Memorial Day, 2011

On this Memorial Day, I'd like to remember those of my family who have served.  Please go to this post to see those members.  My step-dad passed away on Good Friday, but he is being remembered in a special way, today.

A fitting song for today is Lee Greenwood's, "God Bless the USA"!  Enjoy!

If tomorrow all the things were gone,
Id worked for all my life.
And I had to start again,
with just my children and my wife.

Id thank my lucky stars,
to be livin here today.
Cause the flag still stands for freedom,
and they cant take that away.

And Im proud to be an American,
where at least I know Im free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
Cause there aint no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

From the lakes of Minnesota,
to the hills of Tennessee.
Across the plains of Texas,
From sea to shining sea.

From Detroit down to Houston,
and New York to L.A.
Well there's pride in every American heart,
and its time we stand and say.

That Im proud to be an American,
where at least I know Im free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
Cause there aint no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

And Im proud to be and American,
where at least I know Im free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
Cause there aint no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

I Believe

 

I Believe

 ... That just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do love each other.

 

.... That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

 

.... That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

 

.... That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.

 

.... That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

 

.... That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

 

.... That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

 

.... That you can keep going long after you think you can't.

 

.... That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

 

.... That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

 

.... That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

 

.... That my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.

 

.... That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down will be the ones to help you get back up.

 

.... That sometimes when I'm angry, I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

 

.... That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had, and what you've learned from them, and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

 

.... That it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

 

.... That no matter how bad your heart is broken, the world doesn't stop for your grief.

 

.... That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

 

.... That you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.

 

.... Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

 

.... That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.

 

.... That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you--you will find the strength to help.

 

.... That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

 

.... That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

 

.... The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.

Calvin and Hobbes

I think Hobbes would like me if I dyed my hair red, and got green contacts.  I already have the whiskers!

AAADD

Recently, I was diagnosed with A. A. A. D. D. - Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder.

This is how it manifests:

I decide to water my garden. As I turn on the hose in the driveway, I look over at my car and decide my car needs washing. As I start toward the garage, I notice that there is mail on the porch table that I brought up from the mail box earlier. I decide to go through the mail before I wash the car.

I lay my car keys down on the table, put the junk mail in the trash can under the table, and notice that the can is full. So, I decide to put the bills back on the table and take out the trash first.

But then I think, since I'm going to be near the mailbox when I take out the trash anyway, I may as well pay the bills first. I take my check book off the table, and see that there is only one check left. My extra checks are in my desk in the study, so I go inside the house to my desk where I find the can of Coke that I had been drinking.

I'm going to look for my checks, but first I need to push the Coke aside so that I don't accidentally knock it over. I see that the Coke is getting warm, and I decide I should put it in the refrigerator to keep it cold. As I head toward the kitchen with the Coke a vase of flowers on the counter catches my eye--they need to be watered.

I set the Coke down on the counter, and I discover my reading glasses that I've been searching for all morning. I decide I better put them back on my desk, but first I'm going to water the flowers.

I set the glasses back down on the counter, fill a container with water and suddenly I spot the TV remote. Someone left it on the kitchen table. I realize that tonight when we go to watch TV, I will be looking for the remote, but I won't remember that it's on the kitchen table, so I decide to put it back in the den where it belongs, but first I'll water the flowers...

Now I pour some water in the flowers, but quite a bit of it spills on the floor. So, I set the remote back down on the table, get some towels and wipe up the spill.

Then I head down the hall trying to remember

what I was planning to do.

At the end of the day:

-the car isn't washed,

-the bills aren't paid,

-there is a warm can of Coke sitting on the counter,

-the flowers don't have enough water,

-there is still only one check in my check book,

-I can't find the remote,

-I can't find my glasses, and I don't remember what I did with the car keys.

Then when I try to figure out why nothing got done today, I'm really baffled because I know I was busy all day long, and I'm really tired.

I realize this is a serious problem, and I'll try to get some help for it, but first I'll check my e-mail.

Don't laugh -- if this isn't you yet, --your day is coming!

PSA

Do you raise your own chickens? How do you pluck them? My son is going to try this!

