#Spring Bonnie and the others could be in the middle of a battle with something

[incorrect-fnaf-quotes]

Sometimes, the random and vague visions that Spring Bonnie starts to experience can last for a long while—surprising everybody.

Like, usually, what the rabbit sees will only take a few seconds—a single minute at best. Though, even then, the rabbit is completely still during it.

They cannot do anything during the visions—Spring Bonnie and the others have to wait until it’s all finished. Other times, however...

They can last longer—but Spring Bonnie still doesn’t get much information. Shadow Freddy counted the longest one lasting over eleven minutes. He counted the whole time.

[jacquiesims]

Viper Canyon - Chapter Six

‘...She met eyes with her reflection in the mirror. 

“Yes. I’m fine.”’

September 1852

With every new morning, the same sun shone brilliantly above Viper Canyon; a testament to all who called the humble settlement their home that although much was uncertain in their lives, they could always depend on one thing – that each day was a new one, no matter how challenging the last, and every daybreak held infinite promise and possibility.

The early morning sun slipped through the windowpanes of Winnie and Beatrice’s cozy loft, where the two sisters were still sleeping soundly. 

In her sleep, the eldest Hawkins daughter stirred gently, her eyelashes fluttering slightly as her murky dream shifted and changed until she was reliving moments that had passed not long before.

“This is where we’ll live,” Peter said proudly, surveying the vast plot of land in front of them. “And one day, when we have our own children and grandchildren…they’ll live here too, in the house we built.” 

It was hard for Winnie to see the dazzling future that Peter had planned for them, but she shook away her doubts as her fiancé took her by the hand. 

“What do you think?”

“Hm…well, it’s close to my parents and not far from town…the river is only a short walk from here, too. I think you’ve picked a fine place for us, Peter.” 

He grinned broadly at her, something that had come to cause her heart to skip a beat. She returned the smile as they turned to the desert before them. Peter put his arm around Winnie, pulling her close. 

“I’m glad you like it. I’m really glad, Winnie.”

“I know the house still has to be built before the wedding, but I can hardly wait that long. It’s foolish to say it but I feel like I’ve been dreaming all this time. To think that I’ll be marrying you…I’ve got to be the luckiest man this side of the Mississippi.” 

She was touched by his affectionate words. Her cheeks were flushed pink as Peter turned to her, face dangerously close. She looked back and forth between his eyes, heart beginning to race.

Winnie had never been kissed before. The feeling was strange and foreign, yet somehow still comforting and warm. She could feel the gentle brush of Peter’s breath on her cheeks as her heart pounded madly in her chest.

Just like that, he pulled away. His ears were bright red and he avoided her eyes, still holding her. 

“I – er…sorry, Winnie. I don’t know what came over me.” 

She laughed. “That’s all right. I didn’t mind.”

Winnie awoke to the phantom feeling of Peter’s kiss lingering on her lips. She blinked the sleep from her eyes with a small sigh before throwing back the covers and getting out of her warm bed. 

Beatrice was still in deep sleep as Winnie made her way to the wash basin, scrubbing her tiredness from her cheeks with lukewarm water. It wouldn’t do to be half-asleep, especially with all she had yet to do that day.

Dressed and put together, Winnie descended the stairs into the kitchen, where Mamma was already finishing breakfast. 

“Good morning,” Mamma said cheerfully, greeting her daughter with a smile. Wrinkles pulled at her fair skin. “You’re right on time. I’ve just finished the porridge. You’ll have a nice hot breakfast before work.”

Winnie’s belly was full of Mamma’s cooking as she made her way to the barn. Papa had already taken his horse that morning, but Winnie’s handsome colt was still in his stall, eager to be taken out. 

“Morning,” she murmured to him, giving his broad neck an affectionate stroke. He nipped at her hair. “It’s time to go to work.” 

With learned hands, Winnie outfitted her horse with his bridle and saddle, mounting him and taking off down the dirt road.

Winnie arrived at the schoolhouse before any of the students. After loosely tying up her colt at the hitching post, she unlocked the front doors, stepping into the quiet building. 

The interior smelled faintly of woodsmoke and chalk. She started a fire in the stove before taking a seat at her desk, looking out at the empty classroom. It still felt foreign to be looking at rows of desks instead of sitting at one herself – but there was no time to think about that. She had to get her lesson plans together before her pupils arrived and the school day began.

Just as she finished writing down her plans for the day, her students poured into the room from the front door. They grinned at Winnie as she stood up, brushing off her skirt. 

“Good morning, class,” she called happily. 

“Morning, Miss Hawkins!”

As her small group of students settled themselves at their desks, Winnie took a moment to gather her thoughts. 

All had come from the California territory months prior. A terrible fire had ravaged a small settlement there, burning it in its entirety and claiming many lives and livelihoods. A few families who had survived the tragedy came to live in Viper Canyon, where the land was cheap and aplenty and there was much business to be had due to the miners slowly finding gold in the outlying area. 

Many of Winnie’s students had lost homes in the fire, to speak nothing of their family members that had died in the disaster. Although she was happy to finally see children in town, she regretted the circumstances terribly and tried her best to be a charitable and kind teacher – her students had far better things to worry about than a harsh schoolmistress.

