05 March 2017

The End Is Near

The ninth anniversary of this blog will be on the 29th, and it has been a joy ... a pain ... an occasional drudgery ... and a joy again.

I've "met" many, many friends, including a few face-to-face. Some of those have stopped blogging, since. I'm pretty sure it's not my fault. :)  However, it has become a struggle to find things to write about, and it often feels as though I'm repeating myself.

Rather than drag this out, it seems 'twould be easier to simply pull the plug. No heroic measures, and all that.

I will continue to post, from time to time, when/if things of interest come up. It's nice to have the platform, and I love hearing from all y'all. And of course I'll still be lurking around the 'net, reading blogs and commenting here and there.

But times goes by, and everything changes. This is one of those things.

In the words of the old Scottish blessing,

May the blessing of light be on you - light without and light within.
May the blessed sunlight shine on you like a great peat fire,
so that stranger and friend may come and warm himself at it.
And may light shine out of the two eyes of you,
like a candle set in the window of a house,
bidding the wanderer come in out of the storm.
And may the blessing of the rain be on you,
may it beat upon your Spirit and wash it fair and clean,
and leave there a shining pool where the blue of Heaven shines,
and sometimes a star.
And may the blessing of the earth be on you,
soft under your feet as you pass along the roads,
soft under you as you lie out on it, tired at the end of day;
and may it rest easy over you when, at last, you lie out under it.
May it rest so lightly over you that your soul may be out from under it quickly; up and off and on its way to God.
And now may the Lord bless you, and bless you kindly. Amen.

31 comments:

deb harvey said...

please continue as you are inspired and able.
remember to pray for all of us and for our miserable country.
thanks for the Bible reminders.
deb harvey

Old NFO said...

Enjoyed everything Rev, you will be missed.

Rev. Paul said...

Deborah, I will ... and thank you.

NFO, thank you especially. Your blog is one that I will continue to read. :)

Terry said...

I will continue to check for inspiration every day. Who else can I go to for moose news? You do a great job.

Toirdhealbheach Beucail said...

Thanks Reverend. I appreciate all the effort that goes into regularly maintaining a blog. Do post as you can - I will sorely miss my regular diet of police blotters...

Rev. Paul said...

Terry, thank you. I'll keep that in mind. :)

TB, the police blotter has gone away. They've stopped updating as of 12/31/16; it would appear to have to do with former Sgt. Shockley, whose writing we've all admired, being promoted to Deputy Chief. I'm sure someone else has taken over the Blotter, and that's that.

Vicki said...

You have been an inspiration and a source of truth. I will miss you.

Suz said...

Bummer!! Ok, I get it, but...bummer! I enjoy reading your postings. Enjoy the moose and weather and police stuff.

So, does this mean you will have more time to devote to writing your MH story?? Lol.

Will continue to check...you don't have to write daily...even once or twice a week just to keep in touch is ok...(she says hopefully) :)

Ed Bonderenka said...

I hope you don't shut down.
Post as you see fit.
You'll still be in my rss feed.

Rev. Paul said...

Thank you, Vicki.

Suz, I may be able to muster enthusiasm for once or twice per week. Not a bad suggestion.

Ed, we'll see. But thank you for that vote of confidence. :)

ProudHillbilly said...

:-(

Ed Bonderenka said...

You know, you've proven a market for this Alaska drivel...

LindaG said...

Well, I certainly understand about finding it hard to share. I don't.
I will miss your blog, as I enjoyed reading it.
Look forward to whatever posts you decide to share with us in the future.

Thank you for the Scottish blessing.

Be safe, take care and God bless you all as well. Amen.

Toirdhealbheach Beucail said...

I will miss your updates on Alaska living in the winter as well. So very different from experiences I have had.

threecollie said...

Sorry to read this, as I delight in your posts, but I do understand. Thanks for all the meeces and Iditarod and all.

Rev. Paul said...

