Beckoning your attention
Twisting tendrils glowing red
Dancing fingers of heat
Crackling and consuming
Embers pulsating with light and dark
Drawing eyes to it
Mesmerizing with its life
Bringing warmth and light
Limbs burning and falling deeper
Red embers sparkling and dancing fireflies of orange
Smokey tendrils drift on the wind
Till the fire sleeps again
“How’s that Peach I did you a poem”
Young men used to lie about their age to be able to fight for this country. Now they are offended by certain cartoons 🙄
We as parents have failed to protect our kids from society’s idea of what’s right and what is wrong
…the world according to Batman
“And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son’s son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how that I am the Lord.” — Exodus 10:2.
Peach says:
Hey, Everybody! How’s things goin’?
It’s goin’ good here!
I think I mentioned our youngest is getting married and they have a precious baby on the way! We couldn’t be more excited for them! 🤗
Our oldest and his wife are now also expecting. We just can’t wait to meet the new baby! 🥰
I’ve noticed something, I’ve turned into that parent who is telling stories to the younger generation that explain some things we went through and illustrate the faithfulness of God. I have never minded my parents doing it, nor when I was a youngun’ did I ever mind hearing my Granddad’s stories either.
But, it has not been my nature to tell those stories, put us in the spotlight so to speak.
But, all of a sudden I have realized it’s a blessing to them to know the things we overcame and God brought us through, in spite of ourselves, it can give them both a point of reference and encouragement that they too can make it. And further, since the Father helped us two when we were young and dumb, He’s ‘no respecter of persons’ and what He did for us, He’ll do for them!
Every get together I find myself working old stories, nobody’s ever heard, right into the conversation. Unashamedly. I keep it light and lively, but it’s good things I want them to know. It’s part of their roots and heritage and where they come from, too!
It will also help them recognize their stories as they’re happening so they can tell their children, too!
When we are young, life is such a mystery in so many ways, and we are sort of wobbling along, doing the best we can. Over the years are a lot of missteps and mistakes. I truly think the things I learned from my parents allllll of my life about their life, was helpful to me to keep my equilibrium!
I am hopeful to do the same for ours, though maybe I wish I had started sooner. I will have to trust in the Lord that He has gone before us and ordered our steps.
The picture above is a FANTASTIC potato salad recipe, that I got from my best friend, (without whom I probably would not have gotten saved). And she got it from a dear lady who she not only grew up with and grew up in church with, but was her mother in law for many years, and still family! Because family never ends! It may change but it never ends.
Mrs ‘P”s Potato Salad has won people and their taste buds over for years and years, through many special occasions! She will live on and stories of her family’s goodness to us, (and that includes my best friend) will be told in my family for years to come, Good Lord willing and the creek don’t rise!
“Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord [the only Lord].
And you shall love the Lord your God with all your [mind and] heart and with your entire being and with all your might.
And these words which I am commanding you this day shall be [first] in your [own] minds and hearts; [then]
You shall whet and sharpen them so as to make them penetrate, and teach and impress them diligently upon the [minds and] hearts of your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down and when you rise up.” — Deuteronomy 6:4-7
Batman says:
WHY??
“I don’t care if I look silly Peach I want to wear more than 2 shirts I’m freezing!”
Batman Says:
Not what you think I am willing to bet, unless you are in tune with the way my mind works and honestly, not many are (including me sometimes).
Sitting in a restaurant, when suddenly you get the “feeling” someone is watching you, walking down a street, there it is again. Late at night at home, you get the impression that something isn’t quite right, what is really going on? Wander along with me while we explore the possibilities of what these things could mean, and how we can handle them, be it a figment of the imagination, or something else…
First and foremost, I am not nor have I ever clamed to be an “expert” or doctor of ANY kind, the best I can do is Army first aid, and first responder first aid training, never been a fan or believer in “head doctors” Psychiatrists or the likes, that’s just me. I was brought up to believe in God, and I have NEVER waivered from that belief, anyways, wanted to point out that the ramblings here are from a person not trained in mental anything.
