Chicken Soup

Last night I had an Italian chicken soup with my dinner. I’m not ready for the structure of alphabet soup quiet so soon it seems. So here I am posting again without the alphabetical perimeters to contain my meandering musings. Or as I have been told, I am left loose on society to ply my mischievous misconceptions, uncontained by the bounds of common sense or moral judgment. I resent the implication that I exercise no moral constraints on my behavior or in my attempts to loosen the fetters to free thought.

After all is said and done, we aren’t so much what we eat, as we are what we think. I feel that I think responsibly most of the time. No one’s perfect. Left to my own devices to influence, I won’t dump an unsuspecting mind in the trash can. I will wave you over it, so that you get a whiff of where you could have ended up. If you later decide to dive into the garbage, should I feel guilty for introducing you to its putrid smell? I think not. Nor is there a need to discourse the rationality or irrationality of our lives here.

Suffice to say, those of us who can help ourselves should. Those of us who can help others should. Those who can do neither, are a good chunk of why the rest of us are here. Lee Iacocca used to say, “Lead, follow, or get out of the way!” Will Rogers said, “If you’re riding ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it’s still there.” The bull in a china shop approach bothers me. A little common sense never hurt anyone. A little whimsy can flavor our lives, or even our departure from this earth.

The divine Miss N notes a passing marked by whimsy on her blog today. I really don’t have a problem with someone who has a little fun with life right up through their end. Every time I read of a passing, I wonder where on the chalk board of life will I leave my final mark, and what it will be. And that my friends is the limits of my uncontained mischief for this spot today. There’s just so much else to be done today, here beneath the Carolina moon.

Posted by Dread who wasn’t quiet awake.

Questions to Answer

I'm not ready to start the alphabet thing just yet, so I posted these few questions I came across. I've actually been able to answer a good portion of these to my own satisfaction. That fact may be disturbing to a few of you. But then you may have your own answers.



Life never gets easier does it? Except on special occasions here beneath the Carolina moon. I don't think today is one of them.


Why is the third hand on the watch called the second hand?

Why do we say something is out of whack? What is a whack?

Why does "slow down" and "slow up" mean the same thing?

Why does "fat chance" and "slim chance" mean the same thing?

Why is it called "after dark" when it really is "after light"?

Why are a "wise man" and a "wise guy" opposites?

Why is "phonics" not spelled the way it sounds?

If all the world is a stage, where is the audience sitting?

If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular?

If you are cross-eyed and have dyslexia, can you read all right?

Why is bra singular and panties plural?

Why do you press harder on the buttons of a remote control when you know the batteries are dead?

How come abbreviated is such a long word?

Why do they call it a TV set when you only have one?

Christmas is weird. What other time of the year do you sit in front of a dead tree and eat candy out of your socks?

Posted by Dread purely as a temporary escape from reality.

Getting the Alphabet Right

This is the alphabet wrong:
This is somewhat better:

I prefer to do better yet. I have decided to dedicate the blog to another round of working through the alphabet. The limited readership here seemed to mildly enjoy and take interest in the last exercise of the elementary. I haven't decided the best path for that as yet. I am entertaining three theories. One is noticing three good things each day and emphasizing those, following the lead of Clare at Three Beautiful Things (alphabetically of course). Another would be to just randomly pick up an item or items each day similar to Sandy at So Many Blessings, also alphabetically of course. Or a completely different approach similar to the divine Miss N at SCGirlyGrl. All three are linked over there ---->

I may just take a dual approach, and work in my own odd twist. You would expect that of me anyway and be disappointed at any less wouldn't you? Yes things seem to have an eccentric odd twist to them, just as a natural course of order here beneath the Carolina moon. If you've ever read anything about disruptive technology, then you probably get the idea of the results of my subtle work. I'm not considered to be a disruptive person, yet my vapor trail cuts a strange pattern in the sky that leaves the view a bit different; hopefully for the better, and hopefully lasting.

