07 June 2010

Monday Musings...
First off this morning...a personal milestone.
When the missus and I went grocery shopping this past Saturday, I noticed the odometer edging VERY close to that magic 100,000 mile mark. And I knew it would happen while we were out and about.
Well, we DID, in fact cross that 100K threshold...and I have to admit that the "Wifey-Mobile" (a 1996 Caprice Classic) is running pretty damn well (except for an occasional stall - must be another oxygen sensor of something in the fuel delivery system).
And the car still LOOKS great, too. Wouldn't even know it's 14 years old.
After school lets out, Wifey plans to get the car in the shop to get the stalling issue resolved.
Other than that, the car runs like a damn bear!
Hell, my car hasn't even made it to SIXTY-THOUSAND miles...and it's close to 27 years old!
With the digital display in the Caprice, it still shows mileage over 100K, instead of rolling over back to "zero" (like in my analog odometer).
Gotta love that.
Yeah, my Dad was right (again) when he used to say:
"You take care of something and it'll take care of you".
(Thanks for the advice, Dad...it's still working for me)
Yesterday was the anniversary of D-Day, and I have to admit that I was less then impressed at the overall "coverage" of the day.
Now, with ALL the channels available, one would "think" that more than ONE channel (the Military Channel) would have SOMETHING about the significance of yesterday, right?
I mean, you've got (in some services) over 100 channels to choose from.
Nope...no one bothered (except for the aforementioned Military channel).
(Whiskey-Tango-Foxtrot???)
Not ONE of the movies I mentioned in yesterday's post was on...at last nowhere for free.
It would have been nice to see Robert Mitchum storm the beaches one more time...
But, twas not to be.
Still, there were some good shows on the MC.
The first was Normandy - The Great Crusade (parts 1 & 2), and then The Day After D-Day.
They reminded me a lot of the style that Ken Burns would make a documentary.
Like I said...it wasn't a total loss.
Funny, how there used to be a time when you would ask "daddy" what he did in "the war", and he'd sit down and tell you stories about how it was. Hell, I remember talking to my grandpa about the FIRST world war.
Today, it's a lot different, that's for sure.
We still have wars being waged, and brave men and women going into harm's way. We even have the "empty chair" at tables across the country for those who gave their lives in defense of freedom and are considered "still on patrol".
But are the children asking about the war?
Did such questions allow former generations of soldiers the opportunity to channel their emotions by talking about what they went through?
Unfortunately, I feel that war (of some type) will be with us for some time.
There will always be someone wanting to take from someone else...someone wanting that parcel of territory, that natural resource, or will want to foster some ideological political agenda somewhere in the world.
There will be those who wage war in the name of their deity, or because some despot wants to make a statement.
Whenever such things occur, there will also always be those who answer the call to duty, in the preservation of freedom and liberty for all people. That's just the way it works.
And it works damn well in that regard.
Lastly...our blooming garden.
Man, I can't believe how the Asian Lillies are popping out!
And since we went out and bought 6 tomato seedlings, it's only natural, that I discover I've got about SIX MORE growing in the garden for FREE.
Must have been from the tomatoes that fell on the ground and ignored at end of season last year.
Nice to know Mother Nature has a back-up plan for our garden...LOL.
Also have a yucca plant that looks ready to bloom.
This bloody thing is taller than I am. I'm thinking of hanging some Christmas decorations on it.
But, from what I've seen online, we're due for some really nice white flowers (which probably also won't have a fragrance).
Tell 'ya...if it wasn't for the peonies (gone now, but not forgotten) our too few roses, the (future blooming) phlox, and the lavender and sage, there'd be nothing at all to smell!
It's one thing to have a garden that LOOK nice, but it's better still to have one that SMELLS GREAT, too.
I can always rub my hands in the lemon thyme, and stir that fragrance up.
Gardens, like our lives, are (or should be) a work in progress.
There is always something to do, something that needs our "attention".
Amazing how our lives mirror that, right?
Our lives always seem to need some attention...somewhere.
Maybe there is a lesson to be learned and appreciated here.
Maybe we need to better "amend the soil" in our life, or plant something beautiful, or even yank out those nasty weeds.
And maybe, like our garden, by doing as much, our lives will become a lot nice place to spend more time.
Wouldn't seem to do us any harm in making the attempt, right?
Might even discover we have a green thumb when it comes to living our lives.
Be well, make a difference to someone, and ...
Stay safe out there, America.

