Hobby http://ping.fm/KxPb2

Wood Working, Planning http://ping.fm/wfSiZ

Wood Working, Layout and Measurement http://ping.fm/z8oj9

Wood Working, Cutting http://ping.fm/BeXft

Wood Working, Shaping http://ping.fm/GlbUo

Wood Working, Joining http://ping.fm/xzyXF

Wood Working, Fastening http://ping.fm/RXVKY

Wood Working, Sanding and Clean Up http://ping.fm/2Xg4w

Most Precious Asset http://ping.fm/1NmFL

Most Precious Asset

Hi Everybody

Our most valuable asset is our most precious asset: our children. We all want to see them happy, healthy and safe. We try, with all our might, to teach them how to be happy now and how to remain happy throughout life. We know they will have to grow into well adjusted, productive  adults in order to be happy adults. The following pieces are intended to help with some of the lessons children must learn (in a FUN and EASY to remember way). I hope you enjoy them and they help you convey your points of view to your kids. These pieces will be included in a series of illustrated childrens' books as soon as all the details have been worked out. Please let me know what you think of them by responding in the comments section.

Thanks,
Randy McArthur

For The Kids, Wet Shoes http://ping.fm/Jla6r

For The Kids, Cool To BE Clean http://ping.fm/IkvmQ

For The Kids, Safe Place

Safe Place

 

Please learn this lesson

Make friends with discretion

Adult strangers, don’t you ever talk to

You don’t know who they are

You don’t know what they want

And there’s no telling what they might do

 

If candy is mentioned

They’re evil intentioned

You should run to the nearest safe place

Pleas scream and yell on the way

Do exactly what I say

And then try to remember their face

 

The problem you see

Is MONSTERS! Can look like you and me

Very normal and so ordinary

But really they’re not

And they’ll do God knows what

For children, that’s very scary

 

So when you’re not at home

With your friends, or alone

Of your surroundings, be very aware

To strangers don’t talk

And be careful where you walk

And listen only, to people who care

 

Sometimes it is true

You have to watch for you

I say this with respect and love

When you are all alone

Or away from home

It’s you, you need to take care of

 

 

Randy McArthur

 

 

For The Kids, Wherever It Goes

Wherever it Goes

 

I follow my nose

Wherever it goes

It keeps me out of trouble

When some things we fear

I cannot see clear

It warns me on the double

 

Like smoke in a room

Before a ka-boom

That none of us can see

It’s hidden by the door

And burning much more

My nose is telling me

 

The message is clear

I must flee from here

A fire! Is on the way

So outside I go

To the place that we know

Where my parents told me to stay

 

My parents meet me

Under the tree

That I do love to climb

To find it’s not hard

It’s in the backyard

I can find it every time

 

So there we all stay

It’s no time to play

We have to stay still and wait

Waiting what for?

I need patience, lots more

It’s fire trucks

We anticipate

 

Soon a siren we hear

The trucks must be near

That didn’t take too long

Now you can see

Why we should stay by the tree

Leaving it would be wrong

 

 Now the firemen jump out

We give them a shout

“Hooray! We’re so glad you came”

Our house is on fire

The flames rising higher

But they run in just the same

 

When the firemen ran in

Dad said with a grin

“They will put out the flames”

In ran four

Then came some more

They never told me their names

 

At the tree, we stood near

Feeling both dread and fear

For all of the firemen sake

Heat you could see

Fire you could hear

Hot enough, to bake a cake

 

After a bit

Those flames did submit

And a fireman did reappear

His hat was still smoking

But he was not choking

He sang out “all is clear”

 

Please pardon me

If I scared you, you see

I didn’t mean any harm

This had to seem real

It was a fire drill

Not just a false alarm

 

 

 Randy McArthur

 

 

 

 

For The Kids And Everyone Else, Po http://ping.fm/zZm2Y

For The Kids And Everyone Else, Po

Potatoes and Fried Chicken

 

