Time flys...

Slow down.

I...

‘I don’t really quite understand. Sometimes I don’t even pretend to. I believe what I believe is what makes me what I am. I am affected by what I let my mind dwell on.’

The mind of a child...

Wondering what it would be like without,

Sometimes always, no, always. Precise

thoughts are all clouded in a mind

of a child. Maybe mine, always

yours, but not always, no never.

Enjoy all but remember not

Nothing, but yes everything!

Look around and see my thoughts

Overture around the mind of mine,

Venture with a child’s dream

End up in a world of gleam

You look around and see my thoughts

Only because you are my thoughts

Under trees of leaves so green

My heart shades within this dream

In a fantasy never hurts

Nothing stops me never once

Do not hold my thoughts inside

You are mine and mine all mine

All because my life divine

Love persists but never fine

Way beyond the word of fine

Always more, too much to tell

So entwined into my mind.

The mind of a Child

Funny how things go...

Today was a turning point for me, in so many ways.

A guy named Guy - Raymore, Cass County - Missouri Ghost

Guy didn’t have it easy back then, but then again, who did? Life was hard even after settling, but people persevered and made do with what “little” God gave them. Back then people didn’t complain. Maybe they didn’t know any better or most likely it was just the ‘gett’er done’ attitude of the time. Guy was born a Ozarkian, from a family that had settled from out East. He made an honest living starting at an early age after moving closer to Springfield as the city had started its beginning sprawl. Guy married Lea at age 20 and shortly after they had a daughter who he always called Smiles. Lea and Smiles were Guy’s inspiration. Guy wasn’t perfect, and was known at times to go off into the deep end, at times, wrestling with the law. Yet Lea set him straight, as any good wife would do, and as Guy would say, had the perfect family.

Tragedy struck Guy in the Winter of 1863. While guy was away that night, collecting and trading supplies, The Second Battle of Springfield ensued, and during house-to-house fighting, which was fairly unusual during the Civil War, guy lost his Wife and Smiles when his house was raided and burnt down. As anyone could imagine, this set Guy into a deep depression. He took it worse than most as he never fully recovered through life as he vowed never to marry again. Horrible nightmares plagued Guy often. For the next several years, he dreamt constantly that he was searching for his Lea and Smiles. His demise affected his work, and he slowly went back to his lawless ways.

On ‘good’ days, Guy made a living with odd-and-end jobs; mainly gophering supplies for the railroad crews. At night, it was common to find Guy at the local tap. Guy was known to hang around Davis Tutt Jr. at times, especially on the poker hand nights. You’ve probably heard and know the story well, where Davis and Hickok’s quarrel made light. What started as a simple game of poker, (with Guy in attendance) ended in the famous shoot-out between Davis and Wild Bill. It was said Hickok owed Davis a game, but Wild Bill settled his score with a single shot in Davis’s heart that brought the on-set of the wild-west to Greene County, Missouri.

The duel triggered and compounded an emotional frenzy within Guy. He decided it was time to leave and start a new.

It was a balmy early Autumn afternoon in 1887. Juliann was just finishing assigning her pupils some math equations at the Raymore school where she taught, when the sound of the KCCS (Kansas City, Clinton, and Springfield Railroad) whistle blew from the engine coming up from the town of Coleman. Being that Juliann was also the Raymore depot agent, it was common for school to suspend while she worked the depot for the less than a dozen trains that would stop in a given day. Coming in late from Springfield, just shy of intended Kansas City, the train was forced to stay overnight due to a mechanical problem with the engine.

Guy stepped off the train in a daze. The mesmerizing clickety-clack from the ride let too many thoughts through his mind. Without clothes or belongings Guy looked pretty shanty. His coat was worn and wrinkled. His pants loose and baggy. And beard and hair un-groomed. Guy walked to the depot window, and Juliann took immediate notice of her formidable guest. With a rasp and crack in his voice, Guy asked the agent where he might stay for the night. Hesitantly Juliann pointed over the school towards the local hotel. Guy spent the remainder of his night dreaming as he did best; of the terror the years before, his lost Lea and Smiles not be found.

