9/23/12
He walks along the sunny windy shores with the radiant sun on his head, shoulders and back. As the grains of sand filter between his feet he remembers the days of youth, family, and play.
As he continues his walks, time moves forward as the tides roll in and out, he contemplates,” time is but a moment”,
The moments sail by as if brought in then out by the wind, fast, strong and steady. At this moment, he gathers his thoughts of a time that has waved him by, only to be thoughtful of the moments his children walked side by side with him.
As another day passes he finds his walks with his wife and then by himself, as if the shore has moved from where he walked so did his life.
The sea will embrace his story, his life, and his secrets, but most of all the sands of time willcontinue his story as others walk his path. Danny
One More Day…
Life is a never ending tide, as it moves from place to place the tides rolls in, but never recurrent.
As the birds hear the call and sounds of the breaking waves, so do those who pass by and wonder….
Life can never end with one, but must continue as God has spoken. It will remain with no end, only a beginning, and an endless source of outcomes. Each outcome shall be as different as each wave that reaches the shore, as each grain of sand that changes from under us, as each creature that we hear or see. We shall see the waves, the sand, the creatures, but each will tell of another story of another life…only to begin another day.
To each of us we will share, love, and live in one place at a time, but will move forward (yet stay still) as time passes through our lives as do the sunrises and sunsets……..we each have a beautiful story to live, to create, to convey. We all have a portion of each other, as do the shells in the sand; we will touch the other in ways that were meant to be and pass by as does life. Only to say, it is one more day.
Fishing…
Today I decided to go
Fishing…
I waited for nightfall,
As I wanted a moon lit sky…
So I cast my bait, but to my surprise,
Not a nimble was felt on my line.
Then, there it was, I caught what I had hoped for;
A star lit night,
Light reflections gleaming on the water,
A moon with a full smile,
Millions of stars sparkling in every direction,
A faint red planet,
All the while, “Looking at my reflection while it was looking back at me”!
What a great catch!
Fiction and Reality…
Do we live our lives, or do we honor the script that was placed before us? Life as reality or life as fiction runs as parallel as the tides along the shores. We must learn to find the real shoreline and put away the tidal line as for us the line that separates us from truth is, but a fine line.
As we face each sunset and approach each wave, we will discover many new ideas, many new faces, and perhaps a lifetime of love and happiness or of longing and sadness,
It is a choice that we make each day to live the reality or to succumb to the fiction.
As the sun sets we have made our choice, but to make another and another until one day fiction has given in to reality. We are given a destiny, but a choice as well…..will we “sea” the sunsets or the sunrises in our lives…..
By, Dennis L. Stafford……….as the sun sets….9-23-12
“That’s Life”
Song by Frank Sinatra that has special meaning!
That’s life, that’s what people say.
You’re riding high in April,
Shot down in May.
But I know I’m gonna change their tune,
When I’m right back on top in June.
That’s life, funny as it seems.
Some people get their kicks,
Steppin’ on dreams
But I just can’t let it get me down,
Cause this big old world keeps spinnin’ around.
I’ve been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate,
A poet, a pawn and a king.
I’ve been up and down and over and out
But I know one thing:
Each time I find myself flat on my face,
I pick myself up and get back in the race.
Everybody Loves Somebody
Dean Martin Song, “I always loved the wording”!
Everybody loves somebody sometime
Everybody falls in love somehow
Something in your kiss just told me
That sometime is now
Everybody finds somebody someplace
There’s no telling where love may appear
Something in my heart keeps saying
My someplace is here
If I had it in my power
I’d arrange for every girl to have your charms
Then every minute, every hour
Everybody would find what I found in your arms
Everybody loves somebody sometime
And though my dreams were overdue
Your love made it all worth waiting
For someone like you
If I had it in my power
I’d arrange for every girl to have your charms
Then every minute, every hour
Everybody would find what I found in your arms
Everybody loves somebody sometime
And though my dreams were overdue
Your love made it all worth waiting
For someone like you
“Dedicated to the ones I loved”……..DLS – to those I have loved my entire life…
Worlds Apart…
Can worlds be so far and yet so near,..
As was the days of our time, the two seemed one…
Now life has one being two…
Yes the world has changed as has everyone, but we still remain the same…….just miles apart……..or do we?
