Blog – SandsSpot

2026-01-132026-01-13

Follow Up Photos of MiniDexed Project

I did take pictures with the pisound project and MiniDexed project together. You can see what I did to the project box by comparing the original pisound and my MiniDexed. Note that the pisound uses a Raspberry Pi 3b+ and my MiniDexed uses a Raspberry Pi 4b (8 GB). The pisound case I got for the MiniDexed comes with different panels for the different versions of the Raspberry Pi.

Picture of MiniDexed (on the left) and pisound (on the right) viewed from above. — The MiniDexed on the left, the pisound on the right, view from the top.

The MiniDexed on the left and the pisound on the right. Here the MiniDexed has the LCD panel and Encoder Knob on the top, and the LCD Contrast Knob on the Right Side. A hole was drilled for the Encoder Knob as you can see on the pisound there is no hole there. You can see the Zip Ties I used in all the pictures.

Picture of the MiniDexed (on the left) and the pisound (on the right) viewed from the front. — The MiniDexed on the left, the pisound on the right, view from the front.

On the MiniDexed I added a pair of labels to show the MiniDexed Logo. Originally I was going to use Black in. But I didn’t have any black-on-clear label tape, only the white-on-clear. It works ok, but not as well as I wanted. I got the logo from the Facebook MiniDexed page. I like their logo. You can see the LCD Contrast Knob on the right side of the MiniDexed. There are only three Zip Ties on the front face because the LCD Module Circuit board is in the way. I had to put the LCD Module close to the Front side so I could squeeze the Encoder Module at the back side.

Picture of the MiniDexed (on the left) and the pisound (on the right) viewed from the right side. — The MiniDexed on the left, the pisound on the right, from from the right side.

The LCD Contrast Knob is attached in the modified MIDI ports holes. I cut out the bridge between the two MIDI port holes to make one larger hole. Then I used a filler plate from the RC2014 project case. The potentiometer for the contrast is large and you can see it through the micro SD Card Slot window. Taking out the micro SD card on the MiniDexed will require some disassembly to get to it. On the pisound, the micro SD card is accessible.

Picture of the MiniDexed (on the left) and the pisound (on the right) viewed from the back. — The MiniDexed on the left, the pisound on the right, from the back.

The differences between the Pi3b and Pi4b are somewhat obvious here. Note that the 6.5mm audio jack ports from the pisound are not used on the MiniDexed. There really isn’t room inside the case for the Audio DAC circuitry because of the LCD Module and the Encoder Module.

The Pi4b has a USB C port for power, two micro HDMI ports for video (not used for the MiniDexed), and a 3.5mm port for the Audio. On the Pi3b+ for the pisound, there is a micro-USB for the power, a single full size HDMI and a 3.5mm audio jack (neither is used on the pisound). The 3.5mm audio jack on both the Pi4b and the Pi3b+ include a forth conductor for composite video. On the Pi3b+ and older Pi models, the audio was considered inferior, which is why the pisound has the Audio DAC circuitry and the two (Stereo In and Out) 6.5mm jacks.

Picture of the MiniDexed (on the left) and the pisound (on the right) viewed from the left side. — The MiniDexed on the left, the pisound on the right, from the left side.

I had to abandon the straight on photo of the side panel for the left side because of the LCD Contrast knob on the right side of the MiniDexed. This shows another difference between the Pi3b+ and the Pi4. The Ethernet port swaps sides with the USB ports.

Picture of the MiniDexed (on the left) and the pisound (on the right) viewed from the bottom. — The MiniDexed on the left, the pisound on the right, from the bottom.

From the bottom you can see how the MiniDexed LCD contrast knob potentiometer takes up valuable space needed to access the micro SD card. I’ll have to cut out all the Zip Ties to make changes to the micro SD card. I will consider replacing that potentiometer with a smaller potentiometer if I ever need to get to the micro SD card.

This is kind of a “glamour shot” of the two projects showing off the top, front, and right sides.

Picture of the MiniDexed (on the left) and the pisound (on the right) viewed from the top left rear corner. — The MiniDexed on the left, the pisound on the right, from the top left back corner.

The final shot of the two projects showing off the top, left, and back sides.