With the window cracked, the slight chill of the morning filled Guy’s room along with the smell of Autumn change, the train whistle blew signifying its starting departure from the mechanical layover of the evening before. Guy’s eyes popped open, staring at the ceiling plaster taking a moment to realize where he might be. Without a second thought, Guy lay in bed contently starring, while the clickety-clack KCCS faded in the distance. The sound of the train was replaced by the small town bustle. Children laughing, blacksmith pinging, rooster crowing, and the rustle of the Autumn leaves blowing. Moments later, the school bell rang in the not too far distant. A welcomed moment of solace had overcome Guy. He had just found his new home.

Even though Guy had a rough night, he felt semi-rested. But unfortunately that didn’t help him look any fresher. Guy stepped outside the Hotel and felt the warming sun hit his face. He walked around town a bit looking for something that might dampen his hunger. Locals politely acknowledged Guy as he strolled through the street, but he kept to him-self not to draw any more attention. As his stomach growled he remembered the school, thinking he’d have a chance at swiping a kiddo’s lunch sack. He made his way back up to the school. Quietly he cracked the back door and listened as Juliann was instructing the kids. He tiptoed his way inside and was relieved to see the cubbyholes as he entered the back room. Not much separated him and the teacher as he fumbled in the poorly lit room. The cubbyholes acted as a divider between the classroom and coat room. While fumbling in the shelves, Guy had accidentally knocked an apple to the floor. He quickly grabbed for the rolling apple, but not in enough time for Juliann to peek around the corner, and yell at Guy quite discerningly. They had made eye contact for a split second, enough time for Juliann to remember him as the stumbling grog from the night before. Guy whisked up the apple, and ran out the door. Juliann caught the door before it could slam, and yelled for the mug to stop and return. Several hundred yards later, Guy slowed to a walk. He was in the middle of a field, and could see a farmhouse just to the North. Taking a wide bow to the East of the house he gladly helped himself to a wandering rooster. He continued further North and stopped at Alexander Creek.

Later that evening, beside firelight, Guy found refuge along a small stream embankment that fed the Alexander. As he lay on the bank, watching the Milky Way shine, meteors streaked giving him ample wishes to yearn. Just as comfort set in, it quickly subsided and his regular barrage of terror went through Guy’s mind like a drug.

Throughout the following month, Guy made do by regularly venturing out, taking all that was not his. When his psyche got the best of him, Guy would wander the fields, tracks and countryside, with lantern in hand, calling out for his lost Lea and Smiles. This was quite the show for a few locals that witnessed. It brought along new tales of the ghost surrounding Raymore. The news spread like wildfire throughout the small town. Locals must have took it seriously, as candles were burned throughout the night, placed in windows with the belief it would keep the spirit away.

The impending cool weather had set on Guy’s mind, and he looked back towards town for a more formidable shelter. He was able to ease himself in, making friends with a local farmer and became his farmhand. In return for his help Guy was given some shelter on the attached tack room of the farmers barn. Guy always avoided the schoolhouse, in fear he would meet up with the teacher. But one day he was given the chore of picking up some supplies from the depot. As the train whistled its arrival, Guy was waiting along the North end, and to his surprise saw the depot agent emerge. Guy kept as still as could be while Juliann walked by, with a twisted stare grin. Guy was expecting the worst but was relieved as she shut the door behind her.

Guy quickly made friends with the locals in town. Besides working for the farmer he always lent a helping hand when needed. Everything from helping passengers off the train and into the hotel to doing odd jobs for the small shops in the area. Although at times, thoughts and tears would drive Guy insane. It wasn’t all that untypical for Guy to break down, and start roaming the fields with his lantern late at night, calling aimlessly for his wife and daughter. The local deputy became to know Guy well, as it was common for Guy to peer into the windows of the local houses late at night, calling for his Wife Lea and his little girl Smiles, spooking the residents of Raymore greatly. He was also known to walk the KCCS line many times past midnight, as if in a drunken stupor calling for his beloved girls to no avail.


