to a higher power you see I know with every fiber of being what waits for me as I grow in faith I don’t know what’s going to happen in my life but I do know it’s not my doing I give my life to God everyday pray and ask for forgiveness when I fall short and try for a better tomorrow everyday is a new day to do the right thing we all struggle I have faith God Bless
There is a  place
On memory lane
The blind can see
Jesus healed the lame

The tree of life
In the center of it all
Grows 12 different fruit
Summer winter, spring, and fall

Purity rules, each and every day
Peace of mind in every way
Evils of earth are all forgotten
Depravity, every thought rotten

Only love prevails
Memory lane exist
In folklore, fables ,fairytales

Here on earth, we learn our worth
Can be found in Jesus Christ first
John 3:16
A fable uses, puns, and metaphors, describing a subject meant to be guessed by the listener to teach a moral
Fables use puns, metaphors, they introduced us to rhyming mnemonics, allegorical use of language.
I’m exploring and different types of poetry
CJ Sutherland Mar 2018
Raised by my father
I was knee high to a grasshopper
My brothers and sister and I had
Many Nannies and Babysitters

When I turned sixteen
I applied for my drivers permit
The paperwork returned
Wrong date of birth

It had to be a mistake
Crazy right  everyone knows
their own birthdate

I Requested my birth certificate
Come to find out
My birthday is 13 days later
I felt lost in the shuffle

Forgotten hurt
Of course leave it to
One brother to call every year
On my fake birthday
Laughing
happy fake birthday


the irony I was my father’s favorite
Charmin Carmen
Well at least he calls right in a day when families drift apart
CJ Sutherland Jan 2018
My last poem
“ start at the beginning and shine “
Suggests with read first post
I proceeded to go to the first poems
of some of my favorite poets
However they had so many poems
I was unable to get to the beginning
Hense False Start

So now my friends
I need to know
the names of the poem(s)
You want me to read

I can look them up by name
if I tap on the poem list
it has an A through Z
And most popular options

so let’s try it again
Please leave me the name of the poem
You wish me to read
Let’s start by letting to know
Each other
My first poems is
“His Mistress “
Enjoy
CJ Sutherland Sep 2017
Brothers and Sisters are we
standing proud of our heritage tree
Deep rooted values are held so dear
Our family bond that kept us near

One by one we married or moved away
Yet still remain close to this very day
we have all grown in our love
Our Parents and Peter keep watch from up above

As we start to reach old age
will look back on life and love as our gauge
Smile knowing for better or worse
A Bowen giving up, now that would be a first

Sitting back in our rocking chair
Jessie and I will both be there
Life passes by in the blink od an eye
Proud to be a Bowen until the day we die
Bowen is my maiden name
CJ Sutherland Feb 2018
Getting to know my poet friends
Is more then just the means to an end

I’m learning to navagate this site
What each catagory mean in its own right

Clues to poets you can find
If you only take the time

Since many have no bio to  reveal
Through their poems learned crumbs one can feel

Also who have they chosen as the poet’s they like
Following the clues is like riding a bike

Favorites is a good place to start
These clues are more then a stab in the dark

You can read poetry that has touched them in some special way
While also reading what a new voice has to say

It’s a win win if you ask me
Because I’m rather an open book you see

There are many times when I too hide in plane sight
Those are poems for another night


Inspired song
1) Watch the detectives by Elvis Costello
YouTube
Just getting to know poets I am beginning to know this is strictly  for literary gain and shared  admiration
CJ Sutherland Sep 10
Who is your neighbor?

Strong fences makes good neighbors

Goodwill, peace to man



Modern haiku
Three lines based on syllables
pattern5-7-5



Inspired songs

1) Sitting on a fence (official lyric video)
By The Rolling Stones
2) signs (1971)
By the five man electrical band
BLT Webster’s Word of the Day challenge
Ethos 9-10-24
Means the guiding beliefs of a person, group or organization
CJ Sutherland Jan 26
The biggest hit, and the only remarkable one outside of their native Canada
of this ending band
formerly known  as Staccatos
Reach number three on the billboards
At the time there was a revolt against this song, but later generations saluted the song They were a band before their time. This song has stayed with me my entire life listen to the  music; these are the lyrics.

Song by; The five man electrical band

And the sign said long-haired freaky people need not apply
so I tucked my hair up under my hat, and I went in to ask him why?
he said you look like a fine young understanding young man
I think you’ll do
so I took off my head and said,
imagine that!, me working for you

Sign, sign, everywhere sign blocking out
the scenery breaking my mind
do this ,don’t do that,
Can’t you read the sign?

And the sign said everybody
caught trespassing, will be shot on sight
So I jumped up on the fence and I yelled
at the house. Hey what gives you the right to put up with Fence to keep me out
or to keep mother nature in
if God were here, he tell you to your face man you’re some kind of sinner

Sign, sign, everywhere sign blocking out the scenery breaking my mind
do this, don’t do that,
Can’t you read the sign

Now hey you Mr., can’t you read
you have to have a shirt and tie to get a seat. You can’t even watch you know you can’t eat you’re not supposed to be here design says you got to have a membership card to get inside. Ugh.

Sign sign everywhere a sign blocking out the scenery breaking my mind do this don’t do that. Can’t you read the sign

And the sign, said, everybody welcome come in ,kneel down and pray,
but when they passed around the plate
at the end of it all,
I didn’t have a penny to pay
so I got me a pen and a paper and
I made up my own little sign
I said, thank you Lord for thinking
about me. I’m alive and doing fine.

Sign, sign, everywhere, sign blocking out the scenery breaking my mind do this don’t do that. Can’t you read the sign
This is a one hit wonder from the five man electrical band from 1969
This sums up the 60s peace and love
Hippie, flower, Child, after the Vietnam war, the younger generation was not going to go along with the status quo anymore. There was a lot of drugs, and the new music called rock ‘n’ roll. But this song is the embodiment of that era.
CJ Sutherland Nov 2023
All People have an evil streak

When they hear good things about you
Silence is deafening, no desire to speak!

You might be tempted to
toot your own horn bragging boastfully
If it’s their approval you seek

But when people hear disparaging
negative remarks about you;

They spread The gossip,
regardless of truth
Juicy Salacious lies,
With a gleam in their eyes

Hellacious slander, you might say
“what’s good for the goose
is good for the gander”

You might want to return
The negative evil gossip
“If they dish it out
They better be able to take it”

When they don’t hear anything about you
They’ll make it up to perpetuate
the rumor mill!