06 June 2010

It Was 66 Years Ago...
And it wasn't the best of days, weather-wise for the troops that stormed the beaches in Normandy during Operation Overlord or Operation Neptune, better known as D-Day. The term D-Day was military jargon for the date of an invasion (decision).
D-Day for the invasion of Normandy by the Allies was originally set for June 5, 1944, but bad weather and heavy seas caused Gen. Dwight D Eisenhower to delay until June 6 and that date has been popularly referred to ever since by the short title "D-Day". Because of the connotation with the invasion of Normandy, planners of later military operations sometimes avoided the term to prevent confusion.
The assault was conducted in two phases: an air assault landing of 24,000 American, British, Canadian and Free French airborne troops shortly after midnight, and an amphibious landing of Allied infantry and armored divisions on the coast of France commencing at 6:30 AM.
There were also subsidiary 'attacks' mounted under the code names Operation Glimmer and Operation Taxable to distract the German forces from the real landing areas.
The operation was the largest amphibious invasion of all time, with over 160,000 troops landing on 6 June 1944. 195,700 Allied naval and merchant navy personnel in over 5,000 ships were involved.
The invasion required the transport of soldiers and materiel from the United Kingdom by troop-laden aircraft and ships, the assault landings, air support, naval interdiction of the English Channel and naval fire-support.
The landings took place along a 50-mile (80 km) stretch of the Normandy coast divided into five sectors: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword.
For ALL the "nuts and bolts" connected with the invasion check out the WIKI:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normandy_landings
Much has been made about this day, both in written word and in the cinema.
Almost every star that was any star appeared in several movies that have to do with D-Day.
















This link is from the U.S. Army and has a video attached to it.
http://www.army.mil/d-day/
There is also a National D-Day Memorial Foundation site:
http://www.dday.org/
And a concise history of D-Day found here:
http://www.worldwar2history.info/D-Day/
Here's a UK site with loads of places to take a virtual visit.
http://www.dday.co.uk/













So you can see, there is PLENTY to read about this pivotal event in OUR history. We lost MORE soldiers there...in just ONE DAY than we've lost in the entire Iraq War (about 10 years running). That's something to think about.
The sad part is that we LOSE roughly between 900-1100 veterans from WW2 every single day, and their story goes with them, unless we become their voices, carrying on with the history such brave men lived through, and so many more died for.
It's just something to make you slow down a bit today...and think about what these soldiers took upon their shoulders as they fought to preserve freedom for so many.
Have a great Sunday, remember the significance of today, and...
Stay safe out there, America.

04 June 2010

Friday Follies...
Our abbreviated week has come to it's timely end (finally).
Now I don't know how things are going in your neck o' the woods, but around our "castle-faire", it's one of those really NICE mornings, in spite of hearing the trash trucks in the neighborhood.
Yeah, it's not bad at all.
Grandma would have really liked a morning like this.













The air is fragrant with the scent of whatever is blooming in and around our garden this week, along with our recently mowed back yard (is that a hint of alfalfa?). You'd never know that in just FOUR short hours, the "locals" will be stirring, and we'll be back on track for yet another day of "more of the same". But, that's the way it shakes out around here.
You've got a small window of opportunity, depending on what time you get up.
I tend to rise between 0500-0530 hrs. - force of habit.
Nevertheless, it's nice to wake up and be greeted by things such as these:
THIS is what makes staying right where we are worthwhile.
To me, it's NOT about ANY of the people around here...
At this point, I could care less about them, as they've proven they feel likewise towards us.
I know...I should love my enemies...yada, yada, yada.
Sorry, but in this particular instance, I've grown BEYOND such things, when they have NO relevance.
What the missus and I have achieved in and around our house is what is important.
The preservation and continuance of these things is what matters.
I look at our property as a beacon for reason to those who would embrace and promote chaos.
Let this become a burr under their saddle every time they walk or drive past.
I liken this to a quote from antiquity found in the Bible, the book of Job (how ironic) chapter 38, verse 11:
"Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed"
But you might remember THIS version a little better:
"We've made too many compromises already, too many retreats. They invade our space, and we fall back.
They assimilate entire worlds, and we fall back. Not again. The line must be drawn here!
This far and no further!"
(Captain Jean-Luc Picard - Star Trek: First Contact)
My version differs somewhat:
"We've made too many compromises already, too many retreats. They invade our neighborhoods, and we give them over.
They assimilate entire inner cities, and we run to the suburbs. Not again. The line must be drawn here!
This far and no further!"
Now, one can say that LIFE IMITATES ART, and surely such a statement is apropos to my particular situation.
It becomes a study in PRINCIPLES.
Normally, it would be MY principles against THEIRS.
But, since they basically HAVE NO principles, it shoots a lot of theories in the butt, as to how to approach the problem.
I've always believed that one TEACHES BY EXAMPLE, and in most cases, that seems to work well enough.
Of course, people such as my "neighbors" abhor learning (as we conceive of it), so any "teaching" falls on blind eyes and deaf ears.
One might view this as a conundrum.
I view it as a challenge.
I cannot enact ANY real change down here, aside from the manner the missus and I conduct ourselves and maintain our small parcel of property, so it will inevitably fall upon those in "higher offices" to do the REAL grunt-work.
You can hope that by leading a good life, taking care of what is provided you, and keeping a strong sense of situational awareness will be sufficient to address the issues.
But you also need others willing to think (and do) likewise, in order to turn neighborhood problems back against themselves.
And somewhere along the way...you will be tested.
How you conduct yourself in matters that arise will determine not only the way others view you, but also (and more importantly) will determine the path you will be walking on.
If you allow those that would take from you TO TAKE from you, you might as well stencil the word WELCOME across your forehead, and become the resident "doormat" for everyone else.
If, on the other hand, you decide to "stand your ground", it will let others know that you are not one to be trifled with.
It all depends on YOU...as does it always.
Everything that occurs in our lives has some basis in PEOPLE.
Either WE are at the center, or others are.
This is not a case where you can assess blame on some inanimate object.
YOUR decisions determine YOUR path, just as other people's decisions will chart theirs.
You CAN be that beacon of reason...or sanity...or clarity, as can others, if they CHOOSE to.
I'll leave you with this wonderful poem by Rudyard Kipling...just to get you thinking.
* * * * * * * * * * *
If...
Rudyard Kipling
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;