In the fall of 1889, Guy traveled Southwest a few miles and met up and befriended a gentleman by the name of Alex Lopeman. These parts were known (and still to this day) as Amarugia. Alex had ordered some supplies in return for firewood for the farmer. Alex invited Guy to stay as he was having a dance that night. Guy met a man known as Ab, who was not from the Kingdom. For some unknown reason, Ab and Guy didn’t hook up well, and a fight ensued between the two. It’s been said that Ab had killed three men prior, but was able to escape custody claiming self-defense of some type. Scraped pretty badly, and broke up by the party, Guy left quickly with Ab yelling he’d find him someday.

For the next several years, Guy maintained his humble lifestyle by day, working what he could, and at times, running his haunting rituals by night. Surprisingly enough, Juliann took kind to Guy, but he never let her too close. At times, locals witnessed another silhouette trailing Guy late at night through the fields and railroad tracks. It was said that a woman's voice could be heard pleading with Guy to come back and return home. Many suspected Juliann, but no one knew for sure.

The story doesn’t get better. Sometime in the winter of 1892, guy was selling firewood from the local tack. It was a cold and snowy afternoon. The sun was starting to set, and Guy was about ready to close shop. Guy was sliding the tack door shut, when he noticed an individual coming up the road through the snowy downfall. The man shouted at Guy as he saw he was closing shop. “Please, sir, just a bit of wood?” he yelled. As he got closer, the two men’s eyes met. There was no hesitation. Guy knew he was staring Ab straight in the face. Ab killed Guy with a 30 cent Barlow knife. Sliced right through his abdomen and it was said all his insides spilled right out.

No ones knows exactly what happened that evening in the Kingdom of Amarugia between Guy and Ab. Some say Guy made a pact with the devil in return for his beloved girls. Other say it was nothing more than two men who started out on the wrong foot. Whatever it was, it didn’t stop there. Juliann died shortly after learning of Guy’s fate. It was said she died of a soft broken heart.



To this day, it's said that the spirits of Guy and Juliann still roam the area by nights.  Some have claimed to see the yellow glow from the lantern and silhouette of a man looking through their windows. Others have claimed to see the trailing pair behind the Ray-Pec school, later in the evening after football games.  Kids at the Raymore skate park have heard his haunting calls.  Even fishermen at the Amarugia Lake have said to witness a couple calling. 

If you have witnessed such, please leave your experience here.

God's pretty clear...

And just another great verse that my Grandfather has said many times...

⁵"And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. ⁶But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea." Matthew 18NIV

What a wonderful (weird) Christmas!

Let me preface this by saying I'm not complaining whatsoever.  But this Christmas season has been one to remember.  The weekend before Christmas, the meteorologists were already forecasting a blizzard for Kansas and Missouri over the Christmas holiday.  They were right!  Starting Wednesday we had quite a bit of rain.  It turned into a misty icy slush that evening.  Then on Christmas Eve (Thursday), it started with rain in the morning and afternoon.  By that Evening, Here is came!  Christmas Day was no different....snow all day!  And same with Saturday!!!!  Grandma's Christmas Eve dinner was cancelled.  Mom's Christmas Day celebration was moved to Sunday.  It's Sunday now, and we are supposed to be over there around 2pm.  Everything is still white, and our roads are still packed.   We have snow drifts in our back yard that are 3 feet tall!  Dylan was able to make a miniature snow fort!  Out in the middle of the yard, I measured anywhere between 6 and 8 inches.  They are saying that this is a record for KC, somewhere back in 1880??'s last time KC had this much snow on Christmas!  Merry Christmas all, and God Bless!

My favorite season...

Thank God for Autumn

Hazy and long shadowy lights, although the day is bright.  Red, yellow, and orange color, fills the country landscape.  The distinct smell of damp leaves after a misty morning shower.  The beautiful and vibrant sunset, with the hint of burning leaves.  A harvest moon aglow, while watching lit night puffy clouds a'whisk.  There's an owl off in the hedge, watching throughout the hallows fog.  The night seems so eerily silent, even as the leaves make their swaying sound.

The day of feasts...

Whoa... the day started at 6am meeting my brother and Dad at the Family Cabin in Belton. Took in some B&G. Then around 1pm, we did the Ci Ci's Pizza in Grandview with the Family. Then to top it off, chowed down on a burrito from Chipotle in Lee's Summit for dinner this evening. I'm never eating again.

