May 13, 2016
1:00 a.m.
"Grasping for straws, again!" It's amazing to me, that when we start aproaching  my age, how we start reflecting on events that, at the time of their occurence, were not important. Case in point:
Lubbock, Texas, September, 1953, if memory serves. During that time local television stations, at noon, always had a 15 minute newscast, followed by another 15 minutes of "public service programing, featuring upcoming events in the surrounding communities. This time of year, it was always the "South Plains Fair."
My brother, Bill, and I belonged to a volunteer service group that was scheduled to appear on such a program aptly titled "Hospitality Time." Also scheduled was a country western band that was to perform at the fair. I can't recall the name other than they were associated with a circuit called "The Louisiana Hayride",  similar to the "Grand 'ol Opry", both very popular on the radio, you do remember 'radio', don't you?"
Prior to the telecast, we got into a conversation with one of the musicians, who 'plunked' on his guitar while waiting for their call.He turned out to be the lead singer. Not being a country music fan, I  didn't pay much attention to them, after all, it was "just for the Fair." After they finished and were leaving, he turned to my brother and me, and said, "nice to meet you." It wasn't until a couple of years later, when I realized that we had met, and talked with, Elvis Presley.
copyright: richard riddle: 05-13-2016

You can't hear them coming....
those avian creatures-
that stalk in darkness

"Owls.........they are!"

It's their "wings"
designed by natures science...

to soar in silence

waiting
watching
undetected
unexpected

From them, they got their name, those U S Air Force glider squadrons of World War II. After being released from a "tow plane", they silently descended toward a landing target behind enemy lines, with a cargo of supplies, gasoline, etc. Some, carrying a small cadre of troops, even a vehicle.  The gliders couldn't be retrieved, the crews were on 'their own" to find their way back to any Allied force that could get them back to their units. Some didn't make it.

"God bless each and everyone of you!"

copyright: richard riddle 05-09-2016

May 05, 2016: I am reposting this in honor of my wife, Karen, who left this mortal earth eight 1/2 years ago. Originally written and posted on September 17, 2014)*

This tree-
Is not just any 'ol tree'-

It's "The Grandmother Tree"

Having grown from a broken, eighteen inch high twig,
taken from its mother by the Texas wind.
Now, in just over six years, it rises nearly fifteen feet, for it was planted, and fed, with the love from two grandchildren, who planted it in memory of their grandmother, my wife, Karen, of 40 years, and their surviving grandmother, Linda.
Karen found it on our patio and placed it in a clay ***; watered it, and made a support for it to keep it upright. She wanted to plant it where it stands today. She had named it "The Evan and Emily Tree." When she left us, Emily and Evan planted it in the back yard of their home. They named it, "The Grandmother Tree."
The tree is home to the "Guardians", the "Keepers", the "Watchers", sent to protect their memories, then, now, and future. Enlarge it, and you might see them, if you look closely. There are monkeys sitting in the tree, and the silhouettes. To the left, is cast the shadow of a "little man", with arm extended, pointing upward. To the right of the tree, perhaps an ape like creature, or two, and the face of a "mystery man." Set your imagination "free",

For there could be others-
Look, and see.
You could be surprised!
copyright: richard riddle September 17, 2014 12:32pm

(A detailed pic of the tree can be seen on Facebook)

Just because I'm older(than most of you added together),
Please refrain from addressing me as "Sir",
for I have yet to be knighted by the queen!

rriddle: 04-05-2016

Let's see, Emily turned twelve in February(2016), Evan turned fifteen about a week ago(March 2016), I will turn....okay, we can toss that one out the window. It does evoke memories however, memories that will never go away, at least I hope not.
New to this world, lying in your crib, looking up at me while changing your diaper, I could see  and almost hear the wheels in your head churning, as if saying, "So you're the dimwits that will be rearing me for the next several years, God help us!" And He did, has, and hopefully, will continue to do so with Evan and Emily. It was a new experience for us, a welcomed responsibility, and I think that Karen and I did a "pretty darned good job!"

We didn't do it alone.

Thank you Lord, for your guidance!

rriddle: 04-03-2016

Who are you,
now that you're name
has been changed....

You now use an alias....
to those with whom you speak
Do they know not, who you are-
really?

Has your identity
been compromised
Forcing you to speak
only by phone.....

How does it feel?
living in clouds of loneliness
having to be addressed only...as the...

Next Available Representative!


copyright: richard riddle 03-31-2016