Welcome

(Contact Info: larry at larryblakeley.com)

Important Note: You will need to click this icon to download the free needed to view most of the images on this Web site - just a couple of clicks and you're "good to go." For reasons why - go here.

A listing and access link to all:
song lyrics and mp3 audio files http://www.royblakeley.name/larry_blakeley/songs/ (all of which are a part of this Web site) can be accessed simply by selecting the "htm" file for the song you want;

poetry http://www.royblakeley.name/larry_blakeley/poetry.htm;

quotations http://www.royblakeley.name/larry_blakeley/quotations.htm; and

essays written by Larry Blakeley http://www.royblakeley.name/larry_blakeley/articles/articles_larry_blakeley.htm,

all of which are used to tell the story in this Web site, can be accessed by going to each respective link set out above.

My son, Larry Blakeley http://www.royblakeley.name/larry_blakeley/larryblakeley_photos_jpeg.htm manages this Web site and the following Web sites:

Larry Blakeley (Contact Info: larry at larryblakeley.com)

Leslie (Blakeley) Adkins - my granddaughter

Lori Ann Blakeley (June 20, 1985 - May 4, 2005) - my granddaughter

Evan Blakeley- my grandson

Major Roy James Blakeley (December 10, 1928 - July 22, 1965) - USAF (KIA)

When I was young my dad would say
Come on son let's go out and play

No matter how hard I try
No matter how many tears I cry
No matter how many years go by
I still can't say goodbye

- "I Still Can't Say Goodbye," Performer: Chet Atkins

MP3 audio file/lyrics http://www.royblakeley.name/larry_blakeley/songs/still_cant_say_goodbye.htm

For a larger image click on the photograph.

"At its best, Cistercian Preparatory School is a community in which every boy's natural capacity to know and to work for the good of others is enkindled so that he can then go forth and enlighten the world in which he will live."

Welcome to Cistercian Preparatory School. http://www.cistercian.org/

The word "is" means to me that they are conveying to you the message that this school practices, teaches, and preaches these things.  No "if's, and's, or but's."

The word "community" is the term that I have emphasized from the start of this "Project of Knowledge Management and Learning."  To me it means a fellowship of teachers, parents, and students that are joined together on a higher level of humanity that believes in the principles, goodness, and values that is being taught to "our boys."  These boys will learn and encouraged to practice the teachings of Jesus Christ. I am confident that I may take the liberty of speaking for the other parents of this community by saying that "we offer up to the world as future "Fathers" of America, these boys.  May they thrive and flourish for the good of all mankind.  And, may they be "leaders of The Way" to live life.

The Vine

Staring up into the leafy stillness, waiting

While the light sparkles across an irregular blue,

Waiting to see the invisible rippling motion

Bring the finger-like fragments into a hand

Which signs gracefully to a silent world,

“I am the Vine, you are the branches.’

And I hear in the lunchroom din

Of young students hovering at tables

Savoring the taste of home, replenishing

Without knowledge the complicated code

That runs in their blood and under their tongues,

Whispering, “I am the Vine, you are the branches.”

Then there is the long hallway, the tiled memories

Up flights of stairs into births and deaths,

Bone-weary flesh lifted inexplicably into visions

Of beauty, tantalizing fragments surrounding “I do,”

Hearing endless variations of truth’s resounding refrain,

“I am the Vine, you are the branches.”

Seated around the dinner table, arms outstretched,

Reaching into each other’s, hands held, heads bowed

As grace is offered up routinely, in a mundane

Made momentous in the common blood of familiar faces,

Features which remind us with dogged assurance

That “I am the Vine and you are the branches.”

And so we come, rising from our knees,

Out of our pews toward the holy table,

Lifting our heads as our hearts rush forward

With the hungry throngs throughout the world’s

Long time toward bread and wine, joined by the Word’s

Assurance, “I am the Vine and you are the branches.”

- "The Vine," Dr. Thomas B. Pruit, Professor, Cistercian Preparatory School, English Department

The phrase "every boy's natural capacity to know and to work" means to me that they are not asking unrealistic expectations, but rather recognize that the intelligence inherent in each of them empowers them with the capacity to learn, understand, and ultimately, possessing the "knowledge" necessary for their next leg of their journey down life's path.  To learn is not a passive activity, but rather is a process that requires the "work" of the brain.  No "if's, and's, or but's."

The phrase "the good of others."  If you need an explanation, please see: "All I Really Need To Know I Learned in Kindergarten," by Robert Fulghum for a very enjoyable reading of these ways of "goodness."

"Is," again.  No "if's, and's, or but's."

To me the meaning of "enkindled" here means to me that these teachers of our boys will "light up their candle" and ensure it stays lit throughout their "Cistercian" experience.

The fruits of their labor: "he can then go forth and enlighten the world in which he will live."

Some may say these are just words.  Words are everywhere.

My answer.  But, these words come from the mouth of "truth."  My "Wisdom" acquired through "Living" tells me so.  No "if's, and's, or but's."