Crystalline Cool (7)

   
   "Crystalline Cool (7)"
   
   Duncan returned home to the mundane modesty of it all, yet as the Moon did offer a New and changing perspective, the mysticism of his beautifully bizarre life ignited--Roadkill jumping upon his chest for a doggy embrace as he exited the El Camino, and Dad, puffing away on his Dominican Republic cigar ordered off the Internet, smiling under a night sky only ornamented in the constellations that once offered Ronald Reagan the courage to speak the truth of things beyond the nature of man.
   After some heavy petting on Roadkill and innocent licks from the dog's slobbery love, Duncan approached his father, sitting next to him on a futon out upon their redneckish front yard, the old, mature-looking man, steeled by years of existence, crafted by God's Divine Hand, and armed with a sense of jocular joy probed his son's night out with a girl, like this:  "Was it better than that time you fornicated with a seedless watermelon?"
   Duncan blushed:  "Dad, I told the Priest about that at Confession.  Why are you giving me the business?"
   The old man laughed, saying:  "Oh Duncan, my child, how you loved your mother while all the rest ran, living their lives while you transformed yours--you took a beating, yet God spanks all of his children, though from now on--you'll only get a time-out."
   "You're such a sage Dad."  Duncan said, blushing.
   His Dad puffed away; next, stated:  "The Book of Life has already been written, and sometimes God rereads it; thus, time is relative, and there are funny stories, for some pursue that witch-scorned look of a man having a selfish discharge into his own jubilation, yet others suffer with the Saints, and those fools for Christ give the downtrodden water; then, Jesus gives them a hundred cups in the Heavens."
   "Have you been drinking tonight Dad?"  Duncan asked.
   His Dad blew a symmetrical smoke ring, saying:  "No firewater tonight; plus, I never wear a mask, you know that, or speak bravely of myself, yet lock my prayers in a secret chamber, unlike the hypocrites wanting to be seen giving false praises in public, while a dog gallantly poops underneath the Sun, and your mother used to lock the bathroom door when she made a bowel evacuation--that poor, nervous woman."
   Duncan laughed so hard his belly felt warm and cozy.  

Lando Calrissian and Redemption

   
   "Lando Calrissian and Redemption"
   
   Even the late, great General Schwarzkopf Jr. said that Lando betrayed Han Solo; however, when you possibly have Boba Fett's disintegration blaster and Darth Vader's powers of the Dark Side at your throat; next, there's not much of a choice--or is there?
   Regardless, Lando shows us redemption, displaying a heroic attitude in the rescue of his old buddy Han.  Plus, the deleted Tatooine sandstorm scene from Return of the Jedi possibly offers further illumination into Lando's apology to Han; furthermore, Han forgives Lando, allowing him to pilot the Millennium Falcon during a raid on the second Death Star. 
   What does this teach us?  Christ might wisely state:  "When your brother sins against you--rebuke him.  But if he asks for forgiveness many times; then, forgive him."  
   Lando, that scoundrel and gambler, turned out to be a pretty cool guy.   

Margaret of Castello

   
   "Margaret of Castello"
   
   Date of birth and corporeal death:  1287 - 1320.
   
   Margaret of Castello was birthed blind, having a severe curvature of the spine, difficulty walking; moreover, was a dwarf.  Her parents basically incarcerated her for 13 years so no one could see her unsettling disabilities.  However, they journeyed with her to a Franciscan Church, where miracles were reported, yet when no cure came--they abandoned her.
  The poor took her in; furthermore, Margaret learned and loved the Book of PSALMS, living in prayer and charity.  She ultimately joined a religious order.
   In 1558 her coffin was found rotted.  Yet when opened, her body was perfectly preserved.  She was Beatified by the Catholic Church and is considered the Patron Saint of the poor, disabled, and unwanted.  What a truly gallant tale, her never getting angry over her condition, but suffering alongside Christ our Lord.  

1984 Lotus Esprit S3

   
   "1984 Lotus Esprit S3"
  
   While residing in Little Rock in them metal music days, where the beloved Hogs will always be constantly called, I used to follow a 1980's Lotus to the gym on my motorcycle when I was an adolescent, into the belief that muscles made a tough guy, which of course is not true for the redneck scrapper, him fueled by spirit alone.  Anyway, here are some specs for the 1984 Lotus Esprit S3--this version more prominent in Europe.
  
RWD with manual 5-Speed gearbox.

120.2 Cubic Inches, though I may be a bit thrown off by the Metric System.

Cylinder Alignment:  Line 4.

2 Carburetors.

160 horsepower.

160 lb-ft torque.

Still, the performance is uncanny--like this:

0-60:  6.7 Seconds.

Quarter Mile:  Around 15 Seconds.  

Top Speed:  138 Miles-Per-Hour.    

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.