Timothy J. Pruitt's Blog, page 419

The Sea Horse: The Society Of Thieves

  “Groups have romanticized origins, but I can only report what I was told.  Many years ago, our leader was a Frenchman.  He worked for the King Of France. His position was that of a land based privateer. At least, that’s what the King called it.  Others called him a thief, so he formed the Voleurs Société, or the Society Of Thieves.  Whole unrelated families joined the organization.  The problem was the King could not publicly endorse him, so he was in constant danger of death.”

Actrice picked up the story, the two talked in turn.  Sea Horse expected this was some form of strategy the two used on their enemies.  They alternated seamlessly back and forth through the entire conversation.  “His solution was to establish members of the Voleurs Société throughout Europe.  They worked together, until it suited them not too.  Ours was the English branch, after a few generations, a group of our ancestors transitioned to America.”

It was Hyperbole’s turn.  “Every band has a cover, some secondary monetary stream that also hides our main job.  Occasionally country’s leaders still call on us, other times we freelance.  Once when we were young Mimic, Actrice, and I were friends.  As much in love with the theater as we were our different family’s businesses.  We had an argument over who would play the lead in the play, and in a relationship with Actrice.  He wanted both roles, I was content to let him play Hamlet, but not to marry the woman I loved.”

She spoke. “We escaped, or so we thought, until he was waiting for us at the plane.  He paid off the people in the small airport, and took me with him.  I refused to marry him, and he’s kept me locked up in different locations for the last number of years.  Meanwhile, he became famous and built a secondary empire, he’s also a leader in the American society.”

It was now the Sea Horse’s turn.  “So you decided to liberate her, embarrass him, and establish yourself as his replacement?”  Hyperbole laughed, “Yes, yes, and no. Other than Actrice, and the odd assistant, I work alone.  I’m not interested in leading Oceania’s crime family, or the society.  I prefer to watch him squirm, to explain to the other Baronets why he cannot even steal a Bride.  This way, his pride will prevent him from trying again, and by hiding in the open, we will be safe.  You see Sea Horse, I intend to be, while not your nemesis, a prominent independent contractor on your roster of antagonists.”

“Wonderful, you’ll excuse me if I don’t applaud.  I will however acknowledge your performance at the Diamond Exchange.  You weren’t ever really there were you?  That’s how your gloves could appear to cut glass.”  “Bravo, the only thing that was there, or at the gallery, was my walking staff.  It, a drone, projected a holographic illustration, and emitted the stun gas pellets.  The diamonds were stolen by the odd assistants while the guards slept. This trick also enabled me to distract Mimic while I located my Bride.”

“So, you’ve not only inserted the two of you into Oceania, but the Society into the city as well.  Now I assume I’ll have Mimic to contend with.  He’ll claim that you worked for him all along, and that you were scouting out a new area to play in.”  “You’re very observant, although you can cast my cousin for tha role.  Or did you not know that Carbuncle is a member of the Society?  Why do you think he was released so easily from jail?”

“We thought he had friends in important areas of the city.” “Oh he does, and each of them wear a golden mask pin.  It’s the calling card of the Society.  I’m not bringing them here to hide, I’m hiding here because this is their new base.  Mimic intends to make this a new cultural center, that’s why he built the Colonnade.  That way, he can leave Hollywood and move here without notice, to run your city.  You have more problems than us I’m afraid.  Siegel Heights was not me attacking you, it was me warning you.”

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#CollageFriday: Wild Kingdom

  My Grandparents used to watch Mutual Of Omaha’s “Wild Kingdom”, this #CollageFriday is in honor of them.

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Hisbits: Ella Completely

Wikimedia Image

Completely, that’s one of the meanings of her name. It’s also the definition of her influence in the world of Jazz. For no name evokes more power in that genre’s history, than the name Ella Fitzgerald.

She went from a singer to a headliner who turned forgotten words into her industry’s greatest prize. Tweet This

She was 17 when she won first prize on Amateur night at the famous Apollo theater. Soon after, she was signed by Chick Webb’s Orchestra and began appearing at the also famous Savoy. It was this orchestra that she would go on to lead after his death in 1939.They renamed the band, Ella and her Famous Orchestra. She continued as it’s leader until 1942, then began her solo career. Their music had been Swing, but its decline introduced Ella to her destiny, first to Be-Bop, and then Jazz music in general.

