The beating I get for the beating I gave

The beating I get for the beating I gave

When I was a younger man
I never felt any pain
Beat this body black and blue
Thought I’d have something to gain

Smokes and beers tonight
Work and school come tomorrow
This body bounces back very quickly
My thinking sure was shallow

Older and perhaps wiser now
And with my body slowing down
I still like to crank it up
Who doesn’t like to hit the town

CHORUS:

Defeating this subtle monster is tough
Denial is a strong foe
Creeps in and stirs the soul
Lost without direction out of control

This is just the beating I get
For the beating I gave
Feeling like to my own body
I have become a slave

Praying for relief
Prying open my mind
I reach higher into my conceptualization
Can I escape again this time

Older and wiser with vision changing
Life blooms as a flower
This is conquest for me to experience
An open mind leads to a healing power

Mind over matter
Hard to do consistently,
What fuels this body healthy
I must consume intensely

CHORUS:

Defeating this subtle monster is tough
Denial is a strong foe
Creeps in and stirs the soul
Lost without direction out of control

This is just the beating I get
For the beating I gave
Feeling like to my own body
I have become a slave


Believing starts before results
Decisions carefully made
This pain shall be a fleeting glimpse
Faithful actions brings pain to fade

I shall have lofty goals
And plans for friends and travel
I will wear my Faith as a shield
My new life continues to unravel

Sharing how it use to be and how it is just now
Focusing beyond the self
I am feeling better every moment
I am putting black and blue up on the shelf.


CHORUS:

Defeating this subtle monster is tough
Denial is a strong foe
Creeps in and stirs the soul
Lost without direction out of control

This is just the beating I get
For the beating I gave
Feeling like to my own body
I have become a slave

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Driving millions of miles in just days

Went to jefferson Island with my folks, fiance, and her daughter Richele...left Cumberland, Maryland (home) and drove to Alexandria, Virginia...then after 30 minutes...off to Richmond, Virginia to pick up Richele and attend a birthday party for Stevie...Happy Birthday bro...then back to Alexandria, Virginia...after four hours of sleep it was off to the Jefferson Island Club on Jefferson Island in the brackish part of the Potomac just below the Chesapeak Bay. This is a beautiful island with a rich heritage. Many, many noteworthy people have used the same toilets there that we have...lmao...PRESIDENTS...what a laugh...anyways...while we are there at the crab feast having a grand old time we are getting hot...oh yeah, did I mention it was 107 degrees with the driving the day before and that we were in the old 92 Benz diesel...NO air conditioning...WE DRANK WATER NON STOP...we had a water open the entire trip...wind in the hair and cruising like we were teenagers...and it was COOL...we actually enjoyed it and it was funny seeing most all other cars on the trip with windows up !!!...any way...back to the island...we are getting hot now too...so we swam in there 50 year old pool that was filled with river water...AWESOME...it cooled us off so well as I sipped on my 10 oz. Bud Light...let me add too that I have a case of gout that had me in tears at my sister's house last night where we stopped on the way home from Richmond...still hurts today...BADLY...hours later it is time for the boat ride back to the mainland...so we are leaving the island by car now, following Dad down the rural routes when this massive down draft just starts blowing leaves all over...dad cautiously stopped in the road while some idiots passed by is...I, of course, stopped behind Dad...I feel like i ought to follow him as he is a West Point Colonel who has navigated safe returns from Korea and Viet Nam ...so we wait and watch...we did not have to be in the same car to share the same thoughts...WHERE IS THE TORNADO???...what a threatening storm...subsequently...or before hand...this storm was responsible for knocking out power to over 85, 000 homes in the Washington Metroploitan Area...NO TORNADO SPOTTED...onward James...beautiful beams of light are now broadly shining upon the ground from a dark cloud now backlit with intense sun light...the beams are heavenly and are wider then anything I have ever seen like this before...we had to stop and appreciate the scene...dad is cruising along now without us, so he turns around to make sure we are o.k....time to leave as Dad arrives...finally back in Alexandria we rest up for an hour and head out to Cumberland, Maryland...the most incredible sunset I have ever seen...the further West we drove the more intense the colors got...like God's tapestry being painted by the Master himself right before our eyes...It was by far the most incredible sunset I have ever seen. We finally arrive home on what seemed a short drive...Rhonda has school tomorrow and then we leave back to Alexandria, Virginia so she and Richele and other family can all attend Mary Poppins at the Kennedy Center...My father was nice enough to invite everyone along. Time for me to get some rest off this gouty foot...what an intense pain...it's late now on Tuesday evening July 27, 2010 and everyone is coming in the house...I get an Angus burger from McDonald's for my dinner...and I usually am not a big Micky D's fan...but this is a good sandwhich tonight...just what the doctor ordered....after chatting a few hours it is time to drive back 150 miles to Cumberland, yet again...so we are trying to get back into a normal grind...however...this Sunday is the Texas A and M alumni picnic at Fort Belvoir...so for a few days I have a driving break...seems like July and August can get like this...what a blast and what a lot to do when I look back over just a few days...it is just that this older body and mind, however much wiser, just does not bounce back like it once did...but hey...I can still roll with the best of them when it is time to travel. Life id certainly one beautiful and great adventure...I hope I will see some of you along my travels, and will write about them as I can. The dogs and cats are ok...we leave out 20 lbs of food and two five gallon buckets of water for the dogs...and do a similar gig for the cats...they watch themselves...the garden did o.k. in the heat, but we lost some ferns and flowers...peppers appear to have loved the intense heat, tomatoes need my attention this week as does the basil. The garden has been wonderful and so far we have had several peppers and a zuchinni...egg plant looking great, watermelon on the vine, lettuce...needs my help...Cucumber doing well...the grass is roached...I am glad it is just cooling off finally...been brutal...The seasons do appear to be changing and the temperatures, the timing of blooms, and fruit and vegetable harvesting tends to shed a lot of light on this...we do not need science to see what is happening...intense storm and beautiful sunset, two days after a record setting 107 sidewalk egg frying kind of a day, the back to the mountains where it is still barn burning hot in the day and thankfully cools off some at night. My mind easily thinks ahead to the wood stove and the preperations I have to do for the upcoming winter...run the pipe, attach it, test burn, get 3 cords of wood, and winter will be here before you know it...still have to sail the boat and cook a lot of BBQ's...summer should stretch into September this year...maybe later...and winter...well...I can wait!