Cool Weather Summers

Sunday, September 6th at 9:30AM - I love this weather. This is from Hawk Ridge Park, at the North end of the lake, looking North. Here is a picture of the Lake, looking South. I'm really not ready for this week to begin. Right now, it's Monday evening, Labor Day. I hope the week goes very quickly.

RERUN: Most wonderful time of the year...

I know this is a re-run, but It's so fitting, I had to post it again! Dedicated to all the lucky parents out there... ;-)

Tales of the Inanimates

I usually take Raytown Road home, and from there, I take the back roads into Raymore. These are the same roads I used to take home when I attended Longview College back in '93. There's a reason that these roads seem so familiar, and today it finally hit me. So many things are still the same. There's the old farm tractor, nestled in the hedge-row off 155th street, slowly but surely rusting away. The trees are taller and thicker, and in the summer you can hardly notice it's there. But looking close enough, it's there. It's been there for at least 16 years, and I can only imagine that it was there 16 years before I first noticed it. There's the old property corner stones, the old fence posts, and even a few rock piles here and there; bring back memories of when I first noticed them over 16 years ago. Time goes by, but do these inanimate objects even notice? They've all taken on the constant barrage of time, weather, and nature, yet they are still the same. I can't say the same for me. But that's nature on its course. Sometimes when I'm at the office and feel stressed to the max, I think of these things. It's a weird simile of peace for me. Sometimes when I'm 1000 miles away in a different city, I think about that tractor, or the rock pile, or the corner stone in the middle of a now divided field. Constantly in its place, and wondering what it's "thinking". Then when I'm really in the mood to daydream, I think of the history behind that stone, rock, or tractor. How many hands have been placed on that item, and how long ago it must have been. I wonder the history of those people, and what was it they were thinking about all so many years ago. I'm sure that 'ol tractor got several thousand hours on it, before it croaked in the middle of a field now overgrown by a hedge. And how many times has that old man filled her up with gas, and what old stories could he have shared. The mason and his corner stone... possibly 100 years ago or more. How much history can a old fence post have, when you break it down through those that have touched it. I keep wondering...

Fence Post

Early Morning Friday Breakfast over Coffee

Me: "I guess I'll head out and fix that ol fence post this mornin."

Old Neighbor: "You wanna need som help?"

Me: "Nah, I'll go fixer myself."

Let it Snow...

I got my fix! Luckily Mike Thompson was wrong! It snowed here in the KC area almost all weekend. It just let up around lunch time. For some weird reason, I always want to be in town when we have our first real snow fall. I'm scheduled to be in Alabama the rest of the week, and it doesn't look like there is any white stuff in the forecast for any part of Alabama for the rest of the year.

A carol of truth, history, and legends...

"Silent Night" ("Stille Nacht") is one of the most well know Christmas Carols of all time; and I must say it's one of my favorites. There is something eerily romantic that sucumbs your thoughts as you listen to the echoing melody and harmonic verses. It's been translated into hundreds of languages around the world. The Silent Night Society says there are many "romantic stories and legends" that surround the carol, although most historians believe that the Austrian priest Father Josef Mohr just wanted a simple piece that could be played on his guitar.

Silent Night was originally written in German, by Mohr and the melody was composed by an Austrian headmaster Franz Xaver Gruber (primary school teacher and church organist in the village of Arnsdorf. At the same time he was organist and choirmaster at St. Nicholas Church in the neighboring village of Oberndorf). Mohr was ordained in 1815, after special permission from the pope allowed him to study for priesthood, as Mohr was born an illegitimate child.

On December 24th, 1818, the carol was first performed in the Church of St Nicholas (Nicola-Kirche). Mohr made a drastic plea with Gruber the morning before Christmas, asking him to compose the melody on guitar for the Christmas Eve service that evening.

Nothing can be found as far as Mohr's inspiration for the song. It's a rumor that the church organ was broken, so Mohr and Gruber created the song for accompaniment by guitar.

