Author: stevehaarman

I started my walk at the edge of the woods.

This was usual and I seldom varied. Today,

however, I did not follow the path down

to the water but went the other way to

see what changes may have taken place

since I had last been here. I was surprised

by the growth of the shrubs and evergreens

as well as the ground cover. Little animals

fairy-like were running about as though they

did not like my intrusion. I thought a story

could be written about them and their domain,

but I think that has been done more than once

so, I filed that notion in the back of my mind.

Larger birds like owls and hawks were flying

haphazardly from tree to tree. There has been

a real takeover I thought, and I was not supposed

to be part of it. I continued and came to a camp

sight that was occupied by gypsies. They invited

me to join them for lunch. I accepted and as

we ate we carried on a conversation that led me

to believe that they were planning to stay for a while.

I reminded them of the zoning rules and the

ownership of the land and they told me that they

had already been advised, but planned to stay

if possible. I realized that it was my land

that they were “camping” on and having had lunch

with them, my action may be misconstrued as having

given them permission. This is going to be interesting.

I thought about it on my return and when I arrived

at my usual path I took it down to the water

where the rippling music put me at peace.

Stanski

January 3, 2023, ^

There are those oblivious and those

who do not care. Their world rambles

on pieces of it everywhere and then

the doers come along, bringing their

own vision, the mess they see is to be

cleared. No easy task, but you hear no

complaints. As upset as they are, they

practice restraint. Children go hungry

and live in a mess. whether they use drugs

is anyone’s guess, but we should all be

aware. Fentanyl is here and if the source

of the drugs being used is not known

then it is imperative that drugs just

handed out should not be used because

sure death may be lurking. We see this

across the country and are dismayed

that the border has been left open.

There is enough of that killer drug in

our country already to destroy all life

if it were to be distributed with that

intention. It would be wise to bring

this out into the open instead of

remaining silent and pretending that

it can’t happen here. The ministers

should be speaking of it at every

chance they get, as well as teachers,

coaches, friends, and parents. One

hears a lot of, “I know”, but the

tragedies keep occurring. It is time

for everyone to stand up and be

heard. We should also take the

stigma from depression, bad eating

habits, and many more things and

begin conversations about each.

Let us work hard and set an example

of how a community can come

together and be the best it can be.

Stanski

January 2, 2023, ^

PILLARS OF SALT

We have a beautiful world. Even when

we are not looking it is there for us.

At the same time, we may be enjoying

this gift we are also facing a world full

of hatred, brutality, and cruelties.

These create sorrow in those who

are sensitive to the dark side of mankind.

To walk away from this darkness without

trying to put an illumination on it would

not speak well of one’s character. To

stand by in an effort to overcome speaks

well of those who realize that you can

not just walk away from darkness and

expect to live with stability. There is

always a price to pay for foolishness

and facing up to this will sometimes

cause depression which will only be

overcome by a turnaround of the potential

coward. Life is a precious gift not realized

by all. The gift is beauty, which may turn

into tragedy if not nourished. This gift is peace

if not left to stray into tough environments.

Too often what was rare turns into the commonplace

and is even encouraged by those who prefer darkness.

They break down structure and abandon what were

 the rules of law, so there is nothing to hang on to

 when we are in hopes of solutions. When our

leaders facilitate wrongdoings, even allowing and

encouraging them we have to retreat

back into what we were and realize that we were

and are the precious gift. We must reconstruct our

thinking and seek out the truth which is no easy

chore when we are surrounded by failed people.

We must bring light not only to ourselves but to

them also. After continual effort, we may partially

succeed, but this success must be accompanied by

a determination to continue until all bases are

covered. This turning inward to the truth will be

our salvation.

Stanski

January 1, 2023 ^

We have a beautiful world. Even when

we are not looking it is there for us.

At the same time, we may be enjoying

this gift we are also facing a world full

of hatred, brutality, and cruelties.

These create sorrow in those who

are sensitive to the dark side of mankind.

To walk away from this darkness without

trying to put an illumination on it would

not speak well of one’s character. To

stand by in an effort to overcome speaks

well of those who realize that you can

not just walk away from darkness and

expect to live with stability. There is

always a price to pay for foolishness

and facing up to this will sometimes

cause depression which will only be

overcome by a turnaround of the potential

coward. Life is a precious gift not realized

by all. The gift is beauty, which may turn

into tragedy if not nourished. This gift is peace

if not left to stray into tough environments.

Too often what was rare turns into the commonplace

and is even encouraged by those who prefer darkness.

They break down structure and abandon what were

 the rules of law, so there is nothing to hang on to

 when we are in hopes of solutions. When our

leaders facilitate wrongdoings, even allowing and

encouraging them we have to we have to retreat

back into what we were and realize that we were

and are the precious gift. We must reconstruct our

thinking and seek out the truth which is no easy

chore when we are surrounded by failed people.

We must bring light not only to ourselves but to

them also. After continual effort we may partially

succeed, but this success must be accompanied by

a determination to continue until all bases are

covered. This turning inward to the truth will be

our salvation.

Stanski

January 1, 2023 ^

Two dictators. One was named Vladimir

and the other was Volodymyr. The first

blew up churches in Ukraine

and the other closed the Orthodox

church in Ukraine to its people.

Millions of dollars in damage,

a nation of broken people still

willing to fight. Refugees by the

hundreds of thousands, hungry

and cold all because of the need

to land grab. NATO is doing

something, but what. The

U.S.A. is sending equipment

for defense plus billions of dollars,

while at home they pass unread bills

which honor themselves and build

fences for another country to the

tune of 400 million dollars while

leaving our southern border open.