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A Time for Change - Final Version for Newspaper (Cumberland Times News

Why are we going to spend money for parking downtown? The intent for the downtown “mall” area is specifically what it has been used for, farmer’s markets, entertainment, and special events. Will we have to look over our shoulders for a car while shopping for vegetables?
Baltimore Street and Mechanic Street is another example of possible waste during tough economic times. We do not need to replace/repair the traffic light system. Stop signs are proving to work safely. Please table the idea and focus on a real issue!
Then there is the liquor board fiasco that makes Cumberland look like the laughing stock of the state!
I appreciate the resignation of Mr. Delaney. That was the wisest step towards healing. I appreciate and respect a man who stands up for what he believes in, and has the common sense to step aside when the time is right. Kudos! Let the healing begin.
Rocky Gap is another botched mess! We are now about to put the lodge on the chopping block!
We lost the land on James Day drive (city decommissioned a park and sold it) behind my home. This was seemingly criminal! Let’s not lose more valuable assets.
I wrote a letter to the paper that was published about how to negotiate for a more reasonable garbage rate, thus saving money.
I have lived here ten years. I missed the filing deadline to run for mayor, but I will happily run as a write in candidate. Please write in John S. Swygert at the election.
My policy will be an, “open book” policy. I will address the public often at a local venue. The entire city would be welcome to meetings and have a voice. I would work as a team leader to support sensible projects i.e., community healing and growth, development of a free community center, support our local artists (perhaps our most valuable asset promoting tourism next to geography and history), and demand less crime, to name a few.
Mayor Fiedler, thanks for years of dedicated service. Thanks for your vision to know when it is time to step down. I would certainly be looking to you to be on my advisory staff when I am elected to be the Mayor of Cumberland.
Sheriff Goad, I bid you a farewell into your retirement as well. You too suffered through some ridiculous political turmoil. Thanks for your perseverance and leadership.
The writing is on the wall! Who will lead us through this terrible economic time? Who has vision and can work “well” with others? I can and promise too.
The future is in our collective hands. It is time to vote for new leadership that has a collective vision. I will build a team and demand swift professional progress and cohesive efficiency.
I do not see any “collective” vision in the current candidates. I see individuals that are running to displace those in office who they are not happy with. This is a possibly very dangerous and detrimental scenario to our city.
We need an open public forum of the candidates. We need to hear in person more about issues like, future economic growth, street repairs, homelessness and poverty, long term planning, attracting new businesses, etc.
I suggest we organize an “invite” to the candidates and hold it at Canal Place. Let’s find out what these candidates represent.
If you are interested in helping me organize this event, I can be reached at 240 345 5654
The time for change and action is now!