The MiniDexed is a bit of a tight fit into the pisound project case, but it works, and that is the point.

2026-01-12

My MiniDexed Project is complete!

I’ve posted about my miniDexed project a couple of times before (Here and Here). I finally got my real miniDexed Project Box for it completed. It turned out well. I did have to buy a coping saw so I could cut the LCD panel hole. I also needed to drill out holes for the Encoder/Button knob, and for the LCD Contrast knob. And then a bunch more holes for the Zip Ties to hold the box together.

Photo of MiniDexed Yamaha DX7 Emulator in a pisound project box. — MiniDexed Yamaha DX7 emulator in it’s pisound project box. Quarter coin for scale.

I put together a little logo from the one used on the MiniDexed Facebook group and fixed that to the side of the project box. I really wanted black ink on the label, but I didn’t have any Black-On-Clear label tape. It’s actually two labels, the MINI on a short strip and then the DEXED in a larger “font” (not really a font, it isn’t even actual text, just a PNG of the text). On the top is the Encoder/Button knob. On the right side in the picture is the LCD Contrast Control knob. Around the side to the left are the Raspberry Pi I/O ports, 4 Type A USB (two USB3 and two USB2) and the Ethernet port. On the back side are the two Micro-HDMI video ports, a 3.5mm audio jack (with composite video), and the USB Type C for power.

I chose the Raspberry Pi 4 8GB model because the audio on the combined Audio/Composite video jack is supposed to be better than it was on the previous Raspberry Pi models. It is better, but an actual DAC sound module would be better still. But the DX7 wasn’t the cleanest sound, so there is that, too. The pisound that I have uses a Raspberry Pi Model 3 model with a special Audio board to avoid the sound issues, and a MIDI board. I didn’t try to add MIDI to my miniDexed, though I think others do. I will depend on USB MIDI. I did test that with my Yamaha Reface DX (Yamaha’s modern mini FM Synth). I’ll need to get a shot of the Yamaha Reface DX and the miniDexed together.

I’ll take some shots of the miniDexed and the pisound side by side for a comparison in a future post. The pi sound is a cool idea. I haven’t really taken advantage of it yet, and I’ve had it a long time – at least by October 2018.

One thing about the miniDexed is that it is really eight DX7 engines running together. Like a TX816

2025-09-102025-09-10

Added a small case to the RC2014

I received the “Front Panel” and “Rear Panel” Kits for my RC2014 Z80 Computer. These panels are specifically designed for the Blue Box 110x250x190 mm project case, which I had purchased even before I got the initial kit to create the RC2014. I spent the last few days soldering and assembling the panels.

Showing "LCD Driver Module" and "Front Panel I/O" module. — The left side is the LCD Driver Module and and LCD Display and the right side is the Front Panel I/O module and the actual Panel for the front of the case.

You can see little tabs poking up through the back of the LCD panel. Under the little interface board that converts the 2×20 ribbon connector to the 16 pin the module needs is a tab that poked up into the pins of the little interface. It caused problems and I had to clip off that one tab. The Front I/O panel was also a problem, I soldered its ribbon cable header to the wrong side of the board, I had to desolder the header and flip it around behind the front panel so the ribbon cable could connect. My reading skills must be slipping. Though I don’t think the instructions mentioned the tabs on the LCD Display poking into the pins of the cable header.

There was a good bit of head scratching before I fixed those problems. But in the end, the front panel I/O and LCD Display are working well.

Showing RC2014 Front Panel assembled and attached to the case.

Showing Detail inside BlueBox case with RC2014 mounted inside, ribbon cables connecting to the front panel

The switches on the Front Panel I/O control the boot up. There are several choices for how to boot.

First is the Small Computer Monitor, a program that allows direct access to the CPU registers and memory.
Second is a version of Microsoft BASIC for 8080 (and Z80) microprocessors. This would be similar to how many 1970s and 80s computers would boot straight into the BASIC language interpreter (Such as the Commodore 64).
Third Boot option is a FORTH Language Interpreter. I have no idea how to use FORTH, at least at the moment.
The Fourth Boot option is a simple game called 2048.
The Fifth boot option is CP/M 2.2, Digital Research’s famed operating system for personal computers of the late 1970s and into the 1980s and that a version of was offered to IBM for the IBM PC. But Digital Research didn’t like the restrictions IBM wanted (and which Microsoft found a way around when the licensed MS-DOS to IBM).
The Sixth option is Z-System, an enhanced version of CP/M for the Z80 CPU (and the one I use the most).
The Seventh is a “Net Boot” which won’t work since I don’t have the RC2014 on the network.
And the final (eighth) front panel option is a User ROM boot, but I haven’t put in a User ROM so no booting from it either.