And they will
label and judge you
for your entire life,
Well, 40 years ago
or 50 years ago
you did this or said that!
What’s the use
Don’t play their game
Don’t stoop to their shame

Instead of turnaround is Fairplay
Turn away from the negativities at bay
It doesn’t matter what they say
God knows the truth anyway

Focus
On being your  best version
You have nothing to prove
to others

Forgive them
As you want
To be forgiven

Love your
Neighbor as
Yourself

You have nothing to gain
And everything to lose

This is easy to say
But will take a lifetime to do

Once Blessed
God will do the Rest!
There are people that will hate you till the day you die no matter what you do or say you’re always been that way. 50 years ago you didn’t let me play with your dolly. There doesn’t really have to be a reason for these people. It’s just the way they are, so how do you handle it?
Follow.        Your
Head
When.        .     you
Pray

Follow       Your
Heart
It              knows
what.    to
say

Follow          your
dreams
They                       know
the                                    Way

Inspired song

1)Follow me
by John Denver
1970 greatest hits album
(This song makes me cry every time)
I’m working on subliminal messaging.
Follow your
head.
It’s a circle.

The middle part
Follow your
heart
It’s in the shape of a
heart

Follow your
dreams
They have legs
to take you there

All in all, it’s a person
Me
CJ Sutherland Dec 2023
New Year s Eve parties
We “dressed to the nines “
Fancy frilly Dresses
Hair updos, nails, lashes
Dress to impress.
but it’s all for fun.
Ready to ring in the new year
with those we hold Dear.
Remembering
those who are no longer here.

As we count down
the seconds until midnight
A sparkler for delight
Holding our loved one tight
Fireworks,Noice makers
popping streamers Watch them fly high into the sky.strategically position
In the middle of the dance floor,
Five, four, three, two, one…
“Happy NewYear” The crowd cheers
The bells begins to ring,
Well wishes, Cheek Kisses
Collectively, We all begin to Sing.  

Should old acquaintances be forgot
And never brought to mind

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and Auld Lang Syne

For Auld Lang Syne ,my dear
For Auld Lang Syne

We’ll take a cup of kindness yet
For Auld Lang Syne…

There’s actually more lyrics to this, but nobody ever sings them?

Have you ever wondered
What this song means?
After a few drinks,
it doesn’t really matter
A hill of beans!

Auld Lang Syne means,
Old or long since, Old Times

It invokes feelings of nostalgia, especially to memories of good times spent.
Should old acquaintances, be forgot, and never brought to mind

Serves as a reminder to cherish those fond memories that We’ve already had,
Which makes the song
A perfect New Years Eve song.

This song was written centuries ago. A Scottish poem, updated by Robert Burns, in 1788, Who gave a new modern version from the original poem. by author Alan Ramsey.
Please share with me
How do you Ring  
in the new year.
How do you spend New Year’s Eve now in my 60s, we seldom stay up double digits(after9:00pm) usually, I’ll wake up when I hear people yelling and screaming outside and the fireworks going off. I’ll go to the door and check it out. And come and whisper happy new year to my husband and kissing on the cheek and he mutters it back to me and I sleep. but it’s all good, because I would rather be in bed next to him, then anywhere else in the world
CJ Sutherland Jun 21
Balance of power
USA vulnerable
Paradigm shift
BLT Webster’s Word of the Day challenge
6-21-24
vulnerable
A person, group, or thing that is open to attack harm or damage
CJ Sutherland Dec 2023
As a child, Elementary school
I remember getting A heart necklace
cut in half. We each have half
From my best friend. Friends to the end

  45 years, later we’re no longer friends
The friendship just ends
No hearts to mend
I just can’t pretend
That broke my soul
When she so easily let go

You might wonder
What could’ve happened
Biden versus Trump
One of us had to go
And I was the last to know

I had another friend
47 years we parted ways
In a public forum heated crazy
Biden versus Trump

I’ve never knew Somethings so silly
Can turn friendship to hate
Destiny or fate
When I ask why she hurt my heart
She said, whatever do you mean
By far the cruelest thing I’ve ever seen

Some people will never
have friends for that long
We danced over a lifetime of songs
People change over time this is true
But even through parting ways we grew

New friends are all around
Waiting to be found
People we meet in passing
At a gathering ,the grocery store
In many places more

Some we meet for a reason
Others longer for a season
A time and time, and a half, a time
We may never know God’s plan
.
We may never know why
A stranger offers a hand
Or why to talk
We chose to talk to a person that day
Or what profound effect came their way.
That still small voice told you what to say
and you listened.

The neighbors in passing,
and those you get to know,
perhaps a friendship
will blossom and grow.

The Uber driver
the Starbucks, coffee, maker,
The checker at the store.
We don’t think about them
That person who open the door for you

A kindness shown nothing for you to do..
Those people in line, random all by chance. look up from your phone,
Did you give them a glance.
Next time, give that stranger a chance.
I know in today’s climate
that’s a dicey position
Here that still  small voice,Listen
and hopefully make the transition
You might just meet you next best friend
Growing up, I was taught the two things you never discuss our politics and religion. My two best friends decided to end my friendship because I voted for Donald Trump. I really thought in time they would come around and see. That’s a silly reason we’ve weathered many. More prevalent storms, no matter what we always stayed friends even if we didn’t agree, so this one was hard to see and for me, it’s hard to accept
These two friendships lasted longer than many marriages
CJ Sutherland Feb 18
Through the years,
Smiles and tears
I have raised children
With this phrase

“For the last time,”
The Lord hates lying lips
One of eight
Brothers and Sisters
A family of Ten
The parameter to keep
Us all in line
Moments measured by
“For the last time”

With parental responses such as
“Do you want some cheese
With that wine”
For the last time   enough!

For the Last time, Do your chores
For the Last time Don’t slam doors
For the Last time Eat all your dinner
For the Last time Be a Gracias winner

“This is the last time
I’ll reread the same story”
Sharing life lessons
“ Is it right the bad guy
Gets all the glory?”
Mixed messages
What is the meaning
Of the story?

However
I never gave it much thought
But what IF, This IS?
For the last time ?

If Today is all we have
Would we change the things
We say and do,?
If we only knew.!
For the last time

Life can change instantly
In The moment that
Has just gone by

I have looked into
Children’s trusting eyes
When they ask “WHY
Is Honestly the best policy!”

