–Ernest Haycox  (Head of the Mountain)

 

Whoopee, Pard, it’s been an eventful week.  There for a while I was feared I wasn’t gonna be able to get a Perc out.  Yuh know, there’s folks out there depending on that little burst on a Saturday mornin’ along with their coffee.  As weak as some make their coffee, my burst of writin’ might be stronger than their brew.  What d’ yuh think?  Strong enough for yuh, Pard?  Ahhh, makes my gizzard smile.

       Yep the internet went down.  From what I heard someone cut through the cable.  There’s quite a bit of construction goin’ on so maybe one of the crews did it.  An’ speakin’ of that–Pard, they’re movin’ in on us.  We hid out here in the woods, and now someone is buildin’ across the road from us, and a surveyor came by the other day sayin’ that someone is plannin’ on buildin’ next to us.  Yuh get out in the woods to get away from folks annoyin’ yuh, to have a bit of solitude, and what happens?  They come out to join yuh.

       Had cataract surgery last week and this week.  Now my eyes are clear again.  It takes a little gettin’ used to.  I can see clearly now, but up close I need those readin’ glasses.  I was thinkin’ of the sayin’–some people can’t see the forest for the trees.  Well, I want to tell yuh I can see the trees clearly, but it’s that fine print and writin’ my notes and books that bother me some.  I like to look out the window at the forest when I write, but then I have to take my glasses off.  On and off, but mind yuh, I’m not complain’ as I can see clearly.

       Perhaps that is the way some folks look at the world and God’s Word.  They are lookin’ at it through the foggy lens of a spiritual cataract.  It might be good if the Holy Surgeon came along and helped clear up their vision.  A clear vision is sorely needed in this day of evil and confusion.  Why they put someone on the Supreme Court who says they cannot define a woman.  Phooey, it doesn’t take much intelligence to tell the difference.  It shows to yuh the direction this country is takin’ and those men in the Senate don’t have enough gumption to take a firm stand.  Be wary and ready, my friend.

       Sure was good to spend some time with yuh this mornin’ an’ to enjoy a good cup of coffee.  The Lord willin’ and the creek don’t rise I’ll be here next week, or should I say if the internet doesn’t go on a frenzy.  Yuh be takin’ care of yurself, Pard–check that cinch.

      Vaya con Dios.

The coffee was strong enough to walk by itself. That was the way he liked it.”

                        –Elmer Kelton  (Texas Standoff)

 

Lots of things happenin’ in the world, but I’m unaware of most of them.  I don’t know if that’s good or bad.  It’s not good to be ignorant, but at the same time there is nothin’ I can do about any of them.  Pard, if’n I start to get involved with the news then the gizzard gets all riled, and that ain’t good for the liver or heart.  So, here I am, my good Pard sittin’ and jawin’ with me, and holdin’ a cup of hot, strong, black coffee in my hand.

       This ol’ world is full of newfangled technology and I’m not sure all of it’s good, or is it used for good.  Now, I’m not against technology.  Why where would I be without a coffeepot or at least a pot to make my coffee?  I went to the WalMart to get a new coffeepot.  Sometimes I perk it on the stove, but it’s faster using technology like Mr. Coffee and I don’t have to worry about it boilin’ over, but what I mean to tell yuh is that they have coffeepots that cost upward to $500.  My new pot cost a whoppin’ $21.99 and it makes good coffee, and there are no beeps either.

       It seems that I recall that ol’ Daniel said that folks will start runnin’ to and fro and knowledge will increase, but he did not say it would increase for the better.  Busy, busy, busy, it seems folks are and if yuh don’t think so just drive the rush-hour traffic.  My mercy, folks out there are crazy and don’t care about others.  Pard, they need to settle down and have a cup of coffee from my kitchen out in the woods.  Not any of those cinos, but good, down to earth brew.  Ahhh, look at that, we’ve already finished one pot.  I’ll make another.

       What?  Yuh got things to do and yur bladder won’t be able to handle another pot ridin’ in the saddle.  Yuh know, yuh can always rein in somewhere.  But, I understand, and yuh be havin’ a good week.  We’re into April now, another month is gone passed us by.  Yuh be ridin’ easy, but always alert for the ol’ devil is jist a-waitin’ for a slip-up.  And I shouldn’t have to remind yuh to check yur cinch.  As for myself, I’m gonna get back to the kitchen and brew up another pot.