The Front panel also has an option to boot from the hard drive (in my case a Compact Flash drive like I have in my Canon EOS DSLR). There are 5 “slices” to boot from the current hard drive.

Slice 2.0 boots CP/M-80 v2.2
Slice 2.1 boots ZSDOS v1.1
Slice 2.2 boots ZSDOS v1.1 (yup, I’m wondering if I messed something up)
Slice 2.3 boots CP/M-80 v3.0 with Banked Memory
Slice 2.4 boots ZPM3 with Banked Memory (compatible with CP/M+)

I made a second Compact Flash (CF) for learning how to customize the system. I’m still using the original Compact Flash drive that came with the kit, though. The second CF drive has several Infocom Games, like Zork, or Hitchhhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, the classic Colossal Cave Adventure, and a few others. I also have HiTech-C and z80ASM programming tools, WordStar and ZDE, and stuff I’ve already forgotten.

The install of the Rear Panel Kit was simple. I got the blank version, it has blank cover for the holes where cables and connectors will eventually go. I’ll get those as I need them. Things like the FDTI adapter, and audio ports, maybe a video port, and so on.

Next up? I think a sound card, probably this one Why-Em-Ulator.

2025-07-312025-09-10

RC2014 Project Update – Does it work?

First things first

So first, before revealing if the thing works or needs more work, the first part of the update is that I finished the Backplane Pro. The Backplane Pro has 12 40-pin slots for the modules. It took a while to solder in 12 40-pin headers, 4 20-pin extended headers (the number of extended headers depends on how many extended bus modules you’re using. I have three at the moment, but I put in four), and a number of other small parts, a couple resisters, a power switch, power LED, a power jack, a reset button, and so on. I didn’t count all the solder points, At least 580 solders. I might have mentioned I’m a slow solderer; it took me most of the day.

Then I buzzed it out (using continuity testing of my Multi-Meter Oscilloscope, a ZOYI ZT-703S). I made sure all the header points had the signal they should, and didn’t have bleed over they shouldn’t. That took a while too. When I finished that, and did not find problems, I applied 5 volts to the power jack and checked the power LED did light, and the +5 and GND points all showed the power.

Fairly sure the backplane was good I went about checking the module circuit boards. I put them one at a time in a slot on the backplane and checked that power routed cleanly to the points in the sockets (without the integrated circuits plugged in). Everything looked good there too.

So I plugged all the ICs into their respective modules. I did the Z80 CPU first (only one IC, the actual Z80 CPU) on that module). Then the SIO/2 board, and so on. The only board I didn’t get completed is the Real Time Clock module – I don’t have a spare 2032 Coin Cell for it. Then I put the extended bus cards, the Z80 CPU, the Z80 SIO/2 board, and the DUAL Clock in the first three extended bus slots (Slots 5, 6, and 7). The ROM/RAM Memory module is in Slot 8, an extended bus slot but that board doesn’t need the extended bus. Finally I put the Compact Flash module in slot 4, a standard bus slot. I left the Real Time Clock out for the moment, given it doesn’t have it ‘s backup battery yet.

Finallly, I attached the FTDI cable to my computer and into the RC2014. I had to find the com port Windows assigned to it – which took it a while. It’s Com5. I fired up putty terminal software and configured a session to Com5 at 115200 bps and pressed reset on the RC2014. I got my first boot up results:

First Power Up screen for RC2014 — RC2014 Power up Boot – SUCCESS!!! It WORKS

SUCCESS!!! IT’S ALIVE

I was very happy, especially given the trouble the silver based solder gave me to start with (and two destroyed modules that I had to repurchase).

I did put the Real Time Clock (RTC) onto the board for the “photo op” where you can see the assembled system all together. But I didn’t power it up at that point (I thought about it so you could see the glowing power lights and such.