Potatoes and fried chicken

Are good for dinner

Add some fine gravy

And you have a winner

Start with a salad

To balance the meal

The food smells so good

Your hunger is real

Tell the cook thank you

With genuine zeal

 

For fun add a bun

With hot melted butter

There’ll be excitement

You’ll feel your heart flutter

Let there thanks

In the words that you utter

But don’t speak with your mouth full

You’ll only mutter and stutter

 

The blessing is done

And it’s time to eat

Potatoes and chicken

What a tasty good treat

I do love fried food

It can’t ever be beat

If I do clean my plate

That’d be a great feat

And I’ll get desert

Something chocolate and sweet

 

We don’t eat like this

Each and everyday

We usually eat

In a healthier way

From nutritious food

We seldom stray

 

 Eat too much fried food

And one day they’ll say

What did him in, he put on his tray

With his own life, he did not have to pay

If he’d had a good diet

He’d be here today

Instead up to heaven

He’s now on his way

 

The healthy way to eat

Is a well balanced diet

Please don’t make fun of it

Until you can try it

All that you eat

Try not to fry it

It might taste good

But too soon you’ll buy it

 

That trip up to heaven

Too soon you’ll fly it

A bad eating habit

You must try to defy it

And there is no way

That you can deny it

 

 

 Randy McArthur

 

 

For The Kids, Sharing

Sharing

 

Ice cream and apples

Or even pink snapples

All make for a wonderful treat

When you share them with friends

The fun never ends

It’s a feeling that cannot be beat

 

It shows when you share

That you really do care

About a good friend’s

Immediate need

There’s a lesson you’ve learned

Friendship can only be earned

And your heart isn’t darkened by greed

 

The best thing is knowing

It keeps your heart growing

When you freely give

Something away

You’ll feel your heart getting bigger

In your life it will trigger

True happiness, every day

 

Now that you get it

There’s no need to sweat it, you’ll have friends

Who will share back with you

It’s some what you think

And more what you say

But mostly, what you choose to do

 

You can take great satisfaction

You’ll get a terrific reaction

From yourself

And everyone that you know

Your life will be more fulfilling

And you’ll just be stone cold chilling

Any time, any place that you go

 

 

 Randy McArthur

 

 

For The Kids, Chores

Chores

 

Hobble dee hook and goble dee gook

It’s just what it sounds like to me

When my children complain

Yet their chores still remain

To be finished, oh can’t you see

 

My children so dear

The time has come near

To go and clean up your room

Put the trash in the can

That would be a good plan

Then you can vacuum or broom

 

There’s no need to complain

When your chores still remain

All of us, have work to be done

Do your chores quick

That’s the first trick

Get finished, the go have some fun

 

There are more tricks than one

To keeping chores on the run

Here’s another, I have for you

It’s a real time saver

Do yourself a favor

We can call it trick number two

 

When you’re playing in your room

And you need to get a broom

Because a small mess, has clearly been made

Go ahead and get it clean

Do you know what I mean?

And you’ll have it, made in the shade

 

When you have gotten through

With trick number two

Trick three is there for your pleasure

Take care of the trash situation

Without hesitation

And you can clean up, at your own leisure

 

 Now for trick number four

Concerning counter tops

And the floor

Your mom won’t have to look sickly

If, when you spill what you’re drinking

You clean it up without thinking

Just make sure that you clean it up quickly

 

That’s enough for today

Now run off and play

Next time, we’ll start with trick five

If you’ll clean as you go

Good habits will grow

And you will be able to thrive

You will not merely survive

 

 

Randy McArthur

 

 

For the Kids, Playtime http://ping.fm/Jpopm

For The Kids, Playtime

Playtime

 

Playtime is fun

It’s really a treat

You can swing on a swing set

Or run with your feet

Or sit in the sandbox, with a new friend

When you’re at playtime

Friendships begin

 

You can play different games

With different names too

You can play with Bob and Gloria

And Ted Bartholomew

You can climb on the monkey bars until you see stars

Or sit back and pretend

You’re driving race cars

 