I shall make up my mind and get started again on the alphabet shortly. Today I have a run to make out of town for a meeting that may or may not change the course of many lives, for the better or maybe just not at all; hopefully none for the worse. I shall sit and nod approval or scrunch my face in an "I don't quiet agree" expression. I intend to raise questions to guide in good directions. In the end, I may or may not make a difference. I will have been prepared, tried my best ways of influence, and given it my best shot. At the end of the day that's all we can do. Our full impact may still be years away. I shall pray for guidance, and that insight will be brought to the process. I also invite your prayers.

Soon, I shall start again with the alphabet. When I do, you will eventually see the pattern of my madness. I hope it will be a positive pattern to make a positive difference. In the meantime, visit the friendly links over there ---->, and lift a prayer.

Posted by Dread from beneath the Carolina moon.

Sundial Sunday

There are sundials out there with the following incription: “My face marks the sunny hours. What can you say of yours?” I couldn’t find but one pic of this dial on the net and it wouldn’t let me copy. So, there’s no pic for today’s post. Would this sundial and quote actually illustrate my blog post today? Not really, but then I don’t think it really matters.

An illustration that makes a point is an illustration that makes a point; even if it is a different point, or an off subject point. As this world fits together, in some mysterious way, everything is eventually relevant.

As you can tell from the dates of the most previous post and this one, I’ve taken something of an unannounced break from blogging. My entries dwindled down and then stopped. For one thing, I wasn’t sure what direction to take the blog after the alphabet work-out was complete. For another thing, life has had my head a bit gummy. That should also be evident from the most immediate past post.

I’ve blamed life, but actually, I think I brought the head gumminess upon myself. We usually do, and then want to blame people and things outside of us. But what do I know. I am but human. I live in the deep south. Our culture is emotionally charged. Sooner though, or later, if I listen close enough, the Heavenly Father will speak through the Spirit, or light a path, or perhaps both.

I am grateful for the paths that I have had laid before me during my life, and all the wonderful people and experiences that are now ingrained as a part of me. I am grateful for the opportunity to open my heart. My regrets are when I strayed off the path.

I have prayed prayers of gratefulness over the past few days, and also prayers with requests. I seek. Matthew 7;7: “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”

Of course in all of these, it is we who must take the first step. Today I will pray with repentance, gratitude, and praise. Yes, I’ve a few requests also. I expect that somehow things are going to turn to accomplish God’s will. His beauty and mystery will unfold, and as is His nature, He will give as we are ready, and willing, to receive.

Psalms 62:1&2, “Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defense, I shall not be greatly moved."

Posted by Dread from somewhere beneath the Carolina moon, in a place with a missing sundial.

Up In Bassackward Side Down Out

That’s the way things get turned sometimes. It doesn’t mean things won’t work just as well as they ordinarily do. It just may take a little different approach to get equivalent results. Additionally, sometimes previously unknown benefits are also discovered.

There’s an upside, a down side, a front side, and a back side to everything. Sometimes, they all come together and collide. It can make for an interesting time here beneath the Carolina Moon.

Posted by Dread who has found mental contortions to be more difficult than physical ones. Pray for relief. Pray for relief.

Skipping & TBTing

As anyone can see below, I skipped Wednesday through Friday. Hey, stuff happens. Today, I’m TBTing a brief post. TBTing is the habit of noticing three beautiful things during the day. The idea comes from Clare whose blog is linked over there -->

Here are my TBT’s for today:

Snuggling in the drowsy wee morning hours

The first sip of my first morning cup of coffee, coursing its way down, warming my insides, and waking every nerve ending in its path

My dog, Andy’s delight in sharing my cheese toast

Posted by Dread who finds many beautiful things each day beneath the Carolina moon.

Today is the 14th and Yesterday was Too!