Working with Dizzy Gillespie, she loved Be-Bop. She described it as making her voice do the same thing as the band’s horns. Scatting was easy for Ella, and she would have stayed solely in this segment, if not for Norman Granz, her manager.

Upon leaving Decca records, he felt she was limiting her range. His suggestion was an album that became The Cole Porter Songbook. This record of Porter’s music showcased that Ella had simply to sing, to change the musical world.

From 1956 to 1964, she made eight songbook albums.

These make up a large portion of what we now call, The Great American Songbook.  It’s a collection of our musical history. While unquestionably Jazz royalty, her songs spanned genres, crossed cultural lines, and entertained all around the world from the White House to London and beyond.

Lady Ella, as she was also labeled, had many famous stories, but this one is my favorite. It was in 1960, halfway around the world, during the album Ella In Berlin. She forgot the words to the song Mack The Knife. For anyone else, this would have been a disaster, but this was Ella. She filled in the areas with scat, and won a Grammy for the song.

As for influence, this was the lady who helped bring Sinatra out of retirement in the seventies. Her performances and collaborations ranged from Count Basie to Rod Stewart. When I think of her though, one man stands beside her, Louis Armstrong.

They made three albums together, in my opinion, the combination of her amazing voice with his gravely tone can’t be beat. These two individuals who began with almost nothing, more than most, built more than record labels and a genre of music. They were a symbol of what hard work can accomplish, and where it can take you.

It was this commitment that propelled her from an orphanage escapee to a bandleader, a normally male position. She went from a singer to a headliner who turned forgotten words into her industry’s greatest prize. That made it possible for a little girl who wanted to sing, to become the Queen of Jazz. Ella, completely, it fits.

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S.T.A.R.T. 5: Meet The Story Tellers

The Showrunner

  Matthew 24:3

And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

Showrunner, it’s a television term for the person who plots the course for a series. When everyone, including the lead actors, started becoming Executive Producers, it was a coined to describe who actually was in charge. It’s usually also a writer who makes the important decisions for the show.

In Christianity, a common misconception is that the end times will occur at the whim of one of the major players. What we miss are the words of The Showrunner. It’s His decision as to when He shall wrap the series. He will choose the appropriate time to set in motion the days and times.

Why is this important? It reminds us Who is really in charge, not some faction seeking power. No matter how evil, no matter how powerful, they do not choose when, only God does. Just as they do not choose the when, they do not have the ability to control the outcome.

Prophecy will happen, the end will occur, The Bible will all be fulfilled, but on His time table. I believe that this will shortly come to pass, but if He has chosen another time, I trust His timing. No, I’m not hedging my bets, merely reminding someone that it’s all in His hands. 

Let not your hearts be troubled, believe, seek His face, and rejoice. Our future, and the fate of the world, is in nail scarred hands. Not the hands of hatred, misery, or death, but The Conquerer of it! 

We may be tempted to fear the forces that are poised to engulf our globe, but we shouldn’t. The Showrunner is waiting for a predetermined time to wrap the set. He’s not watching ratings, polls, or popularity contests, He wrote the screenplay.

So breathe freely, trust in Him, and set your eyes towards Heaven. America, Russia, Greece, and China aren’t the determining factors, Heaven is. They will react to His cue, and not the other way around. Remember it’s His series, and we are His, The Showrunner is in control!

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iPainting: Church In Germany

  This Sunday Afternoon Art Post is a digital watercolor called a “Church In Germany”. We hope you enjoy it.

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The Sea Horse: Rubble

  “It’s rubble! Everything but those two paintings the chef purchased.” The curator was on his knees in tears. The Sea Horse spoke from behind him. “He wasn’t a chef, and it’s not rubble. All of this is an illusion, a bit of dramatic flair. The question is, who is his audience?”