* * *
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

* * *
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;

* * *
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools:

* * *
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;

* * *
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'

* * *
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
* * *
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!
* * * * * * * * * *

I will be posting a tribute to D-Day.
This Sunday...right here.
Be well, make a difference to someone today, and, as always...
Stay safe out there, America.

03 June 2010

It Just Never Gets Old...
There are certain times in our lives when something occurs, doesn't matter what...and it's a really good thing.
And no matter HOW many times we are privy to that "good thing", the feeling we have from knowing the truth behind it doesn't subside one darn bit. Take being "right" about something.
I mean there are those immutable things like 2+2=4. We KNOW that to be right, no matter how many times someone wants to rehash it and perhaps state otherwise.
They can even have a convincing argument to the contrary, but we KNOW we are correct in our beliefs, and can back it up with PROOF.
We also have a little something called COMMON SENSE and the TRUTH on our side.
And, it's nice to know that.
So, imagine my surprise when I turn on FOX news this morning, and the hosts are speaking about the EXACT SAME THING I mentioned in yesterday's post, about DEEP-WATER DRILLING!
They went on to say that it was environmentalists' concerns that drove oil companies further outbound from our coasts to pursue such drilling for crude, knowing the potential dangers and risks. Hell, some aspects to this method of drilling haven't EVEN been explored, and that's one of the MAIN reasons that capping off this undersea "gusher" has been so damn problematic.
Yeah, being right about something never gets old, does it?
('ya think they're reading this blog???)
It's good to know that in your life, you're usually a lot more CORRECT than you are in error...that at least says something about your thought processes, how you disseminate information, and how well you can form cogent hypotheses and conclusions.
Think of it as a basic form of knowing "The wheat from the chaff".
When my wife and I moved to this part of Ft. Wayne more than TWELVE years ago, I pretty much sized up the area right from the get-go.
Even though I lived in a much different neighborhood in Philly, I STILL have been to MORE than my share of "other" neighborhoods in a LOT of cities to know the differences inherent in all of them.
That's why, when I began contacting our FWPD deputy chief well over SIX years ago, I stated specifically how this area would be changing, and not for the better. Again, I have been proven correct...and in THIS case, I wish to hell I had been wrong.
You see, being right so often DOES have it's down side, and this isn't blowing my own trumpet in any way, shape, or form.
Those of you that have had similar experiences know EXACTLY what I mean.
This doesn't mean we have ALL the answers to ALL the questions that exist today.
Cripes, I don't even know what I'll be planning for dinner later.
Many times, the answer to some problem will come to us in pieces, and it's up to us to put them together as they were meant to be.
Other times, it will come upon us like a lightning strike.
And, in still other instances, an elusive answer might be waiting to come from the mouth from another person who shed that little bit of light that was needed to help us.
Those thought processes we were born with kick into action, and we suffer what I love to call "that moment of clarity", when the veil gets lifted, the mote removed from our eye, as it were...and we can see what we needed to see.
I stated that crime was coming to OUR neighborhood like a rising tide...and, unfortunately, I've "knocked one out of the park" with that assessment.
I've tried to do what I know to be right, in order to preserve what's left OF this neighborhood.
As far as our particular parcel of land goes...I feel I've succeeded.
The rest of the area? Not so much.
All the good neighbors have left for sundry reasons.
I suppose some people just aren't cut out for fighting for what they believe in...OR their homesteads.
They find it easier to up and leave, basically conceding defeat, when all that might have been required, was a little bit of EFFORT on their part to hold onto that which they have worked their asses off to obtain.
My Dad always said: "What's worth having is worth hanging onto."
Amazing how apropos that is, even TODAY.
Granted, there will come a time when we become too old, or too infirm to carry on "the good fight", and must pass the torch to the next generation, so they can carry on.