So back to those “feelings”, the ones that make us feel uncomfortable, or unsafe, what are they really? For this old boy, they are indicators of something dangerous, something unsafe or amiss. See, I am from the school that believes that the human body and mind can sense things, like danger prior to actually seeing it, can “feel” a dangerous person in the room or area. This can also be animals or areas, that for some reason the mind knows are dangerous even though there are no outward signs. I haven’t fallen off the deep end, I do not believe in the ability to read minds, or the like. But I do believe that some of us have learned not to suppress the abilities that God gave us to sense danger or harmful events, people, or animals. While eating out with your friends or family, I honestly believe everyone at one time or another has been effected by the sudden “feeling” something was wrong or someone was staring at them , I know I have on several occasions. Why is this? What is occurring that causes this “feeling” and why do some people get it more than others? Bigger question is, why do more people NOT react, instead they put it down to anything else, and continue with whatever they were doing.
As a hunter, and I have hunted wild animals, and men (still do as a Police Officer) I have been “hunted” as a Soldier and as a Police Officer, and it is, to put in plain speak, scary to know someone is “hunting” you with the intent to harm you, until you have been there, its a “feeling” you cannot understand. As a relatively normal person (shush Peach) I like to enjoy my time out with Peach and with family and friends. But because of being hyper-vigilant most of my adult life, I have developed the “feeling” for danger, and it helps keep me on my toes. Chances are that you will go through your entire life and never be confronted with a dangerous situation or person. This does not mean it won’t happen, but the chances are pretty good it won’t, and to my dismay, this is why people ignore or suppress the “feeling” that comes over them at times. This “feeling” is suppressed so often by the average person that it does not even get recognized anymore. This is a shame, and may lead to unnecessary events that could be avoided if they would only pay attention to what they “feel”.
Gong back to the previous post about Human Trafficking, and using your eyes and ears for danger, if you allow your sense of “feeling” danger develop and do not block it out or ignore it, it would be one more tool to use. Animals all have this sense, and all use it all the time. Granted the oblivious armadillo, or opossum, or raccoon wander into the roadways and get taken out on an hourly basis, but observe them in the wild and you will see a side of them that is pretty interesting. Here, let me give you a personal example; I was in a ground blind last year, hunting deer with a bow. It was a slow morning and the woods were still, birds were all over singing and flying around and there were a couple of squirrels playing around 15 yards or so away. I suddenly “knew” a predator was around, I hadn’t heard anything, or seen anything but I knew without a doubt that I was not the only hunter in that immediate area at that time. The hairs on the back of my neck felt like they were standing straight out on my arms to, and I became hyper-alert. The squirrels and birds were still feeding and playing and then everything stopped. It was as if someone threw a switch, birds melted into oblivion, the squirrels froze in place and it was apparent they could “sense” the danger I felt seconds prior. I looked down at something in my blind and when I did I heard a thump out in front of me, as I looked up a bobcat (seen a lot of bobcats in my time this one was HUGE) was coming down from the tree he had jumped into chasing one of the squirrels. Flabbergasted is the only way I can describe my thoughts, there was less that 2 seconds before NOTHING around for 40-50′ in a pretty wide open area, and “poof” there was the largest bobcat I have ever seen coming down from an unsuccessful “pounce” after a squirrel. I “felt” his presence 20-30 seconds before his beaming down from wherever (how else he got there without me seeing his approach I cannot explain), the animals also picked this “feeling” up and acted upon it. Over my years as an outdoorsman and hunter, I have had this “feeling” numerous times, I sometimes suppress it if I am with others so as not to frighten them, but I remain on alert.
What does all this mean, why the ramble and why all the fuss about a “feeling” that most people will deny they ever get? Because I feel in todays time and atmosphere that people need to be extra careful of danger. People need to trust their instincts about people or situations, their senses should play a part and not be ignored. God gave us the ability to think, reason, prepare and defend, we should use ALL His gifts to help us do so.