Live by example
When asked
“Is a white lie
Still a lie”?

Learning life lessons can be fun
You might only have
One chance to get it done

To curb the use of profanity
(I now a grandmother) said,
“I want you to call grandma out
If I use inappropriate language”
The kids loved the idea of
Calling grandma to the mat.

The Rules of the Game
I must apologize, and
Choose a better word!

They listen more discreetly
Catching grandma so sweetly.
I was cut off on the freeway
I had to swerved
So,I gave that driver
Choice words he deserved

“Oh grandma
You said a naughty word”  
The children sounded in rhythm
Hot under the collar
They caught me in the act this time
I realize what I had done.
Correction was not going to be fun

First I needed to calm down
I exited the freeway,  
A safe place , I found,
Then I apologized,
Word, of the wise
Realize
This is not an easy task
When you’re angry.
Without the luxury
Of letting time pass
Then I had to
Choose a better word
Some may think this
Game Absurd

The oldest grandchild said
“If mom and dad Played this game
They would never speak”

NEVER disrespect the parents
In front of their child
Let meek and mild
Own the day
You get more with honey
Instead of vinegar
They say

“Hold on young man
We are working on
Grandma right now”.
They caught grandma three
Times in ten years

However
The Fruits of the game
Remarkably, remain
The children’s transformation
Was definitely not
lost in translation

I walked past a teenage grandson’s
Bedroom with A group of friends over.  
One young man used the F word
Every other word.
Much to my delight
My grandson said
“Dude you cuss allot!,
Choose a better word, I’ll wait”.
The room grew quiet
The bewildered friend
Apologized and
Chose a better word
Without becoming perturbed.
The teens laughed, levity lifted.

Even to this day their use
Of inappropriate language
Is a thing of the past.
Life Lessons, If done right, will last.

The grandkids believe they cured
Grandma’s use of
Inappropriate  language!
Grandma, thanks them graciously.
A secret smile in her eyes
Live, learn, love more wise
A Contentment within her heart.

You never know how something is
Going to turn out at the start

The fruits of the game
We’re ample  
Choose a better word,
A great sample
For the last time
Live by example

Will you remember
When it is?
For The last time?
Will you Savoy 
The moment
sublime
Or will it pass in
A fleeting moment of time

The last time you taste See’s Candy
The last time you have every tool handy
The last time the sun sets on your wrath
The last time forgiveness graces your path

For the last time
Will come for each of us  
Will we remember or make a fuss
Or will The last time pass us by
In the blink of an eye
Without us knowing why
The choosing a better word lead to what my father (their Great Grandfather )called 5 cent words. He was a college graduate. Education encouraged . The word game, we played all our lives, trying to stump Dad!
Example
Instead of idiot use ignoramus
Which is the same thing but people take notice
5 cent words were encourage. The new word carried through out the day. Rather the same as
Webster’s WORD IF THE DAY
It’s so much more than
Hotdogs  potato salad
Patriotism

Do people realize
The price cost paid  for freedom
Soldiers died for us

People disrespect
Burn our flag hate our country
Rewrite history

Destroy monuments
Protest hate woke division
Social Marxist change

Rights to opinion
When is your voice a weapon?
Riots escalate

What is their purpose?
To create a Civil War?
Complete take over

Terrorist come in
We watch Civil War begin
Take over who wins?

How can we see clear?
What is next for our country?
Stand or will she fall?
BLT Websters word of the day Challenge
7-4-24 patriotism
A person who loves her country
Renku
a series of haiku one person makes a statement or ask a question the next person replies, and that continues until you come to a conclusion,
it’s a collaborative effort of poets
However, I was the poet on consecutive days replying to the question from different points of you. It’s rather hard to do.
If you think you’re free,
You’re deluding yourself!

150 years ago   
You didn’t have to
Ask PERMISSION of
The GOVERNMENT to;

Go fishing
Own property
Build on your property,
Renovate your home

Use a transportation vehicle
Start a business
Get married
Own a weapon ,Hunt

Sell a product, Protest,
Grow your own food
Sell the food you grew
on your own property
Collect rain water

Have a garage sale
Set up a lemonade stand

You virtually
Can’t do anything
Without asking
The GOVERNMENT ‘S
PERMISSION first

So if you think you are free
You are, deluding yourself

You are a
Free Range Human
on a tax farm
Author unknown 2-28-24
CJ Sutherland Apr 2018
Please excuse me I am not one to rant and rave
I need to vent some frustrations I crave
My patients are ****** beyond belief
This sites’ flaws are a thief
I have have lost parts of poems two completed ones as well
Written on the cuff
It’s a nightmare a living hell
The perfect poem lost in time

This is a unfortunate  crime
I hope you all learn from my pain
Write it out so your original remains
Lost the  sentence are easy to fix
But disrupts the flow creating a new feel mix
That’s not always a good thing first the curser drops Down
Several lines then the fun begins its happening now
Making corrections hard to manage
I know this site is free is it just me
I have know poets to leave in the past
Pleaset tell me these problems will not last
Or I fear more poets will be a thing of the past
I love the people on this sight
But posting is a constant fight
In college, I  started golfing
I thought it would help my swing
Course correction I didn’t learn a thing
I gained more bad habits in between

Golf was created within Love, and hate
Many emotions to communicate investigate
Poetic words flow, negate the verse
Continually modifying and rehearse

The most elusive game you’ll ever play
Golf can make or break your day
Transfixed Frustrating, irritating time
Completing a great game is sublime

Learn and grow as you go
You’ll never learn everything to know
My dismay recalling a friend’s worst day
Disaster hit at the first hole sandpit the grid

By hole 5 his game sunk skunk pound sand
On the Golf cart a hotdog in his hand
An Eagle swooped down, taking
The Hotdog and bun from his mouth
The Eagle flew Heading Due south.

Yelling and screaming as if that
Would make the bird give his hotdog back
Lunacy, frustration, humiliation on track
He threw his lunch sack at the Bird
You had to be there The picture was absurd

Washing down a beer tremble in fear
He’d never experienced a big bird so near
The back nine would be better get in gear
Both ***** hit the water in the drink
This is when he should’ve stopped to think

One could see the blood boil in his eyes
What came next was no big surprise
Third ball hit the water in the drink
Throwing his monogram bag,&clubs in a
Blink watched them slowly sink sink sink

That was it. His day was done
Under the Beauty of the setting sun
The golf course Won, took its toll
That Fateful day He lost a bit of his soul

The profanity filled the air
Decorum lost he didn’t care
Golf and stuff Fished out the clubs and bag
Shining with mud The Gold monogram tag
Other golfers ***** filled the leather bag sag

He cut off his nose to spite his face
He never went back there saving grace
Never retrieved his bag it was tainted
The leather colors ran together painted

As to his set up a second gift from Daddy
Son “Next time use a Caddy!”