PH, in the early days, there were a couple other Alaska bloggers, both of whom I met, who occasionally fed me tips, links, and suggestions. I met a third one just as she was leaving for the southern U.S. Then the first stopped blogging, and the last one moved to the eastern U.S. I've gone it alone for the last five years or so, and that's a long time to go without mutual support.

Ed, understood.

Linda, it's not that I find it hard to share; I just find it hard to come up with anything new to write about. But you're welcome.

TB, a life without cold winters would seem strange to me. I'm glad you enjoyed my scribbling about it.

threecollie, you're most welcome. Your farming posts helped me not to miss my Midwestern upbringing, too much.

Guffaw in AZ said...

I don't think you realize it, Rev. Paul, but you provide inspiration for many!
I'm sorry to see you cut back, but don't go away...
(And, please keep in touch, regardless)

My Best,
Guffaw

Curmudgeon said...

If you stop, I'll miss your posts...

In my youth (I'm now 70), I always wanted to live in Alaska.

I've only been there once, bumped off a "body" flight C141 at Elmendorf on the way back from Japan for leave before VietNam in 1969. Had to fly commercial to Seatle and await parents wiring me money to get the rest of the way home (Columbus,OH). The original flight was going to Dover, DE.

I've enjoyed your posts about everyday Alaska life.

Rev. Paul said...

Thank you, Guffaw. Apparently I'm not allowed to stop altogether (smile), so I'll find something to mention from time to time.

Curmudgeon, Elmendorf remains a touch-down point for the military. I caught a few MAC flights between there & Adak, in the mid-70s. Never got bumped, though. :) Thank you for your kind words; it seems I won't be going all the way away.

Borepatch said...

I understand the feeling, my friend.

Rev. Paul said...

Understood, BP; you've been at it a bit longer than I have. I should have encouraged a partner, or something.

hobo said...

I enjoyed the moose stories and knowing that there is some place that has colder winters than we do! ;^) (except you keep sending us your snow... it's okay to send it to MN) And I like your Iditarod updates since we don't see them here anywhere in state news. Well, Padre, we'll miss your Alaska news and encouraging words, and I hope you don't hang it up completely. Thank you for all that you have done.
~hobo

Rev. Paul said...

hobo, thank you. I like knowing that this platform is here, and - once the Iditarod is over - will still post. Occasionally. :)

drjim said...

I always stop by, but don't always comment.

You can always do what I do....post when something strikes you, or when you have some observation to share with us.

And thanks for all the inspiration and support you've given us all. You're doing the Lord's Work, and we're all grateful for it....

Rev. Paul said...

Jim, that's most likely what I'll do. Right now, I'm just tired of it. Just under 6,000 posts in 9 years - that's a lot of exposition, preparation, thought, and energy. For the last 18 months, I've thought of things to post, and decided against it because it's just too much trouble. So ... yeah, stopping. For now, for awhile. Then, who knows?

Meanwhile, thank you so much for those words.

Sandy Livesay said...

Rev. Paul,
Take time for yourself, and family. Enjoy your new home, you deserve it :-) We will see you again....
Hugs to you and your family.
BD Man, and Sandy

Rev. Paul said...

Thank you, Sandy. Say hey to your man for me. :)

Max said...

Cheers sir! Continue to live a great life, full and well lived. The occasional obnoxious drunk moose photo will always be good for the masses.

Rev. Paul said...

Thank you, Max. I promise to keep that in mind. :)

griz said...

Rev. Paul,
I reckon I am late, to the retirement/farewell party. (Lol)
Your blog/wit and inspiration, will be sorely missed.
As others have said.
Please keep in touch.
And continue to make posts and inspirational words, when you feel up to it.

Thank you sir.
For sharing the words of our Lord and Savior, and being a Brother/Teacher in Christ. †

Take care, be safe.
God bless.
Griz - Alaska

Rev. Paul said...

Hi, Griz. Better late than absent! :)

I will post from time to time, but no guarantees of how often. If/when the Lord prompts, I may wax eloquent. Heh. Anyway, you're welcome, Brother. And we may yet meet - you're not THAT far away.