Pay attention to your surroundings, pay attention to people, places and things. Lock your doors and windows when you are home and in your car, “listen” to that nagging voice, or feeling, listen to a trusted friend when they warn you of something. Who would warn you against a potential danger, except someone who has your interest in mind.
As a lifelong hunter of the evil most say “does not exist” my hope is none of you ever come face to face with it, as its ugly and violent and has only evil in mind. Take care of yourselves, take care of your family and friends, watch out when you have that “feeling”, it really is there to help. Myself and other “hunters of evil” will always do our best to keep you and yours safe, but do not think evil can’t find you even still.
“Put on the full armor of God, so that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” Ephesians 6:11
“Peach have you seen my batman socks?
Batman Says:
I’m not sure why, but I’m sure it is going on, most of the world turning a blind eye to “Human Trafficking”. Where are the outcry’s of rage? Where is the supposed “news media”, where are the family members of missing loved ones? Where are the Police? Where are the elected officials? Where for Gods sake are the red blooded American citizens who should be beating down the powers that be’s doors?
There are an estimated 800,000 missing children EVERY YEAR and these estimates are lowballed and do not include adults. There are evil people out there, snatching kids off the streets, playgrounds, and even yards, to sell as slaves and sex objects. It is not a new thing, it has been going on for ages, in the background, silently and stealthily, people are being snatched and disappear hourly.
Where is the outcry? It makes no sense, with all the families of the missing, there should be marching in the streets. Where is the so called news media, that says they have the public’s interest at heart in their “news” stories, one would think something like this would be front and center DAILY so people would see the severity of the problem and rise up to begin to stop it. They are not reporting it because it’s not sensational enough, there are no bad cops to show, nor politicians whose ideas they don’t agree with to bash, therefore they do not care. Folks to fix the news media is another story all by itself, but emailing and writing may help, I suggest something radical that I’m sure not a lot will do, but it would work, stop watching the news, stop watching that network, the one thing I do know these people want is ratings, without you they don’t have that, then they send out polls as to why and you can express your opinion and tell them why, but this is about the missing not the biased news.
This is no fantasy story, nor something happening only in lower class places, this is something that effects us all. Human traffickers care about only one thing, money, and to get money they need live bodies, boys, girls, men and women are ALL targets. We as people have GOT to make a stand and start thwarting these (and I won’t use foul language) lowest of life forms on the planet, by EVERY means available to us.
Here are a few tips:
Moms and Dads know where your kids are at all times
Watch your neighborhood, call the Police over suspicious people and / vehicles
Go places as groups not alone
Look at your surroundings as you move about, look up, not at your feet
Always tell someone where you are going to be, and when to expect you back
Let someone know your route you plan to take.
(Where it’s legal) Carry pepper spray, mace, or a stun gun, in your hand Anytime you are walking or running.
Park your car as close to the store you’re visiting as you can get, under a light if possible.
Do not park next to a van or truck, especially if it is between you and the store front.
When you leave the store Know where your vehicle is prior to wandering all over the lot.
(Where it’s legal) Walking to your vehicle have your pepper spray / mace/stun gun in your hand until you are in your car, with the door locked. Look at your car, does it look like it’s been disturbed? Is there a car or truck or even a car with dark tinted windows around it? If so, ask a store worker to walk you to your car.
There are hundreds of things we can do to make ourselves and our children and friends “hard targets” but it takes constant vigilance to do it.
As a Police Officer, I am appalled at the lack of concern, lack of public knowledge, lack of commitment by most anyone on this subject. It’s a disgrace and should not be allowed to stand.
Folks, if you know ANYTHING at all that could lead to finding even one missing person, one human trafficker, one location, or anything, I beg you to tell a Law Enforcement Officer, or anyone you can that may be able to help…if you’re afraid or don’t want to get involved, message us here privately and we will get the right people to the right places.
