Nothing in Particular

I was spending the day after physical therapy trying to decide what to write about today. I realize that this is a personal blog and I shouldn't worry about whether anyone else reads it but, I do. I try to make the blog entertaining. Maybe I need to stop trying.

So, as I was pondering the subject of today's blog (I love the word "Ponder". It reminds me of Winnie the Pooh.) Oops, I digress. As I was pondering the subject of today's missive, I was reminded that we needed to go to the Commissary. We have a very nice, brand new Commissary. Just weeks after it opened, we experienced a government shutdown and couldn't use it, so now, I use it as often as possible.

You can meet some interesting people in the commissary. Today was a good day to meet someone. As it turned out, I did and in a very dramatic way.

So, here I am with my daughter, minding my own business, rolling down the isle (condiments, I believe) when from my left, I am jostled and a very attractive woman nearly winds up in my lap! Well, she jumped up and in an embarrassed tone apologized for giving me an unsolicited hug. Being a gentleman, I took the blame and used my left eye blindness as an excuse. We both laughed and I told her that this would make a good subject for my blog.

We chatted for a minute or two as her husband just stood there, at the end of the isle and laughed at his wife. My daughter and I continued on our way but every time we encountered the nice lady from the condiment isle, she kind of blushed and giggled for a second. My daughter wondered where her old Papa got such prowess with women. I told her that I am just me and when you nice to people, they respond for the most part, in kind.

It was a nice little interlude in an otherwise very routine day.

PT went well at the Naval Hospital. The Corpsman was very pleased with my progress. We had a routine session and I gave them the leftovers of my son's birthday cake. After all, Sailors love cake! It pays to be nice to the people that have the power to create a lot of pain in one's life.

My son is really enjoying his birthday present. His mother and I got him an "RC" Helicopter. There's a good story behind this.

Several years ago, while my oldest daughter's bulldog was still living with us, my son had a radio controlled helicopter. One day, he was playing with it, kind of near the bulldog. Any time the toy would get to close to the dog, she would start to bark kind of quietly. You know those little barks dogs can make, sort of as a warning.

I had just told my son that he needs to stop with the toy because it was bothering the dog when he allowed the copter to get a little to close to the animal. Sarah (Bulldog's name) jumped up and in one motion she clamped the offending aircraft in her mighty jaws and pinned it to the ground as she ripped it apart. The only thing left was the green blinking running light from the bottom of the toy. It looked like a scene from "Godzilla". Stephen Spielberg could not have directed a better scene if he had wanted to. It's a shame I didn't have a video camera handy. This would have gone viral if I could have posted it on "YouTube".

Anyway, my son had always wanted to replace the Helicopter that the dog destroyed and since she now lives in my daughter's home and not with us, it seemed like a good time to replace it.

Of course, there is a moral to this story. Don't make a bulldog angry. We all still laugh at the thought of this sweet dog tearing the toy apart.

Well, that's all for today. Leftover birthday lasagna for dinner tonight. I hope you all have a great evening.

As Always...

Time for Kids

Today is my oldest son's birthday. He is 30. I thought it would be appropriate to talk about a subject that has been bothering me for some time. I'm sure it bothers other parents too. Well, I'm sure it bothers most other parents. I say most because it is parents who perpetrate the crime in question.

I am speaking of the willful abuse and neglect of children. I occasionally tune the television to such programs as Steve Wilcos and am just sickened by the acts of abuse some of these "adult" parents are accused of.

Just the other day, a "man" was accused of shoving a baby wipe down a child's throat. It was only through the quick action of medical personnel that the poor child survived. The male adult in this case swore repeatedly that he  had nothing to do with the injury to the child. The polygraph showed that the individual did indeed try and murder the child in question.

In another case, a "boyfriend" was accused of hurting a child. The mother of the child did not believe that he would have done such a thing and accused the 3 year old of lying. It was only after a second incident that the couple came on television and the boyfriend was exposed. Oh, the girlfriend stayed with him. How does that happen?

I don't care who you are. Touch one of my children or now, my Granddaughter and you had better run for your life. I will hunt you down and kill you in the most painful way imaginable. Believe me, I have a good imagination.