The Porpoise…
If you can dance with the waves and sing with the stars you will reach the shores from coast to coast. For those that choose to follow the currents and lose site of the heavens will find eternal depths and darkness. Set your course, remind the world no matter what storms lies ahead that each creature large and small has a porpoise.
Time…
When you find time………where did it hide, ask it to repeat itself……..9/27/12
The Conch…
How do we listen, do we hear what others say…
As we approach each other we speak, we communicate, we transfer thoughts…. do the words go from ear to ear, or do they wind up in an unheard of place…
Could it be we need a “Conch” to listen, to be heard, or do we need more…How can someone say so much yet say so little…is it due to space, water, solids, or matter, in fact what does matter….
Distance and Displacement…
To understand the distinction between distance and displacement, you must know the definitions.
Families that live apart have distance, but those who no longer connect (rather it is distance or time) have displacement, yet live in the same area…..wording that can mean different things to different people all at the same time.
Worlds can come apart at any distance……as well as stay together………..what makes the displacement is the inability of one to focus on the other.
My early years had some distance to them, but in later years the distance became a displacement for me….one that I could never control again………
I will always cherish the closeness of those I have loved, no matter how far away they have traveled!
Tuesday, October 16, 2012 4:21 PM
The Captain’s Course…
As the fog settled in and the north winds began to howl the captains prepared for their ships journey with maps and chart their paths. Little did they know that even though the stars were bright, the moon excelled with all its glory and the alignment of the planets were in their sights, these ships were destined to set sail on different courses, but would meet due to underlying currents that neither captain expected. As with the best plotted course in life destiny has its own path as each ship takes on their journey. As with passing ships in the night, we may venture, we may sail off course, but destiny has its own compass. No matter what the deviation may be, what the chart may show, or if we follow the stars, or be guided by the sun, the moon or what paths we take in life; we will be guided by a more intense undisclosed guiding light that may never be seen, but will take us on the path of our destiny.
As the captains meet and pass the beaming light, all else becomes dull in comparison. All that had glittered and thought were the right paths were given way to something bold, bright, and wonderful.
As the captains reached each new destination they could hear the silent sounds of the wind,” Go forth now, chart a new path and share in the wonders; wherever it may take you”.
Danny
The Venture…
At the crack of dawn to the moons evening glow, the sea turtle danced in the ocean and searched for adventures throughout his life as only the sea could provide. As time passed on, he lost sight of the depth, support, clarity, and vastness of his familiar tracks and ventured into a new land. A land he found different, unexplored, unsettled and vast. As he traveled far into this new horizon, he began to realize the weight he carried with him. As the sun sets he ponders to seek the refuge of the sea or be crippled due to the differences between his surroundings. He continued his travels on this new land, but he could not seek this new dream as had others before him, A dream held by others that crossed the sandy shores and different temperatures of the sea; he now realized a new and very different admission to this new world. But, as quickly as the sun would gleam brightly in the crisp blue sky, it would too soon disappear. Those dreams would be shadowed by the many sand dunes; followed by the shadows cast forth by all the hills and valleys that were created by them. He knows his “lost loves” that once played and frolicked in the sea, now walk on the new land, nourishing their young, and protecting them from what the sand and dunes will challenge them with. Still he continues his many visits between his worlds, cares, dreams, and hopes and tries to guard those old dreams but realizes his shell is too heavy for him to shed as the young have adapted to their new environment. As he carries his burdensome weight and seeks the peace, support, and calm of the ocean; he contemplates what reality is and what are only clouded dreams. With each new visit and with each new tide those thoughts clash as waves on the shore and only to find intermediate peace and promises he knows will not survive. The harsh worlds he has tried to cross may never transcend due to the adaptations that each world has given to each. As time passes, he can no longer escape the protection and tranquility of the sea. Nonetheless, continues with much regret knowing that if change does not occur there will no longer be a reality that will be called theirs. The younger dreams grow and seek the vast shores of life, the sand dunes, and existence for them. They find the ocean is infinite and wondrous, but realize their sanctions are now in full tidal mode and seek those dreams that brought them tranquility away from the life they once knew.