Trouble with that, is that this "next group of torch bearers" is M.I.A.
(for the moment, anyway)
Case in point...our two "lovebirds" (aka the "slap and tickle" duo from one of our ever-growing number of problem houses) decide to once again meander about the streets, slapping and tickling (raging hormone syndrome, no doubt), and yesterday, they decide to park UNDER our tree ON our property (these pics were prior to that, and not the tree in question) and do a hug-fest.
I can see where this is going, and with people with no ethics or morality to speak of, that leads to potential rape, teen baby-mamas, more welfare, and continued rewards for bad behavior. Sorry, but this isn't in MY "playbook"...never was.
I go outside and say to them "You guys need to stop hanging out here and doing that stuff." To which I got some NASTY looks...like WHY would I be such a prick and ask them to leave MY property in the first place - how DARE I do that. Sorry, no entitlements given away free HERE, kids!
They began to move on as slowly as possible, staring, to which I stared right back at them and said: "You know, I don't WANT to have to call the police, so I'm cutting you some slack here, understand?" Again...more staring, as if the mere thought of conversation of ANY kind with a "mean old white man here to oppress them" was tantamount to being sent back to a cotton field in shackles.
I just don't think a PUBLIC STREET (around rush hour) is a good place to make out, or as many refer to it - "dry-humping".
That's what basements are for (or used to be), not that I condone this, but I fully understand the concepts.
There is no "courting" these days...just "hooking up". That's pretty damn sad.
Hopefully, they learned SOME lesson here (not gonna hold my breath on this one, knowing people as I do).
But there is NO parental involvement in ANY way, and that must be the reason this black girl copped some victicratic "blacktitude" instead of saying "we're sorry, Mister", and move on. THIS (mentality) is what you have to deal with these days in areas like this...and you're alone in doing so.
No one is there to assist, or aid in the effort to keep a once nice area nice once again.
What rides in the wake of such abhorrent behavior are much of the dregs of our society, seeking only to fulfill whatever immediate desire strikes their fancy. And if you allow them an INCH - they WILL indeed take your YARD (if they can).
Well, you can't hold ANY neighborhood together in ANY form of unity by using spit and a prayer, can you?
You have to have willing participants...people that VALUE not only the property they work hard to own and maintain, but also value the principles of being a good steward of that which they have been entrusted with.
That doesn't have to apply to a house, but can be carried all the way up the food chain to our nation, itself!
And here's another case where I am going to be right, so please pay attention...
It ALWAYS comes down to being a RESPONSIBLE individual.
YOU are responsible for YOUR actions...no one else's.
YOU are the one who should be held accountable for whatever you do in life.
I mean, someone MUST be keeping a tally sheet, right?
We can't be allowed to keep doing what we're doing and NOT have someone checking the proper column for the proper reason.
Now (a LONG time ago) I took an accounting class in the one year I attended college, and I can tell you that it's ALWAYS preferable to have a lot more items in the CREDIT column than in the DEBIT one.
Trouble with today's society, is that way too many have overextended their "line of credit" for participating in the human race.
One might say that (to paraphrase a line from the movie TOP GUN): "Their behaviors are writing checks their intellect can't cash".
( "Your ego is writing checks your body can't cash" was the original line)
We need people to take a stand...to step up to the plate and at least TRY to hit the damn ball.
It might not be a home run, but at least make the damn effort.
Sitting one's ass on the team bench, "collecting wood" is NOT the way America prospers...or evolves.
We need leaders willing to make CORRECT decisions, instead of the easy ones.
I've said it here before that the road less traveled, although tough to traverse, and tiring to navigate, will always lead to a better destination.
Besides, isn't that what gel insoles were invented for in the first place...to make the rough going a bit easier?
We may make light of it, but it's something we NEED to consider, and something many NEED to act upon, before it's too late.
And THAT...should NEVER get old either.
Be well, make a difference to someone today, and...
Stay safe out there, America.

