Sunday, February 12, 2023
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY with WILD FLOWERS!
2/12/23
Hello, Everyone!
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY to All from the home of
Nancy & Will (Francis, Frank, Sonny, Clarence, etc.)
in Laramie, Wyoming!
Having completed publishing all the books I intend to include
(10 by final count), personally I am starting over, so to speak.
I'm reviewing them all slowly - from the first to the last.
Thus, I'm starting with my first one I called WILD FLOWERS -
which I published in 2014, at the bidding of my friend Nancy Shaw,
who I married in 2018. Nancy wanted a book of my articles
she could hold in her lap. So I consented to provide her with a book.
My main theme of WILD FLOWERS is:
Life is Good as it is because an Infinite God must be IN it!
Little did I know that following book # 1 called WILD FLOWERS,
I would continue with 9 more "lap books," though all containing
previously written works of the past; but now I am finished with providing any more - for Nancy or anyone.
I am grateful, however, that Nancy wanted one in the first place.
Without that one, there would have been none to come.
Oh, Oh! Is that Cheers or Jeers? LOL!
Anyway, Thanks, Nancy!
And HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY to you and everyone!
Let me finish this "Valentine's Gift" by offering two items at the front end of WILD FLOWERS - a book review and an initial song.
If you find my offering pleasing, know you can order
WILD FLOWERS and any and all of Nancy's lap works via
my websites: una-bella-vita.com and francisbessler.com.
I will leave it at that. OK?
Thanks! Bye for now! Be in touch!
All Our Love,
Francis William Bessler (age 81) &
lovely 90 year old wife, Nancy Shaw
CLARION REVIEW:
Four Stars (out of Five)
There is a certain beauty in sameness—picture endless rows of red tulips or fields overflowing with sunflowers—but sometimes wisdom reveals itself on the scraggly edges of such displays, in the wildflowers that refuse to conform. In this aptly titled collection, Wild Flowers, self-described “wild flower” Francis William Bessler enthusiastically broadcasts his musings on everything from the afterlife of the soul to right-wing politics. Bessler’s expansive writing reflects the evolving philosophy of a former seminary student who challenges his traditional religious education with an unconventional view from the edge.
Twenty-seven essays and twenty-six songs or poems make up this volume, a collection of Bessler’s work drawn from pieces he has published on his blog (www.una-bella-vita.com) over the past two years. He’s been writing for far longer—he calls this book a fiftieth anniversary celebration of his writing life—and is quite prolific. Indeed, even though he limits the scope of this book to essay entries from December 2012 to July 2014, his musings run to nearly three hundred pages. Bessler loves life and is eager to share his inclusive view of the world.
The enthusiasm comes through in Bessler’s writing; an abundance of exclamation points and frequent phrases rendered in all caps make his optimism clear. Although he takes on many individual topics—the authenticity of the Gospels, the meaning of near-death experiences, and the likelihood of reincarnation, for instance—each essay celebrates his central theme: “An Infinite God must be Everywhere and in Everything.”
This thesis is supported with a variety of arguments, some more powerful than others. For instance, when Bessler discusses homosexuality, he rationally argues that if one is created a certain way by God, that cannot, by definition, be ungodly. At other times, though, he resorts to circular logic, often supporting his point of view by the very fact that it is the way he sees things, as when he writes, “I see ONLY GOOD in life because nothing in a Creation from God can be bad.”
Bessler’s poems, or songs (they’re offered up as both), offer lighter fare for the most part, with familiar rhyming patterns and themes that focus on love, acceptance, and light. They’re most interesting read as adjuncts to the accompanying essays, as they offer a variation on the themes Bessler has focused on in his prose.
Some thoughts and themes are repeated throughout the book, creating a rhythm that suggests a series of Sunday sermons. Bessler’s thoughts can be followed from cover to cover but can also be dipped into one essay/poem at a time. Along the way, the message might begin to seem repetitious, but be on the lookout for Bessler’s surprising take on things like the role of the soul in mental illness and the spiritual glory of nakedness. Wild Flowers is at heart a devotional to diversity, and there’s truly something here for everyone.
Along the way in this essay collection, be on the lookout for Bessler’s surprising take on things like the role of the soul in mental illness and the spiritual glory of nakedness.
Sheila M. Trask
It's A Lovely Day Today
By
Francis William Bessler
12/20/2008
Refrain:
It’s a lovely day today – as I wander all about.
I look at life with wonder – but I wonder without a doubt
that it’s all lovely – from the old to the new.
It’s a lovely day today – and you are lovely too.
I thank my lucky stars –
for being here with you.
I thank the God that’s in them –
for the wondrous Moon.
I thank the Earth for the dirt –
that makes up your flesh and bones.
I thank you, Dear, for being here –
in this wondrous home. Refrain.
The time is now to appreciate –
the mystery of life.
There’s no better time than now –
to embrace what’s right.
And what is right is all there is –
because all is Divine.
And that includes you, My Friend,
for your soul of light. Refrain.
I’d like you to be My Darling –
and share with me today.
I’d like you to know, My Friend –
my love in every way.
But all you need to love me –
is first to love the one that’s you.
SiInce we are the same, to love yourself –
is to love me in truth. Refrain.
So, come along with me, My Dear –
and share with me what’s yours.
Because what is yours is mine –
underneath our sparkling stars.
We all own the world that’s here –
because that world belongs to us.
We are children of a single God –
and in each other, we should trust.
Refrain.
HAVE A WONDERFUL LIFE, EVERYONE!
THANKS FOR LISTENING!
Francis William Bessler