I don't understand any parent who doesn't have the same attitude about the protection of their children. Is the "pleasure" of having a boyfriend so important that you would give up your child's welfare?

No one forces you to have children. you can give your children up for adoption if you can't raise them. There is always someone who will raise a child. To abuse a child is an affront to nature. I don't get religious in my blogs. I believe that my beliefs are personal and private but I will publish this belief. Children are gifts from God himself! It is our responsibility to love them and protect them.

When it comes to child abuse: once the accusation is made, the accused is guilty until proven innocent as far as I am concerned. You get the accused abuser away from the child and make sure there is no contact with anyone in the family until a full investigation has shown that the accusation is false.

I realize that in this country we believe that you are innocent until proven guilty but, in the case of children, I do not believe in taking chances.

1 or 2 generations ago, attitudes were different. Problems of abuse were taken care of privately. There was some kind of shame associated with the problem. Fortunately, our society has evolved and we no longer hide this sort of crime. The only way to stop an abuser is to expose him/her to the full light of day.

Oh, by the way, once a child abuser is exposed, I believe that there should be no mercy shown. That abuser did not show any mercy to the defenseless baby, why should we?

I'm glad my son has his birthday today. I'm glad he is with us 30 years today. I'm thankful for him being in my life. I will take care of him until the day I die. I've always felt that way and always will.

One of my favorite things.

Any list of my favorite things would have to have Peanuts near the top. Not the peanuts  sold by the gent in the top hat with the monocle. I'm speaking of "Peanuts" featuring Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Snoopy and all the rest.

Of course, they are the product of the creative mind of the late Charles M. Shultz. What a creative force Mr. Shultz was. He turned his "Little" comic strip into a world wide sensation. When the Charlie Brown Christmas special aired in 1965 it was the first time a prime time animated special had been aired about the Peanuts "gang". It has aired every year since.

Snoopy, Charlie Brown's beagle is without a doubt, the most recognizable dog in the world. In one form or another, Snoopy has been all over the world and beyond. Snoopy has even been to the moon. Apollo 10's call signs utilized the names "Snoopy and Charlie Brown".

Snoopy has a long history of service to the Nation's Space program. After the fire that destroyed Apollo 1, NASA got permission to use Snoopy as a sort of safety mascot within the agency.

The drawing on the left is the original sent to NASA by Charles M. Shultz when he was originally approached for permission to use Snoopy by the space agency. The silver pin on the right is the silver safety award which is still used by NASA.

But, beyond Snoopy and his fame are the rest of the characters in the Peanuts world. They all have purpose and they all accomplish something wonderful. They work together in all sorts of situations and in the end they succeed. They don't always succeed in the way that they may like or that we may anticipate but, they do succeed. They exhibit all the character traits that many in the real adult world fall short with.

One of the most important character traits that we learn from reading Peanuts is loyalty. Everyone in the Peanuts world is loyal to everyone else. Sure, there are different personalities, just like in real life but, they would never abandon any of their friends for the sake of ego. There is something to be said about that.

Loyalty is difficult enough to find in today's world. It's nice that we can find it by reading Peanuts.

The simple wisdom of Charles M. Shultz has certainly outlived the 13 years since his passing. I'm sure that it will continue to be enjoyed by young and old alike for many years to come. Just look up Snoopy on Facebook. He does have his own page. Of course, he shares it with his friends.

As Always...

Life is short...Duh!

When I get up in the morning, I like to cruise the news sites. Yahoo is my "home page" on my computer so, that's usually where I start. The other day I found a story that talked about someone who always says goodbye to her children like it's the last time she will see them.

Is this news? I have always done this. If you don't already know this, here's a clue. Life is unpredictable and all to short. 

Maybe it is because of my military background. I'm not sure. I have a deep appreciation of how fleeting this life we lead is. Every moment is special and we need to live our lives to their fullest.