02 June 2010

Humpday Happenings...
Well now, middle of the week comes "early", doesn't it?
(especially when Monday is a holiday)
Right now in NE Indiana, we're settling in for some nice thundershowers...sure to make the grass need cutting all too soon, right?
(sometimes, 'ya just can't catch a break)
Anyway, let's take a peek at the rest of the world...

*** Wow, looks like we have some "global cooling" with the announcement that Tipper Gore and her husband (and our favorite environmangelist) Al will be splitting up.
What an epiphany.


Guess even SHE has a limit when it comes to living with an idiot...!
I suppose the only thing that MIGHT be warming up, will be the litigation for the properties and money...we shall see.
I do commend Tipper for putting up with such a shrub for SO long...there MUST be some kind of sainthood in it for her.

I know the POLAR BEARS are in a celebratory mood...
...And speaking of the environment...

*** You can't help but think about the Gulf oil spill...hell, it's ALL over the news 24/7.
And it's one helluva mess, no doubt about that.
But, have you stopped and thought about the "WHY" behind this?
I mean, the reason behind this situation is very obvious, and I'm certainly NO geologist, not related to Jacques Cousteau, nor have ANY vested interest or stock holding in ANY oil company.
The REAL cause of this environmental catastrophe was....the ENVIRONMENTALISTS!
Seems too good to be true, and all too easy, huh?
Think about it...
WHO was it that disallowed the drilling of oil CLOSER to our shores, where any sort of REPAIR could have been implemented a LOT sooner AND a lot easier?
Let's face it...when you HAVE to drill about FIFTY miles offshore (international waters, if memory serves), and over FIVE-THOUSAND FEET BELOW THE SURFACE, the chances of some sort of accident increase exponentially.
And the TYPE of repairs available become limited, and not as "tested" as shallower drilling fixes.
The pressure ALONE at that depth would crush ANY submarine, and only the DEEP-submersibles (like Alvin) would be able to traverse that depth and withstand the pressures encountered.
The types of equipment alone must be so hard to come by, and I'm sure there are people STILL DESIGNING craft that can do the work that could be done by MAN at a lot lesser depth.
It's no wonder that BP is scratching their heads on this one...as with any new technology, it's always easier to DESIGN it than to REPAIR it.
Just take a gander at your cell phone, if you doubt that...!
We've become a more or less "disposable" society.
It's MUCH easier to "toss it", than to FIX IT, right?
Thankfully, that doesn't apply to vehicles or houses...(yet).
But most everything else is pretty much DESIGNED to be tossed.
That's why we've got the crap we do in our landfills.
Everything from diapers to cans and bottles, to TVs and radios, to most every other appliance on the planet.
Just toss it the hell out.
The cost to REPAIR a lot of things is prohibitive when weighted against the cost of a NEW UNIT.
Personally, I think they DESIGN stuff so that it can;t be fixed...and then don't bother to TEACH those with technical skills the PROPER METHOD to fix it.
Take your car mechanic...he's more computer geek these days than a "wrench-jockey".
The car tells HIM what's wrong, he looks up the repair procedure (which will invariably consist of some level of parts-swapping), and he starts switching things out, until the problem condition goes away.
And you HOPE that problem DID, in fact go away.
God, how I miss the days when a REAL mechanic could just rest his hand on the hood, or LISTEN, and KNOW what was wrong with a vehicle. now THOSE guys were GODS, and worth every penny you paid them.
Today, it's more like the way I type on a keyboard..."HUNT AND PECK"...LOL!
Engineers have always loved to change things...that's what they do, much to the chagrin of those that have to REPAIR something that's been engineered by these slide-ruler-riders.
Now, we face a serious ecological situation.
And everyone starts pointing fingers...(as usual).
But, as I said earlier, the REAL culprits are the ENVIRONMENTALISTS.
Through their careful "planning", they opened the Pandora's Box of potential disaster, and we can see the result.
The technology to handle oil spills in more shallow waters HAS been improved since the Exxon Valdez debacle...that's a given.
But when you face a scenario such as this, with all these unforeseen parameters staring you in the face, you're shooting in the dark.
Would we have drilled closer to shore, the spill WOULD have been contained sooner, with less impact on the ecology.
That's also a given.
But with any new technology, comes a much greater responsibility to "get it right the FIRST time".
This time didn't cut the muster.
When this problem DOES get rectified (and it likely will soon enough), maybe we can be allowed to drill "closer to home", thereby negating any future disasters such as the one we currently face.
We can but hope that reason and common sense WILL prevail.
Be well, make a difference to someone today, and...
Stay safe out there, America.