Playtime can be

Great exercise

It will increase

Your muscles’ strength and size

Never let your game controls

Be your only master

Sitting on your rear all day

Leads to disaster

Please go outside and play

And feel your heart beat faster

 

If your parents will abide

You might go to the park

Where there’s stuff to ride

And climb until dark

Sliding down the slide

Is really such a lark

 

After you slide

Ride the merry go round

Until you are dizzy

And falling on the ground

Or play a game of kickball

It’s fun for one and all

But you’d better get busy

Night is gonna fall

 

 When your ball game is done

And you're still having fun

Play hide and seek

Out there in the sun

First you will hide

Then you will run

If you are "IT"

Just start by counting

It's so much fun

The excitement is mounting

When you have finished

Then open your eyes

Then you will start looking

For all girls and guys

The one that you catch

Will get a big surprise

 

Now that playtime is over

It’s time to go in

To do your homework

And make your brain spin

Back to your lessons

As we all know

Homework is exercise

It will help your brain to grow

 

 

 Randy McArthur

 

 

 

For The Kids, Bees http://ping.fm/SufFk

For The Kids, Sharing http://ping.fm/xIbtH

For the Kids, Lunch Time http://ping.fm/7vvYH

Hobby

Hi Everybody,

Everybody needs a hobby. Something that you do for the pure pleasure of doing it. Something that you simply love to do without any consideration given to profitability or productivity. For some it's cooking, for others it's gardening, for others it's collecting things, etc. In fact, it can be anything, you choose. As long as, it does not become work. Once it has become work, it's just one more obligation that has to be satisfied and will no longer be satisfying, as a process, to you as a human being. On the other hand, once upon a time, my hobby was my job. I love working with wood and was a carpenter years ago. Now, I make things for the pure enjoyment of seeing them come together. Over the past 30 years and by virtue of a mountain of mistakes, I've become pretty good at it and would like to share some of the things I've learned with you. Please read the next 7 articles and respond in the comments section with any questions you have.

Thanks,
Randy McArthur

Wood Working, Planning

Hi Everybody,

When starting a project, the first thing to do is to decide what you want the finished product to be, right down to the final step of completion. For example; when adding wood to a room the first thing to decide is whether you want to paint the wood or stain the wood. This decision changes everything, from your materials choices to the methods you will use to fasten boards together and to the walls. After you have picked a finish, start thinking about the features you want in your room. Consider vertical features first. For the sake of demonstration, let's say your room is a den or living room. Pick features that will enhance the daily activities you perform in your den or living room. Here are some examples. If you like to sit by the window and read, you need a built in window seat and some built in book cases. If you like to watch T.V. and collect D.V.D's,  you need a built in entertainment center with adequate, organized, storage for your, ever growing, collection. If you collect and display collectibles such as; antique dolls, sports memorabilia, crystal figurines, dishes from places you've been or anything else for that matter. You need built in display cases that are customized to facilitate and accentuate the pieces you want to display. After you have decided on vertical features.you can start to think about choosing horizontal wall treatments like; wainscoting, multiple piece or single piece crown molding, wall panels, multiple piece or single piece chair rail and baseboard. At this point, I want to make you aware of something that most people don't consider. You can make some of your own pieces in order to give your own project it's own personality. Read the article on shaping.  I hope this has been enough to get your creative juices flowing. Please respond in the comments section with any questions that you have.