Inspired song
Bohemian Rhapsody – a golf parity tribute
YouTube By Nigel Tait June 14, 2014
This actually really happened we’re not sure if it was an eagle or a hawk.The wing spans are nearly the same, and they both would be almost equally as large. It happened so quickly it was hard to know for sure. But it was unusual for this to happen in Southern California. In northern California, it’s a common occurrence to see large birds.
Keep repeating the lie
Until the lie becomes the truth
Rumor mill working on overtime
innuendos media gossip

When every network and
the White House Regurgitate
The exact same thing word for word
Something shady is a foot

Teaching a section on job preparedness
A narcissist student puts down others to make herself feel more superior.
So much so she creates tension in the class

I pulled her aside and said “you need to treat this classroom like it’s your job.”
She said” I know how to act at work”
She landed her dream externship

She lived across the street. walking to work
Externship 14 Business days 80 hours
Management started hearing hellacious gossip but wasn’t sure the source.

A young lady came in for an interview,
my student said”I know her she’s gay.”
The manager heard what she said
“ we have a zero tolerance policy”

Manager: “I am interviewing this candidate, and that cannot be a factor. If I hear anymore on the subject there will be consequences”

My student didn’t hear a word the manager said. shortly after The incident
I received a letter
Management terminated her externship.

They didn’t want her even for FREE.
Her dream job down the drain.
She had a hard time getting a job
that incident, is on her transcript

Perhaps she can get a job with the news
She has a lifetime of gossiping experience
She hasn’t learned a moral lessons yet
If college doesn’t fit, have a back up plan
BLT webster’s Word of the Day challenge
Gossip 6-7-24
To gossip is to talk about The personal lives of other people

I taught at a technical college, two-year AS degree in medical billing. The externship is where you go for two weeks for free on the job training and if they like you, they will hire you. I have worked out situations where a person was needed so bad they will hire The student in lieu of externship, but that usually only happens to my top 2% the best and brightest.. then there are students who don’t quite meet the master while they might have just barely squeaked by and graduated. They’re not hireable. It cost $21,000 to sit in my classroom in another $1500 for books. I take that responsibility to heart. I don’t want them to finish school and say welcome to McDonald’s. The types of grants that are available for technical colleges, you only can use once then that benefit is gone, you’re no longer eligible.
Shred constitution
corrupt justices run rapid
Judge breaking the law

We are witnesses
Court actions, of what we saw
Feelings both sides, raw

Incognito news
Statements matter of fact truth
Don’t ruffle feathers
BLT webster’s Word of the Day challenge
Incognito 6-8-24
Your true identity is kept a secret, using another name to hide who you really are

Three consecutive haiku
Each answering the previous questions or thoughts
CJ Sutherland Feb 2022
Thank You
God
For
This
Beautiful
Day

Thank You
God
For
Making It
Just
This
Way

Thank You
God
For
Sunshine
On my
Face.

Thank You
God
For
Your
Loving
Grace
there are those who want to silence our voicesThis is some thing I say every morning. I say each word with reverence
CJ Sutherland Sep 2017
Thank heaven
for grandchildren
when they look at me
with their trusting eyes
Asking a million questions
what, when, where, and whys  
My unconditional love
that nothing denies
I pray they will be
healthy, wealthy
and wise
My daughter and her husband have 5 children
CJ Sutherland Jan 17
Grandmother,
I want to know everything about you.
You’ve had many experiences in your lifetime. The simple life when ice cream was just a dime
From your favorite childhood vacation, to the birth of your first child,
These moments shaped the course of
Your History.

Some events you knew
would change your life,
while others, you didn’t realize
the full impact until years later.
They each played a role
and need to be shared.

For many families,
the younger generations
aren’t interested in their elders,
until it’s too late to ask them.
While Grandma may Think
she has forgotten the stories.
All her sadness, joy and glories.
As They start to pour from Grandma’s heart, she recants so many other tales of woe, She’s been holding for a while
Her secret life  in tow
Grand adventure
A twinkle in her eye
She remembers the days gone by

For others, the stories were told by the children and grandchildren, who forgot the most important intricate details.

Places like Barnes & Noble offer books, such as my grandmother’s life.
Grandma I want to know everything
about you. and many others.
These Books have prompts that helps the writing process. When finished , you will have a complete Bound Book of your life.

Now your documented history can be  handed down through the generations. Your words, your experiences, your story forever remembered.
You could write a journal without buying a book. IF you have the tenacity to finish it.

Write your Journey in Several Chapters,
Each reflecting different
periods of your life.;
Childhood  ,Adolesence, Adulthood,work, Marriage and Parenting , Empty Nesting,  Grandparents. Middle age and Wisdom

Within each section, there are events and
Advice and things you’ve learned. From lighthearted to serious.
You’ll remember the trials and the triumphs, the laughter, the sorrow
  Your details will provide a well rounded view of your life. There is no wrong way
to write your story.

Include as much genealogy as possible
Who is in your family tree?
What, When, Where and Why
What made you laugh?
Who made you cry?
How you handled it all,  the mystery .
These are the Fabrics of your History.

Most Grandparents have
A box full of pictures.
Your Book could be A Story
about each of those pictures.
Write them down less you forget,
and your legacy Lost forever.

If Grandma cannot write, perhaps a family member can write her story down while grandma tells it.
A bonding moment
that will never be forgotten.
A tape recorder is another option.
Then you have Grandma‘s voice as well..