As I think of it, my first exposure to death was very early in my life. I was very young. I remember my mother and father coming home with a new baby. They came in the house with this little one from the garage, through the basement (There was kind of a playroom for us kids there.). I have a very clear memory of this. But, that's all. I have no other memories of this child. As it turns out, I was not dreaming this experience. My mother told me years later that I in fact had a younger sister, born between myself and my younger brother. Her name was Cathy. I remember going to her grave with my mother once, as a teenager.

My mother had been pregnant many times. She lost all but the 4 of us. I can only imagine the difficulty and unbearable pain the loss of those children caused in my mother. Knowing that she experienced these great losses gave me good reason to respect her even more.

I don't know how my mother dealt with me being in the Navy for so many years. Having two children who were in the service gave me some experience in dealing with the problem of a child in uniform. When my oldest child was in the Marine Corps, I was not to worried. Of course, she was just down the road in North Carolina. I missed her but, we spoke often.

When my son was in Okinawa, I was really terrified. I had this horrible feeling that I was never going to see him again. Now, some may say that this was unreasonable of me but, I don't think so. Just the other day, 4 Marines were killed in a training accident in California.

Let's not worry about military service for the moment. Let's take a look at every day life, shall we?  On average there are over 2,000 vehicle fatalities a month in the United States.

I think every parent knows the nervousness of sending their brand new, teenage driver out for the evening. We stay up because sleep is impossible when we know our new driver is on the road. It's not that we don't trust our kid. We don't trust the other drivers out there!

My mother died 10 years ago. That was the last time I was in New Jersey. I don't drive because of poor eyesight so my wife drove. I was never so glad to leave someplace in my life. The New Jersey Turnpike was like driving the demolition derby! I'm glad I don't drive. It's dangerous.

Life is short. 2 years ago, I got a phone call at 10:30 at night. My older brother had died! He was in his home, and he was dead. Yes, he had health problems. That's what happens when you drink all the time. But, it was still sudden. I had spoken to him that very morning.

If you search your memory, you can think of many people that you know who died suddenly. Each death, weather expected or not underscores the point that life is fleeting.

So, my advice is simple. Don't pass an opportunity to tell your family that you love them. Seize the day! Don't regret. Most important of all: Take care of yourself. Every day is a gift. Don't waste it.

As Always...

Who died and put you in charge?

Ok folks. Things have gotten ridiculous again. First we have a Secretary of the Navy who wants all Sailors to wear the same uniform regardless of gender (I'm sorry, women are built differently than men). He says he wants to see "Sailors" not "Male and Female" Sailors. It doesn't matter that the surveys shows most of the women hated having to wear the "Unisex", "Male Looking" uniform.
Political Correctness run amok!

The other day I saw a story on line that a group of citizens wants A & E to drop the popular "Duck Dynasty" because they pray and use guns while on the air! Oh NO! Imagine the horror! Using a weapon to kill ducks and praying to their God afterwards. I have no idea what they might be thinking. All this is going on, on television! What should we do?

Well, if I don't like something, I stop using it, watching it, reading, listening or eating it! I don't punish the rest of our society by trying to have it banned.  Look; I don't watch the program in question. I never have. But, I do understand that it is wildly popular. Fine. I don't care what they do. But, if you would like to watch it, check your local listings. I'll find something else to do while you watch.

What exactly is the objection to using guns and praying while on television? Do the people who object not like the taste of duck? Wild duck is some yummy stuff.  Do they only eat "farm raised" duck? Maybe they don't eat meat?

Oh wait. I know! They believe that their food comes from the food fairy. It magically appears in the grocery store, shrink wrapped and ready for sale. There is no ugly killing of the animal involved. So, if the source of the food is not an issue because food is magically produced; the objection must be to prayer on television. Hmmm, let's look at this, shall we?

1. Is prayer against the law? I don't think so. Prayer has not been outlawed in the United States, yet. I think I would have heard about it. If it has been outlawed, someone please let me know. I pray all the time. I'd like to know if I am breaking the law.

