HOME AGAIN

There's a place in my mind that fills me with awe

as I reflect on the times of the past.

So many things change as I continue to live

and some things continue to last.

A place in my mind that is vivid and clear

is the street of my family's home place

It flood's my thoughts and fills me with joy

as a smile lifts up my face.

My Mom and Dad raised their family of seven

in a adventurous place near the bay.

There was Barney and John who were the first of the brood

and my oldest sister Jeanne.

Then Gay, Hal, and Fred and Olen the younger

made this large family complete.

To take care of us all on a meager income

was truly a marvelous feat.

You can never go home it's been said in a quote

and in a way that is quite true

but in your mind's eye you can always go back

to the place that has meaning for you.

What a wonderful time we had last weekend as five of the Martin kids gathered with others of our extended family to enjoy a family reunion. A highlight was when we drove to our property at 2536 Santa Ana Avenue, Costa Mesa, and stood out front for a family picture. We really missed having John with us so Barney got creative and was able to insert John into the picture. After accomplishing this feat he went on to insert my sister Jeanne and my folks. What a wierd sensation to picture all of together again. Even though this was done through computer "magic," I was impressed with the thought that one day we'll be together again in God's presence. The greatest desire of my heart is that each of my family have come to the place of understanding and acceptance of God's forever love through the death and resurrection of our savior Jesus Christ. Remember "man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart. "
God bless you all. Thanks for being my family.

HOME AGAIN: Sunday, September 24, 2006

WHEN THE FROST IS ON THE PUNKIN

WHEN the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock,
And you hear the kyouck and gobble of the struttin' turkey-cock,
And the clackin' of the guineys, and the cluckin' of the hens,
And the rooster's hallylooyer as he tiptoes on the fence;
O, it's then the time a feller is a-feelin' at his best, 5
With the risin' sun to greet him from a night of peaceful rest,
As he leaves the house, bareheaded, and goes out to feed the stock,
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock.

They's something kindo' harty-like about the atmusfere
When the heat of summer's over and the coolin' fall is here— 10
Of course we miss the flowers, and the blossoms on the trees,
And the mumble of the hummin'-birds and buzzin' of the bees;
But the air's so appetizin'; and the landscape through the haze
Of a crisp and sunny morning of the airly autumn days
Is a pictur' that no painter has the colorin' to mock— 15
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock.

The husky, rusty russel of the tossels of the corn,
And the raspin' of the tangled leaves as golden as the morn;
The stubble in the furries—kindo' lonesome-like, but still
A-preachin' sermuns to us of the barns they growed to fill; 20
The strawstack in the medder, and the reaper in the shed;
The hosses in theyr stalls below—the clover overhead!—
O, it sets my hart a-clickin' like the tickin' of a clock,
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock.

Then your apples all is gethered, and the ones a feller keeps 25
Is poured around the cellar-floor in red and yaller heaps;
And your cider-makin's over, and your wimmern-folks is through
With theyr mince and apple-butter, and theyr souse and sausage too!...
I don't know how to tell it—but ef such a thing could be
As the angels wantin' boardin', and they'd call around on me— 30
I'd want to 'commodate 'em—all the whole-indurin' flock—
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock.

JAMES WITCOMB RILEY

RIVERS OF LIVING WATERS

"Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.For the Scriptures declare that rivers of living water will flow from the heart of those who believe in me."
John 7:38(New Living Translation)

Autumn by Robert Frost

Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold,
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.

Happy Birthday Son

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY FIRST BORN SON !

"So, my son, throw yourself into this work for Christ. Pass on what you heard from me—the whole congregation saying Amen! — to reliable leaders who are competent to teach others. When the going gets rough, take it on the chin with the rest of us, the way Jesus did. A soldier on duty doesn't get caught up in making deals at the marketplace. He concentrates on carrying out orders. An athlete who refuses to play by the rules will never get anywhere. It's the diligent farmer who gets the produce. Think it over. God will make it all plain."
2 Timothy 2:1-7 (The Message)

Fred you are an extension of me as Penny and Daniel are an extension of you. I pray you will follow me as I have followed Christ.
Remember Fred , Jesus is an unsatisfied satisfaction ! He's all you need but always desire more of Him.
I love you Fred and pray God's rich and abundant blessings on this your 35th birthday.

DON'T BE A SLOTH !!

The Sloth
by Theodore Roethke

In moving-slow he has no Peer.
You ask him something in his Ear,
He thinks about it for a Year;

And, then, before he says a Word
There, upside down (unlike a Bird),
He will assume that you have Heard—

A most Ex-as-per-at-ing Lug.
But should you call his manner Smug,
He'll sigh and give his Branch a Hug;

Then off again to Sleep he goes,
Still swaying gently by his Toes,
And you just know he knows he knows.

An Irish Blessing

May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun.And find your shoulder to light on.To bring you luck, happiness and riches.
Today, tomorrow and beyond.

GRANDPA'S PRIDE!!

A grandpa's pride, he cannot hide with all this beauty by his side.

Let Jesus be your constant guide and in His love you must abide.

CROQUET ANYONE ?

Way to Go Mr.McGee - Croquet is your game! Thank you Jonathan for the joy you bring to Grandpa!

"SEAL OF APPROVAL"

Grandpa and Daniel had a great time sailing around the island to observe and enjoy the true natives of Catalina. You're great Mr. McGoo !! Thanks for a super fun time

ROUND AND ROUND WE GO...

Grandpa and Penny making their rounds !

Thank you Penny for being the best # 1 grandaughter a grandpa could have

Up, Up and Away!

In his wistful song, "Dayton, Ohio, 1903," Randy Newman sums up a pastoral world: "Let's sing a song of long ago, when things could grow and days flowed quietly/The air was clean and you could see, and folks were nice to you," he sings.


Celebrating 60 years young on a parasail in Catalina! What a thrill to be above the water and observe the beauty of the sky.
Would I do again?
You bet!