Winnie grabbed her scant roster from her desk. “All right. Now that we’re all settled, it’s time for attendance. Andrew Campbell?” 

“Present,” the boy responded sweetly. 

He was a mostly shy soul who rarely spoke up in class, but was a bright and diligent student nonetheless. He was the middle child of the Campbells, a couple who had recently opened a tailor’s on Main Street. Winnie had heard that the tiniest Campbell, only a few years old, had passed in the great fire. Her heart ached when she looked at the children who were surely missing their baby sibling.

“Bonnie Sampson?” 

“Present.” 

Although Winnie would never admit it out loud, Bonnie was one of her favorite pupils. She was the only child of a doctor and her mother had passed from complications after being caught in the fire. Despite this, she was a fiery and spirited girl who eagerly pursued knowledge with an unquenchable thirst. Winnie would sorely miss her when she finished her schooling that spring.

“Cora Campbell?” 

“Present!” 

Cora was the youngest child of the Campbells and their only girl. Although she was regularly a distraction to her classmates due to her talkative and friendly nature, Winnie could hardly find it in herself to scold the sweet girl who usually meant well and was always profoundly sorry for disrupting lessons.

“Ida Evans?” 

“Present,” she answered softly. 

Ida was one of the twins whose parents had lost their cattle ranch to the terrible fire. Her parents urged Winnie that she would eventually come out of her shell, but she had yet to see the girl playing with her classmates or laughing during lunchtime. Winnie found herself often worrying after the welfare of Ida despite her nearly perfect marks.

“Leonard Campbell?” 

“Present.” 

Leonard was the Campbell’s eldest. He seemed like a completely ordinary child to Winnie, who was happy to have him in her class. He was often the voice of reason and the younger students looked up to him as an authority figure – she thought the role suited him quite well.

“Isaac Evans?” 

“Hmph.” 

The last student on her roster was her most problematic. Isaac was Ida’s twin brother, and despite their uncanny resemblance, he in no other way reminded Winnie of his sister. He was constantly causing trouble, whether it be from creating messes or starting fights. It was a rare occurrence when Winnie could go an entire day without having to scold Isaac or avoid some kind of disaster that he had caused.

“Isaac, when I take attendance please answer ‘present.’” 

The boy frowned silently, looking out the window and ignoring her. The rest of the class tried to not look in his direction but the desire was palpable. Winnie decided it was best to pick her battles and if Isaac wanted to pout, she would let him do so. 

“Well, I trust we all had time to finish our homework last night? Bring your slates up to me, please. If you had any questions we’ll discuss them in a moment.”

The school day passed by without incident until noon. At lunch, Winnie caught Bonnie as the girl made her way outside to sit in the shade of the tree where all of the students enjoyed their midday meal. 

“Bonnie, do you have a moment? I wanted to ask you something.” 

Bonnie looked surprised. “Of course. What is it, Miss Hawkins?”

“Don’t worry. You aren’t in any trouble. I was only wondering if you’d taken the time to think about what I asked you last week, about what you think you’ll do once you’re finished with school.” 

She looked uneasy. “Well, I have thought about it a little. I was going to ask you for your advice about it after school today, actually. Do you have the time now?” 

Winnie was flattered. “Certainly. Though I’m sure you’ll succeed in anything you choose to do after graduation,” she added with a smile. 

Bonnie was a little embarrassed by the flattery. “Thank you. You see, my father is a doctor, so I grew up knowing quite a bit about medicine – well, more than the average girl, I’d say. I just thought…maybe I could do something like that and follow in his footsteps. He always seems very fulfilled with his choice to study medicine.”

“That’s a fantastic idea, Bonnie! You have the perfect temperament to be a doctor or a nurse. And you’ve been such a model student – I’ll write you a glowing recommendation to any school you’d like, just say the word.” 

Bonnie smiled weakly. “That’s very kind of you, Miss Hawkins, and I’m very grateful to you for offering. I’ll have to let you know once I’ve fully made up my mind about it all.” 

Without another word, Bonnie walked over to join her classmates beneath the tree.

Winnie pondered over the conversation for a moment. She had no more than a few seconds to think over what Bonnie had said before there was horrible shrieking from where the students were eating their lunch. 

“Miss Hawkins!” Cora screamed. “Miss Hawkins! Isaac poured his milk all over me!” 

With a deep breath, Winnie collected herself, marching over to her pupils. She should have known better than to hope that Isaac would behave that day – or any day, for that matter.

The school day ended after Isaac received a harsh tongue lashing from Winnie and Cora’s hair had been thoroughly rinsed at the classroom’s wash basin. She always felt horribly guilty after and was unable to meet his eyes despite not raising a hand against the child. The thought had more than once occurred to her that he may derive some sort of smug pleasure from making Winnie miserable after punishing him – but each time she quickly pushed it away, wanting to never think such an awful thing of her pupil. 

The students had gone for the day, leaving behind only silence and a moment of peace for Winnie. She took a few minutes to clean up the place, wiping down the blackboard and sweeping the dust out of the front door before taking her horse back home.

Winnie found her sister quietly painting on the porch when she returned home. 