While I had the system powered up, I launched the Z-System operating system (not the IBM Mainframe Z-System OS…) and explored the compact flash. I also tried out Microsoft Basic and made it print:

Hello,World! RC2014 - is ALIVE!!!!!! John Sandlin 250731

I meant to make it print the full year, 20250731, but made a typo and didn’t fix it the right way. The backspace key doesn’t work correctly in Basic.

What’s Next

There are a number of things I want to do still. I want to get the RC2014 Front Panel Kit (and a back panel kit too), a Sound Module that uses a vintage sound module that were popular with the MSX Z80 based computers, and a video / keyboard interface. The Front Panel Kit gives it a proper vintage Kit Computer look. My first computer was a HeathKit H89, which I built while studying MicroComputers through an NTS training course, but the Front Panel is even more primitive than the H89.

I might also want to see about making the RC2014 work with MSX software. That’s down the road a bit though.

2025-07-302025-09-10

Project RC2014 Continues, after a short delay

I started the project using the silver based solder to try to keep it all RoHS. But the Silver Solder and me soldering wasn’t working out. I damaged to two of the project boards, The Serial IO and the Dual Clock boards. Silver Solder requires higher temperatures, I’m not the fastest solderer, and I melted a couple sockets so that pins fell out, and then I couldn’t get the silver solder to desolder and basically destroyed the boards. I had to order replacement PCBs and replacement components.

Now though, I have six RC2014 modules soldered up and just have the backplane left to go.

Six Modules done

The six modules, starting top left and ending bottom right, are:

Top Row:

Dual Clock Module

The Dual Clock Module is an Enhanced Bus card (it has two rows of pins to the backplane). This is the system conductor, keeping the clock pulses that the CPU needs to execute the instructions in coordination with all the other components. This clock has to talk to all the other modules to keep them in Sync.

Compact Flash Storage Module

The Compact Flash Storage Module will hold all the software to run on the RC2014 computer. Back in the day computers like this might have used Paper Tape (like the Altair), or cassette audio tapes (like a Commodore Pet (which also later used floppy disks), or Floppy Disks (like many CP/M machines like mine will be), and maybe even a smallish hard disk drive. The Compact flash takes the place of the hard drive and can have a reasonably large capacity (if you can imagine 64 MB being reasonable), well compared to the 5 MB drives of the time.

Middle Row:

Z80 SIO/2 Serial Module

The Z80 SIO/2 Serial Module allows the Zilog Z80 CPU to talk to the outside world – like the User. It’s an old reference but the movie TRON, this would be the I/O Towers programs used to communicate with the Users. Back in the day when CP/M computers were The Big Deal, the SIO would connect to a serial terminal, like a DEC VT100, or to a keyboard and monitor if that computer had one, like modern computers and laptops do.

Real Time Clock Module

The Real Time Clock Module is purely optional and many CP/M computers in the early 1980s did not have one, you had to tell it the date and time each time you booted it up. I can have a script run in CP/M that reads the current date and time when the computer boots up. It’s handy to have your files time stamped.

Bottom Row:

Z80 CPU Module

The Z80 CPU Module is the brain of the system. The Zilog Z80 was an improvement over the Intel 8080 and was very popular in many CP/M computers. The Z80 is an 8-bit computer CPU that often came with incredibly small amounts of memory. 16K was common, along with 32K, 48K and even 64K. 64K was the most an 8 bit computer could typically address with a 16 bit address bus without resorting to “Bank Swapping.” A screen on these old computers could hold 80 text characters each on 25 lines. So imagine 8 of these screen pages, and that’s the 16K. All your software had to run in that memory, including the screen buffer (those 80×25 character lines of text), the operating system, the application (like Word Star, a popular word processor back then) and all your data. But memory was crazy expensive, so you did what you could in as little as you could afford. Until very recently, Zilog was still making the original 40 Pin DIP Z80 CPUs (albeit in slightly faster clock speeds). Zilog discontinuing the Z80 prompted me to do this project before the chips are all gone.

