Crystalline Cool (6)

   
   "Crystalline Cool (6)"
   
   Duncan had followed his father's advice, knowing the intercession of a truly wise patriarch was necessary at most times; therefore, he asked Aimee out on a date.  Nothing fancy, just a banana malt and some french fries with sea salt.  She agreed with a toothy smile.  Duncan returned her bright smile with a halfway, Han Solo grin.
   He filled up the rusty El Camino with a half-tank of gas--all he could afford, and a tear rolled down his cheek as he left Roadkill at home, wanting to bring the holy hound, but thinking it the wiser to allow for Aimee and him to sweetly gel on their first rendezvous before being accompanied by his canine companion.  
   She lived in a trailer, and had cats.  He sneezed a few times when she got inside his cool vehicle, her wearing jeans covered in feline fur, and a conservative gray sweater--her blonde mane flowing downwards upon her angelically curved shoulders, and when she looked at him with her emerald green eyes, he melted softly like Frosty the Snowman always did at the end of his animated life.
   They cruised the pastoral settings of their rural poverty, finding a SONIC, and ordering very meekly.  Within the counterpoise of car and truck, the twosome talked not politics nor religion, but got into the vibe of sports.  Aimee was a big baseball fan, and so alive with glee that the two teams chosen for the World Series were the Cubs and Indians.  She stated:  "Baseball is calm and charming Duncan.  So darn charming."  

Intercession by way of Saint Joan of Arc

   
   "Intercession by way of Saint Joan of Arc"
   
   Here is an invocation to a great Saint, alive in Christ, misunderstood on Earth, accused of witchcraft and cross-dressing, burned to less than smithereens, yet so alive--so alive!!!

* * * *

To Saint Joan of Arc

In the face of your enemies, in the face of harassment, ridicule, and doubt, you held firm in your faith.  Even in your own abandonment, alone and without friends, you held firm in your faith.  Even as you faced your own mortality, you held firm in your faith.  I pray that I may be as bold in my beliefs as you, Saint Joan.  I ask that you ride alongside me in my own battles.  Help me be mindful that what is worthwhile can be won when I persist.  Help me hold firm in my faith.  Help me believe in my ability to act well and wisely.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit--Amen.     

Mustang GT, 1987

   
   "Mustang GT, 1987"
  
   My step-daddy had one of these babies, way back when I was in the 9th grade; specifically, it was a special treat to be taken to school everyday in quicksilver cool.  Mustang redesigning after 1986; plus, adding a fuel-injection system.  Here are some basics about this wild pony:
   
302 Cubic Inches--a Five Liter, what the call on the street:  A 5.0!!!

225 Horses.

300 lb-ft torque--and all that power to the wheels pinned you back in the seat, totally.

0-60:  6.3 Seconds.

Quarter Mile:  Around 14 Seconds.

Top Speed:  148, and it could hold it with 8-Cylinder persistence.  

Joan of Arc and rising from the ashes

   
   "Joan of Arc and rising from the ashes"
   
   Mark Twain stated that the only book he put any "real work" into was his biography on Saint Joan of Arc, which was written before her canonization in 1920. 
   He mentioned that she needed no sword practice, for a Divine Spirit was within her, which would animate her every move on the field of battle.  Like a ninja--she knew what to do, before it had to be done.  A distracted opponent is a weak opponent, and what is more distracting than a beautiful girl in combat?  There is no situation that you cannot escape from, even when being tortured to death.  Put your spirit in the Hands of a Merciful God--wend your lovely way to His Unearthly Palace of Peace; moreover, picture the angels, the saints, horses running free, for the Kingdom of God is within you.
   And like the mythical bird, the Phoenix, Saint Joan has risen, gifting her soldier-like skills to the weak and downtrodden.  All we can do is protect those we love.  Our country, our friends, and yes--even our adversaries.  Send them doves and eagles in your prayers, so that they soar high above the Earth, and have the wisdom to picture the truth of All things.
   But like Jack Burton says:  "Never can tell."  Or can you?   

Right To Life

   
   "Right To Life"
   
   There's this guy I know, and at one point in his young life he was bleeding to death--nothing would stop it; moreover, in the middle of the night, the nurse came in to check his vitals, and she cruelly said:  "If I was in your condition, I'd know it was my time to go."  Yet the dandy dude fought through it, and thrived a bit.  
   We are asleep concerning the suffering.  The sick and elderly, or anyone dubbed a "burden" to society still has the right to live.  A RIGHT is a moral claim; moreover, we do not claim death, but death claims us.  And there have been many times when this "dude" has prayed to die, yet as the Man Upstairs says:  "To Me belongs vengeance and recompense."
   Saint Francis was disgusted by lepers.  He had an overpowering phobia concerning them; nevertheless, he conquered his aversion and kissed a leper.  People need touch.  A baby trapped in an incubator, alone and without the breasts of his mother has no touch.  And Christ does touch us by way of the Eucharist.  We all need positive touch.
   Many caretakers have abused patients.  Have cackled and shown violent and macabre images to them, or professed their readings of Christ's adversary; plus, much worse.
   Even though Merlin was paradoxically spawned, being born of both mortal and demon, as lore and legend go--he still conquered his passions and assisted Arthur and his gallant knights in their search for the Holy Grail; indeed, all life is special, and any soul can accept the light; otherwise, the alternative seems a bit vacuous.   

1970 Plymouth Barracuda (Big Block)

   
   "1970 Plymouth Barracuda (Big Block)"
   
   The Barracuda is not just a monstrous muscle car--much more; specifically, a salt water fish, found in tropical and sub-tropical oceans; plus, in a metaphysical sense--it fuels aggressive feelings and offers sincere courage, just like the awesome automobile, and now:  the specs and performance levels of this well-respected muscle machine--off we wend:

426 Cubic Inches.

Horses:  425.

Torque:  490 lb-ft.

0-60:  5.6 Seconds.

Quarter Mile Sprint:  13.5 Seconds @ 105 Miles-Per-Hour.  

Crystalline Cool (5)

   
   "Crystalline Cool (5)"
  
   Sitting on a comfy couch out in their rural backyard, a little red on their necks, but not drinking Mountain Dew--Duncan and his Dad started having a little talk.  His Dad igniting it all, as the twosome and Roadkill, the adopted Golden Retriever looked up into the celestial night, admiring the luminosity of the sparkling heavens--Dad saying:  "I'm proud of what's inside of you Duncan.  Heck, you couldn't even speak until you were four years-old--that speech pathologist was an angel I'm telling ya.  And then, you got fat on life, chasing girls, questioning everything, nervous as an innocent bird on a hot tin roof, yet you found your solace and refuge in the Lord.  And I'm inspired by your work ethic, no matter that it pays crap--you just give me 15% of your earnings and I'll put it in a fund for you.  Who cares if the community mocks your lack of being controlled by the fallen, gelling with an American Dream that is forged on damning the determination of the magnanimous, which seems deranged to those in pursuit of the brass ring.  And I'm a damn patriot kid."
   Duncan changed the subject:  "Dad--there's this girl named Aimee.  She works at the local burger joint in town.  Anyway, I can sense her interest in me, and she's blonde, which for some innate reason makes me crave her glowing laughter.  Should I ask her out?"
   His Dad chuckled with a cowboy's snort on a smoky cigar, saying:  "If it brings peace to you, and you never become more attached than to what is correct in life--go for it kid."
   Duncan gave Roadkill a heavy petty atop the dog's head, and the noble beast nuzzled in close to his friendship.