12/01/2024
Happy Thanksgiving
My Story
This morning I had a few guys cutting down a few trees on the road to the Boathouse. They were dead and would be falling across the road where they would be of danger to Niles (the neighbor who lives down this road near the Clubhouse). I stopped to watch them cut down a Tree I had had nightmares over. Its top was dead for quite a few years, those are called "Widow Makers" and are very dangerous. Niles came out for a Conversation, He had just returned from Cambodia. We stood back while Dennis was cutting, I saw the top swaying, and I became very nervous. Finally, the tree was on the ground and all was safe.
Niles returned to his home, and the sky opened up with Snowflakes. They were slow at first, but soon, they came with a Flurry. I had my coat and black stocking hat on, and I decided to walk over to the Boathouse. There is no more beautiful spot in a snowstorm, so off I went.
On my way over, I scared a few Doe's and Yearlings... by the Clubhouse corner. I have decided that during Deer Season all the Deer come to my Sanctuary... on the hill. I turned the corner and headed to the Boathouse and guess what? There were the Turkeys... all Gobblers.
I counted 9 in total... but they didn't like me and flew off to the Valley below. I was still excited about seeing them in a Snowstorm. It was very cool actually. Then I came up onto the Boathouse, and Yes... I couldn't believe my Luck! Two Bald Eagles were flying in the Sky... dancing in play, and speaking loudly, but you could tell they were having a blast. A smile came to my Face... "Peace on Earth, I thought..."
All week long across the Valley over at The Cobblestone Lodge, a guy was sawing, clearing dead trees as well. I knew it because his saw had been pretty loud all week long. Then I noticed all the saw had come to an end.. a quiet ora had come over the land. I could almost hear the Snow falling.
I thought about Niles and his trip to Cambodia. My First thought was Vietnam. My Emotions were becoming all confused. My neighbor Ken had fought on Hamburger Hill. My Customer Carl, a helicopter pilot, had road three that's right, three different... Hueys to the Ground, barely surviving all three crashes, and to a really good friend who had just gone to Vietnam last week for Vacation... Peace on Earth.. in just my lifetime... I can remember just like it was Yesterday, sitting on our living room floor watching the News with my Dad and it always started with the news of the War and the Dead.
My mind was still spinning. And then I started to think about just our lives today. Conflicts within our own country.. Right vs Left. Is anyone "really" happy? Can there be peace within? Then all of a Sudden... I could hear the Church Bells from downtown, they were Ringing... Loud and Clear. The Snow was falling heavier and heavier. The Bells just kept ringing... "Peace on Earth... Peace on Earth... Goodwill to men." Can you hear the Bells ringing...?? Just listen with me.. they are there. They are beautiful.
I heard the Bells on Christmas Day (Christmas Bells)
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 1864
A Song about the Civil War.
Please read the lines and then listen to Casting Crowns.. version below and the original melody below that...
This was written in 1864.. Maybe it was just written for us.. today..
Merry Christmas.. to all.
Christmas Bells
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
1807 – 1882
I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;
"For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men."
Casting Crown version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F756Mjxxrvc
Original Melody by Cat Jahnke: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTmt_PQb8DA&ab_channel=CatJahnke
Please... here is the current lineup.
There is nothing better for Christmas than Dinner and Concert Tickets...
Come in the Spring and Fall...
Tell our friends. It takes you... Open up your heart.
I love all of you... Peace on Earth
Bob
Concert Series Ticket Sales
2025 Spring Series
Michael Martin Murphey
with special guest
Caleb Martin
March 29, 2025
Jim Messina
and the Roadrunners
April 5, 2025
Rayland Baxter,
April 12, 2025
Ozark Mountain Daredevils
May 3, 2025
2025 Fall Series
Richie Furay
September 13, 2025
TBA September 20, 2025
John McEuen & The Circle Band
Present Will The Circle Be Unbroken
September 27, 2025
TBA October 4, 2025
TBA October 11, 2025
TBA October 18, 2025
Head East
October 25, 2025
Ozark Mountain Daredevils
Nov.1, 2025
Merry Christmas everyone! Here’s a song to remind us to look for the light, hold on to hope, and be the best we can be. Pass it on! xo___Visit my Patreon pag...