Thanks,
Randy McArthur 

Wood working, Layout and Measurement

Hi Everybody,

DON'T buy anything until you have completed your layout. Once you have decided to do a project in your, let's say, den or living room and you have planned it right down to the final step of completion, you are ready to, physically, lay out your idea. This step will allow you to; better anticipate problems, visualize the finished project, do a materials take-off and estimate cost. You will need; a chalk straight line, a 4 foot level, a pocket level, a speed square, a framing square, a pencil, a utility knife, a ladder ( 4 foot will work for up to 9 foot ceiling height, you just need to be able to comfortably reach the ceiling) a tool belt and a construction calculator, unless, you are very good with math or you are already familiar with converting a 1/10 scale to a to a 1/12 scale to a 1/16 scale. The layout step is the step in which you physically mark the locations of vertical features, horizontal wall treatments and horizontal moldings. First locate and mark all vertical features but consider the verticals contained within a horizontal treatment, such as wainscoting, to be a part of a horizontal treatment not a vertical member. Do not locate and mark them at this time. After laying out all the verticals. lay out the horizontals. Tip: Use the squares and levels as little as possible. Use them only to check existing conditions or when you have a mid-wall stand alone feature. Wherever possible, pull equal distances from a fixed plane like a wall, the floor or the ceiling. This will keep your reveals (margins) consistent. Now that you have marked everything, pop your lines and go to the store. If you plan to paint, buy 110% of your total measurements. If you plan to stain your project, purchase 120% of your total measurements. For a painted project, buy finger joint wood. For a stained project, you must buy clear wood. Please respond in the comments section with any questions you have.

Thanks,
Randy McArthur

 

Wood Working, Cutting

Hi Everybody,

Now that you have laid out your project, and you have purchased your materials, you can start cutting the pieces for your built-ins. Remember, do your built-ins and other vertical members first because they are the termination points for the horizontal treatments. The built- ins, when installed, become the corners of your walls. To cut your built-ins and your wall treatments, you will need; a sliding compound miter saw, a hand-held circular saw, a sabre saw band saw or scroll saw, a drill for stuff like starter holes for grommets and a coping saw. If you will contact me, via the comments section, I will teach you how to cut and cope molding. Things like; which board to cut loose, which board to cut tight, how to measure on the wall, how to measure on the saw, how to place a bundle of wood on the floor such that you are only flipping boards from back to front instead of spinning them around from end to end (picture spinning every other 16 foot long piece of crown molding and base board around, over your head, in order to be able to make your cut), how to place wood on the saw, how to burn an inch on short point cuts so you can pull primarily from one direction and how to nip and cope profiles. In addition, I will teach you how to do the math needed to pull a measurement one time on the wall, then go to the saw, and measure and cut ALL the pieces you need to create multiple piece molding details. Please contact me with any questions you have.

Thanks,
Randy McArthur

An Observation, Bubble http://ping.fm/n7QmE

A Reminder For The Kids, Friends http://ping.fm/bPs2P

Something To Think About, Storms http://ping.fm/H4PTP

Something To Think About Especially in Wake Co NC, One Generation http://ping.fm/BxlSY

Child Safety, Safe Place http://ping.fm/AF4CT

Wood Working, Shaping

Hi Everybody,

How would you like to make your project truly, uniquely yours? It's a lot easier than you think and can be done with, as little as, one tool. That tool is a hand held router. You can easily learn to shape the front edge of any board with a hand held router. Now days, you can go to any home improvement store and find a huge selection of router bits that can yield an infinite number of profiles (shapes) when used alone or in association with one another. From simple round over bits to bits that can create raised panels, The choice is yours. This is where I get excited! If you will spend a few hundred dollars on a router, router bits and some wood to practice on (I suggest 1x6), you can create works of art that look like they costs a few thousand dollars with a hand held router. You just need to be willing to make a few mistakes. It's easy to use. Most mistakes are made in the deciding of which joints should be shaped and then assembled and which joints should be assembled and then shaped. Make a few mistakes and you'll see exactly what I mean. Please respond in the comments section with any questions that you have.

Thanks,
Randy McArthur

Wood Working, Joining

Hi Everybody,

Joining boards together is the step, in wood working, in which most mistakes are made.In my opinion, it's because, as human beings, we're so busy thinking about what we are doing that we don't think about what we're going to do next. When building anything, always remember the cardinal rule of joinery, fasteners fasten and structural members bare weight. If you are building a display case for your most prized possessions, take the weight of your possessions into consideration. Then, design a structural support system sufficient to bare the weight of the displayed items forever. Well, nothing lasts forever, but you get the picture. The system can be something as simple as cleats glued and stapled to the shell or something as intricate as a mortise system that is still adjustable. Also, keep in mind the fact that every blemish you create is a blemish that you will have to treat, before you paint or stain. Try to minimize the obtrusiveness of the support system. On the other hand, form must always follow function. Please respond with any questions that you have in the comments section.