Beatrice had gained a sort of calm about her in the months that had passed since she found out about her sister’s engagement. She was more often than not found doing something silently, often painting, and had started doing her chores and helping out around the house unprovoked and without complaint. Her family wondered what had brought on such a change in her, but decided to not question what was for the better. It was no secret that she had also grown to be quite beautiful, following in the footsteps of her mother, but had shown little to no interest in settling down. It would seem that Beatrice was happy to paint the rest of her days away all alone.

“That’s lovely,” Winnie told her sister. 

Beatrice looked at her, expression unreadable. She studied Winnie’s face carefully before bringing her brush back to the canvas. 

“Thank you.”

Inside, Mamma was dicing potatoes in the kitchen. 

“You’re home. How was school today?” 

Winnie stretched, feeling exhaustion from a long day in her muscles. “It was fine. Isaac still enjoys tormenting poor little Cora, though. Would you believe that he poured his entire milk bottle on her head today at lunch? If he would just mind his manners, teaching them all would be much easier.” 

Mamma laughed. “Oh, I shouldn’t laugh, but that’s terribly funny. Cora can be so dramatic at times. Anyway, I’m sure the poor boy doesn’t mean to be wicked. He’s been through an awful lot after losing his ranch and having to move here, you know.”

“I know, and that’s why I go easy on him. But it doesn’t feel like I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt when I have to shout at him in front of his classmates. It must be horribly embarrassing for him – I know it is for me.” 

“Give him some time. He’s only eight or nine years old, isn’t he? There aren’t many well mannered children at that age. Watcher knows I had my hands full raising you and Beatrice when you were that small. Be a dear and help me with dinner, won’t you?” 

Winnie wanted nothing more than to kick off her boots and put her feet up by the fire with a good book. Sometimes she hated that she was such a devoted daughter. 

She rolled up her sleeves. “Of course, Mamma.”

Winnie felt Mamma’s eyes on her as she cut up the beef for the stew. 

“What is it?” She asked. 

Mamma waved her hand as if dismissing a thought from the air. “Nothing. I was just thinking that at this time, you should’ve been cooking meals for your husband instead of for us…you would’ve made a terrific wife, darling. I’m sure of it.”

A wave of emotion passed over Winnie like a cold front. She said nothing in response to Mamma. 

“I’m sorry. I know you don’t like for me to talk about it, but it breaks my heart that Peter left like that.” 

Winnie put down the knife with a bit too much force, causing Mamma to jump in surprise. 

“Excuse me.”

She escaped upstairs in the loft with her chest aching. Memories she wished to forget came relentlessly flooding back all at once, overwhelming her senses.

“I can’t believe you!” Winnie shouted. “You’re really going to leave your family behind for those people?” 

“'Those people' are my family!” Peter snapped back. 

Winnie’s face twisted in anger. “They disowned your mother for marrying your father. She lost everything because of them, and now you’re ready to abandon your entire life here for their money?”

“You don’t understand – if I don’t go back east then that entire fortune will be lost. I’m the only one who can go there and save it! My grandfather put me in his will for a reason. I think this is his way of making amends. If I go back to the city and inherit – “ 

“Do you hear yourself, Peter? ‘Making amends?’ You never even met your grandfather! You told me that when you were born he didn’t care at all, he didn’t even write a letter to your mother. And you want to go there and save the fortune of some awful man who put your family through so much grief?”

Peter was silent.

“And…” Winnie said quietly. “What about me? And the wedding?” 

Peter watched her with grief in his eyes. 

“What about you and the wedding?” 

She sniffed, hating that she was crying in front of him. “I thought you…loved me. That we had grown to care for each other. Am I truly not enough to keep you here?”

Peter wrapped Winnie in a shallow embrace. 

“No. I’m sorry.” 

She sobbed into his chest, feeling bitter sadness deep in her heart.

Winnie gritted her teeth as more molten tears threatened to spill from her eyes. 

“Winnie? Are you okay?” Mamma called from downstairs. 

She wiped her face with the back of her sleeves and tried to compose herself. She met eyes with her reflection in the mirror. 

“Yes. I’m fine.”

To Be Continued

Previous Chapter | Viper Canyon Index | Chapter Seven

(Tumblr really didn’t want me to upload this chapter!!)

[dailyaudiobible]

05/21/2019 DAB Transcript

1 Samuel 29:1-31:13, John 11:55-12:19, Psalms 118:1-18, Proverbs 15:24-26

Today is the 21st day of May. Welcome to the Daily Audio Bible. I am Brian. It's awesome to have this time together around the global campfire and allow God's word to speak to us. And it’s kind of a special day. We’ll be finishing the book of first Samuel today, which has mostly been the story of King Saul. But of course, King Saul's story is irreplaceably or irreversibly intertwined with David. So, we’ll be finishing up that story today and then moving into second Samuel tomorrow where we’ll be beginning to put our focus on David and his rise to kingship. But first, first Samuel chapter 29, 30, and 31. We’re reading from the Christian Standard Bible this week.

