James David Rhea III

James David Rhea III
Born: December 22, 1940
Died: March 27, 2013

This is my Biological Father, a Man I did not get to know very well personally, but one that has been a significant influence, and enigma to my life. His history concerning me, is pretty much my own, My brothers came into being with just enough separation from that era to theirs, the only crossover between  them is myself.

He has been a person I admired, reviled, wondered about, and from time to time been a bit angry over. What are my memories of our times together are good ones, what I saw was a person I wanted to emulate, and to not disappoint, that last part I do not know if I did or did not, I never shared that part with my heart with him. perhaps I should have. Since I did not, I can wonder from time to time, and carry on.

This is a man who was very artistic, fantastic pieces of art he had created, especially in later years, in direct spite of ravaging Rheumatoid Arthritis, he would create fantastically. I have some artist in myself, but I don't think Id be able to keep up with him.  Family, and Country were cherished things in his heart, and he never wanted to be too far away from either at any given time. From the posts of memories I have read of those who did have him in their lives regularly, indeed his passion on family was deep.

I am often told that I am so very much like Him, by those who have seen and know him. remarkable being that there is the whole of geography, and such that has not allowed a direct transference of personality.

I am not going to be able to share with him what I think and feel now, not that I did that much in the past, the lean to stubborn in both of us was deep enough to keep things that way. But I do know that where he is today, he knows what he is to me, which is many many things, some good and some bad, all very interesting and tangible in my life and world.

And when it is my day to cross that veil, I will get a chance to commune with him once again. That will be a good moment indeed. 

September Already.

September has arrived this year without much fanfare, and for my neck of the woods it is still very much like Summer, the only hints that fall is approaching are the maturing flowerbeds, and slightly cooler mornings. The arrival of the State Fair in a few days, soon to be followed by the Balloon Fiesta and then my 51st Birthday, that's so surprising to me, and a whole other story. These are the only other solid markers that fall is coming.

 September also brings into memory an event in history that permanently changed the way a few things happen in our world, and worldwide, as well as it being a precursor for all the insanity happening at present. God Bless those souls who were sacrificed without ever knowing why they were on that day, indeed, We Shall Never Forget.

Fall has always been a season that brings mixed feelings, I have always held a little bit of disdain for it because it means cold weather, and Winter are quickly following. But there's also a special feeling that I have always enjoyed with this season. An essence, almost Mystical, and Magical to fall. Perhaps it is the progressing crispness to the air, or the smells that are those that belong to this season only. And one smell that is part of this area, the roasting of Chili, now that's a nice smell. When I was abroad as a young Man in the Navy, many of the essences of Fall followed me, except the roasting of Chili, I missed that.

The changing of leaves to their golds and browns. The annuals seeding, and the last of the flowers to come to bloom, these have always been reminders to me of the cycles of life. Birth, growth, then Death. And the promise of renewal thereafter.

As much as I dislike the coming of cold days, the magic of fall has always enchanted me, it's been a season of falling into Love, its also been a season of challenge. And that portal into the season known as September, that middle ground of summer and fall is just the start.  One of the nice things about this year, and this particular Fall season is that it is one of the first in a while, that I truly do not mind seeing come. I believe that is a truly good thing.

This is September for me.

 

Introduction alo know as "Why My Blog, at all?"

What immediately comes into mind when you first see this image?


That first response from the depth of the gut, before you start reading the words associated with the picture. This Pentagram drawing is that of the Rhythm of Mercury as it is observed in the sky, without telescope, or binoculars.

It is also representative of something more common in association with that image today, a Pentagram, exploited in movies, worn with adoration by those who are Wiccan, and embraced for shock value for any others who wish to make a statement as a result of todays acceptance and understanding of the symbol.

What we do with our first response to the image is the exact same thing we do in our first response with persons we meet. We all carry a catalogue of expected characteristics of a person based on our visual references we have recorded. Many times these responses are valid, many more times these responses are incorrect. Like the Pentagram, we have a value that is deeply vested  in our mind, and it is that value we will respond to.

Admit it or not, we all do it, and  we will always do it. Science attributes this to Survival instincts, Psychological behavior, and such. In the study of Spirituality, it is learned this happens, without needing the scientific explanations. ( They help though.)

Scientifically, we learn that we can temper our knowledge that we will respond this way by learning to manage our behavior in association to these responses. Spiritually, it is the exact manner, know we do it, and learn what to do about it. On both sides of the coin it is as well good to understand the motives as to why, there Spiritual, and Scientific will vary some in the motive department.

This is an interesting way to give Homage to the old saying "Do not judge a book by it's cover." Mainly because our perceptions are often flawed. This does not invalidate the need for such a mechanism on our makeup, nor do I imply that we should ignore what we perceive knowing it is flawed. What I do imply is that we need to understand we are prone to flaw, and instead of thoughtless reaction, we need to learn to evaluate and respond. The latter can be done just as fast as the initial response happened, by the way.

Why bring this up at all?  Good question, mainly it is for the purpose, at this immediate moment of being an introduction to my blog. Albeit, potentially inappropriate, or not needed, doesn't matter, it caught your attention, that is what I wanted. Now that you know, you have read this far, I have your attention. Now that you are informed, you have the simple choice of reading on, or departing this, in search of whatever you wish to find to read.

For those who are staying, I am starting this Blog for a few different reasons. And in truth it starts without planned direction, so for those who are literature purists, knowing I am not planning what I may write, it may be a little uncomfortable for you, simply because I will most likely break all the rules of writing. Especially in the Journalistic sense. I'm not here for the journalistic academics for a Blog, I am here to share Thoughts, Ideas, and to attempt to find a portal in which I bring some order in my own mind. The latter being the more important reason over all.

There is no plan as to what subjective body this Blog may become, for example Political, Religious, Informative, Literary. It will become whatever body it will be as it matures through my entries, and my sharing.  if you are still interested in reading, thank you, your journey will be just as mine, I have no idea what will be around the corner with this, except that it fulfills my need, and gives whoever may read this, something to consider.

Just overcome the Pentagram response each time you start, and there's a chance you may not be disappointed.