Summer's Snare

Sitting in class
nothing is retaining
the vibration of vocal chords projected loudly; eardrums numb, and sound waves resigning.
Two more weeks says the inner voice within,
two more weeks until I'm free again.
The Summers snare makes restless students wait.
Sitting in class
nothing is retaining.
the teacher, bloviating.
Must finish strong, but one may struggle, stumble and stagger.
Keep the end in sight, survive this long fortnight.
Sun's warmth beyond brick walls, warm and bright
I hear the distant song that calls;
that of birds and bugs amongst the trees, singing happily in the hasty breeze.
Sitting in class
nothing is retaining
if only these two weeks were quickly fading.
Summers snare is hard to persist
a temptation;
one can hardly ever resist.

The Great Outdoors

In the great outdoors we can find peace and tranquility. As I stood at the edge of the slopping bank, looking out into the setting sun, I was in the perfect place. This place is Oakwood Lake State Park just north of Volga, South Dakota. It may not be equivalent to the great Black Hills, but for the eastern side of the state this place is a small paradise. The trees bare, but budding with the changing season, the cacophony of geese, ducks, and birds overhead brought me back to that simple peace that the outdoors can never get old.
As the Sun was receding ever so smoothly into the western sky the dark of Night was on us quickly. The fire, starting small in size, grew to warm the faces of four men with each snap, crackle, and pop. The taste of fire roasted hot dogs and marshmallows were on the menu for the night. As Night progressed and the pile of wood became increasingly thin, the Stars became alive in the sky. With no moon to overpower their glow, they gave us a window to the galaxies far away. I stood watching in anticipation for one to fall, but with no avail, no stars would depart this night.
Stories of old and new were told, laughter, smiles, and the smell of a good cigar and the occasional American Spirit filed the air. It was a peaceful night in the great state of South Dakota. In the words my roommate put it, “If one is not content right now, they never will be.”
The great South Dakota poet laureate, Badger Clark comes to mind, and his poem “A Cowboy's Prayer.”

Oh Lord, I've never lived where churches grow. I loved creation better as it
stood That day You finished it so long ago And looked upon Your work and called
it good. I know that others find You in the light That's sifted down through
tinted window panes, And yet I seem to feel You near tonight In this dim, quiet
starlight on the plains.
I thank You, Lord, that I am placed so well, That
You have made my freedom so complete; That I'm no slave of whistle, clock or
bell, Nor weak-eyed prisoner of wall and street, Just let me live my life as
I've begun And give me work that's open to the sky; Make me a pardner of the
wind and sun, And I won't ask a life that's soft or high.
Let me be easy on
the man that's down; Let me be square and generous with all. I'm careless
sometimes, Lord, when I'm in town, But never let 'em say I'm mean or small! Make
me as big and open as the plains, As honest as the hawse between my knees, Clean
as the wind that blows behind the rains, Free as the hawk that circles down the
breeze!
Forgive me, Lord, if sometimes I forget. You know about the reasons
that are hid. You understand the things that gall and fret; You know me better
than my mother did. Just keep an eye on all that's done and said And right me,
sometimes, when I turn aside, And guide me down the long, dim trail ahead That
stretches upward toward the Great Divide.

Book Addict

As a child growing up, I remember the summer days where I found myself saying “I’m bored.” I do not know if you ever had this happen to you, but I am sure at some point in our lives we have been there. Whenever I would say this, I would get the reverberating response from my mother, “Charlie pick up a book and read!”
In my younger years I never really enjoyed reading. I wasn’t always against the idea of it, but I just never really had a love of reading. This part of my life has changed. I can remember the exact summer I began to enjoy diving into a book. I was reading a book over the summer for school titled: Giants in the Earth by Ole Rolvaage. This was the first time I actually started to enjoy reading (great book by the way). Why was this a trigger for my joy of reading? I have yet to understand but maybe it was the feeling of accomplishment to actually finish a book, as well as, submerging myself into a world full of adventure and excitement.
After this summer, reading slowly became a hobby. I found myself buying a multitude of books (faster than I can read them) and soaking in the stories within the pages; to name a few: Treasure Island, Peace Like a River, 1984, Catch 22, and Angels and Demons. Reading has been a new inspiration of mine. I can now say that I really, truly, love to read. My mind is constantly churning for a new good story, whether it is intellectually stimulating or just a simple minded mystery. I should really give thanks to all those English teachers (including my mother) who taught me and motivated me to read. If they were not there in my early years nagging me consistently, I would not be typing this blog tonight.
Read, Read, Read. I am currently reading a book by Matthew Kelly called The Rhythm of Life: Living Everyday with Passion & Purpose. So far I am impressed by every page. One particular chapter he talks about books and how reading books is one way to help feed our intellectual hunger. During this chapter one paragraph caught my attention:
“Books change our lives. Begin your own Great Books collection. Choose books that will help you to achieve your essential purpose and become the-best-version-of-yourself. Make daily reading one of the defining habits of your life.”
I could not have said it better myself. As a senior in college, I have come to know and appreciate reading for fun. I could consume my entire day in a good book, but of course I must stick to my class work too. I just want to say do not be lazy and say you are “bored.” Instead of turning on the tube, pick up a book and stimulate that brain a little more, but don’t take my word for it.

Charlie Pugsley