Commentary:

Okay. So, as we concluded, the book of first Samuel today. We also reached the conclusion of King Saul's life along with his three heirs to the throne, including Jonathan who was in covenant with David and loved David. And, you know, David was about to go into battle with the Philistines against Jonathan, like against his fellow Hebrews because he had defected and become a Philistine to save his own life, because the king of Israel, King Saul, was intent on destroying him. So, we read the story and we know how this goes. They actually marched from Ziklag in the South, in the transition zone into the desert all the way up into the Jezreel Valley, a long way, three days journey by marching and that would actually have been moving fast. David was gonna go into battle but the Philistine…the other Philistine leaders were like, “you know, if he turns on us in the middle of this, if he's really a warrior then, you know, things could go really, really bad for the Philistines.” So, they sent him away. They marched all the way back to Zikzag only to find out the Amalekites raided Ziklag and burned it and taken everything and everyone. So, they go in pursuit and they get all of their stuff back and destroy their enemies but as they're fighting the Amalekites and destroying their enemies who had destroyed their city, up in the north of the Philistines have destroyed the Israelite army and have killed the king. And when they discover the king's body they beheaded him and then they hung his body on the walls of Beth-shan. Beth-shan is a magnificent archaeological ruin in the north of Israel, just south of the Sea of Galilee a little bit. And we’ve filmed there many times. It's included in the Promised Land films as is Ziklag. And, so, we end first Samuel with the death of Saul and we’ll pick up Second Samuel tomorrow and begin to follow the story right where we left off, but we’ll begin to be focusing upon David.

In the gospel of John, we are approaching Jesus final days. And I know that we just came through Easter and good Friday and we did everything we could to reverence the moment. And, so, we kind of find ourselves in this territory again and maybe thinking, “we just kinda went through this couple weeks ago, like a month ago.” However, this is the last time this year we will be going through this territory in the Bible. This is the last time that this story will come to us through the Gospels because we are moving our way to the conclusion of the Gospels. John is the final gospel and we’ll move from here into the book of acts and all that begins to come next. So, as we are right at the front end of this territory let's go ahead and make a mental note to truly embrace what we’re reading and once again profoundly understand what God did on our behalf to rescue us.

Prayer:

Jesus, we do thank You. Every day we thank You. And may our lives be living thanks to You, a living memorial to what You have done, a living sacrifice to reveal Your kingdom in this world. We are so deeply grateful that our words…there is no way to string them together for them to be anywhere near the magnitude of what they deserve. Language fails in this area. We give our lives to You completely, unreservedly. We trust You and we invite You into this retelling in the gospel of John of the sacrifice that You made on our behalf. But we also ask, Holy Spirit, that as we transition between the books of first and second Samuel, and between King Saul and the emerging King David, that we continue with this journey because it is so poignant into our own lives and our own motivations. There's so much there for us to understand about ourselves. So, come Holy Spirit into this we pray. In Jesus’ name we ask. Amen.

Announcements:

dailyaudiobible.com, is the website, its home base, its where you find out what's up, what’s going on around here. So, be sure to check that out.

The Shop is there at dailyaudiobible.com where resources for this journey are available, including the Promised Land films that I was just talking about. So many of these places, every place that we have been able to get to we’ve filmed to bring them close so that as we’re journeying through the Bible, we kind of drop in and see with these places look like. So, Beth-shan and Ziklag are a couple places that we mentioned today, but also Jezreel and the Jezreel Valley and Mount Gilboa where Saul was killed in battle can be seen in those films. So, check that out.

If you want to partner with the Daily Audio Bible, you can do that at dailyaudiobible.com. There is a link, it’s on the homepage. Thank you, humbly and profoundly for your partnership. If you’re using the Daily Audio Bible app, you can press the Give button in the upper right-hand corner or if you prefer the mailing address is PO Box 1996 Spring Hill Tennessee 37174.

And, as always, if you have a prayer request or comment, 877-942-4253 is the number to dial.

And that is it for today. I'm Brian I love you and I'll be waiting for you here tomorrow.

Community Prayer and Praise:

Hi, this is Bonnie from Northern California and I’ve never called in before, but I’ve been listening to your program for a few years now. I regret not calling in and when my husband passed away almost 4 years ago in August. And my mom just went to be with the Lord the other day and I just find so much comfort. But I’m reaching out to Joe in New Jersey. I just heard your prayer request. You have ALS and I’m praying with tears over your condition and I am praying for God’s touch on your body. The other thing I ask is that you would pray for my friend Kim who’s just embroiled in a horrible court battle and I just want the Daily Audio Bible community to pray for her and her family. Wednesday, the…oh gee…today’s the 18th...so the 22nd I think…she’s going to be…I don’t know what’s happening that day but I’m fasting for three days and praying for her. So, please pray for her and her family that justice would take place. Many lies have been told about her. Thank you for praying. I love you all and I pray for you all. Thank you. Bye-bye.

