Saturday, December 26, 2009

Saturday Morning Reflection #17

Good morning everyone...

Today is the first day after Christmas. I have truly been blessed this year with many wonderful things. Friends, Family (and apparently I have been adopted by some "new" family members), along with having my life back. This morning I looked around and noticed all of the things I have in my life and thought about that. I didn't look around and think about the things I didn't have. I didn't look around and think about the things I want. I simply thought about the things that were with me.

Although 2009 was a year when I lost two of my best friends (Jake Dog and Holly Bear) it was also a year filled with fresh awakenings. A year that saw lines of communication opened again. A year where I returned to my life. A good year.

I look forward to 2010. I look forward to sharing my life with the special people that I have allowed in. I look forward to new adventures and excitement. At this point I must steal a line from someone else...I want to be a friend that a friend would love to have.

I appreciate the people that read this Blog. I hope that I give something to you, although I am not sure what that would be.

This will probably be the last post for 2009. God bless us all and Happy New Year

Ginger...did you think I would forget? You know me better than that.

Fresh out of high school, I found a job cleaning the elegant home of an older couple. Among other duties, I had to dust their many imported carvings and petrified collectibles as well as pick up after their pets.

One day I was astonished to find two ivory fossils lying on the floor beside the bookcase. I quickly picked them up and put them back on the shelf. The next week the same thing happened.

That afternoon my employer came into the parlor, her faithful canine behind her. Looking around, she eyed the bookcase.

"Tippy," she asked the dog, "how do your bones keep getting up there?

Well, until the next time...Please remember that I have to pay the bills.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Saturday Morning Reflection #16

Good Morning everyone..

Today, we should start with the weather. We got snow here. About 6 inches on top of my truck. Kinda feels like Christmas. I like it.

Latisha has mentioned several times that my Christmas tree looks bare. I guess it does. The tree is one of those that has the white lights built into it. It is symbolic of the restart in my life (or restartS). There are three ornaments on the tree. The first was made by my daughter several years ago when her mother and I split. I keep it in a baggie now because it is a cookie with magic marker on it attached by some yarn to a cutout paper bell. The second was a gift from Maggie . The third is a MARSHALL football helmet ornament from Latisha's parents. These items symbolize the things in my life that have carried forward and will always be with me.

There is something else on the tree. I received a Christmas card from Latisha. She doesn't talk too much, but the card says a lot. I think it earned a spot on THE TREE.

I hope that Christmas and New Years this year allows America, and the world, to have a renewing of faith. Perhaps it is time we re-embraced the Christian values that originally made this country great. There is something to be said for Conservative political views (and actions). The traditional ways that started this country made us strong. The new ways seem to make the American way of life weaker and weaker. The few that are still working are burdened with feeding not only the infirm and incapable, but also the lazy and useless. My first suggestion is that anybody who requires an attorney to win Social Security Disability should be able to work...and might I also suggest that any attorney that would specialize in this segment of law should be required to do something useful. There should also be fewer prison guards. How do we do that? Simple...Lock the prisoners up in a cell. Bring them food. Don't let them out to exercise. Don't give them cable tv. There is no outside exercise time or dorm living. They can have sponge bathes and anybody that assaults a guard gets those priveleges removed for a week. There won't be any cell extraction teams...don't do as your told?...then don't get fed. They will comply or get buried.
Either way works for me. Visitation happens on the day you get out of PRISON, not while you are there. The people that were murdered don't get visitation. The people that were raped are locked away in their minds and get punished forever. The people that were robbed never get a break from it. I suppose I am just tired of being nice to the CONVICTS.

That is enough tirade from me for this Saturday. Let me close this out with..."Merry Christmas..to all" and until the next time..please remember that I have to pay the bills

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Saturday Morning Reflection #15

Good morning everyone...

Apparently the Good Lord has seen fit to crank on the AC and freeze everything. I am ready for Summer. Don't get me wrong, there is a need for cold weather and winter I just don't have to enjoy it. When it warms up a touch (and it will) I think I am gonna go out to Lake Vesuvius and do some fishing. I heard they stocked it with trout...and we all know I love to eat fresh trout.

I receive a lot of email referring to OUR troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. I remember my days in the Military and how I felt around the holidays. Lets all think about the troops and maybe even try to do something nice for them.

Yesterday, when I walked out of the house there was a large black cat (probably a stray) sitting by the frozen pond in my front yard. He didn't run very far when I stepped out. He looked at me and then looked at the pond. I knew he was thirsty. I broke the ice with a stick and stirred it around some. Before I could get to my truck he was at the pond,drinking. Does that count as a random act of kindness? I try to do one of those every day.

I have given serious thought to the Icons and Heroes this world follows. We have heard more about Tiger Woods and his infidelities than we should have. Everyday, there are Pro Sports Icons busted for drugs and various other Legal Problems. Perhaps as a society we are placing our WORSHIP in the wrong place. Instead of recognizing skill and strength we are paying people that have an aptitude for GAMES. Why doesn't the disciplined (and skilled) E-8 in the army get to compete for the 1.2 Million dollar signing bonus? The E-8 doesn't do drugs,doesn't steal, and doesn't set a bad example for our children. The E-8 exemplifies the characteristics of a HERO. That is just one example. Don't forget the world of Police Oficers, Firefighters, and all the other people that lay it all on the line everyday for your safety, not just for the final score. When I watch a program about a Police Officer, I am not forced to buy a $13 beer or pay $12 for a hot dog just to cover the cost of the athletes salary. Then I read about, and hear on the news, how that athlete did drugs, stole, committed adultery, or disrespected authority. Come on folks...lets put our respect where it truly belongs..back into America and with the Heroes that truly make this nation great. The common people have the power to truly affect change simply by where they put THEIR money. Lets use our heads and voices to begin this change.

Well, until the next time please remember that I have to pay the bills

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Saturday Morning Reflection #14

Good Morning Everyone....

Today could see some snowfall in the Tri State Area and guess where I will be for the night...Yes, your right...working a midnight shift at Beech Fork. Seems to be luck since the check will be here just before Christmas. There is also the chance that Sunday's dinner will be fresh Crappie. I just hope I don't get too cold cleaning them tonight.

Nena...You are in my prayers...Please have a speedy recovery.

Work is going...ok. The sheer volume of work is overwhelming, but we all just keep plugging along. I like the OT I have been getting and hope it keeps up for a while.

Is everyone ready for New Years Eve? I am. Latisha and I have plans and I am very much looking forward to the fun. Everybody...please be safe that night...don't be a statistic.

Here is a subject that I am happy, yet sad, to write about. Coach Snyder...I wish you nothing but the best with the rest of your career. You did your best to help with the proud tradition of MARSHALL Football. You are a True Son of MARSHALL and we will always welcome you back as such.

Wonder who the new Football coach will be?

Ginger...here is one for you..

A minister was preoccupied with thoughts of how he was going to ask the congregation to come up with more money than they were expecting for repairs to the church building.

Therefore, he talked with the organist to see what kind of inspirational music she could play after the announcement about the finances to get the congregation in a giving mood.

"Don't worry," she said. "I'll think of something."

During the service, the minister paused and said, "Brothers and Sisters, we are in great difficulty; the roof repairs cost twice as much as we expected, and we need $4,000 more. Any of you who can pledge $100 or more, please stand up."

Just at that moment, the organist started playing, "The Star Spangled Banner."


Well, until the next time, please remember that I have to pay the bills