The Green Thing:

In the line at the store, the cashier told the older woman that she should bring her own grocery bag because plastic bags weren’t good for the environment. The woman apologized to him and explained, "We didn’t have the green thing back in my day.” The clerk responded, "That's our problem today. The former generation did not care enough to save our environment." He was right, that generation didn’t have the green thing in its day. Back then, they returned their milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So they really were recycled. But they didn’t have the green thing back in that customer's day. In her day, they walked up stairs, because they didn’t have an escalator in every store and office building. They walked to the grocery store and didn’t climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time they had to go two blocks. But she was right. They didn’t have the green thing in her day. Back then, they washed the baby’s diapers because they didn’t have the throw-away kind. They dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling machine burning up 220 volts – wind and solar power really did dry the clothes. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing. But that old lady is right, they didn’t have the green thing back in her day. Back then, they had one TV, or radio, in the house – not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a hankerchief, not a screen the size of the state of Montana . In the kitchen, they blended and stirred by hand because they didn’t have electric machines to do everything for you. When they packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, they used a wadded up old newspaper to cushion it, not styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap. Back then, they didn’t fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. They used a push mower that ran on human power.. They exercised by working so they didn’t need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity. But she’s right, they didn’t have the green thing back then. They drank from a fountain when they were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time they had a drink of water. They refilled their writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and they replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull. But they didn’t have the green thing back then. Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus and kids rode their bikes to school or rode the school bus instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service. They had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And they didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizza joint. But isn't it sad the current generation laments how wasteful the old folks were just because they didn't have the green thing back then?

Fridays

Every Friday At The Pentagon
I was not aware of this practice until now. I am pleased that it happens,
And am astounded that it does happen,
Given the political situation that exists in our government today.

It really breaks my heart to know that we didn't know this goes on every Friday, well at least I didn't know.
Instead, I guess the media feels it's more important to report on Hollywood stars as heroes.
I hope this article gives you a sense of pride for what our men and women are doing for us,
Every day, as they serve in the armed forces here and abroad.

IT HAPPENS EVERY FRIDAY! WERE YOU AWARE?

Mornings at the Pentagon

By JOSEPH L. GALLOWAY
McClatchy Newspapers

Over the last 12 months, 1,042 soldiers, Marines, sailors and Air Force personnel have given their lives in the terrible duty that is war.

Thousands more have come home on stretchers, horribly wounded and facing months or years in military hospitals.

This week, I'm turning my space over to a good friend and former roommate, Army Lt. Col. Robert Bateman, who recently completed a yearlong tour of duty and is now back at the Pentagon.

Here's Lt. Col. Bateman's account of a little-known ceremony that fills the halls of the Army corridor of the Pentagon with cheers, applause and many tears every Friday morning. It first appeared on May 17 on the Weblog of media critic and pundit Eric Alterman at the Media Matters for America Website.

"It is 110 yards from the "E" ring to the "A" ring of the Pentagon. This section of the Pentagon is newly renovated; the floors shine, the hallway is broad, and the lighting is bright. At this instant the entire length of the corridor is packed with officers, a few sergeants and some civilians, all crammed tightly three and four deep against the walls. There are thousands here.

"This hallway, more than any other, is the `Army' hallway. The G3 offices line one side, G2 the other, G8 is around the corner. All Army. Moderate conversations flow in a low buzz. Friends who may not have seen each other for a few weeks, or a few years, spot each other, cross the way and renew.

"Everyone shifts to ensure an open path remains down the center. The air conditioning system was not designed for this press of bodies in this area.

"The temperature is rising already. Nobody cares. "10:36 hours: The clapping starts at the E-Ring. That is the outermost of the five rings of the Pentagon and it is closest to the entrance to the building. This clapping is low, sustained, hearty. It is applause with a deep emotion behind it as it moves forward in a wave down the length of the hallway.

"A steady rolling wave of sound it is, moving at the pace of the soldier in the wheelchair who marks the forward edge with his presence. He is the first. He is missing the greater part of one leg, and some of his wounds are still suppurating. By his age I expect that he is a private, or perhaps a private first class.

"Captains, majors, lieutenant colonels and colonels meet his gaze and nod as they applaud, soldier to soldier. Three years ago when I described one of these events, those lining the hallways were somewhat different. The applause a little wilder, perhaps in private guilt for not having shared in the burden ... Yet.

"Now almost everyone lining the hallway is, like the man in the wheelchair, also a combat veteran. This steadies the applause, but I think deepens the sentiment. We have all been there now. The soldier's chair is pushed by, I believe, a full colonel.

"Behind him, and stretching the length from Rings E to A, come more of his peers, each private, corporal, or sergeant assisted as need be by a field grade officer.