       Vaya con Dios.

                              –J.V. James  (Frye)

 

Come on in, Pard for I’ve a question for yuh.  Readin’ the above I began to wonder and ponder who is goin’ to serve the first cups of coffee to those at the heavenly table.  My notion is that it will take more than one, but I think the crew will be led by Andrew and Martha.  Most likely there’ll be plenty of servants that I don’t know; hmmm, perhaps my Annie will be one of them.  Since we will be in the heavenly realm, I don’t think it will take all that long even though we have millions of years, because we are no longer bound by that villain “time.”

       Things will sure ‘nough change.   Don’t worry Pard, you’re not goin’ to be floatin’ around on some cloud, wigglin’ yur tootsies and playin’ a harp.  No siree, there’s work to be done.  Adam was placed in the Garden to work, then the curse came and work changed.  I don’t know exactly what we’ll be doin’, but I know we’ll be workin’.  The Lord don’t like shirkers.  Oh, and by the way, no matter whatever anyone says, you ain’t goin’ to become no angel.  Ha, though that might be a sight with you flappin’ yur wings.

       Ahhh, this coffee is surely good, but that heavenly brew–it’s already makin’ the gizzard tickle.  But enough of that fantasizin’, we still got plenty to do down here on this ol’ earth.  Things are deterioratin’ mighty fast.  The Lord is workin’ whether we see Him in action or not.  He is quickly bringin’ everything to a climax.  The “man of lawlessness” will soon be revealed, but I’m not frettin’ that.  When he is down here struttin’ his stuff an’ speakin’ all sorts of lies, I’m goin’ to be up in heaven with a cup of that heavenly brew, praising the Lord.

       Trust yur ready for that day for it can’t be far off.  Yuh ride wary, make sure yur cinch is tight, and be ready for the trumpet to sound.

        Vaya con Dios.

                         –Louis L’Amour  (Borden Chantry)

 

Come on in and join me, Pard.  This is one of my favorite spots, this ol’ chair and looking out to the woods.  Had some visitors the other day.  Yep, some deer ventured out of the woods to watch me drink coffee.  Ahhh, so serene.  Oh, yur not familiar with that term–well, yuh should be.  In fact, I was just thinkin’ that in our walk through this troubled world, we should be more serene and not worry or fret so much.  If we seek the Lord, He will help us find it.  Why, havin’ this cup of coffee, and looking at God’s creation sure does help create that feelin’ of serenity.

       Had a situation occur this week.  I went to make coffee and the pot had given up the ghost.  It was done dead.  Not a real problem, I made coffee in the ol’ percolator on the stove for the next few pots until I dared to venture to the WalMart to buy another.  I make coffee on the stove quite often, but there is a time when I want it brewed a little quicker and also once in a while when I make it on the stove it boils over makin’ a mess.  Yuh know they sell brewers that cost upward to $500.  Mine has an on/off switch and that’s all.  It don’t even make a beep when it’s finished brewin’.  And on top of all that, Pard, the coffee tastes good.  Yur’a drinkin’ it now.

       I remember readin’ once where ol’ Dan’l Boone said that it was time to move as the neighbors were startin’ to encroach.  Well, I’m not goin’ to move but there is buildin’ goin’ on around us, and folk keep lookin’ at lots next to ours.  More an’ more people movin’ out to the country.  If that trend continues, then the country won’t be the country any more.  But unless they’re a cantankerous sort, I’ll keep on bein’ happy.  Can’t help but be, the Lord is good to us.

       Go ahead, pour yurself another cup.  There’s plenty an’ if’n yur stayin’ a while I can always make another pot.  Monday, this ol’ fence post has to go see the heart doctor.  No, nothin’ wrong, he just wants to make sure the ol’ ticker is still tickin’ properly.  My plan is to be back with yuh for more coffee next Saturday.  Yuh be careful out there.  Watch out for the coyotes and wolves for they’re amongst us.  Oh, and don’t forget to tighten that cinch.

       Vaya con Dios.