This can be your
New Year’s Resolution
You always had a solution,
and when you’re gone,
Your storywill live On

Postscript (PS)
This is not just for grandma, grandpa.
In fact it’s for all of you. I started writing a journal at the age of 12
I have 90+ journals to date, and a complete story spanning 50+ years.not only of myself, but all of those around me.
my eight brothers and sisters and my parents. Noble house wants first look when completed , but told me I had to change the names of everybody to protect the guilty and we’re all guilty ( Plus, nobody would sign off if it puts them in a negative light) That’s not what my goal. To publish for Publish sake. It’s for my family. Who, like most families have moved away plus they’re all in their own little bubble life. Honestly, I don’t really know any of them anymore. Yes we talk we spend time together but as we get older, family members lose the intimacy.( well, unless perhaps (sisters)
Journaling saved my life in  many ways. Well ,all the ways a person can be saved.
Poets can copy their work off of this site, compile it into their own book. Whether they publish or not, it shows progression of time, and is also a journey of life. Forever bound in your own book. As a testament to what you thought, most importantly, that you were
alive and the voice of your generation
CJ Sutherland Aug 18
Will
                  Always
                            Remember
        You’re
Special,
               unique,
                       Beautiful  
                            Wanted
                You’re
     Someone
               Nobody
                            Can
                                      Replace
                     Always
                Remembered
In
Their         
         Hearts


Inspired song
1) Child of my child (grandparents prayer)
By Jennifer Gaffney
Written 7-21-24
Posted 8-17-2:4 300th poem
CJ Sutherland Nov 2023
Thunder in the sky
Dog shaking under covers
Scary noise is gone
There are 8 types of haiku 5-7-5 syllables about nature
CJ Sutherland Nov 2023
Dog ransack trash can
Scattered all over kitchen
Dog now in Dog house
Websters has a word of the day,. And BLT is the one compiling this. Once you posted on your site contact him this is my first one don’t know much other than that
CJ Sutherland Oct 2023
When you.                  cut off
a family.                       member
for.                                life
they will.                     never
tell.                              people
the full.                       story
Their side.                   Full glory
they will.                     only
tell                                Everyone
the part.                       that you did
that makes.                  you look bad,
Bitter.                            Mad
The great                      Divide
Separation.                   Festers the rot
All involved.                Distraught
Every member.            Must choose
In the end.                    They all lose.
Every day I hear people say that family member is toxic. I’m getting rid of him I’m not talking That person anymore I don’t need that drama in my alarm. God gave us every family member. Pacifically for a reason. I wonder who those people think they know more than God that’s the diversity that’s the thing family needs to overcome they throw people away like trash. I’m sure you know what you’re doing and10/23
CJ Sutherland Aug 2021
This song, the man influenced my writing throughout my entire life
I think of it/him
often
as inspiration.;
Here’s a tale of a simple fool,
glance at a page or two
laugh ha ha
but you blush a bit
For  you realize
while you’re reading it
it’s also
reading you….

I write  myself a note each day
I place it in my hat,
a wind comes by
the hat blows high
But
that’s not the end of that.
For all around the world it goes
it lands here right beside myself
I pick it up and
I read the note
which is simply
to remind myself
I’m CJ Sutherland
that Who !
I’ve kept a journal since the age of 12
I have 40 of them Today. Writing is
who I am
it’s not WHAT  I do.
I would like to know
from everybody
who reads this
WHY DO YOU WRITE
What motivates you?
Getting to know fellow poets
CJ Sutherland Sep 2017
You
Search for her
Strive for her
Long for her
Then
Watch her slip
Through your fingers
The moment you obtain her
Let her go
Stop chasing
She will find you
When you find
Yourself
The poem looks like a woman
Poetry
Word art
CJ Sutherland Mar 2019
You
Search for it
Strive for it
Long for it

Then
Watch it
slip
Through
your fingers
The moment
you
obtain it

Let it go
Stop
chasing it
Happieness
Will find
you
When you
find
Yourself
I wrote this poem when I was 21 I was just starting my journey to self discovery even the simple list things such as happiness can be hard to obtain I sat ponder and wondered why this is what I came up with
CJ Sutherland Mar 2018
I’m To young to be old
To old to be young
My daughter
Constantly told me
Grandmothers
Don’t dress like that
Raising her eye brow
In disapproval
Giving my that looking
I’m conservative
But trendy
Victoria Secrets
Nike
Michael Kors bags
Only the latest designers
My Grandson
Gave me the BEST
compliment
he called me a Baller
I had to look it up !!!
For those of you who
do not know
What that means
I’m dressed to the nines
everything matches  
trendy on point
My reply to my daughter
is yes they do
because I’m rocking it
My birthday is a week from today
I always take stock of the past year
Where I am we’re I want to be in the future
And most importantly
Who I have become
I like who I am for the most part
The rest is a work in progress
CJ Sutherland Jul 2023
Charles (Charlie) Manson 1969
was in the Local News mostly The Times
when he committed the crimes.
The young girls were so blind
lace on drugs; hallucinogens and wine.
The trial lingered through A 70s time line.

I was 15 when we found Stoner’s Den.
Chatsworth Park North, where and when.
Behind the Railroad Tracks, & Tunnel;Then
Up in the mountains and hills we found
An opening to a cave in the ground

I wondered just how deep the leap
I dropped a rock in the hole
to see how far , The cave did go
but I never heard it hit the ground
Not even the slightest of sound

The boys had been there before
The opening in the ground was the door
A thick rope knotted Nice and Neet
Dangled down approximately 20 feet.

Ominous dark Messed with your head
Your feet had to find the ledge or your dead
No going back this way, they said.
Navigating rocks in a narrow jagged path
smaller and tighter the deeper you went
The time to worry was half past spent.
.
If you were claustrophobic
this was the wrong place to be
luckily that was not me. However
I was not prepared for what I would see

In the Dark ,The skinny girls cried  
soon I know why, A Solid ROCK SLIDE
Lay flat on your back with just
enough room to bend your knees
and don’t sneeze please
Crawl Slide on your back,
stay close keep track
skinny girls had no fat.
They had to be pushed until their
body glide down the rock slide.

I had the opposite issue.I was fat
My girth was momentum on the rock Earth
I slide fast and hard with all my worth.
No control, A dip, A drop, unable to stop
I hit a friend, welcome to the Stoner’s Den.
Dimly lit, hard to see, Satan’s ****** words
Were Warnings, on all the walls ,
Invoking spirits, evil calls
Many half Burnt candles on the ground
piles of Dusty spare matches
And flashlights we found.
Whoever owned them was not around .
Once lit The flickering light filled the room.  
An uneasy feeling I was in a tomb

A boulder so large we found.you
couldn’t Put your arms completely around.
It could not be removed from the ground.
A pipe was drilled in rock from top down

If Your First time  you must drink red wine and smoke the rock with *** you brought.
I was Afraid of what drug residue were left behind. Would my **** contain dope?