"11:00 hours: Twenty-four minutes of steady applause. My hands hurt, and I laugh to myself at how stupid that sounds in my own head. My hands hurt. Please! Shut up and clap. For twenty-four minutes, soldier after soldier has come down this hallway - 20, 25, 30.. Fifty-three legs come with them, and perhaps only 52 hands or arms, but down this hall came 30 solid hearts.

"They pass down this corridor of officers and applause, and then meet for a private lunch, at which they are the guests of honor, hosted by the generals. Some are wheeled along. Some insist upon getting out of their chairs, to march as best they can with their chin held up, down this hallway, through this most unique audience. Some are catching handshakes and smiling like a politician at a Fourth of July parade. More than a couple of them seem amazed and are smiling shyly.

"There are families with them as well: the 18-year-old war-bride pushing her 19-year-old husband's wheelchair and not quite understanding why her husband is so affected by this, the boy she grew up with, now a man, who had never shed a tear is crying; the older immigrant Latino parents who have, perhaps more than their wounded mid-20s son, an appreciation for the emotion given on their son's behalf. No man in that hallway, walking or clapping, is ashamed by the silent tears on more than a few cheeks. An Airborne Ranger wipes his eyes only to better see. A couple of the officers in this crowd have themselves been a part of this parade in the past.

"These are our men, broken in body they may be, but they are our brothers, and we welcome them home. This parade has gone on, every single Friday, all year long, for more than four years.

Did you know that? I didn't.

Don't send it back to me, just be a Patriot and send it on its way as you see fit.

Post-Rapture Picture

Rapture

This is for everyone that is still here on Sunday morning, May 22, 2011. Remember, He IS coming soon!

Scary! Isn't it?

You may have seen this before but be sure to read the note at the bottom………….

After two years of Obama ....

Here's your "change!"

	January 2009	TODAY	% chg	Source
Avg.. Retail price/gallon gas in U.S.	$1.83	$3.44	84%	1
Crude oil, European Brent (barrel)	$43..48	$99..02	127.7%	2
Crude oil, West TX Inter. (barrel)	$38..74	$91..38	135.9%	2
Gold: London (per troy oz.)	$853.25	$1,369.50	60.5%	2
Corn, No.2 yellow, Central IL	$3.56	$6.33	78.1%	2
Soybeans, No. 1 yellow, IL	$9.66	$13..75	42.3%	2
Sugar, cane, raw, world, lb. Fob	$13..37	$35..39	164.7%	2
Unemployment rate, non-farm, overall	7.6%	9.4%	23.7%	3
Unemployment rate, African-Americans	12.6%	15.8%	25.4%	3
Number of unemployed	11,616,000	14,485,000	24.7%	3
Number of fed. Employees	2,779,000	2,840,000	2.2%	3
Real median household income	$50,112	$49,777	-0.7%	4
Number of food stamp recipients	31,983,716	43,200,878	35.1%	5
Number of unemployment benefit recipients	7,526,598	9,193,838	22.2%	6
Number of long-term unemployed	2,600,000	6,400,000	146.2%	3
Poverty rate, individuals	13.2%	14.3%	8.3%	4
People in poverty in U.S.	39,800,000	43,600,000	9.5%	4
U.S.. Rank in Economic Freedom World Rankings	5	9	n/a	10
Present Situation Index	29.9	23.5	-21.4%	11
Failed banks	140	164	17.1%	12
U.S.. Dollar versus Japanese yen exchange rate	89.76	82.03	-8.6%	2
U.S.. Money supply, M1, in billions	1,575.1	1,865.7	18.4%	13
U.S.. Money supply, M2, in billions	8,310.9	8,852.3	6.5%	13
National debt, in trillions	$10..627	$14..052	32.2%	14

Just take this last item: In the last two years we have accumulated national debt at a rate more than 27 times as fast as during the rest of our entire nation's history. Over 27 times as fast. Metaphorically speaking, if you are driving in the right lane doing 65 MPH and a car rockets past you in the left lane. 27 times faster, it would be doing 1,755 MPH!
Sources:
(1) U.S. Energy Information Administration; (2) Wall Street Journal; (3) Bureau of Labor Statistics; (4) Census Bureau; (5) USDA; (6) U.S. Dept. Of Labor;
(7) FHFA; (8) Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller; (9) RealtyTrac; (10) Heritage Foundation and WSJ; (11) The Conference Board; (12) FDIC;
(13) Federal Reserve; (14) U.S. Treasury

Grandpa!