My name is Joe Borman, I live in Waukegan Illinois and my prayer request is for my 44-year-old daughter whose name is Krista. She was diagnosed with stage IV melanoma cancer in March and has been getting treatment downtown Chicago and the treatments that she’s been getting have many side effects that have left her extremely tired and nauseous and in a lot of pain. There are a lot of options for treatment going forward. So, this prayer request is A), that God would just heal her. We believe that He can do that. And sometimes he uses doctors and medicine. And the prayer then is for discernment, to know which doctors to listen to, that the treatment options that she’s left with that she would have discernment on which ones to choose. Pray also for relief for her pain. Since she was seven years old she’s had juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. One of the side effects of the medicine she’s taking is that that would rear up and it has with a vengeance. She has a very difficult time walking, her knees are very swollen, and painful. This is a woman who has always been a woman of God, very faithful. And we are praying and invite the world to pray with us that God could be magnified and glorified by the healing of our daughter. For her to get released from this would be a miracle indeed. So, thank you in advance for your…

Hello Daily Audio Bible friends and family, I’m so grateful for each and every one of you. I’ve been listening for many years and have only called in once but have been so blessed by each and every one. I called several years ago about my friend Danny who needed a miracle because my husband had shared we need 10,000 prayer warriors. Little did he know I knew a place where we could find them. There was work from God in my son’s life and I ask you to continue to pray for him, his name is Danny. He’s now a daddy, working hard but still facing addictions and challenges in his life. I wanted to share something with you. Sometimes God wakes me up early in the morning. Dear Lord, You call me to Your word early in the morning to hear truth. Troubles and challenge is around but You are the only anchor in the storm You hold me safely in the palm of Your mighty hand. I have nothing to fear for You did not give me a Spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind. Lord as I walk through life today fill me to overflowing with love, joy, peace, gentleness, goodness, __, self-control. I need Your wisdom to facilitate each issue. Let me be filled with Your Spirit. Anoint my lips. Help me speak truth and love to all around me. Lord, if You want to use me, equip me. I will go to battle for You. I will be a soldier, but I need Your armor. Don’t ever let me think I can handle something without You. Help me Lord. I pray that prayer for each one of us and know that I am praying for you, crying with you, and trusting that God will work in your life for whatever you are facing. Love to all of you. This is Annie from South Florida.

Peter saw the peace of God a man in human form Jesus walking on the water in the midst of a raging storm tranquility serenity his disciples filled with fear yet Jesus beckoned Peter come and Peter did drawing near boldly and with courage he walked towards our Lord ___ and danger all around but all of it ignored his eyes were focused on the prize he rose above the storm he rose above the waters and he rose above the norm but then he got distracted because the storm was all around he felt the wind he saw the waves and he started going down Satan’s good at doing that he gets our eyes to stray we take our eyes off Jesus and then we have to pay repercussions consequences doubts turn into fear they cut us off from blessings that we should be drawing near grapes so huge that it takes two men in addition to a pole just to pick it off the ground two transport it and to hold overflowing blessings take them and possess but then they saw the giants and I guess you know the rest Israel wandered in the wilderness they were cursed for 40 years their eyes strayed from the blessings and they focused on the fears to us __ can become giants they can also become storms too but keep your eyes on Jesus he will always bring you through

blindtony1016@gmail.com. I’d like to give a shout out to Pastor Gene. I miss the sound of your voice. Hope all is well. I’d also like to give a shout out to Alfyo from Delaware. Hope all is well my brother and know you both are in my prayers daily. And once again I’d like to give a shout out to Brian Hardin and…

Hello DAB family this is Abiding in Him. I want to pray for our dear sister in California who called on a rainy day. Lord we thank You for Your faithfulness and that the DAB continues to roll on day in and day out. And across the years have reached out to tens of thousands if not millions of people Lord and we thank You that dear sister has joined the fold heavenly Father and has trusted us with the goings-on of her heart Lord that the community can lift up holy hands Lord and pray for her and bathe her in prayer. Lord she’s at a crossroads in her life where she’s not sure that things are happening are attacks from the devil or invitations from You and I pray heavenly Father that deep in her heart will abide the peace that surpasses understanding, that exists even in the midst of uncertainty or worry or desperate circumstances. I pray for the joy so far deep in her heart that it isn’t changed by the things that she sees. Speak to her Lord in a way that only she can understand so that she can realize that the journey however it twists and turns leads ultimately to You to be closer with You. So, heavenly Father, straighten out the crooked paths Lord, open up the doors and make available the way that she is to go but to know that You even in the case of mistakes and missteps, You’re there working behind the scenes leading us closer to You. We thank You Lord for Your word. We thank You for Your Spirit. We thankful for Your faithfulness and we pray Your blessings over our dear sister in Jesus’ name.

[hopelesstargazer]

End of the Year Tag

So....I was tagged by @saijspellhart....never done one of these before so here goes nothing.

~favourite food?~

Okay, so I am a Minnesota raised girl and do love a good wild rice hotdish (and yes there is a difference between hotdish and casserole and if you don’t know, let me know so I can explain!). However my favorite food is either pupusas or pozole (latino cuisine). Both of them I over eat when my godchildren cook them for me and never regret it!

~favourite drink?~

Ummmm....Diet Pespi. Yeah, we won’t get into how cranky I get if I don’t have at least one pop a day. My godsons might have a story or two about how possessive I get in the late morning over my can of pop on the weekends....

~favourite clothing?~

My Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle fleece pants and my long sleeve Cuddle-Duds. Comfort for the win. After a long day of dealing with people, nothing is more comforting than cozy wear. 