Together we can stop this horrible crime and maybe rescue someone’s loved one in the meantime.
Use the tips I posted 24 hours a day 7 days a week, pass them to your friends and family, pass the word around, information and diligence is key and together we can win.
Peach and I are both available to speak to groups about personal safety, just shoot us a message and we will see what we can come up with.
God bless you all and please be safe.
“Your stun gun is fully charged Peach, is my hair sticking up?”
Peach says:
“Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name EMMANUEL, which being interpreted is, GOD WITH US.” — Matthew 1:20-23. ♥️♥️ So, this certain song came on, on my way to work Friday and it just touched my heart so much. Because on those back country roads, that I love to drive, and are a big part of who I am, I was able to really think about Jesus’ birth from Joseph and Mary’s point of view. Scripture tells us He was willing to come down from Heaven in human form and endure the cross for the coming victory. He thought you were worth it! He was ‘made poor’ so that we ‘might be made rich’. (2 Corinthians 8:9) He took an unfathomably hard road so that we would have a path to follow out and through and up and over, to a better place, a better way. I particularly realized something, as I listened to Trisha Yearwood sing this song, and thought of Mary’s unique and unlikely dilemma, and Joseph’s perdicament. Jesus, our Lord, had Himself born into something which was almost unheard of in that time, a single mom (unmarried and pregnant), who Joseph agreed to marry in spite of, in obedience to the Lord’s guidance, making Joseph a Step-Father. Jesus really walked in humble shoes to give us the advantage of the greatest hope! And to be able to show (I believe) our current generations, so many of whom come from either broken, blended or both, families, He’s been there. His Mom was talked about. His Dad was talked about. His family life was ‘complicated’, while we don’t ever want to treat His deity with a lack of reverence, we also do NOT want to miss out on His HUMANITY which He CHOSE to be born to FOR A PURPOSE.
John 10:10, — “10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I AM COME THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE LIFE, and that they might HAVE IT MORE ABUNDANTLY.”
I believe, like so many things He walked out for us, He walked this unique and challenging family life out,,so that we could have wholeness in all circumstances, with His GRACE!
He did without a lot, endured a lot, overcame a lot, for you and for me. This week I want to embrace the victory He purchased, the abundant life He wants for us, for you and for me, and it’s going to require I let go of the things that don’t matter and grab hold of the best things He has for me. It’s going to require more of my attention. More of my heart. He knows I’m weak. But, that just makes more room for Him to move in me!
God bless!
‘It Wasn’t His Child‘ — by Trisha Yearwood!
I see a lot of scared people theses days, some are scared of the so called pandemic, but most I see, are scared at the unrest.
I see people that are afraid to leave their houses, afraid that someone will loot their business, rob them, and or harm them. These are normal everyday people, good people that should be able to rest easy and get on with their lives without fear.
Some of these people come to see Peach and I to get trained in how to protect themselves. They want to learn how to shoot, how to defend themselves against someone who thinks they are a lesser person. These are everyday people, moms and dads, store managers, retirees, whatever. Peach and I help the ones we can with good safe training and teaching skills to improve awareness, plus shooting skills that are relevant in real daily life.
But what we really see needed is a return to Godliness, a return to following Gods teachings and more faith and grace. I’m by no means a preacher, I know I have faults but I pray every night to be forgiven and every morning that I do better than the last.
If the world would stop trying to deny God’s existence, and just for 1 month follow His word, I guarantee there would be no need for people to want firearms training, no need to be afraid, only the need to live in grace.
Till then (if it ever happens), Peach and I will teach the skills needed to defend oneself and others against the evil that exists out there.
Word to my brothers and sisters in “Blue” “Cowboy up and do your job, you took an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of your state, and of your agency or department, do not let crime happen if you can stop it, millions of people are counting on us to Do Our Jobs and Protect them, if you cannot or will not do that, turn your crap in and find a different line of work”.
If this offends you, tough, we do not stand by and watch people attacked by mask wearing punks and do nothing, if you do you’re no better than they are.