DS 11/1/12
The Sound of Heaven…
Out of the clear, cool dry wind and brightly sun-lit blue sky comes a soft gentle sound as though of a siren from an ocean of the past. Like no other sound, it mystifies, soothes, and plays in your head like a record spinning eternally from the past and into the future. How can anything so surreal be so inviting, so physical, yet so far away. As the distances become greater the sounds are nearer and louder beckoning the call; only to not know where it originates. As each day comes and goes, so do the sounds magically play in a world where this sound is pure enough to soothe, comfort, confuse, even to be enjoyed but, never enough to caress. Sounds may come and go throughout life, but one sound will always penetrate and persist for eternity no matter what distances may be put in between.
Of all the sounds of joy, happiness, and sadness there are sounds that individuals can hear and others we cannot. So I say to you “listen” to the world around you and when you hear that musical melody play it, store it, and love it for life as only you will know where it comes from, and only you will hear it. Only you will enjoy and caress it no matter where you are! If lost, nothing else will replace it; only fill in to satisfy for the moment.
Angels in Life…Dedicated to Dennis, Carolyn, Gina, Bruce & Their Family
Angels in Life…
I have been touched by Angels!
What a beautiful surprise,
I have found the deepest love there is,
They had wings,
They flew in to my life,
What a delight!
They flew out!
What a surprise!
All the love they placed in my heart,
Will be forever lasting,
There is nothing in life that will
Take the place of those wonderful Angels only
Substitutions you learn to live by.
They gave all their love until
One day they flew away.
Yet I know,
You cannot stop, but only enjoy that feeling,
As long as you live,
Other Angels will come and go
But none can replace those that have
Fallen into your life and touched you with such Surprise,
How did I let them go!
The Smile of the Moon…
As the ocean circles the world so do its treasures, hopes, and fears.
The moon looks down and finds its joy in the beams of light reflecting, and shimmering, then dances as the ocean waves its hellos.
The immensity of the ocean gives so much pleasure to those that touch and admire it. They sense the calm still waters and enjoy sentiments filled with love and peace, followed by happiness, and joy along with sprays of mystery and currents filled with purpose and astonishment.
As the tides rise and fall,
as the moon changes its face,
as the stars hide and glimmer from behind the cloud filled skies only to peek out and say,
Sparkle my world with light and desire as we know only part of what the ocean provides for us. Let us learn never to anger it, as we could find a deep dark depth filled with loneliness, lost treasure, and a course that only “it” knows where to take you.
Chart your course wisely, stay true to what you know, and sail the moon’s guiding smile from the ocean’s deep green soul to your heart.
Hold tight to those you love along the way, as should they fall it is a long way to the reflections that have channeled your path. Keep the “Smile of the Moon” in front and behind you.
As the Smile of the Moon will lead you through, The Ocean’s Path…
I went to sleep, it was a great day
A quiet demeanor
A lovely voice
A strong back
A Beautiful face
Smile upon smiles they keep on beaming
They were here
They were there
As they were young
They were under my feet
As they grew they were under my heart
“(Mom use to say that all the time as kids)”
They were in
They were out
In fact, where will they be next?
They continue to be close to my heart
I went to sleep
They were no longer near
Where had they gone
My heart knows they are here
But the sounds are no longer near.
Sunshine is now underwater…
Each day in life the sun rises and sets, the moon
Goes through its phases as does life,
Yesterday, I took a trip and now the sun and the moon are
Underwater.
The reflections are piercing through a haze of
Brilliant fog rather than a dazzling diamond.
They have lost their position as we do in life.
Give me the stars, the sun, the moon, and all the planets when
They are seen in their full glory and I will show you a full moon.
Not as an object reflecting from outside but a glimmer of hope from within.
Ciao…
Who are those waves, on the ocean? They come and go, but never seem to move or stay. Do they speak to us or just entertain the thought of who they are and go away? They are restless, waiting to find that peaceful moment between winds, tides, and weather to escape and do it again. For all they travel, they remain the same, waiting for that final moment to break along the shore and at that sweet picture-perfect moment, and then move on. Only then will they know where they have been and where they are going which will let them know who, what, and where they are. From there, they continue to seek their high moments and understand their lows, but from the passage of their travels only they will know. Do they speak to you; do they say hello or good-bye?
Ciao. . .
There is a Pelican at my Front Door…
I watch him look into the waters, observe the sky, and guard all the onlookers as they go by. He is an extension of all of us, as he does what we all do while living and enjoying our pacific moments.
He eats, sleeps, and relishes the days and all it brings. When night arrives, he stares into the stars, winks at the moon, and knows when the sun arrives he starts a new wonderful day.