Today is the 14th of November but yesterday was the 14th year of CPU time I’ve contributed toward cancer research. I haven’t been contributing CPU time for 14 years, I’ve just managed to load and run the software on enough computers since 2001 to add up to a total of 14 years worth of computing time. Let me clear this up a bit. I run a distributed computing program as a volunteer.

Distributed computing is where a large project, such as computing how a chemical would fit into or perhaps interact with a cancer cell, can be broken down to smaller parts. Each small part can be run on a small personal computer (PC) and then the whole of the results can be combined again. What is very neat about this is that everyday people like us who know nothing about doing cancer cell or drug treatment research can have a very active part in finding drugs to use against cancer.

It works like this; a central computer or server center over a internet connection serves up bits of the project to volunteers like you and me. The volunteers’ computers compute the data as a screen saver, and or as a background operation when they aren’t using their computer, then return the completed data to the server and pick up another block of data to process. It’s all done automatically so the computer isn’t slowed down when the owner wants to use it, but instead takes advantage of the time that the computer is actually turned on but no one is doing anything on it. You can load the software on as many computers as you would like and the software will keep up with all of your installations and inform you of its progress. It’s really just that simple and makes a great contribution toward finding cures for various cancers.

Have any of my computer installations been involved in a cure found to date? I don’t know, and probably never will. People who do this do it for reasons other than fame. Actually some continue to run the software because they are fascinated by the molecule models displayed in the screen saver. But no matter your motive. It makes a valuable contribution toward relieving much suffering and unnecessary and untimely loss of lives. Already there is a link in my sidebar for breast cancer awareness and support. Now I will also be adding a link to where you can get involved at no cost to yourself. You computer has central processing unit (CPU) power and abilities that you don’t even touch. Put it work for a good cause!

You can learn more about this exciting project and how to get involved here:

http://www.grid.org/projects/cancer/

I can’t remember whose slogan it is or exactly how it goes, but the essence is, “The life you save may be your own, or someone’s you love.”

Posted by Dread who has anxiously awaited this milestone, all while right here, beneath the Carolina Moon.

Twenty Six

Is Twenty six a significant number? It’s two thirteens, which with thirteen being bad and all makes me unsure. If that’s true then our calendar is a bad thing. Each quarter of the year consists of thirteen weeks. There are twenty six weeks in six months, and four thirteens of course in the year, or fifty two weeks. But actually, fifty two weeks only amounts to three hundred and sixty four days, which is one day shy of a full year. There are really fifty two weeks and one day in the year, not just fifty two weeks even.

Twenty six weeks and one half day is actually one half of the year. Now if you’re one of those think ahead people you already figured out that there is no month that has a half day in it. So, six months really isn’t exactly a half of a year. It’s either a day short or a day over, but not exactly half a year. The reason being, you can’t divide 365 days into two equal whole numbers.

So what has this discussion of calendar math to do with the sleeping puppy? I figured that anyone who read all of this would be a sleeping puppy by the time they got this far, so… But anywho, today I celebrate twenty six weeks and one day of being nicotine free. And that my friends is truly a six months passage. Actually it’s been 38 weeks and a day since I smoked. This afternoon will be twenty six weeks and two days, and thirty eight weeks and two days respectively. I used the lozenges method to drop the cigarettes over a twelve week period, hence the twelve week split between time spent not smoking and time spent nicotine free.

Okay, so my twenty six isn’t as exciting as the TV show 24. The TV show is fiction. My life has changed for the better, for real. That’s pretty exciting to me! Thanks for listening. You can go back to sleep now. Lately, I’ve been sleeping pretty good, here beneath the Carolina moon.

Posted by Dread who thanks God for the stream of positive change, and prays to keep it flowing.

Today I Take a Pause

Today I take a pause for a formal introduction of the good Ms Kessler that I mentioned, and copped a pic from, earlier this week. I have added her blog link ("So Many Blessings!") to my list of links over there --->

Ms Kessler is an English teacher who fully gets it, that choosing the right message, and communicating that message, is way more important than grammar, punctuation, or for that matter spelling or even words, when a picture will do just as well or better. She says she’s retired, but I give you the following quote from her blog; “Some people come into our lives and they touch us in certain ways. Others fill our hearts to overflowing and we are never ever the same again.”

