Archive for June, 2014
Sandlot Memories
I grew up on vacant lots in the little desert town of Buckeye, Arizona; those bare patches of ground were the places I smiled and laughed the most. We had no boundaries as such, except the daylight; when night came calling, we reluctantly left the game of the day and headed for home. (I don’t think we broke any windows.)
A Game Forgot
Summer day, schoolwork forgotten
Air filled with mindless chatter
Pitcher glares toward home plate
Fielders shout, hey batter hey batter
Ball speeds to the redheaded batter
Louisville Slugger in his grip
Gonna knock that pill outta sight
Trot the bases and give cap a tip
Crack of bat as swing connects
Ball soars high in the air
Cover flutters to the infield
The players, horrified, stare
The sphere unravels as it flies
Crushed by the mighty blow
Over the fence then crashes loud
Through Old Man Wilson’s window
Mr. Wilson looks over his fence
At the quiet…. and empty sandlot
Remnants of a baseball in his hand
Summer day, a game forgot
Copyright © 1998 C. Mashburn
This is one of my older poems, but one of my favorites.
NOTE! This poem inspired a sequel! —>Where Dreams Were Dreamed.
Sometimes… the Prizes Are Real!
Maybe some will disagree, but in every life there are at least a few days that are treasure.
When we’re blue and life comes down on us—those times when everything is tawdry and gray, like a carnival on a rainy day—we can go back to the good days and remind ourselves life isn’t always a rigged game.
Sometimes, the prizes are real.
Sometimes, they’re precious.
It’s A Plot, I Tell Ya!!
A few days ago, I received an invitation to a class reunion, and I was mulling over whether to go or not. Sherry can’t go, but she encouraged me to fly over to Phoenix for the weekend and see my “old” classmates. I was leaning toward going, until I read about the activities they have planned. One of them is a <gulp!> dance!
Back in the day, seventh and eighth grade boys, were (probably still are, today) a mass of roiling testosterone driven pubescence. We knew we liked girls, but weren’t sure why and even less sure what we should do about it.
I remain convinced eighth grade dances were a part of the plot; designed to turn would be macho boys into frightened, blubbering fools.
The lights were dimmed, the girls were giggling, and talking about the silly fools across the room, while the silly fools—that would include yours truly—stumbled around, bumping into one another, mumbling the name of the true love they intended to dance with. True loves, by the way, lasted about two weeks when you were in the seventh and eighth grade.
Those dances were some of the best worst nights of my life. I swear I never felt so good and so bad at one time at the same time. Know what I mean?
Full Coverage!
Ephesians 6:11 tells us, “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” What is the full armor of God? Is it a simple thing—a one-piece outfit with a strip of Velcro down the front—or is it a complicated suit with myriad snaps and buckles? Is it comfortable or cumbersome?
I believe the full armor of God is as simple as keeping our eyes upon Him, knowing He will never leave us nor forsake us. Even simpler; it is merely accepting His unconditional love.
The armor of God is a one-size-fits-all garment, and it covers us fully, head-to-toe. Try it on! You’ll love the way it feels!
Maybe… Iv’e Got Time
Do you ever think about an old friend, and wonder what happened to them; where they are now? Do you wonder why you lost touch with them? I often do, and it usually comes down to the fact I didn’t try to keep them in my life. It’s one of those things I tend to beat myself up about. Read the rest of this entry »
It’s All Good!
FOCUS ON THE GOOD STUFF!
I should hang a sign off the brim of my old hat, so those words will lead me around all day. Well, when I’m outside anyway; I don’t wear my old hat in the house. But, maybe I should make signs and place them all over the house. Read the rest of this entry »
It’s All Good!
Our lives are a constant evolving of bad to good, good to bad, and everything in between. There will always be trials and troubles in our lives, but when our trust is in Him, the blessings God pours out on us will always outnumber them.
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Marbles In My Pocket ~ The Official Blog of Charles L. Mashburn ~ Poems, Short Stories, and random thoughts from the author of "Be Still... and know that I am God" 