2. Is prayer on TV objectionable? Well, I imagine that would depend on who you are. For me, I don't care what's on TV. My televisions  come with this really neat device. You may have heard of it. It's something new. It's called a "remote control". Modern remotes have batteries but the originals have been around for something like 60 years and they did not require batteries. The devices do an amazing thing. They give you, the viewer the ability to change the channel without leaving your seat. If you don't want to change the channel, modern remote controls allow you to turn off your television.

When did the Constitution become so perverted in it's meaning that the prohibition of establishment of a religion came to mean: do not acknowledge that any religion exists?

The idea, in this country is that all Religions and beliefs may coexist. One Religion is not better than another. You may go about your business and practice your faith as you please. If you have a television program and you want to pray, go ahead. If someone is offended by that, let them change the channel or at least pull up their panties and suck it up!

This reminds me of the "Moral Majority." They were neither yet, they expected everyone to bow to their will and injected themselves into politics. So, we get to the point.

Politics and religion do not go together. This is exactly why the Constitution is written as it is.  My beliefs may be different than yours. Fine. We both have an equal right to exercise our beliefs, as we choose; as long as we do not infringe upon someone else's liberty. 

We all have the right to change the channel or turn off the television if we don't like a particular program. That's the good thing about life in these United States. We have choices. The idea that a television network would take a particular program off the air because it offends some group of "do gooder" nut bags is silly. If you don't like it, change the channel.

As always...

My Country tis of thee...

This post started out much different. It started as a rile against the way things are done today. I don't want to be that person who just finds fault with our Country and how we do things. I want to be a leader of another kind. I want to find what is good. So, I am symbolically balling up the started sheet of paper and starting again. Here we go:

Yesterday, the building at 1 World Trade Center was declared the tallest building in the United States. Think of it. On September 11, 2001, there was a pile of rubble. Now stands a new building' the tallest on a continent. 1776 feet tall is no accident. So, with that  in mind, I though it would be appropriate to write about an experience I had just the other day.

I like the TV Show "The West Wing". I was watching it on Netflix the other night and the President was having a conversation with his Chief of Staff. There was music playing in the background. It was David Crosby and Graham Nash (Crosby & Nash) performing "My Country Tis of Thee." It was a hauntingly beautiful arrangement. I went on the internet looking for that particular piece and arrangement. I don't know why but, it took me some time to find.  But I did find it. .99 cents buys it on iTunes and I am happy.

The music is wonderful. We all know the words. It's an ode to the idea of America. It speaks of what we are or at least the idea of what we should be.

"Sweet land of liberty" We do indeed take our liberty for granted. But people around the world do not. They come here seeking that which they do not have and which they never have had. Liberty. The idea of freedom. As Americans, can we imagine not having the liberty that we have today?

The holidays are approaching. Many of us will be traveling to visit friends and family. Imagine if you couldn't do that or needed government permission. It is that way in many countries. When we go to college, we study anything we want. Any point of view is welcome. We debate with impunity. We won't be arrested for our ideas. I can write anything I wish here. Publish it without fear. Liberty.

"Land where my fathers died. Land of the pilgrim's pride." Each Thanksgiving we sit as a Nation, around family tables and remember the history of how our country began. Whether you remember the stylized version like the Disney movie or think of the true historical factual version of history, one thing can't be denied: many of the original settlers of this country died in it's establishment. But, they did not die in vain. They were looking for a better life. They believed that a better life existed and they were going to find it. Well, they did. That better life resides in each of us. Americans.

Each of us, whether we are descendants  of the Jamestown Settlement or new immigrants, just "off the boat." In the end, we are Americans and we have the ability to make our country great.

"From every mountainside, let freedom ring." Of course, more than 50 years ago, those words were used by Dr. King to inspire a people. The minorities of America were not seeing the land of Liberty as that. Sadly, many believe that today still that land of liberty for all Americans has not been achieved. As a society, we must decide to do better and then do it.

But the idea of freedom for all is not exclusive to the civil rights movement. There are so many areas of American life that can use improvement and we can make life better. That is the promise of America and the legacy of our forefathers. From the days of the Jamestown settlement all the way to  today, the idea of freedom for all is goal that we all must aspire too. To get there we all must contribute towards that goal.