Ms Kessler, you may be retired formally, but in act you are not.

I have a feeling that there are a lot of people out there, who are wonderful people that every day, make other people's day, because someone once filled their heart to overflowing, and they were never the same again. I have an even stronger feeling that Sandy Kessler is one of those.

God has a purpose for each of us for each day that we are here. The fact that we’re even here today is proof enough of that for me. What may happen to us tomorrow is of no consequence. It is what He has for us to do today that matters. Do it with all your heart.

Posted by Dread who wonders why someone else’s apples always seem the sweetest. But, that’s okay, because we share, here beneath the Carolina Moon!

Z is a "Z" Word

In today's world of slang, the letter Z is also a word, perhaps more so than X. So there we have it. The beginning of the alphabet A is a word as is the end, Z. The English equivalent of the Greek alpha and omega. The beginning and the end.

So I was wrong about X. Shoot me! Well, please don't take that literally. There are people out there who would love to have permission to do just that; and shoot me. I can't say that I blame them, but that's a story (or several actually) for another day. At any rate, no doubt in the American slang use of Z, it is a word. And just a few days ago I thought A and X were the only two letters that stood alone as words in their own right, even if one of them wasn't official. Now we have one official, A, and two American slang, unofficial, common use (I guess common use is like common law) letter words, X and Z.

The thought has occurred to me, that as text messaging moves forward in our culture, I'll stand for further correction. For now, this post completes at least my first foray into the alphabet. I haven’t answered the question as yet of what will come next here beneath the Carolina moon. Another trip through the alphabet? A walk through numbers? Back to my nothing but rambling thoughts and mental sputters? I’m just not so sure at this point. One ending is always another beginning. Life and energy are cycles and circles. Unlike crop circles, they are true mysteries. There is never an ending without a beginning, even here, beneath the Carolina moon.

Posted by Dread who has entered a new cycle or perhaps has been enveloped by one. Either way, life has changed phases, but God continues to bless each day.

Yarmulke is a “Y” Word

What is interesting to me about the yarmulke is it’s widespread use by masses with very little plausible explanation. I may be offending a large population of people, whom I don’t really mean any offence to, but I bet a good whopping percent of people wearing a yarmulke (or kippah) really don’t have a clue why they wear it except to conform. I’ll leave it to Rabbi Shraga Simmons to explain it. If you’re interested in an explanation, you can find his here: Yarmulke Explained

If I read this correctly, and the good Rabbi is correct, there is no scriptural basis for the yarmulke. Hey! Maybe I’m wrong! Please correct me, and point me in the right direction (scriptural) if I am wrong. Personally, I think most people who wear the yarmulke, wear it not for the Rabbi’s explanation, but for the same reason a policeman wears a policeman’s hat. It says he’s a cop. There’s nothing wrong with that either. A lot of Christians wear crosses for the same reason. Graduates from the University of South Carolina wear USC rings, street gangs wear colors, militia wear uniforms, sports fans sport sports paraphernalia.

The point I’m getting to in all of this is that we all want a sense of belonging. It’s a basic human desire, and at the end of the day, scriptural basis or not, the yarmulke is an outward sign, and especially an inward reminder, to the wearer, that they belong and are a part of something greater than themselves, and share likeness with others.

I’ve probably managed to offend with this post, but at least, at core, they are a peaceful people who only attack when physically attacked. Ideology shouldn’t be an offence punishable by death. But danger lurks everywhere.

There’s a full moon today. 100%. And, definitely a new phase is beginning. Will it be a phase for the better or worse? I’m hopeful for the best. But, either way, life is taking a turn. Radical change is afoot. Could it be any other way here, beneath the Carolina moon?