512K ROM / 512K RAM Memory Module

The 512K ROM / 512K RAM Memory Module takes advantage of Bank Switching to let the RC2014 address more than64K of memory. This is where the computer holds all the information it’s working on and with, the instructions in the programs it’s running, and anything it needs to complete the tasks it’s working on.

NEXT UP:

Tomorrow I’ll start work on the RC2014 Backplane Pro. This is the backbone of the computer, and also distributes power and facilitates communication between the module. Then the troubleshooting begins!

2025-07-062025-09-10

Project RC2014 is started

I have my first board for the RC2014 Z80 computer put together. This was a simple board, just a socket, four resisters, 1 capacitor, and a right angle header. A lot of small solders, though. Once I have a chance to validate the solders are good and I have the backplane wired, I will put the CPU in that socket. I just want to validate the power and ground are going to the right pins first. So I have a good deal of soldering to do before I get there.

I’ll probably work on the Dual Clock Card tomorrow. Every CPU needs a good clock, or two.

2025-07-032025-09-10

A Couple Project Updates

I got a 3D printed case from iCode.com for my MiSTer FPGA. It comes in several colors. The case I have is the “Crystal White” which is semi-translucent. It has little holes drilled to let the LED lights through but they shine right through the case anyway, so no light-pipes needed. It looks really nice, though I did have to file open a couple of the holes. The VGA connector needed more room, for example.

iCode.com Crystal White semi-translucent MiSTer FPGA case, system powered up and LEDs glowing.

I staged my MiniDexed project into a carboard box, pending getting my plastic case cut so I can finish in that. I’ll be using a PiSound Case from Blokas. I have an Actual PiSound and thought the case it is in would work for my MiniDexed, but I need to cut holes in it to pack the MiniDexed into it. But I want it done clean so I need some more parts for the project before it get’s it’s new home. Below is the current CardBoard MiniDexed.

Soon I’ll have a new project, the RC2014 Zed Pro, 8-bit Retro computer. It’s a modern take (from the Retro Challenge in 2014) on an 8-Bit Z80 CP/M computer. My first computer was a HeathKit H89 HDOS computer, where HDOS was a work alike system like CP/M. So this will be very similar, but without the built in CRT and Keyboard. It is made from currently manufactured parts, except the Zilog Z80 CPU which JUST went out of production late last year. Fortunately the creator of the kit has some Z80 chips still. But eventually those will run out, so I bought one and will have it in hand very soon.

I do have a soft spot in my heart for the Z80 because of my H89

My HeathKit H89 computer which I built for a National Technical Schools Micro Computers course

2024-07-112025-09-10

Adding a little Music: MiniDexed

I started a new project to make a MiniDexed synth. The little synth recreates, to a large degree, the famed Yamaha DX 7 Synth (minus the keyboard and “front panel”). The MiniDexed uses a Raspberry Pi as the base, with a couple of knobs and a simple text display.

photo of minidexed project on breadboard connected to Raspberry Pi 4. — My MiniDexed Synth so far – prototype stage

I’ve ordered a project box to put the MiniDexed into which will take a while to arrive, they’re current made when they’re ordered and then shipped, from Europe. I’m repurposing a PiSound case to make my project. The MiniDexed project has a “print-your-own” case available, but I don’t have a 3D printer so my choice was the PiSound case. The page for the project has a section showing their case design. That same page shows the wiring diagram I used to make the prototype.

I’ve tested the setup, and it does play music and emulates DX-7 voices nicely. I had to use a MIDI keyboard to control the synth and play some notes. In my picture above, you can see the simple 2 line by 16 character display, the rather well hidden two knobs – A continuous encoder to scroll through menus and select options, and a contrast potentiometer, and of course the Raspberry Pi 4.

I will be using connector headers to make the wiring harness so that the parts can be installed in sections so I can open the project case as needed. One 16 pin header for the display which connects to a 2×20 pin header to connect to the Raspberry Pi GPIO pins. That 2×20 pin header will also connect a five pin header to the continuous encoder, and a 2 pin connector for the contrast potentiometer.

Once completed, the MiniDexed will operate as eight sound engines, each capable of 16 simultaneous notes, much like a Yamaha TX 816 Rack module. The TX 816 put 8 DX-7 Sound Engines in a rack mountable cage. That’s 128 notes at a time via the 8 sound engines (they can be all the same voice, or 8 different, or a mix between, at 16 notes from each sound engine). All controlled by MIDI messages.