Thanks,
 Randy McArthur

Wood Working, Fastening

Hi Everybody,

Most residential buildings are framed of wood. The best way to fasten wood to the interior walls of a wood framed building is with pneumatic nails, pneumatic staples and construction adhesive. You will need; a nail gun that can shoot, up to, 2 and 1/2 inch finish nails, a staple gun that can shoot, at least, a 3/4 inch narrow crown staple, a pin nailer/brad nailer that will shoot nails ranging in length from 3/4 of an inch to 1 and 1/4 inches, an air compressor to power your guns, a stud finder to locate framing members to nail to, a 1/8 inch pin punch with a shaft long enough to drive a nail all the way through the materials you are using, a wonder bar for working inside corner and flat stock joints (a wonder bar is a very small flat pry bar), a pocket level to check level and plumb from time to time, an adhesive gun (caulking gun), construction adhesive, nails and staples. While in most cases, you will be able to find a framing member, from which to pull a layout (99'9% of all residential framing layouts are spaced at 16 inches center to center),  in some cases it isn't there. For example; when installing 3 piece crown molding along the walls that run parallel to the ceiling joists, the backer board that goes on the ceiling is usually placed too far away from the wall to be nailed to the dead wood that the sheet rock is nailed to. The only effective way to fasten these boards to the ceiling is to apply construction adhesive to the ceiling and staple the board in place. the staples will hold the board in place until the glue dries. You will use your staple gun in all applications that require you to install lineal pieces parallel to the framing members, like the verticals in wainscoting. When installing any lineal pieces, remember to make your joints before you nail the board in place completely or you will spend a lot of frustrating time and effort driving nails through boards in order to be able to move them again. It's easy. Literally, do not work yourself into a corner. When you are coming to a corner, leave enough or the board loose to be able to move that board and the next board at the same time. Make the joint, switch to your pin nailer/brad nailer, nail the joint together where possible (it's not always possible), switch back to your nail gun, nail the joint to the wall on both sides, then reach back and finish nailing the first board in place. This method applies to; some inside corners, all outside corners, all flat stock butt joints and all mid run splice joints.Please respond in the comments section with any questions that you have. By the way, no wood working project is finished until it has been appropriately sanded. So, don't forget to sand.

Thanks,
Randy McArthur

Wood Working, Sanding and Clean up

Hi Everybody,

No wood working project is finished until it is appropriately sanded and cleaned. Sand all joints as needed. Some joints, like mid run splice joints, may need to be sanded with two different power tools and then touched up by hand. Other joints, like inside molding joints, such as inside crown molding and base board corners, seldom need to be sanded at all. Flat stock butt joints, like the joints in true wainscoting, usually can be quickly sanded with a random orbit sander. This is what you will need. You will need; a right angle grinder, a random orbit sander, a variety pack of sheet sand paper ranger in grit from 80 grit to 220 grit, 40 to 80 grit discs for the grinder and 120 grit to 220 discs for the sander. Here are a few words to the wise. Don't use a belt sander on your built-ins unless you already own one and know how to use it. You will cut noticeable grooves in the flat surfaces that will turn into noticeable waves when you try to fix them with the random orbit sander. The right angle grinder is for the first sanding of the mid run splice joints only. If and only if, they need to be shaped up a bit before they are sanded with the random orbit sander. That grinder takes wood away VERY quickly and will ruin your beautiful work, if you aren't careful. Sand all other molding profiles by hand or you will destroy some of the definition before you know it. You can clean up your project while you are sanding. Cleaning up your project amounts to adding a nail where one is needed and setting every nail that needs to be set. Please respond with any questions that you have in the comments section.