Anywho, I’m climbing off my podium and gonna hang out with Peach, you all have a blessed day/night/whatever.
“See Peach, it wasn’t that bad of a tirade”
Batman Says:
Truth be told, when I started this post, I had no idea what it was going to be about, still don’t but figure what the heck, I’ll keep pecking away and maybe something meaningful will come out of it, if not oh well I tried 😬
Perhaps it will be about something specific, Or not, prolly be just ramblings and jumbled together words who knows?
Peach and I watched movies this weekend just kinda chilled out and made the living room into a movie theater and enjoyed. We watched perhaps the (in my opinion) the greatest war movie of all time “The Longest Day” and then we watched “1917” another good movie that I’d never seen. We then watched “Spencer Confidential” followed by “6 Underground” and then an older movie, “V” and finished it off with “Mortal Combat” haha it was a total old movie weekend and we loved it. “The Longest Day” is from the era when movies were made “big” big music, big scenes, everything was more clear and pronounced. Scenes were held that extra bit longer, and the music was loud and powerful, I remember those from my childhood (we have discussed this, none of your business when that was). “1917” was based on a true story (“loosely”) and set in WWI times, it was well written I thought and kept Peach and I on our toes to the bitter end. “Spencer Confidential” was actually a very funny movie, action with humor (Needs a sequel). The same can be said for “6 Underground” which I believe was good enough to rate a sequel. “V” is the type of movie that makes you wonder, masterful performance by Hugo Weaving. “Mortal Combat”, all I can say is that it’s a movie me and my boys watched a bazillion times and it’s just fun, but makes a point about trust and friendship.
Moving on to different areas with this rambling, we have also been on the Ham radio a bit, mostly listening but talking a bit also. On 2 meters I listened to a conversation between older Hams and what sounded like a young boy and it was nice to know that he was interested and respectful and wanted to keep the sport going. I believe it’s time for Peach and I to contemplate studying together and upgrading to the highest rating, but it’s so technical based I can’t really wrap my mind around it yet. The advantage of upgrading is there aren’t any frequencies you can’t use. We always have fun studying (I apparently have a weird definition of fun) to get upgraded when we do, and cool thing is, there’s not time limit, we can take as long as we like before we decide to take the test. Anywho, when we are ready we will start studying and I’m sure we will eventually pass (I hope).
“Giggles”, we sometimes get them like children and cannot contain the laughter. Not sure we should try and contain it as it always makes us feel better.
“Amazon”, yep we fall into the trap of getting stuff from Amazon cause it’s easy and quick, not all the time, but sometimes.
“Reading books”, actual hold in your hand physically turn the page, smell the paper and ink, books. Peach and I have tons of these and we read them off and on to break up the monotony of sitting on the recliner couch staring at a television screen all day and half the night. Yeah we have the Kindle things, but sometimes you gotta feel the real thing.
Weird how you wind up doing one job all your life, even if it’s not what u expected. I’ve had tons of jobs, finally settled on a career, and have loved it, but it is not the career or job I thought I would have. I always had a fascination with the ocean and it’s inhabitants, and thought that would be my career, marine biologist or something like that. Not meant to be but that’s ok, I still read about it, explore the possibilities.
“Selling pictures”, photography is another thing Peach and I have in common. We take the pictures, sort through them, pick the ones we like best and put them on our website PeachandBatman@smugmug.com and hope one day someone will see something they like and buy it. Not a “have to have” but a nice to have 😬. Peach, she writes, and she writes things that can teach Gods word, and if I can ever convince her how good she really is, others will get to experience Gods word through her writings and teachings. She does not know how good she is at it, and how if she would stick with it, her following would grow and her teaching of Gods word would reach so many people who need to hear it. I poke and prod her in the hopes she will buckle down and focus on it, maybe just 2 hours every couple of days, and within 6 months she will see I was right (won’t admit it, but she will see it). Peach has a way of taking Gods word and putting it into context with what is going on, and why we need it more now than ever. She never changes it to fit “her” interpretation, she teaches it as it’s written, and I think that is where so many go wrong with teaching Gods word, they try and interpret it in their way. Anywho, I shall endeavor to keep annoying her until she gives in and starts really doing it, I can at times, be very annoying, if I put my mind to it 😬.
