grace grits and gardening

ramblings from an arkansas farm girl

Day is Done

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GBE2: Blog-on Writing Prompt #93 Tribute

Certain songs tap deep emotion. Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring by Bach is one such song for me. Played at weddings, I immediately tear up. And certain old hymns like Blessed Assurance and Amazing Grace flood me with memories.

One song that likely moves everyone is Taps, the haunting melody sounded at military funerals since 1891 and played at each wreath ceremony conducted daily at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Yesterday we buried my father-in-law, Eugene H. “Gene” Boerner, Sr.

Gene was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church, a fourth-degree Knights of Columbus member and an Army veteran of World War II.
He was buried with full military honors including the playing of Taps. What a fitting tribute for a dedicated man who served his country, loved his family and lived his faith.
Godspeed Gene. All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.
John with Flag

talya

Musical Pairing:

Military Taps

While there are no official lyrics for Taps, the following unofficial verse (author unknown) is often used:

Fading light dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright.
From afar drawing nigh – Falls the night.

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky;
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.

Then good night, peaceful night,
Till the light of the dawn shineth bright;
God is near, do not fear – Friend, good night.

Eugene H. “Gene” Boerner, Sr.
Nov 02, 1921 – Feb 22, 2013

Keiser Cowboy

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GBE 2: Blog On – Writing Prompt #92 – Gusto!
My hometown looked like every other small southern town with a looming water tower, a cafe serving homemade chocolate pies, and a two pump gas station where hometown boys gathered, telling tall tales and waving to those who slowed at the four-way stop. 
But Keiser was different.
Each day between Gryner wall and Keiser Junior High, the town bore witness to a Wild, Wild West re-enactment provided by her own resident, Howard Ray Dawson.

Howard Ray Dawson

Howard Ray, a grown man who never aged, served as the town’s mascot. Each day no matter the weather, he galloped in on his beloved Trigger through a cloud of dust to the middle of Main Street. 

Howard Ray’s daily western show often stopped traffic and school children, all who were friends, all who cheered his zest for life. 
When Trigger was hit by a car and Howard Ray ended up in the hospital, the town rallied. The Graham family paid extra for him to have a television in his hospital room. Someone bought him a new horse. Everyone visited him in the hospital.

Abraham Lincoln said, “Whatever you are, be the best one.” Howard Ray was special in many ways. And he was the best cowboy to ever come out of Keiser, Arkansas. His enthusiastic spirit still lingers. 

talya
Musical Pairing:

Triumphant!

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My mother, the BAT (Barbara Ann Tate) got a total knee replacement for Valentine’s Day. Fancy, schmancy, it was made especially for her, crafted in Switzerland. 

Last night, I stayed with her in the hospital. As expected, there wasn’t much sleep. A shot of Benadryl straight into the blood stream provided incoherent rambling. She yammered non-stop about various friends (Minta, Jimmy Gann, Becky Sue, Bob and D’Lynn Irby), strawberries, Mexico, a gravel road, Jobber applications, playing marbles, and deleting ‘sloppy’ Facebook friends.
She explained to the young night nurse all about ChristianMingle.com. 
At one point she looked toward the side of her bed and said, “Gabby, are you ready to leave? I’m about ready to check out of here.” Gabby is her cat…

At midnight she said, “I think Dr. Taba is running late. Guess I’m not having surgery today.” 
By the end of her rant she declared, “I’m changing my name! I’m sick to death of being called Barbara Ann Creecy Tate.” 
At 1:30, she turned on the television to distract herself from the knee pain. Thankfully she slept.

My dreams were fitful, coated with television background noise about the stranded Carnival cruise ship. All night long. Ask me anything about it, and I can tell you.
Overall, we had a triumphant night. Momma and I survived to see the new day, and the cruise ship limped to shore. She hasn’t told me her new name yet, but I’ll keep everyone posted.

talya

Horse with No Name, America

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