Thanks,
Randy McArthur

For The Children-Wherever It Goes http://ping.fm/0Lie0

For The Children-Chores http://ping.fm/UsEj2

For The Children-Playtime http://ping.fm/eeTbQ

The Modern World's Choice

Weber, Marx and Utopia

The Modern World's Choice

 

All human existence consist of a series of choices. whether it is choosing what to have for dinner or choosing to believe or not to believe in the concept of an immortal soul. The individual and the group, as a whole, must decide which option is best for them. Then, they must choose a course of action. In the second half of the nineteenth century two socioeconomic theories emerged that set the stage for all modern, civilized systems of government. Set- par, both theories are valid in theory and theory only. In application, neither provides an environment in which a definitive axiology can be developed for the conceptual basis of government in a truly civilized and productive society. But if blended appropriately and applied accordingly we,as human beings, could create the most productive and civilized society the world has ever seen.

 

The first theory is expressed in "The Communist Manifesto." (1848, Karl Marx) The Marxist theory emphasises the inevitability of a proletarian revolution against the bourgeoisie (who have absorbed the landowner class by the time of the revolution due to their common interests) that will be won by the proletariat. The proletarian revolution is triggered by their overwhelming dissatisfaction with the continued deterioration of the exploited working class's condition. Finally, bringing forth the collapse of all social structure. In this scenario, a proletarian dictatorship would govern temporarily leading to a stateless, classless society called "Pure Communism". I pose two questions to you. What will motivate (excluding coercion and collapse) the individual leaders of the new dictatorship to yield power and property i.e. control to the masses? Second, is a stateless society even a society, if so, who provides remedies?

 

The second theory is expressed in "The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism".(1905, Max Weber) The Weberian theory emphasises the relationship between protestantism and the Divine justification of "Capitalist Accumulation". Weber observed that protestant communities possessed higher levels of productivity and thriftiness than catholic communities because they have different religious beliefs, and therefore, employed a different ethos in their daily lives. One such protestant belief is the ethic of "Godliness". Through humble dedication to one's beruf (calling, duty, task), higher levels of productivity are consequently achieved. The ethic of "Godliness" coupled with the protestant ideals that unnecessary expenditure and lavish display are inherently sinful created the work and save ethic that gave rise to capitalism. In theory, while greed may be a propagator, wise prudent and altruistic stewardship of accumulated assets is the ultimate goal of capitalism. I pose two questions to you. Taking for granted, that the most affluent individuals in any society control said society and considering the acquisitive nature of capitalism, how is acquisition at the disproportionate expense of that society's weakest members prevented? Second, how is the effectiveness of remedies measured and by whom?

 

For some reason the popular perception of these two theories is that they are mutually exclusive. I don't believe they are. Consider the first line of chapter of "The Communist Manifesto" (actual title: "Manifesto of the Communist Party") and the first sentence of "The Protestant Ethic and The Spirit of Capitalism" as observations and nothing more. While "The Manifesto" is a much more advocative work than "The Protestant Ethic", The Manifesto's" first line is merely an observation. It reads: "The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles". Marx is observing the fact that subsets of all human existence have always pitted themselves one against the other. The first sentence of "The Protestant Ethic" states: "A glance at the occupation statistics of any country of mixed religious composition brings to light with remarkable frequency a situation which several times provoked discussion in the Catholic press and literature, and in Catholic congresses in Germany, namely, the fact that business leaders and owners of capital, as well as the higher grades of skilled labour, and even more the higher technically and commercially trained personnel of modern enterprises, are overwhelmingly Protestant." Weber is observing the fact that certain subsets of human existence have the ability to acquire and accumulate more worldly assets than other subsets because they subscribe to a different ethos. If these observations are viewed together, as equal parts of the same problem, there is but one obvious solution. "Love thy neighbor as thyself".