~favourite product?~

.....Pespi?.....I think. Does that count when you are an addict? Like can a pot head say that their favorite product is potbrownies? If not, I would say Google! Because it owns me and my information searching needs. After all, if you don’t know something, Lord Google will know it. Thus, All Hail Lord Google!

~favourite month?~

I’ve never thought about it. I guess you could say I like March. It was the month I was born and I like the little myth that comes with the month. The month of the Lion and the Lamb. My grandmother (a wonderful mother to 11 and a farmer in Northern MN) would always tell me that you knew how the month would go in the very beginning. If the weather was shitty and roaring at the start, it would leave calm and sweet at the end. Or in other words, if March came in like a Lion, it would leave like a Lamb. Of course, the opposite applies as well. If this is true, I honestly couldn’t say. I think it does, but I’m already bias so who really knows?

~favourite season?~

I’m fond of either Spring or Fall. It’s not too cold, but it’s not too hot. You really get those glorious days where the sun is shining, the air is crisp, and there is a magnitude of colors everywhere. It is just rejuvenating. 

~favourite holiday?~

I’m partial to Easter. And before you ask, yes I happen to be Christian, BUT that is not why I like the holiday. I like Easter because it symbolizes rebirth. It symbolizes a new beginning, a fresh start. When you go into this season, you might have just experienced a shitty winter or the pervious year was just horrific. Thus, your soul is all crusty and flaky and thinking that nothing gets better. Then this season of new beginnings start and there are baby animals, new flowers, laughing children, and brightly colored eggs everywhere! It is a reminder that life is nothing more than a cycle. Yes, horrible things can and will happen to you. Yes, it will be dark and sad to deal with it all. Winter, both figuratively (in your heart/soul) and literally, SUCK ASS! But! BUT! There will always be a moment of something new. Something bright. Something colorful. Something living. Something that will bring you up out of the ground of cold despair and into the light of a new beginning. Even if it is for a moment, it is there. Easter is the holiday/season that best represents what it means to be human. A shitty start that only turns into the brightest and warms of sun rays. And that is my Ted Talk, thank you for listening.

~favourite place?~

Minnehaha Falls! Gooseberry Falls! Or any waterfall. I adore waterfalls. The sound of crashing water and rushing waves drowning out bad thoughts. The scent of crisp water pulling you into the moment. The sensations of moving water rumbling in your chest. The sight of dancing sprites in the sky as water droplets create rainbows. Cold water taking the heat from your body only to leave a pleasant tingle in its wake. *blush**cough* I’ll stop with the poetry now.

~best experience?~

So, I took a trip to Scotland with my Father at the beginning of this year. I would definitely say that was my best experience of 2018.

~best song?~

Best song? Of all time or this year? This year I really like Burning Man by Dierks Bentley. Of all time, you can’t beat the Hokey Pokey. It is a must have dance song at every public gathering. I have no shame when I say that I request it and drag EVERYONE to the dance floor. 

~best movie?~

We have to clarify this nonsense for next year. Honestly, it’s just too vague. Best movie? This year? Of all time? Genre? Or is it just me that over thinks this stuff? *sigh* Okay, I thought Black Panther was extremely good, not just because it was an excellent superhero movie, had amazing female leads, astonishing action sequences, and wonderful humor. It really made me think about how hatred can pass down through the generations. It made me reevaluate how I teach my students in karate class and how I speak with/to them about social problems. Since most of them are immigrants or children of immigrants, it was an eye opening experience. Let’s leave it at that.

~best series?~

TV series right? (again with the over thinking simple questions) I really enjoyed Miraculous Ladybug, Voltron, How to Train Your Dragon, The Dragon Prince, and My Hero Academia. Granted, I also rewatch a bunch of anime classics as I taught the ways of being a nerd to my godsons. I’m proud to say that we have finally left the realm of Naruto and moved on to the great chasm that is known as Deathnote and One Piece.

~best book?~

Okay, so this one is exciting for me. I was suffering Tumblr and found a post that simple said “if Deadpool wrote a book, this would be it.” So of course, the ten year that still loves poop jokes and crude humor in me scream in joy and bought the book. It is called “Zeus Grants Stupid Wishes: A No-Bullshit Guide to World Mythology” by Cory O’Brien. I wish I could find the link so you could read some excerpts from it. I’ll just have to quote it.

“So one night Uranus is about to get busy with Gaia again I guess so he can father another baby and then stuff it back into her but instead of getting sex he gets a SURPRISE PENISECTOMY”

“So the moral of the story is that if you are not ready to be a father consider all of your options before skipping directly to cannibalism”

“ARE YOU READY FOR DISTENDED RACCOON TESTICLES? NO? WELL, YOU BETTER GET READY QUICK BECAUSE JAPAN JUST CALLED AND IT’S ‘BOUT TO DELIVER ONE WHOPPER OF A BALLSACK TO THE BAINPAN”

“So the moral of the story is that we should seriously consider firing the moon because I didn’t know we could do that and I bet we have the technology now to genetically engineer a WAY BETTER MOON than some dumb rabbit.”