John S. Swygert

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A Time for Change

A Time for Change

(as submitted to the Cumberland Times-News on July 10, 2010)(not yet appearing in print.)

Why are we going to spend city money, or any money at all (tax money), for parking downtown? The intent for the downtown “mall” area is specifically what it has been used for. Farmer’s Markets, Entertainment, and other special events.
This is currently a safe non-traffic area. Will we have to look over our shoulders for a car while picking fresh fruit and vegetables at the Farmer’s Market?
The intersection at Baltimore Street and Mechanic Street is another example of waste. We do not need to waste money on repairing or replacing the traffic light system . Stop signs are proving to work better and are safer it appears, as many have shared through the newspaper. Please table the idea and focus on a real issue!
I recently read in the Times-News that there was consideration on shutting off some street lights to save some money. Has our financial situation changed that much? I will say with out a doubt a resounding. “ NO”!
Then there is the liquor board fiasco that makes Cumberland look like the laughing stock of the state!
I appreciate the resignation of Mr. Delaney. That was the wisest step towards healing. I appreciate and respect a man who stands up for what he believes in, and has the common sense to step aside when the time is right. Kudos! Let the healing begin. Please write a simple straight forward simple supportive letter to the organizers of Delfest asking for them to please stay here for future festivals. I pray DelFest will stay here, as it is an asset to our community that will grow and provide years of entertainment. I will apologize for this mess myself and do so here, while saying that this is not reflective in any way of the collective community here in Cumberland.
I pray this festival does not disappear like the festival that we use to have here at Rocky Gap.
Rocky Gap is another botched mess! We are now about to put the lodge on the chopping block!
We lost the land (city decommissioned the park and sold it) behind my home on James Day Drive. This is seemingly criminal! Let’s not lose more valuable assets.
I wrote a letter to the paper that was published a while ago about how to negotiate for a more reasonable garbage rate, thus saving money.
I am glad the election is upon us to elect new officials to lead us. I pray they have more long term vision then what has transpired in recent years.
I have now lived here ten years. I will run for Mayor one day soon, and my policy will be an, “open book” policy. I would address the public often at a local venue. The entire city would be welcome to meetings, as well as, have a voice. I would work as a team leader to support sensible projects i.e., community healing and growth, develop a free community center, support our incredible local artists (perhaps our most valuable asset to tourism next to geography and history), and demand less crime, to name only a very few!
Mayor Fiedler, thanks for you years of dedicated service and the legacy you have given to us all. Thanks for your vision to know when it is time to step away, but be on hand as a valuable asset to assist when needed as we venture into our collective future.
We are losing a fine man, as only a fine man can make a decision as he has. I would certainly be looking to you to be on my staff when I am elected to be the Mayor of Cumberland.
Sheriff Goad, I bid you a farewell into your retirement as well. You too suffered through some ridiculous political turmoil. Thanks for your perseverance and leadership.
Wow! Three incredible servants stepping away…
The writing is on the wall! Who will lead us through this terrible economic time? Who has vision and can work “well” with others?
The future is in our collective hands. It is time to vote for new leadership that has a collective vision. I do not see any collective vision in the current candidates. I see individuals that are running to displace those in office who they are not happy with. This is a possibly very dangerous and detrimental scenario to our city.
We need an open forum of the candidates that is similar to a debate. We need to hear more about issues like, future economic growth, street repairs, homelessness and poverty, long term planning, etc.
I suggest we organize an invite to the candidates and hold it at Canal Place and utilize our facilities to find out what these candidates have to say.
I pray that this letter will promote some positive feedback as I am so tired of seeing so much wasted time on personal agendas while we, the people, suffer!
If you are interested in helping organize this event with me, I can be reached at 240 345 5654 or you can write to me at 461 Waverly Terrace Cumberland, Maryland 21502.
The time for change has long passed, it is time for action!
John S. Swygert

My article about BOYCOT BP video from the local newspaper.

