WHEN in the course of human Events, it becomes necessary….
Christmas Tidings from The Essential Craftsman
byVanderleunonDecember 22, 2019
Regular readers know that I admire The Essential Craftsman on YouTube more than any other channel on that woebegone website. This is an important non-housebuilding note about family from Scott at the site with a long coda of scenes from his own family life, a family life that I often wish I had. I’d say more but it’s dusty in here right now and I can’t see the keyboar…
Very nice… thanks for the post, Gerard. One small bright Christmas tree light in all the things I am thankful for is that I get to read American Digest every day. I feel like I have a family member, far away, with a different life, but part of my family for sharing said life. Merry Christmas, Gerard.
Phil types for me. Visiting this site has a feel to it, like seeing an old friend who has great taste in music and the arts, does not suffer fools gladly, and tells great stories.
Merry Christmas Gerard and as always, thanks for everything you do. You spread grace and joy every day and that’s not nothin’.
Steve in GreensboroDecember 23, 2019, 12:53 AM
Beautiful and true. Thanks, Gerard, for everything you do and Merry Christmas.
Larry GeigerDecember 23, 2019, 6:55 AM
Of course we knew that he had a family like that. As he said, it’s a big part of what makes him who he is.
TerryDecember 23, 2019, 7:38 AM
Thank you for everything Gerard, and Merry Christmas to you.
BlogDogDecember 23, 2019, 10:27 AM
Being kin to Phil in Englewood allows me to say that more than a single member of the actual family feels like part of this vast and virtual family. We were cast out of Paradise with you but go on in the sureness of paradise in life. Merry Christmas one and all. Much love to you and for you as you move through this world.
brinsterDecember 24, 2019, 10:39 AM
Thinking back to when you died, I wondered what happened. Did he die in a car wreck? Did he just get so fed up that he said “screw this s***. I thought of Cathy Seip and her untimely demise. Can it be?
Is Gerard gone? When you returned, it was as an old friend reconnecting. Glad I was, and I know I’m not the only one.
My 70th year swiftly approaches, and I totally agree with Scott. We have a 15 month old grandson who is a total joy. He has a habit of making his poppy laugh. Love personified.
Merry Christmas to you Gerard, and to everyone who is part of the American Digest family.
Dominus vobiscum.
Real World Address for Donations, Mash Notes and Hate Mail
Gerard Van der Leun
1692 MANGROVE AVE
APT 379
Chico, Ca 95926
Green Pants Interior by Klahn
Who Am I? by Carl Sandburg
My head knocks against the stars.
My feet are on the hilltops.
My finger-tips are in the valleys and shores of universal life.
Down in the sounding foam of primal things I reach my hands and play with pebbles of destiny.
I have been to hell and back many times.
I know all about heaven, for I have talked with God.
I dabble in the blood and guts of the terrible.
I know the passionate seizure of beauty
And the marvelous rebellion of man at all signs reading “Keep Off.”
My name is Truth and I am the most elusive captive in the universe.
Duty, Beauty, Liberty, Country, Honor, Family, Faith — Plus a few simple easy to follow rules for guys
Men saw the stars at the edge of the sea
They thought great thoughts about liberty
Poets wrote down words that did fit
Writers wrote books
Thinkers thought about it
Take it where you find it
Can’t leave it alone
You will find a purpose
To carry it on
Mainly when you find it
Your heart will be strong
About it
Many’s the road I have walked upon
Many’s the hour between dusk and dawn
Many’s the time
Many’s the mile
I see it all now
Through the eyes of a child
Take it where you find it
Can’t leave it alone
You will find a purpose
To carry it on
Mainly when you find it
Your heart will be strong
About it
[Chorus]
Lost dreams and found dreams
In America
In America
In America
Lost dreams and found dreams
In America
In America
In America
And close your eyes
Leave it all for a while
Leave the world
And your worries behind
You will build on whatever is real
And wake up each day
To a new waking dream
Take it where you find it
Can’t leave it alone
You will find a purpose
To carry it on
Mainly when you find it
Your heart will be strong
About it
[Chorus]
Change, change come over
Change come over
Talkin’ about a change
Change, change
Change come over, now
Change, change, change come over
I’m gonna walk down the street
Until I see
My shining light
I’m gonna walk down the street
Until I see
My shining light
I’m gonna walk down the street
Until I see
My shining light
I’m gonna walk down the street
Until I see
My shining light
I see my light
See my light
See my shining light
I see my light
See my light
See my shining light
Gerard Van der Leun
Comments on this entry are closed.
Very nice… thanks for the post, Gerard. One small bright Christmas tree light in all the things I am thankful for is that I get to read American Digest every day. I feel like I have a family member, far away, with a different life, but part of my family for sharing said life. Merry Christmas, Gerard.
Phil types for me. Visiting this site has a feel to it, like seeing an old friend who has great taste in music and the arts, does not suffer fools gladly, and tells great stories.
Merry Christmas Gerard and as always, thanks for everything you do. You spread grace and joy every day and that’s not nothin’.
Beautiful and true. Thanks, Gerard, for everything you do and Merry Christmas.
Of course we knew that he had a family like that. As he said, it’s a big part of what makes him who he is.
Thank you for everything Gerard, and Merry Christmas to you.
Being kin to Phil in Englewood allows me to say that more than a single member of the actual family feels like part of this vast and virtual family. We were cast out of Paradise with you but go on in the sureness of paradise in life. Merry Christmas one and all. Much love to you and for you as you move through this world.
Thinking back to when you died, I wondered what happened. Did he die in a car wreck? Did he just get so fed up that he said “screw this s***. I thought of Cathy Seip and her untimely demise. Can it be?
Is Gerard gone? When you returned, it was as an old friend reconnecting. Glad I was, and I know I’m not the only one.
My 70th year swiftly approaches, and I totally agree with Scott. We have a 15 month old grandson who is a total joy. He has a habit of making his poppy laugh. Love personified.
Merry Christmas to you Gerard, and to everyone who is part of the American Digest family.
Dominus vobiscum.