The key to winning the Iditarod sled dog race

It takes a team to finally reach
that weathered burled arch
on Front Street in the gold rush town of Nome.
This winning team of canines
has withstood both wind and cold
in their brave pursuit to pull their musher home.

Along the trail this team has run
(indifferent to the snow)
contending for a prize they now embrace.
Defying odds and obstacles
they proved they had the will
to outlast the others in The Last Great Race.

This “team of teams” now rests content
enjoying just desserts
while we take time to honor what they’ve done.
It’s the dream of every musher
knowing that the world looks on
aware his team has finished number one.

*written for Dallas Seavey and the 2014 Iditarod Awards Banquet in Nome

Slowing down to fast

“So what will you be giving up?”
the pastor asked his flock.
“A Lenten fast can firm-up flabby souls.
Our self-indulgent comforts
interfere with keeping fit.
They can undermine our long term godly goals.

“A Facebook fast on Sundays
might provide the space you need
to face challenges revealed within God’s book.
Or to go without your smartphone
after dinner isn’t dumb
so to read some Oswald Chambers on your Nook.

“And what about that glass of wine
you sip most every night?
Could you forgo that pleasure for six weeks?
Could you replace that Cabernet
by swallowing your pride
and listening in silence as God speaks?

“Or maybe what you need to do
is not as obvious
as giving up your Starbucks or ice cream.
Perhaps what you need give up most
is not some thing… but you.
Let Jesus own your heart and all your dreams.”

A faithful viewer vents his gripe; A Worn Out Welcome

Dear Abbey, Downton’s Done
A faithful viewer vents his gripes

Dear Abbey,
Now that Downton’s done,
my Sunday nights won’t be much fun.
Why must I wait ten grueling months
to get my Grantham fix?

I’ve come to be feel at home you see
with Britain’s aristocracy.
This Peyton Place of bygone years
is quality TV.

Upstairs, downstairs, in-between.
The haves and have-nots, kind and mean,
observe (and push against) the norms
of life the way it was.

And, Abbey, I just need to vent
because I’m feeling discontent.
It seems unfair to wait so long
since seasons are so short.

A Worn Out Welcome
Old Man Winter’s stayed too long

This houseguest’s over-stayed his welcome.
It’s time for him to go.
Yes, Old Man Winter’s stayed too long.
We hate his cold and snow.

It feels just like Siberia.
The lakes and rivers freeze.
His rude behavior at our place
has brought us to our knees.

We’re praying he will pack his bags
and leave our home at last.
We’re sick and tired being held
within his frigid grasp.

Why senior adults in physical therapy inspire me

I see gold-medal athletes
most every single day.
But not on rinks of ice or mountain slopes.
These wrinkled aging champions
don’t wear team uniforms.
They amaze me by the many ways they cope.

They push themselves in therapy
regaining what they’ve lost
through a stroke or joints a surgeons just replaced.
And while their reps are painful,
you will rarely hear complaints
though the agony is etched upon their face.

These senior saints convict me
of my tendency to quit
when I slip and bruise my often-swollen pride.
How I want to be more like them
giving everything I’ve got
as I go for gold until the day I die.

Remembering the life of a beloved child star; A Final Salute to Sid

A Toast to a Dimpled Temple
Remembering the life of a beloved child star

A child star-turned-diplomat,
that darling Shirley Temple Black
has left us with sweet memories
of Curly Top and more.

The Good Ship Lollipop has sailed
beyond our sight with one who nailed
each part that pint-size actress played
(some forty films in all).

Bojangles taught her how to dance
in petticoats or sailor pants
while Jean Hersholt helped Heidi see
a dear grandfather’s love.

When my mom was a little girl,
she emulated Shirley’s curls
insisting that her mother set
her hair just like the star’s.

And when I was a little boy,
my brother ordered up a “Roy.”
But Shirley Temple was my drink.
A 7-up made pink.

And so I lift my glass to say,
“I’m sad that Shirley’s passed away,
but grateful for her good long life.
Peace to her memory!”

A Final Salute to Sid
Rendering unto Caesar our respects

We rendered unto Caesar laughs.
We laughed so hard we cried.
But now we render our respects
with news that Sid has died.

“Your Show of Shows” was Caesar’s throne
when TV was quite new.
His brand of humor reigned supreme.
And no one asked “Sid who?”

But now that this great comic’s gone,
I’m very sad to say
that few (if any) folks I know
care that Sid passed away.

Peace to his memory!

http://movies.msn.com/in-memoriam-2014/photo-gallery/feature/?photoidx=2