If the people of Ukraine win,

will they take over Russia and

then be aggressive against the

NATO countries? What do

dictators do? They reach for

more power. The people suffer

and are deprived. We beg for

oil while aborting our own drilling.

we close the pipelines to refineries;

open our border and watch humans

suffer; die from contaminated drugs.

get caught up in human trafficking

which means rape and death.

We shall overcome, eventually,

and put an end to this. We must

choose our leaders wisely and

prosecute the violators. We must

recognize the True Leader, the

Shepherd, who is the Light. Only

Then will we know what peace is.

Stanski

January 1, 2023, ^

Just down the road

Only a few miles

You will find the market

And people with lots of smiles

It isn’t huge but it’s homey

The vendors are all polite

Just being with these people

Is such a great delight

From stocking hats to poultry

And everything in between

Soaps, candles, and artwork

As nice as you have seen

Little children, bashful but polite

Painting rocks and selling them

Price depends on the size

Meat, harvested from their farms

Eggs and loads of pies

Breads of all descriptions

Like candy for the eye

The venders are happy to see you

They treat you like celebrity

When it is over you realize

They have met your every need

Just down the road

Only a few miles

Worth everyone

Just to see their smiles

Stanski

December 31, 2022, ^

It is a wonder that drifts six foot tall

have vanished and we see green grass

and brown ground and a haze of pink

on the horizon. Who do you think is

behind this phenomenon.

The Climate Change Groupies are spending

$50,000.00 per minute trying to convert

everyone to their belief. Besides making

millions of dollars on their propaganda

they are seeking a new world order where

they will be in total control. Many,

because they are inundated with

the propaganda from organizations

like Green Peace and others

who talk about Polar Bears eating

their young which is nothing new.

They have been known to do that

for as long as they have been studied.

The polar caps have more ice today

than whenever measuring took place.

A few years ago, some scientists in a ship

were frozen in a stretch of water

they were on trying to prove that

melting was taking place. Man cannot

start a hurricane or cause a snow drift.

They cannot stop the hurricane or melt

the drift. Those leading this charge are

interested in one thing and that is control.

They contaminate the air with the exhaust

of fuel from their private jets and think

nothing of it because their mission is

so important. Politicians become rich

endorsing these lies. True scientists say

that the conclusions are based on

models that misrepresent the facts

or disregard them. The waves are now

back to our shoreline and beginning

to make snow and ice mountains again.

I guess we could call this a mini-ice age.

Stanski

December 30, 2022, ^

The gray sea rumbles

Throwing its challenges

To me or anyone listening

Why are you standing there

Aren’t there things to do

People you don’t even know

Are waiting for you now

They have no expectations

But hope you can help

They are hungry, thirsty,

Homeless and cold

Who takes ownership

Over these depressed

Who are also addicted to

Drugs that are not addressed

They cannot be assayed for

Purity, so there is a good chance

They are laced with death

Don’t look away, this is not

Pleasant. Open the books

See the problem and then

Take steps to correct it

Not an easy task as there

Is an agenda that is to

Bring down the last great

Hope of the world and when

Lead by our leaders and those

Who profits we have a job

Almost too great to ponder

Listen to the good book

Our help is in the name of

The father. He is the light

Which will overcome the

Darkness. He alone, and

Not some want-to-be, will

Be the answer, so we look

To him and pray, and act

Make calls and write letters

Time will tell, but at least

We started the ball rolling

Stanski

December 29, 2022, ^

“Across The Bridge” AS SUNG BY JIM REAVES

I have lived a life of sin in this world I’m living in
I have done forbidden things I shouldn’t do
I asked a beggar along the way, if he could tell me where to stay
Where I could find real happiness and love that’s true

Across the bridge, there’s no more sorrow
Across the bridge, there’s no more pain
The Sun will shine across the river
And you’ll never be unhappy again

Follow the footsteps of the King till you hear the voices ring
They’ll be singing out the glory of the land
The river Jordan will be near, the sound of trumpets you will hear
And you’ll behold the most precious place ever known to man

Across the bridge, there’s no more sorrow
Across the bridge, there’s no more pain
The Sun will shine across the river
And you’ll never be unhappy again

Across the bridge, there’s no more sorrow
Across the bridge, there’s no more pain
The Sun will shine across the river
And you’ll never be unhappy again

Across the bridge, there’s no more sorrow
Across the bridge, there’s no more pain
The Sun will shine across the river
And you’ll never be unhappy again

The year is nearly over, and it is

going out with a roar. It has not

been the best of times nor the

worst of times. Without getting

into the litany, I will just say that

whatever pain and suffering I

endured I offered as my attempt

to share in the carrying of the

cross of Jesus. Who am I to complain

when we have people starving in Haiti

and when locusts ate the crops of

several eastern countries in Africa,

and when Christians were murdered

or tortured for believing in their faith,

and when we had dictators enslaving

their citizens to control them. These

people have endured much more

then I can imagine. I do not have

a bucket list, but I do have a list of

things I wish to do this coming year.

I want to respect the people with

whom I encounter, do good work

and show love and compassion,

 improve my community, help

those in need and be kind to

everyone and less critical of others.

Today as I look out the window

and see the tree branches waving

and the waves tossing water on

the snow mountains, under the

gray sky I think my goals are hefty,

but when the sun comes back shining

they will seem simple and not enough.

There will be time to add to my list,

God willing, and I will gladly do so.

In the meantime, I pray for strength,

and my fellow man

Stanski

December 28, 2022, ^