Silent Night was popularized by the World War I, Christmas Eve truce between the British and the Germans. On December 24th, 1914 the artillery in the region (Ypres, Belgium) fell silent that night. German troops began decorating the area around their trenches for Christmas. They started placing candles on trees, then continued by singing many Christmas Carols, most notably Stille Nacht. The two sides started shouting Christmas greetings to each other and leading up to small gift exchanges, such as whisky, jam, cigars, and chocolate.

To this day, many Christmas Eve services and the Christmas Story always include the song, Silent Night. There is something about the melody, and the versus that tell the story of that night long ago. Every time I listen to the song, it brings a mix of emotions that can't quite be described.

Martinstag, St. Martin's Day, Advent...

I'll use any reason to start the Christmas Season sooner! In early days Advent lasted from November 11, the feast of St. Martin, until Christmas Day. "St. Martin started out as a Roman soldier. He was baptized as an adult and became a monk. It is understood that he was a kind man who led a quiet and simple life. The most famous legend of his life is that he once cut his cloak in half to share with a beggar during a snowstorm, to save the beggar from dying of the cold. That night he dreamed that Jesus was wearing the half-cloak Martin had given away. Martin heard Jesus say to the angels: "Here is Martin, the Roman soldier who is not baptized; he has clothed me." cited from Wikipedia

Yep -it's that time of the year again. KUDL is already playing Christmas music, and the shopping centers have had the Christmas Trees on display now for over a month! Thanksgiving is only a few weeks away, and that's when I know it's time to stay away from the store's mad rush of holiday shoppers!!!

As most know Thanksgiving and Christmas are my favorite times of the year. It seems that as soon as Thanksgiving and Christmas come and go, I can't wait for them to come again. I think I'm so fond of these Holidays because of the tradition and upbringing my parents and Grandparents instilled. For most, unfortunately, Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are more of a 'have-to-do' holiday, than a sacred holiday. As soon as some people hear the Christmas music on KUDL, they feel the anxiety of the holiday rush. I, rather, feel the love and greatest gift that anyone could ever want. The gift that God gave us that Christmas morning; not so long ago. For that,… we have much to be Thankful for!

Thanksgiving couldn't come at a better time; with Christmas following. Last year around this time I came up with a short Christmas lesson for my kids to get them in the Spirit. The very first question I presented to them was, "What kind of things do you think of first when you hear the word 'Christmas'?". They all paused for a moment, with the older kids realizing that this might be a 'trick' question. The younger kids were about to spout off the latest X-BOX game when one of the older kids shouted, "Jesus!" Then the younger kids followed suit mentioning things like the manger, Joseph and Mary, and other items as such. As far as I was concerned, the question didn't have a right or wrong answer. My point wasn't to catch them saying something wrong, but rather keep the true meaning in their minds. Obviously kids will associate gifts with Christmas, but it's our job to keep the truth with them. Without subtle reminders like the one above, it may become very easy for them to fall in the 'have-to-do' Christmas Spirit when they get older.

So my whole point? This is my subtle reminder that Thanksgiving and Christmas go hand-in-hand, so we might not succumb to the mad holiday rush. Now is the time to give thanks, and keep the true meaning of Christmas close to our hearts. Advent is the time to prepare for the celebration of the coming. Prepare your hearts and remember what is true. We should treat every day of our lives as if Thanksgiving and Christmas were in the midst. We have too much to be thankful for. The fact that you are reading this page means you are alive and well; be thankful for it! My only request from you is that you take a moment today or tonight to pray for this Holiday season. Thank Him for all you have, and for what we have yet to be given. Thank Him for your problems, as problems are our way of learning how to deal with tough times. Thank Him for your children, as they are our heirs and mirrors of who we are in life. Pray that we don't succumb ourselves to the mad holiday rush. And most of all, thank him for our Savior and that he stays close to our heart,…the reason we celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas!

Childrens Trust Fund

The Cass County CAN web-site was recently made mention of from the Childrens Trust Fund website. We also have received some exposure from the local media within Cass County.

On the 14th of October, we held a group meeting with all the committee members. It was the first time we were able to convene together in one group. Robin Neill with the city of Independence was there to explain what they are doing for CAN. Very interesting, and we gathered a few ideas for our own initiative. I also gave a presentation on the website.

