James Pyles's Blog, page 118
October 15, 2018
The Emulation of Keekik
The other local farmers had an easement agreement with Straen so they could cross his land and water their herds, but Keekik’s passionate desire for emulation put him above the law, or so he believed. True, he had no herds of his own, being only sixteen, and a stable hand on Logi’s farm, but now, […]
Quoting: Courage Creates Greatness
Courage is the quality of great people. More accurately it is a quality that creates greatness. It is the quality of Abraham who recognized the Creator and was willing to give his life for this awareness. It is the quality of Moses who approached Pharaoh and told him, “Let my people go.” It is the […]
October 14, 2018
The New Dragon Saga: Reversal
Chapter 5: Estaban’s finger poised over the trigger as he pointed the handgun at the little boy and his baby sister. His back was to the paralyzed Landon and Steve, but the wizards could imagine the wicked grin on the villain’s face as he was just seconds away from killing the teenage sorcerer’s childhood self. […]
Far From The One You Love
“You get a strange feeling when you’re about to leave a place, like you’ll not only miss the people you love but you’ll miss the person you are now at this time and place because you’ll never be this way ever again.” -Azar Nafisi “You said that to me right before I moved away.” Alex […]
Quoting: Learn from Chess
We should be careful of our actions in life, just as a person playing chess thinks carefully before making any move. Always weigh what you are planning, to see if you might later regret your move. In a game of chess, which has no major ramifications in a person’s life whether he wins or loses, […]
October 13, 2018
Pre-Review Jitters
I’ll have to keep this relatively short since I promised my wife I’d help her in the yard this afternoon. I tend to “catch up” on movies after they’ve left the theater by renting the DVDs from the public library. Even if the film is a stinker, I’m not out a dime, though I’ll never […]
The Secret of NYU Flight 4
“Weather balloon my ass,” groused Bill Brazel, who was the first to find the wreckage. “Ain’t no weather balloon with all that machinery attached.” “You settle down and eat your dinner and don’t stick your nose in the government’s business.” Bill’s wife Ethel sat down at the table with her own plate of stew. “Trying […]
Quoting: Pray to Overcome Sadness
Use prayer to help overcome sadness. Talk to the Almighty in your own language. Tell Him how awful you feel. Ask Him for the strength to cope with your present difficulties, and to grow from them. -from Rabbi Zelig Pliskin’s “Gateway to Happiness,” p.180
October 12, 2018
Brothers
“One for sorrow, two for mirth.” Tom raised his flagon of ale at the bar, smiling at his brother. “Aye, brother. Here’s to mirth.” Chris raised his as well and clumsily pressed the two together. Then they both drained their drinks by half and slammed them down on the counter before them. Tom leaned over […]
Quoting: Bring It Home
The mitzvah to develop our character is the mitzvah to “walk in the ways of our Creator.” Viewing events and situations in this light will elevate the mundane, for in the ultimate view of life nothing is mundane. Every moment presents its unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. By acting and reacting in ways that are kind, compassionate, […]
