Steeple Guide me to my Heart and Home

Speak to me in a language I can hear
Humor me before I have to go

Deep in thought, I forgive everyone
As the cluttered streets greet me once again

I know I can't be late
Supper's waiting on the table

Tomorrow's just an excuse away
So I pull my collar up and face the cold

On my own


Steeple guide me to my heart and home
The sun is out and up and down again

And for a moment I lose myself
Wrapped up in the pleasures of the world

I've journeyed here and there and back again
But in the same old haunts I still find my friends

Mysteries not ready to reveal
Sympathies I'm ready to return

I'll make the effort
Love can last forever

Tomorrow's just an excuse
Tomorrow's just an excuse for you


Forever, you...

Which comes First

Our lives are so busy and sometimes we live so far from our families. We miss the relationships with our families and often we do not even share important life events with them. We need to move back towards our families. If not in actual distance then at least we must move closer in our hearts. We live in a time where there are unprecedented communication possibilities. No one will ever love us unconditionally like our family can. We'd be fools not to take advantage of this opportunity.

How Much I Make

I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents CAN'T make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or a Netflix movie rental.
I make kids wonder.
I make them question.
I make them apologize and mean it.
I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.
I teach them to write and then I make them write. Keyboarding ISN'T EVERYTHING.
I make them read, read, read.
I make them show all their work in maths. They use their God given brain, not the man-made calculator.
I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.
Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given,
work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life
Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, with me knowing money isn't everything, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant.
You want to know what I make?

I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. I just wish the World would recognize Difference as a form of payment these days.

Brighter Days

I can't go to sleep

You are on my mind...

I find myself drifting away from my daily run around

And You are the culprit.

I know that it's just a feeling that is fresh

just help me understand why the feeling is growing within me each day.

The thought of acquaintance can never match the feelings

that burn within my heart every passing day.

Your voice leaves an attractive reminder of what I miss.

There are brighter days ahead for the both of us.

J.R. 2/10/11

Undoubtedly

Of the four I keep close to my heart

who love the same genuine in nature

always attentive, keen to excitement

a taste, a look, that noise is a blessing

a chalk drawing on cement signs of succession

impossible secrets make my family grow

today I remember you're part of my life

i've got you in my heart forever

your perseverance assist my healing wounds



J.R.

30 Years 10 Tidbits

1. Born February 6, 1981

2. Only child with blond hair in the family

3. Extraordinarily talented

4. Has had many pets, including brownie the crazy dog and Fredericka the electrocuted turtle

5. Enjoys the Elephant seals more than anyone I know

6. Traveled to Germany and lost a ton of weight walking across the homeland

7. Is the best Brother one could have

8. Nicknamed Chunk in 3rd grade..... I was so sad to revert back to his real name when he got married. It was like a family icon

9. Has fun at medieval iron making events

10. A great brother, son, husband and friend! Aaron Lewis Ruff

Playlist of Jon Ruff February 2011

Here are some songs that i've either discovered or re-discovered lately & that happen to be on repeat often while I do the daily stuff.

Coming Home- Sean Combs feat. Skylar Grey

Kids- MGMT

Ready to Start- The Arcade Fire

No Love- Lil Wayne. eminem

The Cave- Mumford and Sons

Let me give the World to you- The Smashing Pumpkins

Still Alive-Social Distortion

All of the Lights- Kanye West

Power (remix)- Jay Z- Ye

Music always gets me in a good mood. These songs are on continuous replay in my truck. Check em out. They make a great daily soundtrack. It's a mood changer. I'm telling you!

This 'n' That

TRIP

I am thinking of taking a trip. I'm not sure where yet, but I know that I need to take a trip. It probably won't be too far away, but it needs to be far enough so that I am able to take a break from the ever growing bubble that we call the Bay Area. This trip that I am thinking of taking will probably be out of state and will involve me going to a place that I haven't been to before. Any suggestions?


BUDS

Lately, I've been hanging out with some great people. People that can take the time just to sit and talk while drinking a glass of wine, mulling over life. I've always been a type of person that loves to interact with others. And in this past year, I feel that that strong part of my demeanor has diminished a bit. My buds are spread far apart throughout the country, so I try to bug them a lot and interrupt them throughout their day.


DAILY GIGS

I've been trying new things, painting, writing poetry, even trying to step out of my sheltered self boundary. The thing about change and Jonathan Ruff is that they don't usually go well together. It is like they are enemies at first, they have their battles, then they work on a relationship and solidify some ways to make it a reality. I really enjoy Camera work. I love taking pictures, I just wish I knew how to get the maximum effort out of the device itself by studying it a bit more.


OBSERVANCES

I feel older. Just by living life these past few years, I feel a tad bit aged. I feel that I've matured in my life choices and ideas. As many of you know I am a diabetic and have had certain issues with being high or low with my blood sugars throughout the years. My doctors let me know through the years that blood sugars can vary on attitudes and stress levels throughout the day. I used to have Insulin reactions all of the time when I was married. (I am not blaming my marriage or the state it was in for them) I just know that I was stressed out and depressed for a lot of the 8 years in which I was married. As of today I have not had an insulin reaction since before January of 2010. I feel happy. Not as tired. Not as exhausted. I feel content.


Have you had any new thoughts on me? I know some have commented on art, writing, and the overall demeanor of me. I enjoy you reading my blog. I love your comments. To tell you the truth, you are a big reason in helping me transition to my new life. I'm trying to become a better Jonathan in all that I do. Have a wonderful day.

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

Fearfully

Wonderfully

Made

So I've been painting some stuff lately that I've tied a bunch of thoughts and ideas from my life onto Canvas. I feel that when I start working on a piece I just let the imagination flow and then I figure out how to go from there. I wish that I could get some insight from people on how they think these look, but its hard to get an unbiased view. I live in a family of very talented people. In everything they do. It's just tough to see if this is a pipe dream to pass the time, or if it is something that I should start seriously doing. I mean by "seriously" putting more effort into it then the 2:00 am painting sesh. All that I know is I love creating for people and if they think that it looks good, then that is all the recognition that I need.