In November, we will finally start defining the Cass County initiative which will point us in a few directions. Hopefully we will have a lot more to talk about soon!

There's probably no God...

"There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.", says Oxford University biologist Richard Dawkins, who donated $9,000 to a new Atheist organization based in London. This organizations plan is to put this advertisement on 30 buses within London. The organization has now raised so much money, that they are planning on expanding.

The only reason the word "Probably" was added to the phrase, was included to ensure the posters didn't breach transit advertising regulations, which stipulate ads should not offend religious people.

And we don't have reason to worry? This is by the mark.

News Article Here

The Bean is Back...

Rightfully so, since my previous post on Autumn, it's appropriate to bring the Bean back into my daily ritual. This post is purely trivial and has nothing to do with my worldly initiative on preservation and conservation of the human race.

I drink coffee year round, but I don't get SERIOUS about it until Autumn. There is something about the crisp cool air of an Autumn or Winter morning that makes a good cup of coffee a necessity. People either love coffee or hate it. Personally I have NO earthly clue why I, or anyone else for that matter, would love the taste of coffee. If I were to try and explain its taste to someone, the only thing I could come close to analogize it against is Roasted Dirt. Yummy.

It's amazing that coffee doesn't harm us. Just to name a few, it's chock full of Caffeine, Calcium, Betaine, Chlorogenic Acid, Liverine, Magnesium, Chline, Dicaffeylqunic Acid, Methliberine, Phosphate, Niacin, Paraxanthine, Potassium Sulphate, Trigoneline, Theobromine, Theopyline, Diterpene esters, Acetic, Arbinose, Linoleate, Dietepenes, C3-C10, Fructose, Kahweol, Galactose, Glucose, Insoitol, Mannitol, Mannose, Xylose, Nonacosane 5-hydroxtryptamides, Phosopholipids, Tocopherols, Tryiglycerides, and Triterpene just to name a few.

Take all of that, grind it up, and you have a great cup o-Joe. The following lists a few facts about coffee:

• 53 Countries grow coffee
• An acre of coffee trees can produce 10,000 lbs. of coffee beans.
• The percolator was invented in 1827.
• No coffee is grown in the contiguous states of the United States.
• Coffee was roasted in a frying pan up until the late 1800's.
• Brazil in the world's largest producer.
• Over 2000 ships transport beans each year.
• October 1st is the official Coffee Day in Japan.

Autumn breeze...

Nothing like the brisk Autumn breeze to get my allergies in a twit. But it's the season I look forward to most, especially after a dusty end of summer. Now it just needs to freeze!

I haven't written for a while (don't most blogs say that somewhere?), but things have really been keeping me busy. Not that it's anything that would interest you, I'll just say I'm glad it's fall!

I don't have much of anything interesting to say. I'd say a few things about the candidates, but honestly that just gives me a headache. I can't wait for the election. Other than that, the items most notable that have happened since I last blogged:

• Price of Gas has fallen from over + $3.60 down to $2.68 the past two weeks.
• Hillary didn't quite make it (sigh).
• Palin is Mccain's VP running mate, and she claims the troopergate probe has exonerated her.
• [personal commentaion] Again I feel like a minority when everyone bashes the GOP, and praises Obama while looking forward to a great change.
• The Space Shuttle mission STS-125 (Hubble Servicing Mission 4) was postponed until next year due to a major glitch in Hubble's electronics. They should have originally launched earlier this month. This should give NASA more time to find out how to fix the current problem, while giving the astronauts time to train how to fix.
• We are in an economic fallout (crisis). The U.S. just passed a 700 Billion bailout plan, although no-one seems to know what that means or how it will affect us. [pc] Obama will fix it though.
  
• Royals tickets will cost more next year.
• Chief Season Tickets may be free next year if they continue on their wonderful loosing streak.
• Stores started Christmas as early as mid September. They are expecting worst sales ever.
• Lake Annette Toll Road is no more. Previous Post Here

Hopefully I'll find a bit more time to write this thing. But for now hope and pray for the best in the weeks ahead.