I’ll be sure to post updates as I complete them.

2023-10-142024-09-11

Playing Starfield from Bethesda Softworks, LLC

Recent snapshot of my character in game, looking at her starship - Starborn Guardian — Recent snapshot of my character in game, looking at her starship – Starborn Guardian

I’ve been playing Starfield. At this point I have nearly 150 hours in the game. Without spoilers, or at least not many, I want to tell you what I found in this game.

The game starts out (so this isn’t much of a spoiler) with you riding a mineshaft elevator down to the current active portion of the mine. This is the equivalent of the Skyrim, “Hey, You! You’re finally awake” moment. You’re introduced to some of the game mechanics and then taken to the character creation screen, where you chose the starting attributes. This is where the infamous pronouns part is. When you are done creating the character and giving them a name, you’re given an opportunity to change the default pronouns that might be used (though I’ve never noticed a point where they are used, or maybe I missed them because it just worked). I think Bethesda did a decent job with the Character Creation. They aren’t photoreal humans, but they’re better than previous Bethesda games.

Meet Lynness Redstar. My first character in Bethesda's "Starfield" game — Meet Lynness Redstar. My first character in Bethesda’s “Starfield” game

The game quickly takes you into the start of the main questline, which I won’t describe to avoid spoilers. It’s a relatively short main “quest.” Taking maybe 20 hours if you concentrate on it (this is relatively short – compared to all the quests and task the game can offer). The real meat of the game are the side quests though. I recommend doing the side quests first. Perhaps you will join the Vanguard, or the UC System Defense. There are many other choices. There are starship battles, beast hunting, and many other challenges to chose or avoid. Be prepared for adventure, romance, possible heartbreak, and some pretty deep moments if you play it right.

There are also opportunities to improve your weapons, your vehicles, your clothing, and your skills. This is a Bethesda RPG game after all. It’s worth playing. It probably isn’t really “Game of the Year” material, but it is a good game.

Some call the game boring. I have to say they aren’t trying very hard to find excitement. You get out of the game what you put in. It does have flaws, though. It has crashed three or four times in the 150 hours I’ve played. Some game design choices are still rough around the edges. Something particularly standing out – many of the sets, the equivalent of the Skyrim dungeons are reused several times, though the enemy might change. If you aren’t paying attention, you can end up in “Grind” mode and not really getting the most from the game. Some key ideas are not obvious until you’ve been playing it a while, and that can leave you confused about what to do. Ironically, there are times it seems to hold your hand too much (or like the game is on rails, though it isn’t really). You will have plenty of choices.

The end of that main quest is quite epic, and depending on the choices you make during your play through, deep and meaningful. If you have an Xbox and have Game Pass, give it a try. But beware – you’re loose hours, days and maybe even weeks because you’ll be so focused on the game and won’t even notice you missed dinner, maybe several dinners.

2023-06-292023-06-29

My Short Adventure on Ficly (2009-2010)

Long ago I put a few stories up on a site called Ficly

The point of the site, in the words of the Ficly admin:

Ficly is about creativity. When I was originally thinking about this idea, I was looking for something creative I could do for the last fifteen minutes of my lunch break before I jumped back into coding and writing documentation. I’d originally had an idea for a much larger site for serious fiction, but realized that most people don’t have the time to write serious fiction. But, everyone can carve out fifteen minutes to either continue a story someone else has started, or start something of their own – something simple – two, maybe three paragraphs of a character, a plot or even just a place.
From “About” on the Ficly.com site

So these are my submissions.

SandsSpot (Bio blurb)

I’m fighting off middle age the best I can. The hair on my head reveals the vector of the battle. Soon I’ll have to update my icon to a snowy white and concede defeat, accept middle age and get on with life. Not today, however. Today, though I struggle to remember when I find myself standing in a doorway whether I’m entering a room or just leaving, I count myself among the young.

I’m joining Ficly to prove it; to prove I’m still young; that my brain still functions creatively and with ease. Well, it functions creatively, anyway. Sometimes. On Sunday evenings just after the sun sets and I’m getting ready for bed to get up early for work the next day…

I’m kidding, of course.