 

Both theories neglect the significance of human nature as an unpredictable variable that must be applied when observing human existence. As a species, if we expect to survive, we must find a way to apply the better points of both theories, which will simultaneously, reward exemplary performance and maintain an acceptable minimum standard of living for the weakest members of society. Absolute parity is an unachievable goal. There will never be two chickens in every pot. Those who have five chickens and feel deserving of six will always want seven and never settle for four. No matter who starves to death. On the other hand, there never should be a pot without one chicken. Once we remember that no child should go to bed hungry (assuming we remember every child should have a bed) and the only way to measure the degree to which a society is civilized is to analyze the condition of it's weakest members, then and only then, we can develop an axiology on which to base the diagram for the most productive and civilized society the world has ever seen. To be followed by the development and installation of a government that will actively protect the values, goals and accomplishments of our new society by our permission. It starts with each one of us. What are you going to choose?

 

Randy McArthur

Great Day

Hi Everybody,

What a great day to be breathing
Never get discouraged
You don't know, what you'll soon be receiving
Think about when the pressure's gone
Won't that be relieving
For now, keep on pressing on
And always keep believing

As loving, leading parents, we all feel the need to talk with our kids. We want to teach them how to make good choices and how to avoid making mistakes. All we're trying to do is to give our children as many chances as possible to be happy, well adjusted, productive members of society. We know it starts with talking with them instead of talking at them. Sounds easy, right? So how does one motivate their children to listen? I think that depends on the child more than the parent and starts with listening to our children.

Thanks,
Randy McArthur

P.S.: I found a way to break the ice with my kids. I write something for them about the topic I want to discuss. Then I let them respond to what I have written. I always welcome all advice. Please  
        let me know what you think.

For my Daughter-Thoughts

Thoughts

 

Don’t hold the pen so tightly

It’s not going anywhere

If you’ll loosen your grip slightly

It eliminates some of the fear

Just express yourself politely

Use the thought that’s presently near

Or say it quite contritely

But please keep your true message clear

 You can use the pen to tell stories

Lament and testify

You can give God all his due glories

And find your souls true eye

Or just pen something funny

It’s really such a breeze

You could write about a bunny

Speaking in Portuguese

 Give your thoughts some freedom

When you sit down to write

They’ll go right where you lead them

Taking instant flight

Thoughts are just like babies

You don’t know where they’ll go

Filled with wondrous maybes

Sit back and watch them grow

 Point them in the right direction

And let them choose their path

Soon you’ll have a collection

Both for crying and a laugh

Entirely your own selection

You don’t even need any math

Your thoughts are your own

But they may be on loan

Be diligent with your craft

                                                                                                 Randy McArthur

 

 

 

 

 

 

For my Daughter-Pretty Young Girl

Pretty Young Girl

Annie’s a pretty young teenage girl

Who is now developing a body

She’ll get anything she wants from the world

Oh no, we’re raising a hottie

 

I remember when you were my little my girl

So precocious and so sweet

We’d play games like get out of here

And walking down the street

 

For me, those times, great though they were

Now I can only confess

They’ve passed us by just like a blur

In no time at all, more or less

 

Annie, you’ll be dating soon

In two years or a little more

It already makes me want to swoon

 And pass out upon the floor

With this I’ll try so hard to deal

Please have some patience with me

Don’t do anything to make me ill

And trusting, I shall be

 

Already, the boys like you a lot

This is easy to tell

I didn’t like Trevor all that much

But I do think Allen is swell

Just be careful in how you act

And establish clear expectations

Let the boys know right from the start

There will be no sexual relations

 

What I want to say to you

In this, my little rhyme

Is really, it matters just what you do

It only takes one time

So listen only to the people you trust

And please, do heed their voices

Life comes down to, know if you must

A handful of very big choices

 

I love you Goose, as you grow every single day. I’m proud of you in every single way.

Love,

             Dad                                                                       Randy McArthur

 

For my Daughter-Changes

Changes

I have a teen age daughter

Her name is Emily Anne

I’m trying my best to teach her

Everything I possibly can

 

I guess I’d call her a rage'r

She’s smart, cute and funny

She’s my final teen-ager

I hope her days are sunny

 

She’s growing up and changing

Right in front of my eyes

Her priorities, she’s rearranging

She’s started talking to guys

She now has her first real boyfriend

He’s Allen Tucker and here’s the truth

First came Trevor

Who thought he was clever

But he was only aloof

 

Annie’s a little different

She has her own unique style

It’s in the way that she dresses

And what she confesses

When we are talking a while

I love to hear her smile

 

She just needs to find

 Her own path to follow

The choice is all up to her

Wrong choices, her life will be hollow

And time will have passed like a blur

That will be hard to swallow

 

So Annie please pay attention

To everything that you choose

Oh please just let me mention

This is the way you don’t lose

Think about it for a minute

It really isn’t news

 

God, life and everything else is your choice Annie. I love you so much.