What a wonderful life, I hope he remembers my front door. Some day he may knock and come in.
The Crab Trap…
You search the Bottom looking for the Top. You crawl, pinch, smell, taste, look, and eat. Everything is wonderful, but you search for more knowing the trap works for you. Is the bottom really the top for you! Then one day you actually feel you are trapped, but in that moment you knew all the time that bottom or top is only a point of view that can be seen differently. You talk about the way out and realize, staying in will not get you out. The door opens, you crawl out, knowing you leave the trap forever and discover the vastness of the great big ocean where you can “sea” forever.
Chasing Tides…
Should you run toward the shore, or run from home? Should you catch a wave in order to chase the tide, will you fall or be swept away by the forces of the majestic water fall created by the tides along with the seductive nature of it all. Can you chase what comes and goes or just wave it good-bye.
Chase your dreams; find your moment, but most of all live the “change” that the tide brings. So I say, go chase your tide, catch it, and go for the ride of your life!
The Last Mango…
Walking in and out of clouds, looking under the moon and over the sun,
Wearing pineapples and glitter on their pockets,
Skulls on their shirts, shark teeth on their collars,
Capricorns on their necks, silver dollars in their heart, and rum on the tables, all seeking paradise.
Raising coconuts,
Drinking rum,
Mixing margaritas and washing down the sun.
All seeking paradise above the horizon and below the sea,
But those that have found it no longer need it as they have found “the last mango” the paradise now in their hearts, minds, and souls as it flows through their hearts while the waves find the shores.
The wind may blow, the coconuts may fall, but paradise welcomes that entire venture.
To attend, follow the blue skies, the glittering rays of the sun, and move to the wind on your back.
Danny Stefano “Pirate at heart, working for rum and sun.”
Angels are born…
When the sea is in its high
And the moon reflects its sun
The earth gathers light and
The stars glisten
An Angel is born…
God smiles and joy gives the world a warmer, brighter place to live.
Little Angels are born and live among us every day. Know and love them as they can change the tides, brighten the skies, blow storms, or reflect the moon shimmering at night.
As the moon smiles, the stars glimmer, and the wind speaks, those little Angles change our world one day at a time.
Angles live among us in many forms, many take years to expose themselves, but once they do you will find them in your heart forever.
From the Storms comes an Echo…
[fancy_link link=”https://binarybytes.com/d1/?page_id=1188″ variation=”teal”]View of Tampa 2008 from Bob Ford’s boat[/fancy_link]
She looks for an echo, for harmony, for an answer, yet produces sunshine, cheerful clouds, warm summer breezes and cool fall nights. She surprises us with, dark clouds, freezing ice, hurricanes and tornadoes. Some arrive from the north, some from the east; it doesn’t matter as each brings sorrow, despair, and frustration. She sends us a message that we are immortal and possessions are not forever. The magical wonder is when she passes, tears down, or cleans out that which was old, weak, or precious giving us a lesson for those that survive to see the sun, view the stars, hear the birds, and feel a new start, hope, caution, and day; but most of all a sense that you were given a second chance in life. Storms echo great beginnings in your life and have names, purposes, and resolutions. The “no name” storms that are found lost in your heart give way to despair and false hopes and must escape from your life. Take the rains, the floods, the winds, and use them to make a better cleaner world. Put away the emotional “no name” storms for despair and hatred to feed on and swallow; as they are not the storms that calm your life. Hear the echoes that are abounding every day; whether they begin at sunrise or fall at sunset, know that the echoes of happiness come from within and no storm can echo anything but wonder.
Listen carefully as the storms echo: “after the rains, the sun always shines.”(Quote from Mom)
Hope:
Dear Lord, help us walk in the sunshine and lead us out of the darkness of life. May every passing wave find us in a better place. In Jesus name we pray for others.
Amen! (DS)
East of the moon and West of the sun, under the stars and above the waves and in-between the magic is a place to call Home. Where the waves are near and the storms are far… it is Home. A place where the sounds of Children sing as though they are Angels,A place where dolphins surface to smile, where birds fly by and wave of hello.
A place where the air you breathe is as pure as the love you have and the love you have is as pure as the love you share. Home is in the heart, but more importantly Home is a place of love, life, peace, and friendship. More importantly, Home is a reflection of who and where you are. “We are; Our Everything”!
Dennis and Carol!
(aka Danny & Coral)