So...10/10, greatest book I’ve read this year

~best video game?~

I don’t play many video games. Frankly, if it is not a bashing the buttons kind of game, I’m no good at it. Thus, I really like Shounen Jump battle game. I can hit random buttons while having no real skills. I also like watching people play them. That would lead me to Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Such a pretty game!

~have you unlearned any bad habits?~

hahahaha...oh, are you serious?

~biggest disappointment?~

I didn’t get back into college like I planned on. I just couldn’t find the time to give myself in order to achieve what I wanted. 

~worst experience?~

If we are talking about this year, then that would go to almost dying in a bus accident in the middle of the Highlands in Scotland. It’s a great story that I love to tell, because it turns out to be the funniest tale of my really long list of horrific stories. Minus the thought of dying on some random hill and how inconvenient it would have been for my mother to retrieve our bodies cause I didn’t buy travel insurance. 

However, if we are talking about ever in our lives, then that golden trophy would go to the time I, a store manager at Dollar Tree, was threaten with a plastic shank over $0.50 on hour 15 of my shift where I slept in the store that night so I could be there for the delivery at 5AM. That was horrible. Funny in hindsight, but horrible at the same time. Let me know, I can tell that story too.

~any new hobbies?~

Where do people find the time to start new hobbies? Serious, could you donate that precious time into a bank so I could have some? I would greatly appreciate it. 

~did you achieve your goals for 2018?~

hahahahahaha....oh, you’re serious again?

~have you fulfilled a long-term wish?~

Ah, this it did! So, back in 2011, I studied abroad in Scotland and vowed to take my father back so he could see the country that I fell completely in love with. Severely in love with. Like, I would marry any Scottish man that said to me, “Ach, lassie, yer bonnie and me heart tis yers. I have this castle in ta middle of the great Highlands. Would ye leave with me to Gretna Green to marry ov’r an blacksmith’s iron?” I would say yes in a heart beat. A HEARTBEAT YOU HEAR?!

~have you tried something new this year?~

um, I dressed myself in a kimono for the first time by myself. That was stupid hard. Also, I did a bang up job if I do say so myself (after the fourth attempt). 

~what plans or wishes do you have for next year?~

Let’s see, I am the best man at my best friend’s wedding in May, so I got that going. Also, in September, I’ll be going to Japan to visit my sister who is working as an English teacher, so I got that to look forward too. I would love to find some time to myself so I can try and finish my college degree that I started back in 2009. Cross your fingers. Also, I would like to complete this book I’m writing for myself. I would really like that. Oh, and finally, sleep more. Yeah, sleep. Good thing that is.

~what was the funniest moment?~

Serious, I teach kiddos karate at my church. I have no shortage of amazing moments in my life. Also I have three godsons and a goddaughter, stories are made every weekend. But I can tell you one of my favorites.

So, I’m teaching this not-yet-seven-year-old an introductory class to karate. I’m explaining to him that not only does yelling scare the bad guys away, but it tells the teacher that you are breathing. So I asked him playfully, “Do you like to breath?” And he stops all motion and looks at me. Then he shrugs and says “not really.” Needless to say, I too stop to stare at him, stunned by a response that I had NEVER received in my 13+ years of teaching children karate. So, I logically asked why not. This tiny little american-latino child that comes up to my waist tells me with the straightest face I have ever seen “Cause it take a lot of work to breath and I don’t know if I have the time for that.” (#mood much?) I’m losing my mind trying to hold in my laughter. Thus I spend the next few minutes with a 6 year-old having a philosophical discussion about the pros and cons of breathing. Eventually, we agree that blue is an ugly color on people’s face and we cannot do karate in our sleep so he had to stay awake and moving instead of passed out on the floor due to the lack of air in his body. Once that was establish, I asked another instructor to take over because I simply had to find a corner to sit in as I collected my laughing ass off the floor.

I will forever remember this child as the boy that I had to convince that breathing was a good thing and made me almost piss my pants in the middle of karate class. TWICE because that little stinker had to randomly blurt out in the middle of a different class weeks later that we were wrong because blue was a flattering shade on dead people and we should not be racist to dead people. 

I will now kindly remind you that this boy is 7 YEARS OLD. 

~what are you thankful for?~

I am thankful for family and friends. I am also thankful to @saijspellhart. In my desire to let her know that she is not alone, I am finding the courage to become more open with myself and other around me. So thank you. I hope that this year will be a rebirth for both of us and tons of smiles for everyone that reads this.

As for tagging other Tumblr users, I am too damn shy for that. Instead, if you are reading this and want to do this, tag me! I would love to get to know you and your likes. It’s nice to see the humanity on this site. Thank you for getting to the end and I hope to get to know you too!

[historyandclassicactors]

Rally 'Round the Flag

Yes, we'll rally round the flag, boys, We'll rally once again, Shouting the battle cry of Freedom, We will rally from the hillside, We'll gather from the plain, Shouting the battle cry of Freedom.

CHORUS: The Union forever, Hurrah! boys, hurrah! Down with the traitors, Up with the stars; While we rally round the flag, boys, Rally once again, Shouting the battle cry of Freedom.