Peace we out,

Dad

 

 

Randy McArthur

 

 

 

For my Son-At 20

At 20

Funny thing, I started writing today

A free verse letter to my son

Finally, I know what to say

He creates my inspiration

And stimulates my imagination

It’s innate, his own special way

 

He is 20 years old and ahead of the game

But wonders what the world has in store

I’m 45 and doing the same

When he gets a little, he always wants more

He’ll do just fine, he’ll make his name

Like an eagle I know he will soar

 

His journey’s just started

From our house he departed

He has actually turned 21

Now don’t get out smarted

And don’t be retarded

I keep my eye on my only son

I know he’s cool headed and always strong hearted

But it’s over when the damage is done

 

I’ve been proud of his choices

And the opinions he voices

Did I mention? He plays the drums

He’s a scholar a worker and surely no shirker

And he does not hang out with bums

I even like all of his chums

 

  Norman R. Mc Arthur

 

 

For my Son-Enemy

Enemy

No doubt there can be no doubt

It is your biggest enemy

It will only bastardize your dreams

And give you good excuses it seems

Doubt will make you a peasant

Instead of taking your rightful place as king

 

You’ll believe lies and you will follow fools

You’ll let other people

Make up all your rules

You’ll begin to exist

Instead of really living

The world will sorely miss

What you are capable of giving

 

From the gutter to a gangster

Is a path that you could choose

Or total ruination

With loose women, drugs and booze

Don’t pick false elation

You cannot afford to lose

 

Or you could be a doctor

Holier than thou

Feeling like a god

All I’ll say is wow

We all know you can do it

It’s up to your belief

When doubting just say screw it

Don’t borrow any grief

 

Or maybe a great drummer

In a famous band

Believe in what you do

I hope you understand

The choice is up to you

It determines where you’ll land

Flat down on your face

Or with the whole world in your hand

 

 Now it’s time to go

I’ve given my advice

I hope you’ve listened to it

And will think about it twice

You can have your dreams

It’s totally up to you

It’s only like it seems

It depends on what you do

 

For: My Hero, My Friend, My Son, Randy

 

 Randy McArthur

 

                                                  

 

 

For my Son-Take a Minute

Take a Minute

You’re trying too hard, you’re working too well

You’re making all the right moves

Soon you’ll have a better story to tell

About all of your newly found grooves

We all love you Randy and wish you the best

We want you to succeed

Funny thing is, I must confess

It has nothing to do with greed

It can only be measured by your happiness

And fulfilling your every need

 

True success is hard to achieve

Living in perpetual hurry

Just pray for patience and you will receive

Blessings and won’t have to worry

Slow down and relax and try to believe

It’ll happen in one quick flurry

 

Slow down and give yourself a minute to think

You’ll be surprised by what you realize

Relax it’ll take you less than a blink

And your pathway will arise, right in front of your eyes

Your dreams will grow and your problems will shrink

Because you took time to self analyze

 

It will give you a chance to plan in advance

Your actions to the smallest detail

You’ll learn to trust you in everything that you do

It will reduce your options to fail

 

Knowing yourself helps you find your grind

And develop your own unique flow

Do what you love and thank heaven above

At 20, you already know

It’s not only about the dough

 

When there’s less urgency there’s more concentrating

Learn yourself and make God a friend

Life won’t be so frustrating

You will be creating

The situation you want in the end

Your days will be elating and never deflating

And you’ll never have to pretend

 

It’ll all come Randy.

Your Dad,

Randy McArthur