Sounds just like the 'grandpa' of our family!

H/T ArcaMax Comics

My Philosophy!

H/T Shoebox Quotes

No Sunday Paper:

This is dedicated to all of us who are seniors, to all of you who know seniors, and to all of you who will become seniors.

"WHERE is my SUNDAY paper?!"
The irate customer calling the newspaper office, loudly demanded to know where her Sunday edition was.

"Madam", said the newspaper employee, "today is Saturday. The Sunday paper is not delivered until tomorrow, on SUNDAY".
There was quite a long pause on the other end of the phone, followed by a ray of recognition as she was heard to mutter...
..."Well, that explains why no one was at church either."

For Xaq!

H/T Leticia

The News

I hope all of you have Good News, today!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!

A Newborn ' s Conversation with God


A baby asked God, "They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?"

God said, "Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you."

The child further inquired, "But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy."

God said, "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy."

Again the small child asked, "And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?"

God said, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak."

"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?"

God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray."

"Who will protect me?"

God said, "Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life."

"But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore."

God said, "Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you."

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, "God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name."

God said, You will simply call her, "Mom."

Another View

Breaking: First Photo of OBL Funeral From Aircraft Carrier

Rumor has it that OBL's fellow passengers in the car were dead pigs, the car was a left-over from the Cash-for-Clunkers program, and it was paid for by evil Jews.

H/T The Watcher

The Picture of OBL's Funeral

YOU!

You. Yes, you. I am writing this for you.

I know you are reading this. And I want you to know I am writing this for you. No one else will understand. No one else knows. They think that this is for them. But it’s not. I am writing this for you.

I want you to know, life…it’s hard. Every day can be a challenge. It can be a challenge to get up in the morning. To get yourself out of bed. To put on that smile. But I want you to know, that smile is what keeps me going some days. You need to remember, even through the tough times, you are amazing. You really are.

You should be happy. You are gorgeous.

I know that the weather might not be perfect. You might have to turn your back to the wind or feel the cold nipping at your nose. But you know what, at least you are there to feel it. At least you can enjoy the sun’s warm rays on your face. Or that cold February wind biting at your cheeks. You know what that means?

You are alive.

Everything will be okay.

Thank you, precious daughter, Carole! I really needed this this morning.

As most of my blog friends know my family and I made a LONG trip to Annapolis, MD to say goodbye to a wonderful man!

We had an uneventful trip out, which is always a good thing. We spent the time thinking and reminiscing about all that he meant to us. When we finally arrived, we were met by our brother, Steve. We could tell it was hard on him to lose his father, but I thought he was so glad to have all of us there.

We got there on Monday, and the 'Come and go' meet was Thursday evening, and the military honors were Friday morning, with the memorial service after the honors. A nice lunch was served by the ladies of the church.

Many, many wonderful things were said about him.

On Saturday, the ones that flew in were taken to the airport, the men of my family headed for home, and my twin sister and I stayed. As were were going through the house, we were told to take anything we wanted. At least, that is what we all heard, but as many of you know, not everything that is said is what is meant.

On Saturday, we went out to dinner with the family, had a great time, said our 'Good-byes', and got ready to leave early on Sunday.

We made it to Terre Haute, IN around 5 PM Sunday evening. About 7 miles west of TH, we drove over a 'pointy' part of the asphalt highway, and blew a tire. It was pouring rain! My sister, who was driving, got us safely to the side of the road. She turned on the emergency blinkers, and we sat, and sat. She looked for the 'Roadside assistance' for AARP, but the one she had wasn't the right one. She called 911 (what would we do without cell phones?) They said they would send the state troopers. No one showed up.

She then called 411 and got the # for a tow service. Thanks, Gil's Towing, of Terre Haute. He loaded the car onto a flatbed, and took us to the local Wal-Mart. We couldn't believe the automotive department would be open that late on a Sunday evening. They had a tire that matched, and we were on the road again.

As we got close to the place we had the blowout, there was another car with his blinkers on. We stopped! He also had a blowout. We gave him Gil's #, and I called Wal-mart and asked them to stay open for awhile longer. I hope they did. It was still raining!

We finally made to our motel in Effingham, IL. It was very nice! Thanks, Josh!

On Monday morning, very early, we headed west again. We finally made it home around 6:30PM.

All in all, for the circumstances, we had a very satisfying trip. There is more, but this is all I'm going to say at this time.