Posted by Dread who doesn’t wear a yarmulke, a cross, a class ring, gang colors, a uniform, nor a cop hat (although he does own a Detroit Tigers cap, and is unashamed of it), but still has a sense of belonging, a sense of being one of God’s children, a sense of being forgiven his shortcomings and sins through the sacrifice of Jesus the son of God. And is still fault riddled, just forgiven, and perhaps on occasion, guided a little straighter than he would have been.

X has become an "X" Word

There was a day that there were no rating systems for movies. Then we started with the PG 13, R, X, and somehow I guess skipped over to XXX, or as its called triple X. Well I don't have anything X rated to say today except that X has now become a word on our cultural landscape. Strange that it and "A" are the only two letters that I am aware of that are actually used as words (at least in the US). While "ex", the prefix, has also become an abreviated slang word, it doesn't mean the same as X.

The pic posted today would make for a good ad for an X rated comedy, but honestly, I haven't a clue where it originated. I stole it off of another blog, a fascinating, irreverent blog by, well what else, another southerner. It's quirky. Did I have to tell you that? Check out "So Many Blessings" , and tell Ms Kessler that I sent you with my regards.

Hopefully I'll be linking her blog here more permanently. We'll see. Being a retired English teacher, she may abruptly faint at my grammar and punctuation. Or, maybe she'll just send me hate mail. Oddly enough, I haven't had any of that lately. Perhaps I could stand a good straightening out on the word X?

Posted by Dread who suspects there are proportionately as many quirky eccentrics beneath the Florida moon as there are beneath the Carolina moon, and as many X rated thoughts.

Wow is a “W” Word

It was a real hard decision to pass up Word as the “W” word, and also passing up Woman was excruciating. But I had to settle on Wow. Wow describes both Word and Woman. It also describes finally making it to numero uno in a Google search. Never mind that I actually had a web site once, on my own server, named Beneath the Carolina Moon. If you did a search on Google or any other search engine for Beneath the Carolina Moon, you would come up with a book by Nora Roberts, a store in Columbia, SC, an old song, and general gobble-de-gook, but not my web site.

Today just on impulse, I did a Google search for Beneath the Carolina Moon and taah daah! This blog is the top listing, number one, top of the heap! I’ve never been the top of the heap, even in a pile of one, so this is really something to me! Naturally I said, “Wow!” Then as I thought about it, Word is wow. Woman is wow (especially the divine Miss N). So, Wow it is for the “W” word.

Yah know there are a lot of wow things in this universe, and wow stuff, and just wowness period. God is wow. Miss N is wow. The world is a bit wow. I hope to have a wow weekend, and I imagine I will. Beginning today and then the next two days will probably be wow for me, but then those could be like, “Oh wow.” or “Wow!” Time will tell. And, the truth of the matter is, there’s a lot of wow here beneath the Carolina Moon, enough for everybody. Get your share.

Posted by Dread who has been experiencing a lot of wow coming back into his life lately. Yeah, a whole lot of wow! Thank you God for the wow! Wow!

Value is a “V” Word

If you read that quote very (another "V" word) carefully you will find it a bit confuzzling. Never mind that. You will have your own valuable idea from it, and that's what matters. I had a difficult time picking from all the worthy “V” words for a word of the day. There seems to be so many positive and beautiful “V” words. I never realized! Maybe it’s more a matter of my outlook than dictionary. Honestly I haven’t looked in the dictionary yet, but already I have; victory, vim, vigor, vitality, vivacious, voluptuous, validation, valuable, vibrant, vision, virgin, virtue, vegetables, vanilla, veracity, vigilance, vindication, virtuoso, and vacation. Yes, even vaccination is a beautiful thing. Although it can be painful to receive, it prevents disease.

Do you have any positive and beautiful “V” words to share? Then post them in the comments. Meanwhile, let your value as a human being shine in all your words, not just “V” words.

Posted by Dread, who for the last several days of rushing about, has had a need for speed, or to put it in “V” terms, a value for velocity.