The battle of Siegel Heights had ended with the final collapse. The main players withdrew, leaving Oceania’s Protectors to round up the lesser henchmen and accomplices. Spectrum was able to secure Wonzu’s weapon as a trophy. Each side suffered injury, there was no clear winner.The media weren’t sure who to blame, the villains or the heroes. The people of the city chose to blame the villains. They realized that Sea Horse and his allies were one of the few lines of defense their city had.

While they were all sorting out why, who, how, and what Siegel Heights was about, the two protagonists were weighing their options. Leonard Almeric stood looking out his window, the billionaire philanthropist and international media mogul was livid. His entire empire was turning on the dime that was Hyperbole.

Meanwhile Hyperbole, and his new bride, were rehearsing a play. It might seem odd, but they were actors after all, as well as thieves. It was more to pass the time, although halfway through the performance, they grew a crowd of one.

“Welcome Sea Horse to our humble chateau.” Hyperbole said with a bow and a flourish. “It’s hardly humble when almost the Colonnade’s entire contents are stored in the basement.” The man on the stage laughed heartily. “I’ll help you load them up if you promise to share the news with the world.”

“You mean the fact that they’re all fakes?” For the first time the woman spoke. “Ah, you are right Horatio, he is perceptive.” She was a beautiful woman, just an inch shorter than Hyperbole with long brown hair and hazel eyes. 

“Sea Horse, may I introduce the newly Mrs. Horatio Lavalier. You may refer to her as Actrice, just as you know me as Hyperbole.” “How does this play out?” “I either embarrass my rival for holding the woman I love as extortion, or I cost him his entire art collection.”

“Meaning he coughs up the real ones and rebuilds the museum, or you expose him.” “Precisely! I’m so glad you are inclined to agree.” “Who is he really?” “Oh you’ve heard of him. Actrice answered. “He is known as Mimic in the criminal world. In the business world he’s the head of media conglomerate, The Almeric Group.”

“How did you get here?” “It started with Shakespeare, and ended with Keats.” Sea Horse didn’t move, Actrice explained. “I’m afraid he’s serious, actors are passionate about their roles. Especially when the role pays four billion dollars…”

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#CollageFriday: GoPlaces

 This #CollageFriday we encourage you to “GoPlaces”!

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The Native: Eleven Til Midnight

  Luke 2:7-8

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

 Pause after verse seven for a moment. Suppose you were in a far country, that Christianity was foreign to you. Instead of reading this in the book of Luke, you’re listening to a man share the story with you. Would you interrupt when he began verse eight? He tells you this amazing story about this couple, and suddenly shifts gears to some shepherds.

 You and I know why Luke wrote the way that he did. We know that the Shepherds and the Angels will bring everything full circle to Bethlehem, but that’s because we know the story. If you were a stranger, would you see the connection?  

 I ask this to highlight something, the fact that two seemingly unrelated events, three separate groups of people, all tie together. When you add in the Star in the Heavens, the Wise men journeying from the far East, and Herod’s plot, it’s a whirlwind of activity.

 The same is true today. Things are happening so fast, events that appear to have no connection with the other. The same day that one government makes a judicial decision altering an entire nation’s laws, in Europe the Vatican signs a treaty with the Palestinians.

 While this is going on, Greece, which has not been prominently on the world stage since after the time of Alexander, is now the concern of every European leader. The head of Russia met with their Prime Minister to offer support. Some would argue that they were mere coincidences, until you consider something else. First of which is the words of Zechariah that referenced Zion and Greece.

 The second, the same year that contains four blood moons, at least two of which occur during Jewish feasts, Jupiter and Venus align. Whether you believe this is the same as the Wisemen’s star or not it’s still significant. They form a pattern that has not been seen in two thousand years, since the birth of Christ.

 Lastly, the seventeenth of Tammuz is a Jewish fast day. It commemorates the breach of the walls of Jerusalem, and begins a three week period of mourning. According to the Mishnah, five calamities occurred on this date through the years. Every 10 to 20 years, this coincides with July 4. This happened both on July 4, 1776, and on July 4, 2015 as well.  

 Seemingly unconnected groups, events that would appear to have no tie to the other. Isn’t that what a stranger would see in the pause between verses seven and eight of Luke? It’s made clear in verses eleven and twelve, which I believe points to the time on history’s clock. Spuritually, we are somewhere around eleven minutes until midnight.