Contemplating future posts…honestly I don’t sit down and think of things to write about, as you can tell by this ramble, but I do hope it doesn’t bore to many people. Well even if it does that maybe they will get a good nap falling asleep reading it 😬.
“Still waiting on that post that starts you off 🍑, we are ready to learn”
Batman Says:
Sitting out on the deck early this morning before most of this part of the world wakes up, I closed my eyes and just listened. Ever do that? Just listen? Interesting what the result may be if you do. Because I was outdoors, and Peach and I live out in the country (not deep in the woods away from all sounds of man like I wish but, still country folk) I get to hear nature, sometimes mans noise butts in, but mainly nature. Early like this, there are still night creatures about but also the day crews are waking up and moving about. It’s a peaceful time, and the amount of nature that could be heard (probably could hear more, but for years of teaching shooting numbing my hearing 😳) night hawks, whip-or-wills (Chuck-will’s-widow more often) early morning Cardinals, Mocking birds and of course, the always present sound of roosters crowing, Horned owls, Barred owls, and Screech owls… you get the idea. All add their voices at one time or another, together or separate, frequent or rarely, and just listening to them relaxes me.
There are at times no sounds at all, it’s creepy still, the time of morning or night when as Sherlock Holmes put it “the powers of evil are exalted”. Times like these some get nervous or frightened, but as Don Williams sang “Nothing makes a sound in the night like the wind does, but you’re not afraid if you’re washed in the blood like I was”. Night sounds (early morning, too) can stir up fears in people, an involuntary reaction stemming back to the days when it was kill or be killed, and wild carnivores roamed everywhere, it also stems from man’s evilness to one another where certain elements prey on weaker victims. But in the here and now, the sounds I hear are stealthy, and then some are musical, neither cause fear as I have and still hunt the evil most refuse to acknowledge exists and fear little in doing so (“Fear profits no man” ..13th Warrior). Settling more in my comfy chair I hear leaves rustle, probably a mouse or mole looking for edible yummies, as I look up thru the live oak leaves to the crystal clear ink black sky with its brilliant sparkly lights (them is stars in case you didn’t get it) flashing colorful lights from far away. You can almost hear the trees talking to the wind and each other (probably wondering why we get to move around when they can’t) with soft subtle voices that you either believe in or don’t. If you believe, you can quietly hear the soft voices on the wind, maybe not understand them but you can hear them if you listen. Most refuse to hear those quiet voices from things in nature, especially those they hear when it is dark, and they do it out of fears. Fears of the unknown, fears others may not have heard it and would ridicule or belittle them, fears they would lose friendships or companions.
“Fear does not stop death it stops Life and worrying does not take away tomorrow’s troubles it takes away today’s Peace”
If you must fear, the fear should be that you have let God down by not following his word. (Squirrel ran by…apologies)
Listening teaches us so much more than talking does, and if most people would open their ears and close their mouths, they would learn tons and there would be way less conflict. So I sit, when I can, be it at home or at work (rare but I do sometimes get the chance) and I listen to what the world is trying to tell me. I hear the sunrise, I hear the wind, I hear Gods creations great and small. I don’t always understand them, but I hear them all, each has its own unique voice, some booming some barely perceptible. None of these would I be able to hear if all I did was talk. The gift of silence is often underestimated, but having the ability to let someone talk or vent, without interjecting, is a rare ability that more people need. Take the time to shut up and just listen, I bet you hear a lot and maybe learn to appreciate silence more.
“What’s that Peach? Sorry wasn’t listening” 😬
The Adventures and Musings of Peach and Batman 