Lessons Learned

The inspiration for this rhyme came from a Facebook posting by Mark Miller. The names and some locations have been changed to protect the innocent.

Lessons Learned

Charlie married a woman from up near Milwaukee
and said it was rough at the start.
He told her job was to clean and to cook
but she didn’t take it to heart… at first.
Then on the third day when Charlie came home
he noticed a remarkable change.
The house had been cleaned, the dishes were washed
and his dinner was hot on the range.

Chester married a woman from up near New Jersey
He says that his wife’s a blond beauty
but he had to keep telling her time and again
that cooking and cleaning’s her duty.
It didn’t sink in till about the third day
when their lives went from shambles to stable.
The house had been cleaned, the windows were washed
and dinner was there on the table.

Bob married a woman from somewhere near Dallas
and told her what all he expected.
Like cooking and cleaning and mowing the lawn
and to make sure he wasn’t neglected.
The first day he didn’t see anything
He saw nothing the day after that
By the third day the swelling subsided.
Now he has his home duties down pat.

Jeff Hildebrandt © Jan. 30, 2013

Russell's Rules

I found this little story. It may be something you've seen as well.
"Russell J. Larsen had the 'Five Rules for Men to Follow for a Happy Life' inscribed on his tombstone in Logan, Utah." I thought this looked like fodder for a poem. So, fodder in-fodder out:

Russell’s Rules

Russell was a cowboy
and like all cowboys should
he lived his life by simple rules;
easily understood.
He had 5 rules for happiness
which seemed to serve him well.
He left them on his tombstone
in hopes that they would tell
other men the secret
to this Utah cowboy’s bliss.
So, when it comes to peace at home,
his guidelines tell us this:
A man should have a woman
who will cook his meals and clean
A man should have a woman
who won’t lie and treat him mean
A man should have a woman
who is funny. Keep in mind
he should also have a woman
who is loving, sweet and kind.
And what is most important,
he tells his cowboy brothers;
None of these four women
should know about the others.

Jeff Hildebrandt © Jan. 22, 2013

Transition

Just about everyday, someone we know marks a transition. If it's a birthday, you might want to share this with them. That's what I'm doing. Happy Birthday, Kara!

Transition

Every day, we make transitions
from what was to what will be;
Moving on past twenty something
toward eternity.
Some folks tend to measure life
in years upon the earth.
But, it’s not the candles on the cake
that tell you what you’re worth.
And it’s not what you accumulate
as you go from day to day.
Real worth is only measured
by what you give away.
It’s what you do with what you have
that matters in the end.
It’s if you treat each one you meet
as if they were a friend.
Don’t think of being over the hill
or of running out of time.
Just remember, on God’s calendar
you’re always in your prime.

Jeff Hildebrandt © July 31, 2012

A Job Offer

The rider came from way up north
and had a job to do.
He was sent in search of wranglers
who could work the LRU.
He said, "The work is steady,
there may be risk involved
but the benefits are worth it
for those who are resolved.
There are lots of different jobs to do.
It’s not all riding fence
or rounding up lost cattle."
To me, it made good sense.
I felt the end of summer
would be here most any day
and a steady job for winter
can be worth more than the pay.
I told the rider, “Sign me up.”
He offered me his hand;
said, “Pard you won’t regret your choice
to ride for this here brand.
No matter what you’re good at
we can use you, that’s our creed.
We only ask you take the time
to help folks who’re in need.
The boss is big on helping out
and doing unto others;
treating folks with kindness
just like you would your brothers."
And as we rode together
he told me of the ranch.
He told me what I had to know
and then I got my chance
to talk with others just like me
who weren’t sure what do to;
the ones who had been searching
for what’s good and right and true.
Before long, there’s a posse
and we’re off to higher ground.
Each rider learns about the ranch
and then they look around
to see who they can bring along
for a big meal and a dance
that just might last forever
at God’s Last Round Up ranch.
Jeff Hildebrandt © Dec. 28, 2012

Envious

So, while you're considering which diet program, exercise machine or gym to join, consider working on your inner self.

Envious

Did you ever stop to ponder
why you are the way you are?
Do you ever long for glory
or to be a movie star?
Are you envious of others?
Do you think that it’s a shame
that you weren’t given what they have;
good looks, good luck and fame?
Are your hips too big; top too small?
Do you look just like a pear?
Are you sure life would be better
if you just had curly hair?
Don’t fret that you’re not glamorous,
not a beauty or a hunk.
Remember, you’re a child of God
and God don’t make no junk.
If you just seek His Kingdom
and not focus on your own
God promises more riches
than this world has ever known.
When all is said and all is done
we won’t be envious.
Cause when Christ comes to take us home
it’s them, who’ll envy us.

Jeff Hildebrandt © July 31, 2012

A Blind Man

As you ponder the meaning of life or the reason you're here or how you're going to pay all those Christmas bills, think on this taken from Mark 10: 46-52:

A Blind Man

A blind man sitting by the side of the road
said, “I can’t find help to share my load
but a crowd is coming and I hope they see
my sad condition and pity me.”

When he found out who was in the crowd
old blind Bartimaeus just cried out loud.
The crowd said, “quiet,” but he wouldn’t be
crying, “Jesus Christ, I’m here, help me.”

Jesus stopped, then told the crowd
to bring him here, for crying out loud.
He asked, “What do you want of me?”
Bartimaeus said, "Please, let me see."

What happened then? The Bible tells
the blind man’s faith just made him well.
He believed in the Man from Galilee
and that’s what’s needed, don’t you see.

A blind man lives in the house next door.
His eyes work fine, but his faith is poor.
Our Father says, “Hey, can’t you see,
it’s up to you. Tell him of Me.”

Once he learns of the Father’s love
he’ll see the blessing from above.
It’s up to us. A soul’s at stake.
So, speak up now for heaven’s sake.

Jeff Hildebrandt © July 31, 2012

Counting Down

This is one of those "stream of consciousness" poems. I started, not knowing what I wanted to say or even why I was writing. I hope you get something out of it and you might find it useful as a conversation starter with someone worn out from the holiday rush.

Counting down

We’re in what’s called the Advent Season
when shoppers lose all sense of reason.
The time is short, the pressure’s on,
the perfect gift’s already gone.
They buy a trinket that’s on sale
so they can get it in the mail.
When all is purchased, all is fine.
But then, they face that awful line
to mail what must go out of town.
No wonder that they’re feeling down.
Mall Madness seems to rule the day
They think it shouldn’t be this way
What happened to the joyous part
they see in Norman Rockwell’s art?
STOP!
Make yourself a cup of tea.
Decide that this year you will be
at peace because you’ve found the reason
that’s behind the Advent Season.
It’s not the tinsel, gifts or tree.
It’s really nothing you can see.
It’s more about what you can feel.
Advent’s about a love so real
that brings the hope of Heaven’s Glory.
It’s all about the Christmas story.

Jeff Hildebrandt © Dec. 5, 2012

Merry Christ-mas to you!