I believe in America. I believe in the promise of America and the ideal that this simple song speaks of. That belief comes from faith in the determination of the American People to live up to the promise of America.

"My country, 'tis of thee.

Sweet land of liberty,

Of thee I sing;

Land where my fathers died,

Land of the pilgrims' pride,

From ev'ry mountainside

Let freedom ring!"

I am not speaking of the politics of America today. I am speaking to the idea of America. Democrat or Republican. Liberal or Conservative. It is one thing we can all agree upon. The idea of America.

We look back at history...

50 years ago, this month, the modern "shot heard round the world" was fired in Dallas, Texas. The tragedy of the President's murder had then and still today, has grave consequences for our Republic.

Political unhappiness can not be resolved by violence. It has never worked. It never will. But, the picture above, of the slain President's flag draped casket laying in State at the White House is almost the emblem of the decade of the 1960's.

I was only 7 on that day in 1963. I remember very clearly where I was when I heard the news. I really didn't understand the consequences of what my mother told me. I remember the grown-ups talking in low tones and the children being told to go play quietly. I remember watching the President's funeral on television. By then, we had a color set but, the live coverage during the day was in black and white. I was really confused. As I read history today, it seems that that 7 yer old wasn't the only American confused during that week of November 22, 1963.

Through a twist of fate, the President's murder touched our family personally, in a strange way. My Father was a Psychiatrist who occasionally did work for the government; examining criminal defendants etc. It seems that the FBI had asked him to fly to Dallas to perform an examination of the accused Presidential Assassin. I vividly remember my father coming into the house on November 24 and saying: "Well, I'm not going to Texas." My mother asked why and my father very matter-of-factly stated that "they" killed him.

With that, the assassination of President Kennedy became just another news story to a child. Until June 6, 1968. Of course, that date lives in infamy as the date of Robert Kennedy's murder. Another "Kennedy boy" had been killed. To date, like the death of his older brother, the reasons remain unclear or at least, illogical.

The very public and violent murders of the Kennedy brothers and Rev. Martin Luther King bring into sharp focus the realization that political violence is not only dangerous, it tears at the fabric of our society and fails. It fails because it does not bring about the change the assassin seeks.

Freedom and Liberty are concepts that have become just words to many. So many people take the freedoms we enjoy in this country for granted. Because their life is difficult, they expect something for nothing. No work. No effort. Just give it to me because I'm American.

The old line that "They" or "The Man" is holding me down is just as much a falsehood today as it was in the 1960s. Many people of modest means have risen to places of responsibility and prominence in our history. We need not look far to see examples of the "American dream." A look at history will tell you that violence was not how those successful Americans achieved.

One of the people I admire is General Colin Powell. The child of immigrants, he led a somewhat troubled childhood of the streets of New York but, his family never lost it's focus on him and he eventually attended City College of New York. He says in his biography that he attended CCNY because he could afford the tuition of the public college.

His family wanted him to become an architect. He saw the Army ROTC cadets and became interested. He joined the ROTC and flourished. Of course, we all know what happened then.

A minority son of immigrants grew up to be an advisor to Presidents, led the Nation's Armed Forces in a War and became Secretary of State. Not bad for a poor kid from Queens, NY.

Oh, by the way; he succeeded without the use of violence. He used his brain. He did not let the disadvantages of his circumstances hold him back. He never expected any "hand out." He let his hard work propel him to reach greatness.

The violence of the 1960s shows us through the looking glass of time that we can bring about personal change and even social change without violence but, we must be willing to do the work that change requires.

Anything worth doing is worth doing well. Good works are their own reward. We have to always remember that there are no short cuts to anything worth doing. Wether it is personal accomplishment or social change or Government reform. It takes work. There are no easy answers to complex problems. The "easy fix" that the assassin seeks does not exist.

We can not know if President John Kennedy would have been a great President. He did not get the chance to finish his work. We can not know if Robert Kennedy would have been a great President. He too, did not get the chance to finish his work. But those deaths should never be forgotten. We must ensure that we do not let our society deteriorate to the point that political assassination seems the only choice.

As Always...