We are springing to the call Of our brothers gone before, Shouting the battle cry of Freedom; And we'll fill our vacant ranks with A million free men more, Shouting the battle cry of Freedom.

CHORUS

We will welcome to our numbers The loyal, true and brave, Shouting the battle cry of Freedom; And although they may be poor, Not a man shall be a slave, Shouting the battle cry of Freedom.

CHORUS

So we're springing to the call From the East and from the West, Shouting the battle cry of Freedom; And we'll hurl the rebel crew From the land that we love best, Shouting the battle cry of Freedom.

CHORUS

“The Battle Cry of Freedom” or “Rally ‘Round the Flag” was written in 1862 by the American composer, George F. Root. At the time, “The Battle Cry of Freedom” was the Union soldiers’ preeminent war song.

With all of its popularity, it may come as a surprise that the song was written hastily. It was, in fact, written in response to President Abraham Lincoln’s July 1862 call for 300,000 volunteers. It was written in a single day.

This rally song was first performed on April 24, 1962 and quickly became another rallying song, building up the morale of the Union soldiers. In fact, from then on out, “The Battle Cry of Freedom” was, in fact, become what “Yankee Doodle” had been during the Revolutionary War. “It was played and sung with gusto by virtually every Federal regimental brass band and many others throughout the remainder of the war” (Source).

The song was performed again on July 24th & July 26th for massive rallies. Then it was used yet again during 1984 campaign for the Lincoln-Johnson ticket. It was so popular, that it was used again during the 1880 Garfield campaign, as well as during other presidential campaigns.

“Public response to ‘The Battle Cry of Freedom’ was overwhelming’ (Source). The music publishers could not keep up with the demands. In fact, there were as many as 14 different printing presses trying to keep up – and failing! It is estimated that anywhere from 500,000 to 700,000 copies were produced, the demand was so great.

Why was the song so popular? Well, it seems that Root’s timing was impeccable. Root, after all, was thought of as one of the most popular composers of the Civil War era. His themes just seemed to inspire those in the Union ranks. According to historian Christian L. McWhirter, it probably had something to do with Root’s references to abolitionism and unionism. It spoke to the soles of those who were opposed to secession and slavery. Overall, the song’s strongest theme, freedom, spoke to the masses. And, according to the historian and author of Lincoln and the Music of the Civil War author, Kenneth A. Bernard, the reason was simple enough: Timing. It spoke to the sentiments these men needed to hear. It lifted their morale, just has “Yankee Doodle” had done nearly a century earlier.

At this point, it may not even come as a surprise that Southerners adopted the song themselves, of course altering the lyrics to suit their own desired themes and sentiments.

Our flag is proudly floating on the land and on the main, Shout, shout, the battle cry of Freedom; Beneath it oft we’ve conquered and will conquer oft again, Shout, shout, the battle cry of Freedom.

Chorus: Our Dixie forever, she’s never at a loss Down with the eagle and up with the cross. We’ll rally ‘round the bonny flag, we’ll rally once again Shout, shout the battle cry of Freedom.

Our gallant boys have marched to the rolling of the drums, Shout, shout the battle cry of Freedom; And the leaders in charge cry, “Come boys, come!” Shout, shout the battle cry of Freedom.

Chorus

They have laid down their lives on the bloody battle field, Shout, shout the battle cry of Freedom; Their motto is resistance—“To tyrants we’ll not yield!” Shout, shout the battle cry of Freedom.

Chorus

While our boys have responded and to the field have gone, Shout, shout the battle cry of Freedom; Our noble women also have aided them at home. Shout, shout the battle cry of Freedom.

Chorus

[Below: Movie poster for Rally 'Round the Flag, Boys]

Themes and sentiments remained alive in well. In 1958 – just on the heels of WWII and the Korean War and smack in the middle of the worst years of the Cold War, the song’s second title was adopted into the title of the move, Rally 'Round the Flag, Boys! starring the favorite couple Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward – which probably makes it a must see.

See, Harry and Grace Bannerman (appropriately named - flag/banner . . . okay, anyways . . . ) are living in a small town that has just been named the home town of the newest missile base. Grace, in a desperate attempt to prevent the building, joins the town committee – but not just joins, but insists on attempting every single meeting, which annoys her husband to no end. This many not seem like a big deal on the surface, except that Harry has been chosen the liaison for the military, meaning that Grace’s antics are causing him no end of trouble! The film premiered in New York City on December 23, 1958.

Then, in 1979, M*A*S*H played off that title with their season 7 episode 22 “Rally ‘Round the Flagg, Boys,” which, of course, is a play off the 1958 movie and ever-hilarious Col. Samuel Flagg. In this particular episode, Flagg is at it again. This time, however, he has accused Hawkeye of being a Communist sympathizer! Why? Because Hawkeye operated on a Korean soldier before an American one. To make the situation even more absurd, Flagg tries to hire on Winchester, of all people, to act as spy! But, turns out, Winchester gets the better of Flagg. Not that anyone is surprised. It is Flagg, after all. As far as M*A*S*H episodes are concerned, this is one of the best! Especially when Flagg becomes like the wind and vanishes.

[Below: Winchester & Flagg in“Rally ‘Round the Flagg, Boys”]