I was printed in the local newspaper and what I said, said a lot. It does not take many words to show wisdom, rather wise words in the proper order to promote enlightenment. Please read, think, keep an open mind always, and ENJOY !

http://times-news.com/letters2/x1910032368/This-video-will-help-us-think-about-what-we-need-to-do

MOVE OVER LYRICS CIRCA 1988

MOVE OVER LYRICS CIRCA 1988

I heard what you said the other day,
and I really don't like that,
I'm a steam train rolling and I'm picking up speed,
and I'm about to come off track.

When you see me coming better step aside,
because you know I'm coming your way,
you better move over fast cause here I come,
and I'm gonna ruin your day.

I tell it like it is that's who I am,
don't mess with me no more,
mess with me again I'm coming back at you,
with the pedal to the floor.


Steve Swygert

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Unexpected Early Morning Visitor

So these folks moved in next door to us. Been pretty quiet for the most part...the house had sat empty and quiet as a church mouse for the ten years I have lived here now...pretty nice having no neighbors. So on the day (morning) of 06-05-2010, I am walking down my steps with a box of plates in my hands to bring down to the kitchen while on my way to get a fresh cup of java and the newspaper...and...lo and behold...I am shocked at what i see. Well, my fiance is on the top of the steps following behind me and I look back and say....shhhh...and put my finger to my lips...I then motion her to QUIETLY come down where I am and take a look. Well, here is this dude crashed out in our chair in the dining room....WTF...we live alone and sure were not expecting any company.Rhonda had just refreshed her coffee about 15 minutes earlier and no one was there then...we were watching the early morning news broadcast and thought we heard something, but it was quiet and we figured perhaps just our kitties at play...like we are use too and our four dogs that were with us were not the least bit alarmed. Anyways...I decided...if he is passed out...we are going back to out room and locking our door and calling the police. They were here in three minutes...I quietly walked passes him as to not disturb him, and met an officer at the door. The police came in...several...and woke our stranger...asked him where he was, did he live here, who he was...he was having a tough time...wow...alcohol at it's best. They escorted him out and to our front steps which were now well lit. They asked again for an I.D., he offered them his last dollar...that did not work...they insisted on the I.D. that they could clearly see in his now open wallet. They asked him where he lived and where he was suppose to be...after several more minutes of conversation I could not hear down by the squad cars, they let him walk away, and they left the area. I was a little shocked, but he was harmless and drunk ...maybe on drugs too. Good jobs cop...let him go for another walk...lol...so he went around the block and appeared at the house next door...the one that had been vacant for ten years...now he tried that door...locked...so he decided to lay down face first on the front porch...so i call ed the cops again and told them now he is trying to break in next door. They arrived back on this early Sunday morning, brought him to the squad car again and said...buddy you need to get these questions right this time or you are going off to jail this morning. He finally came up with an address...which was next door...so at 4:30 a.m., they knocked on the door at the neighbors house and it was indeed where he was suppose to be...however, the neighbors were not expecting him nor did he live there. He was just friends with them on his way to their home after a night of heave drinking. The next day we told all the neighbors we saw in the morning. That afternoon, he (John, our visitor) saw me outside and approached me, head down and all, blushing, and apologized. he said he did not remember a thing. I said we were shocked to see him that morning and that it was lucky he came to our house. Had he gone to any other home near by he may have been shot and killed...luckily we are pretty laid back here in our home. So next time you have unexpected guests, just compare that to our unexpected guest and it should bring some comfort...I bet you will at least know your guest, and I bet they will knock and meet you at the door. Hope you enjoyed our hilarious misfortune.

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