 It is my heartfelt belief that soon, The Native Of Bethlehem, will call for those who have anticipated His return to join Him. All signs point to the fact that our world needs more than a religious Herod, a political cleric, or an economic powerhouse of a leader. Although it will seek out one, expecting hope, only to embrace chaos.

What this world needs today, is the same thing it needed over 2,000 years ago. A savior, One who didn’t merely promise Heaven, He delivered it. On a mountain spanning a bloody cross and an empty tomb, He opened the passage to Eternity.  

I encourage you today, if you don’t know Him, to pause and examine the claims of the shepherds. If they had not seen the Angels, what connection would they have with an out of town carpenter, his pregnant wife, and a newborn baby? Oh, but if they did see an angel, if they were there by divine invitation, what then?  

You and I have been invited to salvation, an opportunity to trade this world’s pain for Heaven’s peace. I don’t know how long we have until that day arrives, but I know this. The shepherds wasted no time reaching Bethlehem.  

I would encourage you to make a decision today, reach out to a God who’s arms have been wide open for two thousand years. You will find Him powerful enough to wash away your sins, wise enough to dry your tears, and strong enough to keep us in these last days. For like the shepherds, I believe we will see Him very, very soon.

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Hisbits: Chief Justice/Mr President

A college boxing champion, his physique was more Babe Ruth than squared circle pugilist. I’m sure his college associates made jokes about this heavyweight, yet active young man. William Howard Taft, aside from being our 27th President, he was also our 10th Chief Justice. A position that he had dreamed of all his life, becoming President was due to his obligation to the country, and not a personal desire of his own. In later life, the Chief Justice would comment that he was so happy with his current position, he didn’t remember ever being President.

His Father Alonso had been Secretary of War and Attorney General under President Grant. He would go on to serve as Secretary of War under Theodore Roosevelt. While many would consider his Presidency lackluster, he appointed six Justices to the court. He and Andrew Jackson share the third spot in most appointments behind Washington and Franklin Roosevelt. Taft supported Booker T. Washington, and African American entrepreneurs. A western scout and a Texas Ranger disarmed a would be assassin a few feet away from President Taft. Two states joined the Union during his Presidency, New Mexico and Arizona.

Upon leaving the White House, he dropped eighty pounds. His revived interest in the outdoors led him to explore Africa. The former President carried a cane of petrified wood, a gift from a college professor friend. With both the physical weight, and the weight of the Presidency off his shoulders, he seemed to excel. The one term President became the President of the American Bar Association, truth be told, it was a position he probably liked better.

On June 30, 1921, the day that he had waited for all his life arrived. President Harding nominated him for the position of Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. The vote was sixty to four in favor of the former chief executive. He is the only man in our history to hold both offices, but make no mistake, this was no footnote in history. His was a renaissance in the era of the court, a turning point for the judicial branch. One that it had never seen before, and possibly no one since has impacted it in a more positive fashion.

The building they are housed in, isn’t the house that he built, but it was the one Taft ordered. Before he lobbied for an actual building, they were forced to meet in the old Senate chambers. The court, in many ways, was ran like an afterthought. While it was completed five years after his death, it owed it’s existence to the Chief Justice. He reorganized the disjointed appellate system and brought order to them in a manner that they had never seen. As Chief Justice, he once more returned to the White House, this time to give the Oath Of Office to Presidents Coolidge and Hoover.

Chief Justice Taft loved the rule of law, believing in the upholding of what was good and right with our country. He is one of two Presidents to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery, sharing that honor with President Kennedy. Four other Chief Justices are entombed there. His judicial legacy extended beyond his lifetime, as President he appointed both his predecessor, and the man who became his successor. Associate Justice Charles Evan Hughes, whom he had successfully nominated as an Associate Justice, followed him in the position of Chief Justice.

It’s little wonder that the photo of Chief Justice Taft is more noble and relaxed than that of President Taft. He was a man who knew his duty, and committed to it. A man who believed in fighting wholeheartedly, and not battling what he called a “finicky war”. As Americans, we are beneficiaries of both his terms of service. This truly heavyweight champion, proved that no matter how you find the duty thrust upon you, you can achieve the American dream.

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