In summary, I’m a married male in my fifth decade of life with two kids, no grandkids, and am still working on my bachelors degree (BS in CS). I work in IT (telecom) and have for almost three decades. Also, I like to write and like to think I do it well. At least, well enough.

That, in a nutshell, is my 1024 character bio 😉

The Stories (3)

After World
Author: SandsSpot
Published September 26th, 2010
Average rating: 5 out of 5

We Came in Peace …
Author: SandsSpot
Published July 21st, 2009
Average rating: 5 out of 5

The Return
Author: SandsSpot
Published July 7th, 2009
Average rating: 4 out of 5

The Return

The prophesies of the Christian Bible fulfilled, Jesus recently returned to Earth. There was no fanfare of angels or great shining beams of light, instead His return came quietly one Wednesday afternoon.

Jesus first visited Jerusalem. He surveyed all the promised land. He surveyed all the surrounding lands. Yes, the prophesies were fulfilled, but yet- He brushed away the thought, muttering, “surely not!”

Jesus travelled to Rome, the seat of His church. We mixed up the calendar; observing the wrong day as the Sabbath. “Well, that can’t be right!” He told a passerby. To be sure, following a stray lead, He went to a small museum in Kentucky. “No,” He said, “Humans did not co-exist with dinosaurs! No wonder the rapture failed! They all got it wrong!”

His chosen people badly interpreted His teachings. So, disgusted, he waited no longer; He returned to Heaven. “Father, forgive me, but I cannot rule over these people. Give them all to Satan.”

“Sorry, Son. He already rejected them,” came the reply.

COMMENTS

From M.
I love this! This is a real commentary on, what I believe, the historical Jesus would say about those who proclaim allegiance to Him today!
Rated: 4 out of 5

From S.
Nice story, especially the ending. Personally I’d like a little more emphasis on the fact that people twisted the history for controlling people and to gain power.
Rated: 4 out of 5

From SandsSpot
Hmm… Good thought S.… I may need to work up a “The Return v.2”…

First I want to think about other ideas, though.

jbs

We Came in Peace …

I stared at the plaque for a long time, pondering the words. Some were names and dates, from an age long ago. Our explorers recovered the relic recently and our scientists examined it carefully. An ordinary metal, some simple etching, nothing extraordinary about the plaque.

We looked across the vista before us, up at the orb above us and the larger one below. I wondered about the people that created the plaque, “What were they like?” I didn’t mean to say it out loud.

“Like all the rest, I imagine,” one of the plaque finders said. “Just like all the rest. Dreamers, idealists, ironic.”

“Ironic,” I thought silently. I reread the plaque. I didn’t think they meant to be ironic, but there it was. I bet they didn’t even know. The important words on the plaque were:

“Here Men From The Planet Earth First Set Foot Upon the Moon, July 1969 A.D. We Came in Peace For All Mankind.”

We lost their radio signals and came from far away to see why.

Soon after that time religious wars wiped them out. Not peace.

COMMENTS

From R.
Very intruging, but I almost wish you had left the ending more open ended. C’est la vie. I am compelled to add to this though…Hmmmm
Rated: 4 out of 5

SandsSpot
Thanks for the comment and feedback. I actually knew the ending before I wrote the beginning, but still, more open ended would have been good.

After World

Many years ago people made a choice. They chose poorly. We survivors live with that choice. The last of the generation that participated in that choice would pass on in a few years. Many of them still deny their culpability. Still.

Those few of us still engaged in academic studies have recently worked out how that poor choice came to be. Humans denied the possibility that we could cause such a change of climate because they believed the world was created perfect and mere humans could not destroy what the Creator had wrought. We now understand humans could.

Our greatest challenge now, though, isn’t growing sufficient crops on the remaining usable land, and it isn’t finding potable fresh water or any of the other dire conditions we face now on the Earth. No, with our now depleted technological capability and lack of infrastructure, we have no way to deflect an inbound comet. In a few months, an ice and rock behemoth now visible to human eyes will erase our mistake just like another did to the dinosaurs.

COMMENTS

From T.T.
Wow! Really makes you think about the issues that we’re faced with today… I love the last paragraph, especially the last line!
Rated: 5 out of 5