I didn’t want any part of that scene
overwhelming fear, the need to flee
Panicking, I was turning green.

Over and over they played their game
Three other girls lower their head in shame
The more peer pressured I grew cold
I said, NO ,I just want to go.,
Nothing more to say, I got my way.

There were three EXITS out
Easy, Medium or Extreme no doubt .
So  You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to Know which way the girls wanted to go  Nice and slow, Easy, Peezy no problem
Why couldn’t we have gone In that way
If the girls had a say! The experience might’ve gone a different way. Hard to say

Years later, we learned, The trappings of
Where we had been. As legend had it, Stoner’s Den was right below Spawn Ranch
were  Charlie’s Family lived and danced.
It was know they had been to Stoner’s Den

Charles Manson, and His girls planted their Seeds they Cultivated evil deeds for Charlie Faithfully Under his spell they proceed

The  reckless way we teens behave
We could Have gone to our grave.
We took a walk on the wild side.
in the dark where evil reside
Thank God we made it out alive.

That was the dumbest and coolest thing
I have ever done., BUTI would not
recommend it to anyone
Helter skelter in the summer swelter. Would happened became part of our pop culture in a Don McLean song bye-bye American pie. Before the music died.
CJ Sutherland Sep 2017
The faces you see
Are not who
I want to be

My smile is as big
For all to see

Looking Closely
the eyes
Never tells lies

Yet I have scars
You can not know

I have pain
Which would
drive most insane

Is it you
Is it me
Push Away
Would you not feeling well if people ask how are you today don't want it now they just want you to say fine
CJ Sutherland Mar 2019
To the man of my dreams
HIS KISS
  A kiss to long for
His lips first met mine
I long for more
He kissed my neck, then
Beneath my ear
A flood of ecstasy arose
To form a lump
In my throat
A whisper
Escaped my mouth
“No Please No”
Kissing harder
He could feel
My trembling body
Wanting, needing, begging
“Yes Please Yes”
  As time stood still
I lost myself
In the warmth of
HIS KISS
I wrote this when I was 18 it was my first real kiss
CJ Sutherland Sep 2017
For better or worse
Ignorant trusting
It's the kind of thing
that happens to
other people
Not Us
Our bond                         was strong
a lasting love
He tried to hide
His Mistress
betrayed
how brazen
right under.             my nose
Why did he                          give her
His soul
Sneaking out
to get a taste of her
laughing in delight
she gave her all
The smell of her
lingered
on his lips
fooling no one
except himself
      Lying Eyes                                 Standard denial
finally
I found them
together
as he was just
finishing her
Caught in the act
I had to see
who stole my man
Face to face
Stunned                                     dis-belief
I could never                                   measure up
now I knew her name
***** Smirnoff
If you notice this is supposed to be two people on top of each other
An alcoholic hiding his alcohol Fools no one  especially one who does not drink
CJ Sutherland Mar 2019
Through the dark years

For better or worse
ignorant, trusting
It was the kind of thing
that happened
to other people
not us
Our bond was strong
a lasting love

He tried to hide
His mistress

Betrayed, how brazen
Right under my nose
WHY did he give her
His soul ?

Sneaking out
to get a taste of her
laughing in delight
She gave her all

The smell of her
lingers on his lips
fooling no one
except himself

Lying  eyes
standard denial
finally

I found them together
as he was
just finishing her

Caught in the act
I had to see  
who stole my man

Face to Face
stunned, disbelief
I could never compete
measure up
now,
I knew her name
*****
1985 It was the first year of my marriage my husband said he didn’t drink anymore and he was sneaking alcohol I thought it was going crazy I smelled him he said I was paranoid and then I found him and called him in the act and I wrote this poem
CJ Sutherland May 29
I pay homage to fellow poets on this site
Writing keeps me occupied at night
I appreciate their dignity and corrections
Poetry is an contrasting art of perfections

Showing us new styles and types of rhyme
While keeping meter flow and time
BLT word challenges creates cohesive style
Created progressive poems we smile

You’ve been timetabled
When chosen by HP writers Spotlight
It’s truly a remarkable night.
Is a great way to get to know a poet
deeper insight of their poems they show it

Of course, there’s always room to grow  
There’s always more to know
Poet’s poems profound stirring begins
We learn more in every poem Muse wins

The GADFLIES  can scroll on by
Leaving thumb down, is a spiteful cry
Exceptional caliber of poetry, we Strive
After all, that’s what keeps us alive

Check out these exceptional poets
Poetry in motion, perfection, as we know it;
Carlo C.Gomez, BLT, Weeping willow
You’ve Been Timetabled, Old poet MK, Nylee, Anais Violet, Mister truth,N
Lori Jones Mc Caffery, Ken Pepiton
Anais Vionot, Stephen E. Yocum,
Ken Pipiton, Pradip Chattopadhyay,
Thomas W. Case, Guy Scutellaro
Nat Lipstrad, G Alan Johnson,
Melancholy of Innocence, My Dear Poet,
DENNY R. ALLISON
BLT word of the day challenge
Gadfly
One who provokes or annoys other people, especially persistent criticism
I can’t name them all so please forgive me if a miss you, know you are in my heart but I’ll name a few
CJ Sutherland Oct 10
My grandson A young adult 21 years old
Impetuous commanding, he can’t be told

He met a young lady they fell in love
He moved from California to Florida

A month tomorrow newlyweds
His third Hurricane he said

He was not prepared for the storm
They made a mistake stayed too long

No Gas they were not able to evacuate
Imminent, evacuate notice Monday 5 PM.

The first alert notifying residence of Charlotte, Florida of the hurricane warning

and storm surge warning went out via
email text message ,calls starting at 5 PM

The hurricane warning said the impact
of Milton devastating to catastrophic.

Milton just made landfall 8:31 PM 17mph
The eye hit land near Siesta key.
(20 miles off what was projected)

Right now it is a category 3.In some places in Tampa Clearwater, 12 to 18” rain faces

Flash flooding. After the storm passes. Surge will come. Debris in the water

The most dangerous part of a hurricane
Nearly white out conditions wind and rain

No emergency services can be dispatched with the wind that’s over 45 mph

For the next few hours, winds will pick up
Eerie quiet in the eye of the storm

With The tail end will come the water surge
My grandson and his wife in port Charlotte

Family watches the news as time passes
Praying that they will Live through this

The highest and alert/flooding
When flooding is life-threatening

Unable to reach him worry set in
Heart pounding unable to help panic begin

I cried and prayed all night long
I needed to hear from them

I finally received a text from him
I could hear the smile in his voice

a perfect choice he said We are fine
It’s as if the Hurricane Pasted us by

Damaged houses on each side
He spent the night praying, God heard him

Who is the longest night of our lives
A test I believe we passed faith in God lasts

Just knowing he is alive is reason to rejoice
Glory be to God ,hear my voice

Foot note
This poem was written in the moment, as it was unfolding it’s not my normal polished poem. It’s hard to know a loved one is in harms way so far away and there’s nothing you can do about it accept pray
I was always taught a category. Five is the finger of God.
What happened?
The storm expanded, and in that expansion it lowered the category, but it caused more destruction further out 100 miles either way. A lot of areas were hit that were considered safe. This was the one in aThe storm expanded, and in that expansion it lowered the category, but it caused more destruction further out 100 miles either way. A lot of areas were hit that we’re considered safe. This was a one in a lifetime storm and it was a blessing in disguise. there is a lot of damage that’s for sure. But he was in the house that was up to code with hurricane windows and doors a generator. Him and his wife could use your prayers.
An idiom
Is an expression in the usage of language that is peculiar in of itself.
In having a meaning that cannot be derived from the conjoined words.

Introduction to poetry states;
Avoid Clichés, like the plague
Using idiomatic phrases in poetry
is usually not advisable.

Let’s run through a few;

Let’s cut the suit to fit the cloth
Action speaks louder than words
A penny for your thoughts
A penny saved is a penny earned

At the drop of a hat
Curiosity killed the cat
Better late than never
Out of the frying pan into the fire

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
Once in a blue moon
I’m live’n high cotton
Hang in there

Let’s get the show on the road
No time like the present,
Let’s not split hairs
On a wild goose chase

Bite the bullet
No guts, no glory
Don’t beat around the bush
I’ll Spill the beans

Under the weather
Your Barking up the wrong tree
It’s raining cats and dogs,
Your bark is worse than your bike

Break a leg
Insult to injury
Don’t stab me in the back
Idioms stick out like a sore thumb

Are you beginning to see the light?

I’m on a roll
A Rolling Stone gathers no moss
Killing two birds with one stone
Hiding in plain sight

Speak of the devil
Come Hell or High water
The devil is in the details
Going down in flames

A blessing in disguise
Don’t count the chickens before they hatch
Go Back to the drawing board
I’ll cross that bridge when we get to it

Not your cup of tea
*** calling the kettle black
Jump on the bandwagon
Throw caution to the wind

Every cloud has a silver lining
Get your head out of the clouds
On cloud nine
Walking on thin ice

Cut me some slack
Get off my back
Let me off the hook
I Finished by the skin of my teeth

I hit the nail on the head
My mind running a million miles a minute
A mind, is a terrible thing to waste
Waste not want not

It’s up in the air
Throw the baby out with the bathwater
Let’s call a today
It’s time to hit the sack

If you know any idioms that I have not mentioned Leave them in comments

Inspired song
If you could read my mind
By Gordon Lightfoot
When I was at the University, clichés
were drilled in our head as faux pas
A respectable poet does not put in poetry.
As an older student who always questioned absolutes, I had to ask why?
What about free verse poetry
I was told even in the lack of structure is structure it depends on what kind of poet you want to be
I considered the source. My professors all had
10 year. In both American and British literature
. I heard the phrase many times in these classes; rules are not meant to be broken.
But the whole purpose of traditional poetry is that there are rules that make each type of poem what it is. That’s why I love poetry,
The structure.
But it is good to be bad sometimes lol
This is my rebellion poem
I’m letting my freak flag fly😎
CJ Sutherland Sep 2017
My heart is confused  
my thoughts of wanting
cloud my head
My thoughts of needing
To jump into bed
My thoughts of hurting
the heart is dead
my thoughts of wondering
was it something I said
I need more
I do not want just companionship
I do not want the warmth of a body  
I do not want just friendship
I do not want to be smothered
I do not want to be your mother
perhaps I have to find another
searching
Blast from the past I'm not quite sure when this with white a while ago think I was in my early 20s
That would be, unique
What if they could actually think?
The brain may never
have another drink

As a baby, our hands had
A mind of their own
As a child, we played hand games
Patty cake, Rock paper scissors,
shadow puppets
Now all grown so much life,
our hands have shown

“Cogito ergo sum”
I think therefore, I am
(Rene Descartes )

The Thumb
short in stature yet
strong and In charge;
Thumbs up A OK

Pointer
taskmaster; sensitive
Gets the most action,
Will Go where  
NO other fingers  Can
We don’t want to know
where that finger has been Yuck

Middle
The tallest of the bunch
Can hold the most lunch
Claim to fame; one finger solute,
flash the bird, The royal flip off
With both hands( in stereo)
Means( A louder gesture)

The ring finger
admired by all
adorns important jewelry,
Elegant extension
when the Ring is Presented

The pinky,
The Dainty lady accessibly fastidious easily disgusted, small, delicate pretty
Proper etiquette;
when drinking a cup of tea,
extend the pinky for all to see

Individually there’s a fraction of their force when they’re united they can pick up
extremely heavy objects
Hold their might tight even in a fight

This is a very special day
Their Wedding Day
A celebration of hoopla
Things are not going as planned
There seems to be a little drama
when it comes to getting their nails painted

Ring finger said to *******
You smudged my nail color on your back
Stop moving “

******* said “I didn’t move. I’m right here.””You keep wiggling about Stop it”
Ring finger” I have to be perfect. Everybody will be looking at my new ring” “ there will be pictures as well!”
The smudge looks like hell”

******* well, it’s taking
too long to dry! I’m losing my cool
I’m gonna flip the bird.”.
I am large and in charge,
I need to be heard”

Ring finger” all the days
you choose to act up really today”
This is not the time to play!”

All the fingers started
wiggling in unison
to dry the nail polish quicker

The polish is removed
from the other parts of the hand,
The day continues on as planned.”

When the groom slowly slides the sparkling diamond on Ring Finger
she whispers,” I will wear this ring forever”

Both hands ready for the dance,
A spin, the dancing dip
It’s been a long courtship
It all starting with
an innocent gesture
The groom whispered in her ear
I want to Holding your hands
For the rest of our lives


Songs inspired
1) I want to hold your hand by the Beatles
2-26-1966

2) we’ve only just begun by
Karen Carpenter and
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

3) Through the years (lyrics )and song
by Kenny Rogers Original 1981

4) Put your hand in the hand
by ocean 1971 original live
BLT Webster’s Word of the Day challenge
8-4-24 hoopla to make a commotion, bustle, or fuss.

2-24-24 my husband gave me the title. He had the poem in his Myndzeye. But when I started telling him about my process and my version, he asked me if I can write a poem more than once.
A personal challenge
Use my title and make your own version. Let me know when it’s done and I’ll post it on my page.
We’re All Ignorant
Until the Day We are not
Then We learn a lot
Haibun Haiku
A personal reflection 3/7/24
CJ Sutherland Aug 19
It’s sad
      how the people
             you were once
                 so close with
                        can become
                       just another
                     stranger
you don’t know

Inspired song
1) You’ve got a friend by Carole King
Written 7-21-24 posted 8-16-24
I have been friends with Peggy for over 40 years.
I have been friends with Cindy since third grade she married my older, brother(, it didn’t work out.) But still we remain friends. The thing that changed the relationships with both of these people  is
Trump derangement. syndrome.
Even when I suggested let’s not talk Politics, it didn’t matter. I was no longer their friend. Because I voted for Trump.
I wonder now if I ever truly  had a friendship with them.
A
Watched  ***
never              boils
No            time
like.               the            present
Don’t put off
tomorrow
what.    you.     can
do                   today
Just.                            saying

Inspired song;

1) I’m Just Saying
(What Your Thinking)
By Austin Moody
FYI
I wrote this poem sometime ago,
NOW  looking for the perfect song
I came across this song
The Title was already set prior to
Ever hearing this song.
I strongly encourage
Everybody to listen to this song.
It’s EPIC
7-15-25 written
9-6-24 posted
CJ Sutherland Jul 24
A Catastrophe
Guarantees change forever
Broken eggs happen
Reality, Webster’s Word of the Day
Catastrophe7-23-25
A monumental tragic event and utter failure
Selling the elixir of youth
It sounds so shrewd uncouth
Selling meaningful beauty
It’s sold as a woman’s duty

What would you do to achieve?
That which the commercials deceive
Women buy into the hype, at what cost
Spending obscene amount of money lost

Pressuring woman to feel less inferior
A fake false façade on the exterior
The true essence of a woman lives within
A smile, her luminescent grin

Her radiant inner beauty shines through
Naturally cultivated as she grew
The light Shines in her eyes and in her face
From God’s beauty and loving Grace

A modern quatrain with rhythm AABB
The commercials try to sell creams and lotions in elixirs while the stars are drinking babies blood to keep them young. There should be a warning sign on these labels women buy into the height spending thousands of dollars to keep your use to try to look like that star on TV but not even they look like that.
Within each of us
Resides wide, eyed adventure
Waiting to break free
Joyful glee play all day long
A child’s heart beats strong


Inspired song
Daddy's little girl  
by Tim McGraw
7-24-24
A tanka is A type of haiku that lens itself to five lines 31 syllables broken down as follows
5-7-5-7-7 Syllables
CJ Sutherland Jul 23
Every once
in a                 while
you.                 need
to         talk
to a
child.                 just
so you
can
understand
life  again
Youth
willful And
wild
freedom        through
the.                       eyes
Of                               A
Little.                                 child

Song inspired
1)Both sides now by Joni Mitchell
2)The sound of music movie song, my favorite things
Innocence 7-21-24
At family gatherings, I like to sit at the little kids table. It’s a more honest conversation. The way they look at the world is a beautiful thing they miss nothing yet parents don’t seem to realize..
CJ Sutherland Oct 13
7 AM this morning the Internet went out.
Streaming TV stopped iPhone too.
All day long, Internet outage wreaked havoc on the shops in the city.

Stores could not process ATM cards
Banks could not give you any money
Incoming outgoing calls dropped
We don’t realize how dependent we are

Spectrum, quoted verbatim
Internet disrupted in Redding due to vandalism. Spectrum confirms.
This is the second time in three months

Spectrum Internet down, in Shasta County
they continue “our fiber lines were cut
this morning as a result of vandalism in Redding. Affecting communities through

Shasta County. Due to the vandalism we
had to repair more than 850 strands of fiber optics to restore our service. Outage from
7 AM fully Restored 4:30 PM”

I speculate This experiment was an exercise
The effects of pulling down just Internet,
without taking out the power.
Without Internet use, the city fell

The funny thing is, the three notifications I received from Spectrum. I did not get until after the Internet was fully restored.
Not trying to be a conspiracy theories

One cannot help but wonder if this has anything to do with voting early?
Or was this a trial run for
a bigger outage on election day?

Bank your vote
Make a note
Vote early get it done
Tell your friends, everyone


Inspired songs
1) The telephone line
by electric light Orchestra(ELO) 1976
2) operator by Jim Croce 1972
3) telephone Man by Meri Wilson 1977
BLT  Websters  word of the day Challenge
Verbatim 10-12-24
It means in the exact words quoted

Footnote
Vandalism took down our Internet both times for the greater part of 10 hours or more. We don’t realize how many things are connected to the Internet. All of our banking services, smart houses. The list goes on. Don’t wait till the last minute and then not be able to vote because the system is down. I think of all the States involved in these hurricanes and the voting polls are gone. I’ve always voted on election day but I’ll vote early this time to make sure my vote counts. The last election I got a notification voting paper registration for my father. Who passed away in 2015 I took the ballot into the booth and told then my father never lived here I was in charge of the estate don’t know why I would get  A Ballot for him in my jurisdiction he was from Southern California. They took the paperwork and I got a notice verifying he voted. Yes my dead father voted five years after he died. When I contacted them I was told oh it happens really
Maybe that’s why there’s so much disbelieve in The voting process, and in our government.
I haven’t given up, hope that we can make it a better system and a better government.
CJ Sutherland May 2023
Rubber, dub dub
Three men in a tub
And who do you
think they be?

The butcher,
the candlestick maker
the widow maker

A rock of the boat ,
A large wave
Gave a forceful jolt
A Brisk breeze
A loud sneeze
And they all
fell into the sea

The butcher caught
the largest fish that day
The candlestick maker
blew out his last wish they say
And the widow maker
claimed their souls
All three
Rubber